Current status and future prospects of sensory and consumer research approaches to gluten-free bakery and pasta products.

Sensory and consumer research performs a pivotal role in gluten-free (GF) food research and development due to consumer dissatisfaction about currently available products, despite the continued growth of this market and promising research developments. Nowadays, almost half of the original articles about GF products include sensory analysis. A current overview is needed to help both food scientists and industry indentify current trends and forward-looking approaches. This current review has gathered information concerning sensory and consumer research for GF bakery and pasta products, from studies published in the last decade, and then discusses future challenges in the light of recent advances. Among the promising approaches, projective techniques that collect data using social media can provide quick, spontaneous and direct opinions from GF consumers. They can also be used to evaluate trends and cross-cultural or global insights. Participatory methods have highlighted the importance of label information and may further explore the behavior of GF consumers in more realistic environments, as well as to evaluate the intrinsic GF food factors in GF consumer opinions, emotions, behavior and choices. This review details current issues occurring in sensory analysis of GF products, which still need to be resolved. The combination of affective and analytical methods allows for a better characterization of the samples and such sensory analysis of GF products in the future could guide product development and quality control, overcoming technological, nutritional, and shelf-life issues.

Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Traditional Chinese Medicine Raw Material, Extracts, and Health Food Products.

The four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon markers (PAH4) of benzo[a]anthracene (BaA), chrysene (Chr), benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) are indicators showing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination levels in Chinese medicine raw materials (CMRMs), extracts and health food products; Samples of herbal medicine, herbal extracts, and food supplements were extracted with n-hexane, then cleaned up sequentially on Florisil and EUPAH solid-phase extraction (SPE) columns. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the determination of four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon markers in Chinese medicine raw material, extracts, and health food products was established; In spiked-recovery experiments, the average recovery was about 78.6-107.6% with a precision of 2.3-10.5%. The limit of quantification (LOQ) and limit of detection (LOD) of the PAH4 markers in this method were 2.0 µg/kg and 0.7 µg/kg, respectively. When the developed method was utilized to determine PAH4 contents in 12 locally available health food products, 3 samples contained over 10.0 µg/kg BaP, and 5 samples contained over 50.0 µg/kg PAH4. The European Union (EU) limits for BaP and PAH4 are 10 and 50.0 µg/kg, respectively; therefore, more attention must be drawn to the exposure risk of BaP and PAH4 in CMRMs, their extracts, and health food products. According to the risk assessment based on the Margin of Exposure (MOE) method, it is recognized that the products mentioned in this study pose a low risk.

Special Low Protein Foods Prescribed in England for PKU Patients: An Analysis of Prescribing Patterns and Cost.

Patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) are reliant on special low protein foods (SLPFs) as part of their dietary treatment. In England, several issues regarding the accessibility of SLPFs through the national prescribing system have been highlighted. Therefore, prescribing patterns and expenditure on all SLPFs available on prescription in England (n = 142) were examined. Their costs in comparison to regular protein-containing (n = 182) and 'free-from' products (n = 135) were also analysed. Similar foods were grouped into subgroups (n = 40). The number of units and costs of SLPFs prescribed in total and per subgroup from January to December 2020 were calculated using National Health Service (NHS) Business Service Authority (NHSBSA) ePACT2 (electronic Prescribing Analysis and Cost Tool) for England. Monthly patient SLPF units prescribed were calculated using patient numbers with PKU and non-PKU inherited metabolic disorders (IMD) consuming SLPFs. This was compared to the National Society for PKU (NSPKU) prescribing guidance. Ninety-eight percent of SLPF subgroups (n = 39/40) were more expensive than regular and 'free-from' food subgroups. However, costs to prescribe SLPFs are significantly less than theoretical calculations. From January to December 2020, 208,932 units of SLPFs were prescribed (excluding milk replacers), costing the NHS £2,151,973 (including milk replacers). This equates to £962 per patient annually, and prescribed amounts are well below the upper limits suggested by the NSPKU, indicating under prescribing of SLPFs. It is recommended that a simpler and improved system should be implemented. Ideally, specialist metabolic dietitians should have responsibility for prescribing SLPFs. This would ensure that patients with PKU have the necessary access to their essential dietary treatment, which, in turn, should help promote dietary adherence and improve metabolic control.

