An overview on the types, applications and health implications of fat replacers.

Driven by the demand of consumers for low-fat foods, the field of fat replacers has made a tremendous breakthrough over the past decade. A fat replacer is a substance that replaces whole or part of the fat in food while asserting the same physiological properties. Based on the source, fat replacers can be carbohydrate, protein or lipid-based. They serve two major purposes in food viz. reducing the calorie content and amount of fat used in the preparation of food products as well as impart fat-like properties. Fat replacers exhibit its functionalities by providing texture, acting as stabilizers, emulsifiers, gelling and thickening agents. It is crucial to select the proper kind of fat replacer because fat functionality varies considerably depending on the meal type and the formulation. Evidence suggests that reducing fat intake can help in controlling body weight and the risk of diseases like type-2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Consumers should not be misled into believing that fat and calorie-reduced foods may be consumed indefinitely. Fat replacers are most beneficial when they aid in calorie control and promote the consumption of meals that provide essential nutrients. This review aims to provide a deep insight into the fact that fat replacers can be utilized in various food commodities in order to meet the dietary guidelines for reducing fat intake with a healthy lifestyle and prudent dietary approach.

Nutritional management and interventions in complications of pregnancy: A systematic review.

Background: Pregnancy, also known as the "gestation period" which lasts for 37-40 weeks, has been marked as the period of "physiological stress" in a woman's life. A wide range of symptoms, from nausea to ectopic pregnancy, are usually aligned with risk factors like abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, etc. An estimated total of 15% of total pregnant women face serious complications requiring urgent attention for safe pregnancy survival. Over the past decades, several changes in the environment and nutrition habits have increased the possibility of unfavourable changes during the gestation phase. The diagnostic factors, management and nutritional interventions are targeted and more emphasis has been laid on modifying or managing the nutritional factors in this physiologically stressed phase. Aims: This review focuses on dietary modifications and nutritional interventions for the treatment of complications of pregnancy. Nutritional management has been identified to be one of the primary necessities in addition to drug therapy. It is important to set a healthy diet pattern throughout the gestation phase or even before by incorporating key nutrients into the maternal diet. Methods: The published literature from various databases including PubMed, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect were used to establish the fact of management and treatment of complications of pregnancy. Results: The recommendations of dietary supplements have underlined the concept behind the eradication of maternal deficiencies and improving metabolic profiles. Conclusion: Therefore, the present review summarises the dietary recommendations to combat pregnancy-related complications which are necessary in order to prevent and manage the same.

Bioactive compounds of corn silk and their role in management of glycaemic response.

Management of glycaemic response is perhaps the most critical part of antidiabetic therapy. Hypoglycaemia is an avoidable complication caused by conventional drugs used in the treatment of diabetes. It triggers commonly during the intensification of anti-hyperglycemic therapy used to render glycemic control in diabetic patients. The commercial oral hypoglycaemic drugs, insulin, herbal medicines and plant extracts are therefore used as a part of the treatment of diabetes. The demand for treating diabetes, through herbal and plant resources is due to their lesser adverse reactions and better phytochemical benefits. Corn silk has been shown to have anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypertensive effects when extracted in various solvents. Corn silk has medicinal characteristics and has long been used as a traditional medicine in many nations, although the mechanism of action is unknown. The hypoglycaemic effects of corn silk are investigated in this review. The phytochemical components present in corn silk-like flavonoids, phenolics, terpenoids, tannins, sterols, and alkaloids are phytochemical components that have hypoglycemic activity and a mechanism for lowering blood glucose levels. There is a lack of a homogenized database on the hypoglycemic properties of corn silk thus the present review attempts to critically analyse it and provide specific recommendations of its doses.

Nutritional advantages of barnyard millet and opportunities for its processing as value-added foods.

Barnyard millet (Echinochloa species) has received appreciable attention for its susceptibility to biotic and abiotic stresses, multiple harvests in a year and rich in micronutrients, fibers and phytochemicals. It is believed that the consumption of barnyard millet can possess various health benefits against diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, skin problems, cancer and celiac disease. The flour of barnyard millet is gluten-free and can be incorporated into the diet of celiac and diabetic patients. Considering the nutritional value of millet, various millet-based food products like bread, snack, baby foods, millet wine, porridge, fast foods and millet nutrition powder can be prepared. Future research and developments on barnyard millet and its products may help cope with various diseases known to humans. This paper discusses barnyard millet's nutritional and health benefits as whole grain and its value-added products. The paper also provides insights into the processing of barnyard millet and its effect on the functional properties and, future uses of barnyard millet in the field food industry as ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat products as well as in industrial uses, acting as a potential future crop contributing to food and nutritional security.

