Persimmon Fiber-Rich Ingredients Promote Anti-Inflammatory Responses and the Growth of Beneficial Anti-Inflammatory Firmicutes Species from the Human Colon.

Persimmon fruit processing-derived waste and by-products, such as peels and pomace, are important sources of dietary fiber and phytochemicals. Revalorizing these by-products could help promote circular nutrition and agricultural sustainability while tackling dietary deficiencies and chronic diseases. In this study, fiber-rich fractions were prepared from the by-products of Sharoni and Brilliant Red persimmon varieties.

Toward the Development of Potentially Healthy Low-Energy-Density Snacks for Children Based on Pseudocereal and Pulse Flours.

The main objective of this study was the development of gluten-free cracker-type snacks with a balanced supply of essential amino acids, a lower glycemic index, and a lower caloric intake that were sensorially acceptable. For this purpose, chickpea flour was replaced by quinoa (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50%) and the fat was partially (75%) replaced by chicory inulin. The flours were characterized in terms of their proximate composition, individual mineral content, particle size distribution, and functional properties.

Development and Characterization of Thermoformed Bilayer Trays of Paper and Renewable Succinic Acid Derived Biopolyester Blends and Their Application to Preserve Fresh Pasta.

The present study reports on the development by thermoforming of highly sustainable trays based on a bilayer structure composed of paper substrate and a film made of a blend of partially bio-based poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(butylene succinate--adipate) (PBSA). The incorporation of the renewable succinic acid derived biopolyester blend film slightly improved the thermal resistance and tensile strength of paper, whereas its flexural ductility and puncture resistance were notably enhanced. Furthermore, in terms of barrier properties, the incorporation of this biopolymer blend film reduced the water and aroma vapor permeances of paper by two orders of magnitude, while it endowed the paper structure with intermediate oxygen barrier properties.

Volatile markers as a reliable alternative for the correct classification of citrus monofloral honey.

The pollen analysis to classify monofloral honey is an unresolved challenge specially when the pollen is under-represented as the case of citrus honey. Thus, this study assesses the validity of the volatile fraction to differentiate types of honey, with special attention to markers compounds of citrus honey that could permit their distinction. Unsupervised analysis (PCA and HCA) showed that the volatile fraction of honey containing Citrus sp.

Static digestion model adapted to the general older adult population: an INFOGEST international consensus.

Understanding the mechanisms of food digestion is of paramount importance to determine the effect foods have on human health. Significant knowledge on the fate of food during digestion has been generated in healthy adults due to the development of physiologically-relevant digestion models. However, it appears that the performance of the oro-gastrointestinal tract is affected by ageing and that a model simulating the digestive conditions found in a younger adult (<65 years) is not relevant for an older adult (>65 years).

Influence of the cellulose purification process on the properties of aerogels obtained from rice straw.

Cellulose aerogels were obtained from purified rice straw cellulose fibres (CF) by applying different extraction methods: the conventional alkaline treatment (ALK) and alternative aqueous extraction based on the ultrasound combined with reflux heating (USHT) and subcritical water extraction (SWE) (160 and 180 °C). The composition and properties of the CFs were significantly affected by the purification process. The USHT treatment was as efficient as the ALK at eliminating the silica content, but the fibres maintained a notable ratio of hemicellulose (∼16 %).

Lid Films of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate)/Microfibrillated Cellulose Composites for Fatty Food Preservation.

The present work evaluates the food packaging performance of previously developed films of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) reinforced with atomized microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) compatibilized by a reactive melt-mixing process. To this end, the novel green composite films were originally applied herein as lids in aluminum trays to preserve two dissimilar types of fatty foods, namely minced pork meat and sunflower oil. Results indicated that the PHBV/MFC films effectively preserved the physicochemical and microbiological quality of pork meat for one week of storage at 5 °C.

Using rice straw fractions to develop reinforced, active PLA-starch bilayers for meat preservation.

Bilayers from thermoplastic corn starch (TPS) and PLA were obtained, incorporating or not rice straw (RS) valorised fractions: active extract (es) into PLA and cellulose fibres (cf) into TPS films. The films were obtained by thermoprocessing while the bilayers were obtained by thermocompression of the different monolayers (TPS-PLA, TPScf-PLA, TPS-PLAes and TPScf-PLAes). TPS conferred oxygen barrier capacity to the laminates, which was improved by the cf incorporation.

