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.

Recent nano-, micro- and macrotechnological applications of ultrasonication in food-based systems.

There is a neoteric and rising demand for nutritional and functional foods which behooves food processors to adopt processing techniques with optimal conservation of bioactive components in foods and with minimal pernicious impacts on the environment. Ultrasonication, a mechanochemical technique has proven to be an efficacious panacea to these concerns. In this review, an analytic exploration of recent researches and designs regarding ultrasound methodology and equipment on diverse food systems, technological scales, procedural parameters and outcomes of such experimentations optimally scrutinized. The relative effects of ultrasonication on food formulations, components and attributes such as nanoemulsions, nanocapsules, proteins, micronutrients, sensory and mechanical characteristics are evaluatively delineated. In food systems where ultrasonication was employed, it was found to have a remarkable effect on one or more quality parameters. This review is a supplementation to the pedagogical awareness to scholars on the suitability of ultrasonication for research procedures, and a call to industrial food brands on the adoption of this technique for the development of foods with optimally sustained nutrient profiles.

Nutraceutical Potential of Diet Drinks: A Critical Review on Components, Health Effects, and Consumer Safety.

Background: The purpose of this review paper was to explore the components and their respective health effects and safety aspects regarding the consumption of diet drinks (DDs).Methods: A wide variety of the relevant publications (published before 2018) were identified through searching electronic databases (ScienceDirect, PubMed, SciELO, Google Scholar, Springer Link, and ResearchGate) on the basis of different keywords such as diet drink, market status, consumption pattern, composition, health effects, and regulations related to DDs. After the search of suitable literature, 139 papers were screened and reviewed.Results: Numerous brands of DDs have been introduced in the market along with a wide variety of modifications in order to attract the consumers of all age groups along with their respective professions. The major components of DDs are caffeine, taurine, ginseng, guarana, sodium, potassium, and sweeteners that contribute to the good taste, stimulating effect, increased performance and cognitive function, and reduced stress. However, ingestion of DDs over a prolonged course of time can pose multiple deleterious effects, i.e., intoxication, affective disorder, hypertension, reproductive toxicity, and neurological disorders. Consequently, different regulatory bodies of respective countries have formulated and enforced rules and regulations regarding the composition, consumption, labeling, distribution, and sales of DDs.Conclusions: An awareness regarding the components, consumption, and health effects is greatly required in the present era, and authors have tried to fill this gap.Key teaching pointsRise in socio-economic status, health awareness and change in dietary lifestyle are the major factors that fuel the demand of diet drinks; which has been witnessed by a drastic increase in the consumption pattern of the diet drinks among young to middle-age adults since last decade.A wide variety of the ingredients are used in the preparation of diet drinks including caffeine, ginseng (Panax ginseng), guarana (Paullinia cupana), taurine, artificial sweeteners, B Vitamins, sodium, potassium etc.Diet drinks are generally served cold and contain high levels of caffeine and other artificial sweeteners; which based on dosage, have been known to be beneficial as well as harmful.These ingredients possess numerous health benefits including anti-hypertensive, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer properties, improved metabolic functions, stress reduction and enhanced endurance, exercise and performance and increased cognitive function.A wide range of the adverse health effects such as nervousness, sleeplessness, behavioral changes, decreased appetite, heart palpitations, nausea, vomiting, dehydration etc. is being possessed by diet drinks upon the ingestion of these drinks over a prolonged course of time.Regulatory bodies should determine the safe limits of all ingredients for different age groups to get maximum health benefits.

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.

Influence of Pre-Drying Treatments on Physico-Chemical and Phytochemical Potential of Dried mahua Flowers.

Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) flowers are boon for the local tribes of India and have been successfully utilized traditionally for the value addition, and are very prone for microbial spoilage. Local folks utilized malpractices of drying which deteriorates the quality attributes of the mahua flowers and ultimately fails to fetch a good price in the market. Present investigation was led to consider the impact of different pre-treatments i.e., blanching time; and dip of potassium meta-bisulfite (KMS) and citric acid (CA) on the physico-chemical and phytochemical potential of dried mahua flowers using response surface methodology (RSM). Maximum physico-chemical and phytochemicals attributes were observed under optimum conditions i.e., a blanching of 4.1 min followed by dipping in solution having 1285 ppm KMS and 0.77% citric acid. Qualitative analysis through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) supported the findings. Sugar and phytochemical profiling by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) proved the significant effect of each variable. No specific cluster formation was observed during cluster analysis of whole data indicating the significant and equal effect of all variable on the quality of dried mahua flowers. The optimized conditions will definitely help the local processors as well as the industrialist to maintain the quality attributes of the dried mahua.

