Effects of yeast and exogenous fibrolytic enzyme additives on lamb performance and feed efficiency.

Yeast and fibrolytic enzymes serve as additives incorporated into the nutrition of ruminants to regulate rumen fermentation and increase the digestibility of fiber, thereby enhancing the efficiency of rumen fermentation. Two experiments were conducted to assess the impact of five diets: a control diet without additives, diets with yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) or exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE), and diets with a blend of 0.7yeast + 0.3EFE or 0.7EFE + 0.3Yeast (based on recommended levels in g/kg of total DM). In the first experiment, 40 five-month-old Santa Ines lambs (mean weight 25.0 ± 1.3 kg) were distributed in a completely randomized design (5 treatments and 8 lambs) for 81 days to evaluate performance, ingestive behaviour, and serum metabolites. In the second experiment, 25 Santa Ines male lambs weighing 25.7 ± 4.1 kg were housed in metabolic cages, in a randomized design with 5 treatments and 5 lambs, evaluating digestibility, nitrogen balance, and rumen pH. EFE supplementation increased intakes of dry matter (DM), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and apNDF (mean of 38.1, 5.26, and 27%, respectively) compared to yeast or the 0.7yeast-0.3EFE blend. Feed conversion was most efficient (mean of 27.1%) in lambs fed Yeast, 0.7EFE + 0.3yeast, and the control diet. Lambs fed 0.7yeast + 0.3EFE spent less time eating (mean of 16.5%) and more time idling (mean of 10.75%), whereas EFE-fed lambs spent more time eating (mean of 19.73%), and 0.7EFE + 0.3yeast-fed lambs spent more time ruminating (mean of 20.14%). Control group lambs chewed and ruminated less (means of 24.64 and 17.21%, respectively) compared to other treatments. Lambs on the 0.7yeast + 0.3EFE blend had higher eating and rumination efficiency rates for DM and apNDF (mean of 19.11 and 17.95%, respectively) compared to other additive treatments or individual additives. They also exhibited lower (means 7.59 g/d) urinary N excretion, with improved N retention (mean 3185 g/d) compared to the control group. There were significant effects on serum albumin and cholesterol concentrations, with the 0.7yeast + 0.3EFE blend showing higher albumin (mean 4.08 g/dL) levels, while diets without additives and yeast-EFE blends had higher cholesterol (mean of 62.51 g/dL) concentrations. Including Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast along with 0.7 yeast + 0.3 EFE blend is recommended when feeding similar lamb diets to those used herein because it improves the efficiency of intake, rumination of DM and NDF, and nitrogen utilization without affecting the lamb performance.

Value addition to dietetic frozen yoghurt through use of fruit peel solids.

The study pertains to preparing value added frozen yoghurt through use of orange peel powder (OPP). The quality aspects of medium-fat (6.0% fat) frozen yoghurt prepared using OPP at three levels (1.5, 2.5, 3.5% as T1, T2 and T3 respectively) was studied. Frozen yoghurt was prepared by freezing blend of fermented yoghurt base with ice cream mix (25:75 w/w); other ingredients were sugar, stabilizer-emulsifier and orange crush. Inclusion of OPP in frozen yoghurt impacted the orange flavour favorably and enriched product with ß-carotene and dietary fiber. The control product (TC) was prepared in similar manner, avoiding OPP. As the level of OPP was raised in formulation, there was a marked increase in the protein, carbohydrate, ash and total solids when compared with TC. Presence of OPP markedly affected the acidity, viscosity, overrun and melting resistance of the product; maximum overrun was associated with TC. Product T3 had the maximum acidity and viscosity; T2 had maximum total sensory score. It is recommended to prepare medium-fat frozen yoghurt utilizing 2.5% OPP along with orange crush as flavouring. Such inclusion of peel solids enriched the product with ß-carotene and dietary fiber, contributed to stabilization of product and enhanced the products sensory acceptance.

Peruvian fava beans for health and food innovation: physicochemical, morphological, nutritional, and techno-functional characterization.

