Food Constituents Research Articles

Effects of Preservation Methods on the Proximate Composition of Three Varieties of Pepper

Pepper is a vital commercial crop, cultivated for vegetable, spice, and value-added processed products. It is an important constituent of many foods, adding flavour, colour, minerals and vitamins A and C, therefore, indispensable to Ghana and world food industries. Proximate analysis of food is very critical in the food science that determine the composition of any food substance. It is through the proximate analysis that nutritional assessment on moisture, ash, crude protein crude fat and crude fibre are made. Essentially, proximate analysis allows manufacturers to maintain quality control. This study aimed at determining the effects of preservation on the proximate composition of three varieties of pepper (Capsicum frutescence, Capsicum cayenne and Capsicum chinense) in the Bibiani Municipality of the Western North Region. The study was laboratory experiment. From the findings it was revealed that the pepper stored under room temperature was noted for good protein (14.64%), ash (8.04%) and fat (10.71%) and carbohydrate (68.09% while parboiling pepper and drying influence a very high fibre (11.50%) content, and retain good amount of ash (5.53%), carbohydrate (68.09%) with poor fat (4.56%) and protein (10.21%) content. It was also observed that the ash content of pepper due to interaction effect of varietal variation and method of preservation also showed a distinct difference (p<0.01) The effect of interaction between the variety and method of preservation influenced a significant variation in the protein content of the pepper samples. The study showed moisture content in pepper differs with respect to difference in the variety. Hence, different variety of pepper has moisture level of a vary effect.

Food Constituents & its Nutritive Aspects: Review Article

Food constituents are substances that provide nourishment essential for the maintenance of life and for growth. Food constituents are classified into the major groups which include: fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fiber & water. Keywords Food, Food constituents, proteins, fats, vitamins, nutrition’s, sources

Creatine and improvement in cognitive function: Evaluation of a health claim pursuant to article 13(5) of regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

Following an application from Alzchem Trostberg GmbH, submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Austria, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to creatine and improvement in cognitive function. The Panel considers that the food constituent, creatine, is sufficiently characterised. An improvement in cognitive function in one or more of its domains is a beneficial physiological effect. The applicant identified 21 human intervention studies on creatine supplementation and measures of cognitive function through a literature search. Two additional studies published after the search was conducted were identified through the reference list of a meta-analysis. In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into account that the acute effect of creatine on working memory, observed in two studies at 20 g/day for 5-7 days, was not seen at lower doses (2.2-14 g/day), or with continuous consumption (5 g/day for 6 weeks following a 5-day loading phase). Furthermore, the effect on response inhibition at 20 g/day for 7 days was an isolated finding among 10 intervention studies in healthy individuals, with no effects observed on other cognitive domains. The Panel also considered that the three intervention studies conducted in diseased individuals do not support an effect of creatine supplementation on cognition, and that the available evidence for a mechanism by which creatine could exert the claimed effect is weak. The Panel concludes that a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established between creatine supplementation and an improvement in cognitive function in one or more of its domains.

Assessing the Impact of Wheat Flour and Baker's Yeast Restricted Diet vs. Calorie Restriction in NAFLD Patients

IntroductionNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent and nonalcoholic progressive liver disorder associated with metabolic disturbance. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of wheat flour or baker's yeast-restricted diet with traditional calorie restriction in NAFLD patients.Material and methodsAnalyzed data was obtained from 243 individuals with NAFLD who completed the study. Of these patients, 54 belonged to Group (1) (Standard Diet, SD); 104 belonged to Group (2) (Wheat Flour-Free Diet, WFFD); and 85 belonged to Group (3) (Yeast-Free Diet, YFD). The intervention period lasted 6 months, during which participants' dietary compliance was closely monitored.ResultsAt the end of the six-month trial, both the WFFD and HFD groups exhibited a noteworthy reduction in body mass index (BMI) and triglyceride (TG) levels when compared to a standard diet that only involved calorie restriction. Furthermore, a notable reduction in the severity of liver steatosis was seen in these groups (p<0.05). The SD group did not exhibit any significant changes in these metrics. The WFFD group experienced a notable reduction in HSI values (p<0.05). Cluster analysis revealed that the obese group had higher HSI, weight, and BMI values throughout the study period, indicating a more advanced stage of NAFLD.ConclusionsTo summarize, this study highlights the significance of food constituents and dietary strategies in the treatment of NAFLD. It suggests that limiting the intake of wheat flour and baker's yeast specifically could have positive effects on liver well-being.

