Publications by authors named "Pere Morell"

Pea protein has been extensively studied because of its high nutritional value, low allergenicity, environmental sustainability, and low cost. However, the use of pea protein in some food products is hindered due to the low functionality of pea protein, especially as an emulsifier. High-internal-phase emulsions (HIPEs) are attracting attention because of their potential application in the replacement of hydrogenated plastic fats in foods.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Bakery products are usually formulated with solid fats, like margarines and shortenings, which contain high levels of saturated and trans-fatty acids and have negative effects on human health. In this study, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and xanthan gum (XG) were used as oleogelators to prepare oleogels, using sunflower and olive oil, as substitutes for margarine in baked or steamed buns. The effect of oleogels on the physical properties of the buns was evaluated by analyzing the crumb structure, specific volume, height, and texture.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Understanding how oral processing is altered in response to changes in the composition and mechanical properties of food provides useful information to design food with improved satiating capacity which is largely influenced by oral exposure. In turn, this information deepens the knowledge about the physiology of texture perception. Six yogurts were formulated with different amounts of protein and protein sources and addition of apple cubes: control (C), extra skimmed milk powder-added (MP), whey protein isolate-added (WPI), and whey protein microgels-added (WPM).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Sponge cakes enriched with fiber from different sources (maltodextrin, wheat, apple, blackcurrant and a mixture of potato and Plantago ovata) were studied. Profiling of the different cakes was carried out, first using a check-all-that-apply (CATA) question then evaluating the consumers' likings using a hedonic scale. The consumers also completed a nutrition knowledge (NK) questionnaire that was used to classify them according to their NK level.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Increasing the protein content of yogurts would be a good strategy for enhancing their satiating ability. However, the addition of protein can affect product palatability, contributing astringency or an inhomogeneous texture. Increasingly, studies mimicking oral tribology and oral lubrication have been attracting interest among food researchers because of their link with oral texture sensations.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Leishmania infantum causes visceral leishmaniasis, a severe zoonotic and systemic disease that is fatal if left untreated. Identification of the antigens involved in Leishmania-specific protective immune response is a research priority for the development of effective control measures. For this purpose, we evaluated, in 27 dogs from an enzootic zone, specific humoral and cellular immune response by delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin test both against total L.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF