PubMed

Mol Pharmacol. 2025 Feb;107(2):100007. doi: 10.1016/j.molpha.2024.100007. Epub 2024 Dec 12.ABSTRACTOrganic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1 is crucial for hepatic uptake of many drugs and endogenous substrates. The clinically relevant OATP1B1 c.521 T>C (V174A) polymorphism exhibits reduced transport activity in vitro and in vivo in humans. Previously, we reported increased total phosphorylation of V174A-OATP1B1 compared to wild-type (WT)-OATP1B1, although the differentially phosphorylated sites remain to be identified. Lysine-acetylation, a key posttranslational modification (PTM), has not been investigated in OATP1B1. This study aimed to identify differential PTMs of WT-OATP1B1 and V174A-OATP1B1 by quantitatively comparing the relative abundance of modified peptides using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomics and to assess the impact of these PTMs on OATP1B1 transport function using [3H]-estradiol-17-β-D-glucuronide as substrate in transporter-expressing human embryonic kidney 293 cells. We discovered that OATP1B1 is lysine-acetylated at 13 residues. Compared to WT-OATP1B1, V174A-OATP1B1 has increased concurrent phosphorylation at S659 and S663 and concurrent phosphorylation (at S659 and S663) and lysine-acetylation (at K650) (P < .05). Variants mimicking concurrent phosphorylation (S659E-S663E-OATP1B1) and concurrent phosphorylation and acetylation (K650Q-659E-S663E-OATP1B1) both demonstrated reduced substrate transport by 0.86 ± 0.055-fold and 0.65 ± 0.047-fold of WT-OATP1B1 (both P < .05), respectively. Single-site mimics of phosphorylation or lysine-acetylation at K650, S659, and S663 did not affect OATP1B1 transport function, indicating cooperative effects on OATP1B1 by concurrent PTMs. All variants and WT-OATP1B1 were primarily localized to the plasma membrane and colocalized with plasma membrane protein Na/K-ATPase as determined by immunofluorescent staining and confocal microscopy. The current study elucidates a novel mechanism in which concurrent serine-phosphorylation and lysine-acetylation impair OATP1B1-mediated transport, suggesting potential interplay between these PTMs in regulating OATP1B1. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Understanding organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP1B1) regulation is key to predicting altered drug disposition. The Val174Ala-OATP1B1 polymorphism exhibits reduced transport activity and is the most effective predictor of statin-induced myopathy. Val174Ala-OATP1B1 was found to be associated with increased serine-phosphorylation at Ser659 and Ser663 and lysine-acetylation at Lys650; concurrent PTMs at these sites reduce OATP1B1 function. These findings revealed a novel mechanism involved in transporter regulation, suggesting potential interplay between these PTMs in governing hepatic drug transport and response.PMID:40023514 | DOI:10.1016/j.molpha.2024.100007

Int J Biol Macromol. 2025 Feb 27:141573. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.141573. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTPolygonum multiflorum Thunb (PM) is known for its potential to extend lifespan. Although the polysaccharides, the primary constituents of PM, remain largely unexplored in terms of their anti-aging effects and underlying mechanisms, this study investigates them in detail. The anti-aging effects of two purified polysaccharides from PM were evaluated: neutral polysaccharide (RPMP-N, weight average molecular weight 245.30 kDa) and acidic polysaccharide (RPMP-A, weight average molecular weight 28.45 kDa), using a D-Galactose-induced (D-Gal) aging mouse model. In the experimental group, RPMP-N and RPMP-A were administered at doses of 50 (low) and 150 mg/kg/day (high). The activity of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), which are essential for scavenging free radicals and form a key part of the body's antioxidant defense system, was measured in aging mice. The results showed significant improvements following treatment with RPMP-N and RPMP-A. Additionally, both polysaccharides demonstrated the ability to repair and protect against liver and brain injuries. The expression of P16, P21, and P53 proteins, which regulate cellular senescence through distinct mechanisms, was significantly reduced in liver and brain tissues after treatment. Notably, untargeted metabolomics revealed that RPMP-N and RPMP-A exerted significant anti-aging effects in the D-Gal aging mouse model, primarily influencing metabolism pathways related to lysine, sphingolipids, cysteine, and methionine. In conclusion, these findings provide important insights into the anti-aging mechanisms of PM polysaccharides, supporting their potential for clinical applications, drug development, and regulatory science.PMID:40023426 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.141573

