Search Results (756)

Background/Objectives: Fortified eggs have been proposed as food-based vehicles for delivering micronutrients and other bioactive compounds. However, human intervention evidence remains fragmented across nutrient targets, populations, intervention designs, and outcome domains. This review mapped human intervention studies and summarized the reported nutritional and health-related outcomes associated with fortified egg consumption. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and SinoMed were searched for studies published in English or Chinese from 1 January 2005 to 1 June 2025. Eligible studies were human intervention studies evaluating fortified, enriched, or bio-enhanced eggs and reporting at least one nutritional or health-related outcome. Owing to substantial heterogeneity in nutrient type, intervention design, comparator, duration, and outcome assessment, findings were synthesized narratively. Results: Thirty-seven human intervention studies met the eligibility criteria. Most evaluated eggs enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, followed by carotenoid-enriched eggs, whereas relatively few examined iodine or other fortified nutrients. Across studies, fortified egg consumption was generally associated with improvements in intake estimates and biomarkers of targeted nutrient status, including circulating fatty acids, serum carotenoids, and, in a limited number of studies, urinary iodine. Evidence for downstream health-related outcomes was more limited, inconsistent, and difficult to compare across nutrient categories and study populations. Conclusions: Fortified eggs may serve as useful food-based vehicles for improving the delivery of selected nutrients and short-term nutrient-status biomarkers. However, the evidence base remains heterogeneous and nutrient-specific, and it is still uncertain whether these changes translate into consistent, clinically meaningful health benefits. Larger, longer-term, and more rigorously reported trials, particularly in populations at nutritional risk, are needed. Full article

Background/Objectives: Iron is an essential element for human health, with natural sources and fortified foods being the main contributors to intakes. In the context of setting safe maximum levels (SMLs) in food supplements and fortified foods in the EU, it is necessary to understand the current role of fortified foods in the diet and the potential impact of any regulatory changes. This study used three modelling scenarios to investigate the impact of removing voluntary iron fortification of current iron-fortified foods on iron intakes in children. Methods: Data were based on the Irish National Children’s Food Survey II. The modelling scenarios were as follows: 1. removal of iron from all fortified foods; 2. removal of iron from fortified foods excluding ready-to-eat cereals (RTECs); and 3. removal of iron from fortified RTECs only. Usual intakes of iron, the prevalence of inadequate intakes, and risk of excess intakes were examined at baseline and for each scenario for the total population and consumers only. Results: Removing the iron-fortified component from all iron-fortified foods/RTECs only significantly increased the prevalence of inadequate intakes of iron from 20% to 50%, with significantly higher proportions of females (55–61%) having inadequate intakes compared to males (37–44%). There was negligible risk of excess iron intake at baseline and no further impact from any of the three scenarios. Conclusions: This study showed that removing voluntary iron fortification could carry a significant nutritional risk and should be carefully evaluated to ensure that the iron status of vulnerable population groups is not negatively impacted. Full article

Iron deficiency and associated anemia remain major public health concerns, requiring innovative food fortification systems with adequate technological and sensory performance. This study aimed to develop a multicomponent fortified gummy candy using heme iron from Cavia porcellus erythrocytes, non-heme iron from Feranin^®, and elderberry juice, integrated through microencapsulation and stabilized by vacuum foam drying. Erythrocytes were isolated, dehydrated, and microencapsulated in a tara gum–maltodextrin matrix, yielding a powder with 1.49 mg Fe/g dry matter. The microencapsulates exhibited compact morphology, lower polydispersity, and negative ζ potential, indicating suitable surface stability. Three gummy formulations (F1–F3) were prepared with different proportions of encapsulated erythrocytes, non-heme iron, and elderberry juice. Iron content increased significantly from 0.21 to 0.89 mg Fe/g of gummy candy. The formulations showed variations in water activity (0.84–0.88), moisture (33.79–40.22%), pH (4.64–6.15), soluble solids (41.00–46.67 °Brix), phenolic compounds (0.80–1.14 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (0.13–0.27 mg QE/g), and antioxidant capacity (1.53–3.75 µmol TE/g). FTIR and SEM confirmed structural preservation and matrix integration. Sensory evaluation showed comparable overall acceptability among formulations, with F3 showing higher mean ranks for flavor and texture. Overall, vacuum foam drying was a feasible strategy for valorizing animal-derived by-products in fortified gelled confectionery. Full article

