Production Methods Research Articles

Incorrect Statements and Citing Errors Regarding the Effect of Ankyloglossia on Speech in Cordray et al., 2023

Purpose: There is a great deal of misinformation among professionals about the effect (or lack thereof) of ankyloglossia on speech. Consequently, many children undergo unnecessary frenotomy procedures that do not improve their speech and may cause unnecessary complications. This letter points out several erroneous statements in Cordray et al. (2023) about the effect of ankyloglossia on speech. In addition, it identifies articles that were incorrectly cited to support these statements. This letter also reveals significant errors of omission, including the results of the systematic review from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which found that there is insufficient evidence to conclude that ankyloglossia affects speech. Another omission was the consensus statement from the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Consensus Report, which states that ankyloglossia does not typically affect speech. Finally, this letter details the reasons why ankyloglossia is highly unlikely to affect speech. Conclusion: Contrary to statements made in Cordray et al. (2023), there is no evidence that ankyloglossia affects speech production, and therefore, it is highly unlikely to be the cause of a speech sound disorder. This is because even with severe restriction of tongue tip movement, a compensation (or alternative method of production) can be used to produce lingual phonemes with the same acoustic output.

Risk Perception and Mitigation in Hand Tool Use: A Comparative Study of Industrial Safety Perspectives from Ecuador and Hungary

There is an increasing trend to develop innovative information technologies that empower industrial companies and tool suppliers to pioneer new production methods and technologies. This study aims to support innovation in industrial practices by using information technologies to enable companies and tool suppliers to adopt advanced production methods. By focusing on the usability of hand tools, the research seeks to establish essential parameters and focuses on analyzing the perception of risk and its associated benefits when using hand tools. To examine risk perception and risk benefits when using hand tools, the analysis data were collected from workers in two countries and included studies processed by Domain-Specific Risk-Taking (DOSPERT). As a result, it is identified as risk-seeking in the sphere of workers who are very confident in their ability and capacity to perform the determined tasks and carry out risk aversion with other external parameters related to hand tools and environmental characteristics. In addition, the risk perception and worker behavior to deal with it are delineated, giving parameters to help managers avoid workers’ injuries or illnesses, identifying the main risk domains for using hand tools use in specific industrial tasks.

Facile Electrode Manufacturing Strategy for Ultra-Low Cobalt Consumption in Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Water splitting is a sustainable method of hydrogen production that is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality. However, the high cost of green hydrogen remains a major challenge. One strategy to reduce costs is the use of non-precious metal catalysts, such as Co, which is known for its excellent catalytic properties. However, the limited supply and increasing cost of Co pose challenges. In this study, we developed a method to significantly reduce Co usage in catalyst-coated substrates for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis. By incorporating a Co solution into the slurry during a printing transfer method with NiFe oxide, we achieved a 72-fold reduction in Co consumption while improving the overpotential by 12.9% (380 mV at 100 mA cm<sup>-2</sup>). In single-cell anion exchange membrane water electrolysis tests, the catalyst-coated substrate electrode delivered a current density of 900 mA cm<sup>-2</sup> at 1.8 V<sub>cell</sub>, outperforming NiFe oxide electrodes (630 mA cm<sup>-2</sup>). This strategy demonstrates a broadly applicable approach for reducing the use of expensive elements in green hydrogen production.

Cost-sensitive feature selection for multi-label classification: multi-criteria decision-making approach

PurposeIn multi-label classification, selecting the most relevant features is crucial for enhancing predictive performance and reducing computational complexity. Real-world scenarios often involve significant costs in data acquisition, including time, financial and computational resources. However, most existing feature selection methods overlook the associated costs.Design/methodology/approachMulticriteria decision-making (MCDM) has emerged as a powerful tool for addressing complex problems involving multiple, often conflicting criteria. This study proposes a novel cost-sensitive multi-label feature selection method that fuses feature importance with feature cost within an MCDM framework. The proposed method transforms a cost-sensitive multi-label feature selection problem into an MCDM problem by leveraging mutual information. Furthermore, the data were converted into Fermatean fuzzy sets, and the Fermatean fuzzy simple weighted sum product (WISP) method was employed to rank features based on their relevance to labels and associated costs.FindingsExtensive experiments conducted on ten benchmark datasets against five evaluation metrics demonstrated the superiority of the proposed method in selecting relevant features while minimizing costs and consistently outperforming existing methods.Originality/valueUnlike existing methods that integrate costs through penalties and select features via a greedy search, the proposed approach adopts an MCDM-based strategy for feature ranking. This method aims to achieve globally optimal outcomes by balancing the trade-offs between conflicting objectives, marking a significant advancement over existing techniques.Graphicalabstract

Brazilian beef production and GHG emission - social cost of carbon and perspectives for climate change mitigation.

