FOOD CHEMISTRY
·
2026
·
IF 10.4
Xiumin Zhang,Dian Yu,Hongshan Shen,Wei Gao,Huihui Wang,Xunyu Song,Yuxiao Wang,Yukun Song,Mingqian Tan
High internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPPEs) provide a promising platform for astaxanthin (AXT) delivery. In this work, a novel HIPPEs was stabilized with size-controlled proanthocyanidin nanoparticles (PC-NPs) that synergistically enhance AXT bioavailability and antioxidant activity. The morphology, size and zeta potential of PC-NPs, alongside the microstructure, rheology, physical stability, and AXT encapsulation efficiency of the AXT- HIPPEs were characterized. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion showed that HIPPEs significantly enhanced lipid digestion and increased AXT bioaccessibility by 4-fold compared to free oil, while improving its retention to approximately 50% compared to 20% in oil after 28 days. In HepG2 cells, AXT-HIPPEs maintained cell viability above 80%, reduced triglyceride and total cholesterol accumulation, scavenged excess reactive oxygen species, and preserved mitochondrial membrane potential. These findings highlight HIPPEs as an effective platform to enhance AXT stability and bioavailability for functional foods and supplements.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
·
2026
·
IF 4.8
Xiaoqing Hao,Xiaoxuan Tan,Xinyi Feng,Jing Li,Changhu Xue
Astaxanthin-binding proteins contribute to the vibrant coloration of various organisms. Inspired by nature, artificial astaxanthin-protein systems have been developed for food applications. However, due to the structural diversity of proteins and the variable aggregation states of astaxanthin (AST) in aqueous environments, the mechanism underlying color modulation upon astaxanthin–protein binding remains poorly understood. In this study, the interactions between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and astaxanthin in either H-aggregates state (H-AST) or J-aggregates state (J-AST) were investigated using multispectral techniques and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. H-AST/BSA and J-AST/BSA complexes were prepared using the Solvent-Induced Self-Assembly method. Meanwhile, monomer AST encapsulated BSA complex (M-AST/BSA) was prepared for comparative analysis. The stability of AST states encapsulated in BSA were characterized by ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy. Fluorescence spectroscopy revealed static quenching and decreased binding affinity (M-AST > H-AST > J-AST) of AST for BSA upon the aggregation of AST. The interactions were driven by hydrophobic and electrostatic forces, dominated by both enthalpy and entropy changes. Circular dichroism (CD) showed a decrease in α-helix content and an increase in β-turn structure in BSA upon complexation. Notably, the H-AST/BSA complex underwent a transformation from H- to J-type aggregation by heating from 25 °C to 100 °C, as evidenced by MD simulations. This study provides new insights into the interaction mechanisms between astaxanthin aggregates and BSA. It also establishes a theoretical basis for understanding astaxanthin-protein-related color changes in food systems.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
TOXICOLOGY LETTERS
·
2026
·
IF 3.1
Tianyi Chen,Fengjun Fan,An Cheng,Yumei Xia,Haoze Chen,Jiakai Fang,Yangyu Chen,Tianjia Li,Anli Wang,Binjie Wang,Weixuan Yao,Yuanzhao Wu
Flocoumafen (FCF), a second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide (SGAR), has limited toxicological data regarding its effects on aquatic organisms. In this study, we exposed zebrafish embryos to FCF solutions at concentrations of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mg/L until 120 h post-fertilization (hpf). The results revealed a decrease in survival rates. Notably, FCF exposure significantly reduced the frequency of spontaneous tail coils at 24 hpf, while shortened body length and induced spinal curvature at 120 hpf. Furthermore, zebrafish larvae exhibited craniofacial abnormalities and incomplete bone mineralization at 120 hpf following FCF exposure. In Tg( HuC:EGFP ) transgenic strains, neuronal loss was observed. Additionally, FCF-exposed zebrafish larvae showed a marked reduction in locomotor ability, activity levels, and turning capacity. The qPCR and enzyme activity assays revealed significant changes in gene expression associated with the Notch signaling pathway, accompanied by increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA). Astaxanthin (ASTA) partially alleviated the toxicities induced by FCF. These findings suggest that FCF may induce skeletal and neurological toxicities by affecting oxidative stress, disrupting the normal expression of skeletal and nervous system-related genes in the Notch signaling pathway, and ultimately leading to behavioral abnormalities. Our findings may provide new insights into a comprehensive evaluation of FCF toxicology in aquatic organisms, and may assist the government in formulating and implementing regulatory policies regarding the application of FCF.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
