Citrus peel is the largest waste by mass of citrus fruit mass in the food industry, and it is specifically composed of valuable bioactive components such as phenolic compounds (naringin and hesperidin, predominantly), dietary fibers, essential oils like limonene and carotenoids. Green extraction methods, which refer to environmentally friendly techniques that minimize solvent use and energy consumption, are beneficial for achieving high efficiency in extracting these bioactive compounds. Therefore, it is critical to extract the bioactive components using ultrasound-assisted, microwave-assisted, enzyme-assisted, CO2 assisted, high intensity pulsed electric field, and so on. Moreover, not only the health benefits of the bioactive components such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-aging, cholesterol reduction effects, but also their potential to be used in functional foods thanks to the functional properties such as gelling agent, emulsifier, pigment and flavor enhancer, antioxidant agent are currently being investigated in the literature. In this review, the extraction of citrus fruits such as lemon, grapefruit, mandarin, orange and pomelo by various green extraction methods and food application studies with their functional properties in recent years have been discussed.

This study was designed to explore the anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-atherogenic effects of citrus peel-derived pectin. A total of 70 Sprague Dawley rats were categorized into 7 groups with 10 rats in each group. Hyperlipidemia was induced in all groups by adding cholesterol (1.5%) and cholic acid (0.5%) to the normal diet for 15 days. G0 was considered a normal control, G1 was considered a negative control, G2 was considered the positive control treated with the standard drug atorvastatin (10 mg/kg p.o.), G3, G4, G5, and G6 were given 3%, 7%, 11%, and 15% of citrus peel pectin, respectively, for 60 days. After the trial completion, biochemical markers like lipid profile, liver and renal function tests, and atherogenic index as well as histopathological analysis of heart, liver, and kidney were performed. The results showed a significant decline in TC, TG, and LDL, while significantly increased serum HDL levels consequently reduced the atherogenic index (p < 0.05). The TG levels were positively correlated with the atherogenic index, whereas HDL levels were negatively correlated with the atherogenic index. The outcome further suggested that the treatment with citrus peel pectin (15%) significantly enhanced the antioxidant levels and restored the liver and renal function as evidenced by the histopathological studies. Additionally, the findings revealed a significant reduction in the pathological changes of heart tissue treated with citrus peel pectin at different ratios. The highest reduction was seen in G6 (treated with 15% citrus peel pectin). As a result of pectin's safety and considerable anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-atherogenic, and antioxidant effects, it could be evaluated as a therapeutic option for hyperlipidemia. Thus, citrus peel pectin can be used as an adjunct functional food in the diet to manage hyperlipidemia and improve atherogenesis.

Grapefruit processing generates tons of peel waste. Valorization of grapefruit peel waste represents an archetype to extract valuable components viz., dietary fiber, pectin, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and essential oil that can be utilized in food, health, and cosmeceutical industries, materializing the circular economy concept, aligning with sustainable development goals (SDGs). This article chronicles updated information about the potential of bioactive components, methods for extraction, and their application in the food industry as natural additives, to develop functional foods and packaging. Furthermore, it elucidates the mechanism behind grapefruit peels' antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. The suitability of thermochemical and biochemical technologies has been discussed for peel waste conversion into value-added products like adsorbents, biochar, and biofuel. Conclusively, this review provides valuable information to capitalize on the utilization of grapefruit peel waste for commercial aims to effectuate a "waste-to-worth" regime and serve the purpose well of SDGs.

Fruits native to South America have been recognized for their relevant levels of phytochemicals with bioactivities that offer human health benefits beyond nutrition; however, many of them remain unexplored. The objective of this study was to compile the recent literature regarding the phytochemical profiles and biological properties of fruits native to South America. Over 600 fruits were analyzed, and those with the most substantial scientific literature regarding their phytochemical profiles and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities were selected. Based on the reviewed literature, 40 selected fruits were analyzed, and antioxidant activity was reported for 38 fruits, antimicrobial activity for 31, and anti-inflammatory activity for 30. This data allowed for a comparative analysis of the bioactive potential of these fruits. However, factors like extraction methods, harvest time and location, and cultivar variations were found to have significant impacts on fruit bioactivity. Common limitations in properly investigating the phytochemical composition of fruits grown in the wild include lack of access to sufficient materials, lack of reproducibility of results owing to variations in chemical composition, and inability to use accurate techniques, such as mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. Clinical trials should be encouraged to confirm the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of fruits observed in vitro. Furthermore, extract refinement prior to antimicrobial analysis remains challenging to obtain reliable results. This review provides helpful information to guide further studies on these fruits and strategic public policies concerning the development of sustainable supply chains to preserve the biodiversity of South America.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognitive impairment. This situation imposes a great burden on individuals, both economically and socially. Today, an effective method for treating the disease and protective approach to tau accumulation has not been developed yet. Studies have been conducted on the effects of hesperidin and naringin flavonoids found in citrus fruits on many diseases.

In this review, the pathophysiology of AD is defined, and the effects of hesperidin and naringin on these factors are summarized.

Studies have shown that both components may potentially affect AD due to their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Based on these effects of the components, it has been shown that they may have ameliorative effects on Aβ, α-synuclein aggregation, tau pathology, and cognitive functions in the pathophysiology of AD.

There are studies suggesting that hesperidin and naringin may be effective in the prevention/treatment of AD. When these studies are examined, it is seen that more studies should be conducted on the subject.

We investigated the effects of nobiletin, an antioxidant, in rats with testicular damage induced by chronic water avoidance stress. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: Control; Nobiletin (NOB); Chronic Stress (CS); Chronic Stress+DMSO (CS+DMSO); and Chronic Stress+Nobiletin (CS+NOB). Healthy testicular morphology was seen in the Control and NOB groups. In the CS group, seminiferous tubule diameters and germinal epithelial thicknesses decreased, and basement membranes were thicker. This morphological damage was reduced in the CS+NOB group. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that anti-ZO-1 expression, which was intense in the Control and NOB groups, decreased in the CS group, and increased in CS+NOB, similar to Control and NOB. Electron microscopy indicated that the blood-testis barrier (BTB) maintained its integrity in the Control and NOB groups, lost its integrity in the CS group, and was largely preserved in CS+NOB. Biochemical analyses showed that oxidative stress markers, significantly increased in the CS group, decreased significantly in the CS+NOB group. These findings underscore the protective effect of NOB on the male reproductive system against chronic stress, suggesting that nobiletin might be a valuable supportive agent in the treatment of male infertility.