The livestock sector holds a prominent position among Brazilian economic sectors; however, beef production is linked to noteworthy environmental impacts, including deforestation and greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions. In alignment with the Paris Agreement, Brazil aims to reduce GHG emissions by 43% by 2030 as part of its NDC commitment. This study aims to elucidate the nexus between beef production and emissions from beef cattle, providing an assessment of predictive GHG emission scenarios for 2030, and an economic valuation of these emissions utilizing the social cost of carbon (SCC). Under a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, GHG emissions from beef production are estimated to range between 0.42-0.63 GtCO2e in 2030. Conversely, meeting the Brazilian Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) target requires limiting emissions to 0.26 GtCO2e. The SCC analysis unveils a potential cost reductions ranging from US $18.8 to $42.6 billion in 2030, contingent upon achieving the NDC. Furthermore, a strategic assessment considering climate targets and prioritizing beef exports envisions a domestic market availability of 2-10kg of beef per capita in 2030. This study highlight the critical need for transformative adjustments in livestock production methods to reduce GHG emissions per unit of beef yield, with a focus on the economic advantages of emission mitigation.

The Risk of Tradition-Washing: Why Communicating Traditionality Increases Green Perceptions

ABSTRACT This study addresses the phenomenon of tradition-washing where consumers may infer that food products staged to appear traditional are green due to the associations of traditionality with naturalness, healthiness, tastiness, safety or authenticity. This inference persists despite limited evidence that traditional production methods result in lower environmental impact. This study tests whether communication of traditionality activates judgments of greenness and the psychological mechanisms that may explain this effect. We also examine two boundary conditions: product category and consumer dispositional nostalgia. An online experiment with 280 participants shows that the communication of traditional production significantly enhances consumer preferences and perceptions of greenness by eliciting feelings of groundedness. The effect is greater among consumers lower in nostalgia and similar across vice and virtue product categories. This study calls attention to the risk of tradition-washing as consumers conflate traditionality with greenness perceptions. Moreover, this study extends past work on the effects of traditional production methods on consumers by showing the mediating role of feelings of groundedness: because traditionality makes consumers more grounded, they elicit product perceptions of being greener and more desirable. Our findings have practical implications for stakeholders, namely companies, policymakers and consumer organizations to attenuate the risk of tradition-washing.

Causal Mediation Analysis: A Summary-Data Mendelian Randomization Approach.

Summary-data Mendelian randomization (MR), a widely used approach in causal inference, has recently attracted attention for improving causal mediation analysis. Two existing methods corresponding to the difference method and product method of linear mediation analysis have been developed to perform MR-based mediation analysis using the inverse-variance weighted method (MR-IVW). Despite these developments, there is still a need for more rigorous, efficient, and precise MR-based mediation methodologies. In this study, we develop summary-data MR-based frameworks for causal mediation analysis. We improve the accuracy, statistical efficiency and robustness of the existing MR-based mediation analysis by implementing novel variance estimators for the mediation effects, deriving rigorous procedures for statistical inference, and accounting for widespread pleiotropic effects. Specifically, we propose Diff-IVW and Prod-IVW to improve upon the existing methods and provide the pleiotropy-robust methods (Diff-Egger, Diff-Median, Prod-Egger, and Prod-Median), adapted from MR-Egger and MR-Median, to enhance the robustness of the MR-based mediation analysis. We conduct comprehensive simulation studies to compare the existing and proposed methods. The results show that the proposed methods, Diff-IVW and Prod-IVW, improve statistical efficiency and type I error control over the existing approaches. Although all IVW-based methods suffer from directional pleiotropy biases, the median-based methods (Diff-Median and Prod-Median) can mitigate such biases. The differences among the methods can lead to discrepant statistical conclusions as demonstrated in real data applications. Based on our simulation results, we recommend the three proposed methods in practice: Diff-IVW, Prod-IVW, and Prod-Median, which are complementary under various scenarios.

