Front-of-package nutrition labeling as a driver for healthier food choices: Lessons learned and future perspectives.

This work aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the use of front-of-package nutritional labeling (FOPL), identify and characterize the major existing FOPL systems, examine the impact of FOPL systems on consumer behavior, and discuss future perspectives. The searched databases were PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, and papers in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French were considered. The integrative review method was used, comprising 68 papers. The FOPL system from more than 47 countries from North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Australia, and Asia was included in this study. The two main ways to characterize FOPL are the level of interpretation and the type of information provided. Interpretive schemes (such as warning labels, multiple traffic lights, and Nutri-Score) appear to lead to better consumer understanding and support healthier food purchases. However, due to the differences among the results and the specificity of the contexts in which they are used, it is impossible to define one FOPL interpretation scheme superior to the others. Some potential factors that influence the effectiveness of FOPL on consumer attitudes have been identified, such as food taste, as a major intrinsic factor. Extrinsic factors, such as price, food category, cultural diversity, politics, and economics, were also relevant. The lack of availability of similar alternatives, lack of understanding of the importance of FOPL, and lower levels of income and education were also some cognitive and social aspects impairing FOPL effectiveness. Prospects for the United States, Europe, Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina were discussed.

Risk assessment of azo dyes as food additives: Revision and discussion of data gaps toward their improvement.

The food industry uses dyes mainly to overcome color loss during the processing and storage of products, with the azo dyes currently being the most employed. Studies on the safety of using these dyes in foods started in the 1950s and have indicated the potential for concern. This review discusses the risk assessment of food intake containing artificial azo dyes. There are case reports and, subsequently, double-blind placebo-controlled trials in some individuals who may experience adverse effects from the intake of azo dyes, but it is unclear whether these adverse effects are restricted to specific populations or more generalized. In view of this, different toxicological endpoints are evaluated to verify toxic effects in in vitro and in vivo models and to establish the no observed adverse effect level. Exposure estimation studies have shown that human exposure to azo dyes via oral intake is mainly below the acceptable daily intake established by advisory bodies. However, most countries do not have studies that estimate the oral intake of azo dyes. In this case, local food diversity and racial-ethnic specificities are not considered when stating the exposure estimate is below the acceptable daily intake for the human population and thus may not represent actual intake. Concerning the scenario established above, this review discusses the most critical gaps to be overcome to contribute to the direction of future studies and the development of more effective public policies concerning the safety of the intake of artificial azo dyes.

Bioaccessibility and Cellular Uptake of Carotenoids Extracted from Bactris gasipaes Fruit: Differences between Conventional and Ionic Liquid-Mediated Extraction.

Currently, on an industrial scale, synthetic colorants are used in many fields, as well as those extracted with conventional organic solvents (COSs), leading to several environmental issues. Therefore, we developed a sustainable extraction and purification method mediated by ionic liquids (IL), which is considered an alternative high-performance replacement for COSs. Carotenoids are natural pigments with low bioaccessibility (BCT) and bioavailability (BV) but with huge importance to health. To investigate if the BCT and cellular uptake of the carotenoids are modified by the extraction method, we conducted a comparison assay between both extraction procedures (IL vs. COS). For this, we used the Amazonian fruit Bactris gasipaes, a rich source of pro-vitamin A carotenoids, to obtain the extract, which was emulsified and subjected to an in vitro digestion model followed by the Caco-2 cell absorption assay. The bioaccessibility of carotenoids using IL was better than those using COS (33.25%, and 26.84%, respectively). The cellular uptake of the carotenoids extracted with IL was 1.4-fold higher than those extracted using COS. Thus, IL may be a feasible alternative as extraction solvent in the food industry, replacing COS, since, in this study, no IL was present in the final extract.

Chemical composition, bioactive compounds extraction, and observed biological activities from jussara (Euterpe edulis): The exotic and endangered Brazilian superfruit.

In this article, we reviewed studies on the fruits of the jussara palm (Euterpe edulis Martius), an endangered Brazilian Atlantic Forest palm tree, also coined as "Superfruit." We summarized the chemical components of the pulp and observed biological activities in murine and humans, as well as the best practices involving the extraction of its target compounds, bioavailability, and stability of extracts. Jussara has shown a rich phenolic profile that justifies its antioxidant properties, in addition to a considerable lipidic and energetic value. As the main feature, the fruit possesses large amounts of anthocyanins that can be commercially explored as a food additive or cosmetic colorants. Recent studies emphasized jussara's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective capabilities via reshaping of the gut microbiota. Further knowledge is needed to establish bioavailability and optimal serving size, as many of its antioxidant compounds go under chemical bioconversion in the intestinal tract. While extraction of phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and oils have interesting results, more studies are required in order to reduce the use of conventional organic solvents and improve their stability and shelf life when added to food products, an area in which nanotechnology seems promising.

