Applied Food Biotechnology
type: channel
description: The "Applied Food Biotechnology (AFB)" as an international peer reviewed journal supported by university (Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences) and Nongovernmental Scientific Society (Iranian Society of Probiotics and Functional Foods). This journal publishes articles on applied biotechnology in the field of food production, fortification, safety, etc.; Food Microbiology Biotechnology; Enzyme Technology in Food; Nanobiotechnology in Food Science and Technology; Biopolymers as Food Packaging Materials; Role of Microorganisms in Waste Treatment of Food Industries; Synthetic and System Biotechnology in Food Science. The journal adheres to all recommendations and guidelines of International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Impact Factor 2023 & 2024 & 2025: 2.6 & 1.3 & 1.6 | CiteScore 2023 & 2024: 3.5 & 3.4 | H index: 27, (Q3) | NAAS Score2025: 8.6 Certificate ID: 25915 (date: 14 Jan 2015) The journal’s revenue sources are subscriptions, institutional support, ACP, and organizational support. Journal is hybrid: open access and subscription system.
publisher: SBMU & National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute & Iranian Probiotic and Functional Foods Society
language: en-US
publication name: Applied Food Biotechnology
issn: 2345-5357
copyright: Submission of a manuscript implies: that the work described has not been published before (except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, or thesis) that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere; that if and when the manuscript is accepted for publication, the authors agree to automatic transfer of the copyright to the publisher. To download the copyright form, click here.
items: The Role of Gut Microbiota in Colorectal Cancer Management: A New Strategy in Health Policymaking
items: Mercury Contamination in Foods: Public Health Challenges and Policy Recommendations
items: Role of Biotechnology Strategies for Dietary Intervention in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
items: The Need to Manage Arsenic Contamination in the Food Supply Chain and Processing to Promote Public Health
items: Policy Options for Reducing Toxocara spp. Contamination in Iran: One Health Approach
items: A Policy Framework for Strengthening the Nutritional Safety of Gluten Free Diets in Patients with Celiac Disease
items: Bridging the Gap: Ministerial Policies to Address Food Insecurity and Gluten-Free Accessibility for Coeliac Patients are mandatory
items: Necessary Recommendations for Enhancing Food Quality through the Development of Biotechnology in Food Production
items: Suggestions for Improving Fermentation Processes in the Food Industry

The Role of Gut Microbiota in Colorectal Cancer Management: A New Strategy in Health Policymaking
type: item
description: Background and Objective: Colorectal cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, driven largely by the complex interplay between host genetics and the gut microbiota. The objective of this study is to develop evidence-based health policy recommendations for integrating microbiome profiling into national CRC screening and management protocols. Material and Methods: Evidence from major databases and an approved project on CRC microbiota was synthesized through translational policy analysis to map biological mechanisms against clinical guidelines and identify strategic gaps. Results and Conclusion: A robust, multidimensional policy framework is urgently needed to bridge the translational gap between microbiome research and clinical oncology. We propose specific policy recommendations to establish standardized microbial profiling in routine CRC screening, fund longitudinal studies on host-microbe interactions, and integrate bioinformatic tools into clinical decision-making. These strategic shifts will enable the transition from reactive treatment to proactive, microbiome-informed precision care, ultimately reducing CRC mortality and healthcare burdens. Keywords: Colorectal Cancer, Gut Microbiota, Health Policy Introduction and statement of the problem Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, imposing a profound and escalating burden on global healthcare systems. While conventional oncological paradigms have historically prioritized host genetics as the primary driver of carcinogenesis, recent research has shifted focus toward the critical influence of the gut microbiota in human health and disease [1]. As a dynamic and complex “virtual organ,” the gut microbiota is integral not only to physiological processes—such as nutrient metabolism and digestion—but also to the modulation of inflammatory pathways through the production of bioactive metabolites and continuous cross-talk with the host immune system [2]. Mo…
creator: Somayeh Jahani sherafat
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Applied Food Biotechnology http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2026-06-01
publication date: 2026-06-01
volume: 13
number: 2
starting page: 1
ending page: 3 (e1)
doi: 10.22037/afb.v13i2.52117