Safety and efficacy of using cereal food (Frugra®) to improve blood pressure and bowel health in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis: A pilot study.

Hypertension and constipation are major hemodialysis complications. Salt restriction is one of the most important nonpharmacological interventions in managing hypertension. In patients undergoing hemodialysis, nonpharmacological strategies to manage constipation are extremely difficult to develop owing to the presence of excess dietary potassium and fluids. Frugra®, which is a cereal food that has a low salt content of 0.5 g per serving, may help reduce salt intake. Additionally, Frugra is rich in dietary fiber, thereby beneficial for such patients. In this study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of Frugra in patients undergoing hemodialysis, focusing mainly on blood pressure and bowel health by changing the usual breakfast meal to Frugra for 8 weeks. We enrolled 11 patients undergoing hemodialysis. Despite the absence of changes in the patients' dry weight levels, their systolic blood pressure levels decreased from 155.5 ± 20.9 mmHg to 137.9 ± 10.3 mmHg after 2 months (P < 0.05). All participants reported improvements in bowel movement, and the levels of indoxyl sulfate, a representative gut-derived uremic toxin, were decreased from 49.3 µg/ml to 33.4 µg/ml. Furthermore, adverse events including electrolyte abnormalities were not observed. Therefore, Frugra may be useful to manage the health of patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Nutrient Composition of a Selection of Plant-Based Ground Beef Alternative Products Available in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Sales of plant-based foods intended as direct replacements for animal products have been growing in the United States. Little is known about the nutritional quality of these products. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the nutritional quality of a selection of plant-based ground beef alternative products available in the US marketplace and compare it with the nutrient content of ground beef. DESIGN: We conducted an analysis of the food and nutrient composition information available for plant-based ground beef alternative products in the 2020 version of the University of Minnesota Nutrition Coordinating Center Food and Nutrient Database. PARTICIPANT/SETTING: We analyzed a selection of 37 plant-based ground beef alternative products available in the United States in 2019. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Food product content of energy, macronutrients, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and selected additional food components was measured. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The percent Daily Value (DV) per 3-ounce cooked portion of each product was determined for nutrients with a DV. The median, interquartile range (IQR), minimum, and maximum nutrient values were calculated for all products by classification as vegan and nonvegan. RESULTS: The median saturated fat content of the plant-based ground beef alternatives products as a %DV was 4% (IQR 2%). Vitamin and minerals for which median %DV values for plant-based ground beef alternative products were 10% or higher included folate (10%, IQR 10%), niacin (21%, IQR 7%), iron (10%, IQR 5%), phosphorous (10%, IQR 4%), sodium (18%, IQR 7%), manganese (20%, IQR 20%), and copper (24%, IQR 10%). The median dietary fiber content of the plant-based ground beef alternative products was 15% of the DV (IQR 6%). Most of the products contained less protein, zinc, and vitamin B12 than ground beef. CONCLUSIONS: The major brands of plant-based ground beef alternative products examined in this study have nutritional strengths as well as some shortcomings. Additional research to examine a broader set of plant-based meat alternative products, such as those designed as substitutes for chicken and pork, is warranted.

A 3 Year Longitudinal Prospective Review Examining the Dietary Profile and Contribution Made by Special Low Protein Foods to Energy and Macronutrient Intake in Children with Phenylketonuria.

The nutritional composition of special low protein foods (SLPFs) is controlled under EU legislation for 'Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP)'. They are designed to meet the energy needs of patients unable to eat a normal protein containing diet. In phenylketonuria (PKU), the macronutrient contribution of SLPFs has been inadequately examined. AIM: A 3-year longitudinal prospective study investigating the contribution of SLPFs to the macronutrient intake of children with early treated PKU. METHODS: 48 children (27 boys) with a mean recruitment age of 9.3 y were studied. Semi-quantitative dietary assessments and food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) were collected three to four times/year for 3 years. RESULTS: The mean energy intake provided by SLPFs was 33% (SD ± 8), and this figure was 42% (SD ± 13) for normal food and 21% (SD ± 5) for protein substitutes (PS). SLPFs supplied a mean intake of 40% carbohydrate (SD ± 10), 51% starch (SD ± 18), 21% sugar (SD ± 8), and 38% fat (SD ± 13). Fibre intake met 83% of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) reference value, with 50% coming from SLPFs with added gums and hydrocolloids. Low protein bread, pasta and milk provided the highest energy contribution, and the intake of sweet SLPFs (e.g., biscuits, cakes, and chocolate) was minimal. Children averaged three portions fruit/vegetable daily, and children aged ≥ 12 y had irregular meal patterns. CONCLUSION: SLPFs provide essential energy in phenylalanine restricted diets. Optimising the nutritional quality of SLPFs deserves more attention.