Back-ground: In 2022, in Niger, undernutrition was highly prevalent in 6–23-month-old infants and their diet was poorly diversified. Methods: This cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Zinder region of Niger to monitor food and nutritional intakes from two food solutions, fortified infant flours (FIF) and ten nutritionally improved traditional recipes (NITR), in breastfed 6–11-month-old infants divided into four groups: control, responsive feeding (RF) awareness raising, RF + FIF, and RF + NITR. Data were collected at T0 (n = 322 infants) and 3 months later (T3, n = 300 infants). Results: At T0, 29% and 52% of infants had stunting and anemia, respectively, and 24% of them achieved minimum dietary diversity (MDD) in all groups. At T3, the MDD rates significantly increased, particularly in the RF + FIF and RF + NITR groups (71% and 81%, respectively). Food intake remained low in all groups, below the gastric capacity of children. Nevertheless, at T3, food intake was significantly higher in the RF + NITR group than in the other groups (p = 0.0209). Although porridges made with FIF were consumed in smaller quantities, thanks to their high energy density, the mean energy intake was higher in the RF + FIF group than in the control and RF groups. The energy intake of the RF + NITR group was even higher. This can be attributed to the fact that NITR-based meals were more varied, and colorful and offered different tastes and textures, thus appearing more appetizing and stimulating. Conclusions: A strategy that combines FIF and NITR appears relevant for improving nutritional intake in these contexts. Full article

This research focused on the formulation of a health-oriented, clean-label food product fortified with encapsulated bioactive compounds from Sambucus nigra, Aronia melanocarpa, and Echinacea purpurea. To evaluate the protection of these sensitive compounds during production and storage, a comprehensive characterization was performed. This included basic physicochemical analyses, phenolic profiling, antioxidant activity tests, as well as rheological and textural measurements. Furthermore, sensory analysis, consumer evaluation, and microbiological stability during storage were assessed. Results from Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses confirmed the structural integrity of the capsules post-processing. Additionally, the application of a starch–psyllium carrier ensured that the textural and rheological properties remained fully comparable to the control sample, preventing undesirable matrix alterations. Specifically, product hardness (1.17–1.23 N) and adhesiveness (8.17–8.94 N·s) were maintained at stable levels, while color alterations were minor and likely noticeable only to trained observers (ΔE* < 3.2). Microbiological evaluation demonstrated that the application of different formulated products effectively inhibited the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, with inhibition rates increasing from 3.4 to 39.7%. Collectively, the experimental data demonstrate that encapsulation is a highly effective strategy for fortifying fruit-based systems with sensitive extracts, successfully maximizing bioactivity retention while maintaining high product quality and sensory appeal. Full article

The growing prevalence of chronic degenerative diseases has increased interest in nutritional strategies based on natural bioactive compounds such as polyphenols. This study aimed to develop a polyphenol-fortified tomato juice using extracts from unripe green tomatoes and to evaluate its physicochemical, antioxidant, sensory, and storage properties. Polyphenolic extracts obtained from tomato by-products were characterized using spectrophotometric and HPLC analyses and incorporated into tomato juice, which was then pasteurized and stored for six months. Total polyphenol content increased from 40.97 to 82.45 mg GAE/100 g, decreasing to 71.44 mg after storage; HPLC confirmed higher levels of key phenolic compounds in fortified juice. DPPH antioxidant activity increased in fortified juice compared to control, since pasteurization had limited effects but decreased after storage, with a moderate reduction in bioactivity. Colorimetric and sensory analyses showed changes in color, aroma, and sweetness after storage, potentially affecting consumer acceptance, although overall composition remained largely stable. Overall, results demonstrate the feasibility of producing a polyphenol-enriched tomato juice from agro-industrial by-products with improved antioxidant properties and acceptable technological stability. These findings support the valorization of tomato processing waste and suggest potential applications in functional food development, human health promotion, and the sustainability of agri-food systems’ overall approach. Full article

