Foods, Volume 12, Issue 20 (October-2 2023) – 170 articles

Tomato drying implies high energy consumption due to the high moisture content, and limiting drying temperatures is necessary to avoid carotenoid degradation. To explain the mechanism of moisture transport through the material and to scale up the drying process, drying experiments are needed and supported by mathematical modeling. For the Rila tomato peel drying process, ten thin-layer mathematical models were formulated based on experimental data for six temperatures (50–75 °C) and validated by statistical analysis. Considering the slab geometry of the peels sample and Fick’s second law of diffusion model, the calculated effective moisture diffusivity coefficient values D_eff varied between 1.01 × 10⁻⁹–1.53 × 10⁻⁹ m²/s with R² higher than 0.9432. From the semi-theoretical models, Two-term presents the best prediction of moisture ratio with the highest R² and lowest χ² and RMSE values. Using the experimental data on extract quality (carotenoid content), two degradation models were formulated. Increasing the drying temperature from 50 °C to 110 °C, a degradation of 94% for lycopene and 83% for β-carotene were predicted. From the energy analysis, a specific energy consumption of 56.60 ± 0.51 kWh is necessary for hot-air drying of 1 kg of Rila tomato peel at 50 °C to avoid carotenoid degradation. Full article

Salmorejo is a tomato–oil cold puree commercialized as a “fresh-like” product requiring mild pasteurisation and chill storage to reach a suitable shelf lifetime. The objective of this study was to study the factors which limit the shelf life of salmorejo pasteurised via conventional or radiofrequency continuous heating, packed in high-density polyethylene bottles, and kept at refrigeration. The pasteurised–chilled salmorejo reached a long shelf life (4 months) compared to that of pasteurised tomato juices or purees. Mesophilic and pathogenic bacteria were easily inhibited in this acidic product. Salmorejo mainly showed oxidative and subsequent sensory changes. Initial enzyme oxidation was associated with some adverse effects (loss of vitamin C and lipid oxidation) at the first month, although there were no sensory implications. Salmorejo remained stable at the physicochemical and sensory levels for the following 3 months, though colour and viscosity changes could be measured with instruments. Between the fourth and fifth month, salmorejo showed clear signs of deterioration, including changes in appearance (slight browning and loss of smooth surface), odour/flavour (loss of freshness and homogenisation), and consistency (thinning trend). The shelf life of salmorejo is limited by long-term oxidative deterioration and their sensory implications. Full article

The formulation of polymeric microparticles to encapsulate bioactive compounds from two hop varieties (Nugget and Perle) using sequential green extraction processes was performed. The technologies used were ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and pressurized hot water (PHW) extraction. Liquid phases were analyzed for total phenolic content (~2%), antioxidant activity (IC_50, DPPH: 3.68 (Nugget); 4.46 (Perle) g/L, TEAC (~4–5%), FRAP (~2–3%), and reducing power (~4%)), protein content (~1%), oligosaccharide content (~45%), and for structural features. The fractions obtained from UAE were selected to continue with the drying process, achieving the maximum yield at 120 °C (Perle) and 130 °C (Nugget) (~77%). Based on these results, the formulation of polymeric microparticles using mannitol as the carrier was performed with these fractions. The production yield (~65%), particle size distribution (Perle: 250–750 µm and Nugget: ~100 µm), and rheological features (30–70 mPa s at 0.1 s⁻¹) were the parameters evaluated. The UAE extracts from hop samples processed using a sustainable aqueous treatment allowed the formulation of microparticles with a suitable yield, and morphological and viscosity properties adequate for potential food and non-food applications. Full article

The possibility of industrial exploitation of winemaking products, as for all byproducts of vegetal origin, constantly deals with a raw material (grape pomace, GP) whose chemical composition and functional properties vary over time depending on the varietal and geographical origin of the grapes, the climatic conditions (vintage effect), and the winemaking technique. This work studied the compositional variability of polyphenolic skin and seed extracts from GP derived from white and red winemaking of different Italian grape varieties. The total polyphenolic content (GAE), the main classes of polyphenolic compounds, and the DPPH index were determined. Seed extracts were always richer in total polyphenols and condensed tannins and had higher antiradical activity (DPPH) than skin extracts: 144–298 mg GAE/g d.w. extract for skins and 327–540 mg GAE/g for seeds; the DPPH values were 1.77–3.40 mg AAE/g for skins and 3.10–10.48 mg AAE/g for seeds. Furthermore, it was verified that the evaluation of the GAE index of seed extracts, offering a good estimate of the antiradical properties (DPPH index), could represent a simple and rapid method for selecting the best lots of seeds to be used. Conversely, GP skins could be used as flour in the food industry due to their high content of dietary fiber and the presence of flavonols, which possess very interesting functional properties. Important differences in the flavonols profile were observed both between cultivars and between unfermented and fermented pomace. Full article

