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The current investigation was done to study the impact of adding banana peel powder (BPP) and treatment with microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) on the structure, physicochemical, antioxidant, and sensory qualities of yoghurt prepared from camel milk powder during cold storage. BPP analysis showed that it contained high amounts of total phenolics, which were accompanied by strong antioxidant activity. When employed alone or with BPP, MTGase polymerises yoghurt proteins, forming a structure with a high molecular weight above the stacking gel and lacking pores. The levels of protein, total phenolic compounds (TPC), total solids, ash, and antioxidant activity (DPPH – 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) increased after the addition of BPP to yoghurt, even after 21 days of storage. Adding BPP to yoghurt initially decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, which then increased with the storage time. Yoghurt made with BPP and treated with MTGase was more stable with enhanced physicochemical, antioxidant, and sensory qualities during storage when compared to yoghurt made with MTGase alone. The results of the study demonstrated that MTGase is capable of cross-linking yoghurt proteins and that BPP can be applied as a stabiliser, antioxidant, and functional component in yoghurt production.

Dioscorea species possess valuable properties that make them suitable for use in food production. This study characterised doughs made with flours from two species of Dioscorea by evaluating their nutritional, rheological and textural properties for use in baking. Dioscorea composita flour had a higher crude fibre content (1.5% ± 0.11), while Dioscorea bulbifera flour exhibited higher antioxidant content [930.5 mg GAE · (100 g)^–1 dry matter] and better protein digestibility (89.06% ± 0.7%). Wheat flour was substituted with Dioscorea flour (0–30%) to make composite doughs. Doughs containing D. composita exhibited superior biaxial extensibility (41.22 ± 11.9 mm at 20% substitution), compared to the control (21.4 ± 2.7 mm), indicating their potential for use in bread production. Meanwhile, doughs containing 20% or more D. bulbifera flour were more suitable for products such as biscuits or pitta bread. However, all composite doughs were harder to handle, likely due to gluten dilution and component interactions, regardless of the Dioscorea species used. Therefore, the Dioscorea species used in this study could be considered promising candidates for inclusion in suitable bakery products.

Elderberries belong to the spontaneous flora of Sambucus nigra L., being considered wild fruits and even improper to be consumed. Dark violet-black and slightly glossy elderberry fruits are rich in bioactive compounds such as agglutinin, total anthocyanins and polyphenols. The importance of heating is claimed by the seasonal and toxic specific elderberry fruits. Moreover, the need to transform the fruits from not suitable for consumption into functional products and to prolong the shelf life of the product should be highlighted. Based on these affirmations, the aim of the study was to preserve the elderberries as jam with or without refined sugar. Phytochemical, textural, colour and sensory analyses were used to characterize three samples of jams (one without sugar, one with refined sugar and one with stevia sugar). The samples with stevia sweetener addition showed the highest values of anthocyanins (1.43 ± 0.16 mg·g^–1 dry matter, DM) among the processed samples; as for the raw fruits, the anthocyanin content showed a decrease. The antioxidant activity determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay revealed similar values between all the analysed elderberry jams. In accordance with the other results, the most appreciated sample by the sensory evaluation was the sample with stevia sweetener. As a conclusion, the total sugar substitution could contribute to a more valuable matrix than the original one. The novelty of the study consists in the use of such popular spontaneous flora of Sambucus nigra L. berries and in a change of the inedible character of the raw fruits into edible functional foods with a prolonged shelf-life.

The aim of this work is to characterize the physicochemical and techno-functional properties of dried fig flour to investigate its effect on the qualities of biscuits on the one hand and to encourage the use of this aromatic and medicinal plant in the agri-food industry. During this study, figs and wheat grains were dried and subsequently ground to obtain a flour that was used in various proportions of 0%, 50% and 100%, respectively in the manufacture of the biscuit. The flours were examined for proximate composition, polyphenol and tannin levels, along with functional properties. Flour derived from dried figs showed higher levels of crude ash, sugar, fiber, polyphenol and tannin, as well as greater water absorption capacity and density. The results indicated that incorporating dried and rehydrated fruits increased the total antioxidant activity of the biscuits compared to the control sample. The detailed organoleptic analysis, conducted through a tasting test revealed that all tasters found the dry biscuits acceptable. Biscuits formulated with 50% fig powder exhibited improved sensory attributes, including attractive colour, a crispy texture, and a more pronounced flavour. The use of this aromatic and medicinal plant in the food industry, particularly in biscuit production, holds significant potential. It enhances the nutritional value while imparting a sweet taste, distinctive flavour and natural colour. Additionally, its use contributes to improving the functional attributes of biscuit products, offering a sustainable approach to valorizing dried fig flour.

