A Survey on Potentially Beneficial and Hazardous Bioactive Compounds in Cocoa Powder Samples Sourced from the European Market.

Cocoa (, L.) represents an important market that gained relevance and became an esteemed commodity thanks to cocoa powder, chocolate, and other related products. This work analyzed 59 cocoa powder samples from the European market.

Microencapsulation of hop bioactive compounds by spray drying: Role of inlet temperature and wall material.

This study explores the effect of spray-drying (SD) inlet temperatures (T 120 and 150 °C) and wall material on the chemical and physico-chemical properties of microencapsulated hop extracts (MHE). Hop extract was formulated with maltodextrin (MD) and gum Arabic (GA) used in single or in combination with β-cyclodextrin (βCD). MHE were evaluated for physical properties, bitter acids (BA), total polyphenol content (TPC) and encapsulation efficiency (TPC EE), and antioxidant capacity (AOC).

New Perspectives to Enhance Wastes and By-Products from Agro-Food Processing.

The exploitation of by-products and waste from the agri-food industry represents a sustainable approach within the frame of the circular economy, the basis of the European Green Deal and ecological transition [...

Who Cares about Biogenic Amines?

Biogenic amines (BAs) have been under study since the early 1970s [...

An insight into the impact of climate factors associated with altitude on wheat volatiles' fingerprints at harvest using multivariate statistical analysis.

Background: Climate changes associated with global warming are increasingly affecting the quality of cultivated crops. Cultivation at different altitudes and similar latitudes may offer an extraordinarily useful opportunity to obtain a diversificated dataset of climate variables and to further investigate their effect on crop quality. This study evaluated the effect of climate indices - temperature, rainfall precipitation and solar radiation data - on commercial parameters and the volatile organic compound (VOC) profile of wheat at harvest.

Corrigendum: Approaching to biogenic amines as quality markers in packaged chicken meat.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.

Approaching to biogenic amines as quality markers in packaged chicken meat.

Following the chicken meat quality decay remains a tricky procedure. On one hand, food companies need of fast and affordable methods to keep constant higher sensory and safety standards, on the other hand, food scientists and operators find difficult conjugating these exigencies by means of univocal parameters. Food quality definition itself is, in fact, a multi-layered and composite concept in which many features play a part.

Heritage and modern wheat varieties discrimination by volatiles profiling. Is it a matter of flavor?

Nowadays, the interest in ancient wheat is increasing and this trend point towards the local production of crops and is connected to sustainability. In this study, two ancient wheat (Solina and Cappelli) and four modern (common and durum) varieties were cultivated in experimental fields sited at three different altitudes for three consecutive years in the Abruzzo region. The six wheat varieties were analysed by solid phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and a chemometric approach.

Exploration of the Genetic Diversity of Solina Wheat and Its Implication for Grain Quality.

Different Solina wheat accessions ( = 24) collected in the Abruzzo region (Italy) were studied using 45,000 SNP markers generated from the DarTseq platform. The structure of genetic data was analyzed by Principal Component Analysis and Hierarchical Cluster analysis that revealed the existence of two main clusters (Clu1 and Clu2) characterized by samples with different geographical origin. The Solina genetic dataset was further merged and analyzed with a public genetic one provided by CIMMYT containing 25,963 genotypes from all over the world.

Quantitatively unravelling the effect of altitude of cultivation on the volatiles fingerprint of wheat by a chemometric approach.

The cultivation of crops at high elevations in response to climate changes leads to modifications in the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) profile. The VOCs profile of common and durum wheat grown in different fields sited at three different elevations over two years was analysed. Partial least square analysis (PLS2) evidenced the effect of altitude on VOCs variance that was hidden among others (cultivation year, species, farm) not correlated with it.

Could environmental effect overcome genetic? A chemometric study on wheat volatiles fingerprint.

A deeper knowledge of the causes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) variance in wheat is crucial for quality improvement and control of its derivatives. The VOCs profile of common and durum wheat kernels grown in different fields sited at different altitudes over two years was analysed and 149 compounds were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis evidenced that the year of cultivation was the highest source of VOCs variance.

The Role of Coffee Silver Skin against Oxidative Phenomena in Newly Formulated Chicken Meat Burgers after Cooking.

Coffee Silver Skin (CSS) is the unique by-product discarded after the roasting of coffee beans. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of two levels of CSS (1.5% and 3%) added as a natural ingredient in new formulations of chicken meat burgers.

Characterization of Coffee Silver Skin as Potential Food-Safe Ingredient.

By-products from the coffee industry are produced in large amounts each year. Among other wastes, coffee silver skin (CSS) is highly available and more stable due to its lower content of water. This research aimed to characterize coffee silver skin composition and evidence its potentiality for use as a food-safe ingredient in new formulations.

Biogenic Amines' Content in Safe and Quality Food.

Biogenic amines (BAs) are bioactive compounds distributed in foods of all origins. Apart from their fundamental role in many body functions, great interest is recently being focused on their toxicological potential, and many pieces of research are being carried out to understand their occurrence related to both desired and undesired fermentative phenomena, chemical spoilage, low hygienic conditions, wrong handling, and criticism about technological factors of process and storage conditions. All these causes can contribute to a higher content of them in food, particularly of those hazardous to human health.

Antioxidant Activity in Frozen Plant Foods: Effect of Cryoprotectants, Freezing Process and Frozen Storage.

The antioxidant activity (AOA) of plant foods is recognized as an index of the potential health benefits resulting from their consumption. Due to their high perishability and seasonality, plant foods are largely consumed or used as processed products and freezing is one of the technologies used for the production of high-quality foods. However, cell breakages occurring during freezing and frozen storage can lead to the release of antioxidant compounds and their degradation due to chemical and enzymatic oxidation reactions, and thus, they could present a lower antioxidant activity compared to the corresponding fresh product.

Wheat classification according to its origin by an implemented volatile organic compounds analysis.

Food volatile organic compounds (VOCs) analysis is a useful tool in authentication and classification processes, but, to date, the analysis of wheat VOCs is still little explored. In this study a method of analysis based on solid phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was optimized by testing different types of fibers, sample preparation methods and amounts, extraction temperatures and times, desorption times and oven programs. The analysis was applied to six wheat cultivars harvested in different areas, and permitted to identify 158 VOCs, of which 98 never found before.

Safety, Quality and Analytical Authentication of ḥalāl Meat Products, with Particular Emphasis on Salami: A Review.

Only some animal species could be transformed into ḥalāl salami and the raw meat must be obtained from ritually slaughtered animals. Several scientific studies have been conducted on ritual slaughtering practices and manufacturing of meat products for Jewish and Muslim religious communities; furthermore, many projects have been funded by the European Community on this topic. The authenticity and traceability of meat is one of the priorities of ḥalāl food certification systems.

Physical and Sensory Properties of Mayonnaise Enriched with Encapsulated Olive Leaf Phenolic Extracts.

This work aimed to study the physical, structural, and sensory properties of a traditional full-fat mayonnaise (≈ 80% oil) enriched with an olive leaf phenolic extract, added as either free extract or encapsulated in alginate/pectin microparticles. Physical characterization of the mayonnaise samples was investigated by particle size, viscosity, lubricant properties, and color; a sensory profile was also developed by a quantitative descriptive analysis. The addition of the extract improved the dispersion degree of samples, especially when the olive leaf extract-loaded alginate/pectin microparticles were used.

Effect of Fermentation, Drying and Roasting on Biogenic Amines and Other Biocompounds in Colombian Criollo Cocoa Beans and Shells.

The composition of microbiota and the content and pattern of bioactive compounds (biogenic amines, polyphenols, anthocyanins and flavanols), as well as pH, color, antioxidant and reducing properties were investigated in fermented Criollo cocoa beans and shells. The analyses were conducted after fermentation and drying (T1) and after two thermal roasting processes (T2, 120 °C for 22 min; T3, 135 °C for 15 min). The fermentation and drying practices affected the microbiota of beans and shells, explaining the great variability of biogenic amines (BAs) content.

Response of organic and conventional apples to freezing and freezing pre-treatments: Focus on polyphenols content and antioxidant activity.

The effect of pre-treatment (dipping and vacuum impregnation in lemon juice solution), freezing and frozen storage (FS) on single and total polyphenols (free and conjugated) content and antioxidant activity (AOA) of organic and conventional apples, was investigated. Fresh organic and conventional fruits showed different profiles of free and conjugated polyphenols while their total phenolic content and AOA were similar. Organic and conventional apple tissues showed different physiological responses to physical stresses described by changes in phenolic profiles.

Effect of Dipping and Vacuum Impregnation Pretreatments on the Quality of Frozen Apples: A Comparative Study on Organic and Conventional Fruits.

The effect of dipping and vacuum impregnation (VI) pretreatments with lemon juice solution on the quality and stability of organic and conventional frozen apples was investigated. Fresh apples were characterized; organic apples showed, at equal starch and ripeness index, a lower sugar content, and higher acidity than conventional ones. The polyphenol content was slightly higher in organic apples than in conventional ones while polyphenoloxidase activity was similar.

Crocins pattern in saffron detected by UHPLC-MS/MS as marker of quality, process and traceability.

This study was carried out to develop an UHPLC-MS/MS analytical procedure, to determinate all isomers and isoforms of crocins of 42 saffron samples, with different origin, age and dried using different process conditions. A preliminary experimental design was applied to optimize the extraction of crocins; UHPLC-MS/MS conditions were set to obtain the best analytical performances in terms of sensitivity and selectivity. The optimised conditions allowed to determine ten crocins; their amount in samples was significantly different and affected by process, age and origin.

From Cocoa to Chocolate: The Impact of Processing on Antioxidant Activity and the Effects of Chocolate on Antioxidant Markers .

Chocolate is a product processed from cocoa rich in flavonoids, antioxidant compounds, and bioactive ingredients that have been associated with both its healthy and sensory properties. Chocolate production consists of a multistep process which, starting from cocoa beans, involves fermentation, drying, roasting, nib grinding and refining, conching, and tempering. During cocoa processing, the naturally occurring antioxidants (flavonoids) are lost, while others, such as Maillard reaction products, are formed.