The Amazonian Pentaclethra macroloba (Willd.) Kuntze nuts contain a lipidic fraction with health-promoting effects, but little is known about the bioactivity of other constituents. In this study, the lipidic fraction obtained using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with CO₂ was chemically characterized by using lipidomics techniques. The SFE-CO₂ residue, named as pracaxi cake, was re-extracted by pressurized liquid extraction following a biorefinery approach. Using a response surface methodology and based on the extraction yield and different in vitro assays, two optimum conditions were obtained: 80% and 12.5% of ethanol at 180 °C. Under these conditions, extraction yield and different in vitro measurements related to neuroprotection were assessed. Chemical characterization of these extracts suggested the presence of triterpenoid saponins and spermidine phenolamides, which were not previously reported in pracaxi nuts. These results suggest that pracaxi oil extraction by-products are a valuable source of bioactive compounds with neuroprotective potential. Full article

Microalgae are a rich resource of lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and pigments with nutritional and health benefits. They increasingly find use as ingredients in functional foods and feeds as well as in cosmetics and agricultural products including biostimulants. One of their distinct advantages is their ability to grow on wastewaters and other waste streams, and they are considered an environmentally friendly and cheap method to recover nutrients and remove pollutants from the environment. However, there are limits concerning their applications if grown on certain waste streams. Within, we collate an overview of existing algal applications and current market scenarios for microalgal products as foods and feeds along with relevant legislative requirements concerning their use in Europe and the United States. Microalgal compounds of interest and their extraction and processing methodologies are summarized, and the benefits and caveats of microalgae cultivated in various waste streams and their applications are discussed. Full article

In this study, based on the evaluation of fishy value and sensory evaluation, this study determined that soaking in a 1% salt solution for 60 min had a significant impact on the deodorization of beef liver (p < 0.05). The results showed that salt infiltration promoted the release of fishy substances, improving the edible and processing performance of beef liver. The identification of flavor compounds in raw and roasted beef liver via GC–IMS implies that (E)–2–octenal–M, (E)–3–penten–2–one–M, ethyl acetate–M, ethyl acetate–D, and methanethiol are closely related to improving the flavor of beef liver; among them, (E)–2–octenal–M, (E)–3–penten–2–one–M, and methanethiol can cause beef liver odor, while nonanal–M, octanal–M, benzene acetaldehyde, n–hexanol–D, butyl propanoate–M, heptanal–D, heptanal–M, and 3–methylthiopropanal–M had significant effects on the flavor formation of beef liver steak. The determination of reducing sugars revealed that salt soaking had no significant effect on the reducing sugar content of beef liver, and the beef liver steak was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), proving that reducing sugars promoted the formation of beef liver steak flavor under roasting conditions. Fatty acid determination revealed that salt soaking significantly reduced the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in beef liver (p < 0.05), promoting the process of fat degradation and volatile flavor production in the beef liver steak. Salt plays a prominent role in salting–out and osmosis during deodorization and flavor improvement. Through controlling important biochemical and enzymatic reactions, the release of flavor substances in a food matrix was increased, and a good deodorization effect was achieved, which lays a foundation for further research on the deodorization of beef liver and the flavor of beef liver steak. Full article

This study aimed to determine the influence of using black garlic (BG) at different levels on organic volatile compounds in heat-treated sucuk (HTS), a semi dry fermented sausage. Three independent batches of sausages were prepared: control: 1% white garlic (WG): WG-1%; BG-1%: 1% BG; BG-2%: 2% BG; and BG-3%: 3% BG. After stuffing, the sausages were subjected to fermentation, heat treatment (internal temperature of 64 °C), and drying, respectively. After production, the final products were analyzed for volatile compounds. A solid-phase microextraction technique was used for the extraction of volatile compounds, and identification was carried out by a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer. A total of 47 volatile compounds, including sulfur compounds, alcohols, esters, ketones, aliphatic hydrocarbons, acids, aromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and terpenes, were identified from the sausages. The use of BG in HTS had no significant effect on aliphatic hydrocarbons, acids, ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons, and esters. BG increased the abundances of 2-propen-1-ol, allyl methyl sulfide, methyl 2-propenyl-disulfide, sabinene, β-pinene, and β-phellandrene regardless of the increase in the addition rate. BG-3% increased the level of hexanal. According to the PCA results, BG-containing groups showed positive correlation with esters, sulfur compounds, aldehydes, aromatic hydrocarbons, and alcohols, but these chemical groups were more closely correlated with BG-3%. In addition, diallyl disulfide, which is one of the main factors that causes the pungent and spicy smell of garlic, showed a close correlation with WG-1%. Full article