Chinese Baijiu distillers' spent grains (DSGs), a major byproduct of liquor production containing valuable polyphenols, face disposal challenges because of their high moisture content and rapid spoilage. In this study, an optimised cellulase-assisted extraction process was developed for DSG polyphenols (DGPs), and their stability and antioxidant capacity were comprehensively characterised. The extraction yield of DGP was determined as the primary response variable to evaluate the effectiveness of the process. A central composite design (CCD) was employed to optimise key operational parameters: enzyme concentration, enzyme temperature and liquid–solid ratio. Results demonstrated that the optimal process conditions were a cellulase dosage of 4.0%, an enzyme temperature of 50 ^ºC and a liquid–solid ratio of 40 mL·g⁻¹, obtaining a polyphenol yield of 4.20 ± 0.10 mg·g⁻¹. Stability assessment indicated that DGP retained 68.9 ± 1.8% of the phenolic content after 7 days of frozen storage at −18 ^ºC, exhibiting better preservation than storage under refrigeration (47.9 ± 2.1%) and room temperature (45.5 ± 3.2%) conditions. Antioxidant assays showed concentration-dependent (0.50–8.0 µg·mL⁻¹) scavenging capacities for ABTS (IC₅₀ = 6.0 µg·mL⁻¹) and DPPH (IC₅₀ = 2.8 µg·mL⁻¹). These findings offer valuable insights for the transformation of distillery byproducts into functional food ingredients while simultaneously addressing the challenges of solid waste management in alcoholic beverage production.

Leafy greens are important vectors for enteric viruses, including human noroviruses (HuNoV), which are a leading cause of foodborne disease. These viruses can contaminate the agricultural environment through untreated wastewater or direct contamination. While studies on HuNoV in vegetables have been conducted, few have focused on Morocco. This study aimed to detect HuNoV in leafy greens collected in the region of Marrakech region over a fifteen-week period (March–June 2023). For this purpose, 112 samples (coriander, lettuce and parsley) were collected and analysed using the ISO 15216-2:2019 method with minor modifications, after validation. The method involved eluting viruses using an alkaline buffer, concentrating them through polyethylene glycol precipitation, and detecting viral RNA via real-time RT-PCR. The applied method yielded variable recovery rates among the tested matrices, with coriander showing the highest recovery (1.5%), followed by lettuce (1.2%) and parsley (0.6%), confirming a significant matrix-dependent variation in HuNoV recovery (ANOVA, P < 0.001). This method enabled the assessment of leafy green contamination, which was found to be 0.89% (1/112). This study underscores the need to enhance detection methods to better assess the risks associated to noroviruses in leafy greens, with implications for human health.

Honey is one of the oldest traditional medicines that has been highly reputed and widely used for the treatment of several human diseases for thousands of years. The purpose of this study was to: (i) evaluate and compare the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of Shawkiat and Rabiee honeys with those of Manuka honey against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus; (ii) assess the anti-virulence potential of these honeys, by examining their impacts on the expression of five selected genes in E. coli and seven genes in S. aureus that have been previously shown to be involved in the microcolony, biofilm and virulence in the test organism. The antibacterial, antibiofilm and anti-virulence activities of these honeys against both bacteria were investigated by agar well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), growth curve, time-kill curve, microtiter plate and reverse transcription-quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The susceptibility tests showed promising antibacterial activities of Shawkiat and Rabiee honeys compared with Manuka honey against E. coli and S. aureus. The results showed that Manuka honey possessed the lowest MIC value against both bacteria with 20% (w/v) MIC and MBC of 25% (w/v). Slightly higher MIC values were shown by Shawkiat and Rabiee honeys against both bacteria with 25% (w/v) MIC and 50% (w/v) MBC values compared with Manuka honey. Growth curves demonstrated no growth of the two bacteria after treatment with MIC of all the tested honeys. Shawkiat and Rabiee honeys showed that both bacteria lost viability comparably with Manuka honey. The lowest concentration of Shawkiat and Rabiee honeys was able to inhibit and eradicate the biofilm of both bacteria compared with Manuka honey. The qPCR analysis showed that the expression of all the selected genes in both bacteria after treatment with all the tested honeys was downregulated and shared a similar overall pattern of gene expression, with a trend toward reduced expression of the virulence genes of interest. The results of this study indicate that Jordanian honeys possess antibacterial, antibiofilm and anti-virulence activities comparably with Manuka honey. This study revealed that Jordanian honey compared with Manuka honey inhibits E. coli and S. aureus planktonic cells and biofilm through the downregulation of genes required for growth, biofilm formation and motility.