Peruvian fava beans (PFB) are used in traditional cuisine as a nutrient-rich, flavorful, and textural ingredient; however, little is known about their industrial properties. This study evaluated the physicochemical, nutritional, and techno-functional characteristics of PFB varieties: Verde, Quelcao, and Peruanita. PFB exhibited distinct physical characteristics, quality parameters, and morphology. The color patterns of the seed coat and the hardness were the main parameters for distinguishing them. Nutritionally, all three samples exhibited high protein (23.88-24.88 g/100 g), with high proportion of essential amino acids, high dietary fiber (21.74-25.28 g/100 g), and mineral content. They also contain polyphenols (0.79-1.25 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (0.91-1.06 mg CE/g) with antioxidant potential (16.60-21.01 and 4.68-5.17 µmol TE/g for ABTS and DPPH assays, respectively). Through XRD measurements, the semi-crystalline nature of samples was identified, belonging to the C-type crystalline form. Regarding techno-functionality, PFB flours displayed great foaming capacity, with Verde variety being the most stable. Emulsifying capacity was similar among samples, although Peruanita was more stable during heating. Upon heating with water, PFB flours reached peak viscosities between 175 and 272 cP, and final viscosities between 242 and 384 cP. Quelcao and Verde formed firmer gels after refrigeration. Based on these results, PFB would be useful to developing innovative, nutritious, and healthy products that meet market needs.

Pinhão potential and their parts (failures, shells, and almonds) in the elaboration of yogurts containing acai pulp: physicochemical, nutritional, and functional properties, antimicrobial activity, and multi-elemental profile.

This study applies natural resources, prioritizing recyclable and renewable inputs produced by pinhão cultivation, whose purpose is to use the failures, shells, and almonds as a source of bioactive compounds addition in yogurt, ensuring intelligent use of these natural resources. Thus, one açaí yogurt sample and eight yogurt formulations containing portions of pinhão byproducts between 5 % and 10 % were elaborated. These formulations were compared regarding their physicochemical, nutritional, functional properties, antimicrobial activity, and multi-elemental profile properties. Enriching açaí yogurt with pinhão byproducts does not significantly differ in protein, lipid, moisture, and mineral salt content between all samples with pinhão byproducts. Açaí yogurts enriched with pinhão byproducts had 5.71 to 26.07 % times total protein than the control sample, and total fiber also had a significant increase in samples ranging between 18.62 to 85.29 % times more than the control sample. Regarding color settings, all yogurt samples tended to be red-purple. A sample of açaí yogurt with pine nut flour and whole pine nut flour caused a biofilm mass amount of 46.58, 45.55, and 11.85 % for Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enteritidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The behavior of pathogenic bacteria is related to the total polyphenol content in yogurts enriched with pinhão byproducts, which increased from 8.27 to 18.24 mg/100 g. Yogurt with açaí enriched with whole pinhão flour showed high antioxidant capacity. The sample's antioxidant activity results increased by 47.62 % and 130.38 % in the ABTS and DPPH analyses, respectively. The compounds in pinhão failure nanosuspensions, pinhão flour, whole pinhão flour, and yogurts were identified and divided into hydrophilic and lipophilic classes. Five classes (amino acids, organic acids, sugars, phenols, and cyclitols) were identified as hydrophilic. Lipophilic compounds were identified and separated into six classes (carboxylic acids, diterpenes, alcohols, Α-hydroxy acids, sterols, and triterpenes). The addition of pinhão byproducts increased the contents of Ca, Fe, K, Na, and P. Açaí yogurt with pinhão nanosuspension, pinhão flour, and whole pinhão flour had the highest Ca content (2164.38 ± 2.16 µg/L). Açaí yogurt with pinhão flour and whole pinhão flour had the highest Fe content (84.02 ± 0.08 µg/L).

A sequential approach of alkali enzymatic extraction of dietary fiber from rice bran: Effects on structural, thermal, crystalline properties, and food application.

Rice bran is abundant in dietary fiber and is often referred to as the seventh nutrient, recognized for its numerous health benefits. The objective of the current study is to investigate the extraction of both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber from defatted rice bran (DRB) using an alkali-enzymatic treatment through response surface methodology. The independent variables like substrate percentage (5-30 %), enzyme concentration (1-50 µL/g), and treatment time (2-12 h) and dependent variables were the yield of soluble and insoluble DF. The highest extraction yield was observed with alkali enzyme concentration (50 µL/g) treatment, resulting in 2 % SDF and 59.5 % IDF at 24 h of extraction. The results indicate that cellulase-AC enzyme aids in the hydrolysis of higher polysaccharides, leading to structural alterations in DRB and an increase in DF yield. Furthermore, the disruption of intra-molecular hydrogen bonding between oligosaccharides and the starch matrix helps to increase in DF yield, was also confirmed through FTIR and SEM. The extracted DF soluble and insoluble was then used to develop rice porridge. Sensory evaluation using fuzzy logic analysis reported the highest scores for samples containing 0.5 % insoluble DF and 1.25 % soluble DF.

