This study systematically analyzed the changes in the contents of total carotenoids and individual major carotenoids, color, and odor during the processing of Lycium barbarum L. puree. Furthermore, samples from different processing stages were collected to evaluate their inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities. Furthermore, the correlation between zeaxanthin dipalmitate (ZDP) content and color, odor and biological activity was explored. The findings demonstrated that the contents of total carotenoids and the core component ZDP significantly increased from the crushing to the homogenization stage, attaining their maximum levels (128.96 and 46.77 mg/100 g, respectively) following homogenization. After sterilization, the contents of total carotenoids and ZDP declined by 25.47% and 13.94%, respectively. As processing progressed, the L*, b*, and C values increased, and the a* value reached its maximum at the homogenization stage. Following sterilization, the a* value decreased by 13.59% while the b* value increased by 8.51%. These alterations were consistent with the changes in total carotenoid and ZDP contents. Across different processing stages, the odor profile remained unchanged except that the responses of sensors W1W (sulfides), W2S (aldehydes and ketones), and W1S (methane) varied. The homogenized sample had the most significant inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase and α-amylase (inhibition percentages of 83.85% and 66.40%, respectively). However, it was observed that the inhibitory activity against both enzymes declined following sterilization. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the content of ZDP and L*, a*, and b* values, as well as the odor response values of W1S and W2S. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between ZDP content and α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory effects. The findings of this study suggest a close correlation between changes in carotenoid contents during the processing of L. barbarum L. puree and the quality characteristics of the final product, indicating the importance of carotenoids as an indicator for evaluating its processing quality. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the processing optimization, shelf-life extension and sensory quality improvement of L. barbarum L. puree.

Black Goji Berry (Lycium ruthenicum Murray) is rich in anthocyanins, primarily composed of petunidin-3-O-rutinoside (trans-p-coumaroyl)-5-O-glucoside (trans-Pet3R5G). Trans-Pet3R5G exhibits multiple biological activities. However, its in vivo exposure characteristics and metabolic pathways remain poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate the metabolic processes of trans-Pet3R5G in the body by developing a highly sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography-multiple reaction monitoring-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MRM-MS) method. Thirty-two male rats were randomly assigned to a control group and three Lycium ruthenicum anthocyanin extract (LAE)-treated groups at doses of 50, 100, and 300 mg·kg⁻¹·body weight, and were gavaged daily for 35 consecutive days. Blood and fecal samples were collected and analyzed by UPLC-MRM-MS. The results showed that trans-Pet3R5G and its metabolites, petunidin-3,5-di-O-glucoside (Pet3G5G), petunidin-3-O-glucoside (Pet3G), petunidin (Pet), and 3-O-methylgallic acid (Megal), exhibited a typical double absorption peak in plasma (t₁ ≈ 15 minutes, t₂ ≈ 2 hours). In contrast, the plasma concentration of 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzaldehyde (THBA) increased monotonically throughout the 6-hour observation period without reaching a maximum concentration (Cmax). Furthermore, comparative analysis revealed significantly lower concentrations of trans-Pet3R5G, Pet3G5G, Pet, and THBA in the inferior vena cava versus the hepatic portal vein (P < 0.05). Further fecal analysis showed that the excretion of trans-Pet3R5G was dose-dependent, with a 24-hour recovery rate of approximately 33.75% in the H-LAE group. We finally developed a sensitive UPLC-MRM-MS method for quantitative analysis of trans-Pet3R5G and its metabolites in plasma. These results showed that the liver and intestine play important roles in the metabolism of trans-Pet3R5G.

Two anthocyanin monomers were separated from the crude anthocyanin extract from Lycium ruthenicum Murr. (LRM) by sequential preparative medium-pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC) on microporous and gel-type resins, and their structures were identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy. Their inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase was also evaluated. Results indicated that the contents of anthocyanins P1 and P2 in the purified product obtained with macroporous resin D101 were 18.22% and 30.77% and were increased to 84.16% and 81.48% after chromatography on Sephadex LH-20, respectively. P1 and P2 were identified as petunidin 3-O-rutinoside(trans-p-coumarin)-glucoside-5-O-glucoside and petunidin 3-O-rutinoside(trans-p-coumarin)-5-O-glucoside by UPLC-MS/MS and ¹H NMR, respectively. Both of them showed an excellent inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 0.250 and 0.224 mg/mL, respectively, which were much lower than that of the crude anthocyanin extract and the macroporous resin D101 purified product. This work provides a basis for further research and utilization of anthocyanins from LRM.

