Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Chengtong Chen, Yanfei Ding, Yi Wang, Qiong Jiang, Feijuan Wang, Chenze Lu, Leilei Zhang, Cheng Zhu
Summary: The study focused on authenticating four species of pufferfish using the high-resolution melting (HRM) method, with DNA barcoding coupled with HRM analysis identified as a rapid and efficient tool to prevent consumer fraud or mislabeling of fish products. The findings revealed the potential of COI as the optimal DNA barcode for pufferfish authentication.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jinxia Zhang, Lei Xu, Feiyan Du, Quehui Tang, Lianggen Wang, Jiajia Ning, Delian Huang, Yafang Li, Shuangshuang Liu, Xuehui Wang
Summary: This study employed DNA barcoding and molecular identification approaches to explore the species diversity and distribution pattern of marine fish in both the northern and southern sea areas of Hainan Island in the northern South China Sea. A total of 186 sequences were obtained, representing 56 species, 47 genera, 34 families, and 17 orders.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna Vaupel, Bernd Hommel, Lukas Beule
Summary: Earthworm communities play a crucial role in soil biodiversity and ecosystem functions. However, the traditional method of morphological identification is time-consuming and costly. In this study, we developed a fast and cost-efficient method called HRM curve analysis to identify earthworm species. We also developed a rapid and inexpensive DNA extraction method, which helps to reduce the costs of molecular analyses.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Marianela Quintrel, Felipe Jilberto, Matias Sepulveda, Maria Elisa Marin, David Veliz, Cristian Araneda, Maria Angelica Larrain
Summary: The study developed a DNA-based method for species identification using SNP markers, which can be widely applied in the seafood industry with high accuracy and consistency.
Article
Zoology
Tanner a. Matson
Summary: The previously monotypic geometrid genus Achagua (Ennominae: Nacophorini) is reviewed after the discovery of three undescribed species, which are found in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and French Guiana. The available COI barcode data is briefly reviewed, and illustrations of adults and genitalic structures are provided for the four known species.
Article
Fisheries
Ann Bucklin, Jennifer M. Questel, Leocadio Blanco-Bercial, Alexandra Frenzel, Sara B. Smolenack, Peter H. Wiebe
Summary: The Stylocheiron genus includes species with global distributions but low genetic diversity. Despite circumglobal distributions, genetic divergence is present indicating the importance of selection in driving population differentiation.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Michael J. Sharkey, Austin Baker, Ramya Manjunath, Paul D. N. Hebert
Summary: This article discusses the transfer of Neotropical members from Earinus to the new genus Chilearinus, as well as the transfer of some species. The status of certain species and the description of new species are also discussed.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ben A. Parslow, Michael P. Schwarz, Mark Stevens
Summary: Gasteruptiidae Ashmead is a family of wasps with 589 described species worldwide. The lack of molecular data and phylogenetic research has made species-level identification difficult, but incorporating molecular species delimitation techniques can assist in resolving taxonomic uncertainty in the family.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jinchun Li, Jiapeng Li, Ruixi Liu, Yixuan Wei, Shouwei Wang
Summary: The study developed a hexaplex real-time PCR assay using melting curve analysis to identify eleven meat species simultaneously, showing good specificity of primers and detection limits of 0.01-0.1 ng DNA and 0.1-1% meat mixture. The method can accurately identify different meat species, indicating great application potential.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Carolina Sousa Monteiro, Dumas Deconinck, Piotr Eljasik, Malgorzata Sobczak, Sofie Derycke, Remigiusz Panicz, Nicola Kane, Mohsen Mazloomrezaei, Robert H. Devlin, Miguel A. Faria
Summary: The study utilized High-Resolution Melting Analysis (HRMA) to quickly identify eight salmonid species, finding that food processing does not affect its reliability, with experimental results showing a low substitution rate.
