High Health Benefits Research Articles

Kinetic Extraction of Moringa Oleifera Leaves using the Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE) Method

Moringa leaves (Moringa oleifera) are part of a plant that has a leaves-like shape with various high health and nutritional benefits, and contains vitamins, minerals, proteins and bioactive compounds, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This research aims to study extraction, determine the presence of tannin content in Moringa leaves and determine the kinetic model of extraction of Moringa leaves extract yield using the Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE) method. The Moringa leaves extraction process is carried out using 96% ethanol solvent and using the MAE method which can help maximize the extraction yield. The extraction process was carried out with varying power of 150 watts, material to solvent ratio of 1:15 b/v and extraction times of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 minutes. The research results showed that the highest yield value was obtained at the 10th minute extraction time, namely 10.25%. The extraction kinetic model that is suitable for extracting tannin compounds from Moringa leaves is order 2, where the R2 0.9897 valuen is higher than order 1 and the value is almost close to 1.

Phenolics in soymilk manufactured from black and Proto soybeans by two continuous-ultrahigh-temperature-processing technologies inhibit DU145-prostate cancer cell proliferation through apoptosis.

Plant genotypes and processing technologies affect health properties of foods. How thermal processes with different sterilization values influence polyphenols in soymilk manufactured from different genotypes, particularly black soybean has not been well characterized. This study's aims were to investigate how one- and two-phase ultrahigh temperature (UHT) processing technologies, with wide differences of lethality (F0 158.5 and 6.35, respectively), affected anti-prostate cancer DU145-cell properties of black soymilk compared to light-yellow-Proto soymilk. Phenolics were extracted from soymilk and used for chemical, cell cycle and apoptosis analyses. Total isoflavones and genistein in black soymilk were significantly higher than Proto soymilk by either processing methods. Compared to one-phase processing, two-phase produced higher gallic acid in both soybeans, and higher oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) in black soymilk. Soymilk processed from both genotypes by both UHT methods inhibited DU145 cells. Two-phase-UHT processed black soymilk was more effective than one-phase UHT-processed soymilk. IC50 values (mg/mL) of black and yellow soy extracts against prostate cancer cells differed only by 11%-25%, which were lower than the differences of total isoflavone (29%-33%) or genistein (>50% between two beans). The mechanism by which soymilk inhibited DU145 cell proliferation was through apoptosis as evidenced by cell cycle analyses and expressions of caspase-3, Bcl-2, and PARP-1 proteins. Antioxidant properties, isoflavones, and phenolic acids were negatively correlated with prostate-cancer-cell inhibition IC50 (p<0.05) with ORAC having the highest coefficient (r=-0.98). Overall, two-phase-UHT processing of soybean would produce soymilk products with a higher health benefit than a one-phase UHT method. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study characterized the potential prostate cancer prevention effect of soymilk's phenolic extract in black soybean and compared with yellow soybean. The crude extract can be prepared much less costly than purified isoflavones and has potential to be developed into a dietary supplement. This study shows differences of soymilks made by continuous high-temperature processing of two soybean types and can serve as a scientific foundation for future clinical research and commercialization.

Gross to gourmet: A social media analysis of Naked Clams as a sustainable delicacy

AbstractAmidst a global food crisis, securing sustainable food sources is vital. Bivalves such as Naked Clams, historically known as shipworms, offer a promising solution due to their low environmental impact, high nutritional value, and rapid growth rates. Contrary to their image as pests, Naked Clams are the fastest growing bivalves and have various health benefits. Believed to be the world's first aquaculture species, cultivated by Aboriginal Australians 8000 years ago, they are a delicacy in Southeast Asia. Public perception of Naked Clams remains largely unexplored, hindered by their association as pests and worm‐like appearance. This study assesses the perception of Naked Clams through social media, analyzing 40 posts across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, with millions of views and likes. Analysis of nearly 8000 comments revealed that public perception was split, though generally more positive than negative. Concerns included appearance, potential religious dietary conflicts, and the risk of parasites, which can be addressed with educational campaigns. Importantly, 84% of commenters who tried Naked Clams reported liking them. Naked Clams are noted for their high protein content, nutrient density, and health benefits, and are enjoyed in diverse culinary forms, from traditional raw dishes, to battered calamari‐style street foods, to innovative recipes like Naked Clam ice cream. This study highlights the untapped potential of Naked Clams in global diets and calls for further exploration into moving Naked Clams from “gross to gourmet.”

