Pickering emulsions stabilized by prolamin-based proteins as innovative carriers of bioactive compounds.

Pickering emulsions (PEs) can be used as efficient carriers for encapsulation and controlled release of different bioactive compounds. Recent research has revealed the potential of prolamins in development of nanoparticle- and emulsion-based carriers which can improve the stability and bioavailability of bioactive compounds. Prolamin-based particles have been effectively used as stabilizers of various PEs including single PEs, high internal phase PEs, multiple PEs, novel triphasic PEs, and PE gels due to their tunable self-assembly behaviors. Prolamin particles can be fabricated via different techniques including anti-solvent precipitation, dissolution followed by pH adjustment, heating, and ion induced aggregation. Particles fabricated from prolamins alone or in combination with other hydrocolloids or polyphenols have also been used for stabilization of different PEs which were shown to be effective carriers for food bioactives, providing improved stability and functionality. This article covers the recent advances in various PEs stabilized by prolamin particles as innovative carriers for bioactive ingredients. Strategies applied for fabrication of prolamin particles and prolamin-based carriers are discussed. Emerging techno-functional applications of prolamin-based PEs and possible challenges are also highlighted.

Comparison of Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidants, and Aroma Profiles of Water- and Sodium-Hydroxide-Treated Natural Cocoa Powder.

Cocoa powder alkalization is an essential process in chocolate manufacturing, and traditionally, this process involves the use of alkaline agents, such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH), and potassium carbonate (K2CO3). However, these methods involve harsh chemicals and energy-intensive procedures, raising significant environmental concerns. Water (H2O) has emerged as a promising alternative due to its safety, minimally harmful byproducts, and accessibility. Green chemistry principles have gained importance across industries, especially in food production, where sustainable practices are highly valued. This study aimed to develop a greener process by investigating the alkalization potential of H2O and comparing the results with those of NaOH. The particle size distribution, pH, color, antioxidant capacity, phenolic composition, and aroma profile of cocoa powders treated with H2O and NaOH were evaluated. The alkalization temperature significantly affected the color of the cocoa powders, and the alkali solution ratio influenced the L* values of H2O-treated powders. In industrial and commercial specifications, an ΔE value below 3 is considered standard for color measurements. Both H2O-treated and NaOH-treated natural cocoa powders had ΔE values exceeding 3 compared to the untreated powder, indicating that H2O treatment darkens the color in a similar way to that of traditional methods. While NaOH produced a darker color, process optimization allowed both H2O and NaOH treatments to achieve similar color attributes (ΔE < 3). Significant differences were observed in the antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content (TPC) between the H2O-treated and NaOH-treated cocoa powders. H2O treatment positively impacted the antioxidative properties of the cocoa powder. The antioxidant capacity, measured by the DPPH and CUPRAC methods, was significantly higher in H2O-treated samples (295.5-317.7 TEAC mg/100 g and 835-1542 TEAC mg/100 g, respectively) compared to NaOH-treated samples (256.6-306.2 TEAC mg/100 g and 171-849 TEAC mg/100 g, respectively). Additionally, the TPC of H2O-treated cocoa powder [281.3-321.6 gallic acid equivalent (GAE) mg/100 g] was significantly higher than that of NaOH-treated powder (100.0-298.6 GAE mg/100 g). The significant differences in the phenolic profiles suggested that the alkalization process affects individual phenolic compounds differently. Moreover, H2O-treated cocoa powders had significantly higher trimethylpyrazine/tetramethylpyrazine (TrMP/TMP) ratios than those of NaOH-treated samples, indicating notable differences in aroma profiles. This study suggests that H2O can replace NaOH in the alkalization process of the cocoa industry, particularly for lightly treated alkalized cocoa powders that maintain high antioxidant activity and TrMP/TMP ratios. This offers a more environmentally friendly, easily manageable, and sustainable process for cocoa powder alkalization.

Recent advancements in curcumin extraction, chemical/bio-synthesis, purification, and food applications.