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lorenzo C. Halasan, Paul John L. Geraldino, Hsiu-Chin Lin
Summary: The yellowstripe scad is an important fish commodity in the Tropical Western Pacific. Genetic studies revealed two geographically distinct lineages of the species, with the Australian lineage potentially being a cryptic species. The species underwent rapid expansion in the late Pleistocene, emphasizing the need for lineage-specific management efforts.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Antonio Ricarte, Zorica Nedeljkovic, Pablo Aguado-Aranda, Ma Angeles Marcos-Garcia
Summary: The study aims to deepen the understanding of hoverfly taxonomy, especially in the Iberian Peninsula, one of the regions with the highest biodiversity in Europe.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Xiaoying Zhu, Minghua Wu, Ruijie Deng, Mohammad Rizwan Khan, Sha Deng, Xi Wang, Rosa Busquets, Wanyu Deng, Aimin Luo
Summary: Waxy sorghum is more economically valuable than wild sorghum in food processing and brewing industry. The aARMS-PCR method can accurately identify sorghum species by resolving single-nucleotide in genes, with the ability to detect as low as 1% non-wx(C) sorghum in mixtures. It may have wider applicability in monitoring food adulteration and providing rapid food authenticity verification.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Evanthia Chatzoglou, Nefeli Tsaousi, Apostolos P. Apostolidis, Athanasios Exadactylos, Raphael Sandaltzopoulos, Ioannis A. Giantsis, Georgios A. Gkafas, Emmanouil E. Malandrakis, Joanne Sarantopoulou, Maria Tokamani, George Triantaphyllidis, Helen Miliou
Summary: In this study, a rapid method for species identification within the Sparidae family was developed using RFLPs, multiplex PCR, and HRM analysis of mtDNA regions. HRM analysis of cytb's 113 bp region and/or 16s's 156 bp region could differentiate P. pagrus and D. dentex samples from closely related species and P. pagrus samples from the Mediterranean Sea (compared to those from the eastern Atlantic) in raw or cooked samples.
Article
Parasitology
Kirstin A. Williams, Andeliza Smit, Luis Neves, Louwtjie P. Snyman
Summary: This study found that using the COI gene is not sufficient for differentiating species in the Afrotropical fly genus Atylotus. Misidentifications of these species are common in the literature, which has serious implications for management practices.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Joana Costa, Isabel Mafra
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive overview of Rosaceae allergy, focusing on the specificities of each fruit allergy and discussing topics such as clinical symptoms, prevalence, diagnosis, and immunotherapies. The molecular characterization of allergens, cross-reactivity/co-sensitization phenomena, food processing and digestibility, and detection/quantification methods are also covered. The impact of Rosaceae allergy on pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS) and lipid transfer protein (LTP) allergies is emphasized, as well as the challenges faced by patients in managing multiple fruit allergies and achieving effective avoidance. The lack of specific molecular markers for diagnosis and advances in immunotherapies are identified as gaps in current research.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sara Pardilho, Joao Cotas, Diana Pacheco, Kiril Bahcevandziev, Leonel Pereira, Maria Beatriz Oliveira, Joana Maia Dias
Summary: In this study, Marine Macroalgae Waste (MMW) biomass collected from the seashore in northern Portugal was characterized and seed germination was performed to evaluate its potential for agricultural use. The results showed that liquid extract from MMW can promote seed germination and growth, suggesting the feasibility of producing biostimulants, biofertilizers, or soil conditioners from this resource.
WASTE AND BIOMASS VALORIZATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Joana Costa, Isa Silva, Caterina Villa, Isabel Mafra
Summary: In this study, five nuclear genes were investigated as potential markers for pistachio nut. The Pis v 2 gene was identified as the best marker and targeted using a single-tube nested real-time PCR method. The method showed high sensitivity and successfully detected pistachio nut in wheat material and ice-cream. This novel approach provides a cost-effective and validated method for the analysis of pistachio nut as an allergenic food.
JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Caterina Villa, Monica B. M. Moura, Carla S. S. Teixeira, Joana Costa, Isabel Mafra
Summary: This study aimed to develop a real-time PCR approach for the detection and quantification of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) as a potential allergenic food in complex matrices. The method showed acceptable analytical performance parameters and was confirmed to be suitable for a wide range of foods. However, there were significant differences in real-time PCR data among food matrix and processing, emphasizing the importance of using appropriate calibration models for quantitative analysis. Finally, the real-time PCR approach was successfully validated and applied to commercial samples, demonstrating its efficacy and reliability in the quantification of mealworm in processed foodstuffs.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Patricia Moreira, Joana Costa, Caterina Villa, Isabel Mafra, Catarina Dias, A. Fernando Silva, Carlos M. Pereira, Renata Costa
Summary: A plasmonic nanostructure was used as a biorecognition element coupled to an optical sensing platform to construct a sandwich-style gene-based sensor for detecting hazelnut allergens. The genosensor exhibited a linear dynamic range of 100 amol L-1 to 1 nmol L-1, a limit of detection (LOD) < 19.9 amol L-1, and a sensitivity of 13.4 +/- 0.6 m. It successfully hybridized with hazelnut PCR products, was tested with model foods, and validated using real-time PCR. The genosensor achieved a LOD <0.001% (10 mg kg(-1)) of hazelnut in wheat material (equivalent to 1.6 mg kg(-1) of protein) and a sensitivity of 17.2 +/- 0.5 m for a linear range of 0.001%-1%. This study proposes a new highly sensitive and specific gene-based sensing approach with potential applications in monitoring hazelnut allergens and protecting the health of sensitized/allergic individuals.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Marlene Machado, Helena Ferreira, M. Beatriz P. P. Oliveira, Rita C. Alves
Summary: Consumers' demand for nutritious and healthy foods has driven the development of prebiotic foods. In the coffee industry, the waste/by-products generated from the transformation of cherries into roasted beans can be used as sources of prebiotic ingredients. Coffee by-products contain dietary fiber and other components that can improve gut health and stimulate beneficial bacteria, making them potential prebiotic ingredients. However, further in vivo studies are needed to validate these findings obtained in vitro. This review highlights the potential of coffee by-products in the development of functional foods, contributing to sustainability, circular economy, food security, and health.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Caterina Villa, Joana Costa, Isabel Mafra
Summary: This study developed a highly sensitive and specific real-time PCR method for sesame detection and quantification in complex matrices. By evaluating multiple molecular markers, two markers with the best performance were identified. The methods showed excellent detection performance for white sesame, black sesame, and sesame-containing biscuits.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aleksandra Zielinska, Raquel da Ana, Joel Fonseca, Milena Szalata, Karolina Wielgus, Faezeh Fathi, M. Beatriz P. P. Oliveira, Rafal Staszewski, Jacek Karczewski, Eliana B. Souto
Summary: Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN) and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLC) were used to encapsulate CBD, and their physicochemical characteristics were investigated. The results showed that CBD-loaded SLN had a mean particle size of 217.2 +/- 6.5 nm, PDI of 0.273 +/- 0.023, and EE of about 74%, while CBD-loaded NLC had Z-Ave of 158.3 +/- 6.6 nm, PDI of 0.325 +/- 0.016, and EE of about 70%. Rheological analysis indicated that both lipid nanoparticle formulations exhibited more elasticity than viscosity. SEM study confirmed the morphology and shape of the nanoparticles.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria G. Leichtweis, Adriana K. Molina, Spyridon A. Petropoulos, Marcio Carocho, Tania C. S. P. Pires, Maria Ines Dias, Ricardo Calhelha, M. Beatriz P. P. Oliveira, Carla Pereira, Lillian Barros
Summary: The peels from three pumpkin genotypes cultivated in Greece were evaluated for their phenolic content and bioactive properties. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the extraction process using heat-assisted and ultrasound-assisted techniques. The extracts obtained showed high antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal potential without cytotoxicity. These findings highlight the potential of pumpkin peel extracts for food applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Manuela Sousa, Diana Melo Ferreira, Susana Machado, Joana C. Lobo, Anabela S. G. Costa, Josman D. Palmeira, Maria Antonia Nunes, Rita C. Alves, Helena Ferreira, Maria Beatriz P. P. Oliveira
Summary: This study investigated the influence of different time/temperature conditions on the nutritional quality, chemical composition, and efficiency on natural microbial load control/elimination of olive pomace paste. The binomial 88 degrees C/15 s showed the best preservation of phytochemicals, antioxidant properties, protein, and fiber contents. This treatment is also faster and easier to implement at an industrial level, providing a safe functional ingredient to meet consumers' demands for sustainable products while addressing food safety and food security concerns.
