Research Publications (Food Safety)

Possible mechanism of alleviating ulcerative colitis in mice with fermented soymilk. Scope Lactic acid bacteria with probiotic functions and their fermentation products play a role in regulating ulcerative colitis (UC). This study investigates the potential role of fermented soymilk (FSM4) rich in isoflavones on DSS‐induced UC. Methods and Results Mice received 3% DSS and are supplemented daily once for 1 week by NFSM and FSM4.

Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2023, 67, 202300317 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202300317 Deoxynivalenol (DON), the most common mycotoxin occurring in grain and grain products, can destroy the integrity of the colonic physical barrier and induce oxidative stress and apoptosis in the colon of mice with or without the existence of gut microbiota. Meanwhile, fecal microbiota transplantation did not show significant role of gut microbiota in DON‐induced colon damage.

This study aims to describe the metabolic effects of seasonal consumption of red grapes as a rich and natural source of (poly)phenols. Specifically, it focuses on energy metabolism and the biology of the adipose tissue, a key player in the energy balance regulation in mammals. Moreover, it highlights that differences in (poly)phenol composition in one same fruit, resulting from distinct growing conditions, can also affect metabolism.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) are immunotoxic agents that can be modulated by dietary ingredients like pumpkin (P) and fermented whey (FW). In this study, the effect of P‐FW mixture against AFB1 and OTA toxicity was evaluated in Jurkat cells through a transcriptomic approach. RNA sequencing showed the strong anti‐inflammatory role of functional ingredients against mycotoxins toxicity.

Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, Accepted Article. Scope
Furfuryl alcohol is a heat-induced food contaminant, classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The proximal carcinogen 2-sulfoxymethylfuran leads to adduct formation in DNA and proteins (e.g., N-((furan-2-yl)methyl)-Val (FFA-Val) in hemoglobin).

Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, Accepted Article. Scope
: The aim of the present study was to develop physiologically-based kinetic (PBK) models for rat and human that include intestinal microbial and hepatic metabolism of zearalenone (ZEN) in order to predict systemic concentrations of ZEN and to obtain insight in the contribution of metabolism by the intestinal microbiota to the overall metabolism of ZEN.

Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, Accepted Article. Scope
: The food contamination by mycotoxins is of increasing public health concerns. Deoxynivalenol (DON), a mycotoxin contaminating cereals has been associated with the exacerbation of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), thereby raising the question of its role in the development of IBD. Moreover, the effect of DON on the colon is poorly described.

Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, Volume 65, Issue 16, August 2021.

Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, Accepted Article. Scope
Salmonella is the main food-borne pathogen, which can infect intestinal epithelial cells and cause colitis. Genistein had a variety of biological activities that alleviated colitis induced by sodium dextran sulfate in a variety of ways, but its protective effects on colitis caused by pathogenic bacteria are still unknown.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key mechanism by which saturated fatty acids (SFA) result in the development and progression of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). SFA increases liver fat, decreases the efficiency of the respiratory transport chain and results in the production of reactive oxygen species and endoplasmatic reticulum stress. SFA also affect the composition of mitochondrial membranes. These processes lead inflammation, apoptosis, and scarring of the liver.

High level exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is known to cause acute liver damage and fatality in animals and humans. The intakes actually causing this acute toxicity have so far been estimated based on AFB1 levels in contaminated foods or biomarkers in serum. The aim of the present study was to predict the doses causing acute liver toxicity of AFB1 in rat and human by an in vitro‐in silico testing strategy.

To assess the individual effects of dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on insulin resistance (IR), gut microbiome and gut metabolites in high‐fat diet‐induced obese (DIO) mice. Methods and results DIO mice were fed an either high‐fat diet (HFD), EPA (1% wt/wt) enriched HFD, or DHA (1% wt/wt) enriched HFD for 15 weeks.

: Black raspberry (BRB) phytochemicals demonstrate anti‐carcinogenic properties in experimental models, including prostate cancer. We designed and characterized two BRB foods, a confection and nectar, providing a consistent and reproducible product for human clinical studies.