Potentiality of Moringa oleifera as a Nutritive Ingredient in Different Food Matrices.

Given the growing interest of today's society in improving the nutritional profile of the food it consumes, industrial food reformulation is booming. In this sense, due to its high yield, good adaptation to climate change and high nutritional potential, Moringa oleifera may be an alternative means of fortifying products, in order to improve different food matrices. The different parts of this plant (leaves, seeds, flowers, pods, roots…) can be marketed for their nutritional and medicinal attributes.

Active Starch-Polyester Bilayer Films with Surface-Incorporated Ferulic Acid.

Bilayer films of cassava starch-based (with 10% gellan gum) and polylactic (PLA): Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) polyester blend (with 75% PLA) monolayers were obtained by melt-blending and compression-molding, and the subsequent thermocompressing of both monolayers. Ferulic acid (FA) was incorporated into the polyester sheet by spraying and drying. Films were characterized in terms of their microstructure and functional properties throughout two months of storage at 25 °C and 53% relative humidity.

Antioxidant starch composite films containing rice straw extract and cellulose fibres.

Antioxidant aqueous rice straw (RS) extract was obtained by a combined ultrasound-reflux heating process and cellulose fibres (CF) were purified by bleaching the extraction residue. Both fractions were incorporated into corn starch to obtain films by melt blending and compression moulding. CF (at 3 % wt.

Physicochemical and sensory properties of biscuits formulated with Tenebrio molitor and Alphitobius diaperinus flours.

The use of insects is considered by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as an alternative source of protein for human and animal food in order to reduce the carbon footprint caused by meat production and to supply the expected population increase with food. In this regard, the aim of this study was to analyze the physicochemical aspects (water activity, protein and fat content, size, optical and mechanical properties) of biscuits prepared with two different insect powders (Tenebrio molitor [TM] and Alphitobius diaperinus [AD], in different percentages [0, 13, 17, 20, and 25%]) based on total weight. In addition, the biscuits formulated with the highest insect powder content were subjected to sensory analysis.

Valorization of Liquor Waste Derived Spent Coffee Grains for the Development of Injection-Molded Polylactide Pieces of Interest as Disposable Food Packaging and Serving Materials.

The present work puts the Circular Bioeconomy's concept into action, originally valorizing residues of spent coffee grains from the beverage liquor coffee industry to develop green composite pieces of polylactide (PLA). The as-received spent coffee grains were first milled to obtain the so-called spent coffee grounds (SCGs) that were, thereafter, incorporated at 20 wt.% into PLA by extrusion.

Quality and Shelf-Life Stability of Pork Meat Fillets Packaged in Multilayer Polylactide Films.

In the present study, the effectiveness of a multilayer film of polylactide (PLA), fully bio-based and compostable, was ascertained to develop a novel sustainable packaging solution for the preservation of fresh pork meat. To this end, the multilayer PLA films were first characterized in terms of their thermal characteristics, structure, mechanical performance, permeance to water and aroma vapors and oxygen, and optical properties and, for the first time, compared with two commercial high-barrier multilayer packaging films. Thereafter, the multilayers were thermosealed to package fillets of fresh pork meat and the physicochemical changes, lipid oxidation levels, and microbiological counts were monitored in the food samples during storage under refrigeration conditions.

Role of Hydrocolloids in the Structure, Cooking, and Nutritional Properties of Fiber-Enriched, Fresh Egg Pasta Based on Tiger Nut Flour and Durum Wheat Semolina.

The aim of this work concerns the manufacturing process of fresh egg tagliatelle labeled as a "source of fiber" based on tiger nut flour and wheat semolina. An attempt to improve the quality attributes and cooking properties of the obtained product was made by means of structuring agents. More specifically, a combination of three hydrocolloids (carboximethylcellulose, CMC; xanthan gum, XG; and locust bean gum, LBG) was tested.

Peroxide-Induced Synthesis of Maleic Anhydride-Grafted Poly(butylene succinate) and Its Compatibilizing Effect on Poly(butylene succinate)/Pistachio Shell Flour Composites.

