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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

Gastrointestinal digestion governs insect protein hydrolysis and predicted bioactive peptide release: Species-dependent implications for functional food applications.

This study investigates the digestion of insect proteins and the release of predicted bioactive peptides during human gastrointestinal digestion. Using the Infogest in vitro model, mealworm, cricket, and black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) proteins were digested and analyzed through discovery proteomics and bioinformatics to identify predicted bioactive peptides. Sequential windowed acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion mass spectra (SWATH-MS) quantified insect proteins including predicted bioactive peptide precursor proteins, the precursors of predicted bioactive peptides. Results indicated that gastrointestinal digestion strongly influences peptide release, with the gastric phase exhibiting a richer predicted bioactive peptide profile than the small intestinal phase. Many predicted bioactive peptides were rapidly hydrolysed under small intestine conditions, which may lead to reduced stability or diminished activity in vivo, potentially explaining why certain peptides show strong bioactivity in vitro but limited effects in vivo. Additionally, predicted bioactive peptide release varied by insect species, influenced by genetic factors and peptide abundance. These findings highlight the importance of species selection and consideration of proteolytic digestion patterns in optimizing insect-derived bioactive peptides for functional foods and nutraceutical applications.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Sechium edule: Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, Potential Health Effects, Food-Industry Applications, and Future Perspectives.

Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw. (chayote), a neglected and underutilized Cucurbitaceae crop widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions, has drawn growing interest as a source of health-promoting food components. This review critically synthesizes studies published between 2000 and 2026 on its botanical features, genome characterization, nutritional value, phytochemistry, bioactivities, safety, and food-industry applications, based on literature retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library. Different plant parts (fruits, leaves, seeds, tuberous roots, and peels) contain diverse bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, cucurbitacins, pectin polysaccharides, and carotenoids. Reported bioactivities include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, cardioprotective, antiproliferative, and geroprotective effects, mediated in part through Nrf2-mediated antioxidant signaling and sirtuin (SIRT1/3/5/6) upregulation. Notably, a systematic meta-analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in serum glucose (MD = -20.56; 95% CI: -29.35 to -11.77) and HbA1c following three months of chayote intake in patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Industrially, chayote has been developed into fermented products, starch- and peel-derived bioactive films, ultrasound-extracted pectin, α-amylase inhibitory seed protein isolates, and probiotic encapsulation systems. Recent genomic work has further revealed a chromosome-level genome assembly, whole-genome duplication events, and a domestication history tracing to Mexico's Oaxaca region. Collectively, this evidence positions chayote as a promising underutilized resource for food, nutraceutical, and biomedical use, while highlighting key gaps: the need for standardized clinical trials, bioavailability studies, and comprehensive safety evaluation.

Sechium edule↗
PubMed2026

Probiotic-derived extracellular vesicles as food-based nanocarriers: Mechanisms, functional applications, and future perspectives in food systems.

Probiotic-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) are a promising type of postbiotic nanoparticle derived by fermentation of probiotics, and have gained growing interest as a potential application in food science and nutrition. These are lipid bilayer vesicles of nanoscale, which are naturally released by probiotic cells and contain a wide variety of bioactive molecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites. Moreover, PDEVs are highly stable, biocompatible, and can be easily engineered to have surfaces with high functionality, which makes them good candidates in functional engineering. In contrast to traditional live probiotics, PDEVs overcome the difficulties of preserving microbial viability during processing and storage, thus providing superior safety, stability, and predictable biological performance. This is a systematic review of the various functions of PDEVs in food systems. We conclude on the processes through which PDEVs control intestinal barrier integrity, alter gut microbiota composition, and alter host immune responses, and their potential to enhance gut health when added to functional foods. In addition to their health-promoting effects, PDEVs have shown significant potential as natural antimicrobial agents to preserve food and as effective nanocarriers of hydrophobic bioactive compounds, including fucoxanthin, to improve their stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery. Moreover, PDEVs can be used as new regulators of microbial fermentation. However, it should be noted that a lot of the evidence that is available is still preliminary and the effectiveness of these applications in real food-processing and storage conditions has not been fully proven. Although they have potential, there are a number of challenges that still hinder the widespread use of PDEVs in the food industry. These involve the creation of scalable and cost-effective production processes, batch-to-batch consistency, vesicle stability in a variety of food matrices, and regulatory and safety considerations. Other emerging engineering approaches, such as surface functionalization and cargo loading, are also discussed in this review and could further increase the specificity, functionality, and application versatility of PDEVs in food systems. Moving forward, the incorporation of PDEVs into the next generation functional foods, novel food preservation methods, and customized nutrition plans should be prioritized in future studies. Further developments in these fields can make PDEVs useful platforms at the interface of food microbiology, nanotechnology, and human health.

