A Novel GABA-Producing Strain Isolated from Organic Tomato as a Promising Probiotic.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-protein amino acid playing a significant role in the central nervous system and the gut-brain axis. This study investigated the potential to produce GABA by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from different varieties of organic tomatoes. The isolated LAB were taxonomically identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the presence of the gene (glutamate decarboxylase) was detected, and GABA production was quantified using HPLC.

MH002, a Novel Butyrate-Producing Consortium of Six Commensal Bacterial Strains Has Immune-Modulatory and Mucosal-Healing Properties.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. It is generally accepted that IBD is characterized by an inappropriate immune response to the intestinal microbiome in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite the available treatment options ranging from salicylates and corticosteroids, to immunosuppressants and biologics, there is still a high unmet medical need for patients who respond poorly to drugs or are not able to tolerate them.

Enhancing bioactive profiles of elderberry juice through yeast fermentation: a pathway to low-sugar functional beverages.

In response to the growing need for functional beverages, this study aimed to harness yeast metabolism to optimize elderberry juice fermentation, targeting sugar reduction and enrichment of bioactive compounds with enhanced functional properties. Initially, ten yeast strains were screened in synthetic medium and elderberry juice for sugar consumption and ethanol production. Five yeasts with distinct metabolic profiles were selected to generate seven binary cultures (pairing high-with low-to-intermediate-performing strains) for juice fermentation at 30 °C for 36 h.

Impact of Fermented Soy Beverages Containing Selected Vaginal Probiotics on the In Vitro Fecal Microbiota of Post-Menopausal Women.

The gut microbiome of women can change after menopause, and during this phase women can also be more susceptible to vaginal dysbiosis. Recent studies have explored the probiotic potential of BC4 and BC9 against various pathogens and their use as co-starters in foods. However, their effects on the gut microbiota of post-menopausal women, who are more prone to dysbiosis, have not been examined.

Functional foods acting on gut microbiota-related wellness: The multi-unit in vitro colon model to assess gut ecological and functional modulation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a functional probiotic cheese (FPC) on gut microbiota (GM), after simulated digestion performed by a multi-unit in vitro colon model (MICODE). Squacquerone-like cheese was produced using the starter Streptococcus thermophilus (control, CTRL), and supplemented with the probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, which was either subjected to high pressure homogenization (LrH) or not (Lr). Samples were stratified by cheese type, storage time, and colonic fermentation phase.

Surface application and impact of Yarrowia lipolytica grown in cheese whey as adjunct culture for innovative and fast-ripening Caciotta-like cheeses.

Cheese whey represents a significant challenge for the dairy industry due to its high chemical and biochemical oxygen demand. However, when utilized as a substrate for microbial growth, it can yield microbial biomass suitable for various food sector applications. In this study, two strains of Yarrowia lipolytica (RO3.

Release of Biopolymers from Biomass Through Thermal and Non-Thermal Technologies.

Components of yeast cell walls, such as β-glucans and mannoproteins, show promise for developing sustainable biopolymers for food packaging. Efficient extraction, however, is challenging due to the complexity of the yeast cell wall. This study explored high-pressure homogenisation (HPH) and pulsed electric fields (PEFs), alone and with heat treatment (TT), on bakery yeast (BY) and brewery spent yeast (BSY) biomasses.

Technological and microbiological characterization of an industrial soft-sliced bread enriched with chitosan and its prebiotic activity.

Several studies have described the effects of chitosan as an ingredient in bread, particularly from a technological and functional point of view. However, these studies mainly focus on breads produced at lab scale with a short shelf life, which may not reflect the changes occurring in industrial production. Our study investigated the potential of using chitosan at an industrial scale to produce soft white bread, evaluating its impact on the final product's shelf life and providing deeper insights into the practical possibilities and limitations of its scalability.

Investigating the potential of yacon () juice in the development of organic apple-based snacks.

This study investigates the potential of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) juice for the development of prebiotic-rich organic apple-based snacks. Yacon syrup, primarily composed of fructan, inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and free sugars, represents a promising nutraceutical product. Its great potential in food processing, particularly as an innovative source of prebiotics, has been demonstrated both and since it is fermented specifically by lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.

Microbiological, Functional, and Chemico-Physical Characterization of Artisanal Kombucha: An Interesting Reservoir of Microbial Diversity.

Kombucha is a trending tea fermented via a complex microflora of yeasts and acetic acid bacteria. It can be a valid low-calorie substitute for soft drinks due to its sour, naturally carbonated, and sweet taste. Despite increased interest, the microflora and functional properties of kombucha have not yet been fully understood.

Effect of Combined High-Pressure Homogenization and Biotechnological Processes on Chitin, Protein, and Antioxidant Activity of Cricket Powder-Based Ingredients.

The main objective of this work was to evaluate the combined effect of a biotechnology process, based on selected yeast strains, and a high-pressure homogenization (HPH) treatment on the microbiological quality, structural organization of proteins, chitin content, and antioxidant activity of a mixture of cricket powder () and water. Compared to untreated samples, the cricket matrix treated with HPH four times at 180 MPa promoted the growth of the inoculated and strains. HPH did not affect the concentration of chitin; however, the combination with microorganisms tended to reduce the content.

