https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/402 2026-09-15T18:15:54Z 2026-09-15T18:15:54Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149052 2026-09-14T05:35:17Z 2026-09-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The hidden threat : hexane in our food and its impact on health Abstract: In the modern food industry, few consumers are aware of the hidden chemicals lurking in everyday products. One such substance, hexane, is widely used but remains largely unrecognised by the general public. Derived from crude oil, hexane is a volatile solvent employed in food processing, particularly in extracting vegetable oils from crops like soybeans, sunflower seeds, and corn. While its efficiency in production is undeniable, concerns over potential health risks have sparked debates about its continued use. This article explores the sources of hexane in food, its presence in the human body, and the possible long-term health effects. [excerpt]

2026-09-01T00:00:00Z Silva, Ana Sanches Khwaldia, Khaoula Babiaka, Smith Borakaeyabe Sereikai, Jolanta Gruškienė, Rūta Çankaya, İffet İrem Tatlı Lampronti, Ilaria Chrysargyris, Antonios Hemanthkumar, Boyina Chakraborty, Sohini Rauf, Abdur Soković, Marina Petrović, Jovana Abdalla, Abdelmoneim K. Ahmed, Zienab F.R. Li, Hanbing Azzopardi, Joseph Ignatius Blundell, Renald https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148840 2026-09-01T10:12:26Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Technological innovations for enhancing phytonutrient content, stability, and bioavailability in foods Authors: Silva, Ana Sanches; Khwaldia, Khaoula; Babiaka, Smith Borakaeyabe; Sereikai, Jolanta; Gruškienė, Rūta; Çankaya, İffet İrem Tatlı; Lampronti, Ilaria; Chrysargyris, Antonios; Hemanthkumar, Boyina; Chakraborty, Sohini; Rauf, Abdur; Soković, Marina; Petrović, Jovana; Abdalla, Abdelmoneim K.; Ahmed, Zienab F.R.; Li, Hanbing; Azzopardi, Joseph Ignatius; Blundell, Renald Abstract: This review highlights innovative strategies aimed at increasing the content, stability, and efficacy of phytonutrients in food systems. Key approaches include genetic engineering to enhance biosynthetic pathways in crops, precision farming to optimize environmental conditions for phytochemical production, and the use of nanomaterials to improve phytonutrient stability, bioavailability, and absorption. Case studies and practical applications demonstrate the transformative potential of these technologies in both agriculture and food processing. Recent progress in computational and data-driven tools is opening new opportunities for personalized nutrition, enabling the tailoring of phytonutrient intake to individual health needs. At the same time, the implementation of these emerging approaches faces important challenges, including regulatory constraints, ethical considerations, economic limitations, and the need for long-term safety and sustainability assessments. Addressing these issues will require strong interdisciplinary collaboration, effective knowledge sharing, and closer integration of scientific research, policy development, and industrial application. Continued technological innovation will be essential to fully realize the potential of phytonutrient enhancement in supporting healthier and more sustainable food systems. By harnessing these technological advances, phytonutrient research is positioned to play a key role in promoting healthier populations, supporting plant-based diets, and contributing to more sustainable and resilient food systems.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Fang, Daozheng Cielecka-Piontek, Judyta Blundell, Renald Zhong, Zhangfeng Chen, Jihang https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148839 2026-09-01T10:07:19Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Elucidating the therapeutic potential of natural products in alleviating diabetic cardiomyopathy : contemporary progress and forthcoming opportunities Authors: Fang, Daozheng; Cielecka-Piontek, Judyta; Blundell, Renald; Zhong, Zhangfeng; Chen, Jihang Abstract: Background: Diabetes is a leading health challenge in the 21st century. According to the International Diabetes Federation, 783 million people will have diabetes by 2045. Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a prevalent complication of diabetes, characterized by the impaired left ventricular function that occurs independently of other cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, hypertension. Currently, there is a pronounced lack of effective therapeutic strategies specifically targeting diabetic cardiomyopathy; Purpose: This review aims to demonstrate natural products’ efficacy across different pathological dimensions of diabetic cardiomyopathy, thereby providing new insights for the therapy’s development of diabetic cardiomyopathy.; Methods: Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a systematic literature search was conducted to identify all relevant studies published between January 1, 2015, and March 31, 2025. The following databases were queried: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. To ensure comprehensiveness, particularly for research published in Chinese, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database was also searched.; Results: A total of 83 studies were retrieved that demonstrate the efficacy of natural products against diabetic cardiomyopathy, primarily targeting six predominant pathologies: fibrosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, programmed cell death, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Conclusion: Natural products exhibit promising therapeutic effects against diabetic cardiomyopathy, making them a key resource for novel therapy development targeting diabetic cardiomyopathy.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148656 2026-08-25T08:50:24Z 2026-08-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Could creatine be the secret to longevity and vitality? Abstract: As we age, maintaining health, mobility, and cognitive function becomes increasingly challenging. One of the major culprits of aging-related decline is sarcopenia, the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength that begins as early as 25 years old and accelerates with time. Sarcopenia isn’t just about muscle loss – it’s deeply tied to overall health and longevity, affecting metabolism, mobility, and even brain function. Emerging research suggests that creatine, a compound often associated with athletic performance, could be a game-changer in the fight against age-related decline. [excerpt]

2026-08-01T00:00:00Z