Zein, a biodegradable amphiphilic material, enables efficient encapsulation and sustained release of active compounds such as antibacterial and antioxidant agents through electrospinning technology. This article presents a bibliometric analysis of recent advancements in this field, clarifying the factors (solution properties, process conditions and environmental parameters) regulating the formation of zein-based electrospun active nanofibers. It reviews the physicochemical properties (mechanical properties, thermal stability, barrier performance, and loading capacity), release and functional properties (antioxidant and antibacterial activity), biodegradability, and safety of zein-based electrospun active nanofiber membranes and summarizes their applications in antioxidant, antimicrobial, ethylene-removing and smart sensor-ased packaging. Finally, the current challenges and future research directions are discussed.

To investigate the effect of superheated steam (SHS) pretreatment on the storage quality of corn germ, samples were subjected to SHS pretreatment at three combinations of temperature and time (150 ℃-60 s, 180 ℃-120 s, and 210 ℃-120 s) followed by 8-week storage in a climate chamber at (25 ± 3) ℃ and relative humidity (RH) of (75 ± 3)%. The physicochemical properties, lipid concomitants, and antioxidant activity were measured during the storage period. The results showed that SHS pretreatment significantly reduced the acid value, peroxide value, conjugated diene and triene contents, p-anisidine value, and total oxidation value of corn germ during storage (P < 0.05). Concurrently, the SHS-pretreated groups exhibited higher retention rates of phenolic compounds and tocopherols compared with untreated controls (P < 0.05). In addition, antioxidant assays revealed that SHS-treated samples exhibited significantly superior 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) cation radical scavenging capacities, ranging from 105.08 to 122.04 and from 137.55 to 152.62 μmol/100 g, respectively (P < 0.05). Among the different SHS-pretreated groups, the sample treated at 180 ℃ for 120 s exhibited the lowest oxidation level, the highest retention of minor lipid concomitants, and the strongest antioxidant activity during storage. In summary, SHS pretreatment effectively enhanced the storage quality of corn germ. This study provides a novel strategy for stabilizing corn germ and facilitates the industrial application of SHS technology in the field of oil processing.

With its advantages of being oxygen free, highly efficient, safe, and energy-saving and environment-friendly, superheated steam (SHS) technology is gradually gaining attention in the field of oil processing. SHS pretreatment can improve the microstructure of oilseeds, increase oil yield, promote the generation of flavor compounds, and enhance the oxidative stability of oil. This article briefly describes the SHS system with respect to its principle, advantages and limitations, and summarizes recent progress in the application of SHS pretreatment technology in the field of oil processing at home and abroad (including sterilization, stabilization and baking). Furthermore, this paper presents a systematic review of its impact on the physicochemical properties (such as oil yield, water content, microstructure, enzymatic activity, and elimination of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi), physicochemical indicators (such as color, oxidation indicators, and flavor compounds), nutritional indicators (trace lipid concomitants such as tocopherols and flavonoids), and safety indicators (acrylamide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) of oil. Although SHS pretreatment technology has received much attention in the field of oil processing, there are still some urgent problems that need to be solved. This paper proposes possible solutions for these problems. This review aims to provide a reference for further research and application of SHS pretreatment technology in the field of oil processing.