Food-based biomaterials: pH-responsive alginate/gellan gum/carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel beads for lactoferrin delivery.

The present study utilizes a combination of sodium alginate (Alg), gellan gum (GG), and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to fabricate a ternary composite hydrogel system to encapsulate and release lactoferrin (LF). Rheological properties as well as extensive microscopy and spectroscopy characterization are performed on these materials demonstrating that the physical properties of the resultant hydrogels, such as particle size, water content, gray value, and shrinkage rate were related to the concentration of Alg. In addition, most of these hydrogels were found to have reticulated shells and inner laminar structures assembled based on hydrogen bonding and electrostatic forces.

State of the art, challenges, and future prospects for the multi-material 3D printing of plant-based meat.

The emergence of innovative plant-based meat analogs, replicating the flavor, texture, and appearance of animal meat cuts, is deemed crucial for sustainably feeding a growing population while mitigating the environmental impact associated with livestock farming. Multi-material 3D food printing (MM3DFP) has been proposed as a potentially disruptive technology for manufacturing the next generation of plant-based meat analogs. This article provides a comprehensive review of the state of the art, addressing various aspects of 3D printing in the realm of plant-based meat.

Terahertz time-domain transmission spectroscopy of water and hydrogel thin films: Extraction of optical parameters and application to agarose gel characterization.

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) is an emerging optical technique that has potential applications in the characterization of (bio)materials. However, the complicated extraction of optical parameters from multi-layered and optically thin samples is a barrier towards its acceptance by applied scientists. Therefore, the aim of this work is to provide a straightforward approach for the extraction of the THz absorption coefficient and index of refraction profiles of aqueous thin films in a window-sample-window configuration, which is ubiquitous in many laboratories (i.

From Nucleation to Fat Crystal Network: Effects of Stearic-Palmitic Sucrose Ester on Static Crystallization of Palm Oil.

Palm oil (PO), a semi-solid fat at room temperature, is a popular food ingredient. To steer the fat functionality, sucrose esters (SEs) are often used as food additives. Many SEs exist, varying in their hydrophilic-to-lipophilic balance (HLB), making them suitable for various food and non-food applications.

Edible insects as a novel source of lecithin: Extraction and lipid characterization of black soldier fly larvae and yellow mealworm.

Edible insects with high fat and phosphorus content are a potential novel source of lecithin, however, studies on their minor lipids are limited. In this study, lecithin was extracted from black soldier fly larvae and yellow mealworm. Herein, the effects of lecithin extraction method, matrix and ultrasound pretreatment were explored based on the fatty acid composition and phospholipid profile with soy lecithin as a reference.

Visualisation of microalgal lipid bodies through electron microscopy.

In this study, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) were evaluated for their ability to detect lipid bodies in microalgae. To do so, Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Nannochloropsis oculata cells were harvested in both the mid-exponential and early stationary growth phase. Two different cryo-SEM cutting methods were compared: cryo-planing and freeze-fracturing.

Microwave Roasting as an Alternative to Convection Roasting: Sensory Analysis and Physical Characterization of Dark Chocolate.

Roasting cocoa beans by means of microwave radiations seems to be a potential alternative to convection roasting, but little is known about the impact of this method on the perceived flavor profile of the chocolate. Therefore, this research focused on revealing the flavor perception of chocolate produced with microwave roasted cocoa beans assessed by both a trained panel and chocolate consumers. Samples of 70% dark chocolate produced from cocoa beans microwave roasted at 600 W for 35 min were compared with samples of 70% dark chocolate produced from cocoa beans convectively roasted at 130 °C for 30 min.

Quality Evaluation of Fair-Trade Cocoa Beans from Different Origins Using Portable Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS).

Determining cocoa bean quality is crucial for many players in the international supply chain. However, actual methods rely on a cut test protocol, which is limited by its subjective nature, or on time-consuming, expensive and destructive wet-chemistry laboratory procedures. In this context, the application of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, particularly with the recent developments of portable NIR spectrometers, may represent a valuable solution for providing a cocoa beans' quality profile, in a rapid, non-destructive, and reliable way.

