Food Science & Nutrition最新文献

The limited shelf life and short harvest season of phalsa (Grewia asiatica L.) present challenges in the marketing of this valuable fruit, and this has prompted the focus on processing, value addition, and the exploration of alternative methods of consumption. The objective of this study was to develop two distinct recipes of phalsa syrup and compare them in terms of nutritional profile and sensory quality. The recipe 1 (500 g of fresh phalsa fruit boiled in 2 L water) and recipe 2 (750 g phalsa fruit boiled in 1 L water) were cooled, blended, strained and re-boiled for 1 h. The ingredients of recipe 1 included 400 g sugar, 0.4 g sodium bicarbonate, and 30 mL of synthetic white vinegar while recipe 2 had 300 g sugar, 2.84 g black salt and 2 drops of synthetic red food color. The prepared syrups were cooled to room temperature, preserved in airtight bottles and stored at 5°C with 80%–85% RH for quality assessments. Both syrup types had very significant nutritional value and antioxidative properties. The activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes were greater in recipe 1 (17.23 and 13.77 U mg⁻¹ respectively). The higher levels of pigments (0.57 mg 100 g⁻¹ anthocyanins and 2.63 μg g⁻¹ carotenoids), were detected in recipe 2. Regarding the phytochemical content, total soluble solids (TSS) were higher in recipe 2 (60.6 °Brix), while the recipe 1 had higher (191.7 mg L⁻¹) total dissolved solids (TDS). The sensory evaluation indicated better color rating (7.9) for the recipe 2 with similar aroma, flavor and overall acceptability for both recipes. The color assessment indicated similar luminosity (L*) values (31.20 for recipe 1 and 32.38 for recipe 2), and positive a* and b* in both recipes with higher a* (redness) in recipe 2 (3.44) and more b* yellowness in recipe 1 (2.59). Overall, it was found that the higher pulp content in the phalsa fruit syrup improves the peroxidase activity, soluble solids and natural pigments; and the formulation differences affects biochemical and sensory quality of phalsa syrup.

Improving strategies against obesity and overweight requires estimating and constantly monitoring health risk factors. This study aimed to: (1) develop multiple linear regression (MLR) models predicting adult overweight and obesity prevalence in within-country analysis, based on FAO food balance sheets, and (2) assess the evolution of food groups and the estimated adult overweight and obesity prevalences over recent decades in Spain as a case study, as well as analyzing their projections into the long-term future by using three different FAO scenarios. The obtained MLR models showed high accuracy and predictive capability, and they would help to monitor these target health outcome variables in within-country analysis. The evolution of whole consumption of food groups in Spain showed small or moderate variations from 2000 to the present. However, adherence to the traditional and healthy Mediterranean diet of the Spanish population decreased. Overweight and obesity prevalences in Spain, estimated by MLR, showed a downward trend or remained similar in the last decade. This was consistent with prevalence projections for 2050 in Spain according to the FAO Toward Sustainability scenario, predicting a decrease in the consumption of commodities supplying energy and protein per capita, and more aligned with current food-based dietary guidelines in Spain. It will be necessary to assess whether this trend remains stable over time and whether it is the result of the changes in dietary patterns and lifestyles promoted by sectors involved in public health.

This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of undernutrition among children under five in coastal Bangladesh employing the Social Ecological Model (SEM). A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 348 randomly selected caregivers from six villages in Dacope upazila of Khulna district, between July and October 2024. Undernutrition in children was assessed using World Health Organization (WHO) standards for stunting, wasting, and underweight. Findings revealed high levels of undernutrition prevalence among children under five, with 56.3% severe stunting and 33.3% moderate stunting, 16.4% severe wasting and 40.5% moderate wasting, and 28.7% severe underweight and 59.2% moderate underweight, respectively. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that stunting was significantly associated with child age, birth weight, caregivers' occupation and mass media exposure, education of the household head, household food insecurity, vulnerability, and membership of non-governmental organization (NGO). Wasting prevalence was influenced by child age and sex, exclusive breastfeeding, feeding practices, caregivers' education, occupation, income, religion, and mass media exposure, household vulnerability, NGO membership, and place of residence. Underweight prevalence was primarily associated with child age, sex, birth weight, caregivers' income, and exposure to natural disasters. This study emphasizes the need for integrated, multi-level strategies to address child undernutrition. Local actions should prioritize young and low-birth-weight children through improved feeding practices, maternal education, and livelihood support in disaster-prone areas, while national policies must embed nutrition within health, poverty alleviation, and social protection programs. Globally, climate-resilient and context-specific nutrition policies, supported by WHO, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and World Food Programme (WFP), are vital to ensuring sustainable and equitable child health outcomes.

Limited comparative evidence exists on how polyamine-based edible coatings, in combination with various packaging systems, simultaneously influence the physical stability and biochemical quality of “Red Delicious” apples during storage. In this study, the effects of edible coatings (spermidine, putrescine, and chitosan) and packaging methods (unpacked, plastic film, and zipper bags) on physical properties (length, thickness, geometric mean diameter, weight, and surface area) and chemical attributes (pH, total soluble solids, total phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity) were evaluated. ANOVA results indicated that both coatings and packaging significantly influenced apple quality during storage, whereas their interaction effects were generally negligible. Packaging played a more critical role in maintaining dimensional stability, while coatings—particularly spermidine—were more effective at reducing weight loss and geometric alterations. Conversely, coatings significantly preserved phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity, whereas packaging exerted a stronger influence on pH and total soluble solids. Among the packaging treatments, zipper bags demonstrated the best performance in minimizing moisture loss and preserving dimensional integrity. Spermidine coating, on the other hand, showed the greatest efficacy in maintaining both chemical and physical quality attributes. Overall, the combination of spermidine coating and zipper bag packaging is recommended as an efficient and cost-effective postharvest strategy. This approach not only reduces postharvest losses and extends shelf life but also preserves the nutritional and market value of apples, offering substantial economic and export benefits for the horticultural industry. These findings provide actionable guidance for postharvest management and highlight the potential of integrated coating–packaging interventions to reduce losses and enhance value in fruit supply chains.

Plantain flours offer a valuable preservation method with economic and nutritional benefits, especially for coeliac-friendly foods, but their quality may decline if production techniques are not well controlled. This study is one of the first to comprehensively compare pulp and whole-fruit flours across ripening stages, combining physicochemical, nutritional, and multivariate analyses. It specifically examines the effects of two heat treatments (blanching at 85°C for 5 min and precooking at 100°C for 15 min) on the quality of flours derived from the pulps and whole fruits of two plantain clones (Batard and CARBAP K74) at ripening stages 1, 3, and 5. Results revealed that variety, ripening stage, matrix, and treatment significantly influenced (p < 0.05) the quality of the flours. Treatments significantly affected the flour's color (L*, a*, b* parameters); blanching increased the browning index, whereas precooking decreased it. The flours exhibited acceptable moisture, pH, and soluble solids values, confirming good product stability. Carbohydrates were the predominant component (68%–85%), followed by fibers (1.9%–10.4%), proteins (2.5%–4.4%), ashes (1.7%–4%), and lipids (0.6%–2.1%). While the main fatty acids were palmitic, linoleic, and alpha-linolenic acids. Antinutritional factors such as phytates, oxalates, and tannins were present at low levels. Multivariate analyses (PCA and HCA) revealed a clear separation of samples according to maturity stage, variety, and thermal treatment, grouping them into two main classes and identifying six superior flours from precooked whole CARBAP K74 clone. These findings highlight their potential at ripening stages 3 and 5 for use in functional foods and as sustainable alternatives to wheat-based products.

Lycium barbarum L. (Goji) berries are highly valued for their nutritional and nutraceutical properties, largely due to their sugar and amino acid content. This study analyzed organically cultivated berries from southern Tuscany (Italy), sampled across four ripening stages (July–November). Free sugars were measured over 3 years (2018–2020), and amino acids over two (2019–2020). Fully ripe berries (S4) exhibited high levels of glucose (80.2 ± 19.3 mg/g FW), fructose (75.5 ± 18.1 mg/g FW), and pectins (46.3 ± 16.1 mg/g FW), while sucrose remained low. Seasonal and interannual trends revealed progressive increases in glucose, fructose, pectins, and ethanol (up to 15.9 mg/g FW), positively correlated with precipitation and negatively with temperature. Total free amino acids averaged 3.21 mg/g FW, with non-essential amino acids representing 55.4%. Proline was most abundant (1.05 mg/g FW), and its accumulation increased with rainfall and decreased with higher temperatures. Other compounds influenced by climatic stress included β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) and ornithine. These findings highlight the strong impact of environmental variables on berry metabolism, particularly in sugar and amino acid biosynthesis. The optimal harvest window lies between version and full ripeness, when metabolic profiles peak. This work underscores the importance of climate-driven strategies to optimize goji berry quality through informed cultivation practices.