·
2026
·
IF 6.1
Feng Cai,Wenting Lin,Jianqin Chen,Xiaoxu Zhao,Minghua Liu,Guotao Chen,Acong Chen,Yidi Chen,Jianhui Huang
Risperidone (RIS), a first-line antipsychotic for bipolar disorder, is frequently detected in aquatic systems due to its environmental persistence. Although several studies have reported the neurotoxic effects of RIS on fishes, the underlying toxicological mechanisms remain largely unclear. To fill this gap, zebrafish embryos were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of RIS (0.05, 0.5, and 5 μg/L), with astaxanthin (Asta) used as an inhibitor, to investigate the neurodevelopmental toxicity of RIS. Our findings demonstrated that RIS induced morphological abnormalities and neurobehavioral deficits in larvae. This toxicity was primarily driven by the disruption of the antioxidant defense system, leading to significant oxidative stress and subsequent neural apoptosis. Crucially, RIS exposure dysregulated key neurodevelopmental genes (including neurogenin-1 , mbp , manf , gfap , and c-fo s) and reduced levels of critical neurotransmitters (5-HT, DA, and ACh) by 18 %-54 %, thereby impairing neuronal development and synaptic transmission. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that RIS disrupted neural cell homeostasis by modulating critical pathways such as the TNF signaling pathway, aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption, and tyrosine metabolism. Non-targeted metabolomic analysis further showed that RIS disrupted amino acid, purine, and pyrimidine metabolism, impairing energy supply and signal transduction in neuronal cells. Integrated multi-omics analysis established that RIS exposure disrupted lipid metabolism, promotes cell death, and impairs the metabolic homeostasis of fundamental biomolecules such as amino acids. These collective disturbances ultimately compromised energy provision, signal transduction, and neuro-metabolic homeostasis within the developing nervous system. This study delineates the mechanistic basis for RIS-induced developmental neurotoxicity, providing critical insights for its environmental risk assessment.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
·
2026
·
IF 6
Jiamin Wang,Qifa Huang,Zihao Huang,Haoyue Hou,Jiawei Hou,Kaihui Xu,Hao Yuan,Sa Zeng,Tao Meng
Pickering emulsions hold significant promise as platforms for encapsulating bioactive compounds. However, the platform is limited due to narrow UV protection spectra and the lack of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibition. Herein, a Pickering emulsion system stabilized by mesoporous silica particles loaded with organic UV filters is designed to protect photosensitive actives. In this tailored protective system, firstly, mesoporous silica particles loaded with different UV filters (UF@MPS) were synthesized by sol–gel method. Subsequently, these particles underwent silicification through a secondary sol–gel process, yielding silicified particles (UF@MPS@S), which not only reduces the free radicals generated by the photodegradation of the UV filters by 89.3%, but also adjusts the particle wettability to a favorable three phase contact angle of 89.6° for emulsion formation. For UVA protection, the AB@MPS@S-stabilized Pickering emulsion possesses high UVA-blocking efficiency, leading to a retention of UVA-sensitive astaxanthin that is 94% higher than that in the free group after 10-day UV exposure. For UVB protection, the OMC@MPS@S-stabilized emulsion shows UVB-blocking capacity, resulting in 91% higher retention of UVB-sensitive vitamin E compared to the free group after 10-day UV exposure. This work establishes a versatile photoprotection platform for diverse bioactive compounds with varying UV-sensitive spectra, with potential for extension into pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic applications.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
·
2026
·
IF 6.6
Min Huang,Nannan Wang,Xianhua Zhang,Qianqian Huang,Fasheng Liu,Xiaoyan Huang,Lingpu Wang,Xinjun Liao,Huiqiang Lu,Lan Liao