Enhancing prebiotic, antioxidant, and nutritional qualities of noodles: A collaborative strategy with foxtail millet and green banana flour.

Foxtail millet (FM) and green banana (GB) are rich in health-promoting nutrients and bioactive substances, like antioxidants, dietary fibers, and various essential macro and micronutrients. Utilizing GB and FM flour as prebiotics is attributed to their ability to support gut health and offer multiple health benefits. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of incorporating 10% GB flour (GBF) and different proportions (10-40%) of FM flour (FMF) on the prebiotic potential, antioxidant, nutrient, color, cooking quality, water activity and sensory attributes of noodles. The prebiotic potential, antioxidant, and nutrient of the produced noodles were significantly improved by increasing the levels of FMF. Sensorial evaluation revealed that noodles containing 30% FMF and 10% GBF attained comparable scores to the control sample. Furthermore, the formulated noodles exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of protein, essential minerals (such as iron, magnesium, and manganese), dietary fiber (9.37 to 12.71 g/100 g), total phenolic compounds (17.81 to 36.35 mg GA eq./100 g), and total antioxidants (172.57 to 274.94 mg AA eq./100 g) compared to the control. The enriched noodles also demonstrated substantially (p < 0.05) increased antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by enhanced DPPH and FRAP activities, when compared to the control noodles. Overall, the incorporation of 30% FMF and 10% GBF led to a noteworthy improvement in the nutritional and antioxidant qualities of the noodles, as well as the prebiotic potential of the noodles with regard to L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, and L. acidophilus. The implementation of this enrichment strategy has the potential to confer a multitude of health advantages.

[Nutritional components of 5 potatoes in Anqing City in 2021].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the nutrient composition and nutritional value evaluation of 5 potatoes in Anqing City. METHODS: According to the requirements of the Technical Manual for Food Composition Monitoring Projects, 5 types of potato samples were collected from Anqing City, Anhui Province. National standard detection method were used to determine the nutritional components such as water, ash, protein, fat, dietary fiber, sugar, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids in the samples. The index of nutritional quality(INQ) method was used to evaluate proteins, vitamins, and minerals, and the amino acid scoring standard mode(FAO/WHO mode) was used to evaluate the nutritional value of amino acids. RESULTS: Among the 5 types of potatoes, purple potato had the highest protein(2.3 g/100 g) and dietary fiber content(3.6 g/100 g). Sweet potato(red) had the highest carotene content(4003 µg/100 g), sweet potato(white) had the highest content of vitamin C(15.4 mg/100 g). Sugar in potatoes mainly existed in three forms: fructose, glucose, and sucrose; Purple potatoes had the highest levels of calcium(47 mg/100 g) and phosphorus(74 mg/100 g), respectively. Potatoes(white) had the highest content of potassium(401 mg/100 g), while sweet potatoes(red) had the highest content of magnesium(31 mg/100 g). Sodium(104.0 mg/100 g), iron(0.9 mg/100 g), copper(0.17 mg/100 g), and manganese(0.40 mg/100 g) had the highest content in sweet potatoes(white). The Na/K ratio range of the 5 potato varieties was 0.003-0.456, and the INQ of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, copper, and manganese were greater than 1. The detection result of 5 potatoes all contain 18 amino acids, and aspartic acid was the highest. The amino acid score(AAS) was 0.29-1.35, and the ratio coefficient(RC) was 0.47-1.69. CONCLUSION: The 5 types of potatoes are rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C and minerals, and belong to the high potassium and low sodium type of food. Potatoes can meet the daily needs of the human body for phosphorus, potassium, magnesium copper, and manganese elements. Lysine is rich in content and can be used as a nutritional supplement for grains. The AAS score and RC are close to 1, and the AAS evaluation mode is closer to the human amino acid composition mode, which can meet the daily needs of the human body for this essential amino acid.

