Formaldehyde contamination in seafood industry: an update on detection methods and legislations.

Seafood is abundant in high-quality protein, healthy fats (n-3 and n-6 PUFAs), minerals (calcium, magnesium, copper, selenium, and so on), and vitamin D. Functional compounds in seafood can protect against lifestyle-related diseases. Having had all the merits mentioned, it is also a highly putrefiable food item. To maintain quality and prolong seafood's shelf life, various chemicals have been added, including nitrite, sulfur dioxide, and formaldehyde. In this review, we summarize the uses, the incidence of added formalin contamination, and the approved limit for seafood products. Additionally, worldwide regulations or standards for the use of formalin in seafood products, as well as recent changes relevant to new methods, are highlighted. Although strict limits and regulations have been placed on the utilization of formaldehyde for seafood preservation, there are few incidences reported of formalin/formaldehyde detection in seafood products around Asian countries. In this context, various qualitative and quantitative detection methods for formaldehyde have been developed to ensure the presence of formaldehyde within acceptable limits. Besides this, different rules and regulations have been forced by each country to control formaldehyde incidence. Although it is not an issue of formaldehyde incidence in European countries, strict regulations are implemented and followed.

3D printing: trends and approaches toward achieving long-term sustainability in the food industry.

Global food security has recently been under serious threat from the rapid rise in the world's population, the problems brought on by climate change, and the appearance of new pandemics. As a result, the need for novel and innovative solutions to solve the existing problems and improve food sustainability has become crucial. 3D printing is expected to play a significant role in providing tangible contributions to the food industry in achieving sustainable development goals. The 3D food printing holds the potential to produce highly customized food in terms of shape, texture, flavor, structure and nutritional value and enable us to create new unique formulations and edible alternatives. The problem of whether the cost of the printed meal and 3D printing itself can be sustainably produced is becoming more and more important due to global concerns. This review intends to provide a comprehensive overview of 3D printed foods with an overview of the current printing methodologies, illustrating the technology's influencing factors, and its applications in personalized nutrition, packaging, value addition, and valorization aspects to fully integrate sustainability concerns thus exploring the potential of 3D food printing.

Nanochitosan from crustacean and mollusk byproduct: Extraction, characterization, and applications in the food industry.

Crustaceans and mollusks are widely consumed around the world due to their delicacy and nutritious value. During the processing, only 30-40 % of these shellfish are considered edible, while 70-60 % of portions are thrown away as waste or byproduct. These byproducts harbor valuable constituents, notably chitin. This chitin can be extracted from shellfish byproducts through chemical, microbial, enzymatic, and green technologies. However, chitin is insoluble in water and most of the organic solvents, hampering its wide application. Hence, chitin is de-acetylated into chitosan, which possesses various functional applications. Recently, nanotechnology has proven to improve the surface area and numerous functional properties of metals and molecules. Further, the nanotechnology principle can be extended to nanochitosan formation. Therefore, this review article centers on crustaceans and mollusks byproduct utilization for chitosan, its nano-formation, and their food industry applications. The extensive discussion has been focused on nanochitosan formation, characterization, and active site modification. Lastly, nanochitosan applications in various food industries, including biodegradable food packaging, fat replacer, bioactive compound carrier, and antimicrobial agent have been reported.

Betalains Alleviate Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Fatigue and Improve Sports Performance: an Update on Recent Advancement.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Beetroot juice is a popular natural food supplement commonly consumed for its health and ergogenic benefits. It contains an abundance of phytochemical compounds, which have been shown to enhance sports endurance and recovery. Among them, nitrate is well-studied and known for improving performance during exercise. On the other hand, betalains, the bioactive pigment, have shown various biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypertensive, which may improve exercise performance and post-exercise recovery. Additionally, free radical scavenging activities of betalains could increase nitric oxide availability in the blood, thereby improving blood flow and oxygen supply during strenuous exercise. This review article provides a critical discussion of the non-pathological conditions induced by prolonged or strenuous exercise and betalains' potential in reducing such conditions including muscle damage, inflammation, and fatigue. Additionally, the real-time application of betalains as an ergogenic compound in competitive athletes has been discussed. Finally, future directions and conclusions on the potential of betalains as a natural ergogenic aid in sport endurance are outlined. RECENT FINDINGS: Betalains in beetroot are the major water-soluble nitrogen-containing pigment possessing high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fatigue activities. Betalain supplementation could alleviate exercise-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and fatigue in competitive athletes. Betalains have the potential to become a natural ergogenic aid or nutraceutical compound for sports people during exercise and competitive performance.