Pharmaceutical residues in aquatic environments are a growing concern. Global surveillance has detected these residues in nearly a quarter of the world's rivers, with anticancer drugs drawing particular attention due to their high bioactivity. Olaparib (Ola), a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, is widely used to treat breast and ovarian cancers, but its developmental toxicity to aquatic vertebrates remains unclear. We exposed zebrafish embryos to Ola (5–15 mg/L) from 6 to 120 h post-fertilization (hpf). Ola exposure caused dose-dependent craniofacial cartilage malformations and behavioral abnormalities. Mechanistically, Ola induced DNA damage (Comet assay) and mitochondrial depolarization (JC-10), as well as oxidative stress evidenced by elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and impaired antioxidant defenses. Ola exposure impaired cranial neural crest cell (CNCC) migration, as shown by reduced sox10:GFP⁺ fluorescence and altered expression of pax 3 a , dlx 2 a , and dlx 5 a . It also reduced chondrogenic differentiation, with lower expression of sox 9 a and col 2 a 1, and increased apoptosis, as indicated by more TUNEL-positive cells. Ola also altered Wnt/β‑catenin pathway gene expression. Pharmacological rescue experiments showed that the antioxidant astaxanthin (60 μg/L) and the Wnt inhibitor C59 (3.79 μg/L) both attenuated craniofacial malformations. Together, these results indicate that Ola induces DNA damage and oxidative stress, impairs CNCC function, and disrupts Wnt signaling, leading to craniofacial cartilage deformities. This study underscores the developmental toxicity of PARP inhibitors as emerging environmental contaminants and offers insights into the mechanisms underlying craniofacial cartilage malformations.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Algal Research-Biomass Biofuels and Bioproducts
·
2026
·
IF 5
Yunmei Yin,Pei Wang,Zhen Zhang,Hongxiang Zhao,Meicong Xiao,Ran Chen,Kun Li,Shiqi Zhou,Rongqing Zhang
Astaxanthin's anti-atherosclerotic targets/pathways identified via network pharmacology and cellular assays. • Astaxanthin alleviates endothelial injury via dual anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. • Astaxanthin acts through PPARγ/NF-κB axis, with GW9662 reversing its regulatory effect. Astaxanthin, a lipophilic carotenoid predominantly derived from microalgae such as Haematococcus pluvialis , exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Despite previous reports of its anti-atherosclerotic effects, the underlying molecular mechanisms of astaxanthin remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the pharmacological mechanisms of astaxanthin in alleviating atherosclerosis progression via an integrated approach of network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro experimental validation. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities between astaxanthin and core targets including TNF, IL-6, and PPARγ. In vitro experiments demonstrated that astaxanthin attenuated oxidative stress and suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Mechanistically, astaxanthin upregulated PPARγ expression and reduced the phosphorylation of p65 and IκBα, two key components of the NF-κB pathway. Co-treatment with the specific PPARγ antagonist GW9662 abrogated these protective effects, confirming a PPARγ-dependent regulatory mechanism. These findings indicate that astaxanthin exerts anti-atherosclerotic effects by modulating the PPARγ/NF-κB signaling axis, highlighting its potential as a functional food ingredient for cardiovascular protection.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
Advanced Science
·
2026
·
IF 14.1
Mingquan Gao,Xudong Yu,Ziqian Shang,Mengyao Tan,Xie Huang,Zaizhi Du,Xiaojiao Wang,Xinrui Yang,Ximei Luo,Weidong Wang,Rong Li,Shenglin Luo
Radiation‐induced lung injury (RILI) is a major complication of nuclear radiation exposure and thoracic radiotherapy, driven in part by a vicious cycle of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPAR‐γ), a key regulator of mitochondrial homeostasis and inflammatory resolution, therefore represents a potential therapeutic target, yet multi‐omics analyses revealed that this immunometabolic checkpoint remains functionally constrained in irradiated macrophages. To reactivate this pathway, we developed an inhalable, ROS‐responsive nanospray (HANP) by loading nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD + ) and astaxanthin (ASX) into a hollow mesoporous polydopamine (HMPDA) shell. Excess