Persimmon Fiber-Rich Ingredients Promote Anti-Inflammatory Responses and the Growth of Beneficial Anti-Inflammatory Firmicutes Species from the Human Colon.

Persimmon fruit processing-derived waste and by-products, such as peels and pomace, are important sources of dietary fiber and phytochemicals. Revalorizing these by-products could help promote circular nutrition and agricultural sustainability while tackling dietary deficiencies and chronic diseases. In this study, fiber-rich fractions were prepared from the by-products of Sharoni and Brilliant Red persimmon varieties. These fractions were quantified for their phenolic composition and assessed for their ability to promote the growth of beneficial human colonic Firmicutes species and for their in vitro anti-inflammatory potential. Gallic and protocatechuic acids, delphinidin, and cyanidin were the main phenolics identified. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii strains showed significantly higher growth rates in the presence of the Brilliant Red fraction, generating more than double butyrate as a proportion of the total short-chain fatty acids (39.5% vs. 17.8%) when compared to glucose. The fiber-rich fractions significantly decreased the inflammatory effect of interleukin-1ß in Caco-2 cells, and the fermented fractions (both from Sharoni and Brilliant Red) significantly decreased the inflammatory effect of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the RAW 264.7 cells. Therefore, fiber-rich fractions from persimmon by-products could be part of nutritional therapies as they reduce systemic inflammation, promote the growth of beneficial human gut bacteria, and increase the production of beneficial microbial metabolites such as butyrate.

Chemical Profile and In Vitro Gut Microbiota Modulation of Wild Edible Mushroom Phallus atrovolvatus Fruiting Body at Different Maturity Stages.

Phallus atrovolvatus, a wild edible mushroom, has attracted increasing interest for consumption due to its unique taste and beneficial health benefits. This study determined the chemical components in the so-called fruiting body during the egg and mature stages and investigated its gut microbiota-modulating activities. The egg stage contained higher total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, glucans, ash, and fat, while the total protein content was lower than in the mature stage. Two consumption forms, including cooked mushrooms and a mushroom aqueous extract from both stages, were used in this study. An in vitro gut fermentation was performed for 24 h to assess gut microbiota regulation. All mushroom-supplemented fermentations increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production compared to the blank control. Furthermore, all mushroom supplementations promoted the growth of Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus. Samples from the mature stage increased the relative abundance of Clostridium sensu stricto 1, while those from the egg stage increased the Bacteroides group. The inhibition of harmful bacteria, including Escherichia-Shigella, Klebsiella, and Veillonella, was only observed for the mature body. Our findings demonstrate that P. atrovolvatus exhibits potential benefits on gut health by promoting SCFA production and the growth of beneficial bacteria, with the mature stage demonstrating superior effects compared to the egg stage.

Agrocybe cylindracea Dietary Fiber Modification: Sodium Hydroxide Treatment Outperforms High-Temperature, Cellulase, and Lactobacillus Fermentation.

Agrocybe cylindracea dietary fiber (ADF) contains 95% water-insoluble dietary fiber, resulting in poor application performance. To address this issue, ADF was modified by four methods (cellulase, sodium hydroxide, high-temperature, and Lactobacillus fermentation) in this paper. By comparing the physicochemical properties, microstructures, monosaccharide compositions, and functional characteristics (antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities in vitro) of all modified ADF samples, the optimal modification method was selected. Results showed that sodium hydroxide treatment was deemed the most effective modification method for ADF, as alkali-treated ADF (ADF-A) revealed a higher oil-holding capacity (2.02 g/g), swelling capacity (8.38 mL/g), cholesterol adsorption (6.79 mg/g), and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (more than 70% at 0.4-0.6 mg/mL) than the other modified samples. The looser microstructure in ADF-A might be attributed to molecular rearrangement and spatial structure disruption, which resulted in smaller molecular sizes and decreased viscosity, hence improving ADF's physicochemical and functional qualities. All these findings indicate the greater application potential of modified ADF products in food and weight-loss industries, providing a comprehensive reference for the industrial application of ADF.

Chemical Composition and Nutritive Value of Sea Buckthorn Leaves.