Effects of seasoning on the formation of heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in meats: A meta-analysis.

Cooking improves digestibility, palatability, and microbiological profile of meats, but can produce compounds with carcinogenic potential, such as heterocyclic amines (HAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It has been shown that the formation of these compounds in meats can be inhibited by spiced marinades, but there is a complexity to check and compare the results of isolated studies with so many variables involved. Thus, this work aimed to review studies that evaluated the effects of spices on the formation of HAs and PAHs in meats according to cooking techniques and spice type. A meta-analysis with a random effect model was conducted using response ratios (R) to identify and summarize previous results and answer the research question. The use of spices before frying (R* = 0.52), grilling (R* = 0.63), or roasting (R* = 0.74) meat, and spicing with garlic and onion (R* = 0.57), pepper (R* = 0.63), and other spices with phenolic compounds (R* = 0.63), decrease the formation of HAs and PAHs, due to the antioxidant and electron transfer capacity. In this article, we discuss how the improvement of culinary techniques with the dissemination of knowledge about meat preparation conditions is an effective strategy for reducing the formation and ingestion of HAs and PAHs; this is important due to the growing evidence about the association between meat consumption and chronic diseases. This is the first systematic review with meta-analysis about this topic and can guide industry, food services, and population to improve the safety associated with meat consumption.

Prebiotic potencial of juçara berry on changes in gut bacteria and acetate of individuals with obesity.

PURPOSE: Whole plant foods can be fermentable by SCFA-producing bacteria and positively influence host adipose tissue development and obesity related-metabolic disorders, conferring a prebiotic role. Considering the juçara berry composition, rich in fiber and polyphenols, we hypothesized the probable prebiotic role of juçara in individuals with obesity. METHODS: It was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial with 35 volunteers with obesity I and II of both sexes aged from 31 to 59 years, divided into juçara group (5 g lyophilized juçara) or placebo group (5 g of maltodextrin) for 6 weeks. Before and after supplementation, food intake and blood and stool samples were collected to evaluate serum LPS, SCFA, and microbial bacteria. RESULTS: Significant increase in fecal acetate (g = 0.809; p = 0.038) and in relative abundance of A. muciniphila, Bifidobacterium spp. and C. coccoides were observed in response to juçara supplementation (Δ% = 239.6%, 182.6%, and 214%, respectively), with a significant mediator role of Bifidobacterium spp. in high amounts of fecal acetate (z = 2.925; p = 0.003). To certify the prebiotic role of juçara, the averages were adjusted for total fiber intake; and there was no effect of the fiber intake on the SCFA nor on the intestinal bacteria. CONCLUSION: Juçara berry may haveprebiotic function, with emphasis on the bifidogenic effect, leading to increased excretion of acetate.

Obesity-related inflammatory modulation by juçara berry (Euterpe edulis Mart.) supplementation in Brazilian adults: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Obesity is an inflammatory-related disease, which recruits immune system cells triggering to imbalanced production of cytokines. Obesity management and treatment using foods bioactive compounds have gained clinical and scientific relevance. Juçara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) fruit is rich in fibers, unsaturated lipids and, anthocyanins showing potential health benefits. Thus, we investigated the effect of juçara pulp intake on inflammatory status of monocytes from obese individuals. METHODS: It is a placebo-controlled, randomized double-blind trial. Twenty-seven obese participants (BMI between 30.0 and 39.9 kg/m2) of both genders from 31 to 59-year-old, divided into two groups: 5 g juçara freeze-dried pulp or 5 g of placebo for 6 weeks. Before and after supplementation, blood samples were collected and monocytes obtained and stimulated with lipopolysaccharides. After 24 h of incubation, the cells and supernatants were analyzed. RESULTS: Post-treatment, juçara reduced TLR4, and IL-6 mRNA compared to placebo. Juçara also increased IL-10 mRNA in post-treatment. The protein expression of TLR4 pathway post-treatment, MYD88 expression reduced in juçara group compared to placebo. The juçara post-treatment reduced pIKKα/ß compared to the placebo. Ob-R protein levels were higher in the juçara group post-treatment compared to pre-treatment. IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1 production by monocytes were reduced by juçara in post-treatment compared to pre-treatment levels. The supplementation increased IL-10 in juçara group with LPS compared to pre-treatment and versus juçara group without LPS. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated a proinflammatory state at the beginning, which was improved by juçara pulp consumption. Our results suggest juçara pulp as a potential tool against the proinflammatory status of obesity.

