This study investigated wheat bran dietary fiber (WBDF) using the twin-screw extrusion method, with wheat bran as the primary raw material. The research examined the physicochemical properties, cholesterol and sodium cholate adsorption capacity, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and functional characteristics. Animal experiments were conducted to assess its impact on improving constipation. Results indicated that extru-sion-modified WBDF (E-WBDF) exhibited higher water-holding capacity (WHC), oil-holding capacity (OHC), water swelling capacity (WSC), and stronger cholesterol and sodium cholate adsorption capacities (CAC and SCAC). Additionally, E-WBDF showed greater DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities compared to WBDF. In mouse models of slow transit constipation, both WBDF and E-WBDF significantly alleviated constipation, with E-WBDF demonstrating superior efficacy. These findings highlight that E-WBDF could serve as a promising functional food additive to enhance intestinal function.

The present study elucidates the protective efficacy of red ginseng polysaccharide (RGP) against septic-associated acute lung injury (ALI), a critical condition exacerbated by oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Utilizing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse and cellular models, we assessed lung pathology through histological staining, injury scoring, and lung wet-to-dry ratios along with inflammatory cytokine levels. Cell viability and apoptosis were quantified using cell counting kit-8 and TUNEL assays, respectively, while fluorescence labeling was employed to gauge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Our findings indicated that RGP markedly attenuated LPS-induced lung damage, inflammation, oxidative injury, ER stress, and apoptotic processes. Mechanistic insights revealed that RGP exerted its protective effects by activating the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway in LPS-stressed lung tissues. Inhibition of Nrf2 or AMPK abrogated RGP’s benefits on apoptosis, ROS production, and MMP preservation in murine lung type II epithelial (MLE-12) cells, underscoring the Nrf2/AMPK-mediated mechanism of RGP’s action against LPS-induced ALI. These results underscore the potential of RGP as a novel therapeutic agent for sepsis-associated ALI.

Ball milling (BM) was applied to cocoa powder with varying fat content to improve suitability for developing innovative beverages. Cocoa powder is widely used, but the limited water dispersibility and/or stabilizing ability of emulsified systems restricts its applications in food design. BM treatments applied differed in treatment time (10, 20, or 30 min) and rotation speed (450 or 550 rpm). After BM, particle size increased or decreased (39.7 and 22.3% respec-tively, on average) depending on cocoa composition and processing conditions. This corresponded to changes in microstructure, lipid structure, color, and bioactive content with promising results for novel ingredient development.

Our study aimed to investigate the effects of varied inoculation times of a mixed culture of four microorganisms on the fermentation characteristics of kombucha to standardize the process. We selected strains through prior phenotypic and genotypic screening to establish a controlled, mixed microbial fermentation system for kombucha production. A combination of Gluconobacter oxydans SFT-27, Acetobacter pasteurianus SFT-18, Leuconostoc mesenteroides SFT-45, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae SFT-71was used for inoculation at different times (Days 1–5) to assess the effects on fermentation characteristics. Green tea extract was prepared and supplemented with sucrose, glucose, and appropriate nitrogen sources. The extract was inoculated with a primary inoculation of acetic acid bacteria (G. oxydans SFT-27, A. pasteurianus SFT-18). There were subsequent inoculations with yeast (S. cerevisiae SFT-71) and lactic acid bacteria (L. mesenteroides SFT-45) from Day 1–5. We analyzed key fermentation indices, including pH, titratable acidity, ethanol content, °Brix, reducing sugar content, viable microbial counts, and gluconic acid levels over 25 days. Results demonstrated that pH decreased sharply after the third day of inoculation, with titratable acidity peaking at 4.64%, surpassing Korean food code standards. Ethanol peaked on Day 5 and decreased thereafter. There was a steady increase in reducing sugars, particularly in the samples inoculated later, which correlated with enzymatic sucrose hydrolysis and cellulose degradation. Microbial counts indicated stable populations of acetic acid bacteria and yeast when the samples were inoculated on Days 3 and 5. Gluconic acid production was the highest in the sample inoculated on Day 5, exceeding levels reported in symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY)-based fermentations. These findings suggest that inoculation with yeast and lactic acid bacteria, following prefermentation with acetic acid bacteria, yields superior fermentation performance in terms of acidity, metabolite production, and microbial stability.

Consumers’ perceptions of quality of food products increase their purchasing likelihood. This study provides a framework for exploring consumers’ perceptions of food quality for food product development and food market-ing strategies by providing vital information related to consumer behavior and food choice. It establishes a method for measuring food quality perceptions through a validated questionnaire. It was found that adult consumers in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia, perceive intrinsic food characteristics higher than of extrinsic food characteristics. Characteristics related to product safety, nutritional value, and sensory attributes were the most highly valued aspects. Sociodemographic factors such as age, marital status, education, occupation, income, and work/study in the food field were found to affect Saudi consumers’ perceptions of food quality. Furthermore, marital status, education, occupation, and income were the major classification factors for perception trends. Food identity and processing, food health prosperity, food safety and presentation, and food sensory attributes were the major qual-ities perceived by Saudi consumers.

Single-cell protein (SCP) has gained attention in scientific research as a vital source of protein in animal feed and human food. Taking into account the importance of SCP, an attempt was made in the current research to grow Rhizopus oligosporus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae biomass by selecting potato peel as a substrate. The potato peel was treated with sulfuric acid to form potato peel hydrolysate following acid hydrolysis. In 1.0-L potato peel hydrolysate, 2.5-g/L KH2PO4, 0.5-g/L MgSO4, 0.5-g/L NaCl, and 10 g/L yeast extract were taken to prepare growth media. The moisture content of potato peel was examined by following standard procedure of the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC). The Kjeldahl method was used to determine the protein content, and glucose was examined by using the dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) method. Optimization of SCP yield was accomplished by following the ‘one factor at a time’ method. The effect of each parameter, such as incubation period, temperature and pH on SCP production was analyzed. Bioreactor scale-up production of SCP was performed in a jar fermenter. To enhance SCP, yield co-culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Rhizopus oligosporus was used in a bioreactor that yielded 19 g/L of SCP. Thus, as a nutritional supplement for living organisms, SCP can effectively fulfill protein scarcity globally.

