Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery induces profound gut microbiota alterations that may impact metabolic outcomes. This study investigated site-specific effects of a multicomponent bovine colostrum-honey-serviceberry (CHJ) complex on post-RYGB microbiome changes in obese rats. Twenty-nine Wistar rats underwent RYGB surgery with CHJ supplementation, followed by mucosal-associated microbiota analysis from five gastrointestinal segments using 16S rRNA sequencing and serum metabolite profiling. RYGB caused regional-specific changes: decreased alpha diversity, systematic Proteobacteria increases (31.2 ± 5.1% in duodenum), and reductions in SCFA-producing bacteria (Romboutsia, Roseburia). CHJ supplementation exhibited dual effects on the microbiome: restoration of beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium) in distal segments while concurrently promoting Enterobacteriaceae growth in proximal regions. CHJ also maintained alpha diversity levels of the mucosa-associated microbiota comparable to those observed in the control group. Disconnects emerged between predicted microbial functions and systemic metabolites: thiamine pathway activation accompanied 78.5% serum vitamin B1 reduction, indicating severe absorption deficits. Three distinct patterns emerged: pro-inflammatory (proximal), decolonization (widespread Helicobacteraceae loss), and restorative (selective CHJ-mediated recovery). Results demonstrate that post-RYGB dysbiosis exhibits profound regional heterogeneity requiring segment-specific interventions and highlight complex interactions between nutritional supplementation and surgically altered gut ecology in determining metabolic outcomes.
This study presents a comparative evaluation of four drying methods for carrot, red beet, and pumpkin pomace to produce natural functional food ingredients. The work addresses the valorization of 35–45% vegetable processing waste—a rich source of bioactive compounds—aligning with circular bioeconomy principles and Kazakhstan’s goals for deep processing of agricultural raw materials. The compared methods were convective drying (CD), ultrasound pretreatment + convective drying (US + CD), vacuum-microwave drying (VMD), and ultrasound pretreatment + vacuum-microwave drying (US + VMD). Drying kinetics, water activity, physicochemical and functional properties of powders, retention of bioactive compounds, color characteristics, thermal stability, and sensory attributes were assessed. Kinetics were fitted using Midilli et al., Page, and Weibull models. US + VMD provided the highest drying acceleration (6–11 times faster than CD), reaching final moisture of 5.1–5.9%, water activity aw 0.27–0.31 in 80–170 min, and bioactive compound retention of 90–95% (carotenoids 92–95%, betalains 90–94%). It also delivered superior flowability (Carr’s index 22.5–30.4%), dispersibility (80–88% in 30 s), and thermal stability (75–85% at 200 °C). Acceleration varied by raw material: maximum for beet (up to 11×) due to soluble sugars and nitrates, minimum for pumpkin (5.5–8×) due to dietary fibers and pectins, and intermediate for carrot (6–9×) influenced by carotenoids’ dielectric properties. The results highlight US + VMD’s strong potential for producing functional powders to replace synthetic additives in food systems. Effective method selection and parameter optimization require consideration of raw material type and rheological characteristics.
Honey is a valuable carrier for phytochemicals, yet data on halophyte-based fortification remain scarce. This study evaluated the impact of Portulaca oleracea and Salicornia perennans, applied as powders 1.5–4.5% or ethanol extracts 1.2–1.8%, on the antioxidant and functional properties of rapeseed and multifloral honeys. Antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS), total phenolic (TPC), and flavonoid contents (TFC) increased significantly in a concentration-dependent manner, with powders consistently outperforming extracts. The strongest effects were obtained with 4.5% powders, yielding up to 77.83% DPPH, 99.11% ABTS, 14.85 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per 100 g TPC, and 44.15 mg QE/100 g TFC-values surpassing controls and synthetic standards. Colorimetric and oxidative stability assays confirmed that enriched honeys exhibited slower browning and reduced peroxide/TBARS accumulation during storage. Sensory analysis further indicated improved color, aroma, taste, and overall acceptability. Between species, Salicornia showed slightly stronger effects than Portulaca, while multifloral honey provided greater synergy than rapeseed. These results demonstrate that halophyte powders are effective natural enhancers of honey’s antioxidant, technological, and sensory qualities, supporting their use in functional food development.