A comprehensive review on the functionality and biological relevance of pectin and the use in the food industry.

Pectin is a natural biopolymer, which can be extracted from food by-products, adding value to raw material, with a structure more complex than that of other polysaccharides. The gelling properties of these molecules, together with the bioactivity that these can exert, make them suitable to be used as ingredients and bioactive agents. In this review, the characterization of pectin (structure, sources, techno-functional, and biological properties), the extraction methods, and their use in the food industry (food packaging, as carriers, and as ingredients) are described.

Immunonutrition: future perspective in neurodegenerative disorders.

The relevance of lifestyle, including diet and exercise, has been associated with improved learning and memory capacity, delayed age-related cognitive decline, and a reduced risk of neurodegeneration. Most neurodegenerative diseases are defined as complex multifactorial disorders in which genetic and environmental factors greatly contribute to their onset. Although inflammatory cells produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress itself might exert pro-inflammatory effects and an uncontrolled response could lead to a state of chronic inflammation.

The Role of Bioactive Compounds in Immunonutrition.

The link between diet and immune function is a growing area of interest, recognized not only by the scientific community but also by global health organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) [...

Immunomodulatory properties of hempseed oligopeptides in an LRRK2-associated Parkinson's disease animal model.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, with genetic factors like mutations in the LRRK2 gene being a key cause of late-onset autosomal dominant parkinsonism. Nutritional strategies, such as using bioactive peptides with anti-inflammatory properties from sources like hemp protein, are gaining interest as an alternative to pharmacological therapies. In this study, we used an LRRK2-associated PD mouse model to test the efficacy of a hempseed protein hydrolysate (HPH60A + 15F) with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Exploring Tenebrio molitor as a source of low-molecular-weight antimicrobial peptides using a n in silico approach: correlation of molecular features and molecular docking.

Background: Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae are increasingly recognized as a potential source of bioactive peptides due to their high protein content. Antimicrobial peptides from sustainable sources are a research topic of interest. This study aims to characterize the peptidome of T.

Food-derived vesicles as immunomodulatory drivers: Current knowledge, gaps, and perspectives.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid-bound membrane vesicles released from cells, containing active compounds, which can be found in different foods. In this review, the role of food-derived vesicles (FDVs) as immunomodulatory drivers is summarized, with a focus on sources, isolation techniques and yields, as well as bioavailability and potential health implications. In addition, gaps and perspectives detected in this research field have been highlighted.

Mediterranean Diet Combined with Regular Aerobic Exercise and Hemp Protein Supplementation Modulates Plasma Circulating Amino Acids and Improves the Health Status of Overweight Individuals.

Plant protein is considered a sustainable health-promoting strategy to prevent metabolic syndrome. Lifestyle changes (including dietary patterns and exercise) have been demonstrated to exert an effect on human health by modulating the biochemical status in humans. The objective of this study was to assess whether supplementation with hemp protein within a Mediterranean diet context together with exercise could help to ameliorate the metabolic statuses of patients prone to developing metabolic syndrome.

Production, characterisation, and biological properties of Tenebrio molitor-derived oligopeptides.

Three protein hydrolysates from Tenebrio molitor were obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis employing two food-grade proteases (i.e. Alcalase and Flavourzyme), and a complete characterisation of their composition was done.

Edible insects as a source of biopeptides and their role in immunonutrition.

Many edible insect species are attracting the attention of the food industry and consumers in Western societies due to their high content and quality of protein, and consequently, the potential to be used as a more environmentally friendly dietary source could be beneficial for humans. On the other hand, prevention of inflammatory diseases using nutritional interventions is currently being proposed as a sustainable and cost-effective strategy to improve people's health. In this regard, finding bioactive compounds such as peptides with anti-inflammatory properties from sustainable sources (, edible insects) is one area of particular interest, which might have a relevant role in immunonutrition.

Identification of the Bioavailable Peptidome of Chia Protein Hydrolysate and the In Silico Evaluation of Its Antioxidant and ACE Inhibitory Potential.

The incorporation of novel, functional, and sustainable foods in human diets is increasing because of their beneficial effects and environmental-friendly nature. Chia ( L.) has proved to be a suitable source of bioactive peptides via enzymatic hydrolysis.

Effects of Malnutrition on the Immune System and Infection and the Role of Nutritional Strategies Regarding Improvements in Children's Health Status: A Literature Review.

Malnutrition refers to a person's status as under- or overnourished, and it is usually associated with an inflammation status, which can subsequently imply a different health status, as the risk of infection is increased, along with a deterioration of the immune system. Children's immune systems are generally more susceptible to problems than adults. In the situation of malnutrition, because malnourished children's immune systems are compromised, they are more likely to die.

Identification, characterization, and molecular docking of immunomodulatory oligopeptides from bioavailable hempseed protein hydrolysates.

Promoting dietary patterns in which the content of vegetables is higher than the current consumption of them is one of the strategies to achieve a sustainable food system while promoting health in humans. Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) protein contains bioactive peptides that can be released via enzymatic hydrolysis.

