Polyphasic identification of Rhizopus oryzae and evaluation of physical fermentation parameters in potato starch processing liquid waste for β-glucan production.

Β-glucans are polysaccharide macromolecules that can be found in the cell walls of molds, such as Rhizopus oryzae. They provide functional properties in food systems and have immunomodulatory activity, anticancer, and prebiotic effects; reduce triglycerides and cholesterol; and prevent obesity, among others benefits. Furthermore, potato starch production requires a large amount of water, which is usually discharged into the environment, creating problems in soils and bodies of water.

Relationship between microstructure formation and starch digestibility in baked gluten-starch matrices.

Increased prevalence of diabetes prompts the development of foods with reduced starch digestibility. This study analyzed the impact of adding soluble dietary fiber (inulin-IN; polydextrose-PD) to baked gluten-starch matrices (7.5-13%) on microstructure formation and starch digestibility.

Review of Shikonin and Derivatives: Isolation, Chemistry, Biosynthesis, Pharmacology and Toxicology.

Shikonin and its derivatives, isolated from traditional medicinal plant species of the genus belonging to the Boraginaceae family, have numerous applications in foods, cosmetics, and textiles. Shikonin, a potent bioactive red pigment, has been used in traditional medicinal systems to cure various ailments and is well known for its diverse pharmacological potential such as anticancer, antithrombotic, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-gonadotropic, antioxidants, antimicrobial and insecticidal. Herein, updated research on the natural sources, pharmacology, toxicity studies, and various patents filed worldwide related to shikonin and approaches to shikonin's biogenic and chemical synthesis are reviewed.

Red Wine and Health: Approaches to Improve the Phenolic Content During Winemaking.

There is ample evidence regarding the health benefits of red wine consumption due to its content of phenolic compounds, as an alternative to improve the state of health and prevent various diseases, being the implementation of procedures that allow a greater extraction and stability of phenolic compounds during the elaboration a key aspect. The first part of this review summarizes some studies, mostly at the preclinical level, on the mechanisms by which phenolic compounds act in the human organism, taking advantage of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antithrombotic, antiatherogenic, antimicrobial, antiviral, and other activities. Although the migration of grape components into the must/wine occurs during the winemaking process, the application of new technologies may contribute to increasing the content of phenolic compounds in the finished wine.

(Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) C.Y.Wu & J.T.Pan: A Comprehensive Review on Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology.

The influence of medicinal plants on humanity spans time immemorial. These plants are also used at present with local and tribal peoples for the cures of various illnesses. Nature has produced an immense number of medicinal plants, which directly or indirectly help to treat various ailments and have numerous applications in the fields of pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food flavors and preservatives, aromas, and cosmetics.

Rennet-Induced Casein Micelle Aggregation Models: A Review.

Two phases are generally recognized in the enzymatic coagulation of milk: hydrolysis and aggregation, although nowadays more and more researchers consider the non-enzymatic phase to actually be a stage of gel formation made up of two sub-stages: micellar aggregation and hardening of the three-dimensional network of para-κ-casein. To evaluate this controversy, the main descriptive models have been reviewed. Most of them can only model micellar aggregation, without modeling the hardening stage.

Chemical aspects of polyphenol-protein interactions and their antibacterial activity.

The hunt for novel antibiotics has become a global public health imperative due to the rise in multidrug-resistant microorganisms, untreatable infection cases, overuse, and inefficacy of modern antibiotics. Polyphenols are getting much attention in research due to their multiple biological effects; their use as antimicrobial agents is attributed to their activity and that microbes have a hard time developing resistance to these natural compounds. Polyphenols are secondary metabolites produced in higher plants.

Predictive model of stunting in the Central Andean region of Peru based on socioeconomic and agri-food determinants.

Objectives: A limitation in the design and monitoring of public health policies is the lack of conceptual models to explain their results. The objective of this study was to develop a predictive model of stunting in children under 5 years of age in the central Andean region of Peru, using socioeconomic and agro-productive predictors.

Study Design: Cross-sectional data of 380 families in 15 districts of the central region of Peru.

Gluten-Free Snacks Based on Brown Rice and Amaranth Flour with Incorporation of Cactus Pear Peel Powder: Physical, Nutritional, and Sensorial Properties.

An agroindustrial by-product (cactus pear peel) and whole grains flour (brown rice and amaranth) were used to present a gluten-free snack proposal. The effect of 5% (F1), 7% (F2), and 10% (F3) substitution of brown-rice flour for yellow cactus pear peel powder () on the snack physical, sensorial, and nutritional properties was evaluated. In addition, 20% of amaranth flour was used for all formulations.