bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Three Artificial Diets for the Larviculture of Giant Kōkopu (Galaxias argenteus)
Authors: McKay William , Jeffs Andrew
Published: October 2022

The selection of artificial feed is critical to the success of larviculture of fin fish and requires knowledge of the varied species-specific dietary and nutritional requirements. With the emergence of commercial aquaculture of giant kōkopu, Galaxias argenteus, there is a need to understand the species-specific needs for artificial feeds in larviculture. Consequently, this study compares three commercial artificial dry feeds; Otohime, Artemac and O.range on the growth of recently weaned giant kōkopu. Larvae fed with Otohime outperformed both Artemac and O.range treatments by achieving the highest wet weight after 67 days, greater by at least 47% on average than both Artemac and O.range. These differences in larval performance are likely to be due to the higher protein:energy ratio and EPA content of Otohime. High DHA and ARA in the diets in absolute terms or in relation to EPA did not result in added benefit for growth performance. This study provides an important first step in identifying the nutritional needs of larval giant kōkopu which can assist in improving their commercial aquaculture production.
Footprints of Natural Selection in North Atlantic Eels: A Review
Authors: Pujolar José Martin , Bertolini Francesca , Jacobsen Magnus W.
Published: October 2022

The study of natural selection and local adaptation is a thriving field of research. Local adaptation is driven by environment components and results in locally adapted phenotypes with higher fitness relative to other phenotypes from other locations in the species range. Tests of local adaptations have traditionally been done using transplant experiments, but the advent of next-generation sequencing methods have allowed the study of local adaptation to move from a phenotypic to a genomic approach. By using genome scans and state-of-the-art statistical tests, researchers can identify genes putatively under selection and study the genomic architecture of local adaptation, which often includes the observation of clustering of adaptive genes concentrated in fewer genomic regions known as “genomic islands of divergence”. The two species of North Atlantic eels, the European and the American eel, are excellent species for studying selection since they are panmictic and present large population sizes, show a wide distribution range across extremely heterogenous environments, and are subject to high mortalities. We reviewed studies of natural selection and local adaptation in American eel, European eel, between life cycle stages, between European and American eel. Finally, we discussed genome architecture in relation to local adaptation in eels and the role of both genetic (i.e., local adaptation) and non-genetic (i.e., phenotypic plasticity) in the survival of eels across their distribution range.
Clinical and Histological Findings of Non-Experimentally Induced Seminomas in Adult Zebrafish
Authors: Tinelli Antonella , Zizzadoro Claudia , Pugliese Nicola , Leone Rosa , Crescenzo Giuseppe , Perugini Monia , Amorena Michele , Caioni Giulia , Merola Carmine
Published: October 2022

The present study investigated the macroscopical and histological features of two spontaneous seminomas developed by zebrafish adults. Two wild-type male zebrafish of AB/TU strain aged 2 and 3 years, respectively, developed gross pathological signs consisting of asymmetrical swollen abdomens. In one fish, named fish 1, the testicular alteration is referred to as one testis (the right one), while in fish 2, both testes were altered in their size and shape. No signs of invasion were reported. The histological analysis revealed an extensive differentiation of germ cells in various developmental stages without any oocyte, and both lesions were compatible with spermatocytic and intratubular seminomas. The etiology and the pathogenesis of the reported lesions could be related to an intricate and interconnected network of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including the housing condition, diet, genetic background, and operator training.
Effects of Glutamine Starvation on SHVV Replication by Quantitative Proteomics Analysis
Authors: Liu Junlin , Zhang Yulei , Liu Xiaoyan , Zhang Hantao , Liu Yi , Chen Keping , Tang Min , Sun Lindan
Published: October 2022

Snakehead vesiculovirus (SHVV), a strain of negative-stranded RNA viruses extracted from sick snakehead fish (Ophicephalus striatus), may pose a threat to the health of snakehead fish. Previous research has proved that the replication of SHVV can be significantly inhibited by glutamine starvation. To study how glutamine starvation inhibits SHVV replication, channel catfish ovary (CCO) cells with SHVV cultivated in the glutamine-free medium or the complete medium were used to investigate the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). The results showed that 124 up-regulated and 246 down-regulated proteins were involved in many viral replication physiological processes, such as autophagy, post-translational modifications machinery, and functional pathways, including the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and mTOR signaling pathway. Furthermore, a few proteins, such as Akt and Hsp90, which have been confirmed to be involved in the replication of RNA viruses, were also significantly differentially expressed. Taken together, our study demonstrated that glutamine starvation affects various functional pathways and the expression of some key proteins related to RNA viral replication, which will benefit future studies on the replication mechanisms of SHVV and the prevention of SHVV infection.
Numerical Simulation of Mixing Fluid with Ferrofluid in a Magnetic Field Using the Meshless SPH Method
Authors: Abdolahzadeh Mohsen , Tayebi Ali , Ahmadinejad Mehrdad , Šarler Božidar
Published: October 2022