Adiposity and binge eating are related to liking and wanting for food in Brazil: A cultural adaptation of the Leeds food preference questionnaire.

The Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire (LFPQ) measures separable psychological components of food reward (Liking and Wanting). In this study a cultural adaptation of the LFPQ for a Brazilian population (LFPQ-BR) was examined by comparing liking and wanting scores in fasted and fed states and their association with adiposity and disturbed eating. A culturally adapted food picture database was validated by an online questionnaire completed by 162 individuals. Cluster analysis verified if the foods were accurately perceived in terms of sweetness, fat and calorie content. Subsequently, 48 male (N = 21) and female (N = 27) adults with mean Body Mass Index 26.6 (0.9) kg/m2, and mean age 32.8 (1.4) years, were evaluated by the LFPQ-BR before and after a fixed test meal. The Binge Eating Scale was used to measure binge eating symptoms. There was a decrease in explicit liking, implicit wanting, and explicit wanting scores for food in general in the fed condition. The implicit and explicit wanting and explicit liking scores for high-and-low fat savoury food decreased and for high-and-low fat sweet foods increased to a greater extent after the savoury test meal. Body Mass Index was found to predict implicit wanting for high fat relative to low fat foods. Binge eating symptoms predicted high fat sweet explicit liking and explicit wanting in the fed condition. Finally, high fat sweet preference was found to be sex-related as females had greater implicit wanting for high fat sweet foods in fasted and fed states. The results presented here indicate that the LFPQ-BR is a useful instrument for the evaluation of liking and wanting for food in Brazil.

Polyphenol rich fruit attenuates genomic instability, modulates inflammation and cell cycle progression of offspring from fatty acid intake maternal.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of juçara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) supplementation on the maternal trans fatty acids intake in the livers of 21-day-old offspring. In order for this to happen, histopathological analysis, cytogenetic status, inflammation (COX-2 and TNF-alpha) and cell cycle progression were investigated in this setting. On the first day of pregnancy, female rats were distributed into four groups, as follows: control diet (C), control diet with 0.5 % juçara supplementation (CJ), diet enriched with hydrogenated vegetable fat, rich in TFAs (T), or T diet supplemented with 0.5 % juçara (TJ) during pregnancy and lactation. Juçara pulp induced liver regeneration in newborns exposed to maternal trans fatty acids. A significant decrease in the number of micronucleated hepatocytes was observed in animals exposed to trans fatty acids and treated with juçara. COX-2 and TNF immunoexpression was reduced in animals treated with juçara pulp. Furthermore, a decrease of Ki-67 immunoexpression was detected after treating trans fatty acids intake with juçara. Taken together, our results demonstrate that juçara pulp is able to prevent tissue degeneration and mutagenicity because it decreases inflammation and cell cycle control induced by maternal trans fatty acids in liver cells of rat offspring.

Polyphenols-Rich Fruit (Euterpe edulis Mart.) Prevents Peripheral Inflammatory Pathway Activation by the Short-Term High-Fat Diet.

Juçara berry is a potential inflammatory modulator, rich in dietary fiber, fatty acids, and anthocyanins. Considering this, we evaluated the high-fat diet (HFD) intake supplemented with different doses of freeze-dried juçara pulp on the TLR4 pathway. Twenty-seven male Wistar rats with ad libitum access to food and water were divided into four experimental groups: control standard chow group (C); high-fat diet control group (HFC); high-fat diet juçara 0.25% group (HFJ0.25%); and high-fat diet juçara 0.5% group (HFJ0.5%). The inflammatory parameters were analyzed by ELISA and Western blotting in liver and retroperitoneal adipose tissue (RET). The HFJ0.25% group had the energy intake, aspartate transaminase (AST) levels, and liver triacylglycerol accumulation reduced; also, the tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) expression in RET were reduced. However, there were no changes in other protein expressions in liver and adipose tissue. Adiposity and pNFκBp50 had a positive correlation in HFC and HFJ0.5%, but not in the C group and HFJ0.25%. The necrosis hepatic score did not change with treatment; however, the serum (AST) levels and the hepatic triacylglycerol were increased in HFC and HFJ0.5%. These results demonstrated that one week of HFD intake triggered pro-inflammatory mechanisms and liver injury. Additionally, 0.25% juçara prevented inflammatory pathway activation, body weight gain, and liver damage.