J Ethnopharmacol. 2025 Feb 27:119571. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2025.119571. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sanghuangporus, the dried fruiting body of Sanghuangporus vaninii (Ljub) L.W.Zhou et Y.C.Dai. As the main species of Sanghuang, it has been well-known and used commonly as a traditional medicinal and edible macrofungi for thousands of years in many countries, including China, Korea and Japan. Although it has good hepatoprotective activity, its potential efficacy and mechanism on liver fibrosis remain elusive.AIM OF THE STUDY: Total Sanghuangporus vaninii extract (TSH) was prepared by ethanol extraction to investigate its chemical components and to conduct an initial assessment of its efficacy and underlying mechanism in a murine model of liver fibrosis.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chemical components of TSH were initially analyzed by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS. To elucidate the effects of TSH, an in vivo model of fibrosis was established in mice using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), followed by assessments of serum liver function and histopathological analysis. Besides, indicators related to liver fibrosis, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, inflammation response and ferroptosis related indicators were detected by western blotting, immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis. Additionally, the 16S rDNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics analysis of intestinal microbiota were employed to investigating the role of TSH in gut microbiome. In vitro, the human hepatocyte line L02 was stimulated with erastin and treated with or without TSH to elucidate its underlying mechanism.RESULTS: The administration of TSH significantly improved serum indicators of liver injury in CCl4-induced fibrosis mice, reduced HSCs activation and collagen deposition, while inhibiting the expressions of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)/Smad signaling pathway. Notably, TSH treatment attenuated hepatocyte ferroptosis and lipid peroxidation both in vivo and in vitro, as evidenced by a marked decrease in liver iron and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. In particular, TSH was demonstrated to activate the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling pathway, thereby protecting hepatocytes from ferroptosis with a particular enhancement of Nrf2 nuclear transcription. Furthermore, TSH influenced gut microbiota composition and ameliorated intestinal metabolic disorders. The increased abundance of Parasutterella and Olsenellas due to TSH treatment was significantly positively correlated with elevated phosphatidylcholines involved in linoleic acid metabolism, and negatively correlated with the reduction of fatty acyls. And the enrichment of intestinal linoleic acid metabolism presented a negative correlation in the reduction of liver fibrosis biomarkers.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the TSH treatment exerts a significantly protective effect on CCl4-induced mice by ameliorating hepatic injury and ferroptosis damage, inhibiting HSCs activation and collagen deposition, and remodeling gut microbiota homeostasis and metabolic imbalance. Notably, TSH attenuated hepatocyte ferroptosis in liver fibrosis and exhibited upregulation of the Nrf2-GPX4 signaling pathway. Furthermore, TSH could enrich the abundance of Parasutterella and Olsenellas, which may contribute to intestinal linoleic acid metabolism, thereby contributing to the reduction of liver fibrosis damage. Our study provides more effective and unreported evidence of TSH in anti-fibrosis activity.PMID:40023344 | DOI:10.1016/j.jep.2025.119571

