Binary wax oleogels: Improving physical properties and oxidation stability through substitution of carnauba wax with beeswax.

High concentrations of carnauba waxes (CRWs) that can compromise organoleptic properties are required to create self-sustained and functional oleogels. The weak physical properties and stability of 4% w/w CRW-rice bran oil (RBO) oleogel were addressed by substituting CRW with beeswax (BW) in different weight ratios. The texture profile analyzer revealed that substituting only 10% (weight ratio) of CRW with BW improved the hardness compared to the mono-CRW oleogel. The hardness of binary oleogels increased gradually as the proportion of BW increased. At a BW ratio of 70% or more, the hardness was three times higher than that of mono-BW oleogel. Rheology analysis showed the same trend as the large deformation test; however, the hardest binary oleogels had lower critical strain and yield point compared to the mono-wax oleogels, implying that they are more prone to lose their structure upon applied stress. Nevertheless, nearly all binary mixtures (except for 10%BW90%CRW) showed oil-binding capacities above 99%, suggesting improved nucleation and crystallization process. Polarized light microscopy showed the coexistence of BW and CRW crystals and changes in the size and arrangement of wax crystals upon proportional changes of the two waxes. X-ray diffraction confirmed no differences in the peaks' location, and all oleogels had ß' polymorphism. Differential scanning calorimetry showed eutectic melting behavior in some binary blends. Oxidation stability in the binary wax oleogels improved as compared to the mono-wax oleogel and bulk RBO. BW and CRW mixtures have promising oil-structuring abilities and have various properties at different ratios that have the potential to be used as solid fat substitutes. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: As a trending green oil-structuring technology, oleogelation has shown great potential to reduce saturated fats in food systems. The current research provides valuable fundamental information on the strong synergistic interactions between beeswax and carnauba wax that have the potential to be used as solid fat substitutes created with a much lower total concentration of the required wax. This will help create wax oleogels with better organoleptic properties and less negative waxy mouthfeel. Such knowledge could prove beneficial for the development of healthy products that have potential applications in meat, bakery, dairy, pharmaceutical, as well as cosmetic industries.

Unlocking the Potential of Sprouted Cereals, Pseudocereals, and Pulses in Combating Malnutrition.

Due to the global rise in food insecurity, micronutrient deficiency, and diet-related health issues, the United Nations (UN) has called for action to eradicate hunger and malnutrition. Grains are the staple food worldwide; hence, improving their nutritional quality can certainly be an appropriate approach to mitigate malnutrition. This review article aims to collect recent information on developing nutrient-dense grains using a sustainable and natural process known as "sprouting or germination" and to discuss novel applications of sprouted grains to tackle malnutrition (specifically undernutrition). This article discusses applicable interventions and strategies to encourage biochemical changes in sprouting grains further to boost their nutritional value and health benefits. It also explains opportunities to use spouted grains at home and in industrial food applications, especially focusing on domestic grains in regions with prevalent malnutrition. The common challenges for producing sprouted grains, their future trends, and research opportunities have been covered. This review article will benefit scientists and researchers in food, nutrition, and agriculture, as well as agrifood businesses and policymakers who aim to develop nutrient-enriched foods to enhance public health.

Multicomponent Oleogels Prepared with High- and Low-Molecular-Weight Oleogelators: Ethylcellulose and Waxes.

The combined interactions between ethylcellulose (EC) and natural waxes to structure edible oil are underexplored. To reduce the high EC concentration required to form a functional oleogel, novel oleogels were prepared using a 50% critical concentration of EC (i.e., 4%) with 1-4% beeswax (BW) and carnauba wax (CRW). One percent wax was sufficient for EC to form self-sustaining oleogel. Rheological analysis demonstrated that 4%EC + 4%BW/CRW had comparable oleogel properties to 8%EC. The yield stress and flow point of wax oleogels were enhanced upon EC addition. EC did not influence the thermal behaviour of the wax component of the oleogel, but the crystallinity and plasticity of the combined oleogel increased. The crystal shape of BW oleogel changed upon EC addition from a needle-like to spherulitic shape. Confocal laser scanning microscopy highlighted the uniform distribution of EC polymeric network and wax crystals. EC/wax mixtures have promising oil-structuring abilities that have the potential to use as solid fat substitutes.

Food neophobia and its association with dietary choices and willingness to eat insects.