3D printed foods-carbs from the lab for better health.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of the review is to describe carbohydrate based 3D food printing technology in light of how it is affected by the use of various ingredients of ink and the properties associated with carbohydrate inks used for printing. Special focus is diverted to evaluate its effect on texture and corresponding health implications associated with carbohydrate based printed foods. RECENT FINDINGS: The focus of 3D food printed products has revolved around texture modulation and carbohydrates are the best possible additives to achieve this modification. Carbohydrate based inks are used to design healthy texturized printed foods to provide various health benefits to consumer in addition to satisfy their aesthetic requirements. Other ingredients such as prebiotics and probiotics are major adjuncts that add value to these carbohydrates based 3D food printed foods and may have synergistic effects. SUMMARY: Although much of the current attention is on texture modulation, health aspects of the foods naturally drive the future course of research associated with the carbohydrate based 3D food printed foods.

3D food printing: paving way towards novel foods.

3D food printing, a part of additive manufacturing technique is used to modify the process of the food manufacturing in terms of color, shape, flavor, texture and nutrition. It liberates the user to identify and modify their meal according to one's desire, matching to the very minute details. Currently, it is used in decorating and fabricating, food products such as chocolate, cookies and cakes. The process of printing foods depends on several factors such as the physical state of food (whether powder, liquid or semi-solid), size and shape of the syringes to be used and the composition of the ingredients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Apart from the use of 3D food printing for fabrication, it can also play an important role in solving malnutrition by enhancing the nutritional profile of the meal. The objective of this review is to highlight the different methods used in 3D food printing, 3D food printers, benefits of 3D food printing and challenges faced while food printing. Moreover, the paper discusses the applications of 3D food printing and its scope in the near future.

Optimization of a process for microgreen and fruit-based functional beverage.

Microgreen based functional juice blends containing fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), kinnow mandarin (Citrus reticulate) and aloe vera (Aloe brobadensis) in different ratios were blended with sorbitol and stevia. The different ratios of juice blends were analyzed for total soluble solids, sedimentation, viscosity and titrable acidity. They were also screened for total phenolic content, total carotenoid content and antioxidant properties such as DPPH, reducing power and metal chelating activity. The formulation with highest TPC, TCC and antioxidant property was selected to optimize a microgreen based functional juice. The optimized microgreen blend formulation had 20 ml 100-1 ml microgreen juice, 40 ml 100-1 ml kinnow juice, 8.5 ml 100-1 ml sorbitol, 1.78 g 100-1 ml stevia and 29.72 ml 100-1 ml aloe vera juice. It had high protein, minerals (sodium and potassium) and vitamin (vitamin C) content as well as good source beta-carotene, phenols and antioxidants. Antioxidant helps in reducing diabetic complications by reducing the oxidative stress and because of their protective action against reactive oxygen species.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of selected varieties of Piper betle L. (Betel leaf).

Piper betle L., is an evergreen perennial creeper belonging to family Piperaceae and is known to possess numerous medicinal properties. Current study focuses on evaluating antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of betel leaf. For the present study, distilled water, hexane, acetone and ethanolic extracts of two varieties of betel leaves: Meetha paan and Banarasi paan were used. Biochemical tests such as proximate analysis (moisture, ash, protein, lipids, minerals viz., sodium and potassium), antioxidant activity tests (DPPH radical scavenging activity, total phenolics, ascorbic acid, reducing power) and antimicrobial test (antibacterial and antifungal susceptibility test) against four pathogens viz., B. subtilis, E. coli, A. niger and S. cerevisiae were determined. Ethanolic extract had the highest antioxidant activity (89.46% inhibition), while the aqueous extract exhibited lowest antioxidant activity (62.03% inhibition). With increasing concentration (5, 10, 25 and 50 µg/mL), the reducing power of leaf extracts also increased. The ascorbic acid was not significant in Banarasi paan (5.21mg/100 g) and Meetha paan (5.20mg/100 g). The highest antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract (Banarasi paan) may be attributed to the presence of phytosterols in the leaf varieties. Antioxidant and antimicrobial potential study will help to build a database and promote the utilization of betel leaf as a medicinal herb.