Gene. 2025 Feb 27:149371. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2025.149371. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe ornamental crabapple Malus (M.) 'Lollipop' is renowned for its compact growth and fragrant flowers. This study aims to elucidate the biosynthesis molecular mechanism of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) across four developmental stages of the M. 'Lollipop' flowers using metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified 29 VOCs (aliphatic derivatives, benzenes, and alkanes) in M. 'Lollipop' flowers. Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) analysis highlights 14 key differential aromatic compounds (VIP≥1), featuring (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate in stage 1, methyl benzoate in stage 2, benzyl alcohol and linalool in stage 3, and camphene and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol in stage 4. (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate was identified as a co-primary constituent in the four flowering stages, designated as a key and floral contributing metabolite (variable importance in projection (VIP) ≥ 1& odor activity value (OAV) ≥ 1). RNA sequencing revealed key genes including CAT, DXS, MVD, HMGCR, FDPS, and TPSc in camphene and linalool synthesis, aroA, ADT, PDT, PAL, BEBT1, SDR, 4CL, CNL, and BALDH for benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, and methyl benzoate production. And PLA2G, SPLA2, TGL4, LOX2S and ADH1 in (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol synthesis. 24 transcription factors (TFs) were predicted to be closely linked to genes involved in VOC synthesis. The findings above deepen our comprehension of the floral scent in crabapple, laying a foundation for further investigations into their functions and potential industrial applications.PMID:40023340 | DOI:10.1016/j.gene.2025.149371

Bioresour Technol. 2025 Feb 27:132309. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132309. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTRecovering the nitrogen-rich biopolymer cyanophycin [(β-Asp-Arg)n] from algal-bacterial consortia enhances the reclamation of value-added chemicals from wastewater. However, the modulation of light/dark conditions on cyanophycin accumulation remain unknown. In this study, the trends and mechanisms of cyanophycin synthesis in algal-bacterial consortia under light/dark conditions were investigated. The results showed that cyanophycin production during the dark periods ranged from 137-150 mg/g MLSS (mixed liquid suspended solids), which was 32 %-38 % higher than those during the light period (p < 0.001). Metatranscriptomics results demonstrated that 50 metagenome-assembled genomes contribute to cyanophycin production, with the Planktothrix genus being the dominant contributor. Metabolomics findings suggested that algal-bacterial consortia produce higher level of arginine for cyanophycin synthesis under light conditions. This study demonstrates the feasibility of increasing cyanophycin production by merging light/dark cycles, and offers a novel strategy for high yield of valuable biopolymers from wastewater substrate.PMID:40023333 | DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132309

Brain Behav Immun. 2025 Feb 27:S0889-1591(25)00070-4. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2025.02.030. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication deficits and repetitive/restricted behaviors. Several studies showed that oxidative stress and inflammation may contribute to ASD. Indeed, increased levels of oxygen radicals and pro-inflammatory molecules were described in the brain and peripheral blood of persons with ASD and mouse models. Despite this, a potential direct connection between oxidative stress and inflammation within specific brain areas and ASD-related behaviors has not been investigated in detail yet. Here, we used RT-qPCR, RNA sequencing, metabolomics, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry to show that pro-inflammatory molecules were increased in the cerebellum and periphery of mice lacking Cntnap2, a robust model of ASD. In parallel, oxidative stress was present in the cerebellum of mutant animals. Systemic treatment with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) rescued cerebellar oxidative stress, inflammation, as well as motor and social impairments in Cntnap2-/- mice, concomitant with enhanced function of microglia cells in NAC-treated mutants. Intriguingly, social deficits, cerebellar inflammation, and microglia dysfunction were induced by NAC in Cntnap2+/+ animals. Our findings suggest that the interplay between oxidative stress and inflammation accompanied by genetic vulnerability may underlie ASD-related behaviors in Cntnap2 mutant mice.PMID:40023202 | DOI:10.1016/j.bbi.2025.02.030