The ubiquity and versatility of curcumin (CUR) as a bioactive compound found in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals create the need for its obtainment in the purest forms from the parent plants, especially Curcuma longa. To have efficient synthesis, extraction, and purification of CUR, environmentally sustainable, green, cost-affordable, and safe methods are of immense significance. To this end, we consider recent advancements in CUR extraction, purification, and biosynthesis in this review. The conventional and novel high-throughput techniques employed in CUR extraction including enzyme-assisted, microwave-assisted, ultrasound-assisted, pressurized liquid (subcritical), supercritical fluid, pulsed electric fields-assisted, and ionic liquids-based extraction techniques were comprehensively discussed. The chemical/bio-syntheses of CUR were considered, and the recent advancements in metabolic engineering strategies to enhance the production of CUR were deliberated. Furthermore, novel technologies associated with CUR purification, such as column chromatography, semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography, high-speed counter-current chromatography, preparative supercritical fluid chromatography, and crystallization were discussed in detail. We concluded by discussing the pilot scale and industrial production and food applications of CUR.

Carbohydrate polymer-based carriers for colon targeted delivery of probiotics.

Probiotics (PRO) have been recognized for their significant role in promoting human health, particularly in relation to colon-related diseases. The effective delivery of PRO to the colon is a fascinating area of research. Among various delivery materials, carbohydrates have shown great potential as colon-targeted delivery (CTD) carriers for PRO. This review explores the connection between probiotics and colonic diseases, delving into their underlying mechanisms of action. Furthermore, it discusses current strategies for the targeted delivery of active substances to the colon. Unlike other reviews, this work specifically focuses on the utilization of carbohydrates, such as alginate, chitosan, pectin, and other carbohydrates, for probiotic colon-targeted delivery applications. Carbohydrates can undergo hydrolysis at the colonic site, allowing their oligosaccharides to function as prebiotics or as direct functional polysaccharides with beneficial effects. Furthermore, the development of multilayer self-assembled coatings using different carbohydrates enables the creation of enhanced delivery systems. Additionally, chemical modifications of carbohydrates, such as for adhesion and sensitivity, can be implemented to achieve more customized delivery of PRO.

Influence of different nano/micro-carriers on the bioavailability of iron: Focus on in vitro-in vivo studies.

Anemia resulting from iron (Fe) deficiency is a global public health problem. The deficiency of Fe is usually due to insufficient dietary intake of iron, interaction of Fe with other food components, and thus low bioaccessibility/bioavailability. Fe encapsulation has the potential to tackle some major challenges in iron fortification of foods. Various nano/micro-carriers have been developed for encapsulation of Fe, including emulsions, liposomes, hydrogels, and spray-dried microcapsules. They could reduce the interactions of Fe with food components, increase iron tolerance and intestinal uptake, and decrease adverse effects. This article review covers the factors affecting the bioavailability of Fe along with emerging carriers that can be used as a solution of this issue. The application of Fe-loaded carriers in food supplements and products is also described. The advantages and limitations associated with the delivery efficiency of each carrier for Fe are highlighted.

Chitosan-grafted phenolic acids as an efficient biopolymer for food packaging films/coatings.

Chitosan (CS), a bio-renewable natural material, has the potential to be utilized as a biopolymer for food packaging films (PFs)/coatings. However, its low solubility in dilute acid solutions and poor antioxidant and antimicrobial activities limit its application in PFs/coatings. To address these restrictions, chemical modification of CS has garnered increasing interest, with graft copolymerization being the most extensively used method. Phenolic acids (PAs) as natural small molecules are used as excellent candidates for CS grafting. This work focuses on the progress of CS grafted PA (CS-g-PA) based films, introducing the chemistry and methods of preparing CS-g-PA, particularly the effects of different PAs grafting on the properties of CS films. In addition, this work discusses the application of different CS-g-PA functionalized PFs/coatings for food preservation. It is concluded that the food preservation capability of CS-based films/coatings can be improved by modifying the properties of CS-based films through PA grafting.

Cold atmospheric plasma-induced protein modification: Novel nonthermal processing technology to improve protein quality, functionality, and allergenicity reduction.

With the constant increase in protein demand globally, it is expedient to develop a strategy to effectively utilize protein, particularly those extracted from plant origin, which has been associated with low digestibility, poor techno-functional properties, and inherent allergenicity. Several thermal modification approaches have been developed to overcome these limitations and showed excellent results. Nevertheless, the excessive unfolding of the protein, aggregation of unfolded proteins, and irregular protein crosslinking have limited its application. Additionally, the increased consumer demand for natural products with no chemical additives has created a bottleneck for chemical-induced protein modification. Therefore, researchers are now directed toward other nonthermal technologies, including high-voltage cold plasma, ultrasound, high-pressure protein, etc., for protein modification. The techno-functional properties, allergenicity, and protein digestibility are greatly influenced by the applied treatment and its process parameters. Nevertheless, the application of these technologies, particularly high-voltage cold plasma, is still in its primary stage. Furthermore, the protein modification mechanism induced by high-voltage cold plasma has not been fully explained. Thus, this review meets the necessity to assemble the recent information on the process parameters and conditions for modifying proteins by high-voltage cold plasma and its impact on protein techno-functional properties, digestibility, and allergenicity.