In this study, a numerical investigation of the effect of different magnetic fields on ferrofluid-fluid mixing processes in a two-dimensional microchannel is performed An improved version of smoothed particle hydrodynamics, SPH, by shifting particle algorithm and dummy particle boundary condition, is implemented to solve numerical continuity, ferrohydrodynamics-based momentum and mass transfer equations. SPH is formulated through the irregular arrangement of the nodes where the fields are approximated using the fifth-order Wendland kernel function. After validating the computational approach, the influence of the number (from one to three) of parallel electrical wires positioned perpendicular to the microchannel on the mixing efficiency is studied for the first time. It has originally been found that the mixing efficiency highly non-linearly depends on the Reynolds number and the number of electrical wires. For Re ≤ 20 the mixing efficiency is almost the same for two and three electrical wires and about two times higher than one electrical wire. For Re ≥ 80, the mixing efficiency of three wires is much higher than one and two electrical wires. Optimum performance of the micromixer is achieved with three electrical wires, since the mixer performs well on a broader range of Re than the other two studied cases. The outcomes of this study, obtained by a meshless method, are important for the industrial design of micromixers.
Comparative Advantage of Agricultural Trade in Countries along the Belt and Road and China and Its Dynamic Evolution Characteristics
Authors: Zhang Defeng , Sun Zhilu
Published: October 2022

Trade is an important means to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Target 2.1 “Zero Hunger”, and comparative advantage can be used to explain the causes and performance of trade. This study measures the static distribution of agricultural trade comparative advantage in countries along the Belt and Road (B&R) and China by utilizing the Balassa revealed comparative advantage (RCA) index, and further calculates its dynamic change by utilizing the revealed symmetric comparative advantage (RSCA) index and the ordinary least squares correlation analysis. The results show that: (1) in the face of multiple unfavorable factors, the initial comparative advantage of most agricultural products at Harmonized System (HS) 2-digit level in countries along the B&R and China deteriorated, simultaneously, but the initial comparative disadvantage of most and some agricultural products at HS 2-digit level in countries along the B&R and China improved, respectively; (2) the present agricultural trade comparative advantage in most countries along the B&R was higher than China and had a larger extent of change, but the current product structure of their bilateral agricultural trade was in line with each other’s comparative advantage, indirectly proving the validity of the Heckscher–Ohlin theorem. Our research findings suggest that the agricultural trade comparative advantage in countries along the B&R and China need to be further utilized to improve agricultural trade performance and better play its important role in ensuring global, regional, and national food security.
Salicornia bigelovii, S. brachiata and S. herbacea: Their Nutritional Characteristics and an Evaluation of Their Potential as Salt Substitutes
Authors: Alfheeaid Hani A. , Raheem Dele , Ahmed Faiyaz , Alhodieb Fahad S. , Alsharari Zayed D. , Alhaji Jwaher Haji , BinMowyna Mona N. , Saraiva Ariana , Raposo António
Published: October 2022

Excessive sodium (salt) intake in our diet is a main contributor to hypertension and a major risk factor for cardiovascular illnesses. As a result, research has made great efforts to develop salt alternatives, and Salicornia spp. offers a very high potential in the food industry for its promising functional characteristics. This review focuses on the nutritional profile, health effects and commercial potential of three specific species of the Salicornia genus: S. bigelovii, S. brachiata and S. herbacea. It also addresses the methods that are used to produce them as salt substitutes. Owing to the antinutritional and anti-inflammatory effects of its bioactive compounds, Salicornia spp. can serve as an organic biological preservative in foods with better consumer appeal when compared with chemical preservatives that are common in the food industry. Overall, the commercial use of these underutilized species will help to improve food security.
Antidiabetic Effect of Millet Bran Polysaccharides Partially Mediated via Changes in Gut Microbiome
Authors: Zhang Jinhua , Wang Wenjing , Guo Dingyi , Bai Baoqing , Bo Tao , Fan Sanhong
Published: October 2022

Diabetes is a type of metabolic disease associated with changes in the intestinal flora. In this study, the regulatory effect of millet bran on intestinal microbiota in a model of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) was investigated in an effort to develop new approaches to prevent and treat diabetes and its complications in patients. The effect of purified millet bran polysaccharide (MBP) with three different intragastric doses (400 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg) combined with a high-fat diet was determined in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced model of T2DM. By analyzing the changes in indicators, weight, fasting blood sugar, and other bio-physiological parameters, the changes in gut microbiota were analyzed via high-throughput sequencing to establish the effect of MBP on the intestinal flora. The results showed that MBP alleviated symptoms of high-fat diet-induced T2DM. A high dosage of MBP enhanced the hypoglycemic effects compared with low and medium dosages. During gavage, the fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels of rats in the MBP group were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The glucose tolerance of rats in the MBP group was significantly improved (p < 0.05). In diabetic mice, MBP significantly increased the activities of CAT, SOD, and GSH-Px. The inflammatory symptoms of liver cells and islet cells in the MBP group were alleviated, and the anti-inflammatory effect was partially correlated with the dose of MBP. After 4 weeks of treatment with MBP, the indices of blood lipid in the MBP group were significantly improved compared with those of the DM group (p < 0.05). Treatment with MBP (400 mg/kg) increases the levels of beneficial bacteria and decreases harmful bacteria in the intestinal tract of rats, thus altering the intestinal microbial community and antidiabetic effect on mice with T2DM by modulating gut microbiota. The findings suggest that MBP is a potential pharmaceutical supplement for preventing and treating diabetes.
An Alkyne-Mediated SERS Aptasensor for Anti-Interference Ochratoxin A Detection in Real Samples
Authors: Wang Hao , Chen Lu , Li Min , She Yongxin , Zhu Chao , Yan Mengmeng
Published: October 2022