Coumarins and pyridines are a promising class of naturally occurring bioactive heterocycles with unique physical and chemical properties. Compounds containing the coumarin framework possess a wide range of pharmacological, biological, and physiological activities, which makes them important for application in medicine, the food industry and agriculture. Among all coumarins' properties, it was found that coumarins may prevent fungal growth, depending on substituents linked to the coumarin core. Therefore, many coumarin derivatives have been investigated as potentially powerful agents in preventing and controlling fungal pathogens. This review summarises the latest research on coumarins and their antifungal activity to provide useful information for further developing more efficient coumarin-based fungicides.

Listeria monocytogenes can form biofilms on different food contact surfaces, increasing the risk of cross-contamination in food products. Weissella viridescens are Gram-positive bacteria and belong to lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of cell-free culture supernatant (CFS) from W. viridescens to control L. monocytogenes biofilms as well as their growth on chilled pork. Preliminary results suggest that the antibacterial compounds in W. viridescens CFS may be proteinaceous in nature. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of most L. monocytogenes strains tested was 30 mg mL^-1. Biofilm formation of L. monocytogenes 10403S on stainless steel and polystyrene was significantly inhibited by the sub-inhibitory concentration of W. viridescens CFS (1/8MIC, 1/4MIC, and 1/2MIC). Our results also showed that W. viridescens CFS at concentrations higher than MIC (1MIC, 2MIC, and 4MIC) was effective in eradicating the mature biofilms of 10403S strain on various surfaces. Dip applications of W. viridescens CFS could inhibit the growth of L. monocytogenes on chilled pork. On the whole, W. viridescens CFS has the potential to control biofilms as a natural antibiofilm and as an antibacterial agent to inhibit the growth of L. monocytogenes on chilled pork.

Pomelo peels, often overlooked in food processing, generate significant byproducts, especially in minimal processing setups. Rich in bioactive compounds, particularly in the green peel or flavedo, these peels offer versatile applications. This study focuses on two main aspects. Firstly, the characterisation of the Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. pomelo flavedo extract was carried out, with its phenolic composition and activities such as antioxidant, and antifungal properties assessed. Secondly, the impact of applying a pectin film enriched with this extract on pomelo storage at 8 °C was evaluated. The extract has a diverse phenolic composition, including catechin, chlorogenic acid, rutin, ellagic acid, quercitrin, quercetin, apigenin, and gallic acid, with gallic acid being the most concentrated at 54 mg·g^–1. While the extract showed free radical-scavenging activity, it was less effective than vitamin C; the extract also demonstrated antifungal effects on 7 mold and 1 yeast strains. The extract-infused pectin coating significantly reduced colour changes, respiration intensity, and weight loss in Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. pomelo. Additionally, it preserved ascorbic acid, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity content. Sensory evaluations favoured pomelo preserved with the supplemented coating over both pre-preserved and untreated samples.

Reports have shown that meat production operations today contribute to the climate crisis, facilitating the occurrence of infectious diseases, and contributing to environmental pollution. Consequently, the public demands alternatives to traditional meat, such as in vitro manufactured meat. Several authors have suggested that improvements should be made in the manufacturing of cell-cultured meat to make a more sustainable and scalable process. They recently proposed using microalgae as a sustainable system to produce important nutrients such as oxygen from cellular waste molecules of animal cultures such as ammonia and carbon dioxide. In this review, we discuss recent advances of different microalgae applications in the production of lab-grown meat, with special emphasis on their use as a replacement for fetal bovine serum (FBS) or culture media, as well as its applicability as a source of cell oxygenation and waste upcycling to extend the life of animal cell cultures. Also, we discuss the implementation and limitations of these algae systems in large-scale in vitro meat manufacturing.