The Use of Juçara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) Supplementation for Suppression of NF-κB Pathway in the Hypothalamus after High-Fat Diet in Wistar Rats.

Obesity is associated with modern diets that are rich in saturated fatty acids. These dietary patterns are linked to low-grade proinflammatory mechanisms, such as the toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway rapidly activated through high-fat diets. Juçara is a berry rich in anthocyanins and unsaturated fatty acids, which prevents obesity and associated comorbidities. We evaluated the effect of different doses of freeze-dried juçara pulp on NF-κB pathway after the consumption of short-term high-fat diet. Male Wistar rats with ad libitum access to food and water were divided into four groups: Control diet (C), high-fat diet (HFC), high-fat diet with 0.25% juçara (HFJ 0.25%), and high-fat diet with 0.5% juçara (HFJ 0.5%). Energy intake and body weight gain were increased in HFC and HFJ 0.5% groups compared to C group. The hypothalamus weight reduced in the HFC group compared to C and HFJ 0.25% groups. Cytokines, MYD88, TRAF6, and pNF-κBp50 levels in the hypothalamus, serum triacylglycerol, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), and free fatty acid levels were improved in the HFJ 0.25% group. In summary, the HFJ 0.25% group had better protective effects than those in the HFJ 0.5%. Therefore, 0.25% juçara can be used to protect against central inflammation through the high-fat diet-induced NF-κB pathway.

Modulatory Effect of Polyphenolic Compounds from the Mangrove Tree Rhizophora mangle L. on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Insulin Resistance in High-Fat Diet Obese Mice.

No scientific report proves the action of the phytochemicals from the mangrove tree Rhizophora mangle in the treatment of diabetes. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effects of the acetonic extract of R. mangle barks (AERM) on type 2 diabetes. The main chemical constituents of the extract were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and flow injection analysis electrospray-iontrap mass spectrometry (FIA-ESI-IT-MS/MS). High-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice were used as model of type 2 diabetes associated with obesity. After 4 weeks of AERM 5 or 50 mg/kg/day orally, glucose homeostasis was evaluated by insulin tolerance test (kiTT). Hepatic steatosis, triglycerides and gene expression were also evaluated. AERM consists of catechin, quercetin and chlorogenic acids derivatives. These metabolites have nutritional importance, obese mice treated with AERM (50 mg/kg) presented improvements in insulin resistance resulting in hepatic steatosis reductions associated with a strong inhibition of hepatic mRNA levels of CD36. The beneficial effects of AERM in an obesity model could be associated with its inhibitory α-amylase activity detected in vitro. Rhizophora mangle partially reverses insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis associated with obesity, supporting previous claims in traditional knowledge.

Jussara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) supplementation during pregnancy and lactation modulates the gene and protein expression of inflammation biomarkers induced by trans-fatty acids in the colon of offspring.

Maternal intake of trans-fatty acids (TFAs) in the perinatal period triggers a proinflammatory state in offspring. Anthocyanins contained in fruit are promising modulators of inflammation. This study investigated the effect of Jussara supplementation in the maternal diet on the proinflammatory state of the colon in offspring exposed to perinatal TFAs. On the first day of pregnancy rats were divided into four groups: control diet (C), control diet with 0.5% Jussara supplementation (CJ), diet enriched with hydrogenated vegetable fat, rich in TFAs (T), or T diet supplemented with 0.5% Jussara (TJ) during pregnancy and lactation. We showed that Jussara supplementation in maternal diet (CJ and TJ groups) reduced carcass lipid/protein ratios, serum lipids, glucose, IL-6, TNF-α, gene expression of IL-6R, TNF-αR (P < 0.05), TLR-4 (P < 0.01), and increase Lactobacillus spp. (P < 0.05) in the colon of offspring compared to the T group. The IL-10 (P = 0.035) and IL-10/TNF-α ratio (P < 0.01) was higher in the CJ group than in the T group. The 0.5% Jussara supplementation reverses the adverse effects of perinatal TFAs, improving lipid profiles, glucose levels, body composition, and gut microbiota and reducing low-grade inflammation in the colon of 21-day-old offspring, and could contribute to reducing chronic disease development.

