Food Sector Research Articles (Page 1)

This comprehensive study aims to determine the effects of digital marketing and customer satisfaction on consumer repurchase intention among food sector MSMEs in East Luwu Regency. The study, conducted in East Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi, involved a sample of 100 respondents and used both qualitative and quantitative data. The data were collected through interviews with consumers and the distribution of questionnaires, and the thoroughness of the research process ensures the validity of the findings. The collected data were then analyzed using multiple linear regression. The results of the study indicate that there is an influence of Digital Marketing on Customer Satisfaction and Repurchase Intention. Based on the results of this study, it shows that simultaneously (f test) between the independent variables, namely Digital Marketing and Customer Satisfaction, have a positive and significant effect on the dependent variable, namely Consumer Repurchase Intention in the food sector MSMEs in East Luwu Regency, showing that the significance value in the table is 0.000, so it can be concluded that Digital marketing and Customer Satisfaction have a positive and significant effect on Consumer Repurchase Intention in the food sector MSMEs in East Luwu Regency.

Electrochemical biosensor with custom fluidics for amplification-free, low-picomolar DNA detection.

Antimicrobial peptides offer significant potential in addressing antimicrobial resistance, as pathogens develop low or no resistance against them. This study aimed to isolate and screen AMP-producing bacteria from environmental samples with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Preliminary screening yielded 185 AMP-producing bacterial isolates and subsequently, the most promising isolate with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity was identified as Bacillus mobilis by 16S rRNA sequencing. The AMP from B. mobilis was named mobilisin and purified by hydrophobic adsorption chromatography using Diaion HP-20, followed by RP-HPLC. The molecular weight and probable sequence of mobilisin were observed to be 861.16 Da and KNMFPPK, respectively, using LC-MS/MS and PEAKS Studio 11 analysis. The purified mobilisin showed a notable antibacterial spectrum against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria with MICs of 31.25 and 62.5µg/ml, respectively. The antibacterial potential of mobilisin was further confirmed with the synthesised peptide (KNMFPPK), which showed MIC in a similar range. The purified mobilisin exhibited thermal stability at a wide temperature range (4°C to 80°C) and maintained its integrity over a broad pH (2.0-11.0) range. Mobilisin also exhibited stability in the presence of various surfactants and organic solvents. The bactericidal potential of mobilisin was confirmed in vitro by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), where it displayed high efficacy by destroying the cell membrane integrity of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The purified mobilisin further demonstrated its applicability in fresh produce preservation by inhibiting the growth of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria on strawberry fruits. Given its broad-spectrum antibacterial properties and biochemical resilience, mobilisin holds the potential for diverse applications in the pharmaceutical and food sectors.

The journey of food start-ups is often fraught with challenges, particularly in economics and human resources. Despite these constraints, numerous companies manage to survive and thrive in a highly competitive environment. This paper investigates the factors that drive such success, focusing on brand positioning. Specifically, we explore how the 4PsProduct, Price, Place, and Promotionplay a crucial role in the successful brand positioning of start-up brands within the food industry. By analysing case studies of 2 successful brands, we identify common strategies in using the 4Ps, emphasizing improved market understanding, simplicity in positioning, resource efficiency, and stronger brand loyalty. Our findings offer valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and start-ups in the food sector, providing a roadmap for effective brand positioning. The innovation of this study lies in its targeted analysis of start-ups within the food industry, contributing a nuanced understanding of the broader field of brand positioning.

The COVID-19 pandemic spread rapidly in 2020, impacting public health and disrupting the global economy through halted trade and business suspensions. Countries responded with quarantines, border closures, and travel restrictions. This study investigates the workforce disruptions caused by COVID-19 in the food processing industry. A retrospective analysis of 1,034 occupational health and safety records from an Ankara-based food factory examined work accidents and health-related absenteeism, comparing pre-COVID (2019) data with the COVID-19 period (1 May 2020–30 April 2021). Total workforce losses increased from 28,995 hours in 2019 to 31,920 hours during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Losses due to work accidents decreased significantly, from 3,750 hours pre-pandemic to 982.5 hours during the pandemic. Conversely, work-related illness resulted in higher losses during the pandemic (7,245 hours) compared to the pre-COVID-19 period (5,542.5 hours). When non-COVID-19-related causes, workforce losses during the pandemic amounted to 18,720 hours—noticeably lower than the 28,995 hours recorded in 2019. COVID-19 was directly responsible for 41.4% of the total workforce loss during the pandemic year. Within this category, the majority of hours lost (55.8%) were due to quarantine following exposure to confirmed COVID-19 cases, while only 5.5% were attributed to hospitalization or death. Although the food sector workforce experienced substantial impacts from COVID-19, the implementation of strict factory-level health and safety measures appears to have effectively mitigated workday losses, particularly by limiting virus transmission and reducing quarantine durations.

