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With two compounds first discovered in quinoa, an entire novel family of betalain pigments derived from dopamine is obtained and characterized. Betalains are nitrogenous water-soluble pigments and bioactive molecules with health-promoting effects and nutraceutical potential. It was assumed that all betalains contained betalamic acid as a structural unit derived from l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA). However, hitherto ignored compounds derived from dopamine have recently been discovered in nature. Here an entire family of betalains is described as decarboxylated pigments where 6-decarboxy-betalamic acid is the chromophoric and structural unit. This paper shows for the first time the production, purification and characterization of color and fluorescent properties of this novel family of pigments. Antioxidant and anti-aging effects of the just discovered betalains were tested in vivo using the animal model Caenorhabditis elegans. Some of them presented extraordinary properties, being glutamic acid-6-decarboxy-betaxanthin the most fluorescent molecule among both families of betalains. Methionine sulfoxide-6-decarboxy-betaxanthin is described as the most potent betalain in the reduction of oxidative stress in vivo in C. elegans (99.5 % at 25 µM) and dopa-6-decarboxy-betaxanthin increased the lifespan of the animal model up to 7.0 % at 25 µM. These results open new research lines in the search for molecules from plants with health-promoting properties and bioactivities.

Demand for honeydew honey (HDH) is growing, both from consumers and the food industry, due to its potential antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However, information on the chemical profile of HDH remains scant, particularly on New Zealand honeydew honey (NZHDH). This paper aims to provide a comprehensive chemical analysis of NZHDH produced from honeybees, which feed on nectar exuded by the scale insect Ultracoelostoma assimile. This insect feeds on most species of the Southern Beech (Nothofagus spp.). The proximate composition, mineral profile, sugar profile, phenolic profile, amino acid profile, and antioxidant activity of NZHDH was determined and compared to results for HDH and other varieties of honey previously reported in literature. It was determined that the antioxidant activity of NZHDH is comparable to several studies on Manuka honey, which is widely considered as the "gold standard" for its antioxidant activity. This demonstrated that NZHDH indeed had excellent antioxidant properties. This study was the first time that a quantitative amino acid profile has been produced for NZHDH. The major amino acids were proline, L-aspartic acid, L-glutamic acid, L-alaine, and L-phenylalanine. The major phenolic compounds were pinocembrin, abscisic acid, and pinobanksin. Of the phenolic compounds quantified in this study, only p-hydroxybenzoic acid has previously been quantified in NZHDH.

Fucoxanthin (FUC) is a hydrophobic carotenoid that has a protective effect on the colon. To exert the beneficial effects of FUC in the colon and expand its application in functional food, FUC was encapsulated in carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan (CMKGM)-coated gliadin nanoparticles (Gli-CMKGM NPs) in this paper. Gli-CMKGM NPs were prepared at pH 5.0 with Gli/CMKGM mass ratio of 1:1. The formation of Gli-CMKGM NPs was associated with hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions and electrostatic attractions. Additionally, Gli-CMKGM NPs exhibited good stability to pH, salt, heating and storage. The results showed that FUC had been successfully encapsulated in Gli-CMKGM NPs, and the encapsulation efficiency of FUC-Gli-CMKGM NPs was significantly higher than that of uncoated FUC-Gli NPs. FUC-Gli-CMKGM NPs had a nano-spherical structure, and embedded FUC in Gli-CMKGM NPs improved their stabilities to photodegradation and thermal degradation. Furthermore, in vitro release and in vivo organ distribution studies showed that FUC-Gli-CMKGM NPs had an excellent colon targeting function. Overall, our findings illustrated the promise of CMKGM-coated Gli NPs for constructing targeted delivery systems for FUC.

The oral environment is an essential part of the human microbiome. The consumption of probiotic products may improve the oral microbiota and reduce the risk of diseases. This paper presents a bibliometric and critical review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that used probiotics to analyze oral parameters in humans. RCTs carried out with no age, gender, and ethnicity restrictions and published in the pre-COVID-19 period were included. Furthermore, the utilization of probiotic dairy products to improve oral health is discussed. The bibliometric review demonstrated that 'Microbiology,' 'Dental caries,' and 'Streptococcus mutants' were the most highlighted keywords. Furthermore, Sweden and India have the highest number of publications. The most prevalent outcomes were 'salivary parameters,' 'periodontal disease,' and 'dental caries.' The most used vehicles for probiotic administration were pharmaceutical formulas and dairy products. The administration of probiotic dairy products could modify the oral microbiota (reductions in S. mutans counts), influence the caries development and periodontal disease in children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly, and improve gingival health. The main probiotic dairy products investigated were milk, fermented milk, yogurt, kefir, curd, and cheese. Lacticaseibacillus paracasei SD1 was the most used probiotic culture. The studies demonstrated that the probiotic effect lasted 2-4 weeks after discontinuing consumption. However, the results depended on the subject type, study design, probiotic strain and concentration, and dairy product type. In conclusion, probiotic dairy products are promising alternatives to improve oral health.

Food spoilage and waste, human and animal poisoning, and even death caused by foodborne microorganisms remain extensive concerns in food safety. The global demand for functional, eco-friendly, and efficient antimicrobial food packaging is increasing. However, the bacteriostatic or bactericidal effects of most conventional food packaging display limited action, and their major components are petrochemical materials (non-renewable, non-biodegradable, and not environmentally friendly), and the current target microorganisms easily acquire drug-resistant. Therefore, the development of more effective, sustainable and safe antimicrobial materials has become a research hotspot in food packaging. This paper systematically reviews the latest research on antimicrobial active packaging materials combining renewable and biodegradable polysaccharide-based substrates with green organic guanidine-based polymers, inorganic chlorine dioxide