The trend in today’s society is to increase the intake of vegetable protein instead of animal protein. Therefore, there is a concern to find new sources of alternative protein. In this sense, legumes are the main protein source of vegetable origin. Of all of them, lupins are the ones with higher protein content, although they are currently undervalued as an alternative for human consumption. In this sense, it is vital to characterize and obtain protein isolates from this legume, which satisfies the growing demand. Therefore, in the present work, the procedure for obtaining a lupin (Lupinus luteus) protein isolate (LPI), based on basic solubilization followed by isoelectric precipitation, has been optimized and validated. The optimized LPI, as well as the lupin flour, were subsequently characterized. The chemical composition, physicochemical, as well as the technofunctional properties of the LPI were analyzed. The results show that the proposed procedure had a high yield (23.19 g LPI/100 g flour) and allowed to obtain high-purity protein isolates (87.7 g protein/100 g LPI). The amino acid composition and the chemical scores show high proportions of essential amino acids, being protein deficient only in methionine and valine. Therefore, it can be affirmed that it is a high-quality protein that meets the requirements proposed by the FAO. Regarding the lipid fraction, it is mainly composed of unsaturated fatty acids (C18:1n-9 and C18:2n-6), which is also advisable in order to follow a healthy diet. Finally, LPI showed interesting technofunctional properties (foaming, gelling, emulsifying, water and oil absorption, and solubility), which makes it especially attractive for use in the food industry. Full article

This study investigated the potential mechanism of action of tea polyphenols (TPs), one of the major active ingredients in tea, to enhance heat resistance in Drosophila and the attenuating effect of heat treatment of TPs on their efficacy. The results showed that TPs were able to prolong the average survival time of Drosophila under high-temperature stress (p < 0.05), but the effect of TPs in prolonging the survival time of Drosophila melanogaster was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) with increasing TP heat-treatment time until it disappeared. The composition of TPs changed after heat treatment. It was also shown that the weakening of the effect of TPs in improving the heat tolerance of Drosophila was related to the decrease in the content of catechins and phenolic acids in their fractions as well as with the increase in the content of laccase. Transcriptomic analysis showed that the effect of TPs on heat tolerance in Drosophila melanogaster was closely related to the longevity regulation pathway, the neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction signaling pathway, and the drug metabolism–cytochrome P450 pathway. Metabolomics analysis showed that the effect of TP intervention in improving the body’s heat tolerance was mainly related to amino acid metabolism and energy metabolism. However, thermal processing weakened the relevance of these transcriptomes and metabolomes. The present study reveals the mechanism of action by which heat-treated TPs affect the body’s heat tolerance, which is important for the development and utilization of the heat-protection function of tea. Full article

The present study aimed to determine the genotyping diversity and hemolytic properties of 24 strains of Cronobacter spp. (15 Cronobacter sakazakii, 6 Cronobacter malonaticus, 2 Cronobacter turicensis, and 1 Cronobacter condimenti) isolated from commercial ready-to-eat leaf vegetables, sprouts, nuts, and dried fruits. The multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method was used to determine the sequence types (ST) and clonal complexes (CC) of these strains. The study demonstrated the high genotypic diversity of the Cronobacter genus bacteria isolated from plant-based foods. Five novel sequence types (804, 805, 806, 807, and 808) and the presence of novel alleles in the ppsA, gltB, gyrB, and infB loci were detected. In total, 16 of the 24 strains were assigned to the sequence types ST99, ST258, ST17, ST648, ST21, ST494, and ST98. One C. sakazakii strain (s12) isolated from alfalfa sprouts was assigned to the clonal complex CC4, which encompasses strains often associated with severe infections leading to meningitis in infants. In addition, 87.5% and 16.7% of the Cronobacter spp. strains showed β-hemolysis of equine and sheep red blood cells, respectively. The presence of the pathogenic species C. sakazakii, C. malonaticus, and C. turicensis in ready-to-eat plant-derived food products shows they are potential sources of infection, especially to those with compromised immunity, which substantiates their further multi-faceted characterization. The significance of this study may prove useful not only in epidemiological investigations, but also in assessing the risk of infections caused by the presence of Cronobacter. Full article

Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus ochraceus are important pathogenic fungi that pose a serious threat because of their ability to produce mycotoxins, including ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxins (AFs). The main method of reducing these pathogens is the use of chemical fungicides, though recently there has been a focus on finding biological control agents. The obtained results from this study indicate the great potential of two wild yeast strains, Aureobasidium pullulans PP3 and Saitozyma podzolicus D10, in the biological control of A. parasiticus and A. ochraceus and reductions in the amount of OTA and AFs they produce. In vitro, the growth of the mycelium of pathogens was reduced by 41.21% to 53.64%, and spore germination was inhibited by 58.39% to 71.22%. Both yeast strains produced the enzymes chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, and amylase, and A. pullulans PP3 additionally produced protease and cellulase. This yeast strain also had the ability to grow over a wide range of temperature (4–30 °C), salinity (0–12%) and pH (4–11) conditions. No growth of the yeast was observed at 37 °C, nor any biogenic amines or hydrogen sulfide production. Adding the tested yeast inoculum to the dough reduced OTA (within 14.55–21.80%) and AFs (within 18.10–25.02%) in the model bread. Full article

The present study examined the effects of dietary supplementation with extracts of pomegranate (Punica granatum) and onion (Allium cepa), either encapsulated in cyclodextrin (POMALCD group) or in an aqueous (POMALAQ group) form, on breast meat, thigh meat, and liver composition, oxidative stability, cellular signaling pathways, and the gene expression of certain hepatic genes. The results showed that breast and thigh meat contained significantly (p < 0.05) higher moisture content in the group with the aqueous extract, compared to the control and POMALCD groups. Moreover, the protein content was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the thigh and liver samples of the treated groups in comparison to the control. The iron-induced challenge deteriorated (p < 0.001) the lipid and protein oxidative status of the control group, whereas both supplemented groups showed considerable tolerance in all tissues. The supplementation of pomegranate and onion extracts mitigated or maintained heat shock protein (HSP) levels and elevated (p < 0.05) the Bcl-2/Bad ratio in thigh and breast meat, whereas mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation was modulated at a lower rate. After normalization to β-actin expression, quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed a significant (p < 0.05) induction in the expression of MTR and MSRB1 genes in the liver of the supplemented groups. No differences were observed for the TAT, SMS, and BHMT genes. In conclusion, dietary mixtures of herbal extracts with pomegranate and onion improved protein and lipid oxidative stability in meat, enhanced the hepatic energy status, and exerted ameliorative effects on stress-related proteins. The encapsulated extract of pomegranate and onion, using cyclodextrin as a carrier, appeared to reduce lipid oxidation to a greater extent than the aqueous extract. In contrast, the aqueous extract exhibited higher total antioxidant capacity (TAC) values and provided better protection against protein carbonyl formation. Full article

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a bioactive compound widely studied for its potential applications in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and food industries since it offers health benefits due to its nature as a Phase 2 enzyme inducer. Its application in the food industry has been limited because SFN is unstable at high temperatures in an aqueous milieu. An option to increase SFN stability and protect it from thermal degradation is microencapsulation. The aim of this work was to optimize a microencapsulation process using oil-in-water emulsion to increase the thermal stability of SFN. The operation conditions that gave the highest entrapment efficiency were determined via experimental design and response surface methodology. Thermal degradation of microencapsulated SFN was studied at 37, 50, 60, and 70 °C. The optimum microencapsulation conditions were 8 min stirring, SFN/Gum Arabic ratio of 0.82, and surfactant/oil ratio of 1.0, resulting in an entrapment efficiency of 65%, which is the highest reported so far. The thermal stability of microencapsulated SFN was greatly enhanced compared with free SFN, with a 6-fold decrease in the degradation kinetic constant and a 41% increase in the activation energy. These results will contribute to a more efficient incorporation of SFN in various food matrices and explore new microencapsulation technologies to maximize the efficiency and stability of SFN. Full article

