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Volume 11
Issue 14
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Foods, Volume 11, Issue 14 (July-2 2022) – 181 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): This work deals with the valorization of fruit industrial processing waste pretreated with two dehydration methods, air oven and lyophilization. Ultrasound-assisted extraction using a sonication probe was selected to recover the high-value fractions. A battery of experiments following a Box–Behnken design was planned to evaluate the effect of the ultrasound amplitude, extraction duration, and temperature on the yield, protein content, phenolic content, and antiradical capacity of the soluble extracts. Operating at a fixed frequency (24 kHz) and solid:water ratio (1:15), the models predicted (significance degree > 95%) the maximum extraction conditions of 69.7% amplitude, 53.43 °C, and 12 min for conventionally dehydrated fruit waste. View this paper
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22 pages, 1468 KiB  
Article
Conceptualization of Rice with Low Glycaemic Index: Perspectives from the Major European Consumers
by Diva Cabral, Susana Caldas Fonseca, Ana Pinto Moura, Jorge C. Oliveira and Luís Miguel Cunha
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2172; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142172 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3227
Abstract
Rice and cereal consumption has become a concern for consumers due to usually high glycaemic indexes (GI), which is a critical issue for a balanced and healthy diet. Therefore, the development of new products with low GI is an important target of the [...] Read more.
Rice and cereal consumption has become a concern for consumers due to usually high glycaemic indexes (GI), which is a critical issue for a balanced and healthy diet. Therefore, the development of new products with low GI is an important target of the industry, particularly in countries with high consumption. This study assesses consumers’ perceptions about “rice” and “rice with low GI” and evaluates the effect of consumers’ rice consumption profiles through the application of a free word association technique in a structured self-administered electronic questionnaire with 256 Portuguese consumers (the European market with the highest per capita consumption of rice by far). The frequency of rice consumption was evaluated, and the consumption profile was determined through a hierarchical cluster analysis, with 9% identified as daily consumers. The response words were categorized by the triangulation technique, and the association between the word categories and dimensions, sociodemographic characteristics, and consumption profile were determined. Respondents most frequently associated “rice” with rice dishes, its sensory attributes, and nutrition, highlighting the satisfaction of nutritional and hedonic needs. Consumers revealed positive expectations in relation to the functionality of “rice with low GI”. The consumers’ rice consumption profiles, sex, age, and educational levels influenced their perception towards “rice“ and “rice with low GI”. This study provides important insights for the industry to develop a consumer-oriented, low GI rice product. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Consumer Behavior and Food Choice—Volume II)
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19 pages, 5786 KiB  
Article
Effective Adsorption of Colorants from Sugarcane Juice by Bagasse-Based Biochar-Hydroxyapatite Composite
by Cheng Wang, Mengying Luo, Caifeng Xie, Kai Li, Fangxue Hang, Changrong Shi and William O. S. Doherty
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2171; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142171 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3438
Abstract
The clarification of sugarcane juice is a crucial stage in the sugar manufacturing process, as it affects evaporator performance, sugar quality and yield. The emergence of environmentally friendly and efficient adsorption technology has resulted in widespread interest in carbon-based materials. However, their low [...] Read more.
The clarification of sugarcane juice is a crucial stage in the sugar manufacturing process, as it affects evaporator performance, sugar quality and yield. The emergence of environmentally friendly and efficient adsorption technology has resulted in widespread interest in carbon-based materials. However, their low adsorption capacity and reusability make them unsuitable for processing sugarcane juice. Here, we provide a cost-effective and sustainable method to dope hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanoparticles on porous carbon (BBC) derived from sugarcane bagasse (BBC-HAP). The composite shows excellent adsorption capacity for color extract from sugarcane juice of 313.33 mg/g, far more effective than the commercially available carbon-based adsorbents. Isotherm studies show that the adsorption of BBC-HAP composite to the colorants is a monolayer process. The pseudo-first-order (PFO) and pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic models demonstrate that the adsorption process is dominated by chemisorption and supplemented by physical adsorption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Food Engineering and Technology)
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18 pages, 590 KiB  
Article
Norwegian Consumers’ Skepticism towards Smoke-Flavoring of Salmon—Is It for Real?
by Lene Waldenstrøm, Marte Berg Wahlgren, Åse Strand, Jørgen Lerfall and Mari Øvrum Gaarder
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2170; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142170 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2236
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to explore Norwegian consumers’ attitudes toward smoke-flavoring of cold smoked salmon (CSS), by conducting a digital survey and focus group discussions. Some of the smoke-flavoring techniques, like atomized purified condensed smoke, is considered healthier than conventional [...] Read more.
The aim of the present study was to explore Norwegian consumers’ attitudes toward smoke-flavoring of cold smoked salmon (CSS), by conducting a digital survey and focus group discussions. Some of the smoke-flavoring techniques, like atomized purified condensed smoke, is considered healthier than conventional smoking. Manufacturers of CSS are, however, hesitant to use all kinds of smoke-flavoring due to expected consumer skepticism. In the digital survey, the expected skepticism was confirmed (n = 487). Only 15% of the respondents were positively oriented toward smoke-flavoring of CSS. The selection criterion for the focus group discussion was based on the results from the survey and resulted in three attitude-oriented focus groups (negative, neutral, and positive). The negative focus group considered smoke-flavored CSS to be unnatural and out of the question to buy or eat. Unlike the negative focus group, the neutral group was curious to learn more and open to potential smoke-flavor benefits. However, credible information or science was crucial to influence CSS choice. Future studies may investigate whether the existent of this large group of curious neutral consumers (47% of the respondents) influence manufacturers (of CSS) skepticism or how various types of product information could steer consumer acceptance of smoke-flavoring of CSS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sensory and Consumer Sciences)
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19 pages, 7337 KiB  
Article
Total Flavonoids from Chimonanthus nitens Oliv. Leaves Ameliorate HFD-Induced NAFLD by Regulating the Gut–Liver Axis in Mice
by Wenya Meng, Zitong Zhao, Lingli Chen, Suyun Lin, Yang Zhang, Jing He, Kehui Ouyang and Wenjun Wang
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2169; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142169 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3395
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the chronic liver diseases with high incidence in the world. This study aimed to investigate whether total flavonoids from Chimonanthus nitens Oliv. leaves (TFC) can ameliorate NAFLD. Herein, a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD mice model [...] Read more.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the chronic liver diseases with high incidence in the world. This study aimed to investigate whether total flavonoids from Chimonanthus nitens Oliv. leaves (TFC) can ameliorate NAFLD. Herein, a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD mice model was established, and TFC was administered orally. The results showed that TFC reduced the body weight and liver index and decreased the serum and hepatic levels of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC). TFC significantly reduced the activity of liver functional transaminase. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) decreased by 34.61% and 39.57% in serum and 22.46% and 40.86% in the liver, respectively. TFC regulated the activities of oxidative-stress-related enzymes and upregulated the protein expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase (HO-1) pathway in NAFLD mice, and the activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in serum were increased by 89.76% and 141.77%, respectively. In addition, TFC reduced the levels of free fatty acids (FFA), endotoxin (ET), and related inflammatory factors in mouse liver tissue and downregulated the expression of proteins associated with inflammatory pathways. After TFC treatment, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β in the liver tissues of NAFLD mice were downregulated by 67.10%, 66.56%, and 61.45%, respectively. Finally, TFC reduced liver fat deposition, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response to repair liver damage and alleviate NAFLD. Further studies showed that TFC regulated the expression of intestinal-barrier-related genes and improved the composition of gut microbiota. Therefore, TFC reduced liver inflammation and restored intestinal homeostasis by regulating the gut–liver axis. Overall, our findings revealed a novel function of TFC as a promising prophylactic for the treatment of NAFLD. Full article
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14 pages, 2055 KiB  
Article
Metabolomics Analysis Coupled with Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis Unravels the Associations of Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle-Intermediates with Edible Pigments Produced by Monascus purpureus (Hong Qu)
by Hao Zhang, Huanhuan Liu, Lin Shu, Huimin Xu, Ying Cheng, Zhitao Mao, Bin Liu, Xiaoping Liao and Di Huang
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2168; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142168 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2470
Abstract
Monascus azaphilones pigments (MonAzPs) produced by microbial fermentation are widely used as food chemicals for coloring and supplying beneficial biological attributes. In this study, a fermentation perturbation strategy was implemented by separately adding different amino acids, and detecting the intracellular metabolome via UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap [...] Read more.