The large number of by-products during the processing of citrus fruits exert significant pressure on the environment. Citrus by-products contain a variety of bioactive compounds that promote gut health and maintain microbial homeostasis. Therefore, recycling and reuse of these by-products is considered an excellent way to reduce environmental pressure. The purification and characterization methods of bioactive compounds (such as pectin, dietary fiber, polyphenols, essential oils, and limonin) extracted from citrus by-products in recent years are summarised. Subsequently, we summarize the digestive behavior (digestion, absorption, metabolism, and excretion) of these components, focusing on the mechanisms of action through which they exert prebiotic activity. This highlights the interactions between citrus by-product bioactives and gut microbiota, as well as the health effects on the host gut. Additionally, we provide a brief overview of the delivery systems for the active ingredients based on pectin from citrus sources. The results show that extraction methods can significantly affect the composition and structure of citrus by-products, which in turn affects digestive properties and eventually leads to differences in prebiotic activity. Notably, gut microbiota plays a key role in the metabolism and bioactivity of citrus actives. Besides, the innovative embedding methods can markedly enhance their prebiotic potential. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the extraction, structure, and prebiotic activity of citrus by-products, as well as their delivery methods, is essential to advancing the use of citrus by-products in human health.

The cultivation and processing of fruits generate a wide range of by-products (e.g., pulp, seeds, pomace, leaves, and stems), which are often underutilized despite being rich sources of phenolic compounds with well-documented bioactive properties. The bioactive potential of these compounds has attracted significant interest from both the pharmaceutical and food sectors, offering opportunities for their use in functional foods, dietary supplements, natural medicines, and additives. Among these, phenolic acids have shown promising potential in modulating risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS), a condition encompassing hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and abdominal obesity, and contributing significantly to cardiovascular disease. Given the global burden of MetS and the need for novel preventive strategies, numerous studies have investigated the bioactivity of phenolic acids derived from fruit by-products. In this review, we critically examine recent studies regarding the phenolic acid composition of fruit-derived by-products and their biological activity in relation to MetS-related risk factors. This work aims to synthesize current findings, highlight prevailing research trends, and identify existing gaps in the literature to inform future research and promote the sustainable use of fruit by-products in the prevention and management of MetS.

More than one billion tons of the food produced in the world ends up being wasted every year, accounting for about one-third of the food produced globally. For this reason, the problem of food waste management has been the focus of the different actors intervening in the food supply chains, who recognize that food waste has not only environmental but also economic and social impacts. This review focuses on foods of plant origin wasted at different stages of their life, namely primary production, transformation/processing, transportation, sales, catering and the domestic level. It addresses the subject from multiple angles, considering the environmental, economic and social perspectives. The review was based on a search carried out within scientific databases, for example, ScienceDirect, Scopus and the Web of Science. The results highlighted that in the generation and management of food waste from plant origin, there is a clear difference between developed and developing countries, with these last showing higher losses in production, principally the transportation and storage of the foods. Contrarily, in developed countries, excess food produced and not consumed is the strongest contributor to food waste. Valorization of agricultural waste and industrial residues for application into animal feed or agricultural fertilizers, or through the recovery of valuable compounds for industrial purposes, are some of the ways to deal with food waste while generating additional economic value and reducing environmental impact. However, there is still a need to modify processes and behaviors to reduce food waste and improve the sustainability of supply chains. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct research to identify and report food waste so that stakeholders can contribute positively to solving this problem.

Fumonisins are polyketide-derived mycotoxins posing significant health threats to humans and animals. Among these, fumonisin B1 (FB1) is the most prevalent mycotoxin, primarily produced by Fusarium verticillioides, especially in maize and its derived products. Tangeretin, a polymethoxyflavonoid, has been identified as having potential medicinal properties, particularly as an antioxidant. To evaluate the antifungal and anti-mycotoxigenic properties of tangeretin and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying its inhibitory effects, assessments of fungal growth, FB1 production, conidial germination, and cellulase activity, antioxidant capacity and enzyme activities, transcriptomic analysis and gene deletion experiments were conducted. Consequently, tangeretin significantly curtailed fungal growth and FB1 production and provided protection against pathogenic infection on corn. It affected genes associated with fungal growth, conidial development, and antioxidant response. Furthermore, tangeretin interfered with the supply of biosynthetic substrate necessary for fumonisin production, particularly impacting pathways involved in alanine metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, fatty acid degradation, and sphingolipid metabolism. Notably, tangeretin downregulated four biosynthetic genes (Fum2, Fum3, Fum10 and Fum11) that are involved in the final steps of fumonisin formation. It likely disrupted the MAPK signaling pathway and targeted a putative NmrA- and HSCARG-like protein Fv_Tan1, which was identified as having positive effects on fungal growth and mycotoxin biosynthesis. This study presents a promising approach for controlling fumonisin contamination in agricultural settings.

The valorization of citrus peel byproducts presents a sustainable and innovative approach to reducing food waste while improving the nutritional content of fruit-based products. Citrus peels, a significant byproduct of the fruit juice industry, are abundant in bioactive compounds with recognized health benefits and functional properties, making them particularly suitable for jam production. The global citrus industry generates substantial amounts of waste, with peels accounting for approximately 50% of the total fruit mass. Conventional disposal methods often result in environmental concerns and the underutilization of valuable bioresources. This study aims to investigate the potential of incorporating citrus peel into jam formulations as a means of enhancing their nutritional and functional properties. Jams were prepared using a traditional processing technique (TP) incorporating citrus peel. The experimental jam variants included pomelo peel jam (PPJ), lime peel jam (LiPJ), lemon peel jam (LePJ), clementine peel jam (CPJ), orange peel jam (OPJ), and grapefruit peel jam (GPJ). All jam samples were subjected to comprehensive analyses, including assessments of chemical composition, total soluble solids (TSSs), titrable acidity (g/100 g acid citric), macro- and microelement contents, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity using the FRAP assay. The study revealed high levels of biologically active compounds, such aspolyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C, in the jams, highlighting their antioxidant properties and potential health benefits. Among the jams, lemon peel jam (LePJ) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity and polyphenol content, making it a superior choice in terms of functional benefits. In terms of sensory analysis, orange peel jam (OPJ) was the most favored by consumers, demonstrating its high acceptability and potential for market success.