Avoiding interference and realizing the precise detection of mycotoxins in complex food samples is still an urgent problem for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) analysis technology. Herein, a highly sensitive and specific aptasensor was developed for the anti-interference detection of Ochratoxin A (OTA). In this aptasensor, 4-[(Trimethylsilyl) ethynyl] aniline was employed as an anti-interference Raman reporter to prove a sharp Raman peak (1998 cm−1) in silent region, which could avoid the interference of food bio-molecules in 600–1800 cm−1. 4-TEAE and OTA-aptamer were assembled on Au NPs to serve as anti-interference SERS probes. Meanwhile, Fe3O4 NPs, linked with complementary aptamer (cApts), were applied as capture probes. The specific binding of OTA to aptamer hindered the complementary binding of aptamer and cApt, which inhibited the binding of SERS probes and capture probes. Hence, the Raman responses at 1998 cm−1 were negatively correlated with the OTA level. Under the optimum condition, the aptasensor presented a linear response for OTA detection in the range of 0.1–40 nM, with low detection limits of 30 pM. In addition, the aptasensor was successfully applied to quantify OTA in soybean, grape and milk samples. Accordingly, this anti-interference aptasensor could perform specific, sensitive and precise detection of OTA in real samples, and proved a reliable reference strategy for other small-molecules detection in food samples.
Physicochemical Antioxidative and Emulsifying Properties of Soybean Protein Hydrolysates Obtained with Dissimilar Hybrid Nanoflowers
Authors: Li Geng , Xu Jingwen , Wang Huiwen , Jiang Lianzhou , Wang Huan , Zhang Yan , Jin Hua , Fan Zhijun , Xu Jing , Zhao Qingshan
Published: October 2022

This study investigated the changes in the structure and properties of soybean protein after hydrolysis using two types of hybrid nanoflowers (alcalase@Cu3(PO4)2•3H2O (ACHNs) and dispase@Cu3(PO4)2•3H2O (DCHNs)) and examined the basic properties and oxidative stability of hydrolyzed soybean protein emulsions. The formations of the two hybrid nanoflowers were first determined using a scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and Fourier infrared spectroscopy. The structure and functional properties of soybean protein treated with hybrid nanoflowers were then characterized. The results indicated that the degree of hydrolysis (DH) of the ACHNs hydrolysates was higher than that of the DCHNs for an identical reaction time. Soybean protein hydrolysates treated with two hybrid nanoflowers showed different fluorescence and circular dichroism spectra. The solubility of the hydrolysates was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the soybean protein (SPI) at all pH values tested (2.0–10.0)*: at the same pH value, the maximum solubility of ACHNs hydrolysates and DCHNs hydrolysates was increased by 46.2% and 42.2%, respectively. In addition, the ACHNs hydrolysates showed the highest antioxidant activity (DPPH IC50 = 0.553 ± 0.009 mg/mL, ABTS IC50 = 0.219 ± 0.019 mg/mL, and Fe2+ chelating activity IC50 = 40.947 ± 3.685 μg/mL). The emulsifying activity index of ACHNs and DCHNs hydrolysates reached its maximum after hydrolysis for 120 min at 61.38 ± 0.025 m2/g and 54.73 ± 0.75 m2/g, respectively. It was concluded that the two hydrolysates have better solubility and antioxidant properties, which provides a theoretical basis for SPI product development. More importantly, the basic properties and oxidative stability of the soybean-protein-hydrolysates oil-in-water emulsions were improved. These results show the importance of proteins hydrolyzed by hybrid nanoflowers as emulsifiers and antioxidants in the food and pharmaceutical industry.
The Ability of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli to Grow in Raw Cow’s Milk Stored at Low Temperatures
Authors: Idland Lene , Bø-Granquist Erik G. , Aspholm Marina , Lindbäck Toril
Published: October 2022

Despite the lack of scientific evidence, some consumers assert that raw milk is a natural food with nutritional and immunological properties superior to pasteurized milk. This has led to the increased popularity of unpasteurized cow milk (UPM) and disregard for the risks of being exposed to zoonotic infections. Dairy cattle are healthy carriers of Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing E. coli (STEC), and contaminated UPM has caused STEC outbreaks worldwide. The association between STEC, carrying the eae (E. coli attachment effacement) gene, and severe diseases is well-established. We have previously isolated four eae positive STEC isolates from two neighboring dairy farms in the Southeast of Norway. A whole genome analysis revealed that isolates from different farms exhibited nearly identical genetic profiles. To explore the risks associated with drinking UPM, we examined the ability of the isolates to produce Stx and their growth in UPM at different temperatures. All the isolates produced Stx and one of the isolates was able to propagate in UPM at 8 °C (p < 0.02). Altogether, these results highlight the risk for STEC infections associated with the consumption of UPM.
Social Norms Support the Protein Transition: The Relevance of Social Norms to Explain Increased Acceptance of Alternative Protein Burgers over 5 Years
Authors: Onwezen Marleen C. , Verain Muriel C. D. , Dagevos Hans
Published: October 2022

