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Foods, Volume 13, Issue 20 (October-2 2024) – 6 articles

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11 pages, 999 KiB

Open AccessArticle

First Detection of Hepatitis E Virus RNA in Ovine Raw Milk from Herds in Central Italy

by Gianluigi Ferri, Luca Pennisi, Filiberto Malatesta and Alberto Vergara

Foods 2024, 13(20), 3218; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13203218 (registering DOI) - 10 Oct 2024

Abstract

HEV mainly enters animal and human hosts through the orofecal route, which presents a critical health concern alongside the associated environmental variable. Among products of animal origin, milk (both ovine and bovine) can harbor HEV RNA, which can potentially be transmitted to consumers. In this study, a total of 220 raw ovine milk samples were collected from Apennine breed subjects farmed (transhumance method) in three different Italian provinces, L’Aquila, Pescara, and Teramo, located in the Abruzzo region (Central Italy). All the specimens were screened using one-step real-time RT-qPCR and nested RT-PCR assays. Among them, 5/220 or 2.27% harbored HEV RNA fragments belonging to the ORF1 and ORF2 codifying regions of the genotype 3c. The average viral amount discovered was 10² GE/mL. These subjects represented 2/57 or 3.51% of the Pescara herd, and 3/105 or 2.86% of the Teramo herd. Although HEV RNA was discovered in sheep fecal samples, the original data obtained in the present study represent the first HEV RNA detection in ovine raw milk from Italy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Food Microbiology)

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12 pages, 515 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effectiveness, Challenges, and Environmental Impacts of New Food Strategies with Plant and Animal Protein Products

by Ziane da Conceição das Mercês, Natalia Maldaner Salvadori, Sabrina Melo Evangelista, Tatiana Barbieri Cochlar, Virgílio José Strasburg, Vanuska Lima da Silva and Viviani Ruffo de Oliveira

Foods 2024, 13(20), 3217; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13203217 (registering DOI) - 10 Oct 2024

Abstract

Sustainable food practices are intrinsically linked to human nutrition in the preservation of the ecosystem. This study, therefore, evaluates the effectiveness, challenges, environmental impacts, and new food strategies related to plant and animal products, with a view to promoting more sustainable and healthy eating practices. The search stages were conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Science Direct, and SciElo. The studies selected included those published from 2018 to 2024 and government documents, available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. The 34 articles analyzed in this study showed the environmental impacts related to the production of plant and animal proteins, highlighting the urgency of implementing changes in this sector. However, factors such as land use, carbon footprint, and water footprint show remarkable differences depending on the type of crop cultivated, agricultural practices adopted, and stages involved in the supply chain. As final considerations, the analysis suggests that achieving sustainability in food systems requires an integrate approach that combines the optimization of plant protein production with a reduction in environmental impacts and the development of technologies that that support the efficiency and resilience of the industry. Meeting the nutritional needs of the population in a sustainable way will only be possible through regional actions and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feeding the Future: Alternative Proteins for Sustainable Food Development)

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13 pages, 2881 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Water Content in Semidry Grinding on the Quality of Glutinous Rice Flour

by Tao Huang, Dan Ouyang, Shangyuan Sang, Caiming Li, Xiaosan Wang, Xiao Wang, Jiali Xing and Xiaohu Luo

Foods 2024, 13(20), 3216; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13203216 (registering DOI) - 10 Oct 2024

Abstract

The grinding process is one of the key factors affecting the quality of glutinous rice flour (GRF). As an emerging grinding method, semidry grinding aims to solve the problems of the high yield of wastewater in traditional wet grinding and the high content of damaged starch in dry grinding, in which the water content has a great influence on the quality of GRF. However, semidry grinding has not yet been formally put into production due to limitations such as the long time required to adjust the water content of rice grains. Therefore, this work was carried out to shorten the soaking time of glutinous rice (GR) by hot air pretreatment, and to conduct a systematic and in-depth study of the effect of water content on the quality of GRF, including water distribution, water hydration properties, thermal properties, rheological properties, and microstructure. The results showed that the GRF with higher water content had lower water solubility and higher enthalpy of pasting, which were due to the low content of damaged starch and the high degree of crystallization. The particle size of the GRF became smaller as the interaction between water and starch was enhanced and the GR was softened. In addition, the viscosity and elasticity of the GRF were also improved with an increase in water content. This work provides theoretical guidance for the improvement of semidry grinding to a certain extent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Grain)

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19 pages, 309 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changing Our Food Habits One Bite at a Time: Exploring Young Flexitarians in a Country with a High Meat Intake

by Tanja Kamin, Andreja Vezovnik and Irena Bolko

Foods 2024, 13(20), 3215; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13203215 (registering DOI) - 10 Oct 2024