Development of an automated method for in-house production of sodium 18F-fluoride for injection: process validation as a step toward routine clinical application

BackgroundSodium 18F-fluoride for injection can be easily cyclotron-produced and purified, as a simple inorganic salt, by adsorption/desorption onto an anion-exchange cartridge and then dispensed for clinical use. Since the clinical demand for this radiopharmaceutical is constantly increasing, this study aimed to design and develop a simple, fully automated method for the in-house, rapid, and efficient processing and dispensing of injectable solutions of Sodium 18F-fluoride without the need of a synthesis module and disposable kit, but using only the dispensing unit.ResultsA new simple method for the efficient routine production of injectable solutions of [18F]NaF was developed through a straightforward modification of the commercial dispenser Clio (Comecer S.p.A., Italy) and without the need of a synthesis module. The full production, processing and dispensing of [18F]NaF were entirely carried out on the same batch using only the dispensing module. Process validation was carried according to GMP guidelines to ensure consistency of [18F]NaF quality with international standards. The final radiopharmaceutical met all quality criteria specified by Ph. Eur. and chemical, radionuclidic and radiochemical impurities were significantly below the required limits.ConclusionA new simple and reliable procedure developed for the preparation and dispensing of injectable [18F]NaF in less than 10 min with a radiochemical yield > 97% (decay corrected) has been successfully developed. Notably, the proposed method also allows the preparation of [18F]NaF using the residual fluorine-18 activity remaining after a [18F]FDG production run, thus making it immediately accessible to patients for further PET imaging investigations.

Hydrogen Production from Renewable and Non-Renewable Sources with a Focus on Bio-Hydrogen from Giant reed (Arundo donax L.), a Review

In the last five years, the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier has received rising attention because it can be used in internal combustion and jet engines, and it can even generate electricity in fuel cells. The scope of this work was to critically review the methods of H2 production from renewable and non-renewable sources, with a focus on bio-H2 production from the perennial grass giant reed (Arundo donax L.) due to its outstanding biomass yield. This lignocellulosic biomass appears as a promising feedstock for bio-H2 production, with a higher yield in dark fermentation than photo-fermentation (217 vs. 87 mL H2 g−1 volatile solids on average). The H2 production can reach 202 m3 Mg−1 of giant reed dry matter. Assuming the average giant reed dry biomass yield (30.3 Mg ha−1 y−1), the attainable H2 yield could be 6060 m3 ha−1 y−1. A synthetic but comprehensive review of methods of H2 production from non-renewable sources is first presented, and then a more detailed analysis of renewable sources is discussed with emphasis on giant reed. Perspectives and challenges of bio-H2 production, including storage and transportation, are also discussed.

The application and development prospects of extracellular vesicles in oral administration.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale phospholipid-based particles secreted by cells and are essential mediators responsible for intercellular signal communication. The rapid development of EV nanotechnology has brought unprecedented opportunities for nanomedicine. Among various administration methods, oral administration is the most convenient and simplest. However, most drugs (peptides, small molecule drugs, nucleic acids, and therapeutic proteins) greatly reduce their oral bioavailability due to the harsh gastrointestinal environment. Notably, some EVs have been shown to cross biological barriers, including the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The distinctive biological properties of EVs make them a promising natural carrier for oral drug delivery. This review introduces the characteristics of EVs, covering their classification, production methods, and therapeutic efficacy in oral administration. Additionally, we explore the potential roles of EVs in disease prevention and treatment, as well as their future prospects in pharmaceutical applications. This comprehensive overview aims to provide insights into the application of EVs in oral drug delivery, highlighting their advantages, current progress, and the challenges that need to be overcome for successful clinical translation.