Consumer beliefs about healthy foods and diets.

BACKGROUND: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has begun a public process to redefine how companies are allowed to use the term "healthy" on food packages. Although the definition is formulated based on the latest consensus in nutrition and epidemiological research, it is also important to understand how consumers define and understand the term if it is to be behaviorally relevant. This research is an exploratory study designed to provide a descriptive account of consumers' perceptions of and beliefs about the meaning of "healthy" food. METHODS: A nationwide U.S. sample of 1,290 food consumers was surveyed in December 2018. Respondents answered 15 questions designed to gauge perceptions of healthy food and to elicit preference for policies surrounding healthy food definitions. Responses are weighted to demographically match the population. Categorical variables have a sampling error of ±2.7%. Exploratory factor analysis is used to determine latent dimensions of health perceptions related to food type. RESULTS: Consumers were about evenly split on whether a food can be deemed healthy based solely on the foods' nutritional content (52.1% believing as such) or whether there were other factors that affect whether a food is healthy (47.9% believing as such). Consumers were also about evenly split on whether an individual food can be considered healthy (believed by 47.9%) or whether this healthiness is instead a characteristic of one's overall diet (believed by 52.1%). Ratings of individual food products revealed that "healthy" perceptions are comprised of at least three underlying latent dimensions related to animal origin, preservation, and freshness/processing. Focusing on individual macronutrients, perceived healthiness was generally decreasing in a food's fat, sodium, and carbohydrate content and increasing in protein content. About 40% of consumers thought a healthy label implied they should increase consumption of the type of food bearing the label and about 15% thought the label meant they could eat all they wanted. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest consumer's perceptions of "healthy," which is primarily based on fat content, partially aligns with the FDA definition but also suggest consumers perceive the word as a broader and more nuanced concept that defies easy, uniform definition. Results highlight areas where nutrition education may be needed and suggest disclosures may need to accompany health claims so that consumers know what, precisely, is being communicated.

Volatile Profiles from Traditional Chinese Oat Meal Varied Significantly from Oat Porridge and Differed with Cultivars and Locations.

Volatile profiles of oat-based foods are mainly analyzed on the oat flakes and porridge as snack or breakfast, whereas the volatile characteristics of the traditional Chinese oat meal (TCOM), a popular main food in some regions of northern China, with special strong aroma, are not known. Here, we compared the volatile profiles from headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of oat porridge (OP) and TCOM, which were of different processing and cooking methods, from those of different cultivars, and analyzed the effect of cultivation locations on oat volatile features. Apart from the 35 volatiles shared by OP and TCOM, there were 23 and 24 volatiles specific to OP and TCOM, respectively, with the later showing more toasting and frying-related volatiles due to the dry frying process of the grains before milling. Principle component analysis of the volatiles of OP and TCOM from 16 cultivars showed that they were clustered into two groups, and four cultivars were clustered together, independent of processing and cooking methods. The oat volatile profiles of cultivars grown in three regions of north China were dependent on the cultivation locations rather than cultivars, regardless of OP or TCOM, with those from Datong of Shanxi Province and Zhangjiakou of Hebei Province clustered together. The location effect could be due to significant less precipitation in the two regions above than the other region Ulanqab of Inner Mongolia. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The volatile compounds in oat are closely related to cultivation regions, which could be applied as a key factor by oat producers for marketing. The four cultivars showed similar and stable volatile profiles, which could be used as reference cultivars for breeding of high-quality oat with better flavor.

The Availability and Nutritional Adequacy of Gluten-Free Bread and Pasta.