Monascus azaphilones pigments (MonAzPs) produced by microbial fermentation are widely used as food chemicals for coloring and supplying beneficial biological attributes. In this study, a fermentation perturbation strategy was implemented by separately adding different amino acids, and detecting the intracellular metabolome via UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS. With the aid of weighted gene co-expression network analysis, two metabolic intermediates, fumarate and malate, involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, were identified as the hub metabolites. Moreover, exogenous addition of fumarate or malate significantly promoted red pigment production, and reduced orange/yellow pigment production. The importance of the tricarboxylic acid cycle was further emphasized by detecting intracellular levels of ATP, NAD(P)H, and expression of oxidoreductase-coding genes located in the MonAzPs synthetic gene cluster, suggesting a considerable effect of the energy supply on MonAzPs synthesis. Collectively, metabolomics is a powerful approach to position the crucial metabolic regulatory factors, and facilitate the development of engineering strategies for targeted regulation, lower trial-and-error cost, and advance safe and controllable processes for fermented food chemistry industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Application of Metabolomics on Nutritional Compounds in Foods)
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15 pages, 894 KiB  
Article
Consumers’ Knowledge and Handling Practices Associated with Fresh-Cut Produce in the United States
by Heyao Yu, Zhihong Lin, Michael S. Lin, Jack A. Neal and Sujata A. Sirsat
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2167; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142167 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2158
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that three factors influence fresh-cut produce safety from farm to fork: (1) post-harvest practices in processing facilities, (2) employees’ handling practices in retail facilities, and (3) consumers’ handling practices in domestic kitchens or cooking facilities. However, few studies have [...] Read more.
Previous studies have shown that three factors influence fresh-cut produce safety from farm to fork: (1) post-harvest practices in processing facilities, (2) employees’ handling practices in retail facilities, and (3) consumers’ handling practices in domestic kitchens or cooking facilities. However, few studies have examined consumers’ food safety knowledge, risk perceptions, and their handling practices associated with fresh-cut produce. To fill this gap, the present study conducted a nationwide survey to assess U.S. consumers’ food safety knowledge, practices, and risk perception associated with fresh-cut produce among various demographic groups and investigated factors influencing consumers’ food safety practices related to fresh-cut produce. The results showed that consumers lack the knowledge and safe handling practices toward fresh-cut produce regarding storage hierarchy, surface cleaning and sanitizing, and time and temperature control of fresh-cut produce. The men and millennial consumers exhibit a lower level of safe fresh-cut produce handling practices. In addition, a significant interaction was observed between food safety knowledge and risk perceptions on consumers’ fresh-cut produce handling practices, such that food safety knowledge can transfer to practice more effectively for consumers with high levels of risk perception. The results can be utilized to design effective consumer food safety education tools for targeted audiences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Food Quality and Safety)
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19 pages, 1397 KiB  
Review
Acylation of Anthocyanins and Their Applications in the Food Industry: Mechanisms and Recent Research Advances
by Xiu’er Luo, Ruoyong Wang, Jinhua Wang, Ying Li, Huainan Luo, Shi Chen, Xin’an Zeng and Zhong Han
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2166; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142166 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 4609
Abstract
Anthocyanins are extensively used as natural non-toxic compounds in the food industry due to their unique biological properties. However, the instability of anthocyanins greatly affects their industrial application. Studies related to acylated anthocyanins with higher stability and increased solubility in organic solvents have [...] Read more.