Editorial Material
Food Science & Technology
Margit Cichna-Markl, Isabel Mafra
Review
Food Science & Technology
Carla S. S. Teixeira, Caterina Villa, Joana Costa, Isabel M. P. L. V. O. Ferreira, Isabel Mafra
Summary: The production of food and feed to meet the needs of the growing world's population will soon become a serious challenge. In search for sustainable solutions, entomophagy is being proposed as an alternative source of proteins, with economic and environmental advantages when compared to meat. Edible insects are not only a valuable source of important nutrients, but their gastrointestinal digestion also originates small peptides with important bioactive properties.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Carla S. S. Teixeira, Caterina Villa, Sergio F. Sousa, Joana Costa, Isabel M. P. L. V. O. Ferreira, Isabel Mafra
Summary: This study simulated the gastrointestinal digestion of six A. domesticus proteins and identified new peptides with potential anti-hypertensive and/or anti-diabetic properties. Molecular docking was used to evaluate the binding interactions between the peptides and two drug targets. Five peptides showed potential to inhibit both DPP-4 and sACE, suggesting multifunctional bioactive properties. Two peptides showed potential selective inhibition of the N-domain of sACE, indicating anti-cardiac and pulmonary fibrosis bioactivities. This is the first study to identify peptides from the simulated GI digestion of A. domesticus with potential activities against hypertension, diabetes, cardiac, and pulmonary fibrosis.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Rafael Valdelvira, Joana Costa, Jesus F. Crespo, Beatriz Cabanillas
Summary: This study investigated the impact of hydration on the release of major and minor allergens from peanut kernels. The results showed that hydration played a crucial role in the release of peanut allergens, with major allergen Ara h 1 being quickly released and minor allergens Ara h 8 and Ara h 9 diffusing into the water. The ratio of peanut to water and stirring had a significant impact on allergen release.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
M. Graca Dias, Elsa Vasco, Francisco Ravasco, Lufsa Oliveira
Summary: This study estimated the vitamin D intake of "adults" and "elderly" populations in Portugal using the TDS methodology. The results showed that the majority of people had inadequate vitamin D intake, well below the Dietary Reference Values.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yanan Wang, Jiachen Shi, Yong-Jiang Xu, Chin-Ping Tan, Yuanfa Liu
Summary: This study investigates the variations in lipid digestion profiles among individuals of different ages using in vitro digestion models. The findings suggest that adults have a more comprehensive lipid digestion compared to infants, and infants tend to release shorter chain length and more saturated free fatty acids during digestion. Additionally, the particle sizes in the stomach of the elderly were consistently larger. This study enhances our understanding of how lipids with different degrees of unsaturation undergo digestion in diverse age groups.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hyunjong Yu, Huisu Kim, Pahn-Shick Chang
Summary: Chitosan-pectin emulsion-filled hydrogel (EFH) was developed to enhance the bioaccessibility of lipophilic bioactive compounds through intestinal delivery. The EFH, prepared without crosslinking agents, demonstrated improved mechanical strength and compactness with higher pectin concentration. It retained the emulsion at pH 2.0 and released it at pH 7.4, resulting in enhanced release of free fatty acids and improved bioaccessibility of curcumin.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Tongze Zhang, Siqi Hong, Jia-Rong Zhang, Pin-He Liu, Siyi Li, Zixian Wen, Jianwei Xiao, Guirong Zhang, Olivier Habimana, Nagendra P. Shah, Zhongquan Sui, Harold Corke
Summary: Lactic acid fermentation significantly affects the morphology and physicochemical properties of proso millet starch, including the formation of surface indentations and small pores, decrease in gelatinization temperatures, and changes in hardness and adhesiveness.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Liqin Kong, Feng Hong, Peng Luan, Yiping Chen, Yaoze Feng, Ming Zhu
Summary: This study presents a novel impedance biosensor using composite nanomaterials and T1R1 as a signal probe, which can competitively and ultra-sensitively detect umami intensity. The biosensor exhibits exceptional analytical performance and is suitable for food flavor evaluation.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Kunying Lv, Yixin Yang, Qilong Li, Ran Chen, Liang Deng, Yiwei Zhang, Ning Jiang