Management of coeliac disease (CD) requires the removal of gluten from the diet. Evidence of the availability, cost, and nutritional adequacy of gluten-free (GF) bread and pasta products is limited. GF flours are exempt from UK legislation that requires micronutrient fortification of white wheat flour. This study surveyed the number and cost of bread and pasta products available and evaluated the back-of-pack nutritional information, the ingredient content, and the presence of fortification nutrients of GF bread and pasta, compared to standard gluten-containing equivalent products. Product information was collected from four supermarket websites. Standard products were significantly cheaper, with more products available than GF (p < 0.05). GF bread products were significantly higher in fat and fiber (p < 0.05). All GF products were lower in protein than standard products (p < 0.01). Only 5% of GF breads were fortified with all four mandatory fortification nutrients (calcium, iron, niacin, and thiamin), 28% of GF breads were fortified with calcium and iron only. This lack of fortification may increase the risk of micronutrient deficiency in coeliac sufferers. It is recommended that fortification legislation is extended to include all GF products, in addition to increased regulation of the nutritional content of GF foods.

Novel Fortified Blended Foods: Preference Testing with Infants and Young Children in Tanzania and Descriptive Sensory Analysis.

The preference of porridge made from extruded fortified blended foods (FBFs) compared to a current nonextruded product (corn soy blend plus [CSB+]) among infants and young children was studied in Mwanza region, Tanzania. Five extruded, fortified blends were chosen as novel FBFs in this study: (i) corn soy blend 14 (CSB14), (ii) white sorghumFontanelle 4525 soy blend (SSB), (iii) white sorghumFontanelle 4525 cowpea blend (WSC1), (iv) white sorghum738Y cowpea blend (WSC2), and (v) red sorghum217X Burgundy cowpea blend (RSC). Paired preference testing between CSB+ and each novel FBF was conducted using approximately 600 children for each pair. Results showed that infants and young children prefer CSB14 and SSB over CSB+. Children did not show a preference between CSB+ and any of the 3 sorghum cowpea blends (WSC1, WSC2, and RSC) probably because of a distinct beany flavor from cowpea that they were not familiar with. This study indicated that novel FBFs have potential to be used successfully as supplementary food with higher or comparable preference compared to FBFs currently used in food aid programs. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Successful novel fortified blended foods (FBFs) can be developed with appropriate nutrition and sensory appeal from indigenous and alternative food sources. Development of such foods requires an understanding not only of the nutritional composition, but also how ingredients impact sensory properties and how they can influence preferences. From this research, novel FBFs from sorghum and cowpea were shown to be equally or preferentially preferred and should be successful. Such information is important for creating new standards and alternative formulations for FBFs.

Utilization of Flavonoid Compounds from Bark and Wood. III. Application in Health Foods.

Dietary supplements ACAPOLIA® and ACAPOLIA PLUS have been sold in Japan under the classification "Foods in General" for a number of years. In April 2015, the classification of "Foods with Function Claims" was introduced in Japan to make more products available to the public that were clearly labeled with functional claims based on scientific evidence. In order to obtain recognition of ACAPOLIA PLUS under this new classification, the following information needed to be established. The safety of the bark extract of Acacia mearnsii was shown from the history of the long-term safe consumption of the extract as a health supplement, together with several additional clinical safety tests. Robinetinidol-(4α,8)-catechin was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the supplement and was suitable for use as the basis of the quantitative analysis. In clinical tests, the amount of change in the plasma glucose concentration in the initial 60 min after rice consumption by a test group who had been given the Acadia extract was significantly lower than the glucose concentration in the group that was given a placebo. The blood glucose incremental areas under the curve (IAUC) in the first 60 min after rice consumption were also significantly lower in the Acacia group. The functional mechanisms were explained in terms of the inhibition of the absorption of glucose in the small intestine and the reduction in the activity of the digestive enzymes caused by proanthocyanidins derived from A. mearnsii bark. As a result, ACAPOLIA PLUS was accepted as a "Food with Function Claims" in August 2016. ACAPOLIA PLUS is now sold under this new classification. The growth of a typical intestinal bacterium is inhibited by an extract containing flavonoid compounds from A. mearnsii bark; thus, one of the future directions of study must be a comprehensive investigation of the effect that flavonoid compounds, proanthocyanidins, have on intestinal bacteria.

Intake and Factors Associated with Consumption of Pureed Food in Long Term Care: An Analysis of Making the Most of Mealtimes (M3) Project.