Anthocyanins are extensively used as natural non-toxic compounds in the food industry due to their unique biological properties. However, the instability of anthocyanins greatly affects their industrial application. Studies related to acylated anthocyanins with higher stability and increased solubility in organic solvents have shown that the acylation of anthocyanins can improve the stability and fat solubility of anthocyanins. However, relevant developments in research regarding the mechanisms of acylation and applications of acylated anthocyanins are scarcely reviewed. This review aims to provide an overview of the mechanisms of acylation and the applications of acylated anthocyanins in the food industry. In the review, acylation methods, including biosynthesis, semi-biosynthesis, and chemical and enzymatic acylation, are elaborated, physicochemical properties and biological activities of acylated anthocyanins are highlighted, and their application as colourants, functionalizing agents, intelligent indicators, and novel packaging materials in the food industry are summarized. The limitations encountered in the preparation of acylated anthocyanins and future prospects, their applications are also presented. Acylated anthocyanins present potential alternatives to anthocyanins in the food industry due to their functions and advantages as compared with non-acylated analogues. It is hoped that this review will offer further information on the effective synthesis and encourage commercialization of acylated anthocyanins in the food industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidants, and Health Benefits)
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35 pages, 4544 KiB  
Review
Recent Developments in Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and Its Application in Food Analysis: Alcoholic Beverages as an Example
by Lijiao Li, Xiaonian Cao, Ting Zhang, Qian Wu, Peng Xiang, Caihong Shen, Liang Zou and Qiang Li
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2165; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142165 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4812
Abstract
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an emerging technology that combines Raman spectroscopy and nanotechnology with great potential. This technology can accurately characterize molecular adsorption behavior and molecular structure. Moreover, it can provide rapid and sensitive detection of molecules and trace substances. In practical [...] Read more.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an emerging technology that combines Raman spectroscopy and nanotechnology with great potential. This technology can accurately characterize molecular adsorption behavior and molecular structure. Moreover, it can provide rapid and sensitive detection of molecules and trace substances. In practical application, SERS has the advantages of portability, no need for sample pretreatment, rapid analysis, high sensitivity, and ‘fingerprint’ recognition. Thus, it has great potential in food safety detection. Alcoholic beverages have a long history of production in the world. Currently, a variety of popular products have been developed. With the continuous development of the alcoholic beverage industry, simple, on-site, and sensitive detection methods are necessary. In this paper, the basic principle, development history, and research progress of SERS are summarized. In view of the chemical composition, the beneficial and toxic components of alcoholic beverages and the practical application of SERS in alcoholic beverage analysis are reviewed. The feasibility and future development of SERS are also summarized and prospected. This review provides data and reference for the future development of SERS technology and its application in food analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Application of SERS in Food Science)
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17 pages, 3713 KiB  
Article
Specific Microbial Communities Are Selected in Minimally-Processed Fruit and Vegetables according to the Type of Product
by Giuseppina Sequino, Vincenzo Valentino, Elena Torrieri and Francesca De Filippis
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2164; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142164 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3095
Abstract
Fruits and vegetables (F&V) products are recommended for the daily diet due to their low caloric content, high amount of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Furthermore, these foods are a source of various phytochemical compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids and sterols, exerting antioxidant activity. [...] Read more.
Fruits and vegetables (F&V) products are recommended for the daily diet due to their low caloric content, high amount of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Furthermore, these foods are a source of various phytochemical compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids and sterols, exerting antioxidant activity. Despite the benefits derived from eating raw F&V, the quality and safety of these products may represent a source of concern, since they can be quickly spoiled and have a very short shelf-life. Moreover, they may be a vehicle of pathogenic microorganisms. This study aims to evaluate the bacterial and fungal populations in F&V products (i.e., iceberg lettuces, arugula, spinaches, fennels, tomatoes and pears) by using culture-dependent microbiological analysis and high-throughput sequencing (HTS), in order to decipher the microbial populations that characterize minimally-processed F&V. Our results show that F&V harbor diverse and product-specific bacterial and fungal communities, with vegetables leaf morphology and type of edible fraction of fruits exerting the highest influence. In addition, we observed that several alterative (e.g., Pseudomonas and Aspergillus) and potentially pathogenic taxa (such as Staphylococcus and Cladosporium) are present, thus emphasizing the need for novel product-specific strategies to control the microbial composition of F&V and extend their shelf-life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Food Microbiology)
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13 pages, 2807 KiB  
Article
Chitosan Increases Lysine Content through Amino Acid Transporters in Flammulina filiformis
by Li Tian, Zhaodi Ma, Hao Qiu, Xiaotian Liu, Tao Wu, Feng Ge, Rui Liu, Jing Zhu, Liang Shi, Ailiang Jiang, Hanshou Yu and Ang Ren
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2163; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142163 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1921
Abstract
Lysine content is considered an important indicator of the quality of Flammulina filiformis. In this study, chitosan was used to improve lysine content of F. filiformis. Optimal design conditions were obtained using central combination design (CCD): treatment concentration was 14.61 μg/mL, [...] Read more.
Lysine content is considered an important indicator of the quality of Flammulina filiformis. In this study, chitosan was used to improve lysine content of F. filiformis. Optimal design conditions were obtained using central combination design (CCD): treatment concentration was 14.61 μg/mL, treatment time was 52.90 h, and the theoretical value of lysine content was 30.95 mg/g. We used Basic Local Alignment Search Tool Protein (BLASTP) to search the F. filiformis genome database using known AATs in the NCBI database. There were 11 members of AAT in F. filiformis. The expression levels of AAT3 and AAT4 genes increased significantly with chitosan treatment. Subsequently, AAT3 and AAT4 silencing strains were constructed using RNAi technology. The lysine content of the wild-type (WT) strain treated with chitosan increased by 26.41%. Compared with the chitosan-induced WT strain, chitosan-induced lysine content decreased by approximately 24.87% in the AAT3 silencing strain, and chitosan-induced lysine content in the AAT4 silencing strain increased by approximately 13.55%. The results indicate that AAT3 and AAT4 are involved in the regulation of the biosynthesis of lysine induced by chitosan in F. filiformis. AAT3 may participate in the absorption of lysine, and AAT4 may be involved in the excretion of lysine with chitosan treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Food Microbiology)
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20 pages, 1374 KiB  
Article
How to Reduce Food Waste Caused by Normative Illusion? A Study Based on Evolutionary Game Model Analysis
by Mengling Tian and Yangyang Zheng
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2162; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142162 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2594
Abstract
Reducing food waste is a priority for all sectors of society as it threatens national food security and the sustainability of global agriculture. Many studies on food waste have focused on a single subject, and the psychological factors of consumer waste are often [...] Read more.
Reducing food waste is a priority for all sectors of society as it threatens national food security and the sustainability of global agriculture. Many studies on food waste have focused on a single subject, and the psychological factors of consumer waste are often overlooked. Based on evolutionary game theory, this paper introduces consumers’ normative illusion, constructs an evolutionary game model in which the government, caterers and consumers collaborate to reduce food waste, and simulates and analyses the behavioural strategies of the three stakeholders. The results show that: Firstly, food waste can be reduced under certain conditions by incentive-guided and punishment-inhibited policies. Moreover, incentive-guided policies can reduce government expenditures more than punishment-inhibited ones. Secondly, implementation of prior intervention, the resultant intervention and reducing the probability of consumers’ aversion to the intervention of caterers can optimise the government’s punishment-inhibited policy. Finally, under the punishment-inhibited policy, caterers can bear 60% of the prior intervention costs for food waste management. When caterers invest 40–60% of the prior intervention costs, both caterers and consumers can achieve the ideal state of cooperation; caterers can accept 40% of the resultant intervention cost for food waste management, and when the resultant intervention cost is less than 40%, consumers choose not to waste. Both caterers and consumers are involved in reducing food waste when the probability of consumer dissatisfaction with a caterer’s intervention is reduced to less than 40%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toward Sustainable Food Systems: Approaches and Strategies to Prevent and Reduce Food Loss and Waste)
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16 pages, 2685 KiB  
Article
Structure, Physicochemical Property, and Functional Activity of Dietary Fiber Obtained from Pear Fruit Pomace (Pyrus ussuriensis Maxim) via Different Extraction Methods
by Fei Peng, Xin Ren, Bin Du, Linan Chen, Zuoqing Yu and Yuedong Yang
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2161; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142161 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3139
Abstract
In this study, soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) were extracted from Pyrus ussuriensis Maxim pomace via three methods including enzymic extraction (EE), microwave-assisted enzymatic extraction (MEE), and three-phase partitioning (TPP). The effects of different extraction methods on the structure, [...] Read more.