Extraction, physicochemical characterization, functionality, and excipient ability of corn fiber gum-starch isolate from corn milling industry waste.

Corn processing industries generate an extensive fibrous byproduct consisting of corn fiber gum (CFG) and residual starch (S). The present study hypothesized that CFG and S could be isolated as a single crosslinked conjugate. The isolated CFG-S conjugate was acidic, with a pKa value of 11.49, and a swelling index of 99.60%. Henderson-Hasselbalch equation predicted negligible ionization throughout the gastrointestinal pH range. The DSC thermogram highlights glass transition and temperature-specific structure stabilization through the exothermic crystallization domain. FTIR, SEM & XRD confirmed the structural conjugation and integrity of the conjugate. Tablets containing Venlafaxine hydrochloride as a model drug were prepared using CFG-S (14 and 57%) as excipient by wet granulation method. Percentage cumulative drug release with low concentration was up to 99.67175 ± 0.09 % in 5 h whereas with high concentration, it was extended to 12 h (P < 0.05). Korsemayer-Peppas release exponent indicates zero order (R2 = 0.9935) kinetics with super case-II anomalous transport showing diffusion and erosion as drug release mechanisms. The results confirmed that CFG-S isolate could act as a good binding agent at low concentrations and release extending cross-linked matrix former at a higher concentration for release retardant excipient.

Effects of Annona muricata Extract on Trypsin, Cathepsin B and Collagenase Activities and Textural Changes in Chilled Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

Texture is an important sensory attribute for overall quality and consumer acceptance of prawns. However, texture is affected during cold storage due to the proteolytic activity of endogenous proteases, resulting in poor quality and a short shelf life. The objective of this study is to determine the inhibitory effects of Annona muricata leaves extract (AMLE) (0, 3, 10 and 20%) on the trypsin, cathepsin B and collagenase activities extracted from the cephalothorax of Macrobrachium rosenbergii. In addition, the textural changes in M. rosenbergii during 20 days of cold storage (4 °C) were also determined. M. rosenbergii were soaked in four different treatments: 0, 3, 10 and 20% AMLE and 1.25% sodium metabisulphate for 10 min at 4 °C. Protease activity was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced at 10 and 20% AMLE. Similarly, cathepsin B showed a significant (p < 0.05) low after treatment at 20% AMLE. The maximum inhibitory activity of trypsin was achieved at 20% AMLE and the standard inhibitor (Tosyl-L-lysyl-chloromethane hydrochloride (TLCK)) compared to the control. Whereas, the lowest collagenase activity was obtained at 20% AMLE compared to the control. These inhibitory effects further maintain the firmness of M. rosenbergii coated with 20% AMLE up to the eighth day of storage when compared to the control. Meanwhile, the highest penetration work was found in the M. rosenbergii coated with 20% AMLE at the twentieth day of storage. In conclusion, treatment at 20% AMLE could be used as a natural preservative to inhibit protease, trypsin and collagenase activity of M. rosenbergii and thus can maintain firmness for up to 8 days of storage.

