The reported cases of food allergies are steadily increasing. With the invention of more novel foods, new and unfamiliar allergens are being introduced into our diets, which raises concerns about the potential risk of novel food allergies. The purpose of this review is to assess the allergenic risks associated with novel food components, strategies for assessing risk in relation to novel food allergens, and current regulations for managing food allergens in novel food products.

Nanobubble technology is one of the latest green technologies in food industry applications. Nanobubbles (NBs) are gas-filled nanoscopic bubbles with a diameter of < 500 nm. The mass production of bulk nano-bubbles raises growing interest due to their high stability, internal pressure, and an enormous surface-to-volume ratio. Also, they can increase surface area, alter the physicochemical characteristics of the medium, and facilitate mass transfer. Along with their size and stability, air, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, NBs are widely recognized for their significance in food processing. The potential existence and ability of NBs to remain stable in liquids under ambient conditions have been a contentious issue for a long time due to the conventional thermodynamic theory. In this review, fundamental properties, and several generation methods of NBs have been described along with their mechanism. Moreover, NBs generation methods can produce fine and undeviating gas diffusion characteristics, which can be used to control the uniformity and textural qualities of various creamy and gel-based foods. Thus, we also described the possible applications of NBs along with their mechanism of action in extraction, freezing, foams, and film formation. The ability of NBs to impart health benefits makes them new, improved, and environmentally safe green techniques.

Pyrethroids can be ingested by humans through eating contaminated oysters, which is potentially harmful to health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of raw, steaming, and roasting on cypermethrin (CP) and fenpropathrin (FP) in oysters during simulated digestion. Results showed that the amount of released CP and FP was different from raw (CP: 0.617 µg·g−1, FP: 0.266 µg·g−1), steaming (CP: 0.498 µg·g−1, FP: 0.660 µg·g−1), and roasting (CP: 1.186 µg·g−1, FP: 0.588 µg·g−1) at the end of simulated digestion. The share of cis-CP and low-efficiency CP increased significantly (p < 0.05), and the share of high-efficiency trans-CP did not maintain a high level for a long time during simulated digestion. The fluorimetric titration and isothermal titration calorimetry confirmed that CP and FP could spontaneously interact with oyster actin, and CP could bind with oyster actin more tightly than FP. This study reveals that cooking methods affect the binding capacity of CP and FP to oyster tissues and influence the changes of CP and FP in oysters during digestion. Furthermore, the current study provides a reference for assessing the potential harm of pyrethroids in oysters to consumers.

The soluble solid content (SSC) in grapes significantly influences their flavour and plays an integral role in evaluation of the quality and consumer acceptance. This study employed visible near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy to rapidly quantify SSC in table grapes during storage. A predictive model was developed to construct a correlation between the spectral data and the measured SSC, while a comparative analysis was undertaken to assess the effects of various spectral preprocessing techniques. Successive projection algorithms (SPA), uninformative variable elimination (UVE), and the competitive adaptive reweighting algorithm (CARS) were adopted to eliminate redundant variables from both the original and preprocessed spectral data. The partial least squares regression (PLSR), and support vector regression (SVR) algorithms were adopted to establish a predictive model. Comparing the modelling results derived from whole-band spectral data with those obtained from selected spectral variables, the optimal spectral prediction model was formulated utilizing PLSR. The model, which incorporated filtered characteristic wavelength spectral data obtained through CARS following standard normal variate (SNV) preprocessing yielded optimum results with the correlation coefficients of the calibration set (RC), and the prediction set (RP) were 0.956 and 0.940, respectively. The root mean square errors of the calibration set (RMSEC), and prediction set (RMSEP) were 0.683 and 0.769, respectively, while the ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD) was 2.899. These results suggest that the application of Vis-NIR spectroscopy technology could effectively detect the SSC in grapes during storage, and it can provide a valuable reference for the rapid assessment of the table grape quality.