Probiotics↗
PubMed2026

Chromosome-Scale Genome Analysis Reveals Locus-Specific Disruption of the Citrinin-Associated Region in a Furu-Derived Monascus ruber Strain BC20.

Monascus species are widely used in traditional fermented foods for pigment and flavor formation, but citrinin contamination remains a major safety concern that limits broader food applications. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the citrinin risk of a furu-derived Monascus ruber strain, BC20, by integrating phenotypic screening across food-relevant matrices with genome-resolved analysis. After 14 days of cultivation across eight matrices, including fungal media as well as dairy-, cereal-, and bran-based substrates, citrinin was not detected by immunoaffinity cleanup combined with HPLC-FLD (LOD, 4 μg/kg; LOQ, 12 μg/kg). To investigate the genetic basis of this phenotype, we generated a chromosome-scale genome assembly for BC20 and conducted comparative analyses across a total of 19 Monascus genomes. ANI analysis and phylogenomic inference consistently placed BC20 within the ruber-pilosus clade. Comparative synteny analysis showed that the citrinin-associated locus in BC20 no longer retained an intact cluster configuration but instead exhibited a remnant-locus architecture, and similar patterns were also observed in several related genomes from the same clade. By contrast, the monacolin K (mk) locus remained syntenically conserved in BC20, supporting locus-specific structural disturbance rather than assembly-derived pseudo-absence. Additionally, its antifungal susceptibility was determined. Overall, BC20 represents a M. ruber candidate strain with undetectable citrinin, and this study provides a practical analytical framework for citrinin risk screening in food-related Monascus isolates.

biosynthetic gene cluster↗
PubMed2026

Genomic determinants underlying biogenic amine detoxification phenotypes in food-associated lactic acid bacteria: Mechanism, evolutionary origin, and relevance to fermented food safety.

Biogenic amines (BAs) are toxic metabolites that accumulate in fermented foods and pose significant food safety concerns. Although several lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have previously been reported to exhibit strain-specific BA-degrading phenotypes, the genetic determinants underlying these activities have remained largely uncharacterized. Here, we analyzed 8251 LAB genomes to validate BA-degrading phenotypes. We predicted five BA-associated genes, including two direct biogenic amine-degrading genes (BADGs), mco and patA, and three polyamine-modifying genes (PMGs), speG, paiA, and bltD. Among BADGs, mco was broadly distributed across LAB and strongly enriched across food-associated niches. patA, organized within a conserved potD-glnB-potABC-patA cassette, is a putative, functionally distinct BADG in LAB, revealing a nitrogen-responsive polyamine uptake-catabolism module. Phylogenomics, phylogenetic reconciliation, and synteny analysis established that all five genes entered the LAB through episodic horizontal gene transfer followed by lineage-specific fixation. GC compositional bias and mobile genetic element association further corroborated the horizontal origin of the two BADGs. Structural analysis confirmed the conservation of catalytic core residues of BADGs across LAB, indicating strong purifying selection. Phenotype-to-genotype correlation with experimentally reported LAB suggested mco as a reliable genomic predictor of degrading phenotype. Integration of degradation and biosynthetic profiles predicted multiple LAB species capable of both synthesizing and degrading BA, along with 1823 genomes with degradation potential but lacking detectable BA biosynthesis genes. This study provides the first large-scale genome framework linking BA-degrading phenotypes with their genetic determinants in LAB and offers a rational basis for selecting BA-detoxifying strains for fermented food applications.

Biogenic Amines↗
PubMed2026

Isolation, genomic characterization, and safety assessment of an O-desmethylangolensin-producing Clostridium beijerinckii strain from Chinese Stinky Tofu.