Growing populations, changing dietary preferences and limitations on natural resources have meant that finding an alternative to traditional animal-based protein sources is a priority. Insects have been proposed as a possible solution due to their many benefits including low resource inputs and rich nutritional profile. However, insects are not consumed on a large scale by Australians. Food neophobia (reluctance to try new foods) could be contributing to this delay and as such, this study aimed to explore the role of food neophobia on protein food source habits and willingness to eat insects as food. A total of 601 participants (76.2% female, 23.8% male) completed an online survey which included a questionnaire measuring food neophobia status, participants' self-reported usual protein dietary habits, their previous insect-eating experience, future willingness to eat insects, and potential motivations to include insects in their diet. Results indicated a strong association between food neophobia and participants' dietary choices such as following a vegan or vegetarian diet (p = 0.024). In addition, food neophobia was correlated with a reduced likelihood of previous insect-eating experience (p < 0.001), as well as a decreased willingness to eat insects in the future (p < 0.001). This study provides a greater understanding of the role of food neophobia status and dietary choices in consumers' willingness to eat insects and identifies possible motivating factors that may increase the likelihood of consumers' future insect eating.

Fenugreek bioactive compounds: A review of applications and extraction based on emerging technologies.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is a pharmaceutically significant aromatic crop with health benefits linked to its phytochemicals. This article aims to overview progress in using emerging technologies to extract its bioactive compounds and extraction mechanisms. Also, the trends in the applications of this herb in the food industry and its therapeutical effects were explained. Fenugreek's flavor is the primary reason for its applications in the food industry. At the same time, it has antimicrobial, antibacterial, hepatoprotection, anticancer, lactation, and antidiabetic effects. Phytochemicals responsible for these effects include galactomannans, saponins, alkaloids, and polyphenols. Besides, data showed that emerging technologies boost fenugreek extracts' yield and biological activity. Among these, ultrasound (55.6%) is the most studied technology, followed by microwave (37.0%), cold plasma (3.7%), and combined approaches (3.7%). Processing conditions (e.g., treatment time and intensity) and solvent (type, ratio, and concentration) are significant parameters that affect the performance of these novel extraction technologies. Extracts obtained by sustainable energy-saving emerging technologies can be used to develop value-added health-promoting products.

Fenugreek's phytochemicals (e.g., galactomannans and polyphenols) have therapeutic effectsUltrasound and microwave are major emerging technologies for fenugreek's bioactive compound extractionEmerging technologies enhance the yield and biological activities of fenugreek extractsEmerging extraction technologies can develop fenugreek-based products with health benefits.

Effect of Dry Heating on Some Physicochemical Properties of Protein-Coated High Amylose and Waxy Corn Starch.

The dry heat treatment (DHT) of starch and hydrocolloid mixtures is gaining acknowledgement since hydrocolloids can enhance the efficiency of DHT. However, the DHT of a starch-protein mixture has been less investigated. In this study, the effects of different proteins including sodium caseinate (SC), gelatin, and whey protein isolate (WPI) added to high amylose and waxy corn starches (HACS and WCS, respectively) prepared by the dry mixing and wet method before and after DHT were studied. The DHT of both starches with WPI and SC prepared by the wet method increased the peak viscosity, but no change was observed when gelatin was added. Dry mixing of HACS with the proteins did not affect the peak viscosity before and after DHT. The gelatinization temperatures and enthalpy of both starches showed a slight decrease with the addition of all proteins and reduced further after DHT. The firmness, gumminess, and cohesiveness of the samples decreased upon DHT. The SEM results revealed that the granules were coated by proteins and formed clusters. Particle size analysis showed an increase in the particle size with the addition of proteins, which reduced after DHT. Under the conditions used, the wet method was more successful than dry mixing and the effects of WPI > SC > gelatin in enhancing the physicochemical properties of the tested starches after DHT.

Oleogels prepared with low molecular weight gelators: Texture, rheology and sensory properties, a review.

There is a growing need for healthier foods with no trans and reduced saturated fat. However, solid fats play critical roles in texture and sensory attributes of food products, making it challenging to eliminate them in foods. Recently, the concept of oleogelation as a novel oil structuring technique has received numerous attentions owing to their great potential to mimic the properties of solid fats. Understanding textural, rheological and sensory properties of oleogels helps predict the techno-functionalities of oleogels to replace solid fats in food products. This research critically reviews the textural and rheological properties of oleogels prepared by low molecular weight oleogelators (LMWGs) and functional characteristics of foods formulated by these oleogels. The mechanical properties of LMWG-containing oleogels are comprehensively discussed against conventional solid fats. The interactions between the oleogel and its surrounding food matrix are explained, and the sensory attributes of oleogel containing reformulated products are highlighted. Scientific insights into the texture and rheological properties of oleogels manufactured with a wide range of low molecular gelators and their related products are provided in order to boost their implication for creating healthier foods with high consumer acceptability. Future research opportunities on low molecular weight gelators are also discussed.