Among bioactive peptides, those with antimicrobial activity have attracted increasing attention due to their potential as alternatives to traditional antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small molecules, typically composed of 6 to 60 amino acid residues, and some with low cytotoxicity and minimal side effects. They exhibit broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites through diverse mechanisms of action and interactions with the immune system. This review presents the main aspects of AMPs, including their biochemical characteristics, sources, mechanisms of action, and computational tools used for their identification and analysis. It also examines recent progress in clinical trials and the current limitations that restrict the development and commercialization of AMPs. The review discusses the application of AMPs beyond human medicine, including their use in food preservation to prevent microbial contamination and in veterinary medicine to control infections in livestock, thereby reducing dependence on conventional antibiotics. Overall, AMPs represent a versatile class of antimicrobial agents whose effective implementation across health, food, and veterinary sectors will require integrated multidisciplinary approaches.

As the global population expands and protein demand also rises, the environmental and ethical issues around traditional animal-based proteins become more important. Conventional proteins are associated with several issues, such as greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and extensive use of water and land. However, alternative proteins (APs) originating from plants, microbes, insects, and cultured cells have the potential to overcome such problems. Such proteins not only provide a solution to the growing population but also a sustainable alternative to conventional protein sources. This review focuses on the various sources of alternative proteins, such as plant-based (oil seeds, soybeans, peas), insects (mealworms and crickets), microbial (algae and fungi), and lab-grown proteins. It investigates the extraction and production processes, such as wet and dry fractionation, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation, and cell culture, with a focus on efficiency, scalability, and sustainability. Furthermore, the review discusses current consumption trends and commercial acceptance of alternative proteins, taking into account taste, texture, price, and cultural preferences. Despite their potential, alternative proteins are limited by high production costs, regulatory hurdles, and market acceptance issues. The analysis continues by exploring future potential for boosting protein quality, advancing processing technology, and broadening uses in the food and industrial sectors. Overall, AP may play an important role in developing a sustainable food system, providing nutritional safety, and mitigating the environmental effects of conventional protein production.

Abstract International trade of agricultural intermediates faces increasing trade barriers, which disrupt agri-food global value chains (GVC) and impair agricultural development across the world. This study estimates ad valorem equivalents of non-tariff measures to construct a composite measure of trade barriers in bilateral trade flows of agricultural intermediates, with both tariff and non-tariff measure data detailed at the HS6-digit product level for 76 countries during 1995–2020. We investigate the impact of trade barriers on GVC trade flows as well as forward and backward GVC participations using a PPML model, and further evaluate the influence of GVC on agricultural development using an instrumental variable approach with a trade barrier shock constructed for GVC indicators. Our findings show that a 1% increase in trade barriers reduces GVC trade by about 1.68%, with greater impacts on the forward participation, food sector, and developing countries. GVC trade fosters agricultural development both in terms of the level as manifested in per capita GDP, but also in the inclusiveness of distribution as reflected by lower urban-rural gaps, Gini coefficients, and poverty rates. Technology spillover, trade gains, and industrial upgrades are identified as key mechanisms that underly these effects. Our results highlight the need to reduce trade barriers and deepen GVC engagement to foster agricultural development.

