Zhixu Zhang

Dr. Zhixu Zhang

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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21 February 2025 in Agriculture
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LLLiu Lu
Liu Lu
HLHaiyan Lin
Haiyan Lin
XZXixin Zhou
Xixin Zhou
ZZZhixu Zhang
Zhixu Zhang
YZYi Zhang
Yi Zhang
WFWei Fan
Wei Fan
Cherries, as high-value horticultural products, have long faced preservation challenges due to their perishable nature and limited postharvest longevity. During storage and transportation, these stone fruits are particularly susceptible to quality deterioration and pathological decay, significantly impacting commercial viability and consumer acceptance. Modified atmosphere preservation (MAP) technology has emerged as the predominant preservation method for cherry storage, recognized for its operational safety, environmental controllability, and technical reliability. This review systematically examines the physiological degradation mechanisms of cherries during storage, identifies critical environmental factors influencing decay patterns, and synthesizes recent advancements in MAP applications. The analysis encompasses technological principles and efficacy evaluations of atmospheric modification, with particular emphasis on how regulated temperature, humidity, and gas composition parameters affect the bioactive compound retention, organoleptic properties, and overall eating quality—crucial factors for enhancing consumer satisfaction and market value. Furthermore, this paper critically addresses current technological limitations, including implementation costs, operational complexity, and environmental sustainability concerns. Finally, it proposes innovative optimization strategies and outlines future development trajectories to advance technological refinement and promote sustainable innovation in terms of cherry preservation methodologies.

29 May 2023 in Metabolites
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ZZZhixu Zhang
Zhixu Zhang
RMRun-Ming Mo
Run-Ming Mo
DLDongbo Liu
Dongbo Liu
Yisong LiuYisong Liu
Yisong Liu
CLCong-Hui Liu
Cong-Hui Liu
DQDan Qin
Dan Qin
Ganpu vine tea is a new type of health care citrus fruit tea made from citrus shell, Pu-er tea, and vine tea baked as raw materials. In this study, the in vitro uric acid synthase inhibition system and hyperuric acid cell model were constructed to appraise the uric acid lowering efficacy of Ganpu vine tea, traditional Ganpu tea, and vine tea. Results showed that in the uric acid synthase inhibition system, the aqueous extract can inhibite the puric metabolically related enzymes, such as adenosine deaminase (ADA), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), and xanthine oxidase (XOD). The ability of the aqueous extract to inhibit the above enzyme was as follows: vine tea > Ganpu vine tea > Ganpu tea; all teas had a strong effect on XOD inhibition. The hyperuric acid cell model test showed that the aqueous extract inhibited uric acid production through accumulating inosine and hypoxanthine and hindering xanthine synthesis. The uric acid reductive ability was as follows: Vine tea > Ganpu vine tea > Ganpu tea. The inhibition of enzymes related to uric acid synthesis and the inhibition of uric acid production were significantly enhanced through adding vine tea to Ganpu tea. It also shows that flavonoids are the main factor driving this ability because they are the main active ingredients in these botanical drinks.

24 March 2025 in Foods
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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YZYangbo Zhang
Yangbo Zhang
HLHaiyan Lin
Haiyan Lin
YXYifan Xiong
Yifan Xiong
ZZZhixu Zhang
Zhixu Zhang
LZLI ZENG
LI ZENG
ZLZhonghua Liu
Zhonghua Liu
Ulcerative colitis (UC) pathogenesis is strongly linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis and compromised intestinal barrier integrity. Emerging evidence suggests that targeted dietary interventions may restore microbial homeostasis and ameliorate colitis progression. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of Fu Brick tea (FBT) using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced murine colitis model. The results indicated that oral administration of FBT extract significantly improved the disease index, reduced inflammatory response, protected intestinal barrier protein (e.g., ZO-1), and maintained intestinal structure integrity. Furthermore, FBT intake increased the diversity of gut microbiota, promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Akkermansia), inhibited the proliferation of harmful bacteria (e.g., Desulfovibrioceae, Escherichia, and Helicobacter), restored intestinal homeostasis, and alleviated colitis symptoms including diarrhea. These findings position FBT as a promising nutraceutical candidate for UC management via multi-target modulation of mucosal immunity and microbial ecology.

15 September 2025 in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
JZJiali Zhou
Jiali Zhou
YZYuxuan Zhang
Yuxuan Zhang
XCXuan Chen
Xuan Chen
LYLan Yang
Lan Yang
XKXincong Kang
Xincong Kang
DLDongbo Liu
Dongbo Liu

20 August 2024 in Agronomy
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ZZZhixu Zhang
Zhixu Zhang
LZLu Zeng
Lu Zeng
WZWeiming Zhang
Weiming Zhang
HRHongbin Ren
Hongbin Ren
LLLi Liu
Li Liu
LOLijun Ou
Lijun Ou
Fermented chopped chili pepper (FCCP) is the most important fermented and processed chili pepper product, and most pepper varieties can be processed with obvious flavor differences. Many studies have tried to explain these differences using the results of component analysis, processing technology, the microbes involved, etc., but few have examined the characteristics of these varieties along with the flavor of products. We conducted a physiochemical characteristic analysis of 35 kinds of fresh chili peppers with different genotypes and made fermented products from 17 varieties, using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) to correlate their components with FCCP products. The results were as follows: (1) Protein, total acids, a* (representation of the object’s red and green color), protopectin, and fruit thickness are the five key indexes that affect the quality of fresh chili peppers the most. (2) Protein, total acids, a*, protopectin, and fruit thickness are also the key indexes that affect the quality of FCCP. (3) Suitable ranges of fresh chili pepper to manufacture FCCP are 1.3–2.0 g/100 g for protein, 2.5–4.0 g/kg for total acids, 10–15 g/100 g for protopectin, 30–39 for a*, and 1.2–2.0 mm for fruit thickness. (4) Sensory appraisal shows crispness is the most important mouthfeel sensation and can decrease during the process. The varieties with the top three scores were A12 (21G675), A13 (20Z663), and A14 (21Z698) with scores of 87.92, 74.08, and 74.15, respectively. The varieties in the top three scores are pod peppers. The PCA and CA showed that pod peppers were the most suitable materials for making FCCP. Our results will benefit others in selecting fresh chili peppers for making FCCP and provide data support for directing processable variety breeding.

10 October 2026 in Microorganisms
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LZLing Zhu
Ling Zhu
WXWeirong Xu
Weirong Xu
YTYisheng Tang
Yisheng Tang
YHYaping Hu
Yaping Hu
DQDan Qin
Dan Qin
ZZZhixu Zhang
Zhixu Zhang
Pickled pepper is a traditional product which has been favored by consumers. The richness of its flavor is mainly determined by the complexity and diversity of microorganisms. By analyzing the succession law of the microbial community in NFPP (Naturally fermented Pickled Pepper) within 18 days’ natural fermentation of GCP (Green rice Chili Pepper) and BCP (Beauty Chili Pepper), the experiment elucidated the variation trend of the characteristic flavor substances and explored eight dominant bacteria and seven dominant fungi in GCP and seven dominant bacteria and five dominant fungi in BCP which are flavor-related. Further research found that fermentation stages can be divided into an early stage (0–7 d), middle stage (8–13 d) and late stage (13–18 d). The characteristic flavor is formed step by step and flavor-associated microbes were classified.