Summary: Horse's milk, with its high nutritional value and low allergenic proteins, could be a substitute for cow's milk in infant consumption. A proteomic method was used to identify and compare milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and whey proteins from different horse breeds. The study found differences in protein composition and functionality, which could support the development of formulas more suitable for human infants.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Enrique Jacobo Diaz-Montana, Helene Brignot, Ramon Aparicio-Ruiz, Thierry Thomas- Danguin, Maria Teresa Morales
Summary: Sensory perception of virgin olive oil is influenced by phenols and volatiles, which are affected by the composition of the oil and biological factors. This study investigated the effect of saliva and phenols on the release of volatiles, and found that the presence of phenols decreased the release of saturated volatiles.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Wei Zhou, Rui Zhang, Zhen Cai, Fangfang Wu, Yong Hu, Chao Huang, Kun Hu, Yun Chen
Summary: Environmentally friendly and outstanding pH-responsive cationic starch nanoparticles (CSNP) were prepared from pH-sensitive starch. CSNP exhibited nanosize and regular sphere, highly free-flowing molecular chains, and demonstrated excellent pH responsiveness through multiple emulsion/demulsification transitions.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Andrea Koo, Vinayak Ghate, Weibiao Zhou
Summary: This study suggests that direct seeding may negatively affect the nutritional quality of crops, causing a decrease in ascorbic acid, vitamin K, and total glucosinolate content.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Tonghao Du, Yazhou Xu, Xiaoyan Xu, Shijin Xiong, Linli Zhang, Biao Dong, Jinqing Huang, Tao Huang, Muyan Xiao, Tao Xiong, Mingyong Xie
Summary: This study successfully improved the ACE inhibitory activity of black sesame seeds by fermenting them with Lactobacillus Plantarum NCU116 and hydrolyzing them using acid protease. The RF-PSO model was used to predict the ACE inhibitory activity during the hydrolysis process. Eight peptides with ACE inhibitory activity were identified from fermented black sesame seed hydrolysates after separation and screening.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yao Liu, Songyi Lin, Kexin Liu, Shan Wang, Qiaozhen Liu, Na Sun
Summary: This study analyzed the structural changes of shrimp proteins during digestion, predicted the immunodominant epitopes, and validated their allergenicity. The results showed that shrimp proteins were degraded into peptides during digestion, but still carried IgE epitopes that trigger allergic reactions.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Tiantian Fu, Hongwei Cao, Yu Zhang, Xiao Guan
Summary: This study investigates the impact of milling on the active components in rice, with a focus on the stability and bioaccessibility of phenols, VB1, and alpha-GABA during cooking and digestion. The findings show that milling exacerbates the instability of gamma-GABA during cooking and VB1 during digestion, and it affects the bioaccessibility of these active compounds.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Zhihao Yang, Yanru Hou, Min Zhang, Puxin Hou, Chang Liu, Lu Dou, Xiaoyu Chen, Lihua Zhao, Lin Su, Ye Jin
Summary: This study investigated the molecular mechanism of feeding regimes on lamb flavor by using TMT labeling combined with MS. The results showed that pasture-fed groups had higher levels of amino acids and volatile flavor substances compared to concentrate-fed groups. Additionally, several differentially abundant proteins associated with lamb flavor were identified.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Zixuan Xie, De Zhang, Junyu Zhu, Qianqian Luo, Jun Liu, Jingtao Zhou, Xiaoyong Wang, Yuqiong Chen, Zhi Yu, Dejiang Ni
Summary: This study investigated the acidification of aroma-enhanced black tea during storage. Analysis of non-volatile substances and organic acids using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS and HPLC revealed a decrease in soluble sugars and amino acids, while an increase in organic acids such as oxalic acid, malic acid, and quinic acid. In vitro experiments further demonstrated that the acidification is a result of the decomposition of sugars and amino acids by heating, as well as the oxidation of aromatic aldehydes. Additionally, the study showed that the taste composition of tea infusion is altered, with reduced amino acids, catechins, soluble sugars, and flavonoids. This research provides a theoretical basis for improving the quality of black tea.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Lin Wang, Falai Ma, Zihan Li, Yan Zhang
Summary: This study developed time-temperature integrators based on amyloglucosidase@Cu3(PO4)2 nanoflowers for monitoring the freshness of chilled pork. The results showed that the integrators were highly reliable and accurate in predicting the quality of chilled pork.