The pathogenic and spoilage bacteria associated with red meat and application of different approaches of high CO2 packaging to extend product shelf-life.

With the fast-global development of packaging techniques, the potential antimicrobial effect of CO2, as a safe, cheap and readily available gas, makes it the integral component for packaging of meat products. The associated spoilage and/or pathogenic bacteria on raw meat may respond in different ways to elevated CO2 concentrations. The growth of some aerobic Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas spp. is significantly inhibited but some LAB bacteria may be allowed to grow faster and dominate the product. The antimicrobial efficacy of enriched CO2 packaging is attributed to the rate of CO2 solubility in the product which is itself affected by the level of headspace CO2, product pH, temperature and the ratio of headspace gas to product (G:P). This review, first, explores the varied range of beef and sheep meat spoilage and pathogenic bacteria and the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters that may influence the pattern of microbial growth and meat spoilage rate during storage. Then, the antimicrobial mechanism of elevated CO2 packaging will be discussed and the different approaches of achieving enriched CO2 packaging i.e. the traditional technique of flushing a desired gas mixture and/or using the new commercially developed CO2 emitters will then be compared in terms of their strengths, limitations and technical mode of action.

Effects of infrared heating as an emerging thermal technology on physicochemical properties of foods.

Infrared (IR) radiation is part of an electromagnetic spectrum between the ultraviolet and microwave regions. IR radiation impacts the surface of the food, generating heat that can be used as an efficient drying technique. Apart from drying, IR heating is an emerging food processing technology with applications in baking, roasting, microbial inactivation, insect control, extraction for antioxidant recovery, peeling, and blanching. Physicochemical properties such as texture, color, hardness, total phenols, and antioxidants capability of foods are essential quality attributes that affect the food quality. In this regard, the main objective of this review study was to highlight and discuss the effects of IR heating on food quality to expand its food applications and commercial adoption. The fundamental mechanisms, type of emitters, and IR processing parameters are discussed in this review to explore their impacts on food quality. Infrared heating has been shown that the appropriate operating conditions (distance, exposure time, IR power, and temperature) with high heat transfer, thus leading to a shorter drying time. Besides, IR heating used in food processing to improve food-surface color and flavor, it also enhances hardness, firmness, shrinkage, crispiness, and viscosity. Meanwhile, antioxidant activity is enhanced, and some nutrients are retained.

Sorghum in foods: Functionality and potential in innovative products.

Sorghum grain is a staple food for about 500 million people in 30 countries in Africa and Asia. Despite this contribution to global food production, most of the world's sorghum grain, and nearly all in Western countries, is used as animal feed. A combination of the increasingly important ability of sorghum crops to resist heat and drought, the limited history of the use of sorghum in Western foods, and the excellent functional properties of sorghum grain in healthy diets, suggests a greater focus on the development of new sorghum-based foods. An understanding of the structural and functional properties of sorghum grain to develop processes for production of new sorghum-based foods is required. In this review, we discuss the potential of sorghum in new food products, including sorghum grain composition, the functional properties of sorghum in foods, processing of sorghum-based products, the digestibility of sorghum protein and starch compared to other grains, and the health benefits of sorghum. In the potential for sorghum as a major ingredient in new foods, we suggest that the gluten-free status of sorghum is of relatively minor importance compared to the functionality of the slowly digested starch and the health benefits of the phenolic compounds present.

Novel antihypertensive peptides from lupin protein hydrolysate: An in-silico identification and molecular docking studies.

Application of non-thermal treatment to proteins prior to enzymatic hydrolysis can facilitate the release of novel bioactive peptides (BPs) with unique biological activities. In this study, lupin protein isolate was pre-treated with ultrasound and hydrolysed using alcalase and flavourzyme to produce alcalase hydrolysate (ACT) and flavourzyme hydrolysate(FCT). These hydrolysates were fractionated into 1, 5, and 10 kDa molecular weight fractions using a membrane ultrafiltration technique. The in vitro angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) studies revealed that unfractionated ACT (IC50 = 3.21 mg mL-1) and FCT (IC50 = 3.32 mg mL-1) were more active inhibitors of ACE in comparison to their ultrafiltrated fractions with IC50 values ranging from 6.09 to 7.45 mg mL-1. Molecular docking analysis predicted three unique peptides from ACT (AIPPGIPY, SVPGCT, and QGAGG) and FCT (AIPINNPGKL, SGNQGP, and PPGIP) as potential ACE inhibitors. Thus, unique BPs with ACE inhibitory effects might be generated from ultrasonicated lupin protein.