Patient, family and caregiver engagement in diabetes care: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionNew treatments and technologies have advanced diabetes care; however, diabetes continues to have a major impact on the daily lives of affected individuals, especially among equity-deserving groups. Evidence from patient...

Hydroxycinnamate decarboxylase in Metschnikowia pulcherrima promotes the formation of vinylphenolic pyranoanthocyanins to enhance the color stability of blueberry wine

Blueberry wine is popular among consumers due to its high nutritional value, appealing color, and potential health benefits. However, the instability of its color during the brewing process poses challenges for storage and the overall growth of the blueberry wine industry. This study found that vinylphenolic pyranoanthocyanins in blueberry wine provide a more stable color than their anthocyanin precursors. The presence of yeast with hydroxycinnamic acid decarboxylase (HCDC) enhances the formation of vinylphenolic pyranoanthocyanins. Metschnikowia pulcherrima Y4, isolated from decayed blueberry peels, promotes the production of six specific vinylphenolic pyranoanthocyanins in blueberry wine: malvidin-4-vinylcatechol, delphinidin-3-arabinoside-4-vinylcatechol, cyanidin-3-galactoside/glucoside (C3G)-4-vinylcatechol, cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside-4-vinylcatechol, malvidin-3-O-glucoside/galactoside-4-vinylcatechol, and C3G-4-vinylphenol. Blueberry wine fermented solely with M. pulcherrima Y4 exhibits a 25% increase in light stability under direct outdoor light conditions and a 19% increase in temperature stability at 60 °C compared to Saccharomyces cerevisiae K1. Furthermore, the use of M. pulcherrima Y4 in fermenting blueberry wine significantly decreases the time required to form vinylphenolic pyranoanthocyanins to eight days. Hence, M. pulcherrima Y4 is highly effective in accelerating the synthesis of these compounds, providing a valuable approach for improving the stability and color of blueberry wine.

Compound heatwave and ozone pollution adaptation has higher health benefits than single-event adaptation under future climate change scenarios

Compound heatwave and ozone pollution adaptation has higher health benefits than single-event adaptation under future climate change scenarios

Effect of Elastic Resistance on Exercise Intensity and User Satisfaction While Playing the Active Video Game BoxVR in Immersive Virtual Reality: Empirical Study.