Effect of Hot Water Blanching Time and Drying Temperature on the Thin Layer Drying Kinetics of and Anthocyanin Degradation in Black Carrot (Daucus carota L.) Shreds.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of blanching treatment (98 °C for 3 and 6 min) and air drying temperature of 40, 50 and 60 °C on the thin layer drying characteristics such as drying time, drying rate constant, effective moisture diffusivity and activation energy, as well as on anthocyanin content of black carrot shreds. It was observed that drying temperature affected the drying rate but blanching did not have an effect on drying time. Three thin layer drying models, i.e. Page, Lewis and Henderson-Pabis were evaluated. The goodness of these models was evaluated based on the coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error, reduced chi square (χ2) and standard error. Page model showed the best fit to the drying data. The effective diffusivity ranges of 1.4·10-9 to 2.6·10-9 m2/s, 1.3·10-9 to 2.1·10-9 m2/s and 1.5·10-9 to 2.2·10-9 m2/s after 3 or 6 min of blanching and control samples respectively were calculated using Fick's second law. The activation energy of 37.5, 26.0 and 34.6 kJ/(mol·K) of the control samples and samples blanched for 3 or 6 min respectively was determined from the Arrhenius plot. The blanching treatment affected the anthocyanin content to a great extent. The anthocyanin content of (231.7±2.9) and (278.8±7.8) mg per 100 g was recorded in samples blanched for 3 and 6 min and then dried at 60 °C, and (153.0±4.3) and (247.0±5.5) mg per 100 g was recorded at 40 °C as compared to the control of (580.1±1.3) at 60 °C and (466.7±1.1) mg per 100 g at 40 °C.

Predictive modelling for shelf life determination of nutricereal based fermented baby food.

A shelf life model based on storage temperatures was developed for a nutricereal based fermented baby food formulation. The formulated baby food samples were packaged and stored at 10, 25, 37 and 45 °C for a test storage period of 180 days. A shelf life study was conducted using consumer and semi-trained panels, along with chemical analysis (moisture and acidity). The chemical parameters (moisture and titratable acidity) were found inadequate in determining the shelf life of the formulated product. Weibull hazard analysis was used to determine the shelf life of the product based on sensory evaluation. Considering 25 and 50 % rejection probability, the shelf life of the baby food formulation was predicted to be 98 and 322 days, 84 and 271 days, 71 and 221 days and 58 and 171 days for the samples stored at 10, 25, 37 and 45 °C, respectively. A shelf life equation was proposed using the rejection times obtained from the consumer study. Finally, the formulated baby food samples were subjected to microbial analysis for the predicted shelf life period and were found microbiologically safe for consumption during the storage period of 360 days.

Development of a process for the manufacture of shelf stable dhal and its physico-chemical properties.

Thermally processed, ready-to consume dhal with natural sensory attributes was developed. Product optimization was done using two variables, retort process time and ratio of water to dhal. Dhal were packed in retortable pouches and processed in a stationary air-steam retort. The product was characterized by a short lag period for the heating curve, j h (0.52-0.64), small heating rate index, f h (3.9-6.5 min) and a short lag factor for the cooling curve, j c (0.53-0.73) implying essentially convective heating regime. The total process time (B') was 11.56-40.25 min for F o value of 2.30-27.30 min. Process time of 25 min at 121 °C and ratio of water to dhal of 2.5 yielded a product that was microbiologically safe as well as sensorily acceptable. During storage, chemical parameters like thiobarbituric acid and free fatty acid increased, while pH decreased with concomitant decrease in sensory scores. Textural properties like, consistency, cohesiveness and index of viscosity underwent a significant (P < 0.05) increase during the storage.

Effect of modified atmospheric packaging on the shelf life of Kalakand and its influence on microbial, textural, sensory and physico-chemical properties.

Kalakand, a popular traditional milk sweet of Indian sub-continent, was packaged under air and modified atmospheric packaging (MAP) conditions (98 % N2, 98 % CO2 and 50 % N2: 50 % CO2). The samples were stored at 10, 25 and 37 °C and evaluated for various physico-chemical, microbial, textural and sensory changes, in order to establish the applicability of MAP for storage of Kalakand. It could be established that the MAP conditions of 50 % N2: 50 % CO2and storage at 10 °C, were the most suitable conditions for preserving the Kalakand for upto 60 days.