Influence of Some Spaghetti Processing Variables on Technological Attributes and the In Vitro Digestion of Starch.

Durum semolina spaghetti is known to have a low-moderate glycaemic index but the impact of various processing variables during the manufacture and cooking of pasta does affect pasta structure and potentially could alter starch digestion. In this study, several process variables were investigated to see if they can impact the in vitro starch digestion in spaghetti while also monitoring the pasta's technological quality. Cooking time had a large impact on pasta starch digestion and reducing cooking from fully cooked to al dente and using pasta of very high protein content (17%), reduced starch digestion extent. The semolina particle size distribution used to prepare pasta impacted pasta quality and starch digestion to a small extent indicating a finer semolina particle size (<180 µm) may promote a more compact structure and help to reduce starch digestion. The addition of a structural enzyme, Transglutaminase in the pasta formulae improved overcooking tolerance in low protein pasta comparable to high protein pasta with no other significant effects and had no effect on starch digestion over a wide protein range (8.6−17%). While cold storage of cooked pasta was expected to increase retrograded starch, the increase in resistant starch was minor (37%) with no consequent improvement in the extent of starch digestion. Varying three extrusion parameters (die temperature, die pressure, extrusion speed) impacted pasta technological quality but not the extent of starch digestion. Results suggest the potential to subtly manipulate the starch digestion of pasta through some processing procedures.

In-Silico Analysis and Antidiabetic Effect of α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Peptides from Lupin Protein Hydrolysate: Enzyme-Peptide Interaction Study Using Molecular Docking Approach.

The use of natural ingredients for managing diabetes is becoming more popular in recent times due to the several adverse effects associated with synthetic antidiabetic medications. In this study, we investigated the in vitro antidiabetic potential (through inhibition of α-glucosidase (AG) and α-amylase (AA)) of hydrolysates from lupin proteins pretreated with ultrasound and hydrolyzed using alcalase (ACT) and flavourzyme (FCT). We further fractionated ACT and FCT into three molecular weight fractions. Unfractionated ACT and FCT showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher AG (IC50 value = 1.65 mg/mL and 1.91 mg/mL) and AA (IC50 value = 1.66 mg/mL and 1.98 mg/mL) inhibitory activities than their ultrafiltrated fractions, where lower IC50 values indicate higher inhibitory activities. Then, ACT and FCT were subjected to peptide sequencing using LC-MS-QTOF to identify the potential AG and AA inhibitors. Molecular docking was performed on peptides with the highest number of hotspots and PeptideRanker score to study their interactions with AG and AA enzymes. Among the peptides identified, SPRRF, FE, and RR were predicted to be the most active peptides against AG, while AA inhibitors were predicted to be RPR, PPGIP, and LRP. Overall, hydrolysates prepared from lupin proteins using alcalase and flavourzyme may be useful in formulating functional food for managing diabetics.

High moisture extrusion cooking of meat analogs: A review of mechanisms of protein texturization.

High-moisture extrusion cooking (HMEC) is an efficient method for converting proteins and polysaccharides into fibrous structure that is used in the industrial production of meat analogs. The purpose of this review is to systematically evaluate current knowledge regarding the modification of protein structure including denaturation and reassembly upon extrusion processing and to correlate this understanding to the structure of the final products. Although there is no consensus on the relative importance of a certain type of bond on extrudates' structure, literature suggests that, regardless of moisture level, these linkages and interactions give rise to distinctive hierarchical order. Both noncovalent and disulfide bonds contribute to the extrudates' fibrous structure. At high water levels, hydrogen and disulfide bonds play a dominant role in extrudates' texture. The process parameters including cooking temperature, screw speed, and moisture content have significant albeit different levels of impact on the texturization process. Their correlation with the ingredients' physiochemical properties provides a greater insight into the process-structure-function relationship of meat analogs. The tendency of protein and polysaccharide blends to phase separate rather than produce a homogeneous mix is a particularly important aspect that leads to the formation of fibrous layers when extruded. This review shows that systematic studies are required to measure and explain synergistic and competitive interactions between proteins and other ingredients such as carbohydrates with a focus on their incompatibility. The wide range of plant protein source can be utilized in the HMEC process to produce texturized products, including meat analogs.

Enhancing the Biological Activities of Food Protein-Derived Peptides Using Non-Thermal Technologies: A Review.

