ABSTRACT
Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and probiotic intervention offers a promising alternative to pharmacotherapy. This study aimed to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with high cholesterol-lowering capacity from traditional fermented pickle brine and comprehensively evaluate their probiotic properties. LAB were isolated using MRS agar, and their in vitro cholesterol removal ability was determined by the o-phthalaldehyde colorimetric method. The selected strain was identified by morphological observation, Gram staining, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Probiotic characteristics, including antimicrobial activity, tolerance to simulated gastrointestinal fluids, acid and bile salt resistance, auto-aggregation, hydrophobicity, and DPPH radical scavenging activity, were systematically assessed. Twelve presumptive LAB strains were obtained, among which strain LH3 exhibited the highest cholesterol removal rate (66.71%). It was identified as Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus based on phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses. LH3 showed strong inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus (inhibition zone 25.29 mm) and moderate activity against Escherichia coli (17.85 mm). Survival rates in simulated gastric and intestinal juices were 90.23% and 98.79%, respectively. At pH 3.0, survival was 69.43%; in 0.15% and 0.3% bile salt, survival rates were 73.15% and 42.96%, respectively. Auto-aggregation was 20.67%, hydrophobicity 50.09%, and DPPH scavenging activity 68.89%. L. rhamnosus LH3 possesses excellent in vitro cholesterol-lowering ability and favorable probiotic traits, making it a potential candidate for developing functional probiotic products targeting hypercholesterolemia.

ABSTRACT
Aim/Objective: This study focused on the anthropometric profile of adult residents in Ogbia and Oloibiri communities in Bayelsa state. Methods: A descriptive study design with structured questionnaire, weight scale, and calibrated meter rule for height was adopted to select all 298 respondents who voluntarily agreed to participate in this study to obtain their anthropometric profile. Results: The results obtained from this study shows higher females (62.42%) against males (37.58%) among the study population having at least two square meals (40.27%) and three (32.21%) compare to smaller number (27.52%) consuming one square meal daily. To improve their weight profile the participants included vegetables and fruits in their diet weekly and consume above two liters of water daily. The combined anthropometric profile was 23.55kg/m² while the separated sexes were 22.92kg/m² (males) when compared with females (23.69kg/m²). However, the observation from their weight profile according to age shows 21.52kg/m² (18-24yrs), 23.69kg/m² (25-34yrs), 23.98kg/m² (35-44), 22.41kg/m²(45-54yrs) and 23.24kg/m² (55-64yrs) with significant value respectively. Conclusion: The respondent in the study area are encourage to continue maintaining a good eating habit of food low in calories and exhibit the habit of regular exercise for stable normal healthy weight. Additionally, the increase weight gained among the female adults than their male counterpart may be due to differences in hormonal secretions and lower average height.

ABSTRACT
To improve the stability and bioavailability of ginger essential oil (GEO), the optimal ultrasonic power, Tween 80 addition amount, and GEO addition amount for preparing ginger essential oil-Tween 80 nanoemulsions (GEO-T80NE) were first screened via single-factor experiments and orthogonal experiments using particle size and encapsulation efficiency as indicators. Based on these findings, carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) was utilized as a composite emulsifier in an equal ratio to Tween 80 to prepare ginger essential oil composite nanoemulsions (GEOCNs). The results indicated that under 15 min of ultrasonic treatment, the optimal process parameters for GEO-T80NE preparation were an ultrasonic power of 320 W, 3% Tween 80, and 4% GEO. The resulting GEO-T80NE exhibited an average particle size of 268.00 ± 1.53 nm and an encapsulation efficiency of 88.50 ± 0.17%. When an equal proportion of CMCS was added, the prepared GEON-CMCS demonstrated an average particle size of 284.67 ± 0.58 nm. Furthermore, at 46 °C, the average particle size of GEOCNs was 48% smaller than that of GEO-T80NE, demonstrating effectively enhanced temperature stability. Additionally, the scavenging rates of GEOCNs against DPPH and ABTS free radicals increased by 17.47% and 9.94%, respectively. In conclusion, the combined application of CMCS and Tween 80 effectively improves the physical stability and functional properties of GEO-T80NE, offering a valuable reference for its application in the food, pharmaceutical, and other related industries.