In this study, soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) were extracted from Pyrus ussuriensis Maxim pomace via three methods including enzymic extraction (EE), microwave-assisted enzymatic extraction (MEE), and three-phase partitioning (TPP). The effects of different extraction methods on the structure, physicochemical property, and functional activity of the extracted dietary fiber were evaluated. The results showed that different extraction methods had significant effects on the extraction yield, molecular weight distribution, thermal stability, antioxidant activity, and hypoglycemic activity in vitro, but resulted in no difference in the structure and composition of functional groups. It is noteworthy that SDF extracted by TPP has a more complex and porous structure, lower molecular weight, and higher thermal stability, as well as better physicochemical properties and in vitro hypoglycemic activity. IDF extracted by MEE showed the greatest water and oil holding capacity; the highest adsorption capacity for glucose, cholesterol, and nitrite ion; as well as the strongest inhibitory activity on α-amylase. These results suggest that PUP may be a source of cheap natural dietary fiber. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Dietary Fiber and Polysaccharide: Preparation, Structure and Health Benefits)
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11 pages, 2947 KiB  
Article
Ultra-Sensitive and Rapid Detection of Pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica Based on the CRISPR/Cas12a Nucleic Acid Identification Platform
by Yiran Xiao, Honglin Ren, Pan Hu, Yang Wang, Han Wang, Yansong Li, Kai Feng, Cong Wang, Qi Cao, Yuxi Guo, Zengshan Liu and Shiying Lu
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2160; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142160 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2535
Abstract
Yersinia enterocolitica is a dangerous foodborne human pathogen that mainly causes gastroenteritis. Ideal methods for the detection of pathogens in food should be rapid, sensitive, specific, and cost effective. To this end, novel in vitro nucleic acid identification methods based on clustered, regularly [...] Read more.
Yersinia enterocolitica is a dangerous foodborne human pathogen that mainly causes gastroenteritis. Ideal methods for the detection of pathogens in food should be rapid, sensitive, specific, and cost effective. To this end, novel in vitro nucleic acid identification methods based on clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein (Cas) endonuclease have received increasing attention. In this study, a simple, visual, and ultrasensitive method, based on CRISPR/Cas12a with recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), was developed for the detection of Y. enterocolitica. The results show that a specific attachment invasion locus gene (ail) can be rapidly detected using a CRISPR/Cas12a-RPA-based system. Application of the method to raw pork, which was artificially infected with Y. enterocolitica, achieved an estimated detection limit of 1.7 CFU/mL in less than 45 min, and this was 100 times lower compared with qPCR. The results indicated that the CRISPR/Cas12a-RPA system has good potential for monitoring pathogenic Y. enterocolitica in the chilled meat supply chain. Full article
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15 pages, 2418 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Brewing Characteristics, Digestion Profiles, and Neuroprotective Effects of Two Typical Se-Enriched Green Teas
by Yuanyuan Ye, Jiangling He, Zhijun He, Na Zhang, Xiaoqing Liu, Jiaojiao Zhou, Shuiyuan Cheng and Jie Cai
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2159; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142159 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2605 | Correction
Abstract
As a functional beverage, selenium (Se)-enriched green tea (Se-GT) has gained increasing popularity for its superior properties in promoting health. In this study, we compared the brewing characteristics, in vitro digestion profiles, and protective effects on neurotoxicity induced through the amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide [...] Read more.
As a functional beverage, selenium (Se)-enriched green tea (Se-GT) has gained increasing popularity for its superior properties in promoting health. In this study, we compared the brewing characteristics, in vitro digestion profiles, and protective effects on neurotoxicity induced through the amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide of two typical Se-GTs (Enshi Yulu (ESYL) and Ziyang Maojian (ZYMJ), representing the typical low-Se green tea and high-Se green tea, respectively). ESYL and ZYMJ showed similar chemical component leaching properties with the different brewing methods, and the optimized brewing conditions were 5 min, 90 °C, 50 mL/g, and first brewing. The antioxidant activities of the tea infusions had the strongest positive correlation with the tea polyphenols among all of the leaching substances. The tea infusions of ESYL and ZYMJ showed similar digestive behaviors, and the tea polyphenols in the tea infusions were almost totally degraded or transferred after 150 min of dynamic digestion. Studies conducted in a cell model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) showed that the extract from the high-Se green tea was more effective for neuroprotection compared with the low-Se green tea. Overall, our results revealed the best brewing conditions and digestion behaviors of Se-GT and the great potential of Se-GT or Se-enriched green extract (Se-GTE) to be used as promising AD-preventive beverages or food ingredients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Foods)
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21 pages, 1188 KiB  
Article
Profiling of Croatian Consumers Based on Their Intention to Consume Farmed Fish
by Greta Krešić, Elena Dujmić, Dina Lončarić, Snježana Zrnčić, Nikolina Liović and Jelka Pleadin
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2158; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142158 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2486
Abstract
Today’s increased demand and consumption of fish would be impossible to ensure without aquaculture. Farmed fish, however, is often considered inferior among consumers in comparison to its wild counterparts. The aim of this study was to profile Croatian fishery consumers based on their [...] Read more.
Today’s increased demand and consumption of fish would be impossible to ensure without aquaculture. Farmed fish, however, is often considered inferior among consumers in comparison to its wild counterparts. The aim of this study was to profile Croatian fishery consumers based on their intention to consume farmed fish. The participants in this study were a nationally representative sample of people responsible for food purchasing within the household (n = 977), whose responses were collected by the CAWI (computer-aided web interviewing) method. Four clusters were identified and described: farmed fish enthusiasts (21.1%), farmed fish supporters (17.4%), indifferents (44.7%), and farmed fish sceptics (16.8%). Results showed that consumer segments differed significantly with respect to age, income, employment status, living region, and physical activity. Furthermore, intention to consume farmed fish is related to fish consumption in general (those with higher intention are more frequent fish consumers). Interestingly, prejudices against farmed fish are present in all clusters; however, these prejudices are more pronounced among those with the weakest intention to consume farmed fish. Differences between clusters were observed also in respect to product information and preferences, knowledge about fish, places of usual purchase, and source of information about fishery products. The obtained results could be used in designing marketing strategies to promote farmed fish consumption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sensory and Consumer Sciences)
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15 pages, 1428 KiB  
Article
Attitudes towards Freshly Made and Readily Prepared Texture-Modified Foods among Speech-Language Therapists, Dietitians, and Community-Dwelling Older Adults
by Xiaojing Sharon Wu, Anna Miles and Andrea Braakhuis
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2157; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142157 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2857
Abstract
Texture-modified foods (TMFs) are recommended for patients suffering from swallowing difficulties. Given the increasing aging population, the use of TMFs is on the rise. Research to date has focused on the nutritional value, malnutrition indices and healthcare practices in relation to TMFs, but [...] Read more.