Bioactive peptides (BPs) derived from animal and plant proteins are important food functional ingredients with many promising health-promoting properties. In the food industry, enzymatic hydrolysis is the most common technique employed for the liberation of BPs from proteins in which conventional heat treatment is used as pre-treatment to enhance hydrolytic action. In recent years, application of non-thermal food processing technologies such as ultrasound (US), high-pressure processing (HPP), and pulsed electric field (PEF) as pre-treatment methods has gained considerable research attention owing to the enhancement in yield and bioactivity of resulting peptides. This review provides an overview of bioactivities of peptides obtained from animal and plant proteins and an insight into the impact of US, HPP, and PEF as non-thermal treatment prior to enzymolysis on the generation of food-derived BPs and resulting bioactivities. US, HPP, and PEF were reported to improve antioxidant, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic properties of the food-derived BPs. The primary modes of action are due to conformational changes of food proteins caused by US, HPP, and PEF, improving the susceptibility of proteins to protease cleavage and subsequent proteolysis. However, the use of other non-thermal techniques such as cold plasma, radiofrequency electric field, dense phase carbon dioxide, and oscillating magnetic fields has not been examined in the generation of BPs from food proteins.

Editorial Overview on Emerging Thermal Food Processing Technologies.

In many cases, thermal processing technologies are necessary to provide safe food products [...].

Roasted Wheat Germ: A Natural Plant Product in Development of Nutritious Milk Pudding; Physicochemical and Nutritional Properties.

Wheat germ has been recognized as an economical source of high-quality plant proteins and bioactive compounds for food fortification. Thus, it can be used for valorization of food products as a feasible strategy to enhance the nutritional quality and reduce wheat milling waste. In this research roasted wheat germ (RG) was added in formulation of egg-free milk pudding to enhance its nutritional value and the effects of RG particle size (125, 210 and 354 µm) and quantity (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10%) on the quality, nutritional and sensory properties of the resulting pudding were investigated. Reducing the particle size of RG significantly altered its chemical composition but had no significant effect on its antioxidant activity. Increasing the level of RG in the pudding, reduced pH and syneresis while increased dry matter content, hardness, cohesiveness and gumminess of the product. The quantity of RG had more effects on physicochemical properties of the puddings than changing the particle size. Based on the sensory evaluation results, the most acceptable sample was obtained by addition of 7.5% RG with a particle size of 125 µm.

Emerging Non-Thermal Food Processing Technologies: Editorial Overview.

According to the statistics, there is a strong consumer trend towards high-quality and healthy foods with "fresh-like" characteristics [...].

Pulse flaking: Opportunities and challenges, a review.

Pulses provide economic and health benefits to people in many countries around the world; however, their adoption in western diets, particularly in processed and formulated foods, is limited. One strategy to increase the level of pulses in western diets is to improve pulse accessibility to the ready-to-eat (RTE) food market sector. Pulses have compositional and structural differences when compared to cereals and behave differently during processing. While there have been numerous studies on pulses processed using traditional processing methods, there are limited studies describing processing of pulses as a major ingredient in RTE forms such as flakes. To understand the full processing potential of pulses, systematic studies are required using commercial-scale RTE pilot processing equipment coupled with fundamental property determination techniques to evaluate the effects of processing and pulse material on pulse flake attributes. In-depth studies of pulse properties and their processability are likely to result in the production of high-quality pulse-based foods with superior health benefits. This review explores the current and potential opportunities for processing pulses with a focus on flake products. The roles of pulse type and major structure-forming components such as fiber, carbohydrates, and proteins on end-product quality of processed pulses are discussed.

Improving the enzymolysis efficiency of lupin protein by ultrasound pretreatment: Effect on antihypertensive, antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of the hydrolysates.

This study evaluated the impact of ultrasound pretreatment (UP) and enzyme type (flavourzyme, alcalase) on amino acid composition, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and antioxidant activities of lupin protein hydrolysate (LPH). The UP altered molecular weight of the hydrolysates as revealed by SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF and their surface hydrophobicity and thermal stability. Amino acid analysis revealed that glutamic acid, aspartic acid, arginine, and leucine were the dominant amino acids lupin protein. Generally, sonicated hydrolysates exhibited higher biological activity than non-sonicated samples and the original LPI. Alcalase hydrolysate pretreated for 10 min showed the highest DPPH and metal chelating activities. Highest ACE inhibitory activity was observed in flavourzyme hydrolysate after 5 min of UP, while maximum α-amylase and glucosidase inhibitory activity was achieved after 10 min of UP in flavourzyme hydrolysate. The results obtained in this study demonstrated the potentials of UP as a valuable tool for enhancing the biological activity of lupin proteins.