Preliminary Assessment of the Protective and Antitumor Effects of Several Phytoene-Containing Bacterial and Microalgal Extracts in Colorectal Cancer.

The identification of new functional food constituents is a priority to improve the prognosis and prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, several bacterial and algal phytoene-enriched extracts were obtained, and their potential activity against oxidative damage and their ability to inhibit proliferation and cell migration in several human colon-adenocarcinoma-derived cell lines were assessed. The main conclusions indicate that total extracts of Sphingomonas echinoides and Chlorella sorokiniana exhibited the highest protective effect against oxidative damage. All extracts enhanced the activity of detoxifying enzymes, particularly importantly the increase of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase activity, which reached a value 40% higher than that of untreated control cells upon exposure to Escherichia coli extracts. Staphylococcus haemolyticus and transgenic E. coli extracts significantly arrested the migration capacity of both cell lines, while S. haemolyticus and C. sorokiniana extracts inhibited cell proliferation by 15 to 20% compared to untreated cells. These results point to these extracts as potential antioxidant complements able to protect cells against oxidative damage and with a moderate ability to inhibit the proliferation and migration of CRC tumor cells, paving the way to design functional foods or probiotic formulations with preventive properties against oxidative stress-related diseases, such as cancer, or as starting point for purifying anticancer compounds.

Nutrient content and ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry metabolomic comparative analysis of Lithocarpus corneus and Lithocarpus pachylepis.

China possesses abundant species resources in genus Lithocarpus Blume, commonly known as "acorns." These nuts are traditional foods in China, holding significant potential for local specialty food and rural economic development. To explore their edible value, we compared the nutritional components and metabolites between the fruits of Lithocarpus corneus (YD) and Lithocarpus pachylepis (HL), which are cultivated widely in south of China. Non-targeted metabolomics analysis of YD and HL was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry technology. A total of eight classes of differential metabolites (DAMs) were detected: alkaloids, amino acids and peptides, carbohydrates, fatty acids, polyketides, shikimates and phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, and other metabolites. In the positive ion mode, 225 DAMs were identified, whereas in the negative ion mode, 116 DAMs were identified. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the differentially abundant metabolites were generally enriched in three pathways: aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, and ABC transporters. The nutritional content of YD has higher moisture, fructose, and total flavonoid levels, but lower starch, protein, fat, glucose, sucrose, and total sugar content than HL. Additionally, YD contains more Ca, K, P, and Fe, but less Mg and Zn compared to HL. Analyses indicate that YD is nutrient-rich and beneficial, making it suitable for further development. Two species of Lithocarpus contain nandrolone, suggesting a new direction for specialty food development. The unique chemical composition and rich nutritional content of Lithocarpus fruits provide a theoretical basis for their development and application as food resources. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: L. corneus and L. pachylepis are traditional Chinese nuts, rich in starch, minerals, and flavonoids, making them suitable for consumption or use as food constituents. Their fruits contain various unique natural chemical compounds, indicating high application value and development potential.