Developing alternative protein products—based on protein sources other than regular meat—is a possible pathway to counter environmental and health burdens. However, alternative proteins are not always accepted by consumers, and more research is needed to support a shift to more alternative proteins. Prior studies have mainly focused on individual drivers and perceptions; although we expect that social norms—the perceptions of the opinions of relevant others—are highly relevant in accepting alternative proteins. Online surveys were conducted among 2461 respondents in 2015 and 2000 respondents in 2019 (cross-sectional datasets); a subsample (n = 500) responded to both surveys (longitudinal dataset). We add to the literature by (1) demonstrating the added explanatory value of social norms beyond a range of individual drivers; (2) showing that this finding holds over time, and (3) comparing the impact of social norms across different dietary consumer groups. Meat lovers and flexitarians are more prone to follow social norms whereas meat abstainers are more prone to follow their individual attitudes and values. This study highlights the relevance of investigations beyond personal variables such as personal norms and attitudes and underscores the relevance of considering the social aspects of accepting alternative proteins.
Nutritional and Health-Promoting Value of Poultry Meatballs with the Addition of Plant Components
Authors: Augustyńska-Prejsnar Anna , Sokołowicz Zofia , Ormian Małgorzata , Tobiasz-Salach Renata
Published: October 2022

The aim of the study was to use plant additives in the form of a mixture of seeds (linseed, amaranth and hemp) to increase the nutritional value and health-promoting values of poultry meatballs. Meatballs with 24% addition of wheat roll and three variants of meatballs: M1, M2, M3, with 24% addition seeds were tested. In the meatballs from group M1, the percentage of linseeds was 6%, amaranth 10%, and hemp 8%, respectively; in group M2 it was 8%, 8%, and 8%; and in group M3 it was 10%, 6%, and 8%. When assessing the meatballs quality, the traits taken into account included nutritional value, physical and microbiological traits, and sensory quality. It was found that meatballs enriched with a mixture of seeds were characterized by increased nutritional value (higher content of protein and methionine, polyunsaturated fatty acids, more favorable ratio of n-6 to n-3 acids (3:1), higher content of vitamin E and fiber), brighter color, inferior tenderness compared to meatballs with the addition of wheat roll, and at the same time, desirable sensory traits and acceptable taste. The introduction of a mixture of linseed, amaranth and hemp seeds made it possible to obtain a product targeted at a wide group of consumers, including those on a gluten-free diet.
Mixture of Tomato and Lemon Extracts Synergistically Prevents PC12 Cell Death from Oxidative Stress and Improves Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Aged Mice
Authors: Hong Ji Yeon , Ban Jae-Jun , Quan Qing-Ling , Eom Ji-Eun , Shin Hee Soon , Chung Jin Ho
Published: October 2022

Dietary habits have a great impact on one’s health, especially in cognitive decline. Tomato and lemon contain diverse bioactive compounds and possess various effects, including the enhancement of cognitive function. We observed the protective effect of tomato, lemon extract and the mixture of them on H2O2-induced cytotoxicity of PC12 cells. To measure the in vivo effect in a murine model, each extract was orally administered to forty 1-year-old mice for 6 weeks, and a novel object recognition (NOR) test was performed to observe cognitive function, and hippocampal neurogenesis was observed through a doublecortin (DCX) stain. PC12 cell death by oxidative stress was reduced by pretreating with each extract, and a synergistic reduction was observed in the mixture. Newly generated DCX-positive neurons were synergistically increased in the hippocampus by the mixture. NOR test showed a tendency to significantly improve age-related cognitive dysfunction by consuming the mixture of tomato and lemon. In conclusion, tomato and lemon extracts can reduce cellular oxidative stress and increase NOR, likely due to enhanced neurogenesis, while the mixture of the two showed synergistic anti-oxidative effects and hippocampal neurogenesis.
Combined Ultrasound and Pulsed Electric Fields in Continuous-Flow Industrial Olive-Oil Production
Authors: Grillo Giorgio , Boffa Luisa , Calcio Gaudino Emanuela , Binello Arianna , Rego Duarte , Pereira Marcos , Martínez Melchor , Cravotto Giancarlo
Published: October 2022