Exploring fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): Composition, functional properties, potential health benefits, and safety.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill), a member of the Apiaceae family (Umbelliferaceae), is a hardy and perennial herb, with grooved stems, intermittent leaves, petiole with sheath, usually bisexual flower and yellow umbrella. Although fennel is a typical aromatic plant generally considered native to the Mediterranean shores, it has become widespread in many regions of the world and has long been used as a medicinal and culinary herb. The aim of this review is to collect recent information from the literature on the chemical composition, functional properties and toxicology of fennel. Collected data show the efficacy of this plant in various in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antinociceptive, hepatoprotective, bronchodilatory, and memory enhancing activities. It has also been shown to be effective on infantile colic, dysmenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome and milk production. This review also aims to identify gaps in the literature that require to be filled by future research.

Recent advances in oral delivery of bioactive molecules: Focus on prebiotic carbohydrates as vehicle matrices.

Controlled oral delivery of bioactive molecules remains a promising platform for the food and biomedical realm. Nonetheless, there are many bottlenecks to the efficient oral bioactive delivery that necessitates the development of advanced approaches. In recent years, prebiotic carbohydrates have drawn surging interest for targeted bioactive delivery due to their potential of multi-stimuli release mechanisms. Harnessing prebiotic-based vehicles confers novel possibilities for intact oral bioactive delivery, improving their bioavailability and efficacy. This critical review updates state of the art on progresses in oral delivery of natural active agents via prebiotic carbohydrates. We offer the latest advances concerning prebiotic-based vehicles (i.e., pH/time-dependent systems, enzyme-sensitive polymers, and colonic microbiota-dependent vehicles), emphasizing their key attributes to attaining controlled/targeted bioactive delivery to the intended locus. Finally, we discuss safety considerations, challenges, and future perspectives toward advances in the field.

Oat starch - How physical and chemical modifications affect the physicochemical attributes and digestibility?

Oat is a promising grain well-incorporated into human diet due to the presence of multiple nutrients in composition and its unique health-enhancing attributes. Similar to other cereals, starch is the most important component of the oat kernel, which makes up at least 60 % of the grain's dry weight. Considering the need to access new sources of starch with a broad range of capabilities, oat starch has experienced various modifications by physical and chemical strategies. Thus, this study aims to comprehensively review the impacts of various physical and chemical modifications on the physicochemical, functional, as well as digestibility properties of oat starch. Besides, the effects of oat starch combination with other biomacromolecules (whey protein isolate, caseinate, gums and lipids) on mentioned criteria were also reviewed. In conclusion, various modification methods could properly enhance the physicochemical attributes and digestibility of oat starch for its further successful application in food and pharmaceutical formulations.

Microcapsule production employing chickpea or lentil protein isolates and maltodextrin: physicochemical properties and oxidative protection of encapsulated flaxseed oil.

Flaxseed oil was microencapsulated, employing a wall material matrix of either chickpea (CPI) or lentil protein isolate (LPI) and maltodextrin, followed by freeze-drying. Effects of oil concentration (5.3-21.0%), protein source (CPI vs. LPI) and maltodextrin type (DE 9 and 18) and concentration (25.0-40.7%), on both the physicochemical characteristics and microstructure of the microcapsules, were investigated. It was found that an increase in emulsion oil concentration resulted in a concomitant increase in oil droplet diameter and microcapsule surface oil content, and a decrease in oil encapsulation efficiency. Optimum flaxseed oil encapsulation efficiency (∼83.5%), minimum surface oil content (∼2.8%) and acceptable mean droplet diameter (3.0 µm) were afforded with 35.5% maltodextrin-DE 9 and 10.5% oil. Microcapsules, formed by employing these experimental conditions, showed a protective effect against oxidation versus free oil over a storage period of 25 d at room temperature.