Dairy Milk Protein-Derived Bioactive Peptides: Avengers Against Metabolic Syndrome.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Metabolic syndrome is continuously increasing among the world's populations. Metabolic syndrome is a medical condition in which individuals suffer from high blood pressure, high blood glucose levels, and obesity. The in vitro and in vivo bioactivities of dairy milk protein-derived peptides (MPDP) have proven their potential as an excellent natural alternative to the current medical treatment for metabolic syndrome. In this context, the review discussed the major protein source of dairy milk and provides current knowledge on the novel and integrated approach to MPDP production. A detailed comprehensive discussion is provided on the current state of knowledge regarding the in vitro and in vivo bioactivities of MPDP against metabolic syndrome. In addition, the most important aspect of digestive stability, allergenicity, and further directions for MPDP application is provided. RECENT FINDINGS: The major proteins found in milk are casein and whey, while a minor portion of serum albumin and transferrin are reported. Upon gastrointestinal digestion or enzymatic hydrolysis, these proteins produce peptides with various biological activities including antioxidative, antiinflammatory, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and antihypercholesterolemic, which could help in ameliorating metabolic syndrome. Bioactive MPDP has the potential to curtail metabolic syndrome and potentially act as a safe replacement for chemical drugs with fewer side effects.

Formulation of Ready-to-Eat Soup for the Elderly: Nutritional Composition and Storage Stability Study.

Lack of appetite is a common problem in elderly people which could lead to the risk of malnutrition. Soup-based product formulation and supplementation for the elderly is an interesting and convenient way to maintain nutritional status. Hence, this study aims to develop ready-to-eat (RTE) soup and instant soup powder using common agricultural commodities. The results indicated that among all formulations, the F7 formula comprised brown rice (15 g), pumpkin (32.5 g), sweetcorn (12.5 g), red tilapia (17.5 g), rice bran oil (1.0 g), and water (21.5 g) with energy ratio (C:P:F) of 58:23:20 receiving the highest sensory scores. The selected formulation (F7) was also transformed into instant powder and both RTE soup and instant powder were evaluated for nutritional composition and storage stabilities at 5 °C and 25 °C, respectively. The nutritional composition analyses indicate that 100 g of RTE soup consists of 13.8 g carbohydrates, 4.9 g proteins, 1.8 g fats, and 1.5 g dietary fibers; the soup is also a rich source of antioxidants and ß-carotene. Storage studies suggested that the content of ß-carotene and antioxidant activity of both (ready-to-eat and instant powder) types of soup decreased with increasing storage time, while a slight increase in yeast and mold count (<50 cfu/g) was noted. Most importantly, no pathogenic bacteria were detected in ready-to-eat and instant soup during the storage study of 6 weeks at 5 °C and 6 months at 25 °C, respectively. In terms of the high nutritional composition and functional value of the product, 4 weeks of storage at 5 °C and 4 months of storage at room temperature were suggested for ready-to-eat and instant powder soup product, respectively.

Nano/micro-plastics: Sources, trophic transfer, toxicity to the animals and humans, regulation, and assessment.

Being in an era of revolutionized production, consumption, and poor management of plastic waste, the existence of these polymers has resulted in an accumulation of plastic litter in nature. With macro plastics themselves being a major issue, the presence of their derivatives like microplastics which are confined to the size limitations of less than 5mm has ascended as a recent type of emergent contaminant. Even though there is size confinement, their occurrence is not narrowed and is extensively seen in both aquatic and terrestrial extents. The vast incidence of these polymers causing harmful effects on various living organisms through diverse mechanisms such as entanglement and ingestion have been reported. The risk of entanglement is mainly limited to smaller animals, whereas the risk associated with ingestion concerns even humans. Laboratory findings indicate the alignment of these polymers toward detrimental physical and toxicological effects on all creatures including humans. Supplementary to the risk involved with their presence, plastics also proceed as carters of certain toxic contaminants complemented during their industrial production process, which is injurious. Nevertheless, the assessment regarding the severity of these components to all creatures is comparatively restricted. This chapter focuses on the sources, complications, and toxicity associated with the presence of micro and nano plastics in the environment along with evidence of trophic transfer, and quantification methods.

Amphibian Skin and Skin Secretion: An Exotic Source of Bioactive Peptides and Its Application.