Texture-modified foods (TMFs) are recommended for patients suffering from swallowing difficulties. Given the increasing aging population, the use of TMFs is on the rise. Research to date has focused on the nutritional value, malnutrition indices and healthcare practices in relation to TMFs, but the perception of these diets from a patient and healthcare practitioner perspective has received less consideration. This study explored how currently available TMFs (including Soft & Bite-Sized, Minced & Moist, and puree) are perceived by key stakeholders. Four types of TMFs were consumer tested: freshly made TMFs following foodservice recipes and three types of readily prepared TMFs (commercially packaged, sous-vide and hydrolysed). The selected samples were tested through five focus groups (including nine dietitians, seven speech-language therapists, and five community-dwelling older adults), which involved a sensory rating using a validated 7-point scale meal assessment tool and a semi-structured focus group discussion. Analysis was conducted using quantitative and qualitative approaches. Soft & Bite-Sized meals had significantly higher palatability ratings than others. Sous-vide meals were most suitable for Soft & Bite-Sized texture, while commercially packaged samples were most appropriate for minced moist and pureed meals. Three main themes emerged through content analysis: (1) palatability of TMFs, (2) perceived challenges with the currently available TMFs and (3) key differences in opinion between stakeholders. Freshly made TMFs were more appealing and tastier, whereas readily prepared (pre-cooked, packaged and require reheating) TMFs had a more consistent texture. The texture of all TMFs requires enhancement, particularly in pureed meals. Developing nutritious and safe TMFs for people with dysphagia requires the promotion of active insight exchange between dietitians and speech-language therapists. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Consumer’s Emotions and Sensory Profiling on Food Acceptance, Preference and Choice)
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13 pages, 2083 KiB  
Article
Effect of Partial Substitution of Flour with Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) Powder on Dough and Biscuit Properties
by Xinyuan Xie, Zhihe Yuan, Kai Fu, Jianhui An and Lingli Deng
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2156; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142156 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3088
Abstract
Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) is a type of edible insect rich in protein that has become popular as a protein-alternative ingredient in flour-based products to improve the nutritional properties of baking products. The mealworm powder substitution affected the pasting, farinograph, extensograph properties [...] Read more.
Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) is a type of edible insect rich in protein that has become popular as a protein-alternative ingredient in flour-based products to improve the nutritional properties of baking products. The mealworm powder substitution affected the pasting, farinograph, extensograph properties of wheat flour and the texture, nutritional, and sensory properties of the resulting soda biscuit. The pasting parameters (peak viscosity, trough viscosity, breakdown viscosity, final viscosity, and setback viscosity) and the water absorption decreased with the increased mealworm powder substitution level, which was ascribed to the dilution effect of mealworm powder. The farinograph parameters remained similar up to 15% substitution level. The extensograph results showed that mealworm powder substitution decreased the elastic properties of wheat dough as indicated by the consistently decreased extensibility, stretching energy, and stretching resistance, resulting in a significantly decreased baking expansion ratio of the soda biscuit. The protein, lipid, and dietary fiber content of the biscuits increased accordingly with the increased mealworm powder substitution level. The protein content of the soda biscuit was gradually increased from 9.13/100 g for the control (M0) to 16.0/100 g for that supplemented with 20% mealworm powder (M20), accompanied with the significantly increased essential amino acid content. Meanwhile, the fat and dietary fiber content of M20 exhibited 20.5 and 21.7% increase compared to those of M0. The score of the sensory attributes showed no significant difference up to 15% substitution level. The results demonstrated the 15% mealworm powder substitution level would not significantly affect the farinograph property, microstructure of wheat dough, and sensory acceptability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods: Product Development, Technological Trends, Efficacy Evaluation, and Safety)
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20 pages, 2208 KiB  
Article
Simultaneous Mass Spectrometric Detection of Proteins of Ten Oilseed Species in Meat Products
by Johannes Spörl, Karl Speer and Wolfgang Jira
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2155; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142155 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1918
Abstract
Food fraud is a common issue in the modern food industry. The undeclared use of foreign proteins in meat products is a major concern in this context. Oilseeds are ideal for this purpose due to their high protein content and since huge amounts [...] Read more.
Food fraud is a common issue in the modern food industry. The undeclared use of foreign proteins in meat products is a major concern in this context. Oilseeds are ideal for this purpose due to their high protein content and since huge amounts of oil meal are obtained as a by-product of oil production. Therefore, a UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed for the simultaneous detection of chia, coconut, flaxseed, hemp, peanut, pumpkin, rapeseed, sesame, soy, and sunflower proteins in meat products. Potential tryptic peptide markers were identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry. The final twenty peptide markers selected, which are specific for one of the ten species targeted, were each measured by multiple reaction monitoring. To the best of our knowledge, twelve new heat-stable marker peptides for chia, coconut, flaxseed, pumpkin, rapeseed, sesame and sunflower have not been reported previously. Emulsion-type sausages with 0.01, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00% protein addition by each oilseed species were produced for matrix calibration. No false-positive results were recorded. In the quantification of the ten oilseed species, 466 of 480 measuring data points of the recovery rate in unknown sausages (0.15 and 0.85% protein addition by each oilseed species) were in the accepted range of 80–120%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Food Additives)
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17 pages, 1260 KiB  
Review
Carob: A Sustainable Opportunity for Metabolic Health
by Aristea Gioxari, Charalampia Amerikanou, Irini Nestoridi, Eleni Gourgari, Harris Pratsinis, Nick Kalogeropoulos, Nikolaos K. Andrikopoulos and Andriana C. Kaliora
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2154; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142154 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 10013
Abstract
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is an evergreen tree that belongs to the Leguminosae family and grows in the arid and semi-arid regions of the Mediterranean basin. The carob tree is resistant to droughts and salinity, while its deep root systems allow CO [...] Read more.