An in-depth multiphasic analysis of the chocolate production chain, from bean to bar, demonstrates the superiority of Saccharomyces cerevisiae over Hanseniaspora opuntiae as functional starter culture during cocoa fermentation.

Hanseniaspora opuntiae is a commonly found yeast species in naturally fermenting cocoa pulp-bean mass, which needed in-depth investigation. The present study aimed at examining effects of the cocoa isolate H. opuntiae IMDO 040108 as part of three different starter culture mixtures compared with spontaneous fermentation, regarding microbial community, substrate consumption, and metabolite production dynamics, including volatile organic compound (VOC) and phytochemical compositions, as well as compositions of the cocoa beans after fermentation, cocoa liquors, and chocolates.

The effect of cocoa alkalization on the non-volatile and volatile mood-enhancing compounds.

Alkalization is a process to improve color, dispersibility and flavor of cocoa powder but is likely to have a negative effect on the phytochemicals. Hereto, the impact of alkalization degree (none, medium and high) on the potential mood-enhancing compounds corresponding to the four levels of the mood pyramid model (flavanols, methylxanthines, biogenic amines and orosensory properties) was investigated. The phytochemical content, analyzed via UPLC-HRMS, showed reduction of specific potential mood-enhancing compounds upon alkalization, implying a decrease in bitterness and astringency.

Impact of phenolic compound as activators or inhibitors on the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose.

The influence of phenolic compounds on the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose was studied in depth using spectrophotometric techniques, adsorption analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). In this paper for the first time, both possible interactions between phenolic compounds and the enzyme or the substrate were investigated, with the use of various phenolic compounds, cellulase from T. reesei, and Avicel as cellulose source.

Encapsulation of Lactobacillus in Low-Methoxyl Pectin-Based Microcapsules Stimulates Biofilm Formation: Enhanced Resistances to Heat Shock and Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion.

Encapsulation is a common approach to improve the bacterial survival of probiotics. In this study, two new low-methoxyl pectins (CMP-6 and CMP-8) were used as coating materials to produce microcapsules (MCs) for the encapsulation of LMG9433, LMG6904, and LMG25859. A fermentation test showed that encapsulation did not influence the fermentation ability of lactobacilli.

Assessing the flavor of cocoa liquor and chocolate through instrumental and sensory analysis: a critical review.

The performance of appropriate instrumental and/or sensory analyses is essential to gain insights into the flavor profile of cocoa products. This three-part review is compiled of an overview of the most commonly used instrumental techniques to study cocoa liquor and chocolate flavor, their perception by a trained panel and the potential relationship between them. Each part is the result of a thorough literature study, principally focusing on the assumptions, features and limitations of these techniques.

Roasting-induced changes in cocoa beans with respect to the mood pyramid.

The mood pyramid of cocoa, which was previously proposed as a new concept, consists of four levels (flavan-3-ols, methylxanthines, minor compounds and orosensory properties). Roasting is a crucial process for flavor development in cocoa but is likely to have a negative impact on the phytochemicals. We investigated the effect of roasting time (10-50 min) and temperature (110-160 °C) on the potential mood-enhancing compounds corresponding to the distinct mood pyramid levels.

Arabinoxylan, β-glucan and pectin in barley and malt endosperm cell walls: a microstructure study using CLSM and cryo-SEM.

The architecture of endosperm cell walls in Hordeum vulgare (barley) differs remarkably from that of other grass species and is affected by germination or malting. Here, the cell wall microstructure is investigated using (bio)chemical analyses, cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) as the main techniques. The relative proportions of β-glucan, arabinoxylan and pectin in cell walls were 61, 34 and 5%, respectively.

Modulating the crystallization of phytosterols with monoglycerides in the binary mixture systems: mixing behavior and eutectic formation.

Phytosterols (PSs) are insoluble in water and poorly soluble in oil, which hampers their potential as cholesterol level regulator in human. To mitigate this problem, monoglycerides (MGs) were used to modulates the crystallization behavior of PSs. Therefore, the understanding on mixing behavior provides the insight into different aspects of crystallization and the resultant effects.