Talanta. 2025 Feb 23;291:127812. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2025.127812. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBreast cancer (BC) is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Currently, the discovery of biomarkers primarily relies on single platform, which might overlook other potential biomarkers and lead to inaccurate diagnoses. This study aims to: (1) expand the detection range of biomarkers through multiple analytical techniques, thereby improving the accuracy of BC diagnosis, and (2) analyze the metabolic pathways of the biomarkers to explore the metabolic mechanisms underlying BC. Urine samples from BC patients and healthy controls were analyzed using two techniques: Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography combined with Quadrupole-Exactive-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS), and headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-HRMS). Data from each platform was analyzed independently using both univariate and multivariate statistical approaches to identify candidate biomarkers. Subsequently, a mid-level data fusion approach was applied to integrate the candidate biomarkers identified by each platform. The fused data were used to construct orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) models and random forest (RF) models, which were then compared against models based on individual platform. The fused RF and OPLS-DA models demonstrated enhanced diagnostic accuracy compared to the individual model. Integrating GC-HRMS and UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS achieved the best performance, with an AUC value of 0.967, sensitivity of 86.37 %, and specificity of 89.19 %. Metabolic pathway analysis revealed that 10 metabolic pathways exert an impact on BC. Four pathways-pyruvate metabolism, sulfur metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and tyrosine metabolism-were found to be associated with BC in both metabolomics and volatolomics studies, indicating that these pathways play pivotal roles in BC. This study confirmed the potential of merging multi-platforms to enhance the accuracy of BC diagnosis, offering new avenues for understanding the metabolic mechanisms of BC.PMID:40023122 | DOI:10.1016/j.talanta.2025.127812

Phytomedicine. 2025 Feb 20;139:156537. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2025.156537. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia is a lipid metabolism disorder that, in severe cases, can lead to conditions such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, and cirrhosis. Previous studies have identified Ilicis Rotundae Cortex (IRC) crude extract as having the potential to regulate blood lipids. However, whether the triterpenoids therein are the principal agents responsible for hypolipidemic effects and their specific mechanisms of action remain unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the effects of total triterpenoids (TT) extract derived from IRC on hyperlipidemia and to elucidate their potential mechanisms.METHODS: TT extract was first prepared and characterized to assess their hypolipidemic activity in cell models. A hyperlipidemia mouse model was established by using C57BL/6 J mice fed a high-fat, high-sugar, and high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. TT extract was administered as a prophylactic intervention for 4 weeks to evaluate its impact on blood lipid levels, liver lipid metabolism, and liver function. Based on progressive analysis, this study integrated serum non-targeted metabolomics analysis strategy and bile acids-targeted metabolomics analysis strategy. It was combined with modern molecular biology techniques to reveal the mechanism by which TT extract ameliorated the symptoms of hyperlipidemia through a cascade approach.RESULTS: TT extract treatment significantly reduced lipid levels in hyperlipidemic mice. Notably, TT extract down-regulated bile acid levels, particularly bile acids as FXR antagonists such as T-β-MCA, β-MCA, TUDCA, and UDCA. This effect is likely mediated through alterations in the hepatic FXR-SHP and ileal FXR-FGF15 signaling pathways. TT extract administration led to decreased expression of CYP7A1 and CYP7B1, resulting in reduced bile acid levels in vivo. Additionally, FXR expression was upregulated in both the liver and ileum, potentially activating FGF15 in the ileum, which in turn transmits signals to the liver and modulates SHP and BSEP expression. These changes contribute to the regulation of bile acid synthesis, metabolism, and excretion. In vitro experiments also demonstrated that TT extract influenced the protein expression of FXR and FGF19.CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that TT extract from IRC has hypolipidemic effects. This study is the first to reveal the mechanism by which TT extract improves hyperlipidemia from the perspective of the hepatic-intestinal axis and bile acid metabolism. Its underlying mechanism is related to activating the intestinal FXR-FGF15/19 signaling pathway, which transmits signals to the liver, thereby affecting the hepatic FXR-SHP signaling pathway. This results in improved bile acid metabolism, ultimately reducing hepatic injury and ileal inflammation to exert hypolipidemic effects.PMID:40023069 | DOI:10.1016/j.phymed.2025.156537