Amphibians have been consumed as an alternative protein source all around the world due to their delicacy. The skin of edible amphibians, particularly frogs and giant salamanders, always goes to waste without further utilization. However, these wastes can be utilized to extract protein and bioactive peptides (BPs). Various BPs have been extracted and reported for numerous biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, etc. The main BPs identified were brevinins, bombesins, dermaseptins, esculentins, magainin, temporins, tigerinins, and salamandrins. This review provides a comprehensive discussion on various BPs isolated and identified from different amphibian skins or skin secretion and their biological activities. The general nutritional composition and production statues of amphibians were described. Additionally, multiple constraints against the utilization of amphibian skin and secretions are reported. Finally, the prospective applications of BPs in food and biomedical industries are presented such as multifunctional food additives and/or supplements as well as drug delivery agents.

Valorization of Fruit Waste for Bioactive Compounds and Their Applications in the Food Industry.

The fruit production and processing sectors produce tremendous amounts of by-products and waste that cause significant economic losses and an undesirable impact on the environment. The effective utilization of these fruit wastes can help to reduce the carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions, thereby achieving sustainable development goals. These by-products contain a variety of bioactive compounds, such as dietary fiber, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, antioxidants, polysaccharides, and several other health-promoting nutrients and phytochemicals. These bioactive compounds can be extracted and used as value-added products in different industrial applications. The bioactive components extracted can be used in developing nutraceutical products, functional foods, or food additives. This review provides a comprehensive review of the recent developments in fruit waste valorization techniques and their application in food industries. The various extraction techniques, including conventional and emerging methods, have been discussed. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the active compounds extracted and isolated from fruit waste have been described. The most important food industrial application of bioactive compounds extracted from fruit waste (FW) has been provided. Finally, challenges, future direction, and concluding remarks on the topic are summarized.

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Four Tannins Isolated from Different Sources and Their Effect on the Shelf-Life Extension of Vacuum-Packed Minced Meat.

Four tannin samples extracted from chestnut wood (tannin oenologique, TO), grape (tannin VR grape, TVG), oak gall (tannin galalcool, TG), and oak tree (tannin VR supra elegance, TE) were evaluated for antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The highest total phenolic content (TPC) values were observed in the order of TVG > TG > TE > TO (p < 0.05). The antioxidant activities of all samples were determined in terms of DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power, metal-chelating activity, and linoleic acid peroxidation assay. The antioxidant activities of all samples vary and no correlation was observed with the respective TPC values of each sample. Antibacterial activities indicate that all samples showed more or less inhibitory effects against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Based on antioxidant and antibacterial activity, TO and TVG were selected for the beef mince quality preservation study during refrigerated storage. Both TO and TVG at two different concentrations, 0.25 and 0.5%, could cease the chemical and microbial changes as compared to the control sample. Although total viable count (TVC) did not show a significant difference, the H2S-producing bacteria count was lower in all samples treated with TO and TVG compared to sodium metabisulfite (SMS) and the control sample (p < 0.05). Therefore, TO and TVG could be promising natural food preservatives during refrigerated storage.

Microbiological and Sensorial Quality of Beef Meat (Longissimus dorsi) Marinated with Cinnamon Extract and Stored at Various Temperatures.