Plant-based desserts are becoming increasingly popular with and appreciated by consumers. However, they are limited by the choice of ingredients, which are often expensive and unstable with a random texture. Therefore, the aim of the research is to propose a new product that offers an advantageous texture and flavour in a fermented dessert based on a flour mix supplemented with an enzymatic hydrolysate. This study involved the development of two processes: (i) an enzymatic hydrolysis of oat flour and (ii) a fermentation of a flour mixture (oat, chickpea, and coconut) by lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus). The result of the oat flour hydrolysate shows a significant decrease in starch after 60 min of reaction, followed by an increase in sugar content. During 23 days of storage at 4 °C, the formulations used showed post-acidification, water retention capacity decrease, and hardness increase related to the hydrolysate rate (p < 0.05). All formulations allowed the viability of lactic bacteria (over 5 log₁₀ CFU/mL) and verified their ability to produce exopolysaccharides (0.23–0.73 g/100 g). The prototyping of such a product represents a key step in meeting the growing demand for plant-based alternatives, with qualitative sensory characteristics without additives. Full article

The aim of this study was to develop, for the first time, anthocyanin-enriched fractions from black raspberry pomace (BRP) using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) via sonotrode and the Particles from Gas-Saturated Solutions (PGSS) process. UAEs with different amplitudes and sonication times were evaluated and showed relevant effects on the yields of target analytes. The raspberry pomace extracts were formulated in a powder form by PGSS using glyceryl monostearate as a carrier at different extract-to-carrier ratios of 1:11, 1:5, and 1:3. The effects of all variables were evaluated in terms of extraction yield, total phenolic content, and encapsulation yield. UAE was strongly affected by amplitude, and the highest amplitude (100%) provided the best results for extraction yield and total phenolics. HPLC of UAE extracts and powders was utilized for quantification of polyphenol compounds, showing cyanidin-3-rutinoside as a main compound, followed by cyanidin-3-glucoside, rutin, ellagic acid, and gallic acid. These results show that these time-efficient and high-performance techniques enable the production of natural fractions from industrial BRP with acceptable characteristics to be used for the development of nutraceuticals and different food formulations. Full article

Influenza is an acute respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus, in response to which vaccines and antiviral drugs are administered. In recent years, the antiviral effects of plants and foods have garnered attention. This review is the first to summarize the therapeutic properties of wild watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) against influenza from a phytochemical viewpoint. Wild watermelon is a wild plant with significant potential as a therapeutic candidate in antiviral strategies, when focused on its multiple anti-influenza functionalities. Wild watermelon juice inhibits viral growth, entry, and replication. Hence, we highlight the possibility of utilizing wild watermelon for the prevention and treatment of influenza with stronger antiviral activity. Phytochemicals and phytoestrogen (polyphenol, flavonoids, and prenylated compounds) in wild watermelon juice contribute to this activity and inhibit various stages of viral replication, depending on the molecular structure. Wild plants and foods closely related to the original species contain many natural compounds such as phytochemicals, and exhibit various viral growth inhibitory effects. These natural products provide useful information for future antiviral strategies. Full article

With the development of diabetes, the gut microbiome falls into a state of dysbiosis, further affecting its progression. Theaflavins (TFs), a type of tea polyphenol derivative, show anti-diabetic properties, but their effect on the gut microbiome in diabetic mice is unclear. It is unknown whether the improvement of TFs on hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in diabetic mice is related to gut microbiota. Therefore, in this study, different concentrations of TFs were intragastrically administered to mice with diabetes induced by a high-fat-diet to investigate their effects on blood glucose, blood lipid, and the gut microbiome in diabetic mice, and the plausible mechanism underlying improvement in diabetes was explored from the perspective of the gut microbiome. The results showed that the TFs intervention significantly improved the hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia of diabetic mice and affected the structure of the gut microbiome by promoting the growth of bacteria positively related to diabetes and inhibiting those negatively related to diabetes. The changes in short-chain fatty acids in mice with diabetes and functional prediction analysis suggested that TFs may affect carbohydrate metabolism and lipid metabolism by regulating the gut microbiome. These findings emphasize the ability of TFs to shape the diversity and structure of the gut microbiome in mice with diabetes induced by a high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin and have practical implications for the development of functional foods with TFs. Full article

Aflatoxin contamination of maize is a leading threat to health in Guatemala. This contamination is the result of infection from Aspergillus flavus and has been effectively reduced in other countries through application of nonaflatoxigenic, indigenous strains of A. flavus. We collected 82 maize samples from throughout Guatemala in two years and isolated 272 A. flavus from these samples, including 126 unique genotypes. We provide here a phenotypic and simple sequence repeat (SSR)-based genotypic description of these isolates, as well as an analysis of the diversity of this population. High levels of genetic diversity were observed with the nonaflatoxigenic isolates in this study, but this information contributes to the development of indigenous aflatoxin biocontrol products. Full article