Reduction in phytic acid content and enhancement of antioxidant properties of nutricereals by processing for developing a fermented baby food.

Cereal blends containing pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and oat (Avena sativa) in different ratios were processed (roasted and germinated) and also used as unprocessed flours followed by fermentation with Lactobacillus sp. (Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus plantarum). They were screened for total phenolic content (TPC), phytic acid content (PAC) and free radical scavenging activity (FRSA). A formulation with the highest TPC, FRSA and the lowest PAC was selected to optimize a nutricereal based fermented baby food containing selected fermented cereal blends (FCB), rice-corn cooked flour (RCF), whole milk powder (WMP), whey protein concentrate (WPC) and sugar. The optimized baby food formulation contained 37.41 g 100 g(-1) FCB, 9.75 g 100 g(-1) RCF, 27.84 g 100 g(-1) WMP, 5 g 100 g(-1) WPC and 20 g 100 g(-1) sugar. It had high protein, vitamin, minerals, as well as good quantity of carbohydrates and fat, to fulfil the nutritional needs of preschool children of age 1-3 years. The nutricereal based fermented baby food showed high water absorption capacity, dispersibility, wettability and flowability indicating good reconstitution properties.

Optimization of a process for high fibre and high protein biscuit.

Biscuits are popular and convenient food products due to their ready to eat nature. Biscuits were prepared from sorghum and whole wheat flour with the addition of spirulina (Spirulina platensis) powder to produce high fibre and high protein biscuit. Levels of ingredients in biscuits such as spirulina powder, sorghum flour and guar gum were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) for its sensory, textural and antioxidant attributes. Sensory attributes as colour intensity (R2 = 0.89, P < 0.0001), flavor (R2 = 0.98, P < 0.0001), sweetness (R2 = 0.97, P < 0.0001), graininess (R2 = 0.99, P < 0.0001), and crispiness (R2 = 0.94, P < 0.0001), textural attributes as hardness (R2 = 0.95, P < 0.0001) and fracturability (R2 = 0.96, P < 0.0001), antioxidant activity as DPPH inhibition (R2 = 0.87, P < 0.0001) and antioxidant activity as ABTS inhibition (R2 = 0.98, P < 0.0001) were significantly related to processing parameters of biscuit. Rheological characteristics (TPA and extensograph) of biscuit dough were measured. Studies indicated that amongst all the processing parameters, the composition of spirulina powder and sorghum flour was found to have significant effect on the responses.

Effect of modified atmospheric packaging on chemical and microbial changes in dietetic rabri during storage.

Rabri is a dairy based sweet popular in the Indian subcontinent. The high sugar and fat content impose restrictions on its consumption due to health reasons. Dietetic rabri was prepared by the replacement of sugar with aspartame. Inulin was added to partially replace the milk fat and to improve the consistency of rabri. The rabri samples were packed in the polyethylene bags filled with different gaseous compositions (Air, 50 % CO2:50 % N2 and 100 % N2) and stored at 10 °C. The shelf life was evaluated on the basis of changes in the chemical quality parameters such as HMF, TBA and FFA and microbial content such as total plate count, yeast and molds and coliform counts. The chemical parameters and microbial spoilage increased in all the samples with the progression of storage period. The samples packed with air showed significantly higher chemical deterioration and microbial spoilage as compared to the other two combinations. The samples packed with 100 % N2 were more shelf stable than with air and 50 % CO2:50 % N2 combinations.

Nutritional advantages of oats and opportunities for its processing as value added foods - a review.

Oats (Avena sativa L.) have received considerable attention for their high content of dietary fibres, phytochemicals and nutritional value. It is believed that consumption of oats possesses various health benefits such as hypocholesterolaemic and anticancerous properties. Oats have also recently been considered suitable in the diet of celiac patients. Owing to their high nutritional value, oat-based food products like breads, biscuits, cookies, probiotic drinks, breakfast cereals, flakes and infant food are gaining increasing consideration. Research and development on oat and its products may be helpful in combating various diseases known to mankind. This paper provides an overview of the nutritional and health benefits provided by oats as whole grains and its value added products. It is designed to provide an insight on the processing of oats and its effect on their functional properties. The manuscript also reviews various uses of oats and its fractions for clinical and industrial purposes and in development of value added food products.

Optimization of instant dalia dessert pre-mix production by using response surface methodology.