Mercury Contamination in Foods: Public Health Challenges and Policy Recommendations
type: item
description: Background and Objective: Mercury as a toxic contaminate may enter food chains, accumulate in seafood, and pose significant risks to human health. Mercury exposure has been associated with neurological, developmental, renal, and immune disorders, particularly among vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, fetuses, and children. Despite increasing evidence regarding the adverse health effects of mercury, a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying mercury toxicity and their implications for public health policy remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the public health implications of mercury contamination in food products and propose evidence-based policy recommendations to reduce mercury exposure and improve food safety. Methods: Mercury-associated genes and anxiety disorder–related genes were obtained from publicly available biological databases and integrated to identify shared molecular targets. Functional enrichment analyses were conducted to characterize the biological processes and signaling pathways associated with these genes. Gene interaction networks were subsequently constructed and analyzed to identify key regulatory genes and functional relationships. In addition, network pharmacology and molecular docking approaches were used to evaluate potential protective compounds targeting mercury-responsive molecular pathways. Results and Conclusion: Mercury exposure was found to induce oxidative stress, neuro-inflammation, and dysregulation of inflammatory signaling pathways involving IL1B, IL6, TNF, and IFNG. Evidence also indicated that mercury-responsive genes are enriched in pathways related to inflammation and immune regulation. Based on these findings, policy recommendations were developed focusing on enhanced food safety monitoring, biotechnology-based detection systems, environmental source control, mercury bioremediation, public education, and continued research investment. Mercury contamination should be recognized …
creator: Sahar Dadkhahfar
creator: Fatemeh Bandarian
creator: Zahra Razzaghi
creator: Fatemeh Bagheri
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Applied Food Biotechnology http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2026-06-01
publication date: 2026-06-01
volume: 13
number: 2
starting page: 1
ending page: 4 (e2)
doi: 10.22037/afb.v13i2.52125

Role of Biotechnology Strategies for Dietary Intervention in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
type: item
description: Background and Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune and neurodegenerative disease characterized by inflammation, demyelination, and progressive neurological dysfunction. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary patterns, gut microbiota composition, probiotics, and nutritional interventions may influence disease activity, symptom severity, and quality of life in patients with MS. This study aimed to evaluate the role of nutrition, probiotics, and biotechnology-based dietary approaches in MS management and to propose evidence-based policy recommendations for improving patient outcomes. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases to identify studies related to multiple sclerosis, nutrition, gut microbiota, probiotics, dietary interventions, and biotechnology-based therapeutic strategies. Relevant peer-reviewed articles and review papers were evaluated, and findings were synthesized to assess the potential impact of dietary and microbiome-targeted interventions on MS progression and patient well-being. Results and Conclusion: Evidence indicates that probiotics and dietary interventions may reduce neuroinflammation, modulate immune responses, improve gut microbiota composition, and positively influence in patients with MS. Engineered probiotics, functional foods, and nutritional supplements including polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants, and microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids have demonstrated potential benefits on physical, mental, and social health outcomes. Advances in biotechnology, including microbial engineering, bioinformatics, proteomics, and genome sequencing, may facilitate the development of safer and more effective nutrition-based interventions. Overall, nutritional and microbiome-targeted strategies represent promising complementary approaches for MS management and should be further investigated to support evidence-based healthcare policies. Keywords: Mu…
creator: Hamideh Moravvej
creator: Mostafa Rezaei Tavirani
creator: Nikoo Hossein-khannazer
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Applied Food Biotechnology http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2026-06-01
publication date: 2026-06-01
volume: 13
number: 2
starting page: 1
ending page: 3 (e3)
doi: 10.22037/afb.v13i2.52137

The Need to Manage Arsenic Contamination in the Food Supply Chain and Processing to Promote Public Health
type: item
description: Background and Objective: : Long-term exposure to arsenic through food, beyond direct risks (such as skin lesions), causes immune system dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, and reduced cognitive development in children. This research provides a health policy framework based on the results of a study of cellular and molecular changes in human keratinocytes exposed to arsenic. Material and Methods: RNA sequencing of arsenic-exposed HaCaT keratinocytes versus controls was used to identify differentially expressed genes. A protein-protein interaction network was then constructed and a critical subnet was extracted through topological analysis. Results and Conclusion: Overall, integrating gene expression with protein interaction analysis highlighted a core protein subnetwork and revealed possible underlying mechanisms. Here, a health policy framework was built on these findings, emphasizing stricter exposure control and the development of surveillance. Keywords: Human health risk, Food chain contamination, Arsenic toxicity Introduction and statement of the problem Arsenic is a toxic heavy metal and a pervasive environmental pollutant that can infiltrate the food chain, particularly in rice, rice-based products, vegetables, and seafood, through various sources, including drinking water and soil. Research indicates that inorganic arsenic forms pose a greater toxicity risk than their organic counterparts. Long-term exposure to arsenic can significantly endanger human health, leading to several types of cancer, skin diseases, neurological problems, and developmental disorders [1, 2]. This is not only one of the foremost challenges to individual health, but also a heavy economic burden on the health system. Traditional methods alone are inadequate to eliminate arsenic at high levels, indicating the need for scientific interventions at both macro and household levels. This policy recommendation is derived from our research project aimed at deciphering the molecular mechanisms…
creator: Fahimeh Abdollahimajd
creator: Babak Arjmand
creator: Fatemeh Bandarian
creator: Masoumeh Farahani
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Applied Food Biotechnology http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2026-06-01
publication date: 2026-06-01
volume: 13
number: 2
starting page: 1
ending page: 3 (e4)
doi: 10.22037/afb.v13i2.52130