The contact and adherence of bacteria to various surfaces has significant consequences on biofilm formation through changes in bacterial surface structures or gene expression with potential ramifications on plant and animal health. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of organic acid-based mixtures (Ac) on the ability Campylobacter jejuni and Escherichia coli to attach and form biofilm on various surfaces, including plastic, chicken carcass skins, straw bedding, and eggshells. Moreover, we aimed to explore the effect of Ac on the expression of E. coli (luxS, fimC, csgD) and C. jejuni (luxS, flaA, flaB) bacterial genes involved in the attachment and biofilm formation via changes in bacterial surface polysaccharidic structures. Our results show that Ac had a significant effect on the expression of these genes in bacteria either attached to these surfaces or in planktonic cells. Moreover, the significant decrease in bacterial adhesion was coupled with structural changes in bacterial surface polysaccharide profiles, impacting their adhesion and biofilm-forming ability. Essentially, our findings accentuate the potential of natural antimicrobials, such as Ac, in reducing bacterial attachment and biofilm formation across various environments, suggesting promising potential applications in sectors like poultry production and healthcare. Full article

Food exporting companies play a fundamental role in the development of international trade. However, the conceptualization and measurement of their online corporate reputation has not been extensively studied in Business to Business markets, unlike in Business to Consumer contexts. The aim of this research is to identify the variables that determine the online reputation of food companies operating in B2B markets, and to analyze their relationship with the volume of food exports. For this purpose, a three-stage quantitative and qualitative study has been developed, based on in-depth interviews with experts from export organizations and managers of Peruvian food exporting companies, the estimation of an Advanced Sentiment Analysis, the construction of a Total Online Reputation Index (TOR), and the development of regression analysis. The study has identified 13 variables that affect the online reputation of food exporting companies and indicates that the presence of sustainability content on their website and the number of pages visited positively affect the volume of food exports. Moreover, the TOR could have a significant explanatory capacity with respect to company exports. These results constitute a reference guide for both companies in the sector and official export agencies, highlighting the critical aspects to promote their exports. Full article

Oilseed-derived proteins have emerged as an excellent alternative to animal sources for the production of bioactive peptides. The bioactivities exhibited by peptides derived from plant proteins encompass a wide range of health-promoting and disease-preventing effects. Peptides demonstrate potential capabilities in managing diseases associated with free radicals and regulating blood pressure. They can also exhibit properties that lower blood sugar levels and modify immune responses. In addition to their bioactivities, plant-derived bioactive peptides also possess various functional properties that contribute to their versatility. An illustration of this potential can be the ability of peptides to significantly improve food preservation and reduce lipid content. Consequently, plant-derived bioactive peptides hold great promise as ingredients to develop functional products. This comprehensive review aims to provide an overview of the research progress made in the elucidation of the biological activities and functional properties of oilseed-derived proteins. The ultimate objective is to enhance the understanding of plant-derived bioactive peptides and provide valuable insights for further research and use in the food and medicine industries. Full article

Yogurt acid whey (YAW), a by-product of strained yogurt production, is a strong environmental pollutant because of its high organic load. Hence, efforts are made for its utilization to minimize its disposal in the environment. This study deals with the incorporation of YAW in yogurt ice cream (YIC) by partial replacement of yogurt with simultaneous lactose hydrolysis (LH) of the formulated YIC mix. Six YIC mix formulations were made, two without YAW (non-LH- and LH-control samples, A and AH), two with 12.5% YAW (samples B and BH), and two with 18.75% YAW (samples C and CH). The results showed that the partial replacement of yogurt with YAW decreased significantly (p < 0.05) the total solids of B, BH, C, and CH products (31.72 ± 0.14%, 31.92 ± 0.21%, 30.94 ± 0.14%, and 31.27 ± 0.10%, respectively) compared to the total solids of control products A and AH (33.30 ± 0.36% and 33.74 ± 0.06%, respectively). In contrast, the overruns increased (51.50 ± 2.36%, 58.26 ± 0.09%, 56.86 ± 1.92%, and 65.52 ± 1.30% for the B, BH, C, and CH products, respectively) compared to control samples (42.02 ± 2.62% and 49.53 ± 2.12% for A and AH, respectively). LH significantly decreased the freezing point and the viscosity of the YIC mixes but increased the overruns of the products as shown previously. YAW significantly decreased the hardness of the B and C products (56.30 ± 2.11 N and 43.43 ± 3.91 N, respectively) compared to control A (81.14 ± 9.34 N), and LH decreased it even more, leading to a rather soft scoop YIC. AH, BH, and CH YICs exhibited better melting properties despite the lack of fat destabilization in all samples. After 60 days of storage, counts of yogurt starter microorganisms were still >10⁷ cfu/g and DPPH radical scavenging activity had increased in all products. In the sensory evaluation test, lactose-hydrolyzed samples AH, BH, and CH had less intense sandiness and, as expected, more intense sweetness. In conclusion, in the framework of the circular economy, it is possible for the YAW to be used as a resource material at a ratio of 12.5% to produce a YIC product without leaving behind any new waste. Full article