The demand for beneficial, safe natural pigments is growing. Clitoria ternatea (CT) flowers are a promising source of natural blue colours and bioactive compounds. This study extracted intact CT flowers (CTFs) and their powders (CTFPs) with distilled water at various temperatures (30–90 °C) and durations (30–180 min). The total anthocyanin content (TAC) and total phenolic content (TPC) of the CT extracts were analysed by using the pH differential and Folin-Ciocalteu methods, respectively. The antioxidant activity was expressed as the ability to scavenge DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicals. The results showed that different sample types significantly (P < 0.05) influenced the TAC, TPC, and antioxidant activity. The optimal TAC and TPC extraction for CTF was at 90 °C for 90 min, and for CTFP at 90 °C for 30 min. Using hot water instead of 60% alcohol organic solvent was feasible for extracting the phytochemicals, particularly with CTF. Ultrasound-assisted extraction was notably effective for anthocyanins from intact flowers. Higher heating temperatures and pH values increased the anthocyanin degradation rate constants, while a higher pH decreased the activation energy. Thus, blue aqueous CT flower extracts, rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants, have the potential for use in foods and nutraceuticals with neutral and acidic pH values.

A rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS) method combined with intelligent knife (iKnife) method was developed to explore the geographical origin and characteristic differential components of Qianbei Ma lamb. The REIMS conditions were initially refined, with the cauterization duration of 3 seconds, and the auxiliary solvent flow rate set to 100 μL·min^–1 to prevent duplication. A database model was created from raw data through the proposed principal component analysis-linear discriminate analysis (PCA-LDA) in Live ID software, successfully applied to identify samples from 5 provinces in China and the real-time reliable identification rate with confidence higher than 99%. The obtained data by REIMS were used to establish the multivariate statistical models which using orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), provided strong the discrimination power between composition and content changes of 16 specific ions such as m/z 726.3952 and m/z 744.4050, etc., including fatty alcohols, fatty acids and phosphatidylserines in mutton of different origin and the model displayed validation [R²(Y) = 0.968, Q² = 0.924].

The nutritional quality of meat from pigs of the indigenous Prestice Black-Pied pig (PB) and the three-breed commercial hybrid of Large White × Landrace × Large White_sireline (CH) was compared using these indicators: content of intramuscular fat, protein, saturated fatty acids (SFA) and essential amino acids (EAAs). The protein content and energy value of PB and CH meat were 20.12% and 22.56%, and 426.77 kJ·(100 g)^–1 and 443.01 kJ·(100 g)^–1, respectively. The lowest fat content (1.33%) and SFA content (0.33%) were found in the meat of commercial hybrid pigs. Leucine and lysine were the most predominant EAAs detected. Valine and leucine are the limiting AAs in studied meat as a protein source for children at 0.5–2 years of age. The compositions of AAs in PB and CH pork fully meet the protein needs of children over 2 years of age and adults. The calculated amount of pork meat provides the required daily intake of AAs and ensures 5–8% energy for children and 8–11% energy for adults at moderate physical activity. In general, the meat of Prestice Black-Pied pig and of the commercial hybrid showed the high nutritional value and quality and it can be recommended for consumption in the diet by children and adults.

This review evaluates the role of food waste reuse in sustainable food production, its associated health benefits, and technological advances in bioactive ingredient extraction. The research demonstrates that recycling bioactive food ingredients not only reduces food waste but also increases nutritional value, supports sustainability goals, and creates economic opportunities in the food industry. The process has been shown to enable the development of functional food ingredients, nutraceuticals (health-promoting food supplements), and biodegradable packaging solutions. The integration of biotechnological applications, microbial fermentation, and innovative processing methods has the potential to utilise food waste in the production of value-added products such as functional foods, biomaterials, and biofuels. The development of renewable technologies further enhances this potential. Overcoming safety risks, optimising extraction processes, and implementing global policies supporting food waste recycling are key to making sustainable solutions more effective and widespread. As new approaches emerge in research, the reuse of food waste and, therefore, achieving the zero waste goal will be facilitated by reducing the need for raw materials and increasing the added value in the food industry.