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble secosteroid essential for skeletal development and calcium homeostasis, but it also exerts pleiotropic effects on numerous biological processes via its active metabolites. Vitamin D metabolites act as steroid hormones that regulate cell-cycle progression, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, immune responses, and multiple intracellular signaling pathways. Moreover, they modulate the expression of genes involved in carcinogenesis. As circulating vitamin D levels are influenced by diet, fortified foods, and supplementation, they represent a potentially modifiable factor. Whether vitamin D status affects cancer risk or disease progression in carriers of pathogenic BRCA1 variants remains unclear and continues to be actively investigated. Clarifying this relationship could have significant clinical implications for risk stratification and prevention in this high-risk population. This narrative review summarizes current evidence from epidemiological, clinical, and molecular studies examining the role of vitamin D in BRCA1 pathogenic variant carriers. It also highlights key limitations in the existing literature and identifies critical directions for future research, emphasizing the need for well-designed prospective studies in representative cohorts. Full article

Background: Synaptic plasticity in neurodegenerative disorders (NDs), cognitive impairment, and mental health conditions is regulated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Even healthy individuals have different levels, which are affected by complex epigenetic, inflammatory, and metabolic regulation. BDNF expression changes are associated with both typical and abnormal aging, as well as mental health conditions. These changes affect brain areas that are crucial for memory, such as the hippocampus and the parahippocampal cortex. Neurotrophins (NTs), including nerve growth factor (NGF) and BDNF, are essential for neuronal differentiation via tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) and the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR). Dysregulated NTs signaling contributes to synaptic dysfunction and neuroinflammation. Objective: This systematic review synthesizes preclinical evidence of the potential of naturally derived compounds to modulate NTs for neuroprotection and their incorporation into novel foods. Methodology: A review of major databases found studies that examined the impact of dietary polyphenols and other bioactive substances on NT signaling oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuronal plasticity. Results: Compounds such as epigallocatechin gallate, resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, and flavanols, can positively impact NTs, reducing reactive oxygen species/reactive nitrogen species, enhancing cell survival, and increasing the expression of trophic factors such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), NGF, and vascular endothelial growth factor in neural stem cells. However, their bioavailability, optimal dosage, and dietary interactions require further research. Conclusions: The consumption of BDNF-promoting foods can potentially stimulate BDNF synthesis, support optimal neurotransmission, and fortify neural plasticity. Evidence supports a polyphenol-rich diet for preventing NDs and promoting brain health. Observational studies consistently support the protective effects of polyphenols on brain health through their impact on the gut–brain axis. Full article

Iodine deficiency remains a major nutritional concern worldwide, and fermented dairy products are considered promising vehicles for iodine fortification. However, the chemical form of iodine may influence the physicochemical and microbiological stability of fermented dairy systems. This study aimed to compare potassium iodide and iodocasein as iodine sources for the fortification of a fermented dairy product and to evaluate their effects on product quality and iodine retention during refrigerated storage. Three formulations were produced: a control sample without iodine fortification and samples fortified with potassium iodide or iodocasein at a level of 25 µg iodine per 100 g of product. Samples were stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 7 days. Changes in pH, titratable acidity, syneresis, viscosity, viable counts of starter lactic acid bacteria, iodine retention, and sensory properties were evaluated during storage. The results showed that the iodine source significantly affected product stability. The potassium iodide-fortified sample exhibited greater post-acidification, increased syneresis, lower viscosity, and a more pronounced reduction in viable lactic acid bacteria during storage. In contrast, the iodocasein-fortified sample maintained physicochemical and microbiological characteristics closer to the control and demonstrated higher iodine retention. Fortification at the studied level did not significantly affect the basic composition or amino acid profile of the product. The findings indicate that iodocasein can improve iodine stability while preserving the quality characteristics of fermented dairy products, supporting its potential application in the development of iodine-enriched functional dairy foods. Full article