One of the main contemporary forms of physical activity (PA) involves exercises and games in an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment, which allows the user to practice various forms of PA in a small space. Unfortunately, most of the currently available VR games and workout applications are mostly based on upper body movements, especially the arms, which do not guarantee sufficiently high exercise intensity and health benefits. Therefore, it is worth seeking solutions to help increase the exercise load during PA in VR. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of elastic arm resistance in the form of latex resistance bands of different elasticity levels on the intensity of students' PA while playing the BoxVR game. We further assessed the satisfaction of this form of exercise and its associations with PA intensity. A total of 21 healthy and physically fit men (mean age 22.5, SD 2.0 years) were included in the study. The tests consisted of 3 10-minute games. One game was run with no load and the other two were run with 1.5-meter latex resistance bands (low and high resistance). The order of the tests was randomized and the participants rested for 20 minutes after each exercise. Exercise intensity was estimated using objective (heart rate monitoring) and subjective (Borg scale) methods. The Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale was used to assess satisfaction with the PA. The effect of elastic resistance on exercise intensity and user enjoyment was estimated using ANOVA for repeated measures. The ANOVA results indicated that incorporation of elastic resistance caused a significant change (F2,40=20.235, P<.001; η²p=0.503) in the intensity of PA in VR, which was low while playing without resistance and then increased to a moderate level with additional resistance. The use of elastic bands also changed participants' perceptions of the enjoyment of exercise in VR (F2,40=9.259, P<.001; η²p=0.316). The students rated their satisfaction with PA in VR on a 7-point scale highly and similarly when exercising without an upper limb load (mean 6.19, SD 0.61) and with slight elastic resistance (mean 6.17, SD 0.66), whereas their satisfaction declined significantly (mean 5.66, SD 0.94) when incorporating a higher load. The intensity of PA among students playing the BoxVR game is at a relatively low level. With the added resistance of elastic bands attached to the upper limbs, the intensity of the exercise increased to a moderate level, as recommended for obtaining health benefits. Participants rated the enjoyment of PA in VR highly. The use of slight elastic resistance did not negatively affect satisfaction with the BoxVR game, although user satisfaction declined with a higher load. Further research should be undertaken to increase the effectiveness of exercise in VR so that regular users can enjoy the health benefits.

Potential Probiotic Weizmannia coagulans WC10 Improved Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea in Mice by Regulating the Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Homeostasis.

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a common side effect of long-term and heavy antibiotic therapy. Weizmannia coagulans (W. coagulans) is an ideal probiotic because of its high viability, stability, and numerous health benefits to the host. In this study, the strains were first screened for W. coagulans WC10 (WC10) with a high combined ability based on their biological properties of gastrointestinal tolerance, adhesion, and short-chain fatty acid production ability. The effect of WC10 on mice with AAD was further evaluated. The results showed that WC10 was effective in improving the symptoms of AAD, effectively restoring antibiotic-induced weight loss, and reducing diarrhea status score and fecal water content. In addition, WC10 decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines, alleviated intestinal tissue damage and inflammation, and improved intestinal epithelial barrier function by decreasing serum levels of enterotoxin, DAO, and D-lactic acid, and by increasing the expression of the intestinal mucosal immune factors sIgA and occludin. Importantly, the composition and function of the gut microbiota gradually recovered after WC10 treatment, increasing the number of SCFAs-producing Bifidobacterium and Roseburia. Subsequently, the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content was examined and WC10 significantly increased acetate, propionate, and butyrate production. Additionally, metabolomic analysis also showed that WC10 reversed the antibiotic interference with major metabolic pathways. These findings provide a solid scientific basis for the future application of W. coagulans WC10 in the treatment of AAD.

A Study on Fish Consumption Pattern among Pregnant Women in Kashmir Valley

Fish is one of the most important sources of animal protein, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids, essential for the maintenance of health and metabolism. Besides, fish is reckoned as an ideal diet for expectant and lactating women owing to its high nutritional value and health benefits. In this paper, in order to assess the fish consumption pattern among the pregnant women of Kashmir, the current study was carried out in Kashmir valley of J&amp;K region during June 2023. We explained the purpose of study to the respondents and after taking their consent, we chose 200 respondents at random on the basis of consecutive sampling procedure during the study period using a well- designed validated questionnaire and via direct personal interviews. The data collected from our survey was analysed statistically and interpreted using appropriate statistical tools. The study revealed that majority of the respondents consumed fish occasionally during pregnancy. The major reason for inappreciable consumption was found to be the lack of awareness about the health benefits of fish during this phase. Moreover, consumption pattern of fish was related to the educational background of the respondents as comparatively higher percentage of respondents who consumed fish was found to be educated. However the consumption pattern was not significantly associated with the family status. Hence, the study elicits the need to effectively communicate the benefits of fish consumption in order to encourage proper nutrient intake among pregnant and lactating mothers and their children.