This study systematically evaluated the effects of four thermal processing methods-boiling, steaming, extrusion, and roasting-on the physicochemical properties and in vitro antioxidant activity of black beans. Notably, ash content decreased following boiling and steaming, reaching 45.5 mg·g–1 and 43.5 mg·g–1, respectively, corresponding to reductions of 8.5% and 13.3%. In contrast, extrusion and roasting led to moisture loss, resulting in ash content increases of 3.2% and 6.8%. Among the treatments, boiling significantly increased powder clumping (5.1%), primarily due to elevated moisture content, a value markedly higher than that observed for other methods. Both boiling and steaming diminished brightness, while extrusion deepened colour intensity and enhanced redness. Regarding chemical composition, polyphenol content declined after boiling and steaming (3.8 mg·g–1 and 2.9 mg·g–1, respectively) relative to untreated black bean powder (4.3 mg·g–1). Extrusion, however, elevated polyphenol levels, whereas all heat treatments reduced flavonoid content, with boiling exerting the greatest impact. Antioxidant activity also declined post-processing, with boiling having the most pronounced effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine (DPPH) radical scavenging and steaming most affecting hydroxyl radical elimination. Extrusion emerged as the optimal processing method for black beans, and superior retention of bioactive compounds, enhanced antioxidant capacity, improved physicochemical properties (lower clumping, stable colour parameters). These findings could provide actionable insights for food industries to select processing methods that maximise nutritional value and functional properties of black bean products.

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is rich in ω-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and minerals, and has notable neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticancer, and antihypertensive properties. This research evaluated the effect of fresh purslane (FP) on the physicochemical and nutritional properties of ice cream, including α-linolenic acid (ALA; 18 : 3; ω-3), mineral content, and antioxidant properties, along with sensory characteristics. FP was added at 0, 5, 10, and 15% (w/w) levels. The addition of FP significantly increased the iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), sodium (Na), oleic acid (OA), and ALA contents (P < 0.05). FP also increased the first dripping and complete melting times, while decreasing overrun and viscosity. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) remained unchanged (P > 0.05), but total phenolic content (TPC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity significantly increased (P < 0.01). Thirty-one volatile compounds were identified, with increases in octadecane, dodecane, and 2-hexenal concentrations due to FP addition. Although the addition of FP improved the ALA content and antioxidant properties, sensory results showed that FP over 5% (w/w) lowered taste and general acceptability scores. Thus, using 5% of FP in ice cream is optimal for enhancing nutritional properties.

Snails, which are high in protein, have the potential to be developed as a flavour enhancer through the hydrolysis process. However, consumer acceptance of the flavour enhancer needs to be fully evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine the consumer acceptance of a snail protein hydrolysate from different snail species (golden apple, apple, and freshwater) and at different hydrolysis durations (3, 6, and 9 h), and to identify the drivers of liking of snail protein hydrolysates through descriptive profiling using Rate-All-That-Apply (RATA) method and consumer testing using Hedonic test. The RATA intensity data were subjected to analysis using analysis of variance, followed by a Tukey's post hoc test (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the sensory profile data were analysed using principal component analysis and preference mapping. Snail species and hydrolysis time influenced the sensory profile of snail protein hydrolysate, with the longer hydrolysis time being the most liked. The most liked flavour enhancer derived from golden apple snail with 9 h hydrolysis time had a strong savoury aroma, salty taste, umami taste, lingering mouthfeel, and yellow colour. Additionally, it exhibited a moderate intensity of seafood aroma, a garlic taste, an umami aftertaste, a liquid mouthfeel, and a salty aftertaste. However, it had a low intensity of bitter aftertaste and burnt taste, and a very low intensity of sweet aroma, sweet taste, bitter taste, and bland taste. Thus, these findings highlight the importance of evaluating the efficacy of flavour enhancers and facilitate the identification of the optimal snail species and hydrolysis time according to consumer preference.

This study aimed to obtain buckwheat bread by adding whole buckwheat to the white bread formulation in groat and flour form. The addition was made in different proportions (0, 10, 20, and 30%) according to the principle of substitution. Buckwheat addition, as groat, increased the bread's hardness to a great extent. Moisture analysis results indicated that the buckwheat additive can increase the water-holding capacity and may extend the shelf life, especially in flour form. The samples' antioxidant activities and phenolic content significantly increased when the addition was made as flour. All buckwheat-added samples had lower volume values than control samples. Buckwheat addition caused an increase in volatile components such as phenylethanol and benzylalcohol. As a result of sensory analysis, using buckwheat as flour and groat positively affected breadmaking. Considering the samples' nutritional and sensory properties, the combination in which 20% buckwheat flour is added to the white bread formulation is the most appropriate use.