Food Chem. 2025 Feb 25;477:143583. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.143583. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTWolfberry, regarded as a nutritious fruit, has garnered significant attention in the food industry due to potential health benefits. However, the tissue-specific distribution and dynamic accumulation patterns of nutritional metabolites such as flavonoids are still unclear. In this study, a novel spatial metabolomics framework was developed, incorporating instrumental optimization, metabolite identification, molecular network analysis, metabolic pathway mapping, and machine learning-based imaging. Using DESI-MSI, this approach enabled rapid, non-destructive, in situ analysis of wolfberry metabolites with enhanced sensitivity and spatial resolution. Detailed insights into chemical and spatial changes during ripening were obtained, with a focus on flavonoids. The visualization of the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway highlighted the impact of C-3 hydroxylation on flavonoid redistribution. Furthermore, a classification model achieved a prediction accuracy exceeding 99 %, consistent with metabolic network analyses. This framework provides a powerful tool for plant metabolomics, facilitating the exploration of functional components and metabolic pathways.PMID:40023033 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.143583

Food Chem. 2025 Feb 25;477:143581. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.143581. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBasil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is susceptible to chilling injury (CI), leading to significant postharvest quality loss. This research aimed to identify key metabolites involved in CI of basil during cold storage to better understand the underlying mechanisms. Metabolite profiles of basil leaves stored at 4 and 12 °C for up to 12 days were quantified by 1H NMR and GC-MS. At 4 °C shelf life was reduced due to CI. At 4 °C, several osmoprotectants, including proline, gamma-aminobutyric acid, trehalose and myo-inositol increased, whereas antioxidants like ascorbic acid and rosmarinic acid decreased; the latter likely due to scavenging reactive oxygen species. During chilling stress, antioxidant defence pathways were upregulated and carbohydrate related energy pathways were downregulated. We suggest that CI in basil associates with redirection of carbohydrate flux towards antioxidant defence systems, leading to energy depletion. This energy depletion is hypothesized as a primary trigger for CI in postharvest basil.PMID:40023032 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.143581

Food Chem. 2025 Feb 23;477:143552. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.143552. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTElevated levels of eugenol and syringol in wines have been observed to impart a smoky, medicinal, and spicy aroma, particularly in wines produced from East Asian species. The precursors of these compounds remain to be elucidated. Therefore, a novel pseudo-targeted metabolomic approach was proposed to screen the key precursors of eugenol and syringol in grape berries. Subsequently, the identified precursors were validated through hydrolysis experiments. The results demonstrated that the key precursors of eugenol were four glycosidic forms present in the berry, including eugenol-β-D-rutinoside, eugenol-dihexose, eugenol-hexose-pentose, and eugenol-hexose glucoside. Similarly, the key precursors of syringol were five glycosidic forms of syringol present in the berry, which included two syringol-dihexoses, two syringol-hexose-deoxyhexoses, and one syringol-hexose-pentose. The pseudo-targeted metabolomic approach proved an effective methodology in this study, offering alternative insights that could inform similar investigations.PMID:40023029 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.143552

J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2025 Feb 26;1256:124540. doi: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2025.124540. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAccording to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the kidney is regarded as governing the bones and dominating the storage of essence. Gushudan (GSD) is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription that has the effects of strengthening bone and nourishing the kidney. However, the mechanism of action of GSD in preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) rats based on the 'kidney-bone' axis remains to be further systematically investigated. In this study, an integrated kidney metabolomics method based on three MS detection modes of UHPLC-HRMS, UHPLC-MS/MS and AFADESI-MSI was developed to reveal the protective mechanism of GSD in PMOP rats. Firstly, the non-targeted metabolomics was investigated to comprehensively explore the metabolic changes in the kidneys of PMOP rats based on the UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS. Subsequently, UHPLC-MS/MS targeted metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) techniques were combined to elucidate the preventive mechanism of GSD on PMOP through branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism. The results of the non-targeted metabolomics demonstrated that GSD significantly modulated the levels of 67 potential biomarkers, including leucine and valine, which are primarily involved in amino acid metabolism. Specifically, BCAA metabolism is notably enriched in amino acid metabolism. Compared to the control group, it was found that the levels of BCAAs were decreased and α-branched-chain keto acids (BCKAs) were increased in the model groups in the targeted metabolomics study. Moreover, MSI results showed that the changes in BCAAs content were mainly concentrated in the renal cortex. This finding confirmed the metabolic disorders of BCAA in the renal cortex of PMOP rats, and that GSD had a significant regulatory effect on this disorder. In conclusion, this study integrated three mass spectrometry techniques that validate and complement each other to revealed the anti-osteoporostic mechanism of GSD in PMOP rats and to elucidate the modern scientific connotation of the 'kidney-bone' axis based on the BCAA metabolism.PMID:40023006 | DOI:10.1016/j.jchromb.2025.124540