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.

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.

Influence of dual succinylation and ultrasonication modification on the amino acid content, structural and functional properties of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) protein concentrate.

Chickpea protein, a valuable plant-based source, offers versatile applications, yet the impact of modifications like succinylation and ultrasonication on its properties remains unclear. This study explored dual succinylation and ultrasonication modification to enhance its functionality and application. Modified chickpea protein with a degree of succinylation of 96.75 %, showed enhanced water holding capacity 39.83 %, oil holding capacity 54.02 %, solubility 7.20 %, and emulsifying capacity 23.17 %, compared to native protein. Despite reduced amino acid content (64.50 %), particularly lysine, succinylation increased sulfhydryl by 1.74 %, reducing hydrophobicity (Ho) by 41.87 % and causing structural changes. Ultrasonication further reduced particle size by 82.57 % and increased zeta potential and amino acid content (57.47 %). The dual-modified protein exhibited a non-significant increase in antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (25.93 ± 1.36 mm) compared to the native protein (25.28 ± 1.05 mm). In conclusion, succinylation combined with ultrasonication offers a promising strategy to enhance chickpea protein's physicochemical properties for diverse applications.

Nutritional Significance of Wheatgrass: Cultivation Practices and Opportunities for its Processing and Preservation.

BACKGROUND: This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the nutritional composition and bioactive compounds found in wheatgrass, including chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds, as well as their associated health benefits. The review focuses on various cultivation practices, preservation techniques, and the current utilization of wheatgrass as a whole. Additionally, the potential toxicity of wheatgrass has been discussed. Wheatgrass, a nutrient-rich grass, possesses significant pharmacological and therapeutic qualities. In the present scenario, wheatgrass is available in the form of juice, powder, and tablets, and is incorporated into various food products through different processing treatments. METHOD: Information and data regarding wheatgrass cultivation practices, processing, and preservation methods were collected from scientific sources, including Google Scholar, ResearchGate, ScienceDirect, fig, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. RESULT: Wheatgrass is a highly valuable source of diverse nutrient compounds. Various cultivation methods, such as indoor and outdoor techniques using different growing mediums, have been employed for wheatgrass production. Recent methods for wheatgrass preservation have been suggested to enhance the bioactive compounds present in wheatgrass. CONCLUSION: Numerous studies have demonstrated that the consumption of wheatgrass and wheatgrass- based products can help control diabetes, atherosclerosis, kidney and colon diseases, anemia, and certain types of cancer. The smaller size of wheatgrass allows for easier assimilation of its beneficial compounds. Creating awareness among consumers about the nutritional profile and therapeutic properties of wheatgrass is crucial in order to maximize its market potential.

Bioactive Compounds from Kinnow Processing Waste, its Associated Benefits: A Review.

Kinnow is a citrus fruit that is extensively cultivated in India, Pakistan and other countries. The production of Kinnow generates a significant amount of waste, including peel, seeds, and pulp. The disposal of this waste is a major environmental issue, as it can lead to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, there is a growing interest in finding ways to valorize Kinnow waste. There are studies which focused on using Kinnow waste for the production of biofuels, biopolymers, and other value-added products. The utilization of Kinnow waste for these purposes can help to reduce the environmental impact of Kinnow production and generate economic benefits for farmers and other stakeholders. The research on Kinnow waste valorization is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to contribute to sustainable development in the citrus industry.

Extraction, Modification, Biofunctionality, and Food Applications of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) Protein: An Up-to-Date Review.

Plant-based proteins have gained popularity in the food industry as a good protein source. Among these, chickpea protein has gained significant attention in recent times due to its high yields, high nutritional content, and health benefits. With an abundance of essential amino acids, particularly lysine, and a highly digestible indispensable amino acid score of 76 (DIAAS), chickpea protein is considered a substitute for animal proteins. However, the application of chickpea protein in food products is limited due to its poor functional properties, such as solubility, water-holding capacity, and emulsifying and gelling properties. To overcome these limitations, various modification methods, including physical, biological, chemical, and a combination of these, have been applied to enhance the functional properties of chickpea protein and expand its applications in healthy food products. Therefore, this review aims to comprehensively examine recent advances in Cicer arietinum (chickpea) protein extraction techniques, characterizing its properties, exploring post-modification strategies, and assessing its diverse applications in the food industry. Moreover, we reviewed the nutritional benefits and sustainability implications, along with addressing regulatory considerations. This review intends to provide insights into maximizing the potential of Cicer arietinum protein in diverse applications while ensuring sustainability and compliance with regulations.