Integrated nutrient management improves yield, quality and nutrient uptake of baby corn under sub-tropical condition

A consistent supply of nutrients is critical for reaching optimum quality and output in baby corn. To address this issue, we looked at how integrated nitrogen management affected baby corn growth, productivity, quality, and nutrient absorption. Seven different fertilizer combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers were administered on three varieties viz., Baby Star, Dream Sweet-3, and MSC No. 001. The study was replicated three times using a split-plot design. Integration of Baby Star variety and 75% recommended dose of chemical fertilizer (RD) + cow dung (CD) @ 10 t ha-1 outperformed all the combinations in terms of plant height, leaf area index, total dry matter, and crop growth rate. This combination took a minimum of days to tasseling and silking. Compared to the solo application of inorganic fertilizer, Baby Star showed a 34% increase in cob yield with husk and a 32% rise in cob yield without husk at 75% RD + CD @ 10 t ha-1. The greatest levels of protein and starch were detected in Baby Star with 75% RD + cow dung at 10 t ha-1, however, the highest levels of total soluble solid (TSS) were found in Dream Sweet-3 with 75% RD + CD @ 10 t ha-1. Baby Star variety also had more N, P, K, and S content at 75% RD + CD @ 10 t ha-1 fertilizer level. Finally, it can be inferred that the Baby Star with 50% RD + CD @ 10 t ha-1 performed better and seemed to be the potential method for sustainable baby corn production.

Hydrazine (Bio) synthesis and separation: Advances, state-of-the-art methods, and patent review

Abstract Hydrazine (N2H4) is a highly versatile industrial compound valued for its energetic properties, ease of oxidation, and chemical activity, making it indispensable in various applications such as rocket fuel. Currently, industrial-scale production of N2H4 relies solely on chemical processes. In nature, anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) bacteria have the unique ability to synthesize N2H4 in their metabolism, adding an interesting dimension to N2H4 production. Recent studies revealed that anammox bacteria could be considered a potential alternative bioenergy resource for N2H4. On the other hand, since N2H4 is produced at low concentrations in chemical reaction mixtures, numerous separation techniques have been investigated for this purpose and many patents have been filed over the years. Despite the extensive research on N2H4, there is a notable lack of comprehensive review studies, particularly focusing on N2H4 separation methods. Besides, advancements in N2H4 production routes have not been systematically reviewed in over a decade. Furthermore, there are currently no established methods for extracting N2H4 from biological systems. Within these frameworks, this review first highlighted advances in N2H4 (bio)production and separation processes, emphasizing critical aspects such as efficiency, safety, and technological progress. Then, several separation methods were suggested for extracting N2H4 from biological matrices, considering separation approaches used in chemical reaction mixtures and synthetic wastewater compositions employed in N2H4 biosynthesis. This review provides valuable insight into the detailed, historical, holistic, and up-to-date analysis of hydrazine research, spanning its production methods to separation techniques, for researchers and various industries. Graphical Abstract

The Role of Bioactive Glasses in Modern Dentistry: From Remineralization to Regeneration

Aim: This review explores the potential of bioactive glasses in dentistry, focusing on their applications in dental restorations, implants, and tissue regeneration. The aim is to assess the challenges and opportunities in their use, as well as the future directions for enhancing their performance. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review of recent literature was conducted to analyze the properties, applications, and limitations of bioactive glasses in dental materials. Studies on the composition, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and long-term in vivo performance were included. Methods to enhance the mechanical strength of bioactive glasses, such as the formation of composites and advanced nano structuring, were also explored. Results: Bioactive glasses have shown great promise in promoting remineralization, supporting tissue regeneration, and bonding with hard tissues. However, challenges such as mechanical brittleness, high costs, and limited long-term stability have been identified. Research on enhancing mechanical strength through composites, as well as developing more cost-effective production methods, is ongoing. Conclusion: Bioactive glasses offer significant potential for improving dental treatments and advancing regenerative medicine. Future research should focus on enhancing their mechanical properties, developing personalized bioactive materials, and exploring their integration with stem cell therapies and growth factors. With continued development, bioactive glasses could revolutionize dental restorations, implants, and oral tissue regeneration, providing innovative solutions for oral healthcare.

Production Optimization and Potential Bioactivities of Biosurfactant from PET Surface-Dwelling Oligotrophic Bacillus sp. EIKU23.