Tangerine peel is a traditional Chinese herb and has been widely applied in foods and medicine for its multiple pharmacological effects. Erythropoietin receptor (EPOR), a member of the cytokine receptor family, is widely expressed in multiple tissues in especial kidney and plays protective effects in adverse physiological and pathological conditions. We hypothesized that it might be EPOR agonists existing in Tangerine peel bring such renal benefits. To test our hypothesis, an EPOR/cell membrane chromatography (CMC)-high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-mass spectrometry (MS) analytical system was developed to screen EPOR targeted compounds from tangerine peel extra out. A fraction was retained on the EPOR/CMC column, separated, and further identified as nobiletin. Frontal analysis, non-linear chromatography, and molecular docking assay were applied to determine the binding force and sites between nobiletin and EPOR. Intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, cAMP accumulation, and phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT5 were determined to confirm the EPOR activation effect of nobiletin. CoCl2 was applied to construct a renal hypoxic cell model, and cell viability and apoptosis of human glomerular mesangial cells (HMC) were carried out to assess the pharmacological effect of nobiletin. Apoptosis-related proteins including Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Bax, Cleaved caspase 3, caspase 3, caspase 9, and Cytochrome C were determined. SiRNA and lentivirus were used to silence or overexpress EPOR. Our results indicated that nobiletin is a potential EPOR agonist, reflected on its explicit binding force and downstream signal activating effects. Furthermore, EPOR-overexpressing enhanced the hypoxia-tolerance of renal cells. Our mechanism research indicated that the protective effect of nobiletin against hypoxia was depended on its pro-proliferation and anti-apoptosis effects. In conclusion, nobiletin, a potential small molecular agonist of EPOR, protects HMC against hypoxia through positively activating EPOR.

Naringin, a flavanone glycoside found abundantly in citrus fruits, is well-known for its various pharmacological properties, particularly its significant anticancer effects. Research, both in vitro and in vivo, has shown that naringin is effective against several types of cancer, including liver, breast, thyroid, prostate, colon, bladder, cervical, lung, ovarian, brain, melanoma, and leukemia. Its anticancer properties are mediated through multiple mechanisms, such as apoptosis induction, inhibition of cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, and suppression of angiogenesis, metastasis, and invasion, all while exhibiting minimal toxicity and adverse effects. Naringin's molecular mechanisms involve the modulation of essential signaling pathways, including PI3K/Akt/mTOR, FAK/MMPs, FAK/bads, FAKp-Try397, IKKs/IB/NF-κB, JNK, ERK, β-catenin, p21CIPI/WAFI, and p38-MAPK. Additionally, it targets several signaling proteins, such as Bax, TNF-α, Zeb1, Bcl-2, caspases, VEGF, COX-2, VCAM-1, and interleukins, contributing to its wide-ranging antitumor effects. The remarkable therapeutic potential of naringin, along with its favorable safety profile, highlights its promise as a candidate for cancer treatment. This comprehensive review examines the molecular mechanisms behind naringin's chemopreventive and anticancer effects, including its pharmacokinetics and bioavailability. Furthermore, it discusses advancements in nanocarrier technologies designed to enhance these characteristics and explores the synergistic benefits of combining naringin with other anticancer agents, focusing on improved therapeutic efficacy and drug bioavailability.

Chenpi extract (CPE) is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and volatile flavor compounds, and possesses numerous healthy biological effects. However, the low stability and bioaccessibility of CPE significantly limits its application in food development.

In this study, CPE microcapsules were prepared using soybean oligopeptide (SOP), maltodextrin (MD), soybean protein isolate (SPI), and citrus insoluble dietary fiber (CIDF) as the encapsulants. The successful encapsulation and thermal stability of the CPE microcapsules were confirmed through structural, interaction characterization, and thermal analyses. Soybean oligopeptide encapsulated 97.89% of the total flavonoids and 95.97% of the total polyphenols in CPE, which was significantly higher than the other three materials (MD, SPI, and CIDF). Soybean oligopeptide also showed good retention capacity for volatile flavor compounds in CPE, especially d-limonene (47.67%), γ-terpinene (49.65%), n-octanal (57.38%), and β-Myrcene (44.65%). The in vitro digestion results showed that the CPE loaded by SOP was more stable during simulated digestion compared with the CPE loaded by the other three materials. The bioaccessibility of total flavonoids and total polyphenols in CP-SOP was 96.64% and 88.95%, respectively.

Overall, these results highlight that SOP is a better carrier for CPE microcapsules, and the distinct characteristics of SOP could significantly improve the quality of Chenpi-related functional food. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Metabolic disorders and brain insulin resistance (IR) are major risk factors for the development of neurodegenerative conditions. Kumquat fruit (KF) administration has demonstrated significant anti-dysmetabolic effects, improving peripheral IR in murine models of metabolic syndrome. Along these lines, this study evaluated the neuroprotective effects of KF supplementation in a model of dysmetabolism-induced neuronal damage and its ability to counteract the disruption of brain insulin signalling. To this end, biochemical and histological analysis assessed neuroapoptosis, disruption of brain insulin signalling and neuroinflammation in a model of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced neuronal damage. Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that KF supplementation significantly counteracts HFD-induced neuroapoptosis downregulating pro-apoptotic genes (FAS-L, BIM and P27) and upregulating the anti-apoptotic ones (BDNF and BCL-2). Coherently, KF positively influenced the expression of selected genes related to Alzheimer's Disease. Relevantly, these effects were associated to KF ability to restore brain insulin signalling by increasing insulin receptor expression, reducing IRS-1 serine phosphorylation, enhancing both AKT activation and GSK-3β inactivation. Accordingly, KF suppressed HFD-neuroinflammation, counteracting the overexpression of NF-κB and its downstream enzymatic products, iNOS and COX-2. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the neuroprotective benefits of KF administration, supporting its potential as a dietary intervention for dysmetabolic-related neurodegenerative disorders.