Effect of dual modifications with ultrasonication and succinylation on Cicer arietinum protein-iron complexes: Characterization, digestibility, in-vitro cellular mineral uptake and preparation of fortified smoothie.

The research aimed to evaluate the effect of ultrasonication and succinylation on the functional, iron binding, physiochemical, and cellular mineral uptake efficacy of chickpea protein concentrate. Succinylation resulted in significant improvements in the water-holding capacity (WHC) (25.47 %), oil-holding capacity (OHC) (31.38 %), and solubility (5.80 %) of the chickpea protein-iron complex. Mineral bioavailability significantly increased by 4.41 %, and there was a significant increase in cellular mineral uptake (64.64 %), retention (36.68 %), and transport (27.96 %). The ferritin content of the succinylated chickpea protein-iron complex showed a substantial increase of 66.31%. Furthermore, the dual modification approach combining ultrasonication and succinylation reduced the particle size of the protein-iron complex with a substantial reduction of 83.25 %. It also resulted in a significant enhancement of 51.5 % in the SH (sulfhydryl) content and 48.92 % in the surface hydrophobicity. Mineral bioavailability and cellular mineral uptake, retention, and transport were further enhanced through dual modification. In terms of application, the addition of single and dual-modified chickpea protein-iron complex to a fruit-based smoothie demonstrated positive acceptance in sensory attributes. Overall, the combined approach of succinylation and ultrasonication to the chickpea protein-iron complex shows a promising strategy for enhancing the physiochemical and techno-functional characteristics, cellular mineral uptake, and the development of vegan food products.

Emergence of microgreens as a valuable food, current understanding of their market and consumer perception: A review.

Green leafy vegetables, especially microgreens are gaining popularity due to their high nutritional profiles, rich phytochemical content, and intense flavors. This review explores the growing commercial market for microgreens, especially in upscale dining and premium grocery outlets, highlighting consumer perceptions and their effect on market dynamics. Apart from these, the effect of modern agricultural methods that maximize the growth of microgreens is also examined. The value is anticipated to increase significantly, according to market predictions, from $1.7 billion in 2022 to $2.61 billion by 2029. Positive consumer views on microgreens health benefits drive this growth, although challenges such as varying levels of consumer awareness and income disparities affect sales. The review underscores the need for targeted research and strategic initiatives to enhance consumer understanding and improve cultivation methods to support market expansion in upcoming years.

Image analysis-based discoloration rate quantification and kinetic modeling for shelf-life prediction in herb-coated pear slices.

The present research study aimed to examine three different herb extract's effects on the discoloration rate of fresh-cut pear slices using an image analysis technique. Pear slices were sprayed and dip-coated with Ocimum basilicum, Origanum vulgare, and Camellia sinensis (0.1 g/ml) extract solution. During 15 days storage period with three days intervals, all sprayed/dip-coated pear slices were analyzed for the quality attribute (TA) and color parameters notably a*, b*, hue angle (H*), lightness (L*), and total color change (ΔE). Further, order kinetic models were used to observe the color changes and to predict the shelf-life. The results obtained showed that the applicability of image analysis helped to predict the discoloration rate, and it was better fitted to the first-order (FO) kinetic model (R2 ranging from 0.87 to 0.99). Based on the kinetic model, color features ΔE and L* was used to predict the shelf-life as they had high regression coefficient values. Thus, the findings obtained from the kinetic study demonstrated Camellia sinensis (assamica) extract spray-coated pear slices reported approximately 28.63- and 27.95-days shelf-stability without much discoloration compared with all other types of surface coating.

Analysis of Primary and Secondary Metabolites, Physical Properties, Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities, and Chemical Composition of Rosmarinus officinalis Essential Oils under Differential Water Stress Conditions.

This study investigated the effects of varying water stress levels on Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils (EO). Three samples (S1, S2, and S3) were cultivated under different stress levels (40, 60, and 80%). Increased water stress led to changes in primary and secondary metabolites, EO contents, and physical properties. Antioxidant activity varied, with S2 exhibiting the highest IC50 value. In terms of antidiabetic activity, S2 showed robust α-amylase inhibition, while S3 displayed a commendable influence. For α-galactosidase inhibition, S3 had a moderate effect, and S2 stood out with increased efficacy. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed stress-induced changes in major compounds. The study enhances the understanding of plant responses to water stress, with potential applications in antioxidant therapy and diabetes management. The findings emphasize the importance of sustainable water management for optimizing the EO quality in its various uses.