The growing demand for efficient biosurfactants in various industrial sectors has driven the search for sustainable alternatives, enhanced production methods, and low-cost substrates. This study aimed to optimize the production, characterize, and assess the bioactivities of biosurfactants produced by an oligotrophic PET plastic-associated Bacillus sp. EIKU23. The bacterium yielded the highest amount of biosurfactant after 6days of incubation in Luria broth medium (pH 7.0) at 30°C without any additives. FTIR and NMR analyses confirmed the lipopeptide nature of the biosurfactant, which exhibited a negative charge. The biosurfactant remained stable at 4°C-80°C and pH 7.0-8.0 for at least 7days. It exhibited antioxidant properties comparable to the ascorbic acid standard, with efficacy ranging from 23.61% to 89.96% in different antioxidant assays. It showed antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative potential pathogens. The biosurfactant induced substantial DNA leakage at a concentration of 10mg/mL and eradicated approximately 48.4% of pre-formed Staphylococcus aureus biofilm and showed anti-attachment behaviour to a polystyrene surface. Additionally, the biosurfactant precipitated up to 98.7% uranium from an aqueous solution, demonstrating its potential for bioremediation. These findings suggest that the biosurfactant produced by Bacillus sp. EIKU23 is multifunctional with promising applications in bioremediation, antibacterial activity, antibiofilm formation, and antioxidant defense, offering a novel solution for sustainable industrial practices and plastic waste management.

Cobalt Decarbonization Catalysts Turning Methane to Clean Hydrogen and Valuable Carbon Nanostructures: A Review

The continuous growth in world energy demands along with the urgent need for decarbonization are strong motivations for the development and usage of sustainable fuels. Hydrogen is highly anticipated to replace fossil fuels in energy production, as it is one of the cleanest energy sources with high energy density per weight. Among the hydrogen production methods, catalytic methane pyrolysis (CMP) stands out as it can contribute to the decarbonization process, since the only co-products include valuable carbon structures and no greenhouse emissions. Cobalt has been shown to be a competent metallic catalytic material with high activity in relation to hydrogen production and selectivity towards valuable carbon nanotubes (CNTs), or carbon nanofibers (CNFs). This review article aims to offer insights relevant to future developments in CMP, by reporting the advantages of methane decomposition over cobalt catalysts. It provides a summary of the factors that influence both hydrogen yield and carbon growth. More specifically, the impacts of different metal loadings and the benefits of utilizing both support carriers and bimetallic systems are addressed. Last but not least, the findings on the most efficient preparation procedures and the optimum operating conditions are also revealed, as supported by published experimental data.

An alternative source of medicines: pharmaceutical utilization of animal-derived metabolites

Abstract Throughout history, various human civilizations have used raw materials obtained from the body parts, metabolic byproducts, or non-animal components of animals as medical resources for the treatment of numerous diseases and relief of symptoms. Protein structures, including hormones and enzymes, as well as various animal-derived metabolites including polysaccharides, lipids, and vitamins, have been used for the development of raw drugs. These chemicals include widely used substances including heparin, melatonin, collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, bile acids, and coenzyme Q10. Additionally, they include materials such as snake, spider, and amphibian poisons, which are now undergoing therapeutic development. This review presents examples of animal-derived pharmaceutical raw materials that are being used as drugs and have potential in drug development research. Detailed descriptions of the chemical structures, original sources and effects of these raw materials are included. In general, the production method that was previously carried out by using animal organisms has been replaced by the utilization of recombinant technologies. The use of animals as a resource in the drug development process is expected to remain an interesting topic and further research in this area is expected. Nevertheless, it is essential not to disregard the suggestions against utilizing animals in pharmaceutical production, particularly in cases where alternative sources are accessible.

Influence of microbiological risks associated with spore-forming microflora on the quality and storability of butter from different production methods

The article presents the results of studies of the effect of spore-forming bacteria on the quality and storability of butter depending on the method of its production — cream churning (CC) or high-fat cream transformation (HFCT). A simulation approach was used in conducting the research, including the following stages: reduction of microbial contamination of raw cream and its contamination with a test culture of spore-forming microorganisms; production of butter according to existing technological schemes; control over the development of the test culture at the stages of production and storage of butter. The objects of the study were: cream before and after pasteurization; pasteurized cream contaminated with a test culture of Bacillus subtilis; butter made by CC and HFCT from contaminated cream. Storage of butter samples was carried out at temperatures of 3±2 °C, 10±1 °C and 25±1 °C. The quality and storability of butter were assessed taking into account significant rejection criteria reflecting the requirements of standardization documents. For this purpose, microbiological and physicochemical indicators were determined using standardized methods, including the content of vegetative cells and spore forms of the Bacillus subtilis test culture, milk plasma acidity, and indicators of oxidative spoilage of the fat phase. Organoleptic indicators were assessed by taste, smell, consistency, and appearance. As a result of the studies, it was established that during the production and storage of butter, the greatest microbiological risks associated with spore-forming bacteria of the genus Bacillus and leading to a decrease in its quality and storability were observed during production by the churning method, which is due to the technological features of production (duration of processes, temperature conditions). When producing butter using the HFCT method, the risks associated with spore-forming aerobic microorganisms were less significant. This ensures long-term preservation of the initial safety and quality indicators of butter at a regulated temperature of 3±2 °C, as well as higher storability at elevated storage temperatures in comparison with butter produced using the churning method.