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is an evergreen tree that belongs to the Leguminosae family and grows in the arid and semi-arid regions of the Mediterranean basin. The carob tree is resistant to droughts and salinity, while its deep root systems allow CO2 to sink, mitigating global warming effects. Traditionally, carob has been used to produce animal feed, but for many years, it was excluded from the human diet. Nowadays, agricultural and industrial sectors exploit carob fruit, also referred to as carob pod, and its primary products (i.e., flour, powder and syrup) to develop a variety of foods and beverages. The nutritional composition varies depending on the carob part but also on genetic, cultivar, seasonal and environmental factors. Despite the high sugar content, the carob pod is rich in insoluble fiber and microconstituents including phenolic compounds, inositols (mainly d-pinitol) and vitamins. In the present review article, we aimed to (a) highlight the role of carob cultivation in addressing climate change challenges and the need for sustainability, and (b) summarize the effects of carob consumption on obesity and related metabolic disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mediterranean Diet: Promoting Health and Sustainability)
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15 pages, 4883 KiB  
Article
High-Throughput Flow Injection Analysis–Mass Spectrometry (FIA-MS) Fingerprinting for the Authentication of Tea Application to the Detection of Teas Adulterated with Chicory
by Mònica Vilà, Àlex Bedmar, Javier Saurina, Oscar Núñez and Sònia Sentellas
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2153; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142153 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3112
Abstract
Tea is a broadly consumed beverage worldwide that is susceptible to fraudulent practices, including its adulteration with other plants such as chicory extracts. In the present work, a non-targeted high-throughput flow injection analysis-mass spectrometry (FIA-MS) fingerprinting methodology was employed to characterize and classify [...] Read more.
Tea is a broadly consumed beverage worldwide that is susceptible to fraudulent practices, including its adulteration with other plants such as chicory extracts. In the present work, a non-targeted high-throughput flow injection analysis-mass spectrometry (FIA-MS) fingerprinting methodology was employed to characterize and classify different varieties of tea (black, green, red, oolong, and white) and chicory extracts by principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares–discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Detection and quantitation of frauds in black and green tea extracts adulterated with chicory were also evaluated as proofs of concept using partial least squares (PLS) regression. Overall, PLS-DA showed that FIA-MS fingerprints in both negative and positive ionization modes were excellent sample chemical descriptors to discriminate tea samples from chicory independently of the tea product variety as well as to classify and discriminate among some of the analyzed tea groups. The classification rate was 100% in all the paired cases—i.e., each tea product variety versus chicory—by PLS-DA calibration and prediction models showing their capability to assess tea authentication. The results obtained for chicory adulteration detection and quantitation using PLS were satisfactory in the two adulteration cases evaluated (green and black teas adulterated with chicory), with calibration, cross-validation, and prediction errors below 5.8%, 8.5%, and 16.4%, respectively. Thus, the non-targeted FIA-MS fingerprinting methodology demonstrated to be a high-throughput, cost-effective, simple, and reliable approach to assess tea authentication issues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rapid Detection Methods for Food Fraud and Food Contaminants Series II)
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26 pages, 3409 KiB  
Article
Valorization of Traditional Alcoholic Beverages: The Study of the Sicilian Amarena Wine during Bottle Aging
by Giuseppa Di Bella, Miriam Porretti, Ambrogina Albergamo, Claudio Mucari, Alessia Tropea, Rossana Rando, Vincenzo Nava, Vincenzo Lo Turco and Angela Giorgia Potortì
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2152; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142152 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2805
Abstract
Traditional alcoholic beverages have always been part of the Mediterranean culture and, lately, they have been re-evaluated to valorize both the territory and local customs. In this study, the Amarena wine, a fortified wine included in the national list of the traditional agri-food [...] Read more.
Traditional alcoholic beverages have always been part of the Mediterranean culture and, lately, they have been re-evaluated to valorize both the territory and local customs. In this study, the Amarena wine, a fortified wine included in the national list of the traditional agri-food products, was characterized during bottle aging for oenological parameters, chromaticity, volatiles, and inorganic elements. Then, experimental data were visually interpreted by a principal component analysis (PCA). PCA revealed that most of oenological parameters (i.e., alcoholic grade, total dry extract, sugars, organic acids, and phenolic compounds) had a scarce discriminating power. Additionally, ethyl esters were only present in younger products, while remaining at quite constant levels. Conversely, certain metals (i.e., Mg, Na, Mn, Zn, and Cu), chromatic properties, and pH differentiated older Amarena bottles from the younger counterpart. Particularly, acetaldehyde and furanic compounds proved to be valid aging markers. A sensorial analysis highlighted that fruity and floral odors and flavors characterized younger beverages, while dried fruity, nutty, and spicy notes were displayed by older products, along with the valuable attribute of “oxidized” typically observed in aged Sherry wines. Overall, this study may encourage the production and commercialization of the Amarena wine, thus preserving the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Nutritional Quality of Mediterranean Food and Food Products)
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21 pages, 3097 KiB  
Article
A Preliminary Study on the Effect of the Instant Controlled Pressure Drop Technology (DIC) on Drying and Rehydration Kinetics of Maize Kernels (Zea mays L.)
by Anaberta Cardador-Martínez, Juan Leopoldo Pech-Almeida, Karim Allaf, Natalia Palacios-Rojas, Maritza Alonzo-Macías and Carmen Téllez-Pérez
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2151; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142151 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2078
Abstract
Maize is one of the three worldwide cereal crops with the most outstanding production; however, its postharvest losses range from 2 to 40% due to inadequate harvesting, drying, and storage technologies. This study focuses on the Instant Controlled Pressure Drop technology (DIC) effect [...] Read more.
Maize is one of the three worldwide cereal crops with the most outstanding production; however, its postharvest losses range from 2 to 40% due to inadequate harvesting, drying, and storage technologies. This study focuses on the Instant Controlled Pressure Drop technology (DIC) effect on maize kernels’ drying and rehydration kinetics. In total, 19 different DIC treatments were carried out on maize kernels (~25% d.b.). The DIC parameters studied were steam pressure (0.1 to 0.4 MPa) and treatment time (10 to 90 s). After DIC treatment, drying kinetics were carried out by Convective Air Drying (CAD) at 50 °C and 0.4 ms−1 airflow. Rehydration kinetics and Water Holding Capacity (WHC) were evaluated at 20 °C. In comparison to CAD samples, DIC (0.4 MPa and 90 s) reduced the drying time from 180 min to ~108 min. Additionally, regarding the rehydration and WHC results, DIC achieved the same moisture content in only 3.5 min that controls achieved after 1 h of rehydration (0.40 g H2O/g dry matter). Moreover, DIC (0.4 MPa and nine cycles of 10 s) increased the WHC 2.3 times compared to the control. In this way, DIC could be a postharvest technology to improve maize kernels’ drying operations and functional properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in High-Quality Drying Technology of Vegetables and Fruits Products)
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22 pages, 2552 KiB  
Review
Recent Developments and Applications of Nanosystems in the Preservation of Meat and Meat Products
by Araceli Ulloa-Saavedra, Claudia García-Betanzos, María Zambrano-Zaragoza, David Quintanar-Guerrero, Susana Mendoza-Elvira and Benjamín Velasco-Bejarano
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2150; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142150 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4961
Abstract
Due to their high water, lipid, and protein content, meat and meat products are highly perishable. The principal spoilage mechanisms involved are protein and lipid oxidation and deterioration caused by microbial growth. Therefore, efforts are ongoing to ensure food safety and increase shelf [...] Read more.