Residents living in long term care (LTC) who consume a pureed diet tend to have inadequate intake; understanding factors associated with poor intake in this group of residents is not well established. This study examined the adequacy of nutrient intake among LTC residents consuming a pureed diet and the factors associated with this intake (n = 67). Data was collected as part of a cross-sectional study conducted in 32 LTC homes. Weighed food intake was measured on three non-consecutive days and analyzed using Food Processor software. Intake of nutrients were adjusted for intra-individual variability and compared to the Estimated Average Requirement or Adequate Intake for women only. Consumers of a pureed diet had low micronutrient intakes. Multivariate analysis found that the average number of staff assisting with a meal was associated with energy and protein intake. Overcoming eating challenges, careful menu planning and nutrient-dense options for pureed diets in LTC are recommended.

Antinutritional factors and hypocholesterolemic effect of wild apricot kernel (Prunus armeniaca L.) as affected by detoxification.

The present investigation was aimed to study the effect of detoxification on the nutrients and antinutrients of wild apricot kernel followed by its hypocholesterolemic effect in male Wistar albino rats. The results revealed a non-significant (p > 0.05) effect of detoxification on the proximate composition except total carbohydrates and protein content. However, detoxification led to a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in l-ascorbic acid (76.82%), ß-carotene (25.90%), dietary fiber constituents (10.51-28.92%), minerals (4.76-31.08%) and antinutritional factors (23.92-77.05%) (phenolics, tannins, trypsin inhibitor activity, saponins, phytic acid, alkaloids, flavonoids, oxalates) along with the complete removal (100%) of bitter and potentially toxic hydrocyanic acid (HCN). The quality parameters of kernel oil indicated no adverse effects of detoxification on free fatty acids, lipase activity, acid value and peroxide value, which remained well below the maximum permissible limit. Blood lipid profile demonstrated that the detoxified apricot kernel group exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) increased levels of HDL-cholesterol (48.79%) and triglycerides (15.09%), and decreased levels of total blood cholesterol (6.99%), LDL-C (22.95%) and VLDL-C (7.90%) compared to that of the raw (untreated) kernel group. Overall, it can be concluded that wild apricot kernel flour could be detoxified efficiently by employing a simple, safe, domestic and cost-effective method, which further has the potential for formulating protein supplements and value-added food products.

The impact of galactooligosaccharides on the bioaccessibility of sterols in a plant sterol-enriched beverage: adaptation of the harmonized INFOGEST digestion method.

The effect of the addition of galactooligosaccharides (GOS) on sterol bioaccessibility in three plant sterol (PS)-enriched milk-based fruit beverages (without GOS addition (MfB) and with 2.5 g (MfB-G2) and 5.0 g (MfB-G5) GOS per 250 mL) was evaluated after micellar gastrointestinal digestion. Cholesterol bioaccessibility was very similar among beverages, though a slight significant increase (from 80% to 85%) was observed by the addition of 5.0 g GOS. The addition of GOS did not affect total PS bioaccessibility (≈37%). Based on the results obtained after micellar digestion, it has been demonstrated that these beverages could be a suitable food matrix for simultaneous enrichment with PS and GOS. The harmonized in vitro digestion model INFOGEST was applied to the MfB beverage, but the cholesterol content could not be quantified due to its contribution of bile salts. Hence, it was proposed: (i) a change in porcine bile salt concentration from 10 mM to 1.4 mM (in order to compare with micellar digestion); or (ii) a change of bile salt origin (bovine instead of porcine), maintaining physiological concentration (10 mM, INFOGEST condition). Both options allowed cholesterol quantification, with bioaccessibilities of 62% (reduction of bile salts) and 38% (replacement of the bile salt source), whereas plant sterol bioaccessibilities were 22% and 14%, respectively. Therefore, the change of bile salt origin maintaining INFOGEST concentration is proposed as a method to evaluate sterol (cholesterol and PS) bioaccessibility in these beverages, demonstrating the need for the selection of appropriate conditions of the INFOGEST harmonized method according to the food matrix and compounds to be determined.

The effect of "NutramilTM Complex," food for special medical purpose, on breast and prostate carcinoma cells.