Optimization study and material properties of angular artificial aggregates

Abstract Natural aggregate exploitation and landfills of industrial and agricultural by-products in the environment are leading to serious environmental hazards. The practice of assigning economic value to by-products by utilizing them in the production of artificial aggregates has expedited significant research efforts. This study aimed to utilize Taguchi-integrated grey relational analysis to optimize the multivariable parameters of geopolymerization, thereby achieving the desired properties of artificial aggregates. Fly ash, paper sludge ash, and palm oil fuel ash were treated with alkaline solutions such as sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate according to the considered Taguchi design matrix. The product was crushed in a jaw crusher to produce angular artificial aggregates, a reliable method for industrial mass production. The physical properties, such as water absorption, aggregate impact value, and compressive strength tests, were analyzed and considered crucial optimization response indices. In addition, the XRF, XRD, and SEM of the precursors and artificial aggregates were investigated. Experimental results showed that the specific gravity and apparent density of produced aggregates were between 1.5 and 1.9 and 1400 to 1504 kg/m3, respectively. The microstructure inferred the presence of porous and rough surface texture. The study found the lowest water absorption of 18.7%, the lowest aggregate impact value of 26.2%, and the highest compressive strength of 36.6 MPa, which were achieved for a mix made of sodium hydroxide solution of molarity 12, alkaline solution ratio of 1.5, and raw materials proportions of 60:30:10. The findings in this study are helpful for their applications in concrete production.

Kuih Donat: A Narrative Study on the Practical Preparation and Sensory Analysis of Local Street Food

ABSTRACT The study investigates the practical aspects of preparing and processing a local delicacy, Kuih Donat, which holds significant culinary importance. It explores production methods, characterization, recipe testing, and provides technical guidelines for consistent preparation. Sensory evaluations and preference analyses are conducted alongside practical tips tailored for street vendors and a standardized formulation for food cost calculations. The study includes two extensively tested recipes that offer flexibility for various production conditions, addressing challenges commonly faced by street food vendors. Through experiments conducted under four distinct conditions, the study examines storage and consumption times to assist vendors in delivering high-quality Kuih Donat. Results indicate a preference for Recipe A, particularly when consumed within 30 minutes of frying. For vendors facing logistical constraints, the second-best condition is consumption within 2 hours, ensuring that proper airtight storage practices are followed. These findings provide actionable insights to enhance the quality and appeal of Kuih Donat, supporting street vendors in maintaining consistency and meeting consumer expectations.

The Health Benefits and Functional Properties of Gochujang: A Comprehensive Review of Fermentation and Bioactive Compounds

Gochujang, a traditional Korean fermented red pepper paste, is celebrated for its unique spicy and fermented flavor. This natural, whole food offers several health benefits due to the bioactive compounds formed during fermentation and its diverse ingredients. These bioactive compounds have been shown to have anti-cancer properties and anti-inflammatory effects by reducing inflammatory cytokines and suppressing pathways associated with diseases such as colitis and hepatitis. Gochujang has also been shown to help prevent obesity by promoting weight loss, inhibiting fat accumulation, and improving lipid profiles. It has also been shown to aid in the prevention of diabetes by suppressing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity. The influence of gochujang on the gut microbiota is remarkable, with the ability to increase beneficial bacteria, improve microbial balance, and alleviate metabolic disorders. The primary agents responsible for these effects are capsaicin, fermentation by-products, and other bioactive compounds. The fermentation process, driven by microorganisms, enhances the nutritional and functional properties of gochujang, strengthening its health-promoting potential. This paper provides a comprehensive review of gochujang’s historical background, production methods, the role of microorganisms in fermentation, and its functional properties, emphasizing its value as a functional food for overall health improvement.