The aim of the present study is to develop a new industrial process for the continuous-flow extraction of virgin olive oil (VOO) using the non-thermal ultrasound (US) and pulsed electric field (PEF) treatments. These technologies have been tested both separately and in combination, with the aim of making the malaxation step unnecessary. The ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and PEF treatments are both effective technologies for VOO production and have been well documented in the literature. The present study combines a new continuous-flow set-up, with four US units and PEF treatment. The industrial-plant prototype is able to improve VOO yields, thanks to powerful non-thermal physical effects (acoustic cavitation and electroporation), from 16.3% up to 18.1%. Moreover, these technologies increased the content of nutritionally relevant minor components, which, in turn, improves VOO quality and its commercial value (overall tocopherols and tocotrienols improved from 271 mg/kg under the conventional process to 314 mg/kg under the US process). The combined UAE and US-PEF process also increased the extraction yield, while overcoming the need for kneading in the malaxation step and saving process water (up to 1512 L per working day). Continuous-flow US and PEF technologies may be a significant innovation for the VOO industry, with benefits both for oil millers and consumers. The VOO obtained via non-thermal continuous-flow production can satisfy the current trend towards healthier nutrient-enriched products.
Increasing the Sales of Suboptimal Foods with Sustainability and Authenticity Marketing Strategies
Authors: De Hooge Ilona E. , Giesen Roxanne I. van , Leijsten Koen A. H. , Herwaarden Charlene S. van
Published: October 2022

To reduce food waste, it is essential to motivate consumers to purchase and consume products that deviate from optimality on the basis of only cosmetic specifications (also called suboptimal products). Previous research has shown it to be challenging to motivate consumers to buy such suboptimal products. Sustainability or authenticity positioning of suboptimal products may be a promising avenue, but no research to date has examined their effects on consumer behaviour. The current research examines whether sustainability and/or authenticity positioning increase the sales of suboptimal products and whether these strategies increase suboptimal product perceptions up to the level of optimal products. Two field experiments examined whether sustainability and authenticity positioning could increase the sales of suboptimal products in two settings: a daily market and a supermarket. They reveal that both types of positioning can increase the sales of suboptimal products. Moreover, in an online experiment, consumers were presented with suboptimal and optimal products with sustainability, authenticity, information, or no positioning, and consumers indicated their perceptions of and purchase intentions for suboptimal and optimal products. It demonstrates that the strategies motivate consumers to perceive suboptimal products as more similar to optimal products and can increase purchase intentions for suboptimal products. Together, these findings suggest that sustainability and authenticity positioning of suboptimal products can support the fight against food waste.
Quantitative Analysis of Food Safety Policy—Based on Text Mining Methods
Authors: Song Cen , Guo Jiaming , Gholizadeh Fatemeh , Zhuang Jun
Published: October 2022

Recently, food safety and cold chain food have been closely related to the epidemic. The party and the state have intensified efforts to solve food safety problems and prevent possible epidemic risks. China has issued a series of policies and plans to strengthen food safety supervision to improve the food safety policy system. To our knowledge, little work has studied policy problems of food safety with in-depth quantitative analysis for an extended period. In accordance with the different national policies and regulations for food safety, this paper fills the gap by analyzing the policies and comparing the central and local policies issued in China from 2007–2022. In addition, the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic model and K-Means clustering model are constructed to analyze the content of food safety policies and identify hot topics. Finally, a quantitative analysis of China’s food safety policies is made from four aspects: the number of policy release years, the distribution area, the range of action, and the affiliated institutions. The results show that: (a) there is a partial surge in food safety policies issued in 2007, 2011, and 2017; (b) the local food safety policy has a high inheritance to the central policy content, and the trends of annual publication number are highly consistent; (c) the innovation of different policy contents in the region have their own characteristics; (d) the proportion of compulsory and capacity policies is much more significant than that of other types of policies. This paper provides some novel insights into food safety policies.
Systematic Study of the Sensory Quality, Metabolomics, and Microbial Community of Fresh-Cut Watermelon Provides New Clues for Its Quality Control and Preservation
Authors: Hu Yili , Cai Yi , Wang Haibin , Xiong Yin , Zhang Xinyu , Wei Liying , Qiao Zhixian
Published: October 2022

As a popular form of fruit consumption, fresh-cut watermelon is of great convenience for its consumers. Owing to the lack of comprehensive knowledge about the quality changes of fresh-cut watermelon during its shelf life, guidelines and standards are unavailable currently. To clarify the deterioration process and its underlying mechanism in fresh-cut watermelon, the sensory parameters, metabolomics, and microbial community of fresh-cut watermelon during a three-day storage at both room temperature (RT) and refrigerator temperature were systematically studied in this work. Results revealed that the whole property of the watermelon stored at refrigerator temperature kept stable, while pulps stored at RT had substantially deteriorated after 36 h. The decay was reflected in the significant decrease in soluble solid contents, firmness, pH, and color parameters in the sensory perspective. At the metabolic level, significantly declined malate, citrate, uridine, uridine 5-monophosphate, and amino acids, and increased ethanol and lactate contents, were observed as deterioration markers, which partially resulted from the activities of pyruvate dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase and the burst of genera Enterobacteriaceae and Leuconostocaceae. This study unveiled the underlying mechanisms of quality changes in fresh-cut watermelon under its primary storage conditions to provide fundamental information and potential clues for its quality control and preservation.
Exploring Consumers’ Understanding and Perception of Sustainable Food Packaging in the UK
Authors: Norton Victoria , Waters Carys , Oloyede Omobolanle O. , Lignou Stella
Published: October 2022