Bioactives in Berry Fruits with Emphasis on In Vitro Bioaccessibility for Human Nutrition

This study aimed to investigate the bioaccessibility and biostability of carotenoids, vitamin E isomers, and individual polyphenolic compounds after the in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of two types of berries (raspberry and blackberry fruits). The results of the polyphenols analysis showed that raspberry fruits contained higher concentrations of hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols, and flavonols compared to blackberry fruits, but exhibited the lowest bioaccessibility values for all the studied polyphenol classes. Ellagic acid represented 13.63% and 2.65% of the hydroxybenzoic acids in raspberry and blackberry fruits. The hydroxybenzoic acids exhibited the highest bioaccessibility index in the intestinal phase of both types of berries, and gallic acid emerged as one of the most bioaccessible phenolic compounds. The bioaccessibility of carotenoids ranged between 15.7 and 17.30% for lutein, 5.52 and 7.56% for astaxanthin, and 7.85 and 9.93% for canthaxanthin, with elevated values being observed in raspberry fruits. Although vitamin E and carotenoids follow a similar path for absorption, the bioaccessibility of vitamin E isomers was higher than that of carotenoids, with γ-tocopherol being the most bioaccessible isomer in both raspberries and blackberries. Knowing the bioaccessibility of food constituents during digestion is crucial, as the potential effectiveness of bioactives for human health largely depends on the bioavailability of these molecules.

Development of Fruit Based Flavored White Cheese

Cheese is important food constituents among the processing dairy product. Nowadays flavored white cheese is alternatively provided as food product in order to increase consumer acceptance throughout the world. However, flavored cheeses not familiar to consume in Ethiopia. Hence the aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the nutritional and sensory appeal of fruit flavored white cheese. A total of 20 liters of fresh milk were brought from Holeta dairy research livestock farm so as to process the cheese. The fruits (Lemon & Orange) were purchased from Holeta fruit juice shops. The experiment was conducted in five treatments such as 3% fruit flavored cheese, 6% fruit flavored cheese, 9% fruit flavored cheese, 12% fruit flavored cheese and the control (cheese without fruit flavored) using mixture expert design software. Physicochemical of pH, titratable acidity, moisture content, ash content, crude protein, crude fat, mineral and sensory evaluation were done following standard procedures. All the samples were analyzed in duplicate. The sensory attributes were done using five hedonic scale by 15 semi-trained panelists. In this study the result showed that the highest mean score of pH value (6.04) for 12% fruit flavored cheese, Moisture content (3.76%) for 6% flavored cheese and Crude Fat (17.85%) for 3% flavored cheese respectively. Although the highest mean value of Ash (11.55%) and Crude Protein (53.72%) shown in the control. A significant difference (P<0.05) was shown by only Mg among Ca, Fe, Zn and K. Moreover, Color, flavor, odor, texture and overall acceptance shown no significant difference (P>0.05) from Sensory attributes. In conclusion, using fruit flavored cheese may enhance the nutritional quality and sensory acceptance of the cheese. This research study will provide good information for those working on fruit juice shops as well as juice industries to use as alternative product.

Antimicrobial activity of essential oil components against Escherichia coli depends on the food components present in a food matrix

Despite numerous studies evaluating the antimicrobial activity of essential oil components (EOCs) against different microorganisms, the effect of the composition of the matrix in which they are applied remains unexplored. Hence, the effect of different food components (i.e., proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, acids, ethanol) on vanillin antimicrobial activity was carried out by assessing the growth of E. coli at different incubation times (0, 1, 4, 8 and 24 h). Based on these outcomes, the food components that most adversely affected vanillin antimicrobial activity were subsequently tested with four other EOCs (i.e., carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol, thymol). The effective concentration of antimicrobials after coming into contact with food components was quantified. The results indicated that bovine serum albumin (BSA), sunflower oil and carbohydrates partially or completely inhibited the antimicrobial efficacy of the tested EOCs, and the inhibition rate depended on the specific EOC-food component combination. Geraniol was notably the most efficient with BSA present. Eugenol performed best with sunflower oil. Carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol and thymol were more effective than vanillin with D-lactose present. This study confirmed that loss of EOCs’ effective concentration due to an interaction with food constituents is a significant cause of antimicrobial activity inhibition. These findings underscore the importance of considering matrix composition when selecting antimicrobials to combat a particular strain in real food applications.