ROS in microenvironment triggers oxidative degradation of the HMPDA shell, enabling intracellular release of NAD + and ASX. Mechanistically, NAD + promotes SIRT1‐mediated deacetylation of PPAR‐γ, whereas ASX serves as an activating ligand, thereby cooperatively restoring PPAR‐γ signaling. This response re‐establishes macrophage mitochondrial homeostasis by coordinating mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy, which subsequently promotes a shift toward a reparative macrophage phenotype. In murine models of focal thoracic irradiation and lethal whole‐body irradiation, HANP markedly attenuated lung injury and improved survival. Collectively, these findings identify macrophage PPAR‐γ as a therapeutically actionable redox‐immunometabolic regulator and support inhaled dual‐activation of this pathway as a promising strategy for protection against RILI in both clinical and emergency settings. A nebulized nanoassembly alleviates radiation‐induced lung injury by reprogramming macrophages through coordinated ROS scavenging, NAD + replenishment, and PPAR‐γ activation. Redox balance, mitochondrial homeostasis, and immune regulation are restored, revealing a microenvironment‐centered strategy for localized radioprotection.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
·
2026
·
IF 8.8
Qinglin Qu,Fan Liu,Huajing Gao,Xiangrui Kong,Xue Gao,Yukun Song,Mingqian Tan,Yannan Chen,Dapeng Li,Xintong Tan
Orally targeted strategy of nutrients has attracted obvious attention for reducing side effects and enhancing the intervention efficiency of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Herein, novel lactobionic acid-modified garlic exosome-like nanovesicles (LA-GELN) were designed to precise delivery astaxanthin (AXT) against alcohol-induced lipid metabolism disorders. The targeted modification of nanovesicles enhanced the encapsulation efficiency of AXT (80.03%). Meanwhile, the encapsulation strategy also improved the solubility and gastrointestinal stability of AXT. In the HepG2 cell model, LA-GELN-AXT demonstrated excellent cellular uptake capacity (Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.87) and effectively alleviated oxidative stress and lipid droplet formation. In vivo studies also demonstrated that 8 h after oral administration, the hepatic fluorescence intensity in the LA-GELN and GELN groups was 1.98-fold and 1.26-fold that of the Nile red group, respectively. In the ALD mouse model, LA-GELN-AXT effectively mitigated oxidative damage, reduced inflammatory cytokine levels, restored mitochondrial function, and further alleviated lipid accumulation. Its mechanism of action was associated with the modulation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway and the subsequent alleviation of ALD-induced hepatic metabolic disorders.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
Marine Life Science & Technology
·
2026
·
IF 5.7
Li Xueqian,Wang Kuiyou,Huang Kexin,Zhong Tian,Ge Peng,Tan Mingqian
Improving the stability and intestinal absorption of antioxidants is a prerequisite for exerting their functional activities. Herein, astaxanthin (AXT)-loaded Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) (AXT@EVs) were prepared using ultracentrifugation combined with four loading strategies, including ultrasonication, co-incubation, freeze–thaw cycles, and extrusion. Among these methods, AXT@EVs prepared by ultrasonication exhibited the highest encapsulation efficiency. When the mass ratio of AXT to EVs was 1:10, the encapsulation efficiency reached approximately 72.93% and the retention rate remained 98.09% after storage at −80 °C for 90 days. EVs could resist structural damage under harsh environmental conditions, thereby significantly enhancing the stability of AXT under heating and UV exposure and delaying its degradation during simulated digestion. Additionally, the nanoscale structure and good biocompatibility of EVs facilitated the cellular uptake of lipophilic substances by RAW264.7 macrophages. In vivo experiments indicated that Nile Red@EVs showed good intestinal retention and were efficiently absorbed by intestinal epithelial cells. In vitro experiments demonstrated that AXT@EVs significantly reduced reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial depolarization, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. These findings suggest that EVs not only improve the stability of AXT but also exhibit potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, providing a strategy for intervening in oxidative stress-related inflammatory responses.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