The health benefits of dietary soy isoflavones are largely mediated by specific microbial metabolites, such as O-desmethylangolensin (O-DMA). However, the diversity and application potential of O-DMA-producing strains remain poorly explored, primarily due to the limited availability of isolated strains, narrow ecological sources, and a lack of practical applications. In this study, an O-DMA-producing bacterium, designated strain FRJF5, was isolated from Chinese stinky tofu under anaerobic conditions and was identified as Clostridium beijerinckii. The biosynthesized O-DMA exhibited an enantiomeric excess (e.e.) of 78.6%. Based on phylogenetic and average nucleotide identity analyses against 235 public C. beijerinckii genomes, the clustering of FRJF5 with strains from diverse habitats-including industrial fermentation settings, animal feces, and soil-highlights the broad ecological diversity within this species. Functional gene mining and intra-species comparative genomics revealed a unique flavonoid metabolism gene cluster in FRJF5. Using apigenin as a representative flavonoid, we confirmed the successful conversion to 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid. Moreover, the strain was predicted and verified to possess a substantial butyrate-producing capacity. Genomic screening for virulence or antibiotic resistance genes, combined with phenotypic tests (hemolysis, antibiotic susceptibility, and mouse gavage), revealed a favorable safety profile for strain FRJF5. Finally, intervention experiments in a mouse model of colitis supported its potential in alleviating the disease. Collectively, this study identifies C. beijerinckii FRJF5 as a strain capable of simultaneously producing O-DMA and butyrate, highlighting its potential for future applications in functional foods.IMPORTANCESoy isoflavones require gut bacterial conversion into bioactive metabolites-such as the anti-inflammatory compound O-desmethylangolensin (O-DMA)-to exert health benefits. Yet O-DMA-producing strains remain scarce, largely confined to fecal sources, and poorly characterized. Here, we isolated Clostridium beijerinckii FRJF5 from Chinese stinky tofu, an unexplored ecological niche. This strain not only produces enantiomerically enriched O-DMA but also co-produces butyrate, a metabolite known to strengthen gut barrier function. Genomic mining uncovered a unique flavonoid metabolism gene cluster responsible for this dual activity. Combined with favorable safety profiles, FRJF5 emerges as a strong candidate for functional food applications. This work expands the known diversity of O-DMA producers and bridges traditional fermented foods with next-generation probiotic development.

O-desmethylangolensin↗
PubMed2026

Diversification of yeast proteins as an approach for the development of sustainable food systems.

Despite growing trend in sustainable protein sources, yeast proteins have mainly been explored as a source of bioactive peptides using a monospecies and general protein approach. The contribution of highly abundant protein fractions in the yeast proteome to peptide formation remains insufficiently investigated, limiting a comprehensive understanding of yeast proteins as optimized peptide sources. The current review presents a systematic analysis of yeast proteins as emerging protein sources and evaluates the suitability of high-abundance proteins as bioactive peptide precursors by in silico techniques. Moreover, brewery by-product and single-cell yeast protein approaches are compared in terms of composition and techno-functionality whereas peptide formation mechanisms (in situ and ex situ) and regulatory aspects for food applications are also addressed. Cytoplasmic metabolic proteins, particularly glycolytic enzymes (GAPDH), are identified as highly abundant fractions of the yeast proteome. Proteins associated with cell and organelle membranes also contribute substantially based on cellular localization. These findings imply that such proteins may act as key precursors of yeast-derived bioactive peptides. In silico hydrolysis with Alcalase suggests a tendency toward the generation of short-chain peptides (3-11/14 aa), which may support biological activity. Moreover, peptide profiles appear to vary across yeast species, highlighting the role of species diversity in peptide generation. While single-cell yeast protein allows more controlled production than brewery by-products, nucleic acid content in both may limit applications. Overall, yeast proteins appear to be metabolically adaptable and species-diverse sources for various biological peptides.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae↗
PubMed2019

Unique genetic basis of the distinct antibiotic potency of high acetic acid production in the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii.

