European Food Research and Technology最新文献

Capparis masaikai Lévl is a Chinese native plant that ripe seeds are often used as a traditional Chinese medicine for their heat antidotes properties. The locals like to chew the seeds for their distinctive flavor “sweet water taste”. In this study, enzymatic hydrolysis, gel filtration chromatography, and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography were used to extract, isolate and purify flavor peptides from the seed kernels of Capparis masaikai Lévl. Nano-LC−MS/MS was used to identify 219 peptides in total. Five new bitter peptides (HIGP, FHP, CFR, LYR and SFR) were screened by molecular docking. The results of molecular docking indicated that hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic bonds played essential roles in the binding of the five bitter peptides to T1R2-T1R3, T2R1 and T2R34. Phe75 and Glu74 on T2R1 and Arg373 on T1R2-T1R3 might be the critical amino acids in the binding site. The taste properties of the synthesized peptides were confirmed by sensory evaluation, and it was found that five peptides exhibited a specific sweetness inhibition. Not only do these results shed light on the interaction between flavor peptides and taste receptors, but they also help explain the “sweet water taste” of the seed kernels of Capparis masaikai Lévl. The results of this study help to explore the potential of flavor peptides in an enzymatic hydrolysate of Capparis masaikai Lévl seed kernels and broaden the diversity of flavor sources for the “sweet water taste”.

Despite the popular claim that broths are a good source of essential elements, few studies have been devoted to clarifying this narrative. In fact, there is growing concern about the risk of ingesting toxic elements. This study focused on assessing the content of important elements (Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, and Pb) in various types of broths (beef, fish, poultry, pork, and vegetable). The samples (n = 30) included broths of different origins, including laboratory-prepared broths and broths prepared by professional cooks from Czech school canteens. The broths were evaluated as potential sources of essential elements in relation to their reference daily intake, as well as their potential toxicity risk in relation to Cd and Pb. Although significant variability was observed in the contents of the investigated elements, the results generally contradicted the popular narrative that broths are a good source of Ca, Cu, Fe, and Mg, as their contents did not achieve even 5% of the recommended daily intake. The amount of Ca in the broths was minimal even compared to the amount in tap water. The consumption of broths poses minimal risk regarding the presence of Cd and Pb.

Graphic abstract

The grape variety and the different aging techniques used in the winemaking are key factors that can affect the chemical and sensory profile of wines and allow to differentiate from other wines. The aim was the chemical and sensory characterization of white wines elaborated with different grape varieties (Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc and Godello) and with different winemaking techniques (aging on lees, oak barrel fermentation combined with aging on lees (FB + L), and without aging). The Godello wines had higher alcohol and polysaccharide content, terpene volatile groups and 2-phenyethanol which supply floral notes. The Verdejo wines had the highest content of total tannins, total polysaccharides, and ethyl esters, whiskey lactones and aldehydes, compounds that supply fruity, oak and some negative (bad smell) nuances respectively. The Sauvignon Blanc wines had the highest content of tartaric esters and flavonols, and volatile groups of alcohol acetates, C6 alcohols and aldehydes which supply fruity, herbaceous and some negative aromas, respectively. The FB + L technique contributed to the extraction of polysaccharides, phenols and volatile compounds from oak and lees, increasing the body, persistence and olfactory intensity due to the compounds provided by the oak wood. These wines had a similar content of terpenes than wines without aging, which can increase their sensory complexity.

The 2-phenylethanol biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is limited by multiple-branch metabolism in the shikimate pathway. In this research, a total of 4 × 4 (sites × genes) guide sequences from four branch genes (TYR1, ARO8, AAT2 and ALD3) were designed. A single-gene down-regulation library of 4 × 4 Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains was constructed. By the assessment of gene expression level and 2-phenylethanol production, the optimal guide sequences of TYR1/AAT2/ALD3 were identified. On these bases, we first developed a high-yielding 2-phenylethanol strain carrying triple-CRISPRi system for simultaneous three branch repression. The INVScI-TYR1.AAT2.ALD3 successfully achieved the desired transcriptional repression effect and led to a 1.89-fold increase in 2-phenylethanol production compared to the starting strain. Triple-CRISPRi-mediated down-regulation of the shikimate pathway branch genes provided a convenient and efficient solution for the development of 2-phenylethanol high-yield Saccharomyces cerevisiae engineering strain.

Graphical abstract

A relationship between EPR and spectrophotometric parameters related to beer staling and antioxidant activity, was identified. AUC (area under the curve), intensity at 150 min (T₁₅₀), radical scavenging activity (RSA), total phenolic compounds (TPC), hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity (HRSC) and one parameter linked to staling degree of beers (thiobarbituric index, TBI) were related. Temperature was modified to find the proper working conditions for EPR spin-trapping experiments and it was found that it affected the kinetic of PBN adduct evolution. For the samples reaching a maximum intensity signal, the higher the heating temperature, the shorter the time interval needed to reach it. No linear relationship was detected among parameters obtained with EPR spin trapping experiments and RSA, TPC, TPI, and HRSC when correlating one parameter with another. On the contrary, a good linear relationship was found among AUC or T₁₅₀ and a combination of RSA, TPC, TPI, and HRSC (R² = 0.9562 and 0.9694, respectively). The goodness of fit increased to R² = 1 when a combination of AUC and T₁₅₀ was related to a combination of RSA, TPC, and TPI, and HRSC.