The use of phytochemicals as natural food additives is a topic of interest for both academic and food industry communities. However, many of these substances are sensitive to environmental conditions. For this reason, encapsulation is usually performed prior to incorporation into food products. In this sense, ultrasound-assisted encapsulation is an emerging technique that has been gaining attention in this field, bringing important advantages for the production of functional food products. This review article covered applications published in the last five years (from 2019 to 2023) on the use of ultrasound to encapsulate phytochemicals for further incorporation into food. The ultrasound mechanisms for encapsulation, its parameters, such as reactor configuration, frequency, and power, and the use of ultrasound technology, along with conventional encapsulation techniques, were all discussed. Additionally, the main challenges of existing methods and future possibilities were discussed. In general, ultrasound-assisted encapsulation has been considered a great tool for the production of smaller capsules with a lower polydispersity index. Encapsulated materials also present a higher bioavailability. However, there is still room for further developments regarding process scale-up for industrial applications. Future studies should also focus on incorporating produced capsules in model food products to further assess their stability and sensory properties. Full article

The addition of yogurt to fruit smoothies enhances their nutritional value by introducing components not naturally found in fruit products. However, the addition of fermented products can affect the stability of fruit bioactive components in fruits, such as anthocyanins. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of varying yogurt additions (0, 10, 20, and 30%) on the stability of anthocyanins during a 4-week refrigerated storage period. The smoothies were obtained from purees of strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry, combined with apple juice and apple puree. In addition, to elucidate the causes of the observed changes in the smoothies, model studies were conducted using purified anthocyanin extracts obtained from the analyzed fruits. We assessed the effects of pH, hydrogen peroxide concentration, and the addition of cell-free extracts from Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus on changes in anthocyanin content during storage. We found that adding yogurt led to a decrease in anthocyanin stability during the 4-week cold storage period. Specifically, a 30% yogurt addition decreased anthocyanin stability in all tested beverages, while a 20% yogurt addition impacted the strawberry and raspberry smoothies. The degree to which yogurt affected anthocyanin stability was dependent on the source of the raw material. The most notable impact was observed in strawberry smoothies and the least in blueberry smoothies. The variability could be attributed to differences in anthocyanin profiles among the fruits, the chemical composition of the beverages, and the observed difference in the survival rates of lactic acid bacteria. Model studies showed that during the storage of anthocyanin extracts, the addition of hydrogen peroxide and cell-free extract had a significant effect, whereas pH within the examined range (3.0–4.5) did not affect anthocyanin stability. Full article

Although cold brew coffee is becoming increasingly popular among consumers, the long coffee extraction time is not conducive to the further development of the market. This study explored the feasibility of ultrahigh pressure (UHP) to shorten the time required for preparing cold brew coffee. The effects of pressure and holding time on the physicochemical characteristics and sensory evaluation of UHP-assisted cold brew coffee were also determined. The extraction yield; total dissolved solid, total phenol, and melanoid content; antioxidant capacity; and trigonelline and chlorogenic acid contents of UHP-assisted cold brew coffee increased as the pressure increased. The extraction yield and the total dissolved solid, total phenol, total sugar, and chlorogenic acid and trigonelline contents were higher when the holding time was longer. The HS-SPME-GC/MS analysis demonstrated that the furan, aldehyde, and pyrazine contents in coffee increased as the pressure and holding time increased. The pressure did not significantly impact the concentrations of volatile components of esters and ketones in coffee samples. However, the increase in holding time significantly increased the ester and ketone contents. The sensory evaluation results revealed that as pressure rose, the intensities of nutty, fruity, floral, caramel, and sourness flavors increased, whereas bitterness and sweetness decreased. Longer holding time increased nutty, caramel, sour, bitter, sweet, and aftertaste flavors. Principal component analysis (PCA) results indicated that holding time is a more crucial factor affecting the physiochemical indices and flavor characteristics of coffee. UHP can shorten the preparation time of cold brew coffee. Pressure and holding time significantly affected the physiochemical indices and volatile components of UHP-assisted cold brew coffee. UHP-assisted cold brew coffee had lower bitterness, higher sweetness, and a softer taste than conventional cold brew coffee. Full article