Policy Options for Reducing Toxocara spp. Contamination in Iran: One Health Approach
type: item
description: Background and Objective: Environmental contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs represents an important yet neglected public health concern due to its role in the transmission of human toxocariasis. Children are particularly vulnerable because of frequent exposure to contaminated soil in public spaces. This policy brief was developed to provide evidence-informed policy recommendations for reducing Toxocara spp. soil contamination and human exposure in Iran through a One Health approach. Material and Methods: This policy brief was developed based on evidence generated from a previously conducted systematic review and meta-analysis entitled “An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Prevalence of Toxocara spp. Eggs in the Soil of Public Areas in Iran,” approved by the Ethics Committee of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Epidemiological findings were synthesized and translated into policy recommendations using a One Health framework integrating human, animal, and environmental health perspectives. Results and Conclusion: The pooled prevalence of Toxocara spp. soil contamination in Iran was estimated at 16% (95% CI: 12–21%), indicating persistent environmental exposure risk. No significant reduction in contamination was observed over the past two decades. Current evidence supports four complementary policy pillars: environmental surveillance, animal reservoir management, public education, and intersectoral One Health governance. Policymakers should prioritize the establishment of coordinated One Health programs, routine environmental monitoring, management of animal reservoirs, and community-based educational interventions to reduce environmental contamination and protect vulnerable populations. Keywords: Toxocara spp.; Soil contamination; Toxocariasis; One Health; Public health policy; Environmental surveillance; Iran Introduction and statement of the problem Toxocariasis is one of the most common zoonotic helminth infections worldwide and rema…
creator: Bahman Maleki
creator: Nahid Haghshenas
creator: Mostafa Rezaei-Tavirani
creator: Negin Rezaei Savadkouhi
creator: Nahid Zerafati-Shoae
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Applied Food Biotechnology http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2026-06-01
publication date: 2026-06-01
volume: 13
number: 2
starting page: 1
ending page: 4 (e5)
doi: 10.22037/afb.v13i2.52190

A Policy Framework for Strengthening the Nutritional Safety of Gluten Free Diets in Patients with Celiac Disease
type: item
description: ...
creator: Mohammad Rostami-Nejad
creator: Nastaran Asri
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Applied Food Biotechnology http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2026-06-01
publication date: 2026-06-01
volume: 13
number: 2
starting page: 1
ending page: 4 (e6)
doi: 10.22037/afb.v13i2.52123

Bridging the Gap: Ministerial Policies to Address Food Insecurity and Gluten-Free Accessibility for Coeliac Patients are mandatory
type: item
description: Background and Objective: Celiac disease (CD) requires lifelong adherence to a gluten‑free diet (GFD). However, the high cost and limited availability of gluten‑free (GF) products impose a significant economic and social burden on patients. This article proposes nutritional policy recommendations to alleviate these financial challenges. Material and Methods: This study is derived from a main research project previously published by Rahmanian et al., 2025 and a targeted literature search (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science). That original study involved a cross-sectional survey of 375 coeliac disease (CD) patients in Iran, collecting data on diagnostic delays, healthcare utilization, and associated costs. The present manuscript propose nutritional policies addressing gluten-free food accessibility and economic burdens, supplemented by a review of policy measures from selected countries and Iran-specific challenges. Results and Conclusion: GF products are two to five times more expensive than conventional equivalents due to specialized raw materials, dedicated production lines, quality control, and import dependence. This cost burden reduces dietary adherence, causes symptom recurrence, psychological stress, and social isolation, especially in low‑income families. In Iran, challenges include high costs, poor product variety, inadequate insurance, limited rural access, and weak labeling oversight. The high cost of GF foods seriously threatens the health and quality of life of CD patients. Therefore, key policy recommendations for Iran are: providing subsidies or insurance coverage for GF products, supporting domestic production through tax incentives and facilities for knowledge‑based companies, strict monitoring of labeling and prevention of cross‑contamination via mandatory national regulations, public education and training for staff in restaurants, schools, and public facilities, and empowering patients through nutritional counseling and encouraging home‑grindi…
creator: Mohammed Rostami-Nejad
creator: Chris J Mulder
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Applied Food Biotechnology http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2026-06-01
publication date: 2026-06-01
volume: 13
number: 2
starting page: 1
ending page: 4 (e7)
doi: 10.22037/afb.v13i2.52122