Sea buckthorn leaves (SBT_LVs) form notable by-product during harvesting and post-harvest management of the berries. It is already known that sea buckthorn berries are important for their chemical composition and based on this, they occupy a wide field in nutrition. SBT_LVs also have a rich chemical composition, like the berries. The aim of this study was to describe these by-products in the context of protein and complex carbohydrates-dietary fiber fractions, including qualitative and quantitative composition of amino acids. Proximate composition, amino acids, nutritional values of the protein, and dietary fiber fractions of SBT_LVs of four cultivars (cvs.) Ascola, Habego, Hergo, and Leikora were assessed. SBT_LVs from different years of the study had statistically different levels of crude protein, ether extract, crude ash, and nitrogen-free extract (NFE), confirming that the quality of the raw material (leaves) can be significantly modified by habitat conditions. The largest fraction of dietary fiber was neutral detergent fiber (NDF), including the sum of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin, followed by the acid detergent fiber fraction (ADF), consisting of lignin and cellulose. The content of essential amino acids in SBT_LV protein was high. Overall, this study confirms that SBT_LVs hold promise as a valuable resource for use as a food ingredient, functional food, and dietary supplement for both humans and animals.

Impact of functional dietary fiber incorporation on the appearance and mechanical properties of extruded high moisture meat analogs.

The effect of including functional dietary fiber ingredients (FDFI) on the texture and structure of high moisture meat analog (HMMA) was examined in this study. The inclusion of FDFI in this application is hypothesized to act as a label-friendly texture modifier in HMMA while also boosting the product's dietary fiber content. Two inclusion rates (5% and 10% wt/wt) of four functionally unique FDFI ingredients (pea hull, citrus fiber, hydrocolloid oat bran, and powdered cellulose) were blended with wheat protein isolate. Each unique formulation was processed using a high-moisture twin-screw extrusion process at two different screw speeds (200 and 400 rpm). The type of FDFI added affected the mechanical texture attributes (hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, and integrity index) and in-process behavior (torque and pressure) of the resulting HMMA far more than the inclusion rate or screw speed (p > 0.05). The type of FDFI ingredient employed also had the largest qualitative effect on the visual appearance of the resulting HMMA. These observed quality changes correlated well with the physicochemical and structure-function properties of the FDFI ingredients, especially with water-holding and absorption capacities. The incorporation of FDFI is a viable means of modulating HMMA texture and improving the holistic nutrition of these products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Adding highly functional, dietary fiber-rich ingredients to processed foods is a viable strategy for improving the nutritional and textural quality of these foods. The results of this study imply that these fibers can be added to meat analogs at nutritionally relevant rates, and the texture of the resulting product can be tailored based on the functional properties of the ingredients deployed.

Upcycling soybean meal through enzymatic conversion of insoluble fiber into soluble dietary fiber enhanced by ball milling.

Insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) in soybean meal, due to the insolubility, is one of the major impediments to upcycle the soybean meal for its value-added use. This study converted IDF to soluble dietary fiber (SDF) using ball milling and enzymatic hydrolysis of the IDF. The impact of ball milling and enzymatic hydrolysis on the physicochemical and functional properties of SDF was evaluated. Cellulase, hemicellulase, xylanase, galacturonase, and arabinofuranosidase were employed for hydrolyzing IDF. The results showed that ball milling significantly reduced the particle size of IDF, facilitating enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis and resulting in SDF with lower molecular weight and varied monosaccharide composition. The synergistic effect of ball milling and enzymatic processes with combination of cellulase-xylanase-galacturonase was evident by the improved conversion rates (69.8%) and altered weight-averaged molecular weight (<5900 Da) of the resulting SDF. Rheological and microstructural analyses of the SDF gel indicated that specific enzyme combinations led to SDF gels with distinct viscoelastic properties, pore sizes, and functional capabilities, suitable for varied applications in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. This comprehensive evaluation demonstrates the potential of optimized physical bioprocessing techniques in developing functional ingredients with tailored properties for industrial use.

Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals the Genetic Basis of Crude Fiber Components in Brassica napus L. Shoots at Stem Elongation Stage.