Adulteration of higher priced milks with cheaper ones to obtain extra profit can adversely affect consumer health and the market. In this study, pure buffalo milk (BM), goat milk (GM), camel milk (CM), and their mixtures with 5–50% (vol/vol) cow milk or water were used. Mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) combined with modern statistical machine learning was used for the discrimination and quantification of cow milk or water adulteration in BM, GM, and CM. Compared to partial least squares (PLS), modern statistical machine learning—especially support vector machines (SVM), projection pursuit regression (PPR), and Bayesian regularized neural networks (BRNN)—exhibited superior performance for the detection of adulteration. The best prediction models for the different predictive traits are as follows: The binary classification models developed by SVM resulted in differentiation of CM-cow milk, and GM/CM-water mixtures. PLS resulted in differentiation of BM/GM-cow milk and BM-water mixtures. All of the above models have 100% classification accuracy. SVM was used to develop multi-classification models for identifying the high and low proportions of cow milk in BM, GM, and CM, as well as the high and low proportions of water adulteration in BM and GM, with correct classification rates of 94%, 100%, 100%, 99%, and 100%, respectively. In addition, a PLS-based model was developed for identifying the high and low proportions of water adulteration in CM, with correct classification rates of 100%. A regression model for quantifying cow milk in BM was developed using PCA + BRNN, with RMSEV = 5.42%, and R_V² = 0.88. A regression model for quantifying water adulteration in BM was developed using PCA + PPR, with RMSEV = 1.70%, and R_V² = 0.99. Modern statistical machine learning improved the accuracy of MIRS in predicting BM, GM, and CM adulteration more effectively than PLS. Full article

Browning is one of the main phenomena limiting the production of fresh-cut sweetpotatoes. This study investigated the anti-browning effect of citrus peel extracts and the key components and modes of action associated with browning in fresh-cut sweetpotatoes. Five different concentrations of citrus peel extract (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 g/L) were selected to ensure storage quality; and the physical and chemical properties of fresh-cut sweetpotato slices were analysed. A concentration of 2 g/L of citrus peel extract significantly inhibited the browning of fresh-cut sweetpotatoes. The results showed that the browning index and textural characteristics of fresh-cut sweetpotatoes improved significantly after treatment with citrus peel extract; all the citrus peel extract solutions inhibited browning to some extent compared to the control. In addition; LC-IMS-QTOFMS analysis revealed a total of 1366 components in citrus peel extract; the evaluation of citrus peel extract monomeric components that prevent browning in fresh-cut sweetpotato indicated that the components with better anti-browning effects were citrulloside, hesperidin, sage secondary glycosides, isorhamnetin and quercetin. The molecular docking results suggest that citrullosides play a key role in the browning of fresh-cut sweetpotatoes. In this study, the optimum amount of citrus peel extract concentration was found to be 2 g/L. Full article

Chitooligosaccharide (CHOS), a depolymerized chitosan, can be prepared via physical, chemical, and enzymatic hydrolysis, or a combination of these techniques. The superior properties of CHOS have attracted attention as alternative additives or bioactive compounds for various food and biomedical applications. To increase the bioactivities of a CHOS, its derivatives have been prepared via different methods and were characterized using various analytical methods including FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. CHOS derivatives such as carboxylated CHOS, quaternized CHOS, and others showed their potential as potent anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, neuroprotective, and anti-cancer agents, which could further be used for human health benefits. Moreover, enhanced antibacterial and antioxidant bioactivities, especially for a CHOS-polyphenol conjugate, could play a profound role in shelf-life extension and the safety assurance of perishable foods via the inhibition of spoilage microorganisms and pathogens and lipid oxidation. Also, the effectiveness of CHOS derivatives for shelf-life extension can be augmented when used in combination with other preservative technologies. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the production of a CHOS and its derivatives, as well as their potential applications in food as either additives or nutraceuticals. Furthermore, it revisits recent advancements in translational research and in vivo studies on CHOS and its derivatives in the medical-related field. Full article