Phenolic compounds are a class of important plant secondary metabolites, which are regarded as prime constituents of nutraceuticals and functional foods due to their various bioactivities. Lycium barbarum L., an excellent tonic used for both medicinal and dietary purposes, is rich in phenolic compounds and their derivatives. This article aims to review recent progress in research on phenolic compounds and their derivatives in L. barbarum L. with respect to their extraction, separation, identification, and analysis methods as well as their bioactivities. Furthermore, it summarizes the current knowledge on the contribution of phenolic substances to the flavor and taste of L. barbarum L. along with their synthesis and metabolism and reviews recent progress in their deep processing and application. Finally, possible solutions to the problems existing in the research and development of phenolic compounds from L. barbarum L. and an outlook on future prospects are proposed. It is our expectation that this review will provide a reference for further exploration of phenolic compounds and derivatives in L. barbarum L., and offer theoretical guidance for the development and utilization of this specialty resource.

In this study, the changes in total polyphenols, total flavonoids and chlorogenic acid contents during the processing of Lycium barbarum bud tea were compared and analyzed, and the metabolite composition of the tea at different processing stages was systematically analyzed by widely targeted metabolomics to clarify their effects on the chemical composition of L. barbarum bud tea. The results showed that L. barbarum buds had the highest contents of total polyphenols, (43.65 ± 3.15) mg/g, total flavonoids, (10.68 ± 0.25) mg/g, and chlorogenic acid (5.24 ± 0.52) mg/g. The contents of these phenolic substances decreased significantly (P < 0.05) as bleaching, primary fixation, secondary fixation, frying and flavoring progressed. Notably, after the secondary fixation, the contents of total polyphenols, total flavonoids and chlorogenic acid decreased by 19%, 29% and 27%, respectively. Widely targeted metabolomics identified 594 metabolites belonging to 11 categories, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, amino acids and their derivatives, and lipids. In total, 270, 287, 298, 295, and 298 significantly differential metabolites were identified in L. barbarum buds versus bleaching, primary fixation, secondary fixation, frying and flavoring, respectively, with the major ones being flavonoids, nucleotides and their derivatives, phenolic acid, amino acids and their derivatives. These differential metabolites were predominantly enriched in metabolic pathways such as purine metabolism, niacin and nicotinamide metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism, and a small proportion of them was enriched in pathways like zeeatin biosynthesis, and ABC transporter. Significant differences were observed in inosine, homocysteine, cinnamic acid, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid, and isoferulic acid among processing stages, indicating their involvement in the quality formation of L. barbarum bud tea during processing. The findings of this study provide a theoretical basis for understanding the changes in nutritional and functional components and for the quality control of L. barbarum bud tea during processing.

Selenium is a crucial trace element that contributes to physiological processes in the body as selenoproteins. Selenoproteins serve as an integral role in the body in controlling the redox state of cells and protecting against damage induced by oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the effects and possible mechanism of selenium on selenoproteins expression in EA.hy926 cells induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL). The impact of selenium on the viability of EA.hy926 cells was detected by the methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and mitochondrial membrane potential were assessed by fluorescent probe DCFH-DA and JC-1, respectively. RNA-seq, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and Western blot were used to investigate the selenoprotein expression. Selenoprotein mRNA translation efficiency was analyzed by ribosome profiling (Ribo-Seq) coupled with transcriptomics. Our data showed that selenium supplementation (0.5 μmol/L) significantly decreased ROS production, increased mitochondrial inner membrane potential and increased the proliferative activity of EA.hy926 cells induced by oxLDL. Moreover, The protective effects of selenium against oxLDL-induced EA.hy926 cell injury were associated with the upregulation of the expressions of selenoproteins glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1). Furthermore, the expressions of selenoproteins GPX1 and GPX4 were hierarchically controlled, but the expressions of selenoproteins TXNRD1 were mainly regulated by oxLDL. Finally, Ribo-Seq coupled with transcriptomics results demonstrated that the expressions of selenoproteins GPX1, GPX4, and TXNRD1 were regulated at the translation process level. These findings suggested that selenium could have preventive effects in oxLDL induced EA.hy926 cell injury by regulating the selenoprotein expression, and the selenoproteins expressions at the translation level in vascular endothelial cells need further study.

Western diet (rich in highly refined sugar and fat) can induce a range of metabolic dysfunctions in animals and humans, including neuroinflammation and cognitive function decline. Neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment, two critical pathological characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease, have been closely associated with microbial alteration via the gut-brain axis. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the influence of 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2βG) isolated from the fruits of Lycium barbarum on preventing the high-fructose diet (HFrD) induced neuroinflammation in mice. It was found that AA-2βG prevented HFrD-induced cognitive deficits. AA-2βG also predominantly enhanced the gut barrier integrity, decreased lipopolysaccharide entry into the circulation, which subsequently countered the activation of glial cells and neuroinflammatory response. These beneficial effects were transmissible by horizontal fecal microbiome transplantation, transferring from AA-2βG fed mice to HFrD fed mice. Additionally, AA-2βG exerted neuroprotective effects involving the enrichment of Lactobacillus and Akkermansia, potentially beneficial intestinal bacteria. The present study provided the evidence that AA-2βG could improve indices of cognition and neuroinflammmation via modulating gut dybiosis and preventing leaky gut. As a potential functional food ingredient, AA-2βG may be applied to attenuate neuroinflammation associated with Western-style diets.