There is a growing emphasis on sustainability; however, not all food packaging fits this remit and consumer knowledge is typically lacking. This paper investigates UK consumers’ understanding, perception and preferences relating to sustainable food packaging and the impact that adding information to this packaging has on consumers’ behaviour. Consumers (n = 405) completed an online survey covering the following sections: (1) sustainability habits and knowledge; (2) utilising images to understand the role of labelling; and (3) determining key sustainable packaging attributes. Consumers regularly recycle plastic, cardboard, metal, paper, and glass, as well as showing willingness towards recycling; however, they lack knowledge of the correct recycling procedures. Labelling was successful in changing consumer behaviour and encouraging more sustainable choices. Consumers identified key sustainable packaging attributes as biodegradability, disposal methods, renewable sources, recyclability, no excess packaging, and product quality. The main themes from this survey relate to consumers typically being confused about recycling and often lacking knowledge about sustainable materials. More targeted education is needed to help consumers, coupled with additional support from companies and governments, to ensure consumers can make sustainable choices.
Development of Vacuum-Steam Combination Heating System for Pasteurization of Sprout Barley Powder
Authors: Hwang Seon Ho , Joe Sung Yong , So Jun-Hwi , Lee Seung Hyun
Published: October 2022

The processing of sprout vegetables in powder form has been known to extend the shelf-life by retaining nutritional values; however, sprout powder products were exposed to a variety of contaminants, such as microbial contaminants, during processing and storage. Therefore, the proper treatment for removing the contaminants in the powder was required without compromising their quality properties. This study was conducted (1) to determine a suitable pasteurization method for sprout barley powder, and (2) to investigate the effect of vacuum-steam heating combination treatment on the quality change and the lethality of microorganisms in sprout barley powder. The heating pattern of sprout barley powder was elucidated with a vacuum-thermal combination system consisting of a vacuum chamber, overhead stirrer, far-infrared heater, and PID (Proportional-Integral-Differential) controller. In addition, the mixing patterns of sprout barley powder, depending on the types of stirring blades, were evaluated by discrete element modeling using EDEM™ software. The vacuum-steam combination heating system was fabricated using the investigated pre-design factors. The quality change in sprout barely powder was evaluated by measuring the microbial inactivation, CIE values (L*, a*, b*, ΔE), and water activity (aw). During the pasteurization process, steam could be directly injected into the chamber at regular intervals for two hours to transfer moisture and heat to the powder. By combining steam and vacuum conditions, the population of E. coli O157:H7 in the powder was reduced by 4.33 log CFU/g, eliminating all E. coli O157:H7 in the powder. In addition, the water activity (aw) of the powder was significantly decreased in a vacuum pressure environment without the quality deterioration.
Tenderness of PGI “Ternera de Navarra” Beef Samples Determined by FTIR-MIR Spectroscopy
Authors: Beriain María José , Lozano María , Echeverría Jesús , Murillo-Arbizu María Teresa , Insausti Kizkitza , Beruete Miguel
Published: October 2022

Understanding meat quality attribute changes during ageing by using non-destructive techniques is an emergent pursuit in the agroindustry research field. Using beef certified samples from the protected geographical indication (PGI) “Ternera de Navarra”, the primary goal of this study was to use Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy on the middle infrared region (FTIR-MIR) as a tool for the examination of meat tenderness evolution throughout ageing. Samples of the longissimus dorsi muscle of twenty young bulls were aged for 4, 6, 11, or 18 days at 4 °C. Animal carcass classification and sample proximate analysis were performed to check sample homogeneity. Raw aged steaks were analyzed by FTIR-MIR spectroscopy (4000–400 cm−1) to record the vibrational spectrum. Texture profile analysis was performed using a multiple compression test (compression rates of 20%, 80%, and 100%). Compression values were found to decrease notably between the fourth and sixth day of ageing for the three compression rates studied. This tendency continued until the 18th day for C20. For C80 and C100, there was not a clear change in the 11th and 18th days of the study. Regarding FTIR-MIR as a prediction method, it achieved an R2 lower than 40%. Using principal component analysis (PCA) of the results, the whole spectrum fingerprint was used in the discrimination of the starting and final ageing days with correct maturing time classifications. Combining the PCA treatment together with the discriminant analysis of spectral data allowed us to differentiate the samples between the initial and the final ageing points, but it did not single out the intermediate points.
Adsorption of Phenylalanine from Aqueous Solutions Using Activated Carbon from Sunflower Meal Functionalized with Sulfonic Groups
Authors: Lima William Cardoso , Oliveira Leandro S. , Franca Adriana S.
Published: October 2022