Dalia, a wheat-based, particulate containing dairy dessert is popularly consumed as a breakfast food and is also considered as a health food. Though popular throughout Northern parts of the country, its limited shelf-life even under refrigeration imposes severe restrictions on its organized manufacture and marketing. In order to promote dalia dessert as a marketable product, in the present study, a process was developed for manufacture of instant dalia pre-mix, as a dry product with long shelf-life, which could be attractively packaged and easily reconstituted for consumption. During the investigation, the effect of different levels of milk solids and wheat solids was studied on dalia pre-mix quality by employing a central composite rotatable design (CCRD). The suggested formulation had 17.82 % milk solids and 2.87 % wheat solids. This formulation was found to be most appropriate for manufacture of instant dalia pre-mix with predicted sensory scores (Max. 100) of 85.35, 41.98 and 67.27 for mouthfeel, consistency and flavor, respectively; the viscosity of the product was 941.0 cp.

Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on the shelf life of lal peda.

Lal peda is a traditional dairy-based sweet, popular in the Indian subcontinent, but it has a poor shelf life. The lal peda samples were packed in polyethylene bags filled with 3 different gaseous compositions (Air, 70 % N2: 30 % CO2 and 98 % N2) and stored at 10 °C. The shelf life was evaluated on the basis of changes in the microbial status of the product such as total plate count, yeast and molds and coliform counts and also the physico-chemical changes such as hydroxy methyl furfural (HMF), thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and free fatty acid (FFA). The microbial spoilage and the indices of chemical changes increased in all the samples with the progression of storage period. The samples packed with air showed significantly higher chemical deterioration and microbial spoilage as compared to the other two combinations. The results showed that samples packed with 70 % N2: 30 % CO2 combination had better shelf stability as compared to the samples packed under air and 98 % N2.

Process optimization, growth kinetics, and antioxidant activity of germinated buckwheat and amaranth-based yogurt mimic.

This study aimed to investigate the integration of cereal and germinated pseudocereals into set-type yogurt mimic, resulting in a novel and nutritious product. Four groups of yogurts mimic, namely CPY-1, CPY-2, CPY-3, and CPY-4, were prepared using different probiotic cultures, including L. acidophilus 21, L. plantarum 14, and L. rhamnosus 296 along with starter cultures. Notably, CPY-2 cultured with L. plantarum and L. rhamnosus and incubated for 12 h exhibited the most desirable attributes. The resulting yogurt demonstrated an acidity of 0.65%, pH of 4.37 and a probiotic count of 6.38 log CFU/mL. The logistic growth model fit revealed maximum growth rates (k, 1/h) and maximum bacterial counts (Nm log CFU/mL) for each CPY variant. The results revealed that CPY-2 significantly improved protein, dietary fiber, phenols and antioxidant capacities compared to the control. Scanning electron microscopy showed more structured and compact casein network in CPY-2, highlighting its superior textural characteristics. Overall, this study demonstrates the incorporation of cereal and germinated pseudocereals into set-type yogurt mimic offers health benefits through increased dietary fiber and ß-glucan.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): A Promising Source of Nutritional and Therapeutic Compounds.

BACKGROUND: Taraxacum officinale, commonly referred to as dandelion, is a selfgrowing plant/ weed in various parts of India and the rest of the world (particularly the northern hemisphere). The plant's chemical composition, including sesquiterpene lactones, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, and many other compounds, contributes positively to the human body, promoting overall health. AIM: This review aims to shed light on the therapeutic potential of dandelion by summarizing its nutritional benefits, phytochemical constituents, and effectiveness in addressing health conditions like diabetes, inflammation, and cancer. It also provides insights into the applications of this plant beyond the food industry to gain researchers' attention to unravel the unexplored aspects of this therapeutic plant. It will further help in laying specific considerations, which are required to be taken into account before the development of functional foods incorporated with dandelion. Scope and approach: Being rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and other phytoconstituents, dandelion is a natural remedy for various ailments. Whether consumed raw or cooked, the plant's inclusion in the diet poses potential therapeutic effects on conditions such as diabetes, inflammation, liver disease, and tumors. It also aids in immune system modulation and fights infections by targeting microbes at their root. Researchers have developed various value-added food products by incorporating different parts of dandelion. CONCLUSION: This review highlights the therapeutic potential of dandelion, emphasizing its effectiveness against various health conditions. Insights into dosage, toxicity, and diverse applications further underscore its role as a versatile and promising natural remedy.