FAO has developed the ‘Assessment Tool for Laboratories and AMR Surveillance Systems” (FAO-ATLASS) to support the national food and agriculture sectors in describing and assessing their AMR surveillance system in a standardized manner. Between 2018 and 2024, 221 laboratories and 24 national AMR surveillance systems were assessed in 27 Sub-Saharan African countries. The assessments assigned Progressive Improvement Pathway (PIP) stages from “1-limited” to “5-sustainable,” with stage “3-developed” considered sufficient for reliable AMR data production. The compilation of assessments enabled identification of common gaps that guided FAO interventions to efficiently support capacity building for AMR surveillance in Africa. The impact of the evaluations and follow-up interventions was investigated through a post-ATLASS survey involving 15 of the 27 countries assessed and 112 of the 221 laboratories. The assessments showed that 21 (9.5%) and 6 (2.7%) laboratories were at PIP stages 3 and 4, respectively, while other laboratories (86.5%) are at PIP stage 1 and 2. Two (8.3%) AMR surveillance systems were at PIP stage 3, and others (92.6%) were at PIP stage 1 or 2. Quality assurance was the most critical gap for laboratories; the access to reference strains, reagents, and participation to proficiency testing (PT) scheme were among the major common concerns. For surveillance systems, the data production (laboratory network and data collection/analysis) were the main areas to improve. The post-ATLASS survey carried out in 2024 indicated that over 90% of the countries and 50% of laboratories received support from FAO and partners mainly for training, provision of reagents and equipment (60%), enrolment in PT program (73%), development of AMR surveillance strategy and SOPs on AMR detection (53%). Ten laboratories moved from PIP stage 2 to 3, eight from stage 1 to 2, and two from stage 2 to 4. For about 60% of the laboratories, the respondents reported that the management showed better commitment in supporting AMR activities. Implementation of AMR surveillance is now effective in 80% of the countries surveyed (initial of 33%). The results of this analysis indicate that AMR surveillance systems are progressively improving in African countries; however, sustained efforts are necessary to ensure the production of reliable data in the majority of countries and to inform evidence-based interventions against AMR.

ABSTRACT This study investigates how the adoption of circular economy practices influences the financial performance of companies in the Food and Health Products sector, a strategically important industry for health, nutrition, and sustainability. Using panel data regression models applied to an international sample of 1081 listed firms over the period 2007–2021, the analysis combines indicators of circular practices from Refinitiv with financial information from Bloomberg. The results show that companies embracing circular strategies tend to achieve higher profitability and stronger market valuations. Beyond the environmental benefits, the evidence demonstrates that circular business models can generate tangible economic value, highlighting their strategic and policy relevance in a highly regulated sector. By providing large‐scale firm‐level empirical evidence, this study contributes to the growing literature on sustainability and finance and offers insights for regulators, investors, and managers committed to advancing the transition toward more responsible and resilient economic systems.

This study examined the factors influencing the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) among selected food and beverage manufacturing firms in Nigeria. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the study extracted four major components that collectively explained 91.85% of the total variance in IFRS adoption determinants. The first principal component (PC1), which accounted for 44.96% of the variance, was strongly associated with Dividend Per Share (DPS) and Book Value Per Share (BVPS), indicating that firms with higher dividend policies and stronger asset bases are more inclined toward IFRS compliance. The second component (PC2), explaining 25.36% of the variance, was largely influenced by Board Size (BS) and Earnings Per Share (EPS), suggesting that governance structure and profitability play key roles in IFRS adoption decisions. The third and fourth components captured residual variations related to firm-specific reporting characteristics. Overall, the findings imply that financial performance indicators, board composition, and corporate value significantly determine the level of IFRS implementation in Nigeria’s food and beverage sector. The study provides valuable insight for regulators, policymakers, and corporate managers seeking to enhance financial transparency and harmonization within the industry.

This paper introduces an innovative methodology for optimizing recommendation strategies across different populations within the food industry. While previous approaches to recommending courses have overlooked cultural and age-based preferences, our work demonstrates how understanding these differences can significantly enhance the attractiveness for consumers and create new opportunities for marketing. By simulating diverse populations using a fuzzy logic approach, based on individual characteristics such as age, gender, geographical area, and city size, the study evaluates how recommendation algorithms perform within a generated menu database. Results show that algorithms like State–Action–Reward–State–Action (SARSA), multi-armed bandit (MAB), and Deep-Q Network (DQN) exhibit varying levels of efficiency depending on the population. Notably, the DQN improves accumulated reward over a random recommender by 71.60% for “Foodies”, 65.02% for “Veggies”, 63.46% for “Spanish”, and 8.89% for “Seniors”, while MAB achieves similar performance with fewer resources. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.005) are found in the performance of the DQN between populations, with large effect sizes according to Cliff’s delta. These findings highlight recommender systems as an opportunity to navigate market demand, optimize supply chains, and reduce food waste. A better understanding of public preferences enables more effective alignment of supply and demand across the entire food supply chain. As a conclusion, while the DQN effectively captures target group preferences, the optimum recommendation strategy should be chosen by balancing algorithmic performance, computational efficiency, and the specific requirements of the food sector.