The present work proposes the use of an agro-industrial residue from the sunflower crop as a feedstock to produce a low-cost adsorbent with a chemically modified surface bearing sulfonic groups. This modified low-cost adsorbent can be used for the removal of phenylalanine, and can also be applied in the process of obtaining a source of protein supplementation for patients with phenylketonuria. The functionalization of the adsorbent with sulfonic groups was adapted and presented advantages in terms of execution time, energy expenditure, number of reagents used and adsorbed amino acids. The produced adsorbent presented a surface area of 317.31 m2 g−1 with a predominance of micro- and mesopores, that influenced an approximate 30-fold reduction in adsorption equilibrium time. The optimization results indicated a higher adsorption capacity (39.64 mg g−1) in pH = 4; temperature of 25 °C and adsorbent dosage of 10 g L−1. The FTIR analyzes and the qualitative analysis of the elements present in the samples by EDS confirmed the introduction of sulfonic groups in the MPS500 coal. This work contributed to the understanding behind the adsorption of L-phenylalanine on charcoal surfaces functionalized with sulfonic groups, showing that they can be more selective for the adsorption of phenylalanine in a competitive system.
Chitosan Film as a Replacement for Conventional Sulphur Dioxide Treatment of White Wines: A 1H NMR Metabolomic Study
Authors: Rodrigues Joao A. , Nunes Cláudia , Coimbra Manuel A. , Goodfellow Brian J. , Gil Ana M.
Published: October 2022

Chitosan–genipin (Ch-Ge) films have been proposed for the replacement of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in white wines preservation to circumvent the adverse health consequences caused by SO2 intake. To assess the effects of different-sized Ch-Ge films (25 and 100 cm2) on wine composition compared to SO2-treated and untreated wines, nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics was applied. Relative to SO2, 100 cm2 films induced significant changes in the levels of organic acids, sugars, amino acids, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, among other compounds, while 25 cm2 films appeared to induce only small variations. The observed metabolite variations were proposed to arise from the mitigation of fermentative processes, electrostatic interactions between acids and the positively charged films and the promotion of Maillard and Strecker reactions. Qualitative sensory analysis showed that wines maintained overall appropriate sensory characteristics, with 100 cm2 film treated wines showing slightly higher attributes. Based on these results, the possibility of using Ch-Ge films as a replacement for SO2 treatment is discussed.
Rapid Non-Destructive Analysis of Food Nutrient Content Using Swin-Nutrition
Authors: Shao Wenjing , Hou Sujuan , Jia Weikuan , Zheng Yuanjie
Published: October 2022

Food non-destructive detection technology (NDDT) is a powerful impetus to the development of food safety and quality. One of the essential tasks of food quality regulation is the non-destructive detection of the food’s nutrient content. However, existing food nutrient NDDT performs poorly in terms of efficiency and accuracy, which hinders their widespread application in daily meals. Therefore, this paper proposed an end-to-end food nutrition non-destructive detection method, named Swin-Nutrition, which combined deep learning and NDDT to evaluate the nutrient content of food. The method aimed to fully capture the feature information from the food images and thus accurately estimate the nutrient content. Swin-Nutrition resorted to Swin Transformer, the feature fusion module (FFM), and the nutrient prediction module to evaluate nutrient content. In particular, Swin Transformer acted as the backbone network for feature extraction of food images, and FFM was used to obtain the discriminative feature representation to improve the accuracy of prediction. The experimental results on the Nutrition5k dataset demonstrated the effectiveness and efficiency of our proposed method. Specifically, the mean value of the percentage mean absolute error (PMAE) for calories, mass, fat, carbohydrate, and protein were only 15.3%, 12.5%, 22.1%, 20.8%, and 15.4%, respectively. We hope that our simple and effective method will provide a solid foundation for the research of food NDDT.
Improving the Structural Changes, Electrophoretic Pattern, and Quality Attributes of Spent Hen Meat Patties by Using Kiwi and Pineapple Extracts
Authors: Abdel-Naeem Heba H. S. , Abdelrahman Amal G. , Imre Kálmán , Morar Adriana , Herman Viorel , Yassien Nabil A.
Published: October 2022

Spent broiler hen meat is sold at a lower price, owing to its poor texture and lower acceptability, in comparison with broiler meat. The tenderization of spent hen meat using kiwi and pineapple extracts will encourage meat processors to use this less expensive meat as a new source of raw materials for the production of different chicken meat-derived products, particularly when solving the problem associated with a great shortage of raw chicken meat materials. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of kiwi extracts (5 and 7%), pineapple extracts (5 and 7%), and a combination between the two (5% kiwi and 5% pineapple) on the structural changes, electrophoretic pattern, and quality attributes of spent hen meat patties. The results demonstrated that all extract-treated meat patties exhibited a significant decrease in collagen content and shear force value, a significant increase in collagen solubility percentage, and significant improvements to all sensory attributes, in contrast to their counterpart control samples. Additionally, a non-significant change in lightness and yellowness values and a significant increase in redness value were observed in all extract-treated specimens. Moreover, the treatment of spent hen meat patties with kiwi and pineapple extracts resulted in marked degenerative changes of the muscle fiber and connective tissue, as well as a decrease in protein bands, with subsequent enhancement in tenderness. The effect was more highlighted in specimens treated with pineapple extracts (7%) and with kiwi (5%) and pineapple extracts mixture (5%).
An Insight on the Biomedical Potential of Portuguese Propolis from Gerês
Authors: Araújo Carina , Oliveira Rafaela Dias , Pinto-Ribeiro Filipa , Almeida-Aguiar Cristina
Published: October 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA), a progressive degenerative disease of weight-bearing joints, is the second leading cause of disability in the world. Despite all the advances and research over the last years, none of the proposed strategies has been effective in generating functional and long-lasting tissue. Due to the high prevalence of OA and the urgent need for an effective and successful treatment, interest in natural products as anti-inflammatory agents, such as propolis and its components, has emerged. In this work, we estimate the biomedical potential of Portuguese propolis, evaluating the in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of single hydroalcoholic extracts prepared with propolis from Gerês sampled over a five-year period (2011–2015) (G.EE70 and G.EE35). The in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory potential of the hydroalcoholic extract of mixtures of the same samples (mG.EE70 and mG.EE35) was evaluated for the first time too. DPPH• radical scavenging and superoxide anion scavenging assays showed the strong antioxidant potential of both hydroalcoholic extracts, either prepared from single propolis samples or from the mixtures of the same samples. Results also revealed an anti-inflammatory effect of mG.EE35, both in vitro by inhibiting BSA denaturation and in vivo in the OA-induced model by improving mechanical hyperalgesia as well as the gait pattern parameters. Results further support the use of propolis blends as a better and more efficient approach to take full advantage of the bioactive potential of propolis.
Effects of Composition and Strength of Wheat Gluten on Starch Structure, Digestion Properties and the Underlying Mechanism
Authors: Zou Xiaoyang , Wang Xiaolong , Li Liang , Peng Pai , Ma Qianying , Hu Xinzhong , Appels Rudi
Published: October 2022