Carya cathayensis Sarg. is widely cultivated in China as a specialized nut crop, and its discarded husks (outer pericarp) are rich in triterpenoids with known antibacterial properties. In this study, triterpenoids were extracted from Carya cathayensis Sarg. husks (CCSHs) using a surfactant-mediated, ultrasound-assisted extraction method optimized via response surface methodology, the optimized extraction yield was 33.92 ± 0.52 mg UAE/g DW. Ab-8 macroporous resin was used to purify the triterpenoids from the crude extracts, achieving a 4.3-fold increase in purity. Mesoporous chitosan aerogels were prepared, and their morphology, pore size, and specific surface area were evaluated using microscopic and nitrogen adsorption methods. These aerogels were then used to adsorb the purified triterpenoids from CCSH extracts, enhancing their antibacterial effect. Growth curves of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus demonstrated that the combination of CCSHs-derived triterpenoids and chitosan aerogel spheres resulted in an enhanced antibacterial effect. This study lays the groundwork for adding value to CCSHs while offering a pathway to develop plant-based antibacterial products.

The production process of fruit wines is significantly hindered by the color instability of fruit juices, primarily due to their high anthocyanin content. Recent advancements have introduced yeast strains that produce hydroxycinnamic acid decarboxylase (HCDC) into the brewing process, which have demonstrated considerable efficacy in enhancing color stability and mitigating undesirable odors in fruit wines. This review aims to elucidate the mechanism by which HCDC facilitates the synthesis of vinylphenolic pyranoanthocyanins (VPA). Additionally, we will discuss methodologies for assessing the enzyme's activity and compare the enzymatic activities derived from various sources. Furthermore, we will summarize the application of HCDC from yeast during fermentation, to provide a comprehensive scientific foundation, and reference for the utilization of this enzyme in fruit wines and other fermented wines.

Fresh walnuts (Juglans regia L.) are challenging to store due to their high water content and delicate green appearance. It has been reported that sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a nitric oxide donor) can promote stress tolerance. However, whether SNP affects the postharvest quality of fresh walnuts remains unknown. This research showed that appropriate SNP treatment contributed to walnut preservation; in particular, 0.5 mmol/L SNP treatment resulted in a better appearance and less decay (59.7%). Compared with the control, this treatment not only increased the levels of proteases related to fresh walnut disease (chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase) but also increased the overall antioxidant level and reduced oxidant damage. Moreover, respiratory metabolism and ethylene release were greatly suppressed (9.5%), and the overall sensory evaluation did not reveal any adverse effects associated with a lower acid or peroxide content. Thus, it was inferred that the optimal SNP dose activated disease-related enzymes, mediated the physiological metabolism rate, regulated the ROS-redox balance and therefore reduced decay and maintained the walnut quality. This is the first report of SNP (NO) application for the preservation of fresh walnuts and may provide information to facilitate practical application of this potential innovation.

Arecoline, the principal active alkaloid in the areca nut, is known for its ability to induce euphoric sensations. Since ancient times, arecoline has garnered attention for its therapeutic potential in addressing psychiatric disorders and alleviating gastrointestinal ailments. However, in 2020, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified arecoline as 'probably carcinogenic to humans' (Group 2B carcinogen), supported by compelling mechanistic evidence. The mechanism of action of arecoline has been extensively studied, but the results of these studies are scattered and lack systematic integration and generalization. In this paper, we have systematically summarized the mechanism of arecoline within the oral cavity, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and digestion system, in terms of both health functions and toxic effects. In addition, we found some concentration-effect relationship between arecoline in the central nervous system and digestive system, i.e., low doses are beneficial and high doses are harmful. By summarizing the mechanisms of arecoline, this review is poised to provide in-depth and valuable insights into the clinical practice and targeted therapy of arecoline in the future.

Studying the metabolic patterns underlying the key quality traits during the growth and development of melon is very important for the quality improvement and breeding of melon fruit. In this study, we employed transcriptomics and metabolomics to analyze the primary metabolic changes occurring in melon ('Xizhoumi 25') across five growth and development stages. We identified a total of 666 metabolites and their co-expressed genes, which were categorized into five different metabolic and gene modules. Through the analysis of these modules, the main metabolic pathways during the growth and development of melon were demonstrated from a global perspective. We also discussed the contribution of sucrose accumulation, the TCA cycle, and amino acid metabolism to the quality and flavor of melon. Enzymes related to amino acid metabolism were proposed, including Amine oxidase (AOC), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), tryptophan synthase (TRPB), etc. These results and data can provide new insights for further study on the metabolic regulation of melon quality and improve fruit quality.