Meat spoilage caused by temperature abuse is a major problem for producers, retailers, and consumers that can generate large economic losses to industries. Microbial growth of Pseudomonas spp. is the main source of spoilage during storage. Cinnamon has antimicrobial properties that may potentially be used to reduce the spoilage caused by Pseudomonas. The objectives of this study were to determine the inhibitory effect of cinnamon extract (CE) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and evaluate the treatment of CE on meat quality during different storage temperatures (5 °C, 10 °C, 15 °C, and 25 °C). The anti-Pseudomonas result showed that 100% (w/v) CE concentration produced a 13.50 mm zone of inhibition in a disc diffusion assay. The minimum inhibitor concentration (MIC) of CE was noted at 25% (v/v), whereas the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) value was observed at 50% (v/v) concentration of CE. The time-kill showed the growth of P. aeruginosa decreased from 7.64 to 5.39 log CFU/mL at MIC concentration. Total phenolic content and IC50 value of the cinnamon extract was expressed as 6.72 ± 0.87 mg GAE/g extract and 0.15 mg/mL, respectively. When the meat was marinated with 50% (v/v) CE and stored at various temperatures, the total viable count (TVC) and growth of Pseudomonas spp. were lowered as compared to the control sample. However, the reduction in microbial count in all samples was influenced by the storage temperature, where the lowered microbial count was noted in the sample treated with CE and stored at 5 and 10 °C for 48 h. The pH of meat treated with or without CE ranged from pH 5.74 to 6.48. The sensory attributes of colour, texture, and overall acceptability have a significant difference, except for odour, between marinated meat and control. The results indicate that the use of cinnamon extract as the marination agent for meat could reduce the growth of Pseudomonas spp. and therefore assist in extending the shelf life of meat at 5 and 10 °C storage temperatures.

Human Milk Oligosaccharides as Potential Antibiofilm Agents: A Review.

Surface-associated bacterial communities called biofilms are ubiquitous in nature. Biofilms are detrimental in medical settings due to their high tolerance to antibiotics and may alter the final pathophysiological outcome of many healthcare-related infections. Several innovative prophylactic and therapeutic strategies targeting specific mechanisms and/or pathways have been discovered and exploited in the clinic. One such emerging and original approach to dealing with biofilms is the use of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are the third most abundant solid component in human milk after lactose and lipids. HMOs are safe to consume (GRAS status) and act as prebiotics by inducing the growth and colonization of gut microbiota, in addition to strengthening the intestinal epithelial barrier, thereby protecting from pathogens. Moreover, HMOs can disrupt biofilm formation and inhibit the growth of specific microbes. In the present review, we summarize the potential of HMOs as antibacterial and antibiofilm agents and, hence, propose further investigations on using HMOs for new-age therapeutic interventions.

Postbiotics: Current Trends in Food and Pharmaceutical Industry.

Postbiotics are non-viable bacterial products or metabolic byproducts produced by probiotic microorganisms that have biologic activity in the host. Postbiotics are functional bioactive compounds, generated in a matrix during anaerobic fermentation of organic nutrients like prebiotics, for the generation of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate. The byproducts of this metabolic sequence are called postbiotics, these are low molecular weight soluble compounds either secreted by live microflora or released after microbial cell lysis. A few examples of widely studied postbiotics are short-chain fatty acids, microbial cell fragments, extracellular polysaccharides, cell lysates, teichoic acid, vitamins, etc. Presently, prebiotics and probiotics are the products on the market; however, postbiotics are also gaining a great deal of attention. The numerous health advantages of postbiotic components may soon lead to an increase in consumer demand for postbiotic supplements. The most recent research aspects of postbiotics in the food and pharmaceutical industries are included in this review. The review encompasses a brief introduction, classification, production technologies, characterization, biological activities, and potential applications of postbiotics.

Effect of different packaging methods on the free amino acid profiles of the deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) during frozen storage.

The composition of free amino acids (FAAs) in seafood products contributes to characterizing their flavor, as well as freshness and quality during storage. Deep-water rose shrimps (Parapenaues longirostris, Lucas, 1846) (DWRS) are being increasingly harvested in the Mediterranean Sea, and the captured specimens are quickly frozen onboard fishing trawlers to preserve freshness and post-harvest quality. Here, we quantified the FAA profiles of DWRS packaged using five methods: (1) 100% N2; (2) vacuum; (3) 50% N2 + 50% CO2; (4) commercial anhydrous sodium sulfite; and (5) air (control). All samples were quickly frozen at -35°C and stored for 12 months at -18°C. Arginine (661 mg/100 g), proline (538 mg/100 g), and glycine (424 mg/100 g) were the most abundant FAAs, whereas the least abundant were tyrosine (67 mg/100 g), histidine (58 mg/100 g), and aspartic acid (34 mg/100 g). FAAs in all samples gradually (and significantly) increased in the first 6 to 8 months of storage, and then significantly decreased. The sodium sulfite treatment (Method 4) kept the initial FAA contents lower than the other treatments, due to the strong antioxidant action of sulfite agents. Interestingly, similar results were obtained for vacuum packaging (Method 2). Thus, combining frozen storage with vacuum packaging represents an alternative approach to chemical additives in shrimp/prawn processing to meet the increasing demand for high-quality seafood products with long shelf-life.