The yeast Saccharomyces boulardii has been used worldwide as a popular, commercial probiotic, but the basis of its probiotic action remains obscure. It is considered conspecific with budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is generally used in classical food applications. They have an almost identical genome sequence, making the genetic basis of probiotic potency in S. boulardii puzzling. We now show that S. boulardii produces at 37°C unusually high levels of acetic acid, which is strongly inhibitory to bacterial growth in agar-well diffusion assays and could be vital for its unique application as a probiotic among yeasts. Using pooled-segregant whole-genome sequence analysis with S. boulardii and S. cerevisiae parent strains, we succeeded in mapping the underlying QTLs and identified mutant alleles of SDH1 and WHI2 as the causative alleles. Both genes contain a SNP unique to S. boulardii (sdh1 F317Y and whi2 S287*) and are fully responsible for its high acetic acid production. S. boulardii strains show different levels of acetic acid production, depending on the copy number of the whi2 S287* allele. Our results offer the first molecular explanation as to why S. boulardii could exert probiotic action as opposed to S. cerevisiae They reveal for the first time the molecular-genetic basis of a probiotic action-related trait in S. boulardii and show that antibacterial potency of a probiotic microorganism can be due to strain-specific mutations within the same species. We suggest that acquisition of antibacterial activity through medium acidification offered a selective advantage to S. boulardii in its ecological niche and for its application as a probiotic.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed2026

Applications of metal-organic frameworks in smart packaging for food freshness indication: a comprehensive review.

Smart packaging is extensively studied for its multifunctional capabilities in antimicrobial activity, preservation, and atmosphere modification. Recently emerged metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) freshness-indicating packaging becomes a key research direction in smart packaging owing to its distinctive functions and physicochemical properties. As multifunctional materials, the unique porous structure and tunable properties of MOFs provide a distinctive approach for developing food packaging applications dedicated to food freshness indication. Existing MOFs-based smart packaging still faces potential safety risks and technical challenges in practical applications, and there remains a lack of integrated discussion that combines synthesis strategies, packaging design, optimization, and safety assessment. This review elaborates on the application of MOFs in freshness-indicating smart packaging, focusing on diverse MOFs synthesis strategies, the formats of smart packaging, types of indicator signals, and qualitative/quantitative analytical methods. It also delves into the methodology concepts of MOFs-based smart packaging and evaluates MOFs safety in food packaging by addressing potential risks. Studies show that MOFs-based smart packaging achieves qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of food freshness through multiple signal modalities such as visible color change, fluorescence, and photothermal effects. This review emphasizes that safe MOFs design is critically important and should comply with the overall migration limit of <10 mg/dm2 specified in Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, lanthanide element limit of <0.05 mg/kg, and FDA threshold of 1.5 &#x3bc;g/person/day. Comprehensive safety assessment and intelligent sensing platforms will constitute pivotal directions for advancing MOFs-based smart packaging toward practical application.

Food Packaging↗
PubMed1977

[Long-term study on the influence of running exercise, food restriction, running exercise + food restriction and of parenterally applicated testis cells on age-parameters of the rat (author's transl)].

Preliminary results of a long-term study on 1100 male Sprague-Dawley rats are presented, showing the influence of running exercise, of restricted diet, of both of these together and of the s.c. application of lypholized testis cells. Up to now animals aged 9, 15 and 24 mths were investigated. The test-animals were exposed to the experimental conditions from their 6th month of life. The running exercise was carried out on a treadmill (30 m at a speed of 25 m/min, horizontal) 5 days a week. A food restriction of about 20% was achieved by 2 fasting-days a week. The lyophilized testis cells were injected for the first time at an age of 9 mths and afterwards in 6 mths intervals. Between the injection and the assessment of the age-parameters there was an interval of 6 mths. S o fare the following parameters of the comprehensive test-program have been evaluated: 1) running performance in m (treadmill, 20 m/min, ascent 15 degrees), 2) motor activity (Animex Activity Meter), 3) chemical contraction-relaxation of tail-tendon-fibers, 4) total lipids and total cholesterol in the plasma. The results obtained so far show that a mild regular training, moderate food restriction and the s.c. application of testis-cells are able to cause a significant shift in the dirction of a younger biological age in at least some of the age parameters. The action of the testis-cells seems to affect most of the age parameters but shows the tendency to be more distinct at a higher age. More concrete statements about the influence on the biological age or the vitality will only be possible after the multivariate analysis of the results.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2026

Critical insights on the application of the theory of planned behaviour to food handlers' food safety practices.