Necessary Recommendations for Enhancing Food Quality through the Development of Biotechnology in Food Production
type: item
description: Background and Objective: Consumption of low-quality food threatens public health. Food biotechnology can improve quality, nutritional value, and safety. This study aims to provide policy recommendations for developing biotechnology in food production. Material and Methods: This policy brief reviewed scientific evidence, FAO/WHO reports, and experiences of leading countries (China, India, Brazil). Challenges such as population growth, water scarcity, waste, and climate change were analyzed. Biotechnological solutions (microorganisms, enzymes, fermentation, probiotics) were examined. Results and Conclusion: Biotechnology increases shelf life, nutritional value, and safety while reducing waste and energy consumption. Developed countries have improved productivity and exports through targeted investment. Main barriers include weak research infrastructure, lack of regulatory frameworks, and insufficient public education. Conclusion: Targeted development of food biotechnology is a strategic necessity. Policymakers should support knowledge-based companies, strengthen research and regulatory infrastructure, and provide public education to enable safe use of this technology, thereby reducing food dependency and contributing to public health and the knowledge-based economy. Keywords: Food Biotechnology, Food Quality Improvement, Functional Foods, Probiotics, Food Security, Policy Recommendations Introduction and statement of the problem The increasing consumption of low-quality food products has become a serious threat to public health and has intensified social challenges. Food biotechnology, as one of the most critical technologies of the 21st century, has significant potential to improve the quality, nutritional value, safety, and shelf life of food products. The application of microorganisms, enzymes, fermentation processes, genetic engineering, and particularly probiotics and functional foods, provides the foundation for producing healthier and more sustainable foods. H…
creator: Tayebeh Ziveh
creator: Mostafa Rezaei-Tavirani
creator: Hamideh Moravvej
creator: Zahra Razzaghi
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Applied Food Biotechnology http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2026-06-02
publication date: 2026-06-02
volume: 13
number: 2
starting page: 1
ending page: 3 (e8)
doi: 10.22037/afb.v13i2.52116

Suggestions for Improving Fermentation Processes in the Food Industry
type: item
description: Background and Objective: Fermentation is an important food biotechnology process that improves food preservation, nutritional quality, and sensory characteristics. Fermented dairy products, particularly yoghurt, have been associated with changes in gut microbiota composition and host metabolism. However, the molecular consequences of these changes remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to evaluate the potential biological effects of fermented food consumption and propose policy recommendations to support future research and innovation in food biotechnology. Material and Methods: Evidence was collected from published transcriptomic and systems biology studies investigating the effects of yoghurt consumption on host molecular pathways. Gene expression, protein interaction, and functional enrichment analyses were reviewed to identify biological processes potentially affected by fermented dairy products. Results and Conclusion: Available evidence suggests that yoghurt consumption may influence gut microbiota composition, metabolic activity, and host gene expression. Functional analyses indicate potential effects on pathways related to cellular metabolism and iron homeostasis. Although fermented dairy products are generally considered safe and beneficial, the long-term biological significance of these molecular changes remains unclear. Therefore, further research is needed to clarify the relationship between fermented food consumption, gene regulation, and physiological health outcomes. Policy recommendations include supporting molecular nutrition research, optimizing fermentation technologies, and evaluating complementary food-processing approaches to strengthen evidence-based dietary guidance and innovation in food biotechnology. Keywords: Acidified milk, Fermentation, Gene expression, Network analysis, Yoghurt Introduction and statement of the problem Fermentation is a biotechnological process in the food industry that contributes to food preservation and…
creator: Majid Rezaei-Tavirani
creator: Mostafa Rezaei-Tavirani
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Applied Food Biotechnology http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2026-06-02
publication date: 2026-06-02
volume: 13
number: 2
starting page: 1
ending page: 3 (e9)
doi: 10.22037/afb.v13i2.52138