NutramilTM Complex is a multicomponent food product that meets the requirements of a food for special medical purpose. As a complete, high-energy diet it consists of properly balanced nutrients, vitamins and minerals. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of NutramilTM Complex on breast and prostate carcinoma cells. Our results showed that NutramilTM Complex reduced the viability and proliferation of breast and prostate cancer cells and that this process was associated with the induction of apoptosis via activation of caspase signalling. Data showed elevated levels of p53 tumour suppressor, up-regulation of p38 MAPK and SAPK / JNK proteins and downregulation of anti-apoptotic ERK1/2, AKT1 and HSP27. Treatment with NutramilTM Complex also affected the expression of the BCL2 family genes. Results also showed down-regulation of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 and up-regulation of pro-apoptotic members such as BAX, BAD, BID. In addition, we also observed regulation of many other genes, including Iκßα, Chk1 and Chk2, associated with apoptotic events. Taken together, our results suggest activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway as most likely mechanism of anti-carcinogenic activity of NutramilTM Complex.

[Specialized food products with modified carbohydrate profile for dietary correction of diet of patients with type 2 diabetes].

In recent years, the incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the world is growing steadily. According to the international diabetes Federation (IDF), the number of DM patients in the world in 2015 was 415 million, of them more than 90% - patients with type 2 diabetes. According to forecasts, in 2040 their number will increase to 642 million. Russia ranks fifth among the ten countries with the largest number of the adult population with diabetes. Dietary correction of the diet of patients with type 2 DM is carried out by the inclusion of specialized foods with a modified carbohydrate profile containing ingredients with hypoglycemic action. The purpose of the study - the development of composition and technology of specialized foods and assessment of the possibility of their use in the therapy of patients with type 2 diabetes. Taking into account the medical requirements for diet therapy for type 2 diabetes, composition and technology of two specialized foods in the form of beverage concentrates have been developed. The technology of step-bystep mixing contributed to the uniform distribution of biologically active substances in the mass of the product. The absence of sucrose and digestible polysaccharides in the composition of the developed products was established, the presence of about 1% lactose was due to its content in the protein component. Humidity didn't exceed the standard values for similar products, the values water activity were typical for products with low humidity, which justified the prediction of the microbiological stability of the developed products during storage. The osmolality of the beverages restored in accordance with the method of preparation was 310 and 258 mOsm/kg, which characterized them as isotonic. The products were balanced in amino acid composition, had a high score of essential amino acids due to the introduction of a combination of proteins. The consumption of one serving (30 g) of the product in the form of a drink (200 ml) provided an average daily requirement for essential amino acids by 15-22%, polyunsaturated fatty acids ω-3 - by 10%, ω-6 - by 15%, soluble dietary fibers - by 50-55%, vitamins groups B - by 14-81%, C - by 46%, A, D3, E, K1 - by 17-46%, minerals and trace elements - by 10- 33%. The content of polyphenols was about a half of its adequate level of consumption. The inclusion of specialized foods with a modified carbohydrate profile in the composition of the low-calorie diet lead to the stabilization of postprandial blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 DM.

In vitro assessment of iron availability from commercial Young Child Formulae supplemented with prebiotics.

PURPOSE: Iron is essential for development and growth in young children; unfortunately, iron deficiency (ID) is a significant public health problem in this population. Young Child Formulae (YCF), milk-derived products fortified with iron and ascorbic acid (AA, an enhancer of iron absorption) may be good sources of iron to help prevent ID. Furthermore, some YCF are supplemented with prebiotics, non-digestible carbohydrates suggested to enhance iron bioavailability. The aim of our study was to evaluate iron bioavailability of YCF relative to prebiotic and AA concentrations. We hypothesised that YCF with the highest levels of prebiotics and AA would have the most bioavailable iron. METHODS: We used the in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model to measure iron bioavailability from 4 commercially available YCF with approximately equal amounts of iron, but varying amounts of: AA and the prebiotics fructo- and galacto-oligosaccharides. Caco-2 cell ferritin formation was used as a surrogate marker for iron bioavailability. RESULTS: The YCF with the highest concentration of prebiotics and AA had the highest iron bioavailability; conversely, the YCF with the lowest concentration of prebiotics and AA had the lowest. After the addition of exogenous prebiotics, so that all tested YCF had equivalent amounts, there was no longer a significant difference between YCF iron bioavailability. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that ascorbic acid and prebiotics in YCF improve iron bioavailability. Ensuring that iron is delivered in a bioavailable form would improve the nutritional benefits of YCF in relation to ID/IDA amongst young children; therefore, further exploration of our findings in vivo is warranted.

Multi-Mycotoxin Analysis in Durum Wheat Pasta by Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Quadrupole Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry.

