FlavorMiner: a machine learning platform for extracting molecular flavor profiles from structural data.

Flavor is the main factor driving consumers acceptance of food products. However, tracking the biochemistry of flavor is a formidable challenge due to the complexity of food composition. Current methodologies for linking individual molecules to flavor in foods and beverages are expensive and time-consuming.

PLA- and PHA-Biopolyester-Based Electrospun Materials: Development, Legislation, and Food Packaging Applications.

The high accumulation of plastic waste in the environment has led to great interest in biodegradable polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA) or polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Their benefits, combined with the application of electrospinning technology, represent an innovative proposal for the food packaging industry. This article provides a comprehensive review of the latest developments of PLA- and PHA-biopolyester-based electrospun materials for food packaging applications, summarizing the reported technologies, material properties, applications, and invention patents.

Bifidobacterium breve M-16 V and scGOS/lcFOS Supplementation to Dams Ameliorates Infant Rotavirus Infection in Early Life.

The immune system of newborns is underdeveloped, leaving them susceptible to infections like rotavirus (RV). Despite vaccines, RV remains a leading cause of child mortality, especially in developing countries. Maternal immunity is transferred during pregnancy and breastfeeding to the offspring providing protection against RV infection.

Rheological Properties and Sensory Profile of Yoghurt Produced with Novel Combination of Probiotic Cultures.

Novel probiotic yoghurt was produced using the combination of bacterial cultures HA119 and subsp. B94 and yoghurt bacteria subsp. and .

Dietary patterns drive loss of fiber-foraging species in the celiac disease patients gut microbiota compared to first-degree relatives.

Background: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by dietary gluten in genetically predisposed individuals that primarily affects the small intestine. Studies have reported differentially abundant bacterial taxa in the gut microbiota of celiac patients compared with non-celiac controls. However, findings across studies have inconsistencies and no microbial signature of celiac disease has been defined so far.

Extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stem cells alter gut microbiota and improve neuroinflammation and motor impairment in rats with mild liver damage.

Gut microbiota perturbation and motor dysfunction have been reported in steatosis patients. Rats with mild liver damage (MLD) show motor dysfunction mediated by neuroinflammation and altered GABAergic neurotransmission in the cerebellum. The extracellular vesicles (EV) from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have emerged as a promising therapeutic proxy whose molecular basis relies partly upon TGFβ action.

Rheological and sensory properties of chickpea and quinoa pastes and gels for plant-based product development.

The aim of this study was to investigate the modification of mechanical, rheological, and sensory properties of chickpea pastes and gels by incorporating other ingredients (olive oil or quinoa flour), to develop plant-based alternatives that meet consumer demands for healthy, natural, and enjoyable food products. The pastes and gels were made with different amounts of chickpea flour (9% and 12%, respectively). For each product, a first set of products with different oil content and a second set with quinoa flour (either added or replaced) were produced.

From 'Farm to Fork': Exploring the Potential of Nutrient-Rich and Stress-Resilient Emergent Crops for Sustainable and Healthy Food in the Mediterranean Region in the Face of Climate Change Challenges.

In the dynamic landscape of agriculture and food science, incorporating emergent crops appears as a pioneering solution for diversifying agriculture, unlocking possibilities for sustainable cultivation and nutritional bolstering food security, and creating economic prospects amid evolving environmental and market conditions with positive impacts on human health. This review explores the potential of utilizing emergent crops in Mediterranean environments under current climate scenarios, emphasizing the manifold benefits of agricultural and food system diversification and assessing the impact of environmental factors on their quality and consumer health. Through a deep exploration of the resilience, nutritional value, and health impacts of neglected and underutilized species (NUS) such as quinoa, amaranth, chia, moringa, buckwheat, millet, teff, hemp, or desert truffles, their capacity to thrive in the changing Mediterranean climate is highlighted, offering novel opportunities for agriculture and functional food development.

Development of a Portable Cell-Based Biosensor for the Ultra-Rapid Screening for Boscalid Residues in Lettuce.

Fungal plant pathogens have posed a significant threat to crop production. However, the large-scale application of pesticides is associated with possible risks for human health and the environment. Boscalid is a widely used fungicide, consistently implemented for the management of significant plant pathogens.