This study focused on the co-fermentation of goat milk with functional lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and traditional yoghurt starter culture. The fermentation process was optimised by single factor experiment and response surface methodology (RSM). The physicochemical and sensory properties of goat milk yoghurt were evaluated under chilled (4 °C) storage for 21 days. The optimised conditions were selected as the inoculum amount of Lactobacillus paracasei NM-8 (1.1 × 10⁷ CFU·mL^–1; CFU – colony forming unit), sucrose addition (6.8%) and fermentation temperature (41 °C). During milk coagulation, the pH declined to be 4.45 and the viable LAB number arrived at 8.77 log CFU·mL^–1. The content of exopolysaccharides (EPS) increased to be 2.13 g·L^–1. These changes led to the better viscosity (941.33–792.33 cP) and higher water holding capacity (63.24–56.20%) of yoghurt fermented using L. paracasei NM-8 in storage, compared with those of yoghurt without L. paracasei NM-8. This study provided a theoretical basis for eliminating the whey precipitation and rough texture of goat milk yoghurt.

Chilli peppers (Capsicum spp.) are important plants usually consumed as food or used as a spice or medicine. They contain a wide range of phytochemicals such as capsaicinoids, polyphenols (PPH), carotenoids (CC) and vitamins. This study aimed to quantify the contents of capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, total PPH, phenolic acids (PHA) and total CC, and the antioxidant activities of the chilli peppers Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, Bhut Jolokia, Habanero Red, Habanero Maya Red, Habanero Red Savina, Jamaica Rosso, Serrano, and Jalapeño. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to quantify the contents of the bioactive compounds. The capsaicin contents in the peppers ranged from 2.1 to 124.2 mg·g^–1, the dihydrocapsaicin content ranged from 5.1 to 151.3 mg·g^–1, the total PPH content ranged from 3.53 to 25.9 mg GAE·g^–1, and the total CC content ranged from 114.7 to 1 390.8 μg·g^–1. The chlorogenic acid content was highest in Habanero Red (82.6 µg·g^–1). The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl test of free-radical scavenging activity indicated that the ethanolic extract of the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion pepper had the highest antioxidant activity correlated with the contents of phenolic substances.

The purpose of this study was to assess the amino acid and fatty acid profiles of swamp buffalo meat (Bubalus bubalis) obtained from a local market. The extractable free amino acids and free fatty acids of raw and cooked loin (Longissimus lumborum: LL) and round (Semimembranosus: SM) buffalo meat were analysed. These experiments were performed in a 2 × 2 factorial in randomised complete block design (RCBD) and there were four treatments combinations, including raw-loin, cooked-loin, raw-round and cooked-round with five replications. The results revealed the amino acid composition for the raw-loin included leucine [4.51 mg·(100 g)^–1 sample) and isoleucine [4.56 mg·(100 g)^–1 sample], whereas methionine, aspartic acid and asparagine were the least common amino acids found in both raw and cooked swamp buffalo meat [0.002, 0.020 and 0.034 mg·(100 g)^–1] of the sample. The amino acid composition of the cooked meat decreased by 50% as compared to raw meat. Swamp buffalo meat contains 10 fatty acids, including saturated fatty acids (SFAs) such as myristic acid (C14:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0) and docosanoic acid (C22:0); monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) such as palmitoleic acid (C16:1, n-7) and oleic acid (C18:1); and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as linoleic acid (C18:2, n-6, ω6), gamma-linolenic acid (C18:3, n-6, ω6), eicosatetraenoic acid (C20:5, n-3, ω3) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:4, n-6, ω6). Stearic acid (C18:0) was the most abundant saturated fatty acids found in the lipid component of buffalo meat. Other medium- and long-chain saturated fatty acids (C14:0, C16:0, C22:0) contributed to around 3–4% of the total fatty acid composition. The most abundant MUFAs and PUFAs were oleic acid (C18:1) and eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5). The PUFA/SFA ratio, total polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3, total polyunsaturated fatty 64 acids n-6, and n-6/n-3 ratios were not significantly different between raw and cooked buffalo meat.

Triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) is a hybrid cereal prepared by crossing wheat and rye. Triticale grain contains substances that have a positive effect on reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer, and type 2 diabetes, as well as increasing body's immune response and intestinal function, which warrants a need for greater attention to research on triticale crop's nutritional composition. This review covers the most recent research on the nutritional composition of triticale grain in comparison to other cereals, its role in the food industry, and its usage as a food, providing a scientific foundation for triticale's further development as a sustainable crop. Due to the wide variety of chemical compounds revealed in triticale grain, it has the potential to be utilised as a substitute cereal for various food and beverages.

Chicken eggshell, a poultry waste material, is a potential but poorly recognised source of calcium that can be used by humans to increase their dietary calcium intake by incorporating it into foods. This study was aimed at assessing the effects of eggshell powder supplementation at 5, 10, 15, and 20% levels on the chemical composition, sensory characteristics, and calorific value of the biscuits. Calcium absorption from supplemented biscuits was also determined. The inclusion of eggshell powder resulted in significant variations in the chemical composition of biscuits. It profoundly increased the mineral content, mainly calcium from 43.57 mg 100 g^-1 to 1 054.7, 2 186.7, 2 941.6, and 3 843 mg 100 g^-1 at 5, 10, 15 and 20% supplementation level, respectively. Substantial changes in the sensory quality of biscuits were also observed with corresponding rises in eggshell addition levels. Biscuits prepared with 5 and 10% supplementation levels were found acceptable in terms of sensory attributes. The in vivo study affirmed the absorption of calcium from eggshell powder and it was found highest (41.83%) at 5% supplementation level. Conclusively, supplementation of biscuits with eggshell powder might be an attractive source of dietary calcium intake without any significant adverse effects on biscuits quality up to 10% supplementation level.

Northeast China boasts abundant resources of cold mountain grapes. This study focused on three varieties of cold mountain grape brandy, Beibing Hong (BBH), Shuanghong (SH), and Zuoshanyi (ZSY), with varying ageing periods to investigate changes in their physicochemical properties, nutrients, and aroma compounds. Results showed that alcohol content and pH gradually decreased with ageing, while total acidity (including inorganic acids) increased. Specific organic acids declined over time, whereas polyphenolic compounds increased with longer ageing. Furthermore, the total quantity of aroma substances in all three brandies was positively correlated with ageing duration, with 18-month-aged BBH brandy exhibiting the highest content and the richest aromatic variety. Clustering analysis via heat maps revealed that brandies aged 12 and 18 months grouped together, showing that ageing time correlated positively with most esters and alcohols and negatively with acids. No significant variations were observed in the contents of terpenes, aldehydes and ketones among the three brandy varieties.

Extensive research studies worldwide have discussed and analysed the effect of processing conditions on the nutritional aspects of Western types of bread; however, the literature on Arabic bread processing is very limited. This study aims to determine the effect of baking temperature and time on the retention of B vitamins in a pocket-forming Arabic flatbread model system. High-crumb flat Arabic bread (Thick Kmaj) was prepared by the straight dough method from three types of flour (patent, straight grade, and whole wheat) fortified with B vitamins. Doughs were fermented and proofed for 0, 30, 60, and 90 min and baked at five temperatures (250, 300, 350, 400, and 450 °C) for three different baking times (1, 2, and 3 min). Baking at lower temperatures (i.e. < 300 °C) resulted in higher B-complex vitamin retention values (more than 90%). Vitamin B6 showed exceptional retention values (about 100%), though these decreased by increasing the baking temperature. Vitamin retention levels in the produced Arabic bread samples are similar to those found in pan and other high-crumb bread types when baked at lower temperatures. Results are expected to positively impact the output and economics of the flour fortification process, as it can be helpful material for upcoming micronutrient survey studies to assess fortification process outcomes.