The food constituent Higenamine exhibits no genotoxic potential in lshikawa cells but reduces the sulfotransferase‐induced genotoxicity of 1‐hydroxymethylpyrene possibly by decreasing levels of SULT1A1 transcripts

The food constituent Higenamine exhibits no genotoxic potential in lshikawa cells but reduces the sulfotransferase‐induced genotoxicity of 1‐hydroxymethylpyrene possibly by decreasing levels of <i>SULT1A1</i> transcripts

Phenolic components from carrot (Daucus carota L.) pomace: Optimizing the extraction and assessing its potential antioxidant and antimicrobial activities

Carrot pomace is a significant agricultural byproduct. Obtained during carrot juice processing. This residue is an appropriate reservoir of constituents with bioactive properties that could be investigated in the development of food constituents and nutritional supplements and in improving the quality and safety of foods. For this purpose, the objective of the present investigation was to extract the polyphenols from carrot pomace utilizing maceration and ultrasound-based extraction (UAE) procedures and to evaluate the antioxidant properties of phenolic constituents. To maximize the extraction of carrot pomace, a response surface approach was used. The optimal mixture of extraction time (A, min), ultrasonication power (B, w), and solvent type (C, v/v) for the highest yield of carrot pomace was found using a three-variable composite rotatable design (CRD). In order to assess different functional groups, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was utilized to investigate the extract collected under optimal circumstances. The highest polyphenols (26.53 %) were extracted by ethanol 70 % at 10 min with a sonication power of 250 w. The optimized extract also exhibited significant antioxidant and antimicrobial functions. The total phenolic compounds and scavenging of the DPPH radical were 85 mg GAE/gr and EC50: 55 ± 1 μg/mL, respectively. Together with Staphylococcus aureus, the highest zone of inhibition (12 mm) was identified. Our finding revealed that carrot pomace is an appropriate source of bioactive phenolic constituents, exhibiting antioxidant and antibacterial attributes, and could be applied as a natural preserver for promoting safety and quality properties in food products on an industrial scale.

Lactobacilli and Their Fermented Foods as a Promising Strategy for Enhancing Bone Mineral Density: A Review.

Lactobacilli fermentation possesses special nutritional and health values to food, especially in improving diseases related to the gut microbiota such as osteoporosis risk. Previous research indicates that lactobacilli-fermented foods have the potential to enhance the bone mineral density (BMD), as suggested by some clinical studies. Nonetheless, there is currently a lack of comprehensive summaries of the effects and potential mechanisms of lactobacilli-fermented foods on BMD. This review summarizes findings from preclinical and clinical studies, revealing that lactobacilli possess the potential to mitigate age-related and secondary factor-induced bone loss. Furthermore, these findings imply that lactobacilli are likely mediated through the modulation of bone remodeling via gut inflammation-related pathways. Additionally, lactobacilli fermentation may augment calcium accessibility through directly promoting calcium absorption or modifying food constituents. Considering the escalating global health challenge of bone-related issues among the elderly population, this review may offer a valuable reference for the development of food strategies aimed at preventing osteoporosis.

Identification of procyanidins as α-glucosidase inhibitors, pancreatic lipase inhibitors, and antioxidants from the bark of Cinnamomum cassia by multi-bioactivity-labeled molecular networking

This study examined the suppressive effects of 16 selected plant-based foods on α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase and their antioxidant properties. Among these, the bark of Cinnamomum cassia (Cinnamon, WLN-FM 15) showed the highest inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and the highest antioxidant activity. Additionally, WLN-FM 15 showed promising results in the other tests. To further identify the bioactive constituents of WLN-FM 15, a multi-bioactivity-labeled molecular networking approach was used through a combination of GNPS-based molecular networking, DPPH-HPLC, and affinity-based ultrafiltration-HPLC. A total of nine procyanidins were identified as antioxidants and inhibitors of α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase in WLN-FM 15. Subsequently, procyanidins A1, A2, B1, and C1 were isolated, and their efficacy was confirmed through functional assays. In summary, WLN-FM 15 has the potential to serve as a functional food ingredient with the procyanidins as its bioactive constituents. These results also suggest that the multi-bioactivity-labeled molecular networking approach is reliable for identifying bioactive constituents in plant-based foods.

