Pinna nobilis (fan mussel) is one of the most important endemic bivalve molluscs in the Mediterranean and mass mortality events were observed in these mussels in recent years. In this study, we rep...

Worldwide, fermented foods (FF) are recognized as healthy and safe. Despite the rapid increase of research papers, there is a lack of systematic evaluation of the health benefits and risks of FF. The COST Action CA20128 “Promoting innovation of fermented foods” (PIMENTO) aims to provide a comprehensive assessment on the available evidence by compiling a set of 16 reviews. Seven reviews will cover clinical and biological endpoints associated with major health indicators across several organ systems, including the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, immune, and skeletal systems. Nine reviews will address broader biological questions associated with FF including bioactive compounds and vitamin production, nutrient bioavailability and bioaccessibility, the role of FF in healthy diets and personalized nutrition, food safety, regulatory practices, and finally, the health properties of novel and ethnic FF. For each outcome assessed in the reviews, an innovative approach will be adopted based on EFSA’s published guidance for health claim submissions. In particular, each review will be composed of three parts: (1) a systematic review of available human studies; (2) a non-systematic review of the mechanism of action related to the clinical endpoints measured by the human studies identified in part 1; and (3) a non-systematic review of the characterization of the FF investigated in the human studies identified in part 1. The evidence and research gaps derived from the reviews will be summarized and published in the form of a strategic road map that will pave the way for future research on FF.

This systematic narrative review aims to catalogue bioactive compounds that are formed during the fermentation process and identified as contributors to positive health outcomes in human clinical studies where fermented foods were used as dietary interventions. Under “The European Cooperation in Science and Technology” (COST) Action CA20128 – “Promoting Innovation of Fermented Foods” PIMENTO framework, a systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. The search initially identified 2,411 studies, of which 50 met the predefined inclusion criteria. In all included studies, fermented foods were used as nutritional interventions, and the bioactive compounds they contained were either hypothesised or directly analysed in relation to statistically significant health effects observed in humans. Findings were summarised in “Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome” (PICO)-structured tables and classified by health domain. The reported effects were grouped under the following categories: cardiovascular health, lipid metabolism, glucose regulation, immune modulation, neuroprotection, liver function, and other health outcomes. Across the included studies, a total of 31 bioactive compounds and/or compound groups were identified in fermented foods, including bioactive peptides, polyphenols (epicatechin, genistein), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), acetic acid, curcumin, and arabinoxylans. The mechanisms of action associated with these compounds were explored in the non-systematic section of the review, supported by findings from in vitro, animal and human studies. By linking individual bioactive compounds derived from fermented foods to clinical outcomes and underlying mechanisms, this review provides a comprehensive and functional resource for nutritional science, fermented food innovation, and public health applications.Systematic review registration: https://osf.io/jn8pf/.

Introduction: Fermented whey-based products show significant potential as functional foods, owing to their rich nutritional profile and the generation of bioactive compounds during fermentation. This systematic narrative review evaluates the health effects of fermented-whey consumption based on evidence from human studies in adults.Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using electronic databases including, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library for studies published between 1.1.1970 and 31.12.2024. All human clinical studies conducted with adults over 18 years old were included in this study. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials and clinical studies involving adults consuming fermented whey products. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using CADIMA software and standardized protocols. Studies identified by the search strategy and extracted data were screened independently by 2 reviewers using the CADIMA software. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2 tool.Results: After screening 1852 titles and abstracts and assessing 20 articles for eligibility, a total of 12 human intervention studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic narrative review. Consumption of fermented whey products was associated with improvements in muscle mass, glycemic control, lipid profiles (notably triglycerides and LDL cholesterol), immune function (e.g., increased natural killer cell activity), and reductions in oxidative stress and inflammation. Some studies also reported benefits for gastrointestinal and urinary tract health. The health effects were attributed to increased bioavailability of branched-chain amino acids, bioactive peptides, and microbial metabolites such as exopolysaccharides and short-chain fatty acids. Most interventions were well tolerated, with no serious adverse effects reported.Conclusion: Fermented whey products demonstrate promising health benefits across multiple physiological systems. While current evidence supports their use as functional food ingredients, further large-scale, long-term clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy and elucidate mechanisms of action. Fermented whey appears to be a safe and versatile option for enhancing adult nutrition and health.

Sea cucumbers belonging to the Holothuroidea class are a group of worm-like and soft-bodied echinoderms that live in nearly all marine environments. Mediterranean Holothuria tubulosa is an economic sea cucumber species found in Turkish seas. This study aimed to present the first report of detailed amino acid profile and investigate the biochemical and nutritional characteristics of H. tubulosa seasonally collected from one of the densest natural beds, located at Çanakkale Strait (Southern Coast of Marmara Sea), Turkey. According to our results, the highest protein, lipid, and ash contents (%) were found to be 10.2, 1.9, and 5.1, respectively. The highest percentages of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids were 42.9, 28.3, and 37.8, respectively. Total amino acids (mg/g crude protein) ranged between 867.2 and 974.0 among all seasons. All essential amino acids were found in body wall tissues and ranged between 7.1 and 5.9. Mineral composition was found to be desirable at the recommended and threshold levels. In general, the proximate composition of H. tubulosa was directly affected by seasons (p < .05); however, amino acid, fatty acid, and mineral compositions were found to be similar among all seasons, except summer (p > .05).