Brassica napus is currently the principal field crop for producing materials for primary, secondary and tertiary industries. B. napus shoots at stem elongation stage are rich in anthocyanins, vitamin C and mineral elements such as selenium, calcium and zinc, and represent a new type of green vegetable. However, the high crude fiber (CF) content of B. napus shoots affects their taste, and few studies have focused on the quality traits of these vegetables. In this study, we investigated five traits related to the CF components, including neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), hemicellulose (Hem) and cellulose (Cel), of B. napus shoots. Whole-genome resequencing at a depth of ∼20× was utilized to genotype an association panel of 202 diverse accessions, which resulted in the identification of 6,093,649 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 996,252 indels, respectively. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed for the five CF-related traits based on the phenotypic data observed in four environments. A total of 1,285 significant SNPs were detected at the threshold of -log10 (p) = 5.16, and 97 significant association regions were obtained. In addition, seven candidate genes located on chromosomes A2 (one gene), A8 (three genes), A9 (two genes) and C9 (one gene) related to CF traits were identified, and ten lines containing low CF contents were selected as excellent germplasm resources for breeding. Our results contributed new insights into the genetic basis of CF traits and suggested germplasm resources for the quality improvement of B. napus shoots.

Optimization of Enzymolysis Modification Conditions of Dietary Fiber from Bayberry Pomace and Its Structural Characteristics and Physicochemical and Functional Properties.

Bayberry pomace, a nutrient-rich material abundant in dietary fiber (DF), has historically been underutilized due to a lack of thorough research. This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical and functional properties of the DF. Ultrasonic enzymatic treatment was performed to extract the total DF, which was then optimized to produce modified soluble dietary fiber (MSDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (MIDF). The optimized conditions yielded 15.14% of MSDF with a water-holding capacity (WHC) of 54.13 g/g. The DFs were evaluated for their structural, physicochemical, and functional properties. The MSDF showed a higher (p < 0.05) WHC, oil-holding capacity (OHC), swelling capacity (SC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and glucose adsorption capacity (GAC) (about 14.15, 0.88, 1.23, 1.22, and 0.34 times) compared to the DF. Additionally, the MSDF showed strong, superior radical scavenging and blood sugar-lowering capabilities, with a more porous surface morphology. A Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy analysis indicated that enzymatic modification degraded the cellulose and hemicellulose, reducing the DF crystallinity. Overall, the results demonstrated that cellulase hydrolysis could effectively improve the physicochemical and functional properties of DF, thereby paving the way for its development into functional food products.

Nutritional and techno-functional properties of the brown seaweed Sargassum filipendula.

With the increasing need to promote healthy and sustainable diets, seaweeds emerge as an environmentally friendly food source, offering a promising alternative for food production. The aim of this study was to characterize the brown seaweed Sargassum filipendula from the coast of São Paulo, Brazil, regarding its nutritional and techno-functional properties using two dehydration methods, oven drying and lyophilized. A commercial dried sample was used as a control. Analyses of proximate composition, mineral determination, amino acid determination, antioxidant capacity, pH, color, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal properties, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and techno-functional properties were performed. Seaweed flours showed significant differences in physicochemical composition, with dietary fiber content of seaweed flours exceeding 70 %. Glutamic and aspartic acids were the most abundant amino acids, with contents of 88.56 and 56.88 mg/g of protein in Sargassum oven drying. Both for antioxidant potential and bioactive compounds, Sargassum lyophilized flours showed the highest levels of compounds. Sargassum lyophilized exhibited lighter color compared to Sargassum oven drying and Sargassum commercial. Emulsion formation, foam formation capacity and stability were higher in Sargassum lyophilized, as well as water and oil absorption. The results suggest that seaweeds can be used to formulate a wide variety of food products, such as sausages, bread, cakes, soups, and sauces.

Let food be your medicine - dietary fiber.

Dietary fiber (DF) cannot be digested and absorbed by the digestive tract, nor can it provide the energy needed to be burned for metabolic activities. Therefore, from the 1950s to the 1980s, DF received little attention in nutrition studies. With in-depth research and developments in global nutrition, people have gradually paid attention to the fact that DF occupies an essential position in the structure of nutrition, and it can ensure the healthy development of human beings. As early as 390 B.C., the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates proposed, "Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food". This concept has been more systematically validated in modern scientific research, with numerous epidemiological studies showing that the dietary intake of DF-rich foods such as whole grains, root vegetables, legumes, and fruits has the potential to regulate the balance of the gut microbiota and thereby prevent diseases. However, the crosstalk between different types of DF and the gut microbiota is quite complex, and the effects on the organism vary. In this paper, we discuss research on DF and the gut microbiota and related diseases, aiming to understand the relationship between all three better and provide a reference basis for the risk reduction of related diseases.