Production and identification of immunomodulatory peptides in intestine cells obtained from hemp industrial by-products.

Hemp seeds have attracted the interest of the food industry recently, to be employed as functional food, considering their nutritional composition, highlighting the high content and quality of the proteins. In this study, ten hemp protein hydrolysates (HPHs) were obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis with two food-grade proteases from a hemp protein isolate and the inflammatory properties were evaluated in Caco-2 cell line. To this end, the gene expression and the release of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines by Caco-2 cells stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide and treated with HPHs at concentrations of 50 and 100 μg/mL were analyzed.

Protein-based nutritional strategies to manage the development of diabetes: evidence and challenges in human studies.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most prevalent diseases in modern society, governed by both genetic and environmental factors, such as nutritional habits. This metabolic disorder is characterized by insulin resistance, which is related to high blood glucose levels, implying negative health effects in humans, hindering the healthy ageing of people. The relationship between food and health is clear, and the ingestion of specific nutrients modulates some physiological processes, potentially implying biologically relevant changes, which can translate into a health benefit.

Immediate-release niacin and a monounsaturated fatty acid-rich meal on postprandial inflammation and monocyte characteristics in men with metabolic syndrome.

Background & Aim: When considered separately, long-term immediate-release niacin and fatty meals enriched in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) decrease postprandial triglycerides, but their effects on postprandial inflammation, which is common in individuals with metabolic syndrome, are less known. Moreover, successful combination is lacking and its impact on acute disorders of the innate immune cells in the metabolic syndrome remains unclear. Here, we aimed to establish the effects from combination with niacin of different fats [butter, enriched in saturated fatty acids (SFA), olive oil, enriched in MUFA, and olive oil supplemented with eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids] on plasma inflammatory markers and circulating monocyte subsets, activation and priming at the postprandial period in individuals with metabolic syndrome.

Sulforaphane Reduces the Chronic Inflammatory Immune Response of Human Dendritic Cells.

Background: Sulforaphane (SFN) is an isothiocyanate of vegetable origin with potent antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. The characterization of its pleiotropic activity in human dendritic cells (DCs) is poorly summarized. The aim of this work was to study the immunomodulatory power of SFN in response to an inflammatory microenvironment on human monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs).

Evidence of Immunomodulatory Food-Protein Derived Peptides in Human Nutritional Interventions: Review on the Outcomes and Potential Limitations.

The immune system is somehow related to all the metabolic pathways, in a bidirectional way, and the nutritional interventions affecting these pathways might have a relevant impact on the inflammatory status of the individuals. Food-derived peptides have been demonstrated to exert several bioactivities by in vitro or animal studies. Their potential to be used as functional food is promising, considering the simplicity of their production and the high value of the products obtained.

evidences of the health-promoting properties of bioactive compounds obtained from olive by-products and their use as food ingredient.

L. is the source of virgin olive oil (VOO). During its extraction, a high amount of by-products (pomace, mill wastewaters, leaves, stones, and seeds) is originated, which possess an environmental problem.

Nutritional composition and biological activity of narrow-leafed lupins (Lupinus angustifolius L.) hydrolysates and seeds.

Lupins are an interesting source of nutrients, part of the Fabaceae family. More specifically, narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) is a legume, largely produced in Australia, which is used both for human food and animal fodder.

Current Research on Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Obesity Potential of Food Extracts.

The immune-inflammatory, glucose homeostasis, and antioxidant response have a crucial role in the prevention of non-communicable chronic diseases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) [...

Modulation of Beta-Amyloid-Activated Primary Human Neutrophils by Dietary Phenols from Virgin Olive Oil.

The defense mechanism against harmful stimuli is inflammation. Indeed, neurodegenerative disorders can arise as a result of a persistent neuroinflammation. Beta-amyloid (Aβ) is an early trigger in the origination of Alzheimer's disease, leading to synaptic and cognitive impairments.

Mediterranean Diet and Melatonin: A Systematic Review.

The Mediterranean diet (MD) has beneficial effects on human health, which is evidenced by the observation of lower incidence rates of chronic diseases in Mediterranean countries. The MD dietary pattern is rich in antioxidants, such as melatonin, which is a hormone produced mainly by the pineal gland and controls several circadian rhythms. Additionally, melatonin is found in foods, such as fruit and vegetables.

Lipoprotein Metabolism, Protein Aggregation, and Alzheimer's Disease: A Literature Review.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. The physiopathology of AD is well described by the presence of two neuropathological features: amyloid plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles. In the last decade, neuroinflammation and cellular stress have gained importance as key factors in the development and pathology of AD.

Nutraceuticals as Potential Therapeutic Modulators in Immunometabolism.

Nutraceuticals act as cellular and functional modulators, contributing to the homeostasis of physiological processes. In an inflammatory microenvironment, these functional foods can interact with the immune system by modulating or balancing the exacerbated proinflammatory response. In this process, immune cells, such as antigen-presenting cells (APCs), identify danger signals and, after interacting with T lymphocytes, induce a specific effector response.