A simple and rapid multi-mycotoxin method for the determination of 17 mycotoxins  simultaneously  is  described  in  the  present  survey  on  durum  and  soft  wheat  pasta  samples.  Mycotoxins included in the study were those mainly reported in cereal samples: ochratoxin-A  (OTA), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), zearalenone (ZON), deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol  (3-AcDON and 15-AcDON), nivalenol (NIV), neosolaniol (NEO), fusarenon-X, (FUS-X), T-2 toxin  (T-2) and HT-2 toxin (HT-2), fumonisin B1 and B2 (FB1 and FB2), and four emerging mycotoxins:  three  enniatins  (ENA,  ENA1,  and  ENB),  and  beauvericin  (BEA).  Twenty-nine  samples  were  analyzed to provide an overview on mycotoxin presence: 27 samples of durum wheat pasta, and  two samples of baby food. Analytical results concluded that trichothecenes showed the highest  incidence, mainly DON, NIV, and HT-2 toxin, followed by ZON and ENB, while NEO, FUS-X, OTA,  AFB1, and FUM were not detected in any sample. The highest contents corresponded to ENB and  ranged from 91.15µg/kg to 710.90 µg/kg.

Epicatechin, procyanidins, cocoa, and appetite: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In 2 randomized controlled trials, it was reported that dark chocolate acutely decreased appetite in human subjects, but the authors did not assess the types or concentrations of cocoa compounds that are needed. Other studies have suggested that the cocoa compounds epicatechin and procyanidins may be involved. OBJECTIVE: We sought to test the hypotheses that, compared with placebo (an alkalized cocoa mixture containing essentially no epicatechin or procyanidins), the following beverages cause a decrease in appetite: 1) a nonalkalized cocoa mixture; 2) epicatechin plus placebo; and 3) procyanidins plus placebo. We measured the concentrations of cocoa compounds in all beverages. DESIGN: We used a 4-way randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled trial that was balanced for period and carryover effects in 28 healthy, young-adult men. We also conducted a smaller (n = 14), parallel, secondary randomized trial in which we explored the effects of higher doses of epicatechin and procyanidins. Our primary measure of appetite was ad libitum pizza intake 150 min after beverage ingestion. We used a linear mixed-model analysis. RESULTS: Intakes of beverages with the nonalkalized cocoa mixture that contained 0.6 mg epicatechin, 0.2 mg catechin, and 2.9 mg monomer-decamer procyanidins/kg body weight did not decrease pizza intake significantly (P = 0.29) compared with intake of the placebo. In the smaller secondary trial, a combination of epicatechin and the nonalkalized cocoa mixture that contained 1.6 mg epicatechin/kg body weight significantly decreased pizza intake by 18.7% (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our nonalkalized cocoa mixture was associated with an acute decrease in food intake only after being supplemented with epicatechin. It is possible that epicatechin at a dose of >1.6 mg/kg body weight, alone or in concert with appropriate catalytic cocoa compounds, may be useful for helping people control their food intakes. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02408289.

[THE USE OF RISK INDICES IN PROCEDURES OF VERIFICATION OF BABY FOOD QUALITY CONFORMANCE].

There is considered the possibility of the use of risk indices with regard to their use in certification and validation of conformity assessment and food conformance, including those recommended for children. There were investigated samples of oatmeals, potted meats, liver pate, fruit-vegetable puree. The calculation of risk values was based on original data of quantitative analysis that was performed with the use of thermogravimetric, photometric, titrimetric, and potentiometric methods, as well as methods of gas-liquid chromatography and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. On the base of data of the chemical analysis of the ingredients of a set of food products, including assigned for baby nutrition, all the tested samples were shown to meet the requirements for the controlled regulatory standards on control indices of quality. The calculation of average daily doses of the intake of metal compounds (Cu, Zn, Fe, Na, Ca, Mg) consumed by adult and child's organisms through tested food showed that such doses are allowable since they do not exceed maximum daily dose and average daily requirements. However, some samples were referred to the category of high risk food, because the used method of individual's lifetime risk calculation takes into consideration all possible negative effects (carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, embryogenic, etc) of the impact of pollutants on the human body. It is shown that in addition to the sanitary and hygienic criteria of food quality, the risks of such food consumption should be taken into consideration by the Technical Regulations and other normative documentations.