Alternative green solvents associated with ultrasound-assisted extraction: A green chemistry approach for the extraction of carotenoids and chlorophylls from microalgae.

This study proposes a method for the ultrasonic extraction of carotenoids and chlorophyll from Scenedesmus obliquus and Arthrospira platensis microalgae with green solvents. Ethanol and ethanolic solutions of ionic liquids were tested with a variety of extraction parameters, including number of extractions, time of extraction, and solid-liquid ratio R(S/L), to determine the optimal conditions. After selecting the most effective green solvent (ethanol), the process conditions were established: R(S/L) of 1:10, three extraction cycles at 3 min each), giving an extraction yield of 2602.36 and 764.21 µgcarotenoids.gdried biomass-1; and 22.01 and 5.81 mgchlorophyll.gdried biomass-1 in S. obliquus and A. platensis, respectively. The carotenoid and chlorophyll extracts obtained using ethanol were shown to be potent scavengers of peroxyl radical, being 5.94 to 26.08 times more potent α-tocopherol. These findings pave the way for a green strategy for valorizing microalgal biocompounds through efficient and environmentally friendly technological processes.

Nutrition classification schemes for plant-based meat analogues: Drivers to assess nutritional quality and identity profile.

Changes in dietary patterns promoted by the emergence of alternative food systems are becoming increasingly common. The decrease in the consumption of animal-derived products promoted exponential growth in plant-based product demand and, consequently, the availability of several meat analogues for this consumer market. Plant-based meat analogues (PBMAs) were developed to mimic the physical and sensory characteristics of meats and their derivatives. Therefore, the composition of these products has been studied in some countries as an attempt to evaluate their nutritional quality in comparison with that of traditional meat products. The main aim of this study was to employ different Nutrition Classification Schemes (NCSs) to assess the nutritional quality of plant-based meat and to discuss the application of one or more NCSs in defining the identity and quality profile of these foods. Five NCSs were used: three nutrient-based (Nutri-Score; Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM) from Brazil; NPM from PAHO); one food-based (NOVA classification); and one hybrid (Plant-Based Nutrient Profile Model). The nutritional composition and ingredients were collected from labels of 349 PBMAs; 117 were classified as burgers, and 182 products employed soy as the main protein ingredient. The use of different NCSs is strategic for PBMAs' nutritional quality evaluation, and the Nutri-Score was able to show the effectiveness of differentiating products as having poor nutritional quality. In this way, the employment of NPM from Brazil is recommended as a driver for PBMAs choices, especially due to the excellent agreement between the Nutri-Score and NPM from Brazil for burgers.

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES)-Extracted Anthocyanins: Bioaccessibility in electrospun PEO microfibers.

Anthocyanins extracted with deep eutectic solvent (NADES) (chlorine-chloride: xylitol, 5:2) were used to produce polyethylene oxide (PEO) composites through electrospinning technique, analyzing their microscopic and physical characteristics. The coated anthocyanins were then subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion to evaluate their bioaccessibility compared to lyophilized jussara pulp. The remaining total anthocyanin content (TAC) after intestinal in vitro digestion did not change significantly among the assessed samples, and both showed around 30% recovery. The TAC recovery after the gastric phase, on the other hand, showed a major difference (70.84% vs. 48.13%), revealing that the composites fabricated by the electrospinning technique can significantly maintain anthocyanins NADES-extracted stability during the gastric phase of digestion, potentially allowing better absorption trough stomach wall. The results can be considered a first step to applying anthocyanins-encapsulated in foodstuff as a natural pigment.

Changing Despicable Me: Potential replacement of azo dye yellow tartrazine for pequi carotenoids employing ionic liquids as high-performance extractors.