Frontiers in Nutrition
·
2025
·
IF 5.1
Shuo Diao,Guanrong Feng,Yixuan Wang,Jingming Ma,Zhihua Lv,Mingming Yu,Yue Sun
Objective: In this study, a highly selective and sensitive LC-MS/MS method was developed to comprehensively analyze the distribution of astaxanthin across various tissues of Litopenaeus vannamei, as well as its variations in the hepatopancreas and ovary throughout ovarian development.Methods: The separation was performed on a BEH C8 column (1.7 μm, 2.1 × 50 mm) using a a gradient elution. The initial mobile phase composition was 0.1% formic acid in 3 mM ammonium acetate in water (solvent A) and methanol (solvent B) at a ratio of 15:85 (v/v), with a flow rate of 0.20 mL/min.Results: The assay demonstrated linearity over a concentration range of 20 to 10,000 ng/mL, with accuracy varying from −0.1 to 1.7% and precision within 2.1%. Using the established methodology, astaxanthin concentrations were quantitatively analyzed and comparatively assessed across various tissues of L. vannamei. Analytical results demonstrated that the ventral nerve cord and hepatopancreas exhibited the highest astaxanthin concentrations among all examined tissues, with values of 351 μg/g and 116 μg/g, respectively. During the ovarian developmental stages, astaxanthin was predominantly sequestered in the hepatopancreas during early phases, with concentrations ranging from 21.3 μg/g to 29.1 μg/g, representing a 43- to 59-fold increase compared to ovarian concentrations. However, a significant redistribution of astaxanthin was observed during the post-developmental stage, characterized by a substantial decrease to 5.74 μg/g in the hepatopancreas, concomitant with an increase to 7.47 μg/g in ovarian tissue.Conclusion: This validated LC-MS/MS method effectively quantified astaxanthin in various tissues of Litopenaeus vannamei, providing new insights into its tissue-specific distribution and potential role during ovarian development.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Biology-Basel
·
2025
·Vol. 14
·期 7
·752
·
IF 3.5
Kaixuan Ke,Yufeng Zhang,Xinyi Wang,Zhaoyan Luo,Yangyang Chen,Xianying Fang,Linguo Zhao
Simple Summaryβ-Ionone is a valuable aroma compound widely used in the fragrance, food, and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, we identify and characterize two carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 1 (CCD1) genes fromOlea europaeaandIpomoea nil. By expressing these genes inE. coli, we evaluate their ability to produce β-ionone and analyze their biochemical properties. Our findings not only provide insights into the functional diversity of CCD1 enzymes across plant species, but also offer new genetic resources for the microbial biosynthesis of natural aroma compounds.The aromatic C13apocarotenoid β-ionone is a high-value natural-flavor and -fragrance compound derived from the oxidative cleavage of carotenoids. Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs) play a pivotal role in the biosynthesis of volatile apocarotenoids, particularly β-ionone. In this study, we report the identification, cloning, and functional characterization of two CCD1 homologs:OeCCD1fromOlea europaeaandInCCD1fromIpomoea nil. These two species, which, respectively, represent a woody perennial and a herbaceous annual, were selected to explore the potential functional divergence of CCD1 enzymes across different plant growth forms. These CCD1 genes were synthesized using codon optimization forEscherichia coliexpression, followed by heterologous expression and purification using a GST-fusion system. In vitro assays confirmed that both enzymes cleave β-carotene at the 9,10 (9′,10′) double bond to yield β-ionone, but onlyOeCCD1exhibits detectable activity on zeaxanthin;InCCD1shows no in vitro cleavage of zeaxanthin. Kinetic characterization using β-apo-8′-carotenal as substrate revealed, forOeCCD1, a Kmof 0.82 mM, Vmaxof 2.30 U/mg (kcat= 3.35 s−1), and kcat/Kmof 4.09 mM−1·s−1, whereasInCCD1displayed Km= 0.69 mM, Vmax= 1.22 U/mg (kcat= 1.82 s−1), and kcat/Km= 2.64 mM−1·s−1. The optimization of expression parameters, as well as the systematic evaluation of temperature, pH, solvent, and metal ion effects, provided further insights into the stability and functional diversity within the plant CCD1 family. Overall, these findings offer promising enzymatic tools for the sustainable production of β-ionone and related apocarotenoids in engineered microbial cell factories.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）