Evaluation of nutritional, technological, oxidative, and sensory properties of low-sodium and phosphate-free mortadellas produced with bamboo fiber, pea protein, and mushroom powder.

This study examined the effects of replacing alkaline phosphate (AP) with bamboo fiber (BF), isolated pea protein (PP), and mushroom powder (MP) on the nutritional, technological, oxidative, and sensory characteristics of low-sodium mortadellas. Results indicated that this reformulation maintained the nutritional quality of the products. Natural substitutes were more effective than AP in reducing water and fat exudation. This led to decreased texture profile analysis (TPA) values such as hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness. The reformulation reduced the L* values and increased the b* values, leading to color modifications rated from noticeable to appreciable according to the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) index. Despite minor changes in oxidative stability indicated by increased values in TBARS (from 0.19 to 0.33 mg MDA/kg), carbonyls (from 2.1 to 4.4 nmol carbonyl/mg protein), and the volatile compound profile, the sensory profile revealed a beneficial increase in salty taste, especially due to the inclusion of MP, which was enhanced by the synergy with BF and PP. In summary, the results confirmed the potential of natural alternatives to replace chemical additives in meat products. Incorporating natural antioxidants into future formulations could address the minor oxidation issues observed and enhance the applicability of this reformulation strategy.

Nutritional and sensory parameters of amazake from the recycling of stale bread.

Stale bread is a waste product with a potential to be recycled. One way to manage this waste material is to process it by fermentation for the purpose of food production. This paper proposes the use of stale wheat and rye bread as ingredients in amazake, a liquid dessert traditionally obtained from rice by fermentation with the koji mould Aspergillus oryzae, followed by liquefaction by the action of fungal enzymes. The stale bread was introduced instead of rice at both the koji stage (wheat bread) and the liquefaction stage (wheat and rye bread). The resulting products had an extended volatile compound profile, from 5 to 15 compounds identified, and modified sensory parameters, compared to the traditional version. Amazake containing bread had an increased protein content, from 1.10 to 6.4 g/100 g, and were more abundant in dietary fibre (up to a maximum of 1.8 g/100 g), additionally enriched with a soluble fraction. The proposed procedure of obtaining of new formula amazake can be directly applied in households to reduce the amount of discarded bread. Due to its simplicity, it also has the potential for further modification in terms of production scale and product parameters.

Stimbiotic and wheat bran inclusion in maize or wheat-based diets for broiler chickens; effects on jejunal histomorphology, digesta oligosaccharides and caecal short-chain fatty-acids profiles.

1. A stimbiotic (STB) is any feed additive that stimulates caeca fibre fermentation, although the additive itself contributes little to the caeca short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. A 42 d experiment investigated the interactive effects of STB and wheat bran (WB) in broiler chickens receiving maize or wheat-based diets.2. The treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial (eight replicates each), the dietary factors being diet (maize-SBM or wheat-SBM), STB (with or without) and WB (0 or 50 g/kg). Jejunal tissue, gizzard, jejunal and ileal digesta and caecal contents were collected on d 18 and 42.3. Gizzard pH tended to decrease with STB (p = 0.06) supplementation and was lower in birds fed wheat- compared to maize-based diets on d 18 (p < 0.05). Birds receiving diets with WB had higher jejunum pH on d 18 (p < 0.05).4. Total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the caeca on d 18 and isobutyrate on d 42 were higher (p < 0.05) for maize compared with wheat-based diets. However, on d 42, acetate, butyrate and total SCFA were higher (p < 0.05) for wheat-based compared with maize-based diets.5. On d 18, STB and WB inclusion increased villi height (VH; p < 0.05) and VH to crypt depth ratio (VH/CD), respectively (p < 0.05). On d 42, VH (p < 0.05) and VH/CD were higher in wheat-based diets (p < 0.05). The VH/CD ratio was lower with STB supplementation (p < 0.05). Marker-corrected pentose oligosaccharides (Pent)4 and (Pent)5 concentrations in the ileal digesta were reduced (p < 0.05) with STB supplementation. In addition, STB decreased (Pent)3 concentration in maize-, but not wheat-based diets (p < 0.05).6. In conclusion, both WB and STB influenced gastrointestinal pH and jejunum histomorphology of broilers without increasing oligosaccharide concentration in the ileum and SCFA in the caeca.