Scope Urolithin A (UA) is a gut‐derived metabolite from ellagic acid found in pomegranates, berries and nuts can down‐regulate cell proliferation and migration. Cell proliferation and cell motility require actin reorganization which is under control of ras‐related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) and p21 protein‐activated kinase 1 (PAK1). The present study explored whether Urolithin A can modify actin cytoskeleton in cancer cells.

: The influence of the intestinal microbiota, such as Lactobacillus, on the intestinal mucosa, particularly intestinal stem cells, remains incompletely understood. In this study, mice and intestinal organoids were used to explore the regulatory effect of Lactobacillus on the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells. Methods and results: This study demonstrated that S. typhimurium caused intestinal epithelial damage and affected growth of intestinal organoids. S.

Fungi of the genus Alternaria are plant pathogens infecting agricultural foods. Alternaria isolates are cultivated in a chemically defined liquid medium and the extracts are analyzed by ultra‐high‐resolution mass spectrometry (FTICR‐MS) and LC‐MS/MS. The targeted and non‐targeted analysis of the fungal extracts uncovers differences in the mycotoxin and metabolic profile of the A. alternata and the A. solani isolates.

Reduced digestibility of foods containing oxidized proteins and the subsequent excessive accumulation of undigested components in the colon may cause changes in the intestinal flora composition. This study evaluates the characteristics of this change and the potential adverse effects on organisms. Methods and results Pork was cooked using sous‐vide or at high temperature and pressure (HTP), and freeze‐dried, resulting in different levels of oxidized damage.

High‐sodium and low‐potassium (HNaLK) intake increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic syndrome. We investigated if the dietary minerals interact with the gut microbiota to alter circulating lipid profiles, implicated in CVD and metabolic syndrome. Methods and results Plasma samples from Wistar rats fed a control or HNaLK diet with or without antibiotic treatment (n = 7 each, a total of 28) were subjected to lipidomics analysis.

As a result of the obesity epidemic, the prevalence of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is increasing. No drug is approved for the treatment of NASH. We have investigated the effect of a nutritional supplement, Mastiha or Chios mastic gum, on metabolic and histological parameters and on the gut microbiome in mice with NASH and fibrosis. Methods and results Advanced NASH was induced by feeding C57BL/6J mice a diet rich in fat, sucrose and cholesterol for 41 weeks.

Several toxic secondary metabolites of filamentous fungi, so‐called mycotoxins, have the potential to modify immune responses. The results show that the food contaminant alternariol (AOH) alters the interleukin(IL)‐1β induced inflammatory response in non‐immune cells of the intestinal epithelium, most probably by targeting the NF‐κB (nuclear factor κB) pathway. Scope Alternariol (AOH), a toxic secondary metabolite of Alternaria spp., may contaminate a broad spectrum of food and feed.

A high‐fat diet induces gut microbiome dysbiosis, including mucus‐foraging bacteria diminishing (e.g. Akkermansia muciniphila) and pathobionts enrichment (e.g. Enterobacteriaceae). This is in parallel with an expansion of firmly adherent mucus layer in the colon. A gradient of bacterial distribution in the gut is identified with a few bacteria residing in the firmly adherent mucus layer.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a multifaceted and recurrent immune disorder that requires long‐term potent pharmacological treatment. Honey, as a natural food of nourishment and pharmaceutical value, has been found to defend against colitis. Methods and results We investigated the effects of different constituents in honey on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis in rats.

Scope

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a multifaceted and recurrent immune disorder that requires long‐term potent pharmacological treatment. Honey, as a natural food of nourishment and pharmaceutical value, has been found to defend against colitis.

Scope

Emerging evidence suggests that high fat diet (HFD) is associated with gut microbiome dysbiosis and related disorders. Bilberry is a prebiotic food component with known health benefits. Herein the dynamics of colonic mucus layer and microbiome during HFD and bilberries supplementation are addressed.

Scope

Understanding biological functions of different free human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in shaping gastrointestinal tract microbiota during infancy is of great interest. We examined a link between HMOs in maternal milk and infant faecal microbiota composition and investigated the role of microbiota in degrading HMOs within the GI tract of healthy, breastfed, one‐month old infants.