Framing the Circular Bioeconomy, the use of reactive compatibilizers was applied in order to increase the interfacial adhesion and, hence, the physical properties and applications of green composites based on biopolymers and food waste derived lignocellulosic fillers. In this study, poly(butylene succinate) grafted with maleic anhydride (PBS--MAH) was successfully synthetized by a reactive melt-mixing process using poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and maleic anhydride (MAH) that was induced with dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as a radical initiator and based on the formation of macroradicals derived from the hydrogen abstraction of the biopolymer backbone. Then, PBS--MAH was used as reactive compatibilizer for PBS filled with different contents of pistachio shell flour (PSF) during melt extrusion.

Potential Use of Vacuum Impregnation and High-Pressure Homogenization to Obtain Functional Products from Lulo Fruit ( Lam.).

Lulo ( Lam.) is a Colombian fruit that is mostly used in the preparation of homemade juice as well as natural remedy for hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine physicochemical and antioxidant properties (antioxidant capacity, total phenols, flavonoids and spermidine content, and polyphenolic compounds profile by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)) of the lulo fruit and its juice.

How isomaltulose and oligofructose affect physicochemical and sensory properties of muffins?

This article analyses, the replacement of sucrose in muffins with nine different combinations of isomaltulose and oligofructose. Being a structural isomer of sucrose with approx. 50% of sucrose sweetness, isomaltulose is non-cariogenic and with a low glycemic profile but having the same calories as sucrose.

Proposal of a New Orange Selection Process Using Sensory Panels and AHP.

Although the consumption of fruits and vegetables is being promoted by different institutions as a key question of public health, their consumption is decreasing and their waste is increasing. To address this situation, we propose to include the consumer's perception of the quality (from a sensory point of view) of a fruit, in particular Valencian oranges, in the supplier's selection process by retailers. To do so, we use a combination of consumer and trained sensory panels and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP).

Development and Characterization of Weft-Knitted Fabrics of Naturally Occurring Polymer Fibers for Sustainable and Functional Textiles.

This study focuses on the potential uses in textiles of fibers of soy protein (SP) and chitin, which are naturally occurring polymers that can be obtained from agricultural and food processing by-products and wastes. The as-received natural fibers were first subjected to a three-step manufacturing process to develop yarns that were, thereafter, converted into fabrics by weft knitting. Different characterizations in terms of physical properties and comfort parameters were carried out on the natural fibers and compared to waste derived fibers of coir and also conventional cotton and cotton-based fibers, which are widely used in the textile industry.

Advanced Research in Food Digestion.

Food digestion is the key process for delivering nutrients and bioactive compounds to the body [...

On the Use of Phenolic Compounds Present in Citrus Fruits and Grapes as Natural Antioxidants for Thermo-Compressed Bio-Based High-Density Polyethylene Films.

This study originally explores the use of naringin (NAR), gallic acid (GA), caffeic acid (CA), and quercetin (QUER) as natural antioxidants for bio-based high-density polyethylene (bio-HDPE). These phenolic compounds are present in various citrus fruits and grapes and can remain in their leaves, peels, pulp, and seeds as by-products or wastes after juice processing. Each natural additive was first melt-mixed at 0.

Clinical evaluation of an evidence-based method based on food characteristics to adjust pancreatic enzyme supplements dose in cystic fibrosis.

Background: Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and pancreatic insufficiency need pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) for dietary lipids digestion. There is limited evidence for recommending the adequate PERT dose for every meal, and controlling steatorrhea remains a challenge. This study aimed to evaluate a new PERT dosing method supported by a self-management mobile-app.

Advances in Manufacturing and Characterization of Functional Polyesters.

In the last few years, a remarkable growth in the use of functional polyesters has been observed.

Application of Ultrasound Pre-Treatment for Enhancing Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Rice Straw.

The extraction of water-soluble bioactive compounds using different green methods is an eco-friendly alternative for valorizing agricultural wastes such as rice straw (RS). In this study, aqueous extracts of RS (particles < 500 µm) were obtained using ultrasound (US), reflux heating (HT), stirring (ST) and a combination of US and ST (USST) or HT (USHT). The extraction kinetics was well fitted to a pseudo-second order model.