Due to their high water, lipid, and protein content, meat and meat products are highly perishable. The principal spoilage mechanisms involved are protein and lipid oxidation and deterioration caused by microbial growth. Therefore, efforts are ongoing to ensure food safety and increase shelf life. The development of low-cost, innovative, eco-friendly approaches, such as nanotechnology, using non-toxic, inexpensive, FDA-approved ingredients is reducing the incorporation of chemical additives while enhancing effectiveness and functionality. This review focuses on advances in the incorporation of natural additives that increase the shelf life of meat and meat products through the application of nanosystems. The main solvent-free preparation methods are reviewed, including those that involve mixing organic–inorganic or organic–organic compounds with such natural substances as essential oils and plant extracts. The performance of these additives is analyzed in terms of their antioxidant effect when applied directly to meat as edible coatings or marinades, and during manufacturing processes. The review concludes that nanotechnology represents an excellent option for the efficient design of new meat products with enhanced characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation Trends for the Meat Industry)
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15 pages, 2032 KiB  
Article
A New Electrochemical Method to Determine Tryptophan in Fruit Juices: Development and Validation
by Assefa Takele, José María Palacios-Santander and Miguel Palma
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2149; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142149 - 20 Jul 2022
Viewed by 2450
Abstract
Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid usually found in fruit juices. Its determination is necessary for food companies because of its relation to human health. In this work, a new electrochemical method based on sonogel–carbon electrodes (SNGCEs) was developed and validated using [...] Read more.
Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid usually found in fruit juices. Its determination is necessary for food companies because of its relation to human health. In this work, a new electrochemical method based on sonogel–carbon electrodes (SNGCEs) was developed and validated using an ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method as a reference method for the determination of Trp in fruit juices. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry, and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques were applied to investigate the oxidation of Trp on a previously polarized SNGCE surface in a Britton–Robinson (BR) buffer solution at pH 3.6. The operating conditions for electroanalysis were optimized using a Box–Behnken design (BBD), obtaining an oxidation peak for Trp at 0.749 V. The linear range for this method was from 0.1 to 5 mg/L. The intraday and interday precision, expressed as a relative standard deviation (RSD), were 3.1% and 2.7%, respectively. The average recovery was 99.01%, and the limit of detection and quantitation were 0.33 and 1.09 mg/L, respectively. Therefore, from the quality analytical parameters obtained, it can be concluded that the new electrochemical method can be successfully used for the routine analysis of Trp in fruit juices. As far as we are concerned, this is the first time that a methodology for Trp determination was performed in this kind of real food matrices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development of Analytical Methods in the Field of Food Analysis)
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20 pages, 3950 KiB  
Article
Identification of the DPP-IV Inhibitory Peptides from Donkey Blood and Regulatory Effect on the Gut Microbiota of Type 2 Diabetic Mice
by Chaoyue Ma, Dan Liu, Huifang Hao and Xiaotong Wu
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2148; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142148 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2581
Abstract
After being treated with protease K, peptides extracted from donkey blood were separated, identified, and characterized. The results showed that Sephadex G-25 medium purified with MW < 3 kDa had the highest dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibition capacity. Three-hundred-and-thirty-four peptides were identified with [...] Read more.
After being treated with protease K, peptides extracted from donkey blood were separated, identified, and characterized. The results showed that Sephadex G-25 medium purified with MW < 3 kDa had the highest dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibition capacity. Three-hundred-and-thirty-four peptides were identified with UPLC–MS/MS. Peptide Ranker and molecular docking analysis were used to screen active peptides, and 16 peptides were finalized out of the 334. The results showed that the lowest binding energy between P7(YPWTQ) and DPP-IV was −9.1, and the second-lowest binding energy between P1(VDPENFRLL) and DPP-IV was −8.7. The active peptides(MW < 3 kDa) could cause a reduction in the fasting blood glucose levels of type 2 diabetic mice, improve glucose tolerance, and facilitate healing of the damaged structure of diabetic murine liver and pancreas. Meanwhile, the peptides were found to ameliorate the diabetic murine intestinal micro-ecological environment to a certain extent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Development of Functional Peptide in Foods)
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15 pages, 4134 KiB  
Article
Preparation, Physicochemical Characterization, and Antioxidant Activity of Naringin–Silk Fibroin–Alginate Microspheres and Application in Yogurt
by Hongyue Wang, Hao Hu, Xindi Zhang, Lijun Zheng, Jingxin Ruan, Jiaqing Cao and Xiangrong Zhang
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2147; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142147 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2401
Abstract
Naringin is the major polyphenol in bitter orange peel with antioxidant property. However, its pH sensitivity, low solubility, and bitter taste limit its application in food. In this study, naringin–sodium alginate–silk fibroin microspheres were prepared by the ionic gel method. The loading capacity [...] Read more.
Naringin is the major polyphenol in bitter orange peel with antioxidant property. However, its pH sensitivity, low solubility, and bitter taste limit its application in food. In this study, naringin–sodium alginate–silk fibroin microspheres were prepared by the ionic gel method. The loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency of naringin in microspheres were 13.2% and 77.6%, respectively. The morphology of microspheres was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The X-ray diffractometry and differential scanning calorimetry results showed naringin was amorphous after encapsulation. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and molecular docking analysis confirmed the intermolecular hydrogen bonds between naringin and sodium alginate. Naringin could release from the microspheres continuously under different pH conditions. Compared with free naringin, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity and the stability of naringin microspheres were significantly improved. The application of naringin microspheres in yogurt indicated the precipitation of whey could be effectively reduced and the decline rate of pH was inhibited. The study suggested that naringin encapsulated microspheres were beneficial for improving the shelf life of this bioactive product as well as providing a new idea for functional yogurt. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polyphenols in Plant-Based Foods: Effects of Food Processing on Their Content, Bioaccessibility, Bioavailability, and Bioactivity)
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16 pages, 272 KiB  
Article
Food Industry Views on Pulse Flour—Perceived Intrinsic and Extrinsic Challenges for Product Utilization
by Rie Sadohara, Donna M. Winham and Karen A. Cichy
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2146; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142146 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2500
Abstract
Pulses such as beans, chickpeas, peas, and lentils are typically consumed whole, but pulse flours will increase their versatility and drive consumption. Beans are the most produced pulse crop in the United States, although their flour use is limited. To expand commercial applications, [...] Read more.