The wheat flour-alfalfa blends containing 5 and 10 g/100 g of non-germinated and germinated alfalfa flour were examined in terms of nutritional composition (protein, lipid, starch, total dietary fibre), mineral profile, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity (ABTS, FRAP), and Mixolab rheological properties while the corresponding standard and sourdough breads were evaluated regarding physical and textural characteristics (specific volume, hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, gumminess, chewiness). The alfalfa flour inclusion resulted in increased protein (11.64–14.87%) and total dietary fibre (1.65–5.82%) contents in all blends, regardless of the alfalfa flour type but in a higher extent with 10 g/100 g inclusion level. Blends were characterised by improved mineral profile, total phenolic content (37.57–162.35 mg GAE/100 g) and antioxidant properties (ABTS: 4.37–232.79 µmol TE/100 g, FRAP: 138.05–539.16 µmol TE/100 g) particularly when non-germinated alfalfa flour in quantity of 10 g/100 g was used. Dough rheological properties were not significantly affected by the alfalfa flour type, whilst higher alfalfa flour inclusion level prolonged dough development time. Increased specific volume (2.63–3.62 cm³/g) with decreased crumb hardness (3.82–1.68 N) was recorded upon alfalfa flour incorporation and was more pronounced for sourdough bread. Overall nutrient composition of blends and technological features of the resulting breads were enhanced by alfalfa flour addition.

Graphical abstract

The overall goal of this research was to develop plant protein-based lipid composite films by examining the effect of shear (mechanical shear; MS vs. high pressure shear; HPS) and type of legume protein isolates (pea, lentil, soy, and faba bean). Compared to MS, HPS emulsions had smaller droplet size, and HPS emulsions from pea and lentil were more viscous than soy and faba bean. The HPS films were lighter and more green and yellow in colour compared to MS films. HPS also improved the mechanical properties of the films resulting in higher tensile and puncture strength for pea and soy and higher tensile elongation and puncture deformation for most of the legumes. There was an inverse relationship between legumes where overall stronger and less flexible films were prepared from pea and soy, and vice versa from lentil and faba bean. HPS resulted in pea and soy films with less swelling ability and higher water vapour permeability (WVP), indicative of a poorer moisture barrier when homogenized this way. The MS films had similar WVP regardless of legume type, while under HPS it was the lowest for faba bean and highest for soy, despite the high swelling ability for both legumes. In short, pea, lentil, and faba bean protein isolates prepared emulsion films with good mechanical properties and water resistance, suggesting the potential to replace soy as edible packaging materials. HSP films had better mechanical attributes but poorer vapor barrier properties then those produced using MS.

The objective of this research is to analyze the knowledge structure of the academic literature indexed in the Core Collection of the Web of Science on automation in the wine industry, from the first registered article in 1996 to 2022, in order to identify the latest trends in the study of this subject. A bibliometric and systematic analysis of the literature was carried out. First, for the quantitative analysis of the scientific production, the bibliometric study was conducted, using the WoS database for data collection and the VosViewer and Bibliometrix applications to create the network maps. Second, once the literature had been examined quantitatively, content analysis was undertaken using the PRISMA methodology. The results show, among other aspects, the uneven distribution of the examined scientific production from 1996 to 2022, that computer vision, data aggregation, life cycle assessment, precision viticulture, extreme learning machine and collaborative platforms are the major current keywords and the predominance of Spain and Italy in terms of scientific production in the field. There are various justifications which support the originality of this study. First, it contributes to the understanding of academic literature and the identification of the most recent trends in the study of automation in the wine industry. Second, to the best of our knowledge, no prior bibliometric studies have considered this topic. Third, this research evaluates the literature from the first record to the year 2022, thereby providing a comprehensive analysis of the scientific production.

Searching for new alternatives to commercialize pork from entire male pigs that could be affected by a boar taint sensory defect would be adequate. In this study, two different marinade mixtures (additives, salt, white wine plus different spices for mixture 1 and 2) were injected into pork loin pieces from castrated (C1 and C2) and entire male pigs (E1 and E2) with a high boar taint level (5.51 µg.g⁻¹ AND and 0.73 µg.g⁻¹ SKA) to evaluate their effect on the physicochemical and sensory quality of pork, and to assess their boar taint masking properties. To achieve this, physicochemical and sensory analyses with trained panellists were carried out. Marinated meat showed some differences in colour and a reduction in cooking losses. Mixture 2 achieved the best boar taint masking effect, due to spices content mainly nutmeg and ginger, and other ingredients such as white wine. In conclusion, marinating pork from entire male pigs can contribute to achieving an acceptable quality standard.

One of the main priorities of current food systems is to develop new and healthy foods to overcome food shortages considering consumer’s expectations. Algae are receiving increasing attention as nutritious and sustainable food, though studies are limited mainly to Arthrospira and Chlorella species and cross-national research is scant. This study aims to investigate European consumers’ liking and perception of crackers added with powders from Arthrospira platensis (green Spirulina), isolated proteins from Arthrospira platensis (blue Spirulina), Palmaria palmata, Saccharina latissima, Lithothamnium calcareum and a control cracker. Belgian, German, Italian, and Swedish participants (n = 413, 18–69 years, 59.8% females) evaluated cracker liking and perceived sensory attributes using the check-all-that-apply (CATA) task. Food neophobia, familiarity towards, and consumption of algae were also collected. Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) analyses showed that across all countries, Lithothamnium calcareum, blue Spirulina and the control samples were perceived as similar and were liked more than the other crackers. “Sweet”, “toasted bread”, and “bland” attributes were significant contributors to liking, while “off-flavor”, “fishy flavor”, “umami” and “speckled” contributed negatively. PLSR performed by country provided similar results except for Italians who liked the green Spirulina sample equally as the samples added with Lithothamnium calcareum, blue Spirulina, and the control. These cross-national differences can be ascribed to Italians’ lower food neophobia level. The present results suggest that Lithothamnium calcareum is the most promising algal species to be exploited in food formulations and that the use of isolated proteins from Spirulina (blue Spirulina) significantly reduces off-flavors, consequently improving consumers’ acceptance.