Assessing the effectiveness of improving urban air quality with solutions based on technology, nature and policy

Using smog-free towers (SFTs) for improving urban air quality poses an interesting tradeoff between cleaning the air and increasing pollution near power generating stations that supply electricity to the SFTs. This tradeoff changes significantly with variations in power-generating sources. Therefore, options of wind-powered, solar-powered, nuclear-powered, and grid-powered SFTs were evaluated for Delhi, India. The results show that only wind-powered SFTs have [health benefits (HB)] / [health cost (HC)] more than 1 (= 3.98 and 4.20 for mechanical and electrostatic SFTs) over annual operation. If SFTs are operated only in winter months, HB/HC > 1 (= 1.3 and 8.5 for mechanical SFT) is obtained for solar- and wind-powered SFTs. However, an economic analysis was done by comparing health benefits to total costs for the ecological option of vegetation and the policy-based option of odd-even vehicle rationing which do not have health costs associated. The analysis suggests that none of the approaches have higher health benefits than the total cost (TC) and the employment of vegetation to mitigate air pollution is the most cost-effective method of pollution mitigation (HB/TC = 0.08 and 0.075 for annual and cold month operation). This suggests that the maximum possible pollution should be removed at the source itself.

Genome-wide identification, characterization and functional prediction of the SRS gene family in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an ancient oilseed crop of the Pedaliaceae family with high oil content and potential health benefits. SHI RELATED SEQUENCE (SRS) proteins are the transcription factors (TFs) specific to plants that contain RING-like zinc finger domain and are associated with the regulation of several physiological and biochemical processes. They also play vital roles in plant growth and development such as root formation, leaf development, floral development, hormone biosynthesis, signal transduction, and biotic and abiotic stress responses. Nevertheless, the SRS gene family was not reported in sesame yet. In this study, identification, molecular characterization, phylogenetic relationship, cis-acting regulatory elements, protein-protein interaction, syntenic relationship, duplication events and expression pattern of SRS genes were analyzed in S. indicum. We identified total six SiSRS genes on seven different linkage groups in the S. indicum genome by comparing with the other species, including the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. The SiSRS genes showed variation in their structure like 2–5 exons and 1–4 introns. Like other species, SiSRS proteins also contained ‘RING-like zinc finger’ and ‘LRP1’ domains. Then, the SiSRS genes were clustered into subclasses via phylogenetic analysis with proteins of S. indicum, A. thaliana, and some other plant species. The cis-acting regulatory elements analysis revealed that the promoter region of SiSRS4 (SIN_1011561) showed the highest 13 and 16 elements for light- and phytohormone-responses whereas, SiSRS1 (SIN_1015187) showed the highest 15 elements for stress-response. The ABREs, or ABA-responsive elements, were found in a maximum of 8 copies in the SiSRS3 (SIN 1009100). Moreover, the available RNA-seq based expression of SiSRS genes revealed variation in expression patterns between stress-treated and non-treated samples, especially in drought and salinity conditions in. S. indicum. Two SiSRS genes like SiSRS1 (SIN_1015187) and SiSRS5 (SIN_1021065), also exhibited variable expression patterns between control vs PEG-treated sesame root samples and three SiSRS genes, including SiSRS1 (SIN_1015187), SiSRS2 (SIN_1003328) and SiSRS5 (SIN_1021065) were responsive to salinity treatments. The present outcomes will encourage more research into the gene expression and functionality analysis of SiSRS genes in S. indicum and other related species.