Antimicrobial Impacts of Microbial Metabolites on the Preservation of Fish and Fishery Products: A Review with Current Knowledge.

Microbial metabolites have proven effects to inhibit food spoilage microbiota, without any development of antimicrobial resistance. This review provides a recent literature update on the preservative action of metabolites derived from microorganisms on seafood. Fish and fishery products are regarded as a myriad of nutrition, while being highly prone to spoilage. Several proven controversies (antimicrobial resistance and health issues) related to the use of synthetic preservatives have caused an imminent problem. The demand for minimally processed and naturally preserved clean-label fish and fishery products is on rise. Metabolites derived from microorganisms have exhibited diverse preservation capacities on fish and fishery products' spoilage. Inclusions with other preservation techniques, such as hurdle technology, for the shelf-life extension of fish and fishery products are also summarized.

Engineered Nanotechnology: An Effective Therapeutic Platform for the Chronic Cutaneous Wound.

The healing of chronic wound infections, especially cutaneous wounds, involves a complex cascade of events demanding mutual interaction between immunity and other natural host processes. Wound infections are caused by the consortia of microbial species that keep on proliferating and produce various types of virulence factors that cause the development of chronic infections. The mono- or polymicrobial nature of surface wound infections is best characterized by its ability to form biofilm that renders antimicrobial resistance to commonly administered drugs due to poor biofilm matrix permeability. With an increasing incidence of chronic wound biofilm infections, there is an urgent need for non-conventional antimicrobial approaches, such as developing nanomaterials that have intrinsic antimicrobial-antibiofilm properties modulating the biochemical or biophysical parameters in the wound microenvironment in order to cause disruption and removal of biofilms, such as designing nanomaterials as efficient drug-delivery vehicles carrying antibiotics, bioactive compounds, growth factor antioxidants or stem cells reaching the infection sites and having a distinct mechanism of action in comparison to antibiotics-functionalized nanoparticles (NPs) for better incursion through the biofilm matrix. NPs are thought to act by modulating the microbial colonization and biofilm formation in wounds due to their differential particle size, shape, surface charge and composition through alterations in bacterial cell membrane composition, as well as their conductivity, loss of respiratory activity, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitrosation of cysteines of proteins, lipid peroxidation, DNA unwinding and modulation of metabolic pathways. For the treatment of chronic wounds, extensive research is ongoing to explore a variety of nanoplatforms, including metallic and nonmetallic NPs, nanofibers and self-accumulating nanocarriers. As the use of the magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)-entrenched pre-designed hydrogel sheet (MPS) is found to enhance wound healing, the bio-nanocomposites consisting of bacterial cellulose and magnetic nanoparticles (magnetite) are now successfully used for the healing of chronic wounds. With the objective of precise targeting, some kinds of "intelligent" nanoparticles are constructed to react according to the required environment, which are later incorporated in the dressings, so that the wound can be treated with nano-impregnated dressing material in situ. For the effective healing of skin wounds, high-expressing, transiently modified stem cells, controlled by nano 3D architectures, have been developed to encourage angiogenesis and tissue regeneration. In order to overcome the challenge of time and dose constraints during drug administration, the approach of combinatorial nano therapy is adopted, whereby AI will help to exploit the full potential of nanomedicine to treat chronic wounds.