Blood orange peel flour (BO-pf)-a by-product of the citrus supply chain-still contains bioactive molecules with known health benefits, such as antiradical scavenging activity or an antiproliferative activity regarding tumors. In vitro studies have demonstrated that orange polyphenols showed potential involvement in necroptosis. In addition to previous research, we tested BO-pf on two colorectal cancer cell lines. Using HT29 and Caco2 cells, our experiments confirmed the regulation of inflammasome expression. They provided valuable insights into how BO-pf influences the cancer cell features (i.e., viability, proliferation, and pro- and anti-inflammatory activity). Notably, BO-pf extract is a rich source of polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant properties. Western blot and real-time PCR analyses showed that treatment with BO-pf extract demonstrated beneficial effects by influencing the expression of both pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6) through the modulation of the TLR4/NF-kB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling. Moreover, the results of this study demonstrate that BO-pf extracts can enhance the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10 and TGFβ, suggesting that BO-pf extracts may represent a promising functional ingredient to counteract the intestinal inflammatory responses involved in IBD.

Polyploids in citrus are generally used to improve crop varieties. Changshan Huyou (Citrus changshan-huyou) is a native citrus species in China that is highly adaptable and has pharmaceutical value. However, the influence in Changshan Huyou following polyploidization remains unclear. Here we evaluated the adult tetraploid scions of Changshan Huyou with contemporary diploid scions as the control in the phenotypic variations, metabolic alterations of fruits and associated transcriptomic changes.

The tetraploid scions had rounder and thicker leaves, larger floral organs and fruits, and satisfactory viability of pollen grains and ovules. The tetraploid fruits accumulated lower levels of soluble solids but similar levels of organic acids. Metabolic profiling of three tissues of fruits revealed that most of 2064 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), including flavonoids, lignans, and coumarins, were downregulated. In contrast, the upregulated DAMs mainly included alkaloids (clausine K and 2-(1-pentenyl)quinoline), amino acids (L-asparagine and L-ornithine), and terpenoids (deacetylnomilin and evodol) in tetraploid peels, as well as, flavonoids (neohesperidin and quercetin-5-O-β-D-glucoside) and organic acids (2-methylsuccinic acid and dimethylmalonic acid) in juice sacs. The upregulated genes were associated with phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and the biosynthesis of various alkaloid pathways. Pearson Correlation Analysis showed that the upregulated genes encoding PEROXIDASE and CYTOCHROME P450 (CYP450) were closely related to the higher accumulation of amino acids and alkaloids in tetraploid peels, and up-regulated neohesperidin and quercetin glucoside were positively associated with FERULATE-5-HYDROXYLASE (F5H), CYP450 81Q32, FLAVONOID 3'-MONOOXYGENASE (F3'H), 4-COUMARATE-CoA LIGASE 1 (4CL1), and UDP-GLUCOSE FLAVONOID 3-O-GLUCOSYLTRANSFERASE (UFOG), as well as, some transcription factors in tetraploid juice sacs.

The tetraploid Changshan Huyou investigated here may be used in triploids breeding to produce seedless citrus, and for fruit processing on pharmaceutical purpose due to the alteration of metabolites following polyploidization.

Breast cancer (BC) tops the list of causes for female fatalities globally, with the elusive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) constituting 10-20% of all cases. Current clinical strategies for combating TNBC encompass a multifaceted approach, including surgical intervention, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and advanced targeted drugs and immunotherapies. While these modalities have catalyzed significant advancements in TNBC management, lingering limitations continue to pose formidable challenges. There is an acute need for novel therapeutics in the realm of TNBC treatment. Natural products (NPs) have emerged as a rich reservoir for pharmaceutical innovation, owing to their extraordinary range of structures and physicochemical properties. Scholars have reported diverse evidence of NPs' efficacy against TNBC. This review aims to comprehensively explore the bioactive constituents, specifics and commonalities of chemical structure, and pharmacological mechanisms of NPs, specifically examining their multifaceted roles in impeding TNBC. NPs, which have recently garnered significant interest, are intriguing in terms of their capacity to combat TNBC through multifaceted mechanisms, including the suppression of tumor cell proliferation, the induction of apoptosis, and the inhibition of tumor metastasis. These natural agents primarily encompass a range of compounds, including terpenoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids. An in-depth exploration has unveiled their involvement in key signaling pathways, including the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT), Wingless/Int-1 (Wnt) /β-catenin, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Meanwhile, this review also looks at the challenges and opportunities that arise from harnessing natural compounds to influence TNBC, while outlining the prospective trajectory for future research in the field of NPs.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) can cause severe diarrhea death in newborn piglets, resulting in significant economic losses for the pig industry. Therefore, the advancement of safe and effective anti-PEDV drugs for the treatment of PEDV is of paramount importance. In this study, molecular docking was used to screen natural drugs that can target PEDV 3C like protease (3CLpro). As well, the anti-PEDV effects of the screened drugs were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation results showed that ethyl caffeate (EC) could efficiently bind to the active cavity of PEDV 3CLpro. Biolayer interferometry (BLI) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) analyses demonstrated that EC directly interacts with PEDV 3CLpro (KD = 1650 μM) and inhibits the activity of 3CLpro (IC50 = 33.87 μM). EC has been shown to significantly inhibit the replication of PEDV in Vero E6 cells. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (CC50) and half-effective concentration (EC50) were determined to be 283.1 μM and 8.641 μM, respectively, yielding a selectivity index as high as 32.7. Furthermore, EC was evaluated using a piglet infection model for PEDV. It demonstrated the ability to inhibit PEDV infection in vivo and improve the survival rate of piglets (3/5, 60%). Compared to the control group, oral administration of EC significantly reduced intestinal pathological damage and viral load. Our study indicated that EC, targeting PEDV 3CLpro, is a safe and effective anti-PEDV drug with promising clinical application prospects.