Peptide Analysis of Protein Extracts from Caulerpa Lentillifera by Nano LC-ESI-Ms/Ms and Their Potential as Precursor of Biologically Active Peptides – In Silico Approach

Peptidomics research is gradually positioning in food science fields due to an increasing interest in peptides released from food proteins with health benefits and nutraceutical properties. Referable to the complexity of these compounds, their study requires advanced analytical techniques such as tandem mass spectrometry. Seaweed naturally has high nutritional value and many health-promoting effects. Hence, this work aimed to characterize the peptide and to virtual screening for their potential as a precursor of biologically active peptides. The total soluble protein was extracted from Caulerpa lentillifera using the phenol ammonium acetate precipitation method. In solution, digestion was carried out using trypsin on 500 µg of protein. Peptide sequencing was accomplished using nano liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (nLC-ESI-MS/MS), and Peaks Studio 7 was used for the analysis of MS/MS data and de novo peptide sequencing using an average local confidence above 90%. The results showed that 76 peptides mapped to selected proteins and 145 were de novo peptide sequences. In silico approaches of both peptide sequences resulted in 15 types of biological activity characteristics of peptides from among 44 categories as listed in the BIOPEP-UWM database, and motifs with the ACE inhibitory activity occur most frequently. These findings are relevant to the search for bio-functional ingredients as constituents of functional foods or provide added value to nutraceutical foods. Significantly, the methodology described here might apply to discovering the potential in any organism with incomplete genome data.

Bioengineered insect proteins and fats as high-quality and sustainable food constituents

Bioengineered insect proteins and fats as high-quality and sustainable food constituents

Molecular Pharmacology of Vitamin C and Relevance to Health and Obesity-A Narrative Review.

The role of food constituents as pharmacological agents is an important consideration in health and obesity. Vitamin C acts as a small molecule antioxidant but is also a co-factor for numerous transition metal-dependent enzymes involved in healthy weight and energy metabolism. Vitamin C cannot be manufactured by humans and is mainly obtained from the dietary intake of fresh fruit and vegetables. There is great variability between different nutritional guidelines in the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. Vitamin C deficiency results from an inadequate intake of vitamin C-containing foods and also increased utilization by oxidative and carbonyl stress. Risk factors for vitamin C deficiency include cigarette smoking, malnutrition, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, age, race, sex, social isolation, major surgery, and Western-type diets. Despite the common belief that vitamin C deficiency is rare in affluent countries, surveys of large populations and specific patient groups suggest otherwise. Patients with obesity typically consume highly processed, energy-dense foods which contain inadequate micronutrients. As obesity increases, larger amounts of oral vitamin C are required to achieve adequate plasma and tissue concentrations, as compared to persons with a healthy weight. This is important in the control of oxidative stress and the maintenance of homeostasis and organ function. In this narrative review, the dosage, absorption, distribution, excretion, and catabolism of vitamin C are reviewed, together with the latest findings on vitamin C pharmacology in patients with obesity.

A Comprehensive Review on Advanced Extraction Techniques for Retrieving Bioactive Components from Natural Sources.