Abstract

Flexitarian diets have gained attention for their potential positive impact on human health and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. However, a critical question remains: Can the segment of flexitarians significantly contribute to necessary changes in our current unsustainable food systems? Our study addresses this gap by examining meat consumption habits among young adults (n = 1023) in a country with traditionally high meat intake. Furthermore, we focus on a subset of flexitarians (n = 286). Our findings reveal two distinct groups of flexitarians: ethical (n₁ = 140) and utilitarian (n₂ = 148). Utilitarian flexitarians exhibit a stronger preference for meat (t(284)= −15.180, p < 0.001), greater food neophobia (t(284) = −4.785, p < 0.001), and lower environmental awareness (t(284) = 7.486, p < 0.001) compared to Ethical flexitarians. The Ethical group, predominantly female (χ²(1) = 13.366, p < 0.001), demonstrates higher life satisfaction (t(284) = 5.485, p < 0.001), better health perceptions (t(284) = 5.127, p < 0.001), and stronger beliefs in reducing meat consumption (t(284) = −8.968, p < 0.001). Additionally, Ethical flexitarians hold more positive views on plant-based meat, perceiving it as healthier (t(284) = 4.326, p < 0.001) and more ethical (t(284) = 4.942, p < 0.001), and show a greater willingness to adopt it (t(284) = 7.623, p < 0.001). While both groups possess similar knowledge and willingness regarding cultured meat and insects, Ethical flexitarians view cultured meat more favourably (t(250.976) = 2.964, p = 0.003). Our study provides insights into the evolving trends of flexitarianism within Central and Eastern European countries, where research on meat consumption and flexitarianism is scarce. These insights hold value for promoting behaviour change toward reduced meat consumption for both health and environmental reasons. Additionally, they offer guidance to the food industry, including producers, sellers, and providers of meals in educational and employment facilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Food Security and Sustainability)

15 pages, 2308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Non-Saccharomyces Yeast for the Production of Low-Alcohol Beer

by Krystian Klimczak, Monika Cioch-Skoneczny, Aneta Ciosek and Aleksander Poreda

Foods 2024, 13(20), 3214; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13203214 (registering DOI) - 10 Oct 2024

Abstract

In recent years, demand for low-alcohol and alcohol-free beers has been rising. Of the many methods of producing such beers, many have expensive implementation requirements or drawbacks in terms of beer quality. The exploration of non-Saccharomyces yeast species presents a promising opportunity to overcome these challenges. These yeasts, with their diverse metabolic capabilities and unique flavor profiles, offer the potential to create innovative and flavorful low-alcohol beers. The study investigates the feasibility of using selected non-Saccharomyces yeasts for brewing low-alcohol beers, focusing on fermentation kinetics, physicochemical parameters, and the sensory attributes of the final product. The evaluated yeast species were Kluyveromyces lactis MG971263, Metschnikowia pulcherrima MG971247 and MG971250, Torulaspora delbrueckii MG971248, Wickerhamomyces anomalus MG971261, and W. onychis MG971246. Two strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used as a control. The results of the study show that selected non-Saccharomyces yeast species might be used to produce low-alcohol beers. The non-Saccharomyces yeast allowed the researchers to obtain beers with an alcohol content in the range of 0.5–1.05%, while the control beer brewed with US-05 had an alcohol content of 3.77%. Among the evaluated strains, the strains M. pulcherrima MG971250 and T. delbrueckii MG971248 were found to be rated better in a sensory evaluation than the brewed and low-alcohol strains of S. cerevisiae. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends in the Latest Research on Fermented Beverages)

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20 pages, 8898 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simultaneous Detection of Eight Dairy-Derived Components Using Double-Tube Multiplex qPCR Based TaqMan Probe

by Yingying Su, Lu Meng, Jiaqi Wang, Yankun Zhao and Nan Zheng

Foods 2024, 13(20), 3213; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13203213 (registering DOI) - 10 Oct 2024

Abstract

The authentication of milk and dairy products has great significance for food fraud. The present investigation entailed the development of a novel method that amalgamates the double-tube approach with multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, incorporating TaqMan probes, to facilitate the high-throughput screening and detection of animal-derived constituents within milk and dairy products. Eight dairy-derived animal-specific primers and probes were designed for the mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) gene of eight dairy products, including cow, buffalo, yak, goat, sheep, horse, donkey, and camel. Through the developed double-tube detection assays, the above eight targets could be simultaneously identified with a detection limit of 0.00128–0.0064 ng/μL. The multiplex qPCR assay was effectively validated using simulated adulterated samples with different mixing ratios and demonstrated a detection limit of 0.1%. Upon analysis of 54 commercially available dairy products, a mislabeling rate of 33% was revealed. This method affords an efficacious means of detecting dairy product ingredients, thereby offering robust technical backing for market oversight and regulatory enforcement of milk and dairy products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Food Analytical Methods)

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