Iodine deficiency (ID) is a significant global public health issue, particularly affecting low-income countries. The iodization of salt is a widely adopted method to prevent iodine deficiency. This study aimed to assess the iodine content of iodized salt at the market level in various cities within the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (HKJ). We collected 152 salt samples from 24 different brands across three cities in Jordan: Amman, Zarqa, and Mafraq. The analysis was conducted using a titration method. The mean iodine content in salt samples varied by city, with values of 5.45 ppm in Mafraq, 10.33 ppm in Amman, and 13.22 ppm in Zarqa, ranging from 0 to 36 ppm. Significant differences in iodine concentration were observed within the same city across different brands (P ≤ 0.05). Additionally, variations were noted in iodine content for samples from the same brand collected in different cities, and even among samples from the same brand at the same location. Of the 152 samples evaluated, an average of 76.5% had iodine levels below the 15 ppm recommended by UNICEF. There was considerable variation in mean iodine content among brands, cities, and even within samples of the same brand. This indicates that the salt iodization process requires ongoing monitoring, and the government should enhance efforts to oversee the iodization process and improve the accessibility and utilization of iodized salt.

The current study aimed to enhance the coagulation properties of camel milk using enzymatic extracts derived from Moringa oleifera seeds. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the clotting activities of Moringa extract on camel milk and compare them with cow milk. Our results regarding the characterisation of the enzymatic extract showed an extraction yield of 54.3±1.8%. The optimum coagulation conditions were determined to be pH 5 and a temperature of 55°C. In addition, the enzymes exhibited substantial clotting activity (2.54 RU) on both camel and cow milk. The cheese samples showed significant oxidative and antibacterial activity.

This paper briefly introduces plant extracts and their combinations with sports drinks. The research involved 40 sportsmen who are affiliated with the Track and Field Department of the School of Physical Education in South-Central Minzu University. This paper aimed to explore the influence of sports drinks enhanced with extracts of Codonopsis pilosula and Acanthopanax senticosus on the endurance levels of long-distance runners. The participants were divided into four groups: a placebo group, a group receiving only C. pilosula, a group receiving A. senticosus, and a composite group. Endurance performance indices for long-distance running were evaluated both before and after the training. Before training, the heart rate, blood lactate level, and maximum oxygen uptake of the placebo group were 159.53 ± 2.21 times/min, 9.7 ± 1.2 mmol/L, and 66.18 ± 2.35 mL/kg/min, respectively; the single Codonopsis pilosula group was 158.33 ± 2.24 times/min, 9.6 ± 1.1 mmol/L, and 65.87 ± 1.88 mL/kg/min, respectively; the single Acanthopanax senticosus group was 159.66 ± 3.67 times/min, 9.7 ±1.0 mmol/L, and 66.32 ± 1.47 mL/kg/min, respectively; the Codonopsis pilosulae and Acanthopanax senticosus composite group was 158.21 ± 1.28 times/min, 9.6 ± 0.9 mmol/L, and 66.87 ± 1.12 mL/kg/min, respectively. After training, the corresponding values of the placebo group were 162.53 ± 3.21 times/min, 9.6 ± 0.8 mmol/L, and 68.85 ± 3.25 mL/kg/min, respectively; the single Codonopsis pilosula group was 145.33 ± 2.25 times/min, 9.1 ± 0.5 mmol/L, and 73.69 ± 2.58 mL/kg/min, respectively; the single Acanthopanax senticosus group was 142.66 ± 3.69 times/min, 9.1 ± 0.8 mmol/L, and 73.84 ± 2.19 mL/kg/min, respectively; the composite group was 131.21 ± 1.36 times/min, 8.3 ± 0.3 mmol/L, and 77.19 ± 3.14 mL/kg/min, respectively. Sports drinks that include extracts of C. pilosula and A. senticosus significantly increased endurance levels. The concurrent use of C. pilosula and A. senticosus was more beneficial in enhancing endurance performance for long-distance running in comparison to using each extract individually.

The current research investigated the conversion of banana stem waste into cellulose nitrate, a potential bioplastic precursor. The research is of prime importance in terms of environmental pollution and sustainable development goals. The study aimed to isolate cellulose from banana stems, synthesize nitrocellulose, and assess its stability. Two different methods, that is, Method A, comprising HNO3 and H2SO4, and Method B, comprising HNO3 and P2O5, were applied to synthesize nitrocellulose, each using different acidic mixtures. Method A resulted in high nitrocellulose yield and higher nitrogen content but lower cellulose content. On the other hand, method B yielded nitrocellulose with a lower nitrogen content but higher cellulose content. It was found that composition of nitrating acid mixture, nitrating time, and ratio of nitrating acid–cellulose material influenced the yield and solubility of nitrocellulose. The highest yield of nitrocellulose was obtained using a 60:1 ratio of nitrating acid–cellulose material in method A and a 100:1 ratio of the same in method B after 90-min nitration time. It was also observed that nitrocellulose A was soluble in acetone and pyridine whereas nitrocellulose B was soluble in 1,4-dioxane, esters, and pyridine. Overall, the study demonstrated the feasibility of converting banana stem waste into a bioplastic precursor.