Fibroblasts are essential for tissue repair, but reactive oxygen species (ROS) can impair their function, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. γ-Glutamylcysteine (γ-GC), a glutathione (GSH) precursor and potent antioxidant, may protect fibroblasts, though its mechanisms in ROS-mediated damage remain unclear. This study examined γ-GC's effects on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-injured NIH/3T3 fibroblasts. γ-GC effectively reduced ROS levels, restored antioxidant defenses, and preserved mitochondrial function, thereby inhibiting apoptosis. Mechanistically, γ-GC upregulated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and promoted its nuclear translocation. The Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 confirmed that γ-GC's protective effects were mediated through Nrf2 activation. These results demonstrate that γ-GC, as a direct GSH precursor, not only scavenges ROS but also enhances cellular antioxidant capacity and mitochondrial homeostasis. Its dual role in ROS mitigation and Nrf2 activation highlights γ-GC's therapeutic potential for improving aberrant tissue repair.

Honey is an important animal product. It has been known about since ancient times. It is still a matter of curiosity today. This is due to its extensive biological properties and characteristic chemical composition. This study aimed to determine the phenolic content of honey from various regions of Türkiye. A total of 99 multifloral honey samples were collected from beekeepers in various Turkish provinces, and 25 phenolic compounds were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The highest measured phenolic component was hydroxycinnamic acid in honey samples from the Eastern Anatolia (103.60 ± 17.76 μg/100 g) and Central Anatolia (100.94 ± 12.79 μg/100 g) regions, followed by the Marmara (119.32 ± 17.26 μg/100 g), Aegean (147.83 ± 15.99 μg/100 g), and the Black Sea region (204.83 ± 33.28 μg/100 g). The most abundant phenolic component of the Mediterranean Region (114.38 ± 41.52 μg/100 g) and Southeastern Anatolia Region (148.53 ± 81.72 μg/100 g) honeys was vanillic acid. Alizarin, myricetin, protocatechuic acid, thymoquinone, and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone were not detected among these phenolic compounds in the honey samples. These results emphasize the effect of geographical differences and the flora from which honey is derived on its phenolic content once again. They also provide valuable information about the phenolic content of honey produced in different regions of Türkiye, which has a wide variety of flora and honey types.

Recent studies suggest that an imbalance in the gut microbiota, known as dysbiosis, may affect inflammation. The Dietary Index for Gut Microbiota (DI-GM) is a new measure of dietary quality that reflects gut microbiota diversity and abundance. However, its association with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) remains unclear. This study explored the relationship between DI-GM and the risk of developing PID. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 4539 women aged 18–59 years obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database for the period of 2013–2018. To explore the association between DI-GM and PID, we employed weighted multivariable linear and logistic regression, restricted cubic splines (RCS), and subgroup analyses. Additionally, mediation analysis was conducted to assess the influence of anti- and pro-inflammatory dietary patterns, represented by the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), on the relationship between DI-GM and PID. Among the eligible participants, 255 (5.62%) had PID. A higher proportion of participants with lower DI-GM scores experienced PID. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed a negative association between DI-GM and the risk of PID, regardless of whether the independent variable was considered a continuous variable or in quartiles in the fully adjusted model (Model 3, continuous variable: OR = 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.79–0.96, p = 0.012; Q3 vs. Q1: OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.36–0.94, p = 0.036; Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.35–0.87, p = 0.017, p for trend = 0.018). The RCS curves demonstrated a non-linear relationship between the DI-GM scores and PID risk. Subgroup analyses indicated an inverse correlation between DI-GM and PID risk across various covariates. Mediation analysis showed that inflammatory dietary patterns accounted for 26.82% of the mediation proportion in the association between DI-GM and PID. These results indicate that higher DI-GM scores are correlated with a decreased risk of PID. Inflammatory dietary patterns may mediate the association between DI-GM and PID, suggesting that restoring gut homeostasis and health through dietary interventions may prevent or ameliorate PID.