Quality evaluation of house cricket flour processed by electrohydrodynamic drying and pulsed electric fields treatment.

House crickets are expected to play a significant role in the future food sector. Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) drying offers an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional drying methods. Pulsed electric fields (PEF) is a non-thermal process that facilitates conventional processes.

Essential Oils and Their Combination with Lactic Acid Bacteria and Bacteriocins to Improve the Safety and Shelf Life of Foods: A Review.

The use of plant extracts (e.g., essential oils and their active compounds) represents an interesting alternative to chemical additives and preservatives applied to delay the alteration and oxidation of foods during their storage.

Sublethal HPH treatment is a sustainable tool that induces autolytic-like processes in the early gene expression of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Sublethal HPH treatments have been demonstrated to impact the technological properties and functions of treated microorganisms by inducing specific enzymes/genes or modulating membrane structures and inducing autolysis. In this work, the early effects of a 100 MPa HPH treatment on the winery starter Saccharomyces cerevisiae ALEAFERM AROM grown in synthetic must were assessed. While there were no differences in cell cultivability during the first 48 h between treated and untreated cells, a reduction in volatile metabolites released by HPH-treated cells during the first 2 h was observed.

A Nine-Strain Bacterial Consortium Improves Portal Hypertension and Insulin Signaling and Delays NAFLD Progression In Vivo.

The gut microbiome has a recognized role in Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and associated comorbidities such as Type-2 diabetes and obesity. Stool transplantation has been shown to improve disease by restoring endothelial function and insulin signaling. However, more patient-friendly treatments are required.

High-Pressure Homogenization and Biocontrol Agent as Innovative Approaches Increase Shelf Life and Functionality of Carrot Juice.

Recently, application of high-pressure homogenization (HPH) treatments has been widely studied to improve shelf life and rheological and functional properties of vegetable and fruit juices. Another approach that has drawn the attention of researchers is the use of biocontrol cultures. Nevertheless, no data on their possible combined effect on fruit juices shelf life and functionality have been published yet.

Effects of Sub-Lethal High Pressure Homogenization Treatment on the Adhesion Mechanisms and Stress Response Genes in 08.

Cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) and adhesion are very important phenotypical traits for probiotics that confer them a competitive advantage for the resilience in the human gastrointestinal tract. This study was aimed to understand the effects over time of a 50 MPa hyperbaric treatment on the surface properties of 08 including CSH, autoaggregation, and adhesion (mucin layer and Caco-2 cells). Moreover, a link between the hurdle applied and the expression of genes involved in the general stress response ( and ) and adhesion processes ( and ) was evaluated.

A13 and High-Pressure Homogenization Stress Response.

Sub-lethal high-pressure homogenization treatments applied to A13 demonstrated to be a useful strategy to enhance technological and functional properties without detrimental effects on the viability of this strain. Modification of membrane fatty acid composition is reported to be the main regulatory mechanisms adopted by probiotic lactobacilli to counteract high-pressure stress. This work is aimed to clarify and understand the relationship between the modification of membrane fatty acid composition and the expression of genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis in A13, before and after the application of different sub-lethal hyperbaric treatments.

The Healing Effects of Spices in Chronic Diseases.

Spices are not only just herbs used in culinary for improving the taste of dishes, they are also sources of a numerous bioactive compounds significantly beneficial for health. They have been used since ancient times because of their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and carminative properties. Several scientific studies have suggested their protective role against chronic diseases.

Beneficial Effects of Spices in Food Preservation and Safety.

Spices have been used since ancient times. Although they have been employed mainly as flavoring and coloring agents, their role in food safety and preservation have also been studied and . Spices have exhibited numerous health benefits in preventing and treating a wide variety of diseases such as cancer, aging, metabolic, neurological, cardiovascular, and inflammatory diseases.

Eucalyptus essential oil as a natural food preservative: in vivo and in vitro antiyeast potential.

In this study, the application of eucalyptus essential oil/vapour as beverages preservative is reported. The chemical composition of eucalyptus oil was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and solid phase microextraction GC-MS (SPME/GC-MS) analyses. GC-MS revealed that the major constituents were 1,8-cineole (80.

Assessment of the chemical composition and in vitro antimicrobial potential of extracts of the liverwort Scapania aspera.

The chemical composition of Scapania aspera extracts was determined by solid phase micro extraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME GC-MS) and 96 constituents were identified. The dominant compounds in the methanol extract were beta-barbatene (25.1%), o-cymene (14.

Glycation and transglutaminase mediated glycosylation of fish gelatin peptides with glucosamine enhance bioactivity.

A mixture of novel glycopeptides from glycosylation between cold water fish skin gelatin hydrolysates and glucosamine (GlcN) via transglutaminase (TGase), as well as glycation between fish gelatin hydrolysate and GlcN were identified by their pattern of molecular distribution using MALDI-TOF-MS. Glycated/glycosylated hydrolysates showed superior bioactivity to their original hydrolysates. Alcalase-derived fish skin gelatin hydrolysate glycosylated with GlcN in the presence of TGase at 25°C (FAT25) possessed antioxidant activity when tested in a linoleic acid oxidation system, when measured according to its 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and when tested at the cellular level with human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells as target cells.