Citrus fruits are one of the most popular crops in the world, and around one quarter of them are subjected to industrial processes, aiming at the production of different food products. Citrus processing generates large amounts of waste, including peels, pulp, and seeds. These materials are rich sources of polymers (e.g., pectin, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin), phenolic compounds, and essential oils. At the same time, the development of food packaging materials using citrus waste is a highly sought strategy for food preservation, and meets the principles of circular economy. This review surveys current advances in the development of active and intelligent food packaging produced using one or more citrus waste components (polymers, phenolics extracts, and essential oils). It highlights the contribution and effects of each of these components on the properties of the developed packaging, as well as emphasizes the current state and challenges for developing citrus-based packaging. Most of the reported investigations employed citrus pectin as a base polymer to produce packaging films through the casting technique. Likewise, most of them focused on developing active materials, and fewer studies have explored the preparation of citrus waste-based intelligent materials. All studies characterized the materials developed, but only a few actually applied them to food matrices. This review is expected to encourage novel investigations that contribute to food preservation and to reduce the environmental impacts caused by discarded citrus byproducts.

Aging is associated with the decline of tissue and cellular functions, which can promote the development of age-related diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and disorders of the musculoskeletal and immune systems. Healthspan is the length of time an individual is in good health and free from chronic diseases and disabilities associated with aging. Two modifiable factors that can influence healthspan, promote healthy aging, and prevent the development of age-related diseases, are diet and microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract (gut microbiota). This review will discuss how dietary phytochemicals and gut microbiota can work in concert to promote a healthy gut and healthy aging. First, an overview is provided of how the gut microbiota influences healthy aging through its impact on gut barrier integrity, immune function, mitochondria function, and oxidative stress. Next, the mechanisms by which phytochemicals effect gut health, inflammation, and nurture a diverse and healthy microbial composition are discussed. Lastly, we discuss how the gut microbiota can directly influence health by producing bioactive metabolites from phytochemicals in food like urolithin A, equol, hesperetin, and sulforaphane. These and other phytochemical-derived microbial metabolites that may promote healthspan are discussed. Importantly, an individual's capacity to produce health-promoting microbial metabolites from cruciferous vegetables, berries, nuts, citrus, and soy products will be dependent on the specific bacteria present in the individual's gut.

Suzi Daotan Decoction (SZDTD), recorded in the "New Edition of the Sasang of Eastern Medicine", serves as a prominent formula for managing asthma in Shao-Yin individuals in Korean traditional medicine. This prescription demonstrates clinical efficacy in asthma treatment and is associated with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Nonetheless, the precise underlying mechanism remains incompletely understood. This study aims to elucidate the impact of SZDTD in ameliorating asthmatic airway remodeling and investigate whether its mechanism is related to the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Through network pharmacology analysis, the components and putative targets of SZDTD were investigated, along with the target genes associated with allergic asthma. Enrichment analysis identified the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways as relevant pathways. Subsequently, in an allergic asthma mouse model sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA), mice were orally administered a low dose of SZDTD, a high dose of SZDTD, or dexamethasone before the challenge. The control group received 0.9% NaCl only. The number of inflammatory cells was assessed using Diff-Quik staining. The levels of interleukin-4(IL-4), IL-5, IL-13 in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF), total immunoglobulin E(IgE), and OVA-specific IgE in serum were detected by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IL-4 and interferon γ (IFN-γ) in spleen and lymph were detected by flow cytometry. Histological staining was employed to observe lung tissue pathology. Protein levels were evaluated using Immunohistochemistry(IHC), Western blotting (WB), and immunofluorescence (IF). Furthermore, BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cells stimulated with LPS were treated with varying concentrations of SZDTD, and WB analysis was conducted to determine associated protein levels. SZDTD demonstrated a significant reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration, as well as decreased levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in BALF, and total IgE and ovalbumin-specific IgE levels in serum. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that SZDTD treatment led to decreased levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 in the lymph nodes and spleen, with a more pronounced effect observed on IL-4 level. Moreover, results from MASSON staining indicated that SZDTD treatment markedly reduced the expression of α-SMA (α-smooth muscle actin) and mitigated collagen deposition symptoms. Furthermore, SZDTD stimulated the phosphorylation of Adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and enhanced the expression of Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) and Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), while inhibiting the expression of P-PI3K, P-AKT. In vitro experiments showed that SZDTD promoted the phosphorylation of AMPK, increased the expression of SIRT1 and PGC-1α, and suppressed the expression of P-PI3K, P-AKT. SZDTD can alleviate airway remodeling in allergic asthma by a mechanism related to activation of AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α and inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.

This work proposes a sustainable sequential extraction of bioactive terpenoids and phenolic compounds from grapefruit, lime, and lemon peels using supercritical CO2 extraction (SC-CO2) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) with natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDES). NaDES screening demonstrated that Choline Chloride:Tartaric acid (1:2) for grapefruit and lemon peels, and Choline Chloride:Glycerol (1:2) for lime peels with 50% water yielded the highest phenolic contents. Cryogenic grinding (CR) and SC-CO2 pretreatments before UAE-NaDES did not improve phenolic recovery compared to direct UAE-NaDES. Pretreatments reduced particle size and increased surface tension, lowering UAE-NaDES efficiency. The direct UAE-NaDES extracts showed the highest phenolic diversity, with naringin in grapefruit and hesperidin in lime and lemon peels as the major compounds identified by HPLC-QTOF-MS. However, SC-CO2 obtained before UAE-NaDES presented higher anticholinergic capacity and a rich terpenoid profile identified by GC-Q-MS. Results demonstrate the potential of this sequential strategy for a more holistic exploitation of citrus peels.