To understand the effect of gluten on starch digestion characteristics, the structural characteristics of protein, starch, and starch digestion attributes were explored by using flours of four wheat near-isogenic lines. Protein and starch fractions from the four flours were used to form so-called recombinant flours where glutenin and gliadin protein fractions, in different ratios, were combined with starch and heated in a water slurry at 80 °C for 5 min. We found that starch digestibility of the recombinant flours could be reproducibly modified by altering the long- and short-range molecular order of starch through varying the attributes of the gluten protein by virtue of the gluten strength as well as the proportions of glutenin and gliadins. The gluten composition changes of strong-gluten flour did not improve the starch digestion resistibility, however, for the moderate- and weak-gluten flours, the proportional increase of glutenin improved the resistance of starch to digestion through the increased long- and short-range molecular order of starch. The resistance of starch to digestion could also be enhanced with increasing gliadin, and was associated with the modified short-range molecular order of starch. We propose that flour mixtures can be optimized for specified product quality by manipulating the amounts of both gliadin and glutenin.
Effect of Bovine Colostrum Dietary Supplementation on Rabbit Meat Quality
Authors: Castrica Marta , Menchetti Laura , Agradi Stella , Curone Giulio , Vigo Daniele , Pastorelli Grazia , Di Giancamillo Alessia , Modina Silvia Clotilde , Riva Federica , Serra Valentina , Miraglia Dino , Andoni Egon , Brecchia Gabriele , Balzaretti Claudia Maria
Published: October 2022

Bovine colostrum (BC) is rich in nutrients, antimicrobial, and antioxidant factors; for these reasons, it has been used as supplement in animal nutrition. However, its possible effects on meat quality have not been studied yet. Thirty-nine New Zealand White rabbits (n = 13/group) were assigned to three groups and fed until slaughter with a commercial standard diet, control group (C), and C supplemented with 2.5% and 5% (w/w) of BC (BC-2.5 and BC-5 groups, respectively). After slaughtering, the effect of dietary supplementation on microbiological and chemical characteristics of the rabbit loins was evaluated at 48 h postmortem (D0) and after 3 (D3) and 8 (D8) days of refrigerated storage. Results showed no difference in the microbiological parameters. In the supplemented groups, TBARS and TVBN values were lower and higher than in the C group, respectively (p < 0.01), and their fatty-acid profile was increased in SFA and decreased in MUFA (p < 0.05). In conclusion, research must continue to examine in depth the possible effects of BC byproduct reuse in animal nutrition on meat quality (e.g., antioxidant power, and physical and sensory characteristics).
Processing Alaska Pollock Protein (Theragra chalcogramma) into Kamaboko Protein Mitigates Elevated Serum Cholesterol and Postprandial Glucose Levels in Obese Zucker fa/fa Rats
Authors: Takada Natsuka , Hosomi Ryota , Fukunaga Kenji
Published: October 2022

Fish paste products such as kamaboko (KB) are traditional Japanese foods prepared from fish meat. The health-promoting properties of fish proteins and their lysates include improving glucose and lipid metabolism. Although the KB manufacturing process and quality have been examined, limited studies have reported the health-promoting function of KB. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of processing Alaska pollock protein (APP) into KB protein (KBP) on serum lipids levels and postprandial glucose tolerance. Obese male Zucker fa/fa rats were fed on different diets for 4 weeks as follows: APP group, fed on a diet in which APP constituted 25% of total protein intake; KBP group, fed on a diet with APP-processed protein as the protein source; control group, fed on a diet with 100% casein as the protein source. Compared with those in the control group, the serum total cholesterol (TC) level was reduced and the elevated postprandial blood glucose level was mitigated during the high-carbohydrate meal tolerance test in the APP and KBP groups. Further, KBP exerted significantly higher effects on serum TC levels and glucose tolerance than APP.