Plant Physiol Biochem. 2025 Feb 21;222:109654. doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.109654. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACT'Xenia' is the terminology and biology of direct, or immediate, pollen effects on seeds and fruits. In this study, we found that the pollination of 'Jinsha' pomelo (JS) with pollen from Grapefruit (GR) and 'Majia' pomelo (MJ) led to significant differences in the seed numbers and primary metabolite (soluble sugar and amino acid). In pollinated pistils, the differences in the number of pollen tubes entering the embryo sac and the content of cytokinin components at 5 d post-pollination between the two pollen sources might be the important factor contributing to the discrepancies of seed trait and further affected fruit quality. In addition, joint analysis result of metabolomics and transcriptomics showed that the down-regulated expression of genes in the sucrose and starch metabolism pathways, glycolysis pathway and amino acid metabolism pathway of JS × MJ fruit compared to those of JS × GR fruit might also be resulted in an increase in the content of fructose and glucose and a decrease in the content of a large number of free amino acid components. This study revealed the reasons for the changes in seed and fruit characteristics induced by the xenia effect under two different pollen sources, and the hub genes novel.155 (HK), Cg2g040280 (bglX), Cg4g020710 (ISA), and Cg3g021210 (P4HA) were obtained by co-expression network analysis.PMID:40022882 | DOI:10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.109654

Food Res Int. 2025 Feb;203:115896. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115896. Epub 2025 Jan 31.ABSTRACTLuohan Guo (Siraitia grosvenorii) is a traditional food homologous fruit in China, which is famous owing to its rich natural antioxidant secondary metabolites. However, the impacts of ripening stages and edible parts on high-resolution metabolic profiles of Luohan Guo are poorly understood till now, greatly limiting its comprehensive utilization. In this study, an LC-QTOF/MS-based non-targeted metabolomics approach was carried out to reveal the dynamic accumulation of metabolites in the peel and pulp of Luohan Guo across seven growth stages, and further revelation their potential pharmacological activities and mechanisms in the treatment of oxidative stress using the network pharmacology strategy. The results demonstrated that the majority of bioactive ingredients showed great accumulation at the immature stages in both peels and pulps, and the levels of flavonoid glycosides and terpenoid saponins gradually declined as ripening progressed. Notably, the comparative analysis between the full-blown peel and pulp indicated that the peel had higher concentrations of flavonoids, phenols, and alkaloids, whereas terpenoids and amino acids were the significantly enriched bioactive ingredients in the pulp. In addition, network pharmacology analysis screened 28 key pharmacological compounds in Luohan Guo, which primarily acted on 65 core targets to alleviate diseases induced by oxidative damage and predominantly accumulated in the peels collected between the 10th and 20th days, endowing immature peel with the best antioxidant properties. These findings offer valuabley theoretical insights for understanding the secondary metabolite accumulation in different ripening stages and edible parts of Luohan Guo and improving its comprehensive utilization rate.PMID:40022403 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115896