Foodborne diseases remain a significant public health concern, often linked to unsafe food-handling practices. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) is widely used to predict and explain food safety behaviours, yet its application in this field has not been systematically and in-depth evaluated. This review evaluated how the TPB has been applied to study food handlers' behaviour, focusing on methodological approaches, use of the TACT (Target, Action, Context, and Time) framework, validity, elicitation studies, and reliability. Seventeen studies were included following a systematic search of four databases (Scopus, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, and Taylor & Francis Online). Data were extracted on behaviour definition, aim of study, main findings, use of indirect and direct TPB measures, use of elicitation studies, internal consistency, content validation, analytical methods used, and any extensions to the original TPB framework. Key elements related to adherence to core TPB principles and measurement practices were extracted using a Checklist. Most studies used direct measures of TPB constructs, and only a few reported procedures for content validation. Considerable variability was found in the reporting of key measurement and psychometric practices. Five studies fully applied the TACT framework, while nine incorporated additional factors such as knowledge and moral norms. Elicitation studies were conducted in five cases where indirect measures were employed. Analytical approaches were mainly based on multiple linear regression, with limited use of more advanced techniques such as structural equation modeling. Twelve studies reported internal consistency results. Overall, the review highlights opportunities to strengthen methodological practices in future TPB research on food safety. Greater attention to conducting and reporting content validation, full application of the TACT framework, reporting of internal consistency, and consistent inclusion of elicitation studies when using indirect measures may enhance transparency, reinforcing the credibility and trustworthiness of research findings. A major methodological limitation of this review was that screening and data extraction were conducted by a single reviewer and no formal quality or risk-of-bias assessment of the included studies was performed. Despite these limitations, the findings provide practical guidance for the development and validation of TPB-based questionnaires and may support more robust food safety research, interventions, and policy initiatives aimed at improving food handlers' practices.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Ribotyping for Accurate Identification of Infectious Bacteria in Animal-Derived Foods and Laboratory Samples: Implications for Human Health.

Ribotyping is a molecular typing approach based on ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences for the identification and characterization of bacterial strains. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ribotyping in the identification of infectious bacteria in animal-derived foods and veterinary samples. A narrative literature review was conducted using major scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, covering studies published to 2025. Relevant articles were selected based on their focus on ribotyping methodologies (e.g., RFLP-, PCR-, and automated ribotyping) and their applications in food safety, veterinary microbiology, and zoonotic disease investigations. The findings indicate that ribotyping has been widely applied for epidemiological investigations, source tracking, and characterization of foodborne and zoonotic pathogens. These approaches have contributed to understanding bacterial diversity and monitoring antibiotic resistance patterns in animal populations and related food products. However, compared with high-resolution molecular techniques such as whole genome sequencing (WGS), ribotyping demonstrates lower discriminatory power and limited resolution for fine-scale epidemiological analysis. Despite these limitations, ribotyping remains a useful, accessible, and cost-effective tool in certain laboratory and surveillance settings, particularly where advanced genomic technologies are not readily available. Overall, integrating ribotyping with newer genomic approaches can enhance the monitoring and control of infectious bacteria, thereby supporting animal health, food safety, and public health outcomes.

animal-derived foods↗
PubMed2026

Self-healing materials for food packaging: Design principles, activation mechanisms and implications for food safety.

Self-healing materials (SHMs), originally developed to restore mechanical integrity, have recently attracted growing interest in food packaging. By autonomously repairing physical damage, SHMs help preserve packaging integrity, barrier performance, food safety, and shelf-life during storage and transportation. This review summarizes recent advances in the design principles, activation mechanisms, material systems and food packaging applications of SHMs. Key healing strategies, including microencapsulation, dynamic covalent bond exchange, reversible non-covalent interactions and responsiveness to external stimuli such as temperature, pH, and humidity, are discussed. Representative material systems, including biopolymer-based films, hydrogels, nanocomposites, and stimuli-responsive polymers are evaluated with respect to their relevance to packaging animal-derived foods, fruits, and vegetables. Performance evaluation methods, sustainability implications, and food-contact safety concerns are addressed. Despite promising healing efficiency and mechanical resilience, challenges remain regarding production cost, food-grade safety, migration risks, trigger compatibility and stability under fluctuating environmental conditions. Future research should focus on scalable manufacturing, standardized evaluation protocols, repeated damage-healing safety assessment, regulatory compliance, and integration with intelligent packaging technologies.

Food Packaging↗
PubMed2026

Whole-genome safety assessment of Loigolactobacillus coryniformis WBB05 and identification of a candidate gene for aerobic reuterin production.

