In this present study, the thermodynamic and thermal properties of glycerol and nisin-incorporated gum ghatti (GG, Anogeissus latifolia)-based films were determined. The films exhibited type III isotherm behaviors. Moisture content (MC) of films was increased with increasing water activity (a_w) and decreased with higher temperature. The incorporation of glycerol and nisin increased the sorption ability of GG films. The net isosteric heat of adsorption (q_st) and differential entropy (S_d) were decreased with increasing MC, showing an exponential negative correlation between them. Spreading pressure (φ) was increased with increasing a_w, but decreased with higher temperature. This incorporation of glycerol and nisin increased the q_st, S_d and φ of the GG films. The sorption behaviors were enthalpy-driven and non-spontaneous processes. The glass transition temperature (T_g), critical MC and a_w of the films were decreased, and increased respectively with the incorporation of glycerol and nisin. This work provides a theoretical basis for the application of edible films in fresh food preservation.

Explosion puffing drying (EPD) is rarely employed in protein-rich foods due to insufficient puffing driving force. Therefore, hydrocolloid coating pretreatment was performed to evaluate the feasibility of EPD application in scallop adductors. The transverse relaxation time (T₂) of scallop adductors was determined by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR). Average drying rate, puffing degree (P_d), rehydration rate (R_r), total color difference (ΔE), hardness, and brittleness of puffing-dried scallop adductors were also analyzed. Coating before pre-drying and coating twice significantly improved quality characteristics of scallop adductors. After pre-drying, T₂ of loosely bound water (T₂₁) appeared with coating pretreatment, which increased the freedom degree and mobility of water molecules, thereby improving the quality of scallop adductors. T₂ of the immobilized water (T₂₂) and the proportion of tightly bound water (mT_2b) had a significant correlation with P_d, ΔE, hardness, and brittleness. Coating pretreatment contributes to the enhanced quality of puffing-dried scallop adductors.

Recent studies indicate that fucoidan may play a crucial role in the metabolism and biological function of the intestinal flora. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of kelp fucoidan on the gut microbiota and immune homeostasis of cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice. An immunosuppressive mouse model was established using cyclophosphamide, followed by administration of various kelp fucoidan doses (low-dose fucoidan: 50 mg/(kg·bw)/d, medium-dose fucoidan: 100 mg/(kg·bw)/d, and high-dose fucoidan: 150 mg/(kg·bw)/d) to the experimental groups. Changes in the gut microbiota structure were analyzed using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing, alongside simultaneous measurement of serum immune indicators and levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Results indicate that kelp fucoidan significantly improved the thymus and spleen indices in immunosuppressed mice (p < 0.05) and elevated serum levels of IgM, IgG and IL-4. Post-kelp fucoidan intervention, there was significant alteration in microbiota ecosystem restructuring, such as proliferation in probiotics, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, while opportunistic pathogens, such as Enterococcus and Escherichia coli, decreased. Furthermore, the levels of acetic, propionic, and butyric acids in the colonic contents of the kelp fucoidan group significantly improved (p < 0.01). This research demonstrates that kelp fucoidan enhances immune function in immunosuppressed mice by modulating gut microbiota balance and promoting short-chain fatty acid production.