Obesity is a major health problem associated with Type 2 diabetes, non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and atherosclerosis. Functional lactic acid bacteria-fermented products have been reported to have potential anti-obese effect. The present results revealed that Leuconostoc mesenteroides 4 (LMSS4)-fermented lemon peel filtrate slowed down the increase of body weight, and decreased liver and epididymal fat indices; it also decreased serum levels of TC (total cholesterol), TG (triglyceride), LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), ALT (alanine transaminase), AST (aspartate transaminase), and AKP (alkaline phosphatase), TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α), IFN-γ (interferon gamma), IL-1β (interleukin-1β), IL-6 (interleukin-6), and IL-10 (interleukin-10), increased the levels of HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), IL-4 (interleukin-4), and IL-10 (interleukin-10). Furthermore, the mRNA expression of NFκB-p65 (nuclear factor-κB p65), PPAR-γ (eroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ), TNF-α, IL-1β, leptin, SREBP-1c (sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c), FAS (fatty acid synthase), and CEBP/α (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α) were down-regulated, while the expression of IL-4, IκB-α (inhibitory subunit of NF Kappa B alpha), and IL-10 were upregulated after the mice were treated with LMSS4-fermented lemon filtrate; the filtrate also downregulated the protein expression of NFκB-p65 and PPAR-γ but increased the expression of IκB-α. The HPLC results found that rutin and hesperidin were the predominant constituents in both the unfermented and LMSS4-fermented lemon filtrates among the 15 constituents analyzed. In addition, chlorogenic acid, umbelliferone, byakangelicin, and oxypeucedanin hydrate were increased in the fermented lemon filtrate, in which chlorogenic acid showed the highest increase rate (83.51%). In conclusion, the anti-obesity effect of LMSS 4-fermented lemon peel filtrate was mediated via the regulation of the NFκB/PPAR-γ signaling pathway. These results could provide an experimental basis for developing new functional lemon beverages for obesity intervention.

Food waste presents a critical environmental and economic challenge across Europe. In the Mediterranean region, the agricultural industry generates considerable quantities of citrus fruits, leading to significant byproduct waste, which remains underutilized. To help address this, this study explored the valorization of orange peel waste using non-thermal ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) and a one-factor-at-a-time experimental design to investigate the effects of nine chemical and physical UAE parameters. The goal was to identify ideal operational ranges for each parameter using several responses (bioactive compound recovery, antioxidant activity, and radical scavenging activity), thus elucidating the most influential UAE factors and their role in co-extracting various classes of natural compounds. The key findings revealed that the polarity and ionic potential of the extraction medium, tuned through ethanol:water or pH, significantly influenced both the chemical profile and bioactivity of the extracts. Notably, citric acid and citrates appeared to stabilize co-extracted compounds. Lower solid-to-liquid ratios increased yields, while particle sizes between 1400 and 710 µm enhanced phenolic recovery by approximately 150 mg/L GAE. In contrast, increases in pulse, probe diameter, immersion depth, and extraction time led to degradation of bioactive compounds, whereas the maximal amplitude improved phenolic acid recovery by up to 2-fold. Collectively, these insights provide a foundation for optimizing non-thermal UAE to valorize orange peel waste.

Fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) is a global waste issue with environmental impacts. It contains valuable compounds such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, proteins, vitamins, pigments, and fatty acids, which can be extracted for food applications. This study aims to review sustainable extraction methods for FVW and its potential in the food industry.

This paper provides an overview of the sources and sustainable methods of high value-added compounds extracted from FVW. Sustainable techniques, including supercritical fluid extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction, are compared with traditional methods, for their efficiency in extracting high-value compounds from FVW while minimizing environmental impact.

Sustainable extraction of FVW compounds is sustainable and beneficial for novel food ingredients. However, challenges in scalability and cost need to be addressed for wider adoption in the food sector.

Sustainable extraction techniques effectively extract phytochemicals from FVW, preserving bioactivity and reducing environmental load. These methods show promise for sustainable food ingredient development.

Red raspberries, valued for their nutrients and bioactive compounds, have broad uses in processing and healthy products. However, limited comprehensive research focused on the comparison of phenolic compounds of red raspberry, especially species cultivated in Northeast China, has been reported. This study aimed to conduct a thorough investigation of 24 red raspberry varieties in Northeast China for the first time, evaluating their phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities. The results showed that 'DNS1' had the highest total phenolic content (TPC), 'Willamette' had the highest total flavonoid content (TFC), and 'Boyne' had the highest total anthocyanin content (TAC). Phenolic compounds in red raspberries were predominantly found in esterified form, while glycosylated phenolics should not be overlooked. Chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, and arbutin were the main phenolic compounds, and the distribution of their contents varied between varieties. The antioxidant activity in the red raspberry had a close association with the content of phenolic compounds. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities were higher in samples from 'DNS1', 'Boyne', 'Beijing10', 'DNS5', and 'Willamette' varieties. These varieties should be given priority in breeding programs that aim to boost the utility and bioactive profile of red raspberries. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Red raspberry is becoming a desirable commercially grown fruit species and is viewed as a new functional food. In this context, this research offers strong support for confirming the quality of 24 varieties of red raspberry and plays a critical role in the food industry. It also indicates the potential sources of superior varieties of red raspberry, which are advantageous for growers and consumers in search of high-quality red raspberry varieties.

Most of the food packaging materials used in the market are petroleum-based plastics; such materials are neither biodegradable nor environmentally friendly and require years to decompose. To overcome these problems, biodegradable and edible materials are encouraged to be used because such materials degrade quickly due to the actions of bacteria, fungi, and other environmental effects. The present study examined that starch can be effectively used as raw material to develop biodegradable, edible films. In this regard, Raw papaya and Citrus Peel were chosen to make biodegradable plastic film blended with corn starch. Raw papaya powder was combined with citrus peel powder for the development of film in treatments of T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5. RPP and CPP blend with Corn starch (CS) to maximize the film-forming properties and characteristics. The films were subjected to various parameter analysis like thickness, optical properties and barrier properties. As per the results, T3 was an optimized film, as it had minimum thickness (0.26 ± 0.01), high tensile strength (5.79 ± 0.12), elongation at break of 11.92 ± 0.03, High transparency (1.42 ± 0.06), and high degradation temperature. From the results, it is inferred that the prepared films are ideally suitable for food packaging and their production on a larger scale can considerably cut down the plastic wastage.