ABSTRACT
The rising trend in the use of pica among pregnant women in urban centres is a significant public health concern, especially in developing countries like Nigeria and is on the increase. Pica is the compulsive and persistent craving and consumption of non-food substances such as clay (geophagia), ice (pagophagia), chalk, ash, soil, or starch during pregnancy. It is widely reported across cultures and socio-economic groups. Despite urbanization, the practice remains high among pregnant women, and this has shown an interaction between socio-economic. Nutrition and culture. However, Pica may have both indirect and direct effects on maternal and fetal health. Pica sits at the intersection of biology, behavior, and culture, and its effects can ripple through both maternal health and fetal development. This study aimed to Assess Rising Trend in the Use of Pica by Pregnant Women in Urban Centres in South-South Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study involving 250 women. Participants’ age is between 15 to 49 years and above. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to participants. The study lasted for a period of 3 months. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 25.0 and p < 0.05 was significant. The study revealed that 40% of the participants had tertiary, 28% had secondary, 24% had primary and 4% had no formal education, 80% are aware of pica, 80% used pica during pregnancy, 76% said pica is common, 80% derived joy from consuming pica, 68% agreed that culture influence, 76% said is due to stress, and 80% is due to loneliness. Pica usage among pregnant women is on the increase.

ABSTRACT
In this study, high-temperature blackening (pile fermentation), a technique originally used for dark tea processing, was applied for the first time to the processing of goji berries (Lycium barbarum L.) to enhance their functional components and antioxidant activity. Single factor experiments were conducted to examine the effects of blackening temperature (60–80 °C), time (40–60 h) and water replenishment (25–45 %) on total phenolic content, flavonoid content, reducing sugar content, DPPH radical scavenging capacity and sensory quality. On this basis, a three factor, three level Box Behnken response surface design was employed to optimize the process, using DPPH radical scavenging capacity as the response value. The results showed that temperature was the dominant factor affecting the quality of blackened goji berries, with the order of influence strength being temperature > water replenishment > time. The established quadratic regression model was significant (P = 0.0011) with a coefficient of determination R² = 0.9473. The optimal process parameters were determined as follows: dried goji berries with a moisture content of 10–13 % were selected, cleaned, supplemented with water to 35 %, and then blackened at 72 °C for 50 h. Under these optimized conditions, the DPPH radical scavenging capacity reached 21.7 μmol/mL, while total phenolic and flavonoid contents remained high, and the sensory evaluation was excellent. This study provides a scientific basis and an industrially applicable technical solution for the high value processing of goji berries.

ABSTRACT
Open spreading and cooling of solid-state fermented grains for strong-aroma Baijiu releases uncollected volatile aromas, resulting in flavor loss and air pollution. Four sampling methods (a constant-flow sampler and 300 W, 260 W, 220 W fans) were used to collect waste gas from a Yibin distillery; samples were enriched by Tenax-TA and analyzed via GC-MS. The constant-flow sampler afforded better peak resolution but lower total peak area (2.3×109). The 300 W fan captured the most volatiles (4.6×109 peak area). Moreover, the grain feeding inlet showed the highest collection efficiency. Constant-flow sampling fits laboratory qualitative analysis, while 300 W fan parameters guide industrial exhaust recovery, with the feed inlet recommended as the optimal sampling site.

ABSTRACT
To clarify the main spoilage bacteria of refrigerated pork and their spoilage characteristics, and to provide theoretical support for the optimization of precision preservation technology for pork, this study focused on fresh pork refrigerated at 4 °C until the end of its spoilage stage. A total of 8 dominant spoilage bacterial strains were isolated and purified from the spoiled pork samples, including 6 Gram-positive bacilli and 2 Gram-negative bacilli. Strain identification was performed through morphological observation, Gram staining, and 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The identification results showed that 6 of the core strains were Bacillus cereus, and the other 2 belonged to the genus Proteus. Among the isolates, Bacillus cereus exhibited the highest abundance and the strongest spoilage potential, making it the dominant spoilage bacterium in the refrigerated pork. Subsequently, the screened core dominant spoilage bacterial strains were inoculated back into fresh pork tenderloin. The results indicated that the rising rates of pH value, water loss rate, and TVB-N content of the pork samples inoculated with this bacterium during the refrigerated period were significantly higher than those of the control group, and the degree of color deterioration was more severe. This study confirmed that Bacillus cereus is the key spoilage bacterium during the refrigerated storage of fresh pork.