Ingredients In Products Research Articles

Organoleptic and Physicochemical Profile Comparison of Cow Milk Yogurt and 'Eggurt' Made from Different Egg Whites

Yogurt is a widely consumed fermented dairy product known for its distinctive flavor, nutritional value, and health benefits. To expand its nutritional profile and enhance textural qualities, this study explores the use of egg whites as an alternative ingredient in yogurt production. The research compares the sensory and physicochemical properties of traditional milk yogurt with "eggurt" a yogurt variant made using different egg white sources: free-range chicken, caged chicken, and duck eggs. Four samples were prepared, including one control (milk yogurt) and three “eggurt” variants. Sensory quality was evaluated through organoleptic testing using a structured Likert scale to assess attributes such as color, surface gloss, aroma, mouthfeel, and flavor. Physicochemical analysis included moisture content, total dissolved solids, viscosity, ash content, and acidity measurements. Results showed that free-range “eggurt” was most like milk yogurt in terms of texture and flavor, displaying balanced viscosity and minimal surface liquid separation. In contrast, caged “eggurt” exhibited increased surface liquid, higher ash content, and stronger acidity, while duck eggurt was noted for its excessive thickness, very high viscosity, and pronounced acidity. These textural and compositional differences, despite the higher production costs, suggest that free-range “eggurt” is the most promising alternative, offering a comparable sensory experience to traditional yogurt while enhancing texture and overall quality.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Sulfonamides Intermediates

AbstractSulfonamides are one of the most important synthons in drug synthesis, which can increase the water solubility of drugs and regulate their metabolism in vivo. According to statistics, nearly 30% of sulfur-containing drugs on the market contain sulfonamide groups, including omeprazole, hydrochlorothiazide, and other best-selling drugs. Synthesis of sulfonamide is therefore a very important part of new drug development and active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing. In this review, we will focus on the recent 5-year advances in the field of synthetic research and structural modification of sulfonamide-containing drugs and their intermediates. The synthesis strategies, including S−N construction, C−N cross-coupling, N−H functionalization, and C−H sulfonamidation, are discussed, hoping to provide new ideas for the researchers to prepare sulfonamides in a green and efficient way.

Marine Biotechnology for Sustainability of Ecologically Significant Resources

The sustainable production of marine ingredients is increasingly important, valued by manufacturers, government, and authorities, as well as by environmentally aware consumers [...]

Opportunities and challenges of plant proteins as functional ingredients for food production

Consumer interest in meat and dairy alternatives drives demand for plant-based protein ingredients. While soy and gluten dominate the market, there is a trend to explore alternative crops for functional ingredient production. The multitude of ingredients poses challenges for food manufacturers in selecting the right protein. We investigated 61 commercially available protein ingredients from various sources, categorizing them based on their protein content into protein-rich flours (protein content less than 50%), protein concentrates (protein content between 50% and 80%), and protein isolates (protein content higher than 80%). Methionine, cysteine, and lysine were decisive for the amino acid score, which even varied between ingredients produced from the same raw material. Such differences were also observed in the protein solubility profiles, characterized by their raw material-specific protein pattern. By focusing on soy, pea, and fava bean ingredients, the broad spectra of emulsifying and foaming properties were illustrated. These ranged from non-emulsifying and non-foaming to high emulsifying capacities of 737 mL/g ingredient and foaming activities of 2,278%, accompanied by a foam stability of 100%. Additionally, we demonstrated that the functionality of ingredients obtained from different batches could vary by up to 24% relative SD. Protein solubility, powder wettability, color, and particle size were determined as key properties for the differentiation of soy, pea, and fava bean protein ingredients by principal component analysis. In our study conclusion, we propose essential measures for overcoming challenges in protein ingredient production and utilization to realize their full potential in fostering sustainable and innovative plant-based food production.

A Study On Effects of Packaging of FMCG Products On the Buying Behavior of Consumers with Reference to Tirupattur District

The present investigation was carried out with 100 respondents from Tirupattur District. Convenience sampling technique was used for the present study for collection of data. The study was conducted by using both Primary and Secondary data. A structured questionnaire was prepared for the present study. The primary data for the present study was collected with the help of a questionnaire. The secondary data for the present study was collected from journals, magazines, researcher newspapers, and websites. Findings revealed that the impact of packaging and its elements consumer’s purchase decision is quite Signiant in respect to the consumer’s varied choice. For this purpose, the Package’s elements were identified on the basis of its graphics quality, color, size, form, and material of packaging being used on the product. Packaging is the prime force to provide information to the consumer and should satisfy legal requirements for product identification nutritional value, ingredient declaration, net weight, and manufacturer information. A package is the face of a product and the only product exposure consumers experience prior to purchase. Consequently, distinctive or innovative packaging can boost sales in a competitive environment. The concerned study has analyzed the consumer buying behaviour of food packaging products and has examined the customer preference to buy different food products. It has also analyzed the reasons for customer preferences over the commonly preferred food product brands in the market.

Antioxidant content following fermentation of lemongrass for herbal beverage development.

Consumers have increasingly favoured fermented drinks due to their high content of probiotic secondary metabolites. These beverages are believed to possess the capacity to safeguard against non-communicable ailments such as coronary heart disease, cancer, diabetes, antimicrobial infections, and other dietary-related disorders. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a commonly used botanical ingredient in therapeutic tea production. It is renowned for its highly valuable essential oil, which has significant commercial demand. This study examines the functional content and antioxidant effects of fermented beverages derived from lemongrass. We employed the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to carry out the fermentation process on the lemongrass compositions, extending the duration from t = 24 to t = 96h. We used non-fermented samples as control. This investigation identified numerous active biomolecules and polyphenols in the fermented samples, including flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, terpenoids, steroids, saponins, and reducing sugars. After t = 24h fermentation, the radical-scavenging activity reached its maximum level of 89.1%, and the antioxidant content reached 13.06µg/ml, which is equivalent to the amount of ascorbic acid. After t = 36h fermentation, the total phenolic content reached a concentration of 237.19µg/ml, while the flavonoid content reached its peak at 55.21µg/ml after t = 72h fermentation. Lemongrass fermentation exhibits a wide range of phytochemicals and bioactive components that effectively eliminate free radicals, despite the antioxidant content fluctuation throughout the fermentation period of t = 24 to t = 96h.

MODELING OF DYNAMIC OSCILLATION AND CREEP-RECOVERY DATA OF GLUTEN-FREE BISCUIT DOUGH CONTAINING TIGER-NUT FLOUR

This study investigates the impact of tiger nut flour (TNF) on the rheological properties of gluten-free biscuit dough, focusing on creep-recovery behavior. TNF is a rich source of dietary fiber and essential nutrients, making it a promising ingredient in gluten-free products. The dough samples, with varying TNF percentages (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%), were analyzed for their thermal and rheological properties. Results show that as TNF content increases, the dough becomes more deformable, reflected in higher creep compliance and lower viscosity. However, the dough retained sufficient elastic recovery, making it suitable for applications requiring structural integrity and extensibility. The reduction in gelatinization enthalpy suggests that TNF enhances processing efficiency by lowering energy requirements for starch gelatinization. This study fills a gap in the literature on TNF's role in gