Beverage Applications Research Articles

Valorisation of hop leaves for their bioactive compounds: Identification and quantification of phenolics across different varieties, crop years and stages of development.

Hop leaves, a by-product from hop cone harvesting, contain phenolic compounds of potential value for food or beverage applications. However, the abundant phenolics in hop leaves remain largely unquantified. This study quantified phenolics in hop leaves over two crop years, for three commercially significant varieties, at different developmental stages post-flowering. Ethanolic hop extracts were characterised using LC-ESI-qTOF-MS/MS and HPLC-DAD for the annotation and quantification of phenolics and bitter resins. Hop leaf phenolic profile exhibited considerable structural diversity, differing significantly from that of respective cones. Kaempferol/quercetin 3-O-glycosides and chlorogenic acids were the most abundant sub-groups with phenolic acids, procyanidins, prenylflavonoids and bitter resins also present. Phenolic profile was mainly variety-dependent with some crop year and developmental effects. Flavonol 3-O-glycosides were the main compounds driving varietal differences. Findings demonstrate the structural diversity and high concentrations of phenolic compounds in hop leaf extracts and their potential as a source of bioactives for valorisation.

A QSPR Model for Henry's Law Constants of Organic Compounds in Water and Ethanol for Distilled Spirits.

Henry's law describes the vapor-liquid equilibrium for dilute gases dissolved in a liquid solvent phase. Descriptions of vapor-liquid equilibrium allow the design of improved separations in the food and beverage industry. The consumer experience of taste and odor are greatly affected by the liquid and vapor phase behavior of organic compounds. This study presents a machine learning (ML) based model that allows quick, accurate predictions of Henry's law constants (kH) for many common organic compounds. Users input only a Simplified Molecular-Input Line-Entry System (SMILES) string or a common English name, and the model returns Henry's law estimates for compounds in water and ethanol. Training was performed on 5,690 compounds. Training data were gathered from an existing database and were supplemented with quantum mechanical (QM) calculations. An extra trees regression model was generated that predicts kH with a mean absolute error of 1.3 in log space and an R2 of 0.98. The model is applied to common flavor and odor compounds in bourbon whiskey as a test case for food and beverage applications.

Development and characterization of microencapsulated Pichia kluyveri CCMA 0615 with probiotic properties and its application in fermented beverages

The study aimed to develop innovative microencapsulated formulations of strains with probiotic attributes, Pichia kluyveri CCMA 0615 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae CCMA 0732. The yeasts (8 log CFU/mL) were microencapsulated by spray drying technique using whey powder (WP - 15 %, 20 %, and 30 %) and sodium alginate (ALG - 1 %). The microcapsules and cell viability were characterized during two months of storage (4 °C and 25 °C). The selected formulations were applied to functional beverage fermentation, and viability and survival in the simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) were performed. The viability of yeasts microencapsulated by the spray drying method was shown to be dependent on the strain and encapsulating matrix used, ranging from 84 to 99 %. P. kluyveri required refrigeration when storing microcapsules. In functional beverage fermentation, microencapsulated yeast maintained the same fermentative profile with carbohydrate consumption, production of lactic acid (0.30 to 1.10 g/L) and alcohol (0.2 to 1.61 g/L), and greater viability during storage. Finally, the microencapsulation of P. kluyveri with 15 % WP + 1 % ALG maintained high viability under GIT conditions, whether exposed independently (>84 %) or incorporated into a food matrix (>94 %). The study demonstrated that this innovative microencapsulation of probiotic yeasts increases their viability, improves biotechnological application, and facilitates efficient delivery of probiotics to the host.

In vitro validation of colon delivery of vitamin B2 through a food grade multi-unit particle system.

Colon target delivery of active ingredients is frequently applied in pharmaceutical products. However, in functional food and beverage applications, dietary supplements, and medical nutrition, formats targeting colonic delivery to improve human health are rare. Nevertheless, there is emerging evidence for beneficial effects of colonic delivered nutrients on gut microbiota and host health which increases the demand for sustainable food grade materials that are regulatory approved for application. In this paper, we describe a double layer coated multi-unit particle system (MUPS) with a diameter of approximately 730 microns consisting of food grade materials: shellac as outer layer, alginate as inner layer, cellulose as a core and riboflavin as active ingredient. The suitability of the MUPS for colonic delivery was tested in three well-established in vitro digestion and fermentation models: the USP Apparatus 3 and the TNO Intestinal Models 1 and 2 (TIM-1 and TIM-2). All systems confirmed the integrity of the MUPS under simulated upper gastrointestinal tract conditions with approximately 90% of the active ingredient being released under simulated ileal-colonic conditions. The TIM-2 model also showed the effects of riboflavin loaded MUPS on the microbiome composition with an increase in the production of short-chain fatty acids, acetate and butyrate. The results of these experiments provide a reliable basis for validation of this vitamin-loaded food grade MUPS in future human clinical trials. In addition, following the recent announcement of the European Commission to restrict intentionally added microplastics to products, the materials used in the described formulation offer an environmentally friendly alternative to often applied methyl acrylate based coatings.

Evaluation of the antimicrobial and anticancer properties of Myrrh resin extract and its application in cacao beverages

Due to the potential health risks of synthetic food preservatives, there has been a noticeable increase in interest in finding natural food preservatives during the past few decades. The goal of this study was to investigate the use of a natural extract of Myrrh resin as an antimicrobial agent. The antioxidant properties of Myrrh resin extract (MRE) were analyzed using HPLC and GC–MS. The results showed that MRE contained potent antioxidant compounds, including 19 compounds, with the dominant compound being kaempferol, which had the highest value of 1896 µg/g. Quercetin was found to be the second most abundant compound, with a value of 520 µg/g.The efficacy of MRE as an antimicrobial agent against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was tested, and its application in Cacao beverages was also studied. The results demonstrated that MRE was highly effective against all the tested bacteria both in vitro and in the total bacterial count of the produced cacao beverage. Additionally, the fungi in the cacao beverage were completely inhibited at all tested concentrations of MRE. The total soluble solids (TSS), pH value, and acidity of the produced untreated, treated cacao beverage with MRE and sodium benzoate were carried out, and all values mentioned were almost the same, with no differences noted. The sensory evaluation of Cacao beverage showed that the MRE had a minor impact on taste, odor, color, and texture of the produced cacao beverage in comparison with the control sample, which was very acceptable for judgments and recorded 95, 88, and 94 for the control and treated samples, respectively. Furthermore, the anti-cancer properties of MRE were evaluated, revealing significant cytotoxic effects against colon cancer (HCT) and liver cancer (HEPG2) cell lines. The IC50 values for HCT and HEPG2 cells were 55.69 µg/ml and 70.78 µg/ml, respectively, indicating the potential of MRE as an anti-cancer agent.

Ultrasonic Fabrication of Catechin Nanoemulsions from Green Tea with Enhanced Stability and Antioxidant Activity Optimized by Box-Behnken Design

Nanoemulsions are emulsions, either O/W (oil in water) or W/O (water in oil), with droplet diameters typically ranging from 50 to 1,000 nm. Research indicates that nanoemulsions are highly effective in enhancing the bioavailability, bioactivity, digestibility, stability, safety, quality and sensory attributes of food components. The study aimed to determine the optimum formulation and ultrasonic condition for fabricating catechin nanoemulsion (Ca-NE) from green tea with improved physical stability and antioxidant activity using response surface methodology. The effects of Medium Chain Triglyceride oil concentration (7.5 - 12.5 % w/w), Tween® 80 concentration (1 - 5 % w/w) and sonication time (5 - 15 min) on the droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI) and antioxidant activity presented by DPPH value of the Ca-NE were investigated using Box-Behnken design (BBD). The results found that droplet size and antioxidant activity of the Ca-NE were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the proposed parameters, whereas the PDI value was slightly affected by those factors. The BBD results suggested that the Ca-NE fabrication condition was optimized with 7.5 % (w/w) oil concentration, 5 % (w/w) Tween® 80 concentration and a sonication time of 10.87 min. The optimum nanoemulsion showed good physical stability in terms of droplet size and PDI and had higher antioxidant activity than unencapsulated catechins when stored at 4 and 30 °C for 90 days. This study showed that catechin nanoemulsions fabricated by ultrasonication had good stability and antioxidant activity and, hence, had high potential for food and beverage applications in the food industry. HIGHLIGHTS The optimum nanoemulsion had good physical stability regarding droplet size and PDI when stored at 4 and 30 °C for 90 days. The ultrasonic fabrication of Ca-NE results in better retention of antioxidant activity than unencapsulated catechins. The ultrasonic fabrication provided the Ca-NE with good stability and high antioxidant activity. The results suggest that the obtained nanoemulsion of catechins has great potential in food or pharmaceutical applications. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Formation mechanism and stability of egg white fluid gels under ultrahigh-pressure homogenization pretreatment and synergistic heating effect

The thermal sterilization process of protein beverages inevitably leads to the formation of insoluble thermal aggregates, greatly reducing the texture and taste of protein beverages. In this study, homogenized egg white (HEW) was obtained by ultrahigh-high-pressure (UHP) homogenization pretreatment of egg white (EW), and then a special egg white fluid gel (EWFG) was prepared by water bath heating. The results showed that the optimal conditions for preparing EWFG were three cycles at 20 MPa homogenizing pressure and heating in a water bath at 72℃ for 10 min. Under these conditions, the EWFG was a milky-white homogeneous liquid with an average particle size of about 560 nm. Measurements of the physicochemical properties of HEW and EWFG showed that the UHP homogenization treatment reduced the viscosity of HEW, decreased the particle size of protein aggregates, and increased the zeta potential, which altered the interactions of proteins during the subsequent heating process and facilitated the formation of homogeneous and dispersed EWFG. EWFG showed good stability at pH 6–10 and in low-concentration saline and medium-concentration sucrose solutions. The EWFG obtained by the present treatment is more suitable for factory-scale production and has great potential for protein beverage applications.

Fabrication and characterisation of stable ternary complexes based on bovine lactoferrin, pectin and chlorogenic acid

Stable ternary complexes of lactoferrin (LF), high methoxyl pectin (HMP) and chlorogenic acid (CGA) were synthesised and characterised. Soluble LF–HMP complexes were prepared at pH 5, 6 and 7 using established phase diagram. CGA bound to ternary complexes at moderate binding strength (Ka: 103–105 L/M). LF, HMP and CGA interacted via noncovalent interactions like hydrophobic interaction. Ternary complexes showed particle size of 135–462 nm (except for 0.05% CGA at pH 5) and zeta‐potential from −17 to −22 mV. Ternary complexes had superior antioxidant capacity over binary ones (P < 0.05). The ternary complexes may find application in functional beverages.

Health-Promoting Effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Its Technological Applications in Fermented Food Products and Beverages

Health-Promoting Effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Its Technological Applications in Fermented Food Products and Beverages

Biochemical insights into tea foam: A comparative study across six categories

Tea foam properties, crucial indicators of tea quality, have gained renewed interest due to their potential applications in innovative beverages and foods. This study investigated the foaming properties and chemical foundations of six major tea categories through morphological observations and biochemical analyses. White tea exhibited the highest foaming ability at 56.28%, while black tea showed the best foam stability at 84.01%. Conversely, green tea had the lowest foaming ability (10.83%) and foam stability (54.24%). These superior foaming characteristics are attributed to the relatively low lipid content and acidic pH values. Surprisingly, no significant correlation was found between tea saponin content and foaming properties. Instead, specific amino acids (including Tyr, Gaba, Phe, Ile, and Leu) and catechins (GA and CG) were identified as potential contributors. These results deepen our understanding of tea foam formation and offer insights into utilizing tea-derived plant-based foams in food products.

Development of edible nanoemulsions containing vitamin E using a low-energy method: Evaluation of particle size and physicochemical properties for food and beverage applications

Pasta, a globally popular dish, serves as a complete meal around the world. This research aims to improve the nutritional value of pasta by enriching it with vitamin E. Firstly, vitamin E and sesame oil were mixed in different ratios (1:10, 1:5, 10:10) and dissolved in an aqueous medium at 50 °C with different concentrations of Tween 80 (10 %, 20 %, 30 %). Coarse emulsions were formed by gradual addition of the oil phase to the aqueous phase, followed by equilibration using an Ultratrax mixer at 15,000 rpm for 5 min. The target nanoemulsions were then produced using an ultrasonic system. After 30 days of storage, the most stable nanoemulsions containing 10 % Tween 80 and a 1:10 ratio of vitamin E to sesame oil showed minimal changes. In addition, nanoemulsions with 10 % Tween 80 and a 10:10 ratio of vitamin E to sesame oil showed less turbidity than those with 20 % and 30 % Tween 80. Evaluation of enriched pasta for physical, chemical and sensory properties compared to non-enriched samples showed no significant differences in properties such as pH, ash, total solids, texture and colour characteristics (P < 0.05). Enriched pasta samples showed an increase in moisture content of 0.94 % and a decrease in weight loss of 2.13 % compared to the control, with improved brightness (L) and yellowness (b) due to the addition of nanoemulsion. Sensory evaluation showed higher scores for pasta samples enriched with nanoemulsions containing vitamin E compared to control samples. This pioneering study introduces nanoemulsion technology to improve the nutritional profile of pasta by enriching it with vitamin E. The research demonstrates the successful formulation of stable nanoemulsions and their positive effects on pasta properties, suggesting promising avenues for improving public health through innovative pasta enrichment methods.

Glycosyl transferase GT2 genes mediate the biosynthesis of an unusual (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan exopolysaccharide in the bacterium Sarcina ventriculi.

Linear, unbranched (1,3;1,4)-β-glucans (mixed-linkage glucans or MLGs) are commonly found in the cell walls of grasses, but have also been detected in basal land plants, algae, fungi and bacteria. Here we show that two family GT2 glycosyltransferases from the Gram-positive bacterium Sarcina ventriculi are capable of synthesizing MLGs. Immunotransmission electron microscopy demonstrates that MLG is secreted as an exopolysaccharide, where it may play a role in organizing individual cells into packets that are characteristic of Sarcina species. Heterologous expression of these two genes shows that they are capable of producing MLGs in planta, including an MLG that is chemically identical to the MLG secreted from S. ventriculi cells but which has regularly spaced (1,3)-β-linkages in a structure not reported previously for MLGs. The tandemly arranged, paralogous pair of genes are designated SvBmlgs1 and SvBmlgs2. The data indicate that MLG synthases have evolved different enzymic mechanisms for the incorporation of (1,3)-β- and (1,4)-β-glucosyl residues into a single polysaccharide chain. Amino acid variants associated with the evolutionary switch from (1,4)-β-glucan (cellulose) to MLG synthesis have been identified in the active site regions of the enzymes. The presence of MLG synthesis in bacteria could prove valuable for large-scale production of MLG for medical, food and beverage applications.

Understanding consumer acceptability of verjuice, its potential applications and sensory and chemical drivers of liking

The wine sector is working to add value, enhance sustainability and reduce waste, yet often creating new products with unknown consumer acceptance. Verjuice, juice made from discarded unripe thinned grapes, is an example. Whilst verjuice has various culinary uses, its versatility in beverages continues to expand. However, its sensory drivers of liking when consumed as a drink, and their potential impact on its application remain unclear. Chemical drivers of sensory characteristics are also unknown representing a critical knowledge gap needed to guide product innovation. This study aimed to provide new knowledge regarding consumer acceptability of verjuice by identifying its sensory drivers of liking as a beverage, evaluating its potential use in different applications and identifying chemical drivers of its sensory characteristics. New Zealand consumers (n = 93) evaluated 13 verjuice samples from different countries. Furthermore, verjuice familiarity and its influence on emotional response was investigated to determine likely future consumer engagement. Sweetness was the most positive driver of liking in verjuice overall, followed by fruity and floral notes, smoothness, and to a lesser extent citrus flavour. Consumers expressed varied preferences for verjuice’s sensory profile, with fruity, floral, and honey flavours driving beverage application, whilst winey and green apple notes were more associated with culinary scenarios. Some association between chemical parameters and sensory attributes were evident (e.g. sugars were highly associated with perceived sweetness, fruity, and floral attributes; these attributes also shared proximity with 1-hexanol and cyclohexanol). The general idea of verjuice elicited positive valence emotions, but consumers who were ‘not familiar’ felt more curious, and those ‘familiar’ felt happier and more satisfied. Findings highlight the potential to tailor verjuice for specific applications by understanding desired sensory profiles and related chemical parameters. Recognising the interplay between familiarity level and emotional response is crucial for positioning the product in the marketplace and fostering consumer engagement. Marketing initiatives are needed to increase verjuice familiarity and support product innovation, leading to increased product appeal.

Enhancing the functionality of pea proteins by conjugation with propylene glycol alginate via transacylation reaction assisted with ultrasonication

Pea proteins lack the desirable functional characteristics for food and beverage applications. In this study, transacylation reaction assisted with ultrasonication was used to glycate pea proteins with propylene glycol alginate to enhance their functional properties. The reaction was carried out at pH 11.0 for different pea protein isolate: propylene glycol alginate mass ratios and time durations in a sonic bath at 40 °C. Glycation was confirmed in gel electrophoresis, and ultrasonication enhanced the glycation, with optimal degrees of glycation observed at 45 min reaction time and mass ratios of 2:1 (37.73%) and 1:1 (35.96%). The transacylation reaction increased random coil content of pea proteins by 28% and enhanced their solubility by 2.02 times at pH 7.0, water holding capacity by >50% at pH 7.0, foaming properties, emulsifying properties, and heat stability. This study offers a novel approach that can enhance functionality and applicability of pea proteins.

Physicochemical properties and cell viability comparison of two Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DNZ-4 microcapsules and its application in beverages

Two microcapsules of Lactiplantibacillus Plantarum DNZ-4 (DNZ-4) with shell of casein-alginate (A-CDM) and casein-alginate-chitosan (CA-CDM) were prepared by the polymeric gel and layer-by-layer (LBL) encapsulation technique. These microcapsules with an encapsulation rate of 93.17% were compared with physicochemical properties, cell viability, storage, and application. The results showed that there was no significant difference in particle size between A-CDM (2.22 mm) and CA-CDM (2.35 mm). SEM images showed that CA-CDM became more regular and smoother after chitosan coating. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions in CDMs. The interaction between chitosan and alginate made the swelling ratio significantly lower than A-CDM in simulated gastric and intestinal fluid. Both microcapsules significantly improved cell viability under high temperature, low acidity, bile salts, storage, and gastrointestinal digestion, and CA-CDM demonstrated a better protective effect than A-CDM. The number of viable cells in beverages reduced by only 1.74 lg CFU/mL due to the protective effect of CA-CDM after pasteurized (63 °C, 30 min). Moreover, the cell counts were all above 7 lg CFU/mL stored at 4 °C for 28 days, and the pH and viscosity of the beverages changed slightly. Therefore, multilayer-coated microcapsules with casein-alginate-chitosan have great potential in protecting probiotics, target delivery, and applications.

Co-encapsulation of curcumin and piperine in whey protein isolate fibrils improves their water dispersibility and antioxidant activity

In this study, whey protein isolate (WPI) fibrils prepared by acid heat treatment for different times (5, 10, 15, or 20 h) were used for the co-encapsulation and co-delivery of curcumin (Cur) and piperine (Pip). Co-encapsulation of both nutraceuticals in the fibrils significantly improved their water dispersibility, chemical stability, and antioxidant activity. For instance, the water dispersibility of Cur and Pip in native WPI solutions was around 47.0% and 47.5%, respectively. In contrast, the water dispersibility of the same two nutraceuticals in WPI fibrils (15 h treatment) was 94.3% and 66.6%, respectively. The nutraceutical-loaded WPI fibrils did not undergo significant flocculation or precipitation after 14 d storage at 25 °C. After encapsulation, the DPPH free radical scavenging ability of the Cur-Pip combination experienced a surge, rising from approximately 35.4% to 72.0%. The Stern-Volmer quenching constants (Ksv) of Cur-WPI (3.03 × 104 M−1) and Pip-WPI (7.08 × 104 M−1) were much smaller than those of Cur-WPI fibrils (3.88 × 104–4.69 × 104 M−1) and Pip-WPI fibrils (8.26 × 104–9.41 × 104 M−1), indicating that the nutraceuticals bind stronger to the protein fibrils than to the native protein molecules. In summary, WPI fibrils have the capability to encapsulate, protect, and deliver hydrophobic nutraceuticals, suggesting their suitability for application in functional foods and beverages.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate stabilizes aqueous curcumin by generating nanoparticles and its application in beverages

In this study, we addressed the limited water solubility of curcumin by utilizing epigallocatechin-3-gallate to form nanoparticles through self-assembly. The resulting particles, ranging from 100 to 150 nm, exhibited a redshift in the UV–visible spectrum, from 425 nm to 435 nm, indicative of potential π-π stacking. Molecular docking experiments supported this finding. Curcumin loaded with epigallocatechin-3-gallate showed exceptional dispersibility in aqueous solutions, with 90.92 % remaining after 60 days. The electrostatic screening effect arises from the charge carried by epigallocatechin-3-gallate on the nanoparticles, leading to enhanced retention of curcumin under different pH, temperature, and ionic strength conditions. Furthermore, epigallocatechin-3-gallate can interact with other hydrophobic polyphenols, improving their dispersibility and stability in aqueous systems. Applying this principle, a palatable beverage was formulated by combining turmeric extract and green tea. The nanoparticles encapsulated with epigallocatechin-3-gallate show potential for improving the applicability of curcumin in aqueous food systems.

Exploring the Economic and Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit: Consumer Perceptions, Market Dynamics, and Strategic Development for Filipino Farmers

This study examined the prominence of dragon fruit, focusing on its medicinal benefits, food and beverage applications, and essential products. By understanding the economic and health advantages associated with dragon fruit, the research provided insights into its value across various contexts, highlighting its potential to enrich production strategies. A total of 125 respondents participated in the study, which identified trends and patterns in consumer perceptions, offering insights into market dynamics and potential areas for development. A structured questionnaire using a 5-point Likert scale was employed to systematically collect data on subjective opinions, quantifying perceptions regarding the economic and health benefits of dragon fruit. Descriptive statistics, including mean scores and standard deviations, summarized the data, indicating strong and weak perceptions that informed recommendations for enhancing dragon fruit production. The findings revealed significant economic and health benefits for Filipino farmers, despite challenges such as low market availability and poor visibility. While the crop is recognized as commercially viable and easy to grow, uncertainty regarding production costs and a lack of comprehensive information hinder its growth. Additionally, differing perceptions about dragon fruit’s uses in food, beverages, and personal care products highlighted a critical gap in knowledge that must be addressed. The study concluded with strategic recommendations for enhancing awareness through Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) initiatives, improving marketing strategies, diversifying product lines, and promoting gender inclusivity in dragon fruit farming to maximize its benefits for farmers in the Philippines.

Cocoa Bean Shell By-Products as Potential Ingredients for Functional Food and Beverage - A Review

Cocoa processing generates by-products such as pod husks, pulp, and bean shells. Among these, cocoa bean shells (CBS) stand out as a significant by-product, comprising approximately 10% to 17% of the total weight of cocoa beans. These shells are typically separated from the cocoa beans before or after roasting. A large amount of waste can be produced during the mass processing of cocoa beans; in one year, the world has 700,000 tons. CBS contains various nutrients and beneficial compounds, including approximately 50% dietary fiber, proteins, minerals, vitamins, volatile compounds, and various polyphenols. The objectives of this review encompass assessing the potential of CBS as a valuable ingredient for developing functional foods and beverages. Our methodology involved a comprehensive literature search across multiple scholarly databases, focusing on journal articles exploring CBS utilization in functional foods and beverages. The results reveal CBS as a promising by-product with significant opportunities for value addition, presenting itself as a potential functional ingredient for food and beverage applications. However, the limited literature on developing CBS-based fermented beverage products akin to kombucha and kefir underscores the need for further research to explore their untapped potential fully.

Unveiling the potential applications of buds of Lonicera japonica Thunb. var. chinensis (Wats.) Bak based on in vitro biological activities, bio-active components, and potential applications coupled to targeted metabolomics.

The buds of Lonicera japonica Thunb. var. chinensis (Wats.) Bak, commonly named red honeysuckle, have attracted attention because of their bright colors. However, owing to the lack of systematic studies, the potential applications of red honeysuckle are not clear, and its development and utilization have not been well known. In this study, compared with the buds of L. japonica Thunb. (honeysuckle), the potential applications of red honeysuckle were explored based on biological activities, bio-active components, and sensory flavor combined with widely targeted metabolomics. As a result, in vitro tests showed that it had a stronger antioxidant and a stronger inhibitory effect on the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. There was no cytotoxicity on LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells in its aqueous extract using the CCK-8 method. Moreover, it also had a stronger effect on inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The content of its bio-active components chlorogenic acid and cynaroside was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001) than that of green honeysuckle. Widely targeted metabolomics analysis revealed that 4 volatile metabolites, such as (E)-4-hexene-1-ol and pyrazole, and 21 non-volatile metabolites, such as macranthoside B and oleanolic acid-3-O-glc(1-2)-(ara)-28-O-glucoside ester, were specific in red honeysuckle. Interestingly, 14 specific terpenoid metabolites were triterpenoid saponins, indicating a stronger biological activity in red honeysuckle. The sensory flavor analysis showed that the red honeysuckle had a stronger herbal and lighter floral flavor. In conclusion, red honeysuckle had great development value with potential applications in medicines, foods, beverages, pigment additives, and health products.