Pod storage with roasting: A tool to diversifying the flavor profiles of dark chocolates produced from 'bulk' cocoa beans? (Part II: Quality and sensory profiling of chocolates).

The impact of pod storage (PS) and roasting temperature (RT) on the quality parameters and the sensory profiles of dark chocolates were evaluated. Dark chocolates (70%) from ten liquors of different PS and RT combinations as well as six liquors of different origins (Ecuador, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Venezuela and Vietnam) with variable genetic groups were produced under identical conditions and compared. To a greater extent, the range of chocolate quality attributes underscored the generally minimal effects of PS, RT and origin of liquor on the processing conditions.

Tuning the aroma profiles of FORASTERO cocoa liquors by varying pod storage and bean roasting temperature.

The unique impact of roasting conditions on the aroma quality of cocoa beans has been demonstrated in many studies. However, information on the additional impact of pod storage (PS) and its combined effect with roasting temperature (RT) is unknown. Hence, this study sought to elucidate the collective contribution of these post-harvest/process parameters on the aroma profiles of cocoa liquors produced from Forastero cocoa beans.

Study into the effect of microfluidisation processing parameters on the physicochemical properties of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) bran.

The physicochemical properties of wheat bran have an effect on its technofunctional and nutritional profile. The possibility to induce physicochemical modifications in wheat bran using microfluidisation was investigated. An I-optimal experimental design was used to investigate the effect of microfluidisation processing parameters (pressure, number of passes, bran concentration and initial particle size) on important properties of wheat bran (particle size, microstructure, chemical composition, water retention capacity (WRC), extractability, viscosity and sedimentation).

The effect of temperature on structure formation in three insect batters.

Since insects are a promising alternative protein source, the application potential of three insect larvae (Alphitobius diaperinus, Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio) for food purposes was explored. To this end, the effect of isothermal heating at 5 different temperatures (70 °C-90 °C) on structure formation in insect batters was studied rheologically. Meat batters (with the same protein content as insect batters), isothermally heated at 70 °C, were also studied for comparison.

Influence of cooling rate on partial coalescence in natural dairy cream.

The presence of a fat crystal network throughout the fat droplets of an oil-in-water emulsion is a requisite for partial coalescence. The characteristics of this fat crystal network determine greatly the kinetics of partial coalescence. In this study the fat crystal network was manipulated by altering the cooling rate applied to natural cream.

Pod storage with roasting: A tool to diversifying the flavor profiles of dark chocolates produced from 'bulk' cocoa beans? (part I: aroma profiling of chocolates).

The impact of pod storage (PS) and roasting temperature (RT) on the aroma profiles of dark chocolates were evaluated. Cocoa liquor samples comprised of ten different combinations of PS and RT, whilst keeping the roasting time fixed at 35 min. Additionally, commercial cocoa liquors from renowned origins (Ecuador, Madagascar, Venezuela, Vietnam, Ivory Coast and Ghana) were acquired for comparison.

Isolation of wheat bran-colonizing and metabolizing species from the human fecal microbiota.

Undigestible, insoluble food particles, such as wheat bran, are important dietary constituents that serve as a fermentation substrate for the human gut microbiota. The first step in wheat bran fermentation involves the poorly studied solubilization of fibers from the complex insoluble wheat bran structure. Attachment of bacteria has been suggested to promote the efficient hydrolysis of insoluble substrates, but the mechanisms and drivers of this microbial attachment and colonization, as well as subsequent fermentation remain to be elucidated.

Modification of wheat bran particle size and tissue composition affects colonisation and metabolism by human faecal microbiota.

Dietary modulation can alter the gut microbiota composition and activity, in turn affecting health. Particularly, dietary fibre rich foods, such as wheat bran, are an important nutrient source for the gut microbiota. Several processing methods have been developed to modify the functional, textural and breadmaking properties of wheat bran, which can affect the gut microbiota.