Study the interaction of amino acids, sugars, thermal treatment and cooking technique on the formation of acrylamide in potato models.

This study unveiled the effect of the suspected precursors of acrylamide (asparagine, glutamine) combined/separated with different formulations of glucose, fructose, and sucrose. To better understand the interaction between acrylamide precursors, cooking technique (deep vs air frying), and temperature (170 °C vs 190 °C), seven potato models from starch, sugars, amino acids, water and hydrocolloids (alginate and agar) were formulated. In line with previous findings, the present results showed that asparagine, glucose and fructose played an important role in acrylamide formation in these synthetic potato models. Furthermore, glutamine and sodium alginate might have an inhibitory effect on acrylamide formation. A significant impact of frying technique was also revealed. On the other hand, GC-FID analysis detected acrylamide in only these three models, (glucose-fructose, sucrose and asparagine-glucose/fructose/sucrose models > LOD 333.33 µg.kg-1).

New approaches, bioavailability and the use of chelates as a promising method for food fortification.

Food fortification has been used for many years to combat micronutrient deficiencies; the main challenge with food fortification is the combination of a bioavailable, affordable fortificant with the best (food) vehicle as a carrier to reach at-risk populations. This paper considers mineral deficiencies, especially iron, food fortification, target populations, and the use of chelates in food fortification, as well as different types of mineral-chelate complexes, advantages and limitations of previous trials, methods used for analysis of these complexes, bioavailability of minerals, factors influencing it, and methods particularly those in vitro for predicting outcomes. Three innovative methods (encapsulation, nanoparticulation, and chelation) were explored, which aim to overcome problems associated with conventional fortification, especially those affecting organoleptic properties and bioavailability; but often lead to the emergence of new limitations (for example instability, impracticality and high costs) requiring further research.