Dried citrus peel (DCP), also called "Chen Pi", has edible and medicinal value. However, the specific differences among various sources remain unknown. Herein, we collected six DCP species, namely, one Citrus reticulata 'Chachi' (CZG) and five Citrus reticulata Blanco (CRB). Targeted high-performance liquid chromatography and untargeted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were employed to comprehensively compare the phenolic compounds and metabolites in DCP. Interestingly, 13 different phenolic compounds were noted in DCP. The total phenolic compound content in all CRB samples (58.86-127.65 mg/g) was higher than that of CZG (39.47 mg/g). Untargeted metabolomic revealed 1495 compounds, with 115 differentially expressed metabolites for CRBs and CZG, particularly flavonoids (38), terpenoids (15), and phenolic acids and derivatives (9). Lastly, antioxidant assays revealed that all CRB samples exhibited higher antioxidant activities compared with CZG. Therefore, our study results provide a theoretical basis for the high-value utilization of citrus peels and their metabolites.

Many nutritional experts recommend rabbit meat as a high-protein source. However, the high temperatures used to prepare deep-fried rabbit meat (DFRM) typically produce numerous heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), a class of substances with carcinogenic risks. In this study, we chromatographically evaluate changes in the volatile compounds, amino acids, and HAAs in DFRM while employing tangerine peel (TP) as an additive. A total of 35 volatile organic compounds are detected in the TP, which increase the concentrations of sweet and umami amino acids in the DFRM. Remarkably, the TP substantially inhibits the IQ-type HAAs, particularly MeIQ, MeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx, and PhIP, which are produced during deep frying. Correlation analyses reveal that the histidine, aldehydes, and alcohols are strongly and positively correlated (P < 0.001) with the MeIQ, MeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx, and PhIP production. This study offers innovative and natural approaches for reducing HAA formation during the frying of rabbit meat.

The early intrauterine environment of mothers during pregnancy significantly affects the metabolic health of their offspring. Existing studies suggest that poor maternal nutrition during pregnancy increases the risk of obesity or diabetes in offspring, so it is highly important to intervene during pregnancy to prevent metabolic disorders in mothers and their offspring. Polyphenols with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are found in many foods and have protective effects on obesity, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, recent evidence indicates that maternal dietary polyphenols could be a potential therapy for improving pregnancy outcomes and offspring metabolism. In this review, we discuss the studies and mechanisms of different kinds of maternal dietary polyphenols during pregnancy and lactation in improving the metabolism of offspring, analyze the limitations of the current studies, and propose possible directions of further research, which provide new ideas and directions for reducing metabolic diseases in offspring.

The potential of bitter orange peel powder (BOPP) as a nutritional strategy for fish was investigated in Nile tilapia. A total of 120 juveniles with an average initial weight of 9.8 ± 0.7 g were divided into four groups, replicated three times, resulting in 12 experimental units (60 L each) at a stocking density of 1.63 g of fish per liter. Productive parameters, whole-body composition, blood biochemistry, erythroid morphometry, intestinal histology, and heat tolerance were assessed in the juveniles subjected to one of the following treatments: non-supplemented basal diet (control group); basal diet with BOPP at 10 g/kg (BOPP10 group); basal diet with BOPP at 20 g/kg (BOPP20 group); and basal diet with BOPP at 40 g/kg (BOPP40 group). The BOPP additive had a positive influence on Nile tilapia growth, as final weight and weight gain were greater in all BOPP-treated fish, despite the reduction in crude protein in BOPP10 and BOPP20 groups. Fish receiving BOPP40 had an increase in total lipids and showed the highest levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol. Villi development was greater in the tilapia given BOPP10. It may be concluded that BOPP presented the most promising results for Nile tilapia juveniles when used at 10 g/kg diet. Regarding the erythroid morphometry, there was a general increase in nuclear and cytoplasmic areas in BOPP-fed tilapia; this seems to be the first report on the direct impact of the inclusion of functional additives in fish diet upon such parameters. As concerns the thermal tolerance evaluated at the end of the feeding trial, no differences were registered among the experimental groups. Thus, BOPP represents a feasible alternative ingredient to be explored in fish nutrition, since orange peel is a natural low-cost source of essential nutrients and valuable bioactive compounds.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between flavonoids intake and the prevalence and all-cause mortality of depressive symptoms in American adults.

Analyzing 2007-2008, 2009-2010, and 2017-2018 NHANES data, we examined the association between dietary flavonoid and depressive symptoms, including specific subclasses assessment and mortality outcomes tracking until December 31, 2019. Our methodology included weighted multivariate logistic regression, weighted cox proportional hazards regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models, supported by stratified and sensitivity analyses.

Among the 12,340 participants in total, 1129 exhibited depressive symptoms. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant reduction in total flavonoid and subclass intake in individuals with current depressive symptoms. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for the highest quartiles were 0.69 for anthocyanidins and 0.63 for flavones. Interaction effects emerged in non-hypertensive, higher-income, and normal-weight groups for flavones intake. The RCS model indicated an L-shaped association between depressive symptoms and total flavonoid intake, with inflection points at 346 mg/day. During a median follow-up of 119 months, 148 deaths occurred among patients with depressive symptoms. Hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality showed a significant positive correlation between total flavonoid intake and survival in model 1 (HR = 0.56), with an optimal intake range of 45.2-948.3 mg/day according to the RCS model.

The study relied on U.S. population survey data, potentially limiting generalizability. Unmeasured confounding factors may exist, and genetic factors were not considered.

Adequate intake of flavonoids, especially anthocyanidins and flavones, is associated with reduced odds of depressive symptoms. Additionally, optimal intake ranges of flavonoid intake for mental health benefits were observed for all-cause mortality in population with depressive symptoms.

Polyphenols are plant secondary metabolites that have attracted much attention due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gut homeostasis promoting effects. However, food matrix interaction, poor solubility, and strong digestion and metabolism of polyphenols cause barriers to their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, which further reduces bioavailability and limits polyphenols' application in the food industry. Nano-delivery systems composed of biocompatible macromolecules (polysaccharides, proteins and lipids) are an effective way to improve the bioavailability of polyphenols. Therefore, this review introduces the construction of biopolymer-based nano-delivery systems and their application in polyphenols, with emphasis on improving the solubility, stability, sustained release and intestinal targeting of polyphenols. In addition, there are possible positive effects of polyphenol-loaded nano-delivery systems on modulating gut microbiota and gut homeostasis, with particular emphasis on modulating intestinal inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and gut-brain axis. It is worth noting that the safety of bio-based nano-delivery systems still need to be further studied. In summary, the application of the bio-based nano-delivery system to deliver polyphenols provides insights for improving the bioavailability of polyphenols and for the treatment of potential diseases in the future.