This study reports on the safety profile of Loigolactobacillus coryniformis WBB05 for food industry applications and identifies glycerol-3-phosphate oxidase (GlpO) as a candidate gene associated with aerobic reuterin production. The safety of L. coryniformis WBB05 was evaluated through whole-genome sequencing, phenotypic analysis of haemolytic activity and determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antibiotics. Comparative genomic analysis was performed to identify candidate genetic determinants for aerobic reuterin production. The draft genome (2.83 Mb, 179 contigs) harboured no known virulence factors, acquired antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes or biogenic amine biosynthetic genes. Prophage analysis identified only one incomplete prophage region, and four CRISPR-Cas systems (212 spacers) were consistent with phage defence capacity. Secondary metabolite analysis revealed biosynthetic gene clusters encoding a coagulin-like bacteriocin. No &#x3b2;-haemolytic activity was observed. The MICs of all antibiotics tested were below the European Food Safety Authority cut-off values except for kanamycin (128&#xa0;mg/L), although no acquired AMR genes were detected. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that L. coryniformis WBB05 possesses two putative copies of GlpO, a gene not detected in publicly available genomes of Limosilactobacillus reuteri, which produces reuterin only under anaerobic conditions. These findings support the use of L. coryniformis WBB05 as a safe adjunct culture for dairy applications and highlight GlpO as a candidate determinant of aerobic reuterin production. Further studies comparing GlpO-positive and GlpO-negative strains under aerobic and anaerobic conditions are warranted to confirm the role of GlpO.

Loigolactobacillus coryniformis↗
PubMed2025

Advances in the Genus Ulva Research: From Structural Diversity to Applied Utility.

The green macroalgae Ulva Linnaeus, 1753, also known as sea lettuce, is one of the most ecologically and economically significant algal genera. Its representatives occur in marine, brackish, and freshwater environments worldwide and show high adaptability, rapid growth, and marked biochemical diversity. These traits support their ecological roles in nutrient cycling, primary productivity, and habitat provision, and they also explain their growing relevance to the blue bioeconomy. This review summarizes current knowledge of Ulva biodiversity, taxonomy, and physiology, and evaluates applications in food, feed, bioremediation, biofuel, pharmaceuticals, and biomaterials. Particular attention is given to molecular approaches that resolve taxonomic difficulties and to biochemical profiles that determine nutritional value and industrial potential. This review also considers risks and limitations. Ulva species can act as hyperaccumulators of heavy metals, microplastics, and organic pollutants, which creates safety concerns for food and feed uses and highlights the necessity of strict monitoring and quality control. Technical and economic barriers restrict large-scale use in energy and material production. By presenting both opportunities and constraints, this review stresses the dual role of Ulva as a promising bioresource and a potential ecological risk. Future research must integrate molecular genetics, physiology, and applied studies to support sustainable utilization and ensure safe contributions of Ulva to biodiversity assessment, environmental management, and bioeconomic development.

algal bloom↗
PubMed2026

Exploring the substrate promiscuity and functional residues of UGT73 family enzymes in Entada phaseoloides.

Flavonoid glycosides and triterpenoid saponins are bioactive plant metabolites with broad applications in food, medicine, and agriculture. These compounds are typically synthesized through glycosylation catalyzed by uridine diphosphate-dependent glycosyltransferases (UGTs). In this study, phylogenetic analysis across multiple species revealed a lineage-specific expansion of the UGT73 family in legumes such as Entada phaseoloides and Glycine max. The genome of the medicinal legume E. phaseoloides was re-annotated using integrated Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Illumina transcriptomic data to identify target genes. Four expanded UGT73 family genes were selected and functionally characterized. UGT73AA6 specifically glycosylates flavonoids, while UGT73CG48 and UGT73CG49 catalyze glycosylation of both flavonoids and pentacyclic triterpenoids. UGT73CG49 exhibits higher catalytic activity for the glucosylation of flavonoids and pentacyclic triterpenes compared to its xylosylation activity. Structural modeling and molecular docking identified key active sites, and site-directed mutagenesis revealed Gly194 as a critical residue enhancing catalytic activity in UGT73CG49. This study provides new insights into the functional evolution and metabolic versatility of the UGT73 family in legumes. The identification and engineering of UGT73 genes from E. phaseoloides lay a foundation for future applications in biosynthetic pathway engineering and the industrial production of high-value glycosides.

Substrate Specificity↗