ACS food science & technology最新文献

This study investigates the nutritional and bioactive properties of Chlorella vulgaris (chlorella) and Arthrospira platensis (spirulina) to explore their potential applications in food sector and sustainable agriculture. The study involved comprehensive metabolite profiling using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, analysis of volatile organic compounds via gas chromatography (GC), and carotenoid quantification through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Risk elements and mineral content were determined using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis, while the fatty acid profile was assessed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and ABTS assays. The antimicrobial potential was assessed using disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods, along with antibiofilm activity tested against plant phytopathogens. Results showed that C. vulgaris contains high levels of sucrose (18.47 mg/g), while A. platensis has elevated glutamate (7.73 mg/g) and lactate (3.65 mg/g). The volatile compound analysis of C. vulgaris and A. platensis showed that both algae are predominantly composed of alcohols, C. vulgaris 63.56% and A. platensis 60.81%. A. platensis exhibited superior antioxidant efficacy compared to C. vulgaris. Both algae showed the largest zones of inhibition against Xanthomonas arboricola and the filamentous fungus Monilia fructigena. In addition, both species showed strong antibiofilm activity against P. megaterium. The results indicate that both algae are rich in valuable bioactive compounds with potential applications in sustainable agriculture and food production. Extracts from C. vulgaris and A. platensis demonstrated promising antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, highlighting their potential as natural biocontrol agents and alternatives to synthetic pesticides and additives. Their incorporation into agricultural systems could help reduce environmental impact and support the development of more sustainable food systems.

This study aimed to evaluate which kale (Brasicca oleracea L. var. sabellica) cultivar and sampling period are the most suitable for crop yield and accumulation of bioactive compounds. Two commercial kale cultivars, “Curly Kale” and “Black Magic”, were grown under field conditions, and their biochemical and physiological parameters were assessed over three sampling periods. Black Magic presented higher biomass production and accumulation of mineral nutrients in the early stages of the crop, and greater amino acid and carotenoid accumulation. Meanwhile, Curly Kale showed higher biomass toward the end of the crop, supported by its better phytohormonal profile, its greater accumulation of phenolic compounds and ascorbate, and its higher values of antioxidant tests. Furthermore, sampling in the intermediate phases would be more appropriate to promote antioxidant accumulation, whereas sampling toward the end of the crop is more appropriate for mineral nutrient accumulation. Overall, Curly Kale emerged as a superior cultivar in terms of growth, accumulation of bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacity, suggesting its potential as a functional food source.

The increasing demand for sustainable protein sources has driven significant interest in plant-based meat analogs (PBMAs). However, replicating the fibrous texture of conventional meats remains a major challenge. Shear Cell Technology, an emerging thermomechanical processing method, has shown promise for the development of anisotropic fibrous structures by applying controlled shear forces to plant proteins. Unlike high-moisture extrusion, this method operates under moderate shear conditions with lower energy input, enabling better control over texture and structure formation. This review explores the influence of Shear Cell Technology on the production of plant-based meat analogs (PBMA). This highlights the role of key ingredients, particularly proteins, hydrocolloids, and lipids, in achieving desirable structural and sensory properties. It also discusses the recent innovative approach based on well-defined shear flow that can produce fibrous, anisotropic structures from plant-based biopolymers using either a cone–cone device (Shear Cell) or a concentric cylinder device (Couette Cell). This innovative method creates fibrous structures under moderate conditions with low shear forces, resulting in a low specific mechanical energy input. Hence, this review provides insight and knowledge about shear cell technology as well as the significance of ingredients in structure development.

Dipteryx lacunifera is an underexplored nut with nutritional and economic potential. In this study, centesimal composition, carbohydrate profile, and organic acids of gurguéia nuts were analyzed. The effects of vitro gastrointestinal digestion on the phenolic compounds and antioxidant potential of in natura and roasted nuts were also determined. The centesimal composition showed high lipid (45.76 g 100 g^–1) and carbohydrate (30.98 g 100 g^–1) contents. Cellobiose (1438.68 mg 100 g^–1) and sucrose (768.60 mg 100 g^–1) were the main carbohydrates, while tartaric acid (678.15 g 100 g^–1) was the dominant organic acid. Roasted nuts exhibited higher concentrations of gallic (18–3836.05 mg L^–1), ferulic (242.68 mg L^–1), and sinapic (169 mg L^–1) acids and antioxidant potential. On the other hand, unroasted nuts had higher bioaccessibility for caffeic, pinobanksin, and chlorogenic acids. The gurguéia nut has great potential for the food industry and can encourage economic growth in producing regions.

An adaptation of the concept of atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) with calcium chloride unsaturated aqueous solutions under vacuum (19 kPa absolute) and at ambient temperature (23 °C) was employed to dehydrate mango and apple. Under vacuum conditions, it was possible to remove 93–95% of the original water present in the raw fruits, and there was no statistically significant difference between fruit samples located at different distances from the desiccant source at the bottom of the system (P > 0.05). In contrast, when the dehydration was conducted at atmospheric conditions (100 kPa absolute), a significantly lower (P < 0.05) moisture removal was observed in the fruit samples that were more separated from the desiccant source. Colorimetric, infrared spectroscopy, and electron microscopy analyses showed that AWH under vacuum can dehydrate fruits, preserving color and slowing down multiple deterioration mechanisms.

Biochemical and structural changes in Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) powders under various storage conditions were investigated, focusing on the Maillard Reaction (MR) and lactosylation. The Browning Index (BI) and surface hydrophobicity measurements revealed a two-step browning process: a gradual increase followed by a rapid browning phase triggered by lactosylation. Raman spectroscopy provided detailed chemical and structural information, confirming MR and lactosylation processes and highlighting protein structural alterations. Under mild storage conditions, minimal changes in the WPC powder structure were observed, while extreme conditions induced significant protein oxidation and lactosylation. Chemometric analysis using Bayesian Positive Source Separation (BPSS) successfully quantified the freshness and alteration in the powders, revealing three distinct groups based on storage conditions: fresh, moderately altered, and highly altered powders. Raman spectroscopy and chemometric methods are thus valuable tools for monitoring aging at the molecular level and predicting powder quality over time. These insights can directly inform the development of optimized storage protocols and contribute to maintaining the functional and nutritional quality of protein-based food products.

This study was aimed at investigating the hitherto unknown prebiotic effects of glucolacto-oligosaccharides on the overall composition and metabolic activity of the human gut microbiota, focusing on the main component 4-galactosylkojibiose (4-GK) in vitro and a glucolacto-oligosaccharide mixture in a human intervention study. Glucolacto-oligosaccharides were enzymatically synthesized from lactose and sucrose using Liquorilactobacillus satsumensis dextransucrase. In vitro fermentation studies demonstrated selective growth promotion of beneficial bacteria, especially Bifidobacterium, Parabacteroides, Lachnospiraceae, and Faecalibacterium. In a 4-week clinical study, the populations of fecal Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium significantly increased after administration of glucolacto-oligosaccharides while reducing levels of iso-butyrate and iso-valerate. The fecal bile acid profiles were altered, and serum total cholesterol levels were lowered after ingestion. Furthermore, glucolacto-oligosaccharides ingestion decreased serum zonulin levels, which indicated an improvement in intestinal barrier function. These findings demonstrate that glucolacto-oligosaccharides exhibit prebiotic properties by modulating gut microbiota composition and metabolism, leading to improved host health.