The extraction of bioactive components from natural sources has gained significant attention in recent years due to increasing demand for natural and functional constituents in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics. This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the studies on extracting bioactive components from natural sources using different advanced extraction techniques. It highlights the need for efficient extraction methods to preserve these components' integrity and bioactivity. Various extraction techniques as supercritical-fluid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, subcritical solvent extraction, and solid-phase microextraction are explored in detail, highlighting their principles, advantages, and limitations. The review further examines the impact of different factors on the extraction process, including solvent selection, extraction time, temperature, ultrasonication-amplitude, etc. Additionally, emerging techniques, such as green extraction methods and nanotechnology-based approaches, are discussed, emphasizing their potential to enhance the extraction efficiency and sustainability of the process. Furthermore, the review presents case studies and experimental results from recent research articles, providing insights into applying different extraction techniques for specific bioactive components, such as phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, and essential oils. It discusses the extraction yield, bioactivity, and potential utilization of the extracted components in various industries. Overall, this review paper is valuable for researchers, scientists, and industry professionals interested in extracting bioactive components from natural sources. It consolidates the current knowledge on different advanced extraction techniques, their optimization parameters, and their potential applications, facilitating further advancements in the field and the development of innovative extraction methods for bioactive component extraction from natural sources.

Microplastics supply contaminants in food chain: non-negligible threat to health safety.

The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) and organic pollutants (OPs) residues is commonly observed in diverse environmental settings, where their interactions can potentially alter the behavior, availability, and toxicity of OPs, thereby posing risks to ecosystems. Herein, we particularly emphasize the potential for bioaccumulation and the biomagnification effect of MPs in the presence of OPs within the food chain. Despite the ongoing influx of novel information, there exists a dearth of data concerning the destiny and consequences of MPs in the context of food pollution. Further endeavors are imperative to unravel the destiny and repercussions of MPs/OPs within food ecosystems and processing procedures, aiming to gain a deeper understanding of the joint effect on human health and food quality. Nevertheless, the adsorption and desorption behavior of coexisting pollutants can be significantly influenced by MPs forming biofilms within real-world environments, including temperature, pH, and food constituents. A considerable portion of MPs tend to accumulate in the epidermis of vegetables and fruits, thus necessitating further research to comprehend the potential ramifications of MPs on the infiltration behavior of OPs on agricultural product surfaces.

Joselito® and lowering of LDL-cholesterol concentration, blood pressure, and reduction of coronary heart disease risk: Evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

Following an application from Cárnicas Joselito S.A. pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Spain, the Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to 'Joselito ham increases antioxidant substances in the body, reduces blood pressure and plasma triglycerides, decreases oxidative stress and prevents effect in diseases related to the cardiovascular and intestinal systems'. The scope of the application was proposed to fall under a health claim referring to disease risk reduction. The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is Joselito, an Iberian ham characterised by a high content of oleic acid. The Panel considers that the food is sufficiently characterised. The Panel considers that lowering of LDL-cholesterol concentration and blood pressure is a beneficial effect by decreasing the risk of coronary heart disease. Upon a request from EFSA, the applicant identified one human intervention study as being pertinent to the claim. However, due to methodological limitations, the Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from this study for the scientific substantiation of the claim. The Panel notes that no human intervention studies from which conclusions could be drawn for the scientific substantiation of the claim were provided by the applicant. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the intake of Joselito® ham and the reduction of LDL-cholesterol concentration or blood pressure.

Obtaining and characterization of doped lanthanum manganite through an unconventional method

Considering the growing concern for food safety, the development of fast detection methods with high sensitivity and repeatability of specific food constituents is a huge necessity. In this regard, the electrochemical methods can be an effective way due to certain advantages such as low cost, fast response signal, high sensitivity and ease of use. The detection efficiency of electrochemical sensors mainly depends on the electrochemical characteristics of the electrode materials. Perovskite-based materials are ideal candidates for the development of electrochemical sensors due to their excellent catalytic activity and redox properties. We report herein the synthesis, morpho-structural properties, and electrical performance assessment of Ca doped lanthanum manganite by ultrasonic method with immersed sonotrode in the reaction medium. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed on the synthesized samples. The results indicated a wellcrystallized perovskite-type structure, and 29 nm average crystallite sizes. The electron microscopy images showed that the presence of the dopant influenced the surface morphology.