Pulses such as beans, chickpeas, peas, and lentils are typically consumed whole, but pulse flours will increase their versatility and drive consumption. Beans are the most produced pulse crop in the United States, although their flour use is limited. To expand commercial applications, knowledge of pulse flour attributes important to the food industry is needed. This research aimed to understand the food industry’s needs and barriers for pulse flour utilization. An online survey invitation was sent via direct email to individuals employed in food companies developing wheat flour products. A survey weblink was distributed by pulse commodity boards to their membership. Survey questions asked food manufacturers about intrinsic factors of pulse flours that were satisfactory or challenging, and extrinsic factors for use such as market demand. Of the 75 complete responses, 21 currently or had previously used pulse flours in products, and 54 were non-users of pulse flours. Ten users indicated that there were challenges with pulse flours while five did not. Two of the most selected challenges of end-product qualities were flavor and texture. Over half of the respondents were unfamiliar with bean flour. Increasing awareness of bean flours and their attributes coupled with market demand for pulse flour-based products may be the most important extrinsic factors to increasing use among food manufacturers rather than supply or cost. Full article
13 pages, 1990 KiB  
Article
Phenolic Profiling and In-Vitro Bioactivities of Corn (Zea mays L.) Tassel Extracts by Combining Enzyme-Assisted Extraction
by Nesren Elsayed, Diaa A. Marrez, Mohamed A. Ali, Ahmed Ali Abd El-Maksoud, Weiwei Cheng and Tarek Gamal Abedelmaksoud
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2145; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142145 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2542
Abstract
In this work, enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) of phenolic compounds from corn tassel using cellulase, protease, and their combination (1:1) was developed and optimized by central composite response surface methodology. The phenolic profile of obtained corn tassel extracts (CTE) was elucidated by high-performance liquid [...] Read more.
In this work, enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) of phenolic compounds from corn tassel using cellulase, protease, and their combination (1:1) was developed and optimized by central composite response surface methodology. The phenolic profile of obtained corn tassel extracts (CTE) was elucidated by high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (HPLC–DAD) analysis, and their antioxidative, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties were evaluated in vitro. The results showed that CTE by EAE with combined enzymes had the highest total phenolic content (TPC). Under optimum enzymatic conditions, the experimental TPC values were 9.78, 8.45, and 10.70 mg/g, respectively, which were significantly higher than that of the non-enzymatic control (6.75 mg/g) (p < 0.05). Fourteen more phenolic compounds (13.80–1694.36 µg/g) were identified in CTE by EAE with the combined enzymes, and thus the antioxidant activity of that extract, determined by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging method, was demonstrated to be stronger than that of the extracts by EAE with the single and ethanol extraction. Furthermore, this extract also showed remarkably better antimicrobial properties against all tested food-borne pathogenic bacteria and mycotoxigenic fungi than CTE by other extraction methods. CTE by EAE were nontoxic to normal lung fibroblast cell line (Wi-38) but cytotoxic to human colorectal and lung cancer cell lines (Caco-2 and A549), with IC50 values of 392.62–461.98 and 210.66–359.56 µg/mL, respectively, which indicated its potential anticancer properties. In conclusion, CTE by EAE, especially with the combined use of cellulase and protease, seems to hold promising potential for multifunctional application in food and pharma fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polyphenols in Plant-Based Foods: Effects of Food Processing on Their Content, Bioaccessibility, Bioavailability, and Bioactivity)
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15 pages, 1889 KiB  
Article
Multivariate Nature of Fish Freshness Evaluation by Consumers
by Fernanda M. Viana, Maria Lucia G. Monteiro, Rafaela G. Ferrari, Yhan S. Mutz, Inayara B. A. Martins, Ana Paula A. A. Salim, Marcela De Alcantara, Rosires Deliza, Sérgio B. Mano and Carlos A. Conte-Junior
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2144; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142144 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2445
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sensory acceptability limit of refrigerated fish through a multivariate approach, involving classic physicochemical and bacteriological indicators and considering different consumer profiles. The results of the survival analysis demonstrated that, in general, consumers still [...] Read more.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sensory acceptability limit of refrigerated fish through a multivariate approach, involving classic physicochemical and bacteriological indicators and considering different consumer profiles. The results of the survival analysis demonstrated that, in general, consumers still considered the fish to be suitable for purchase (4.128 days of storage), despite being microbiologically unsuitable for consumption. However, the subsequent division of consumers into clusters indicated that women and individuals with high income and education levels tend to reject fish with few days of storage (3.650 days), mainly due to discoloration, despite still being microbiologically suitable for consumption. Thus, these segments present a safer behavior regarding the purchase of fresh fish. The influence of different frequencies of fish consumption and age of consumers on the assessment of fish freshness was not clarified. The responsibility for ensuring safe and healthy products at the point of sale must lie with the producers and distributors. However, improving consumers’ ability to make good choices when buying fresh fish would bring social and economic benefits related to public health and to the seafood industry, because it would enable them to make relevant claims and demand their rights. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Consumer Behavior and Food Choice—Volume II)
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13 pages, 1239 KiB  
Article
Characterization and Classification of Direct and Commercial Strawberry Beverages Using Absorbance–Transmission and Fluorescence Excitation–Emission Matrix Technique
by Ewa Sikorska, Przemysław Nowak, Katarzyna Pawlak-Lemańska and Marek Sikorski
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2143; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142143 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2108
Abstract
The subject of this study was to characterize the absorption and fluorescence spectra of various types of strawberry beverages and to test the possibility of distinguishing between direct juices and pasteurized commercial products on the basis of their spectral properties. An absorbance and [...] Read more.
The subject of this study was to characterize the absorption and fluorescence spectra of various types of strawberry beverages and to test the possibility of distinguishing between direct juices and pasteurized commercial products on the basis of their spectral properties. An absorbance and transmission excitation–emission matrix (A-TEEMTM) technique was used for the acquisition of spectra. The obtained spectra were analyzed using chemometric methods. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed differences in both the absorption spectra and excitation–emission matrices (EEMs) of two groups of juices. The parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) enabled the extraction and characterization of excitation and emission profiles and the relative contribution of four fluorescent components of juices, which were related to various groups of polyphenols and nonenzymatic browning products. Partial least squares–discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models enabled 100% correct class assignment using the absorption spectra in the visible region, unfolded EEMs, and set of emission spectra with excitation at wavelengths of 275, 305, and 365 nm. The analysis of variable importance in projection (VIP) suggested that the polyphenols and nonenzymatic browning products may contribute significantly to the differentiation of commercial and direct juices. The results of the research may contribute to the development of fast methods to test the quality and authenticity of direct and processed strawberry juices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Quality Evaluation of Food and Beverages through Spectroscopy and Chemometrics)
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