Food Res Int. 2025 Feb;203:115884. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115884. Epub 2025 Jan 30.ABSTRACTAmerican ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is considered as a functional food and a medicinal plant, with its fruit containing valuable bioactive ingredients. However, limited knowledge is available regarding its antioxidant capacity, variation in bioactive components, and biosynthetic pathways at various growth stages. The present study examined the in vitro antioxidant capacity of the American ginseng fruit from Wendeng, Shandong at various growth stages, and conducted metabolomic as well as transcriptomic analyses to elucidate the accumulation patterns and biosynthesis of bioactive compounds. The results showed that antioxidant capacity, total flavonoid content (TFC), and total phenolic content (TPC) in fruits at early, middle, and late developmental stages were significantly higher than those in 4-year-old ginseng roots. Notably, fruits at the early developmental stage exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity, which initially declined and subsequently increased as the fruits continued to grow and develop. TFC and TPC were closely correlated with antioxidant capacity in fruits. Widely targeted metabolomics identified 1,094 metabolites with significant changes throughout fruit development, including 223 terpenoids, 164 phenolic acids, and 149 flavonoids. A total of 139 metabolites were closely associated with antioxidant activity in the American ginseng fruits. Furthermore, several genes, such as DFR, LDOX, F3H, CHI, DDS, CYP, UGT, BAHD, as well as MYB, bHLH, and NAC transcription factors (TFs) were identified to be potentially associated with the fruit flavonoids and ginsenosides biosynthesis and their corresponding regulatory networks. The findings provid valuable insights for enhancing the development and utilization of American ginseng fruits as functional foods as well as advancing their quality and breeding practices.PMID:40022396 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115884

Food Res Int. 2025 Feb;203:115862. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115862. Epub 2025 Feb 1.ABSTRACTThe biofilm formation of Lactobacilli is regulated by the LuxS/AI-2 quorum sensing (QS) system, but the mechanism of QS regulating the formation of Lactobacilli biofilm is not clear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of producing biofilm in L. plantarum R and its effect on the quality of fermented pickles based on LuxS/AI-2 QS system. Compared with L. plantarum R, the AI-2 activity of L. plantarum RΔluxS was significantly reduced, but the biofilm, extracellular protein, and eDNA were significantly increased. Moreover, expression of oppA, livJ, livH and comD genes was up-regulated and luxS, peg.3090 and peg.3093 was down-regulated. Results showed that peg.3093 was most significantly down-regulated in L. plantarum RΔluxS, and extremely significant negatively correlated with biofilm. The biofilm, eDNA, and extracellular protein of L. plantarum RΔpeg.3093 was higher than those of L. plantarum R. Moreover, metabolomics showed that deletion of luxS gene could decrease AI-2 level, promote anthocyanin and flavonol biosynthesis, lead to improving the antioxidant properties and quality of pickles. Thus, luxS gene knockout may increase biofilm by down-regulating the expression of peg.3093 to increase extracellular protein and eDNA. This study provides a theoretical basis for the enhancement of Lactobacillus biofilm and its application.PMID:40022384 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115862

Food Res Int. 2025 Feb;203:115847. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115847. Epub 2025 Jan 24.ABSTRACTUsing metagenomics, GC-MS, non-targeted metabolomics, and metatranscriptomics, we investigated the microbial communities and metabolites in two different Lactobacillus plantarum fermentations. Metagenomics revealed Weissella cibaria dominantly contributed to the DACN766-fermented suansun (LPS1) and Lactiplantibacillus pentosus to the DACN760-fermented suansun (LPS2). GC-MS identified 38 and 40 flavor compounds in LPS1 and LPS2, respectively, with p-cresol, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, acetic acid, hexanal, and propionic acid crucial for aroma development. LPS2 exhibited higher levels of p-cresol and acetic acid, contributing to its stronger sour and pungent flavors, which was achieved by regulating many metabolisms like glycolysis and tyrosine metabolism. In contrast, Weissella cibaria plays a role in mitigating off-flavors, resulting in a milder flavor profile in LPS1. Non-targeted metabolomics indicated 70.78% of differential metabolites were upregulated in LPS1. Conversely, the elevated expression of tryptophan and tyrosine underscores the more pronounced sour and odor-producing characteristics observed in LPS2. Metatranscriptomics highlighted the regulation of genes like XFA, XFT, and XFM, which inhibit the formation of the precursors of p-cresol and indole in LPS2. This integrated multi-omics analysis provides deep insights into the fermentation dynamics, facilitating the targeted selection of Lactobacillus plantarum strains with flavor-regulating capabilities.PMID:40022370 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115847