Impact of paprika and dextrose addition on dry cured loins microbiota and its effect on aroma development.

The impact of paprika and dextrose addition on the surface of dry cured loins was analysed attending to differences in microbiota composition and aroma profile. Three different types of loins containing either dextrose (D), paprika (P) or a mixture of dextrose and paprika (DP) were manufactured. The loins were characterized using physic-chemical parameters, free amino acids, volatile compounds and aroma sensorial analysis, as well as applying microbiological counts and metagenomics of the 16S rRNA gene and its rDNA region.

Effect of polyphenols from seaweeds on the rheology and digestion of corn starch gels and gluten-free bread features.

The main objective of this work is to study the effect of polyphenols, from the brown seaweed , on the structure and digestion behaviour of gels at two corn starch concentrations (1.95 and 5.00% w/w) as well as the structure, color and texture features of crumbs from gluten-free breads.

Innovative Systems for the Delivery of Naturally Occurring Antimicrobial Volatiles in Active Food-Packaging Technologies for Fresh and Minimally Processed Produce: Stimuli-Responsive Materials.

Certain naturally occurring volatile organic compounds are able to mitigate food spoilage caused by microbial growth. Their considerable vapor pressure enables them to create an antimicrobial atmosphere within a package, and this property can be used for the development of active food-packaging technologies. The volatility of these molecules, however, makes their stabilization difficult and limits their effectiveness.

Leveraging Plasma-Activated Seawater for the Control of Human Norovirus and Bacterial Pathogens in Shellfish Depuration.

Cold plasma is a promising alternative for water treatment owing to pathogen control and a plethora of issues in the agriculture and food sectors. Shellfish pose a serious risk to public health and are linked to large viral and bacterial outbreaks. Hence, current European regulations mandate a depuration step for shellfish on the basis of their geographical growth area.

Exploring the effects of enzymatic and thermal treatments on banana starch characteristics.

Banana starch has a highly resistant starch (RS) and slow-digested starch (SDS) content, making it attractive as a functional ingredient. Unfortunately, banana starch requires modification processes due to the loss of RS and SDS during gelatinization because of its thermolabile characteristics. This study explores the effect of banana starch modification by enzymatic, heat moisture treatment (HMT) and dual modification (HMT+ enzymatic) on its nutritional (RS, SDS) and functional properties (hydration, structural, gelation, rheological).

Carvacrol Encapsulation in Chitosan-Carboxymethylcellulose-Alginate Nanocarriers for Postharvest Tomato Protection.

Advancements in polymer science and nanotechnology hold significant potential for addressing the increasing demands of food security, by enhancing the shelf life, barrier properties, and nutritional quality of harvested fruits and vegetables. In this context, biopolymer-based delivery systems present themselves as a promising strategy for encapsulating bioactive compounds, improving their absorption, stability, and functionality. This study provides an exploration of the synthesis, characterization, and postharvest protection applications of nanocarriers formed through the complexation of chitosan oligomers, carboxymethylcellulose, and alginate in a 2:2:1 molar ratio.

Flours from fermented lentil and quinoa grains as ingredients with new techno-functional properties.

The need to provide novel, nutritious plant-based products requires seeking high-value, sustainable protein sources, like quinoa and lentils, having an increased digestibility and lacking antinutrients. Fungal fermentation has evidenced enhanced nutritional value of flours obtained from these grains. However, research into techno-functional properties, essential to the new product development, is lacking.

Relationship between Physicochemical and Cooking Quality Parameters with Estimated Glycaemic Index of Rice Varieties.

Rice is a significant staple food in the basic diet of the global population that is considered to have a high glycaemic index. The study of the physical and chemical parameters in rice that are related to the starch digestion process, which allows us to quickly predict the glycaemic index of varieties, is a major challenge, particularly in the classification and selection process. In this context, and with the goal of establishing a relationship between physicochemical properties and starch digestibility rates, thus shedding light on the connections between quality indicators and their glycaemic impact, we evaluated various commercial rice types based on their basic chemical composition, physicochemical properties, cooking parameters, and the correlations with digestibility rates.

Breast milk immune composition varies during the transition stage of lactation: characterization of immunotypes in the MAMI cohort.