Colitis is a global health challenge that severely impairs quality of life, necessitating effective dietary interventions. This study investigated the protective effects of Ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids (GLTs) on pathological symptoms, inflammatory responses, and gut microbiota dysbiosis in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced murine model. Our results demonstrated that GLT intervention significantly attenuated the disease activity index (DAI), prevented colon shortening, and fortified gut barrier integrity through upregulating the transcription of tight junction proteins. GLT inhibited the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and bolstered antioxidant defenses (CAT) by controlling the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and upregulating the Nrf2 pathway. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics revealed that GLT reshaped the gut microbial landscape (enriching Enterorhabdus and Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group) and reconfigured amino acid metabolism to restore colonic homeostasis. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of GLT as a functional food ingredient to prevent colitis, potentially linked to the modulation of the microbiota–metabolite–immune interplay, offering a novel nutritional strategy for inflammatory bowel disease management. Full article

Malaysia plans to produce 80% of its rice requirement by 2030. To achieve the plan, new agronomic approaches have to be put in place to enhance the fertility of rice soils in the country. One of the options is to turn the infertile acid sulfate soils endemic in the low-lying coastal plains of Peninsular Malaysia into a new granary area. Using traditional agro-techs, rice yield in the area is below the national average of 4 t/ha/season. The low yield is due to soil acidity stress (pH < 4) together with Al³⁺ and/or Fe²⁺ toxicity. The critical pH for rice is 6, while the respective critical Al³⁺ and Fe²⁺ concentrations are 5.2 µM and 14.6 µM. The adverse conditions contributing to yield reduction can be resolved by applying appropriate soil amendments known to raise water pH, eliminating the toxic cations. The recommended agronomic practice is to apply ground magnesium limestone (GML) or ground basalt, or better still, apply GML or ground basalt in combination with bio-fertilizer, fortified with phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB). The PSB increases water pH as well as helps rice plants secrete organic acids that reduce the toxic effects of Al³⁺ and Fe²⁺ via chelation. When pH rises >5, the toxic metals are precipitated, forming inert hydroxides. Ultimately, rice yield can be increased from 3 to 5 t/ha/season, which can last more than three consecutive cropping seasons. If this agro-tech is adopted throughout ASEAN, food security in the region will be sustained. Full article

Today, consumers are interested in healthier food. Fortifying water kefir (WK) with gallic acid (GA) could enhance kefir’s health benefits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of GA-fortified WK (WK-GA) and pasteurization on physicochemical parameters and antioxidant capacity after an in vitro digestion. The results showed that WK-GA had significantly higher (p < 0.05) dry biomass than WK, 9.52 and 9.22 g/L, respectively. No significant differences were found (p > 0.05) at pH and °Brix kinetics. Antioxidant capacity kinetics using DPPH^• and ABTS^•+ showed that WK-GA maintained its antioxidant effect throughout the fermentation process, inhibiting free radicals by 89.9% and 98.6%, respectively. In FRAP, WK-GA reached 14.63 mM TE/mL, while WK had 4.19 mM TE/mL. Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity of the bioavailable fractions decreased in DPPH^• and FRAP, even after pasteurization. However, in the ABTS^•+ assay, the antioxidant capacity of the bioavailable fraction remained at 94% inhibition. These results demonstrate the potential to fortify WK with GA to improve the beverage without altering its physicochemical characteristics, thereby enhancing its antioxidant capacity. This opens the door for future studies examining the positive health effects of GA when used in a matrix like WK. Full article

Background/Objectives: Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that is essential for DNA synthesis, cell division and proper growth and development, particularly during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs). A large, fully randomized clinical trial (RCT) from the United Kingdom in 1991 (the Medical Research Council (MRC) Vitamin Study), where participants had a prior NTD-affected pregnancy, demonstrated a 72% reduction in NTD recurrence in the folic acid treatment group. Based on this data and the high rate of unplanned pregnancies, about 90 countries fortify cereal grains with folic acid with the goal to prevent NTDs during pregnancy. This critical narrative review and policy perspective addresses the difference between folate and folic acid and between supplementation and food fortification, critically evaluates the data in three recent publications supporting mandatory fortification of food products with folic acid, and presents the case for a more personalized medicine approach to the prevention of NTDs. Methods: Relevant literature was identified through PubMed searches using the keywords “fortification”, “folic acid”, and “systematic review” or by Googe Scholar Alerts. Three studies were identified based on relevance to the topic and publication dates between January and February of 2026. Results: There is a disregard in published studies, which use pre-fortification groups as controls, for the confounding issue of changing socioeconomic factors over time. Improved socioeconomic conditions are associated with subsequent decreases in NTD prevalence regardless of fortification. Conclusions: The efficacy of folic acid supplementation for recurrent NTDs is supported by evidence-based literature, but evidence in favor of mandatory food fortification to prevent NTDs is limited. Food fortification is widely debated, raises numerous ethical issues, and has broad implications for human health. Full article

Olive leaves are an abundant agro-industrial by-product rich in oleuropein, yet they remain largely underutilized. The objective of this study is to a) develop a green microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) method for an oleuropein-rich extract, b) encapsulate it into edible natural zeolite to form OLE@NZ nanohybrids, and, c) evaluate their application in fortified salt and active gelatin films. MAE using only water at 96 °C for 5 min yielded a dry extract with 25.4% (w/w) oleuropein and a total phenolic content of 781 mg GAE/100 mL. The extract was successfully adsorbed onto clinoptilolite-type zeolite and the resulting nanohybrids showed strong antioxidant activity (EC_50,DPPH = 2.74 mg, TPC = 426 mg GAE/g). A fortified salt containing 5% w/w OLE@NZ fully preserved the nanohybrid’s antioxidant activity. Extruded gelatin films incorporating 5–15% OLE@NZ exhibited a concentration-dependent increase in antioxidant activity (up to 14-fold higher than the blank film), together with a 5- to 7-fold enhancement, while maintaining good mechanical properties. The total phenolic content of the films correlated linearly with nanohybrid loading, with phenolic recovery of 68% both at 5 and 10% loading and 58% at 15%). Overall, these findings demonstrate that MAE is a rapid, and environ-mentally friendly approach for obtaining oleuropein-rich olive leaf extract (OLE), while OLE@NZ nanohybrids provide effective antioxidant additives for functional salt formulations and active gelatin films, supporting a circular bioeconomy strategy. Full article

A novel method was developed for the rapid determination of five biogenic amines (BAs)—histamine (HIS), tyramine (TYR), cadaverine (CAD), spermidine (SPD), and spermine (SPM) in cold-chain fish by portable ion trap mass spectrometry with nano-electrospray(nESI) ionization. Samples were homogenized and extracted with aqueous solution containing 1% (v/v) formic acid and 80% (v/v) acetonitrile. With HIS-d4 as an internal standard, the sample solutions were directly injected with the nESI injection device and detected by a portable ion trap mass spectrometer at MS/MS detection mode. The results showed good linearity in the invested range of 0.2 (or 0.5)–10 μg mL⁻¹ with R² > 0.992, The limit of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) for HIS were less than 1.5 mg/kg and 4.0 mg/kg, respectively; the LOD and LOQ for other four BAs were less than 4.0 mg/kg and 12.5 mg/kg, respectively. Recoveries at three fortified levels ranged from 84.26% to 106.6% with relative standard deviations between 4.56% and 13.84%. With the safety limits of HIS as the concentrations of concern, this method demonstrated excellent performance when applied to the eligibility fast screening of HIS in cold-chain fish. The study provided a valuable methodological reference for the rapid detection of BAs in food. Full article