Comprehensive identifying flavonoids in Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium using a novel strategy based on precursor ions locked and targeted MS/MS analysis

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium is a traditional Chinese medicine with extremely high health benefits as well as clinical value. In vivo and in vitro tests have proved that its main active secondary metabolites are flavonoids. However, they have not been comprehensively analyzed up to now mainly due to lack of suitable analysis method. To solve this problem, a novel strategy based on precursor ions locked and targeted MS/MS analysis was proposed. Firstly, the database of the flavonoids previously isolated from Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium was established to obtain the characteristics of their precursor ions. Secondly, after performing the full MS scan of the extract, all compounds in the total ion chromatogram were extracted by Compound Discoverer software. Thirdly, the precursor ions of the flavonoids were locked from the extracted compounds according to their characteristics, forming a precursor ions list. Finally, the precursor ions in the constructed list were performed targeted MS/MS analysis for structures characterization. As a result, total 187 flavonoids were successfully identified, and except for flavones, flavonols as well as dihydroflavones, some chalcones were also characterized from Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium for the first time.

Health benefits of bluefin tuna consumption: (Thunnus thynnus) as a case study.

Consumers are increasingly interested in food products with high nutritional value and health benefits. For instance, fish consumption is linked with diverse positive health benefits and the prevention of certain widespread disorders, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, or cardiovascular diseases. These benefits have been attributed to its excellent nutritional value (large amounts of high-quality fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals) and bioactive compounds, while being relatively low-caloric. Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus tynnus) is one of the most consumed species worldwide, motivated by its good nutritional and organoleptic characteristics. Recently, some organizations have proposed limitations on its consumption due to the presence of contaminants, mainly heavy metals such as mercury. However, several studies have reported that most specimens hold lower levels of contaminants than the established limits and that their richness in selenium effectively limits the contaminants' bioaccessibility in the human body. Considering this situation, this study aims to provide baseline data about the nutritional composition and the latest evidence regarding the beneficial effects of Atlantic bluefin tuna consumption. A review of the risk-benefit ratio was also conducted to evaluate the safety of its consumption, considering the current suggested limitations to this species' consumption.

Investigation of antioxidant activity from beetroot juice (Beta vulgaris L) as a healthy drink for the prevention of non-communicable disease

Non-communicable diseases can cause oxidative stress, which affects their pathophysiology. One of the recommended diets for preventing complications of non-communicable diseases (NCD) is a rich antioxidant diet. One of the foods rich in antioxidants is beetroots. This study aimed to assess the antioxidant content of locally obtained beetroot juice. Laboratory experimental methods were used to test the antioxidant activity of beetroot juice. Before the laboratory test, the panelists carried out a hedonic test. The beets were then juiced and checked for DPPH′ (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). The beetroot was then juiced and checked for DPPH′ (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: The hedonic test showed that panelists preferred beetroot juice with lemon juice, with a 'like' range for the aroma and viscosity and a 'neutral-like' range for the taste and color of beetroot juice. The antioxidant content in 300 ml of beetroot juice was 53,34 ± 0,13%. In conclusion, beetroot juice has a high antioxidant content and health benefits in preventing NCD.

Exploring the relationship between starch structure and physicochemical properties: The impact of extrusion on highland barley flour

Highland barley (HB) is an intriguing plateau cereal crop with high nutrition and health benefits. However, abundant dietary fiber and deficient gluten pose challenges to the processing and taste of whole HB products. Extrusion technology has been proved to be effective in overcoming these hurdles, but the association between the structure and physicochemical properties during extrusion remains inadequately unexplored. Therefore, this study aims to comprehensively understand the impact of extrusion conditions on the physicochemical properties of HB flour (HBF) and the multi-scale structure of starch. Results indicated that the nutritional value of HBF were significantly increased (soluble dietary fiber and β-glucan increased by 24.05%, 19.85% respectively) after extrusion. Typical underlying mechanisms based on starch structure were established. High temperature facilitated starch gelatinization, resulting in double helices unwinding, amylose leaching, and starch-lipid complexes forming. These alterations enhanced the water absorption capacity, cold thickening ability, and peak viscosity of HBF. More V-type complexes impeded amylose rearrangement, thus enhancing resistance to retrogradation and thermal stability. Extrusion at high temperature and moisture exhibited similarities to hydrothermal treatment, partly promoting amylose rearrangement and enhancing HBF peak viscosity. Conversely, under low temperature and high moisture, well-swelled starch granules were easily broken into shorter branch-chains by higher shear force, which enhanced the instant solubility and retrogradation resistance of HBF as well as reduced its pasting viscosity and the capacity to form gel networks. Importantly, starch degradation products during this condition were experimentally confirmed from various aspects. This study provided some reference for profiting from extrusion for further development of HB functional food and “clean label” food additives.

Assessment of Six Blackberry Cultivars Using a Combination of Metabolomics, Biological Activity, and Network Pharmacology Approaches.

Blackberries have gained considerable attention due to their high antioxidant content and potential health benefits. This study compared the metabolite profiles of six blackberry cultivars and investigated their biological activities. The metabolites extracted from blackberries were analyzed using metabolomics, and their biological activities and mechanisms were confirmed using in vitro models and network pharmacology. Among the cultivars examined, "Kiowa" ripe berries exhibited the highest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. These effects were primarily attributed to the accumulation of flavonoids (quercitrin and luteolin) and anthocyanin (cyanidin 3-O-glucoside) in the phenylpropanoid pathway. Furthermore, our research identified 13 blackberry metabolites that interacted with 31 genes, including AKT1, CASP3, JUN, MAPK8, NOS3, NQO1, and HMOX1 which play roles in reducing oxidative stress, protecting cells from damage, and suppressing inflammation. These findings suggest that blackberry metabolites, such as quercitrin, luteolin, and cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, may exert therapeutic effects by modulating specific genes and pathways associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses. This research is promising not only for plant breeders but also for those interested in harnessing the health-promoting properties of blackberries.

Isolation and Identification of Effective Probiotics on Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Strains and Their Biofilms.

This study aimed to identify, assess, and isolate strong lactobacilli demonstrating broad antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity against drug-resistant strains of Acinetobacter baumannii. Additionally, the mechanism of inhibition of these organisms was to be determined. Over a 6-month period (from December 2021 to June 2022), 53 clinical A. baumannii strains were collected from clinical samples. Twenty probiotic strains were isolated from local dairy products. Antibacterial activity of Lactobacillus strains' cell-free supernatant (CFS) was identified using the agar well diffusion method and the microbroth dilution test. Anti-biofilm effect was performed by the microtiter plate assay. The MTT assay was also used to look into the probiotics' cytotoxic effects on the L929 fibroblast cell line. During the 6-month period, 53 clinical A. baumannii strains were obtained and identified. Out of 20 lactobacillus strains, the CFS of a lactobacillus strain (named L9) showed an inhibitory effect against all A. baumannii strains. Using the broth microdilution method, it was shown that the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of CFS extracts of L9 strains against A. baumannii strains were both ¼ mg/mL. The result of the anti-biofilm showed that the selected probiotic could inhibit biofilm formation. The most common organic acid produced by all Lactobacillus strains, according to the HPLC method, was lactic acid, which was followed by acetic acid. The L929 fibroblast cell line was used in the cytotoxicity assay, which revealed that 100% of the cells in the L929 fibroblast cell line survived treatment with successive doses of CFSs for a full day. The probiotic strain isolated from local yogurt in this study showed potential anti-biofilm and antimicrobial properties against all drug-resistant Acinetobacter isolates. Given the increasing interest in probiotic microorganisms based on their high health benefits, further studies are recommended on the mechanisms of action between probiotics and A. baumannii strains to find new solutions for biological control and treatment of these infections without the use of antibiotics.

Assessing the Knowledge and Purchasing Behavior of Consumers towards Olive Oil in Lebanon

Background: The olive oil in Lebanon play an essential role in the development of rural communities, providing a source of revenue and employment for most Lebanese population. Due to its high sensory quality and health benefits, olive oil is considered the most widely consumed oil in the Mediterranean area. Considering the factors that affect individual's knowledge of olive oil and consumer purchasing behavior can be difficult due to the diverse culture in Lebanon. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the level of knowledge and the impact of sociological-demographic factors on the knowledge and consumer purchasing behavior towards olive oil among the general population in Lebanon.&#x0D; Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lebanon between January and March 2021 in which 604 responses have been collected. The questionnaire made up of four dimensions: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, sources and usage of olive oil; and consumer preference part. IBM SPSS V22 was applied to analyze the data for descriptive statistics and chi-square test for independence. p-value of less than 0.05 was employed as the level of significance&#x0D; Results: The findings revealed that the majority of the participants had only one or two uses of olive oil in their daily life and had minimal knowledge towards it. The association between the knowledge of participants about nutritional properties of olive oil among different sociological-demographic factors as governorate, gender, age and marital status was statistically significant (p&lt;0.05). Participants with poor knowledge about olive oil were highest in Beirut (37.0%) compared to Akkar-North (3.1%). Furthermore, the consumers preferred southern, dark, and strong tasting olive oil in terms of region, color, and flavor with a statistically significant association (p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: Our findings highlighted the need to improve consumer awareness of the olive oil's benefits, which will influence their purchasing decisions.

Supercritical extraction of betalains from the peel of different pitaya species.

Pitaya is a fruit with high consumer acceptance and health benefits. Pitaya peel is a waste product with potential in the food industry, as an antioxidant enrichment and natural colouring. Therefore, there is an interest in recovering its constituents and searching for pitaya species with greater potential. This work aimed to obtain bioactive extracts from the dried peel of pitaya fruits of the species Selenicereus monacanthus (Lem.), S. costaricensis W. and S. undatus H. using supercritical fluids at different pressures (100, 250 and 400 bar) and ethanol-water 15% v/v or ethanol 100% as co-solvents. The extraction yield, antioxidant activity, colour and total betalain content were evaluated. The extract obtained from S. monacanthus showed the highest extraction yield (49.6 g kg-1), followed by S. costaricensis (27.5 g kg-1) and S. undatus (17.7 g kg-1) at 400 bar and 35 °C using ethanol 15%, v/v. The antioxidant capacity was strongly influenced by pressure, favouring the obtaining of betalain-rich extracts at higher pressures, especially in the species S. costaricensis (0.6 g kg-1) and S. monacanthus (0.3 g kg-1). To improve the extraction of S. undatus (the most cultivated species), the procedure of subsequential extractions was applied. This procedure considerably increased the extraction yield, antioxidant activity and total content of betalains. The use of ethanol 100% provided more bioactive fractions and achieved a good separation of betalains. The supercritical extraction method can overcome the challenge of efficiently extracting compounds from pitaya peel, due to the presence of bioactive compounds of great polarity. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

The use of blackcurrant pomace and erythritol to optimise the functional properties of shortbread cookies

As a result of the production of blackcurrant juice, pomace is produced, which is a cheap, easy to further process raw material with high health benefits. The aim of the research was to develop a recipe for shortbread cookies based on blackcurrant pomace (0, 10, 30, 50%) and erythritol, and to assess their nutritional value (content of proteins, fats, sugars, dietary fibre, selected minerals and energy value), pro-health properties (antioxidant and anti-diabetic capacity) and sensory evaluation. The energy value of products with 50% of pomace sweetened with erythritol was nearly 30% lower compared to traditional cookies, while the content of dietary fibre was 10 times higher in products with the highest percentage of pomace. The antioxidant capacity and the total content of polyphenolic compounds increased with the increase in pomace content. The ability to inhibit α-amylase by shortbread cookies without pomace was about 400 times lower than those with 50% pomace. The results of the sensory evaluation showed that erythritol-sweetened cookies have more desirable characteristics compared to sucrose-sweetened cookies. Finally, it was proved that the proposed products are an excellent proposal for people struggling with food-dependent diseases, as well as being an opportunity to manage waste from the fruit industry.