Background: Breast milk is a complex and dynamic fluid needed for infant development and protection due to its content of bioactive factors such as immunoglobulins (Igs). Most studies focus primarily on IgA, but other types of Ig and even other immune components (cytokines and adipokines) may also play significant roles in neonatal health. As a first step, we aimed to characterize the Ig profile, many cytokines, and two adipokines (leptin and adiponectin) at two sampling time points within the transitional stage, which is the least studied phase in terms of these components.

Improving and measuring the solubility of favipiravir and montelukast in SC-CO with ethanol projecting their nanonization.

Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO)-based approaches have become more popular in recent years as alternative methods for creating micro- or nanosized medicines. Particularly, high drug solubility is required in those techniques using SC-CO as a solvent. During the most recent pandemic years, favipiravir and montelukast were two of the most often prescribed medications for the treatment of COVID-19.

Impact of germination on the techno-functional properties, nutritional composition, and health-promoting compounds of brown rice and its products: A review.

Rice is a popular grain and forms part of the daily diet of people throughout the world. However, the consumption of rice and its products is sometimes limited by its high glycemic index due to its high starch content, low protein content and quality, and low bioavailability of minerals due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors. This has partly stimulated research interest in recent times toward the use of bioprocessing techniques such as germination as cheap and natural means to improve the nutritional quality, digestibility, and health properties of cereals, including rice, to partially achieve nutrition and food security in the developing regions of the world.

Agro-Industrial Protein Waste and Co-Products Valorization for the Development of Bioplastics: Thermoprocessing and Characterization of Feather Keratin/Gliadin Blends.

Biopolymers based on plant and animal proteins are interesting alternatives in the development of films with future prospects as food packaging. Considering that in recent years there has been an increasing interest in the valorization of agro-industrial residues and by-products and that the blending of polymers can lead to materials with improved properties, in this work, keratin-rich feather fibers and gliadins were blended at different ratios in order to develop sustainable and biodegradable films. Control gliadin G100, feather F100 films, and their blends at 3:1 (G75F25), 2:2 (G50F50), and 1:3 (G25F75) ratios were successfully developed through thermoprocessing.

Designing an Oxygen Scavenger Multilayer System Including Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Adsorbents for Potential Use in Food Packaging.

Oxygen scavengers are valuable active packaging systems because several types of food deterioration processes are initiated by oxygen. Although the incorporation of oxygen scavenger agents into the polymeric matrices has been the trend in recent years, the release of volatile organic compounds (VOC) as a result of the reaction between oxygen and oxygen scavenger substances is an issue to take into account. This is the case of an oxygen scavenger based on a trans-polyoctenamer rubber (TOR).

Amino Acid Digestibility of Different Formulations of Torula Yeast in an In Vitro Porcine Gastrointestinal Digestion Model and Their Protective Effects on Barrier Function and Inflammation in a Caco-2/THP1Co-Culture Model.

Single-cell protein from torula yeast () grown on lignocellulosic biomass has been proven to be an excellent alternative protein source for animal feed. This study aimed to evaluate the amino acid (AA) digestibility by estimating intestinal absorption from three yeast-based ingredients, produced by cultivating on hydrolysate, using either mixed woody species (drum- (WDI) or spray-dried (WSI)) or corn dextrose (drum-dried (DDI)) as the carbon source. Further, the protective effect of intestinal digests on activated THP1-Blue™-induced epithelial damage and cytokine profile was evaluated.

Estimation of alginate purity and M/G ratio by methanolysis coupled with anion exchange chromatography.

Alginates are industrially relevant polysaccharides widely used in the food and biomedical industries for their excellent gelling properties. The growing emphasis on the valorization of marine resources has evidenced the need for alternative methods for the determination of both alginate content and the M/G ratio. This study describes the application of acid methanolysis and separation by anion exchange chromatography.

Molecular Responses of Red Ripe Tomato Fruit to Copper Deficiency Stress.

Fruit nutritional value, plant growth, and yield can be compromised by deficient copper (Cu) bioavailability, which often appears in arable lands. This condition causes low Cu content and modifications in the ripening-associated processes in tomato fruit. This research studies the transcriptomic changes that occur in red ripe tomato fruit grown under suboptimal Cu conditions to shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying this stress.