Color is a crucial sensory attribute that guides consumer expectations. A high-performance pequi carotenoid extraction process was developed using ionic liquid-based ethanolic solutions and a factorial design strategy to search for a potential substitute for the artificial azo dye yellow tartrazine. All-trans-antheraxanthin was identified with HPLC-PAD-MSn for the first time in pequi samples. [BMIM][BF4] was the most efficient ionic liquid, and the maximization process condition was the solid-liquid ratio R(S/L) of 1:3, the co-solvent ratio R(IL/E) of 1:1 ([BMIM][BF4]: ethanol), and three cycles of extraction with 300 s each and yielded 107.90 µg carotenoids/g of dry matter. The ionic liquid-ethanolic solution recyclability was accomplished by freezing and precipitating with an average recovery of 79 %. In CIELAB parameters, pequi carotenoid extracted with [BMIM][BF4] was brighter and yellower than the artificial azo dye yellow tartrazine. A color change of 11.08 and a hue* difference of 1.26° were obtained. Furthermore, carotenoids extracted with [BMIM][BF4] showed antioxidant activity of 35.84 µmol of α-tocopherol. These findings suggest the potential of employing the pequi carotenoids to replace the artificial azo dye yellow tartrazine in foods for improved functional properties.

Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on homeostatic and hedonic appetite control and mood states in women presenting premenstrual syndrome across menstrual cycle phases.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the acute effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on appetite, energy intake, food preferences, and mood states in the luteal and follicular phases of the menstrual cycle in women presenting premenstrual syndrome. METHODS: Sixteen women (26.5 ± 5.2 years; 1.63 ± 0.1 m; 64.2 ± 12.8 kg; body mass index 24.0 ± 5.0 kg/m2; body fat 27.6 ± 7.5%) with the eumenorrheic menstrual cycle were submitted to a-tDCS and sham-tDCS conditions over their follicular and luteal phases. At pre - and post-tDCS, hunger and desire to eat something tasty, (analogic visual scale), the profile of mood states (POMS), and the psychological components of food preferences (Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire-BR) were assessed. Participants recorded their food intake for the rest of the day using a diary log. RESULTS: There was a trend towards main effect of condition for decreased implicit wanting for low-fat savory food after a-tDCS but not sham-tDCS regardless of menstrual cycle phase (p = 0.062). There was no effect for self-reported hunger, desire to eat, energy and macronutrient intake, and on other components of food preferences (explicit liking and wanting for low- and high-fat savory and sweet foods, implicit wanting for low- and high-fat sweet and high-fat savory food); as well as for mood states. CONCLUSIONS: Although no significant effects of a-tDCS were found, the present investigation provides relevant perspectives for future studies.

Do Brazilian consumers intend to use food labels to make healthy food choices? An assessment before the front-of-package labelling policy.

Front-of-package labelling is a measure that can facilitate consumption of healthier foods. This study examined the predictors of consumers' intentions to use food labelling to make healthy food choices and prevent non-communicable diseases before the implementation of the front-of-package labelling policy in Brazil. An extended theory of planned behaviour incorporating knowledge and food literacy served as the theoretical foundation. First, experts (n = 6) and the target population (n = 30) validated the questionnaire, and the validation data were analysed using content validity coefficients (CVC). An online questionnaire was administered to 783 participants, and data were collected between May and October 2022. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the prediction hypothesis. The questionnaire showed adequate content validity, with all indicators of CVC ≥ 0.75. In the PLS-SEM attitudes (p < 0.001), subjective norms (p < 0.001), knowledge (p < 0.001), and food literacy (p < 0.001) positively predicted the intention to use food labels to make healthy food choices, confirming the main hypothesis. Also, Food literacy and knowledge predicted all constructs of the theory of planned behaviour (p < 0.001). The results highlight the importance of providing nutritional knowledge and food literacy, developing nutritional skills and abilities to encourage consumers to make healthy food choices, and to strengthen other policies such as front-of-package labelling.

Fermented Jussara: Evaluation of Nanostructure Formation, Bioaccessibility, and Antioxidant Activity.

Among the species of plants present in the Atlantic Forest, the jussara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) stands out for the contents of bioactive compounds present in its composition. Fermentation processes can be essential in converting bioproducts and bioactive compounds, improving their biological properties. In addition, the improvement of procedures for the maintenance of the features of bioactive compounds has been a research focus in recent years, and the nanotechnology features that can potentially solve this issue have been highlighted among the most reviewed paths. The present work focused on tailoring nanostructures applying polyethylene oxide, assembling fermented jussara pulp nanofibers, and assessing their characteristics. The results revealed the formation of fermented jussara nanofibers with a diameter of 101.2 ± 26.2 nm. Also, the obtained results allow us to state that it is possible to maintain or even increase the antioxidant activity of anthocyanins and their metabolites after fermentation processes.