This research investigates the synergistic relationships between Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices and product innovation in marketing performance and organizational sustainability within Thailand’s processed food industry. Building upon Resource-Based View theory and Stakeholder Theory, this study addresses a critical gap in understanding how environmental practices interact with innovation strategies to create sustainable competitive advantages in emerging markets. The research employs a comprehensive mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative insights from industry expert interviews with quantitative analysis through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Primary data were systematically collected from 300 strategically selected enterprises representing small (≤50 employees), medium (51–200 employees), and large-scale (>200 employees) operations across diverse product categories within Thailand’s processed food sector. The analytical framework examines three core GSCM dimensions—green purchasing, green production, and green distribution—alongside three innovation aspects—quality innovation, safety innovation, and sustainability innovation. Eleven hypothesized relationships were rigorously tested to examine direct and indirect effects on marketing performance indicators (sales growth, market share expansion, brand enhancement, customer satisfaction, and cost optimization) and organizational sustainability metrics (environmental impact reduction, regulatory compliance, competitive positioning, and resource efficiency). SEM results revealed that Green Production practices significantly enhance marketing performance (β = 0.16, p < 0.01), demonstrating the strategic value of environmentally responsible production processes in achieving market success. Conversely, Green Distribution exhibited negative effects on both marketing performance (β = −0.106, p < 0.10) and organizational sustainability (β = −0.152, p < 0.05), indicating potential operational trade-offs and infrastructure limitations that require strategic optimization. The model demonstrated excellent fit indices (GFI = 0.929, CFI = 1.000, TLI = 1.000, RMSEA = 0.000, RMR = 0.034), validating the theoretical framework’s robustness. However, modest explanatory power (R2 MP = 0.050, R2 OS = 0.029) suggests that additional contextual factors, firm-specific capabilities, and market dynamics significantly influence these outcomes, warranting future investigation of mediating and moderating variables.

ABSTRACT Hyperuricemia has become one of the most prevalent global epidemics, significantly impacting both the economy and the health of individuals. A promising strategy is the use of probiotics for hyperuricemia intervention. In this review, we systematically elucidate the role of probiotics in the treatment of hyperuricemia and the possible mechanism of probiotics to exert their activity. The main mechanisms by which probiotics modulate hyperuricemia are inhibiting xanthine oxidase activity to reduce uric acid synthesis, strengthening intestinal barrier integrity with the rebalance of the gut microbiota, scavenging dietary purines, and enhancing uric acid excretion via transporter modulation and enzymatic conversion. With the integration of artificial intelligence into microbial screening, robust data‐analytical support for high‐throughput screening has been provided, resulting in the successful isolation of probiotic strains with potent uric acid‐lowering capabilities. With subsequent genetic engineering, their uricolytic efficiency has been further enhanced. We summarize the applications and prospects of probiotic products in the field of food bioengineering. And look ahead to how probiotics can be better applied in the food sector in the future. Building on a systematic review of the current research progress, this review explores the existing limitations and clarifies the direction for future research. With the importance and need for the prevention and treatment of hyperuricemia and gout, as well as the rising popularity of probiotics research, the compilation of this review fills the current research progress in systematic summaries within this field. It provides new insights and reference for the prevention and treatment of hyperuricemia.

Out-of-home food selection behaviour in the presence and absence of price-based incentives in a virtual food delivery app: a randomised controlled trial.

Machine learning-based assessment of sustainable extraction methodologies tackling the biotechnological exploitation of Arnica montana extracts.

Sustainable plant-based protein hydrolysates: Utilization of waste proteins modified by enzymatic hydrolysis in techno-functional applications.

Chitin nanocrystal/carboxymethyl cellulose bilayer emulsion with rigid inner layer and flexible outer shell for ultra-stable encapsulation of fish oil.

Exploring lactic acid bacteria diversity of hop plant by-products to develop a multi-strain starter culture to be used in hop-supplemented sourdough bread.

The modification of β-conglycinin by Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide through covalent and non-covalent interactions: structure and processing characteristics.