Food Res Int. 2025 Feb;203:115827. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115827. Epub 2025 Jan 22.ABSTRACTThe interactions between pork microbial communities and metabolites in modified atmosphere packaged (MAP) storage remain unclear. This study exposed the core microbial communities and metabolite profiles during refrigerated pork storage under MAP and illuminated the relationship between them by high-throughput sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics to comprehend the spoilage mechanism induced by microbial activity in MAP pork during storage. The results showed that Pseudomonas and Serratia were the predominant spoilage bacteria in the preliminary stages of refrigerated pork, while Brochothrix gradually dominated in the final stages of storage. 76 differential metabolites were identified from 822 metabolites, consisting of small-molecule metabolites including glycerophospholipids, bitter amino acids, amines, and nucleotides. The metabolic pathways involved in these metabolites were 10 metabolic pathways inclusive of purine metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Correlation results revealed that bacterial genera like Pseudomonas, Brochothrix, Stenotrophomonas, Acinetobacter, and Aeromonas were significantly correlated with metabolites such as lipids, organic acids and nucleotides. These findings enhance our understanding of the spoilage mechanism of refrigerated pork stored in MAP.PMID:40022351 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115827

Food Res Int. 2025 Feb;203:115820. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115820. Epub 2025 Jan 22.ABSTRACTGinger is extensively utilized in culinary and traditional medicine worldwide. This study presents a comparative analysis on ginger-related varieties from different species, growth stages, processing methods and geographical origins using headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-Q-TOF MS) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography linear-ion-trap-quadrupole orbitrap MS (UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS). A total of 120 volatiles and 377 non-volatiles were annotated. Metabolomics revealed 44 differential components to discriminate six Zingiberaceae species. Among them, ginger contained the highest levels of chemical components. Additionally, 44 components were found to completely distinguish two growth stages and four processing forms of ginger. As ginger matures, changes in volatiles become more pronounced, while significant differences in non-volatiles were observed across processing stages. Moreover, ginger from three regions was compared, and ginger from Western was found to have more abundant non-volatiles and a higher qualification rate (Yunnan 100 % vs. Fujian 33 %, Henan 15 %). This study maps the chemical profile of ginger and related varieties, providing insights for development of novel products and informing decisions in cultivation, production, and purchasing.PMID:40022347 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115820

Food Res Int. 2025 Feb;203:115808. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115808. Epub 2025 Jan 21.ABSTRACTLiubao tea and ripen Pu-erh tea are representatives of dark tea in southern China. The two dark teas are famous for unique flavors, but confusingly different in development status of tea industry. In this study, microbial DNA amplification sequencing and mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics were applied to observe significant differences in microbial community structure and metabolite profile between the two teas. The Shannon indices of fungi and metabolites in Liubao tea are higher than those in ripen Pu-erh tea. The dominant bacterial and fungal genera, as well as microbial biomarkers of Liubao tea and ripen Pu-erh tea were identified. The combined statistical and molecular networking analysis shows flavan-3-ols as the discriminating features between metabolite profiles of the two dark teas in level of metabolite family. More importantly, the α and β diversity analysis reveals higher pairwise Shannon index differences and Canberra distances of both microbes and metabolites in Liubao tea than those in ripen Pu-erh tea, indicating greater heterogeneity, or lower quality stability of Liubao tea products. These findings illustrate way to improve protocols of Liubao tea processing, and show urgency of involving molecular networking in workflow of metabolomics research.PMID:40022336 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115808