Machine Learning Algorithms Applied to Semi-Quantitative Data of the Volatilome of Citrus and Other Nectar Honeys with the Use of HS-SPME/GC-MS Analysis, Lead to a New Index of Geographical Origin Authentication.

The scope of the current study was to monitor if semi-quantitative data of volatile compounds (volatilome) of citrus honey (ch) produced in different countries could potentially lead to a new index of citrus honey authentication using specific ratios of the identified volatile compounds in combination with machine learning algorithms. In this context, the semi-quantitative data of the volatilome of 38 citrus honey samples from Egypt, Morocco, Greece, and Spain (determined by headspace solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS)) was subjected to supervised and unsupervised chemometrics. Results showed that honey samples could be classified according to the geographical origin based on specific volatile compounds. Data were further evaluated with additional nectar honey samples introduced in the multivariate statistical analysis model and the classification results were not affected. Specific volatile compounds contributed to the discrimination of citrus honey in different amounts according to geographical origin. These were lilac aldehyde D, dill ether, 2-methylbutanal, heptane, benzaldehyde, α,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-acetaldehyde, and herboxide (isomer II). The numerical data of these volatile compounds was summed up and divided by the total semi-quantitative volatile content (Rch, Karabagias-Nayik index) of citrus honey, according to geographical origin. Egyptian citrus honey had a value of Rch = 0.35, Moroccan citrus honey had a value of Rch = 0.29, Greek citrus honey had a value of Rch = 0.04, and Spanish citrus honey had a value of Rch = 0.27, leading to a new hypothesis and a complementary index for the control of citrus honey authentication.

Herbicide Use in the Era of Farm to Fork: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Future Implications.

Climate change mitigation is a major concern of the European Union (EU). In 2019, the EU presented the European Green Deal (EGD), a new environmental strategy that aimed to neutralize climate change by 2050. Within its policy areas, the EGD included the Farm to Fork (F2F) Strategy that aims to reduce pesticide use by 50%, by 2030. This reduction was proposed due to the supposed negative effects of pesticides on the environment and its biota. Among the different pesticide groups (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, etc.) though, herbicides are perhaps the hardest to reduce. This review aimed to shed light to any factors that might hinder the reduction of herbicide use; thus, the implementation of the Farm to Fork Strategy underlines some of its weaknesses and highlights key points of a viable herbicide reduction-related policy framework. The literature suggests that integrated weed management (IWM) consists perhaps the most suitable approach for the reduction of herbicides in the EU. Even though it is too soon to conclusively assess F2F, its success is not impossible.

Effect of storage on physicochemical attributes of ice cream enriched with microencapsulated anthocyanins from black carrot.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of storage on quality attributes of microencapsulated black carrot anthocyanins-enriched ice cream. Purposely, black carrot anthocyanins were obtained using ethanolic extraction. Later on, extracts were acidified and microencapsulated with gum arabic and maltodextrin (1:1). Results showed that anthocyanin contents for T3 (9% microencapsulated anthocyanins powder-enriched ice cream) had highest anthocyanin contents in the range of 143.21 ± 1.14 mg/100 g. However, during the storage, it was revealed that there was a slight decline in constituents concentration reasoned to oxygen exposure and interaction with other food ingredients. Similarly, for total phenolic content, the highest amount was found in T3 as 545.38 ± 4.34 mg GAE/100 g. The quality attributes of prepared ice cream treatments were also found acceptable till the end of the study (60 days). Conclusively, the addition of microencapsulated anthocyanins powder in ice cream proved to stabilize black carrot anthocyanins and contributed positively to the sensory characteristics of ice cream.

Optimization and Development of Ready to Eat Chocolate Coated Roasted Flaked Rice as Instant Breakfast Food.

The present study aimed to optimize and develop ready-to-eat rice-based functional breakfast food using response surface methodology. The levels of ingredients viz. skim milk powder, guar gum, and ferrous sulfate were pre-optimized and remained constant, whereas jaggery and dark chocolate were taken as independent variables. The optimum levels of jaggery and dark chocolate for chocolate-coated roasted flaked rice (CCRFR) were 8.49 g and 25.43 g, respectively. The physical, pasting, textural, functional, morphological, optical, and sensory characteristics of CCRFR and uncoated roasted flaked rice (RFR) were also studied. CCRFR had significantly higher mineral (iron and calcium) and total polyphenolic contents. Furthermore, the dimensional, sensory, and functional properties were also improved. The changes in morphological structure were also observed between the CCRFR and uncoated product using scanning electron microscopy. The coating adds nutritional value to the roasted rice and renders it an essential functional RTE convenience gluten-free cereal breakfast item.

Two-Way Characterization of Beekeepers' Honey According to Botanical Origin on the Basis of Mineral Content Analysis Using ICP-OES Implemented with Multiple Chemometric Tools.

Asfaka, fir, flower, forest flowers and orange blossom honeys harvested in the wider area of Hellas by professional beekeepers, were subjected to mineral content analysis using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The main purpose of this study was to characterize the mineral profile and content of toxic metals such as lead, cadmium and chromium, and investigate whether specific minerals could assist accurately in the botanical origin discrimination with implementation of chemometrics. Twenty-five minerals were identified (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Si, Ti, Tl, V, Zn) and quantified. Results showed that the mineral content varied significantly (p < 0.05) according to honey botanical origin, whereas lead, cadmium, and chromium contents ranged between 0.05-0.33 mg kg-1, <0.05 mg kg-1, and in the range of <0.12 to 0.39 mg kg-1, respectively. Fir honeys from Aitoloakarnania region showed the highest mineral content (182.13 ± 71.34 mg kg-1), while flower honeys from Samos Island recorded the highest silicon content (16.08 ± 2.94 mg kg-1). Implementation of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), factor analysis (FA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and stepwise discriminant analysis (SDA) led to the perfect classification (100%) of these honeys according to botanical origin with the use of Al, As, Ca, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Si, Zn and total mineral content. However, the higher lead content in the majority of samples than the regulated upper limit (0.10 mg kg-1), sets the need for further improvements of the beekeepers' practices/strategies for honey production.

Volatile Profile of Raw Lamb Meat Stored at 4 ± 1 °C: The Potential of Specific Aldehyde Ratios as Indicators of Lamb Meat Quality.

The objectives of the present study were: (a) to evaluate the aroma evolution of raw lamb packaged in multi-layer coating film and stored at 4 ± 1 °C, with respect to storage time and (b) to investigate whether specific aldehyde ratios could serve as markers of lamb meat freshness and degree of oxidation. Volatile compounds were determined using headspace solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Results showed that the most dominant volatiles were 2,2,4,6,6-pentamethyl-heptane, hexanal, 1-octen-3-ol, 1-hexanol, carbon disulfide and p-cymene. Volatile compound content was increased during storage time. However, statistically significant differences were recorded only for hexanal, heptanal, and nonanal (p < 0.05). Additionally, the evolution of aldehydes during storage recorded a positive Pearson's correlation (r) (p < 0.05), whereas hexanal to nonanal, heptanal to nonanal, octanal to nonanal ratios, along with the sum of aldehydes to nonanal ratio, were positively correlated (r = 0.83-1.00) with the degree of oxidation (mg malonic dialdehyde per kg of lamb meat). A perfect Pearson's correlation (r = 1) was obtained for the ratio hexanal to nonanal. Therefore, this ratio is proposed as an indicator of lamb meat freshness and overall quality.