The present investigation explored the possible use of Thymus vulgaris essential oil (TVEO) as a beverage antifungal preservative instead of chemical ones. The chemical profile of TVEO exposed carvacrol (60.47%) as the predominant compound. The antifungal properties of TVEO were assessed on various food spoilage yeast and mould species using two tests. TVEO showed a powerful antimicrobial effect against all the fungal strains at the three volumes of essential oil (EO) used (i.e. 10, 20, and 30 µL). The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of TVEO was also evaluated and ranged from 0.0625% to 0.015% (v/v). Furthermore, the potency of TVEO as a beverage antimicrobial preservative was tested at four distinct concentrations (0.6, 1.25, 4, and 6 μL·mL^–1) against Saccharomyces cerevisiae alone and combined with medium heating (70 °C for 2 min) in a real food matrix (Orangina^® drink) for eight storage days. TVEO exhibited a significantly higher preservative effect than chemical preservatives (sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate). Lastly, a molecular docking examined the mechanism of action of carvacrol against two crucial enzymes in S. cerevisiae viability [ERG2 (sterol C8-isomerase) and ERG3 (sterol C5-desaturase)] compared to a chemical preservative (potassium sorbate). The two ligands highly interacted with the two target enzymes. However, carvacrol achieved a better score than potassium sorbate against ERG2 and ERG3, with binding energy of –10.19 kcal·mol^–1 and –11.73 kcal·mol^–1, respectively. Our results open up the perspective of using TVEO as a natural food preservative.

Abstract: To eliminate the unpleasant odour and produce more flavour, enzymatic hydrolysis with bromelain (Bro), papain (Pap), and Bro + Pap and boiled with maltose were applied in pig trotters. In this study, Pap, Bro, and a combination of Bro + Pap were dissolved in a saline solution to treat pig trotters. Results showed that the Bro + Pap treatment produced more amino acids, and the boiled + roasted with sugar of Bro + Pap treatment could significantly reduce aldehydes (nonanal and octanal) associated with the formation of off-flavour. Additionally, it increased the content of esters (ethyl propionate, ethyl isobutyrate, ethyl isovalerate, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, and butyl acetate) in pig trotters, resulting in a more pleasing flavour. Electronic nose signals and sensory evaluation experiments further confirmed these findings. Moreover, the deodorising and aroma-enhancing process also improved their overall eating quality.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate current nutritional guidelines of modern diets based on medical and nutrition facts and their effect on gut microbiota and health, considering current recommendations of world authorities such as FAO and WHO. For this purpose, the first part is devoted to the impact of microbiota on human health, and special attention is committed to the effect of fibre on gut microbiota. The second part is dedicated to the fundamental division of diets and the evaluation of concrete nutritional guidelines of modern diets into microbiota and health, followed by the recommendations of global authorities. Modern diets include diets from the point of view of medical science (e.g. Mediterranean), promoted by nutritionists and authorities (e.g. Nordic) and by social trends (e.g. vegan). The evaluation summarises that high-fibre diets have tremendous benefits on human health. Diets with fresh, local and naturally fermented food positively impact the gut microbiota, hence human health (agrarian diets). The results of the review show that the nutritional guidelines associated with the lowest mortality are the Mediterranean with the Atlantic or Nordic diet, which is in line with the recommendation of the world authorities (FAO, WHO, UN). The low-fibre western diet with highly processed foods with no or very low levels of live bacteria appears to be high-risk in terms of preventing civilisation diseases with a negative impact on gut microbiota, which is in line with current FAO and WHO guidelines.

Because grape pomace powder (GPP) contains abundant phenolic chemicals and fibres, GPPs can serve as a filler in developing novel food products. This study examined how the GPP amounts affected a composite flour's physicochemical properties and bakery snacks' chemical, technical, and sensory properties. The experimental procedure involved replacing wheat flour (WF) with GPP at 5–20% while maintaining 100% WF as the control. The addition of GPP resulted in a significant decrease in the oil absorption capacity (P ≤ 0.05), while the rehydration index and water absorption capacity increased (P ≤ 0.05). The peak length (5.44–5.90 min), pasting temperature (70.20–80.92 °C), peak viscosity (124.72–172.80 RVU; RVU – relative value unit), trough viscosity (60.76–82.04 RVU), breakdown viscosity (69.56–93.74 RVU), final viscosity (162.70–222.30 RVU), and setback viscosity were measured. The addition of GPP to the composite flour and snacks decreased the lightness (L*) and increased the redness (a*) and yellowness (b*). The items' higher dietary fibre (DF) allowed them to claim 'high fibre content' when the maximum GPP was added. The GPP also increased the snacks' total solids, protein, ash, fibre, total phenolics content (TPC), and antioxidant capacity. The sensory acceptability of the snacks made with 5–10% GPP instead of WF was higher.