Citrus peels are rich in bioactive phenolic compounds with various health effects including antioxidant, antiobesity, antiinflammatory, antihypertensive, antihypercholesterolemic, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anticarcinogenic activities. Both extractable and nonextractable phenolics are present in significant amounts in Citrus peel with diverse bioactivities. While extractable phenolics can be recovered from the fruit peels by conventional extraction methods, nonextractable phenolics remaining in the residues must be released from the cell matrix first by hydrolysis with acid, alkali, or enzymes. Novel processing technologies can help in improvement of extraction efficiency. Extreme process or medium conditions degrade phenolics and their bioactivity where encapsulation can be applied to improve their stability, solubility, and bioactivity. Citrus peel powder including ascorbic acid and dietary fiber besides phenolics or extracts therefrom can be used as functional food ingredients to extend shelf life and provide health benefits. In addition, phenolic extracts can be used as antioxidant and antimicrobial agents in active food packaging applications. Phenolic extracts have also a potential to be used as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. In this review, phenolic compounds in different forms in Citrus peels, their recovery, bioactivity and possible applications for upcycling in the industry are presented.

The improper use of citrus peel and nondegradable plastic film can cause substantial issues, such as environmental pollution and resource waste. Herein, navel orange pomace powder (NOPP) and chitosan (CS) were used as the raw material and film-forming additive, respectively, to prepare biobased composite films. Chestnut shell extract (CHE) and citric acid (CA) were added to the prepared NOPP/CS biobased multifunctional films. Based on ensuring the tensile strength of the film above 10 MPa, the elongation at break of the film can be increased from 19.11 % to 34.93 %, the water contact angle can reach 60°, and the water vapor transmittance can be significantly reduced to approximately 1.1 × 10-10 gs-1m-1Pa-1. Additionally, the antibacterial ability and antioxidant capacity of the composite film were improved. We observed that the multifunctional film could significantly inhibit the browning of fresh-cut apples, where the browning index was maintained between 60 and 65, which was 25 % lower than that of the control. The newly developed film therefore possesses the potential to replace the traditional plastic cling film. This research contributes to the literature regarding the source of raw materials for biobased materials and highlights the value of navel orange processing by-products.

This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of the gastrointestinal health anti-diarrheal mixture (GHAM) on diarrhea induced by spleen deficiency, focusing on its modulation of gut microbiota. Using specific pathogen-free Wistar rats, a spleen deficiency model was created through senna leaf gavage. Rats were divided into control, model, positive control, and GHAM treatment groups. After a 14-day treatment, fecal samples were analyzed via 16S rDNA sequencing to assess microbiota alterations. GHAM significantly mitigated diarrhea and enhanced food intake and fecal quality. It increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Romboutsia and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and decreased the levels of diarrhea-associated bacteria, such as Prevotellaceae and Bacillus, thereby improving microbiota functionality. GHAM's modulation of gut microbiota structure and function effectively alleviated spleen deficiency-induced diarrhea, positioning it as a potential natural herbal treatment for gastrointestinal ailments. This study lays the groundwork for further exploration of GHAM's regulatory impact on gut health.

Aging is a complex process that involves many physiological mechanisms that gradually impair normal cellular and tissue function and make us more susceptible to diseases and death. It is influenced by intrinsic factors like cellular function and extrinsic factors like pollution and UV radiation. Recent scientific studies show that traditional plant-based foods and supplements can help mitigate the effects of aging. Nutraceuticals, which are dietary supplements with medicinal properties, have gained attention for their ability to prevent chronic and age-related diseases. Antioxidants like flavonoids, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, terpenes, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, minerals, etc. found in plants are key to managing oxidative stress, which is a major cause of aging. Well-known plant-based supplements from Bacopa monnieri, Curcuma longa, Emblica officinalis, Ginkgo biloba, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Panax ginseng have been found to possess medicinal properties. These supplements have been shown to improve cognitive function, reduce oxidative stress, improve overall health, and potentially extend life and enhance the excellence of life. The obtained benefits from these plant species are due to the presence of their bioactive secondary metabolites, such as bacosides in Bacopa monnieri, curcumin in Curcuma longa, ginsenosides in Panax ginseng, and many more. These compounds not only protect against free radical damage but also modulate key biological pathways of aging. Also, traditional fermented foods (tempeh and kimchi), which are rich in probiotics and bioactive compounds, support gut health, boost immune function, and have anti-aging properties. The molecular mechanisms behind these benefits are the activation of nutrient-sensing pathways like AMPK, SIRT/NAD+, and mTOR, which are important for cellular homeostasis and longevity. This review shows the potential of traditional plant-based foods and dietary supplements for healthy aging, and more studies are needed to prove their efficacy and safety in humans. Incorporating these natural products into our diet may be a practical and effective way to counteract the effects of aging and overall well-being. The foremost goal of this review is to emphasize the importance of supporting the body's antioxidant system by consuming the right balance of natural ingredients in the diet.

Bitter food, because of its unique taste, is not popular with the public, and is even considered to be difficult to swallow. By binding to specific sites of bitter receptors (26 hTAS2Rs), bitter compounds activate the downstream signaling pathways mediated by G protein, which convert chemical signals into electrical signals that are ultimately transmitted to the brain to produce the bitter perception. The intensity of bitterness is mainly determined by the hydrophobic recognition region of bitter receptors. The bitter compounds in foods mainly include alkaloids, polyphenols, terpenoids, amino acids, etc. Foods rich in bitter taste are mostly natural such as beans, nuts, and coffee, etc. Studies have proven that bitter foods have biological activities such as preventing hyperlipidemia, hypertension, hyperglycemia, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, antioxidant, and exhibit neuroprotective effects and other biological activities. The purpose of this review is to explore the bitter perception and the biological activity of bitter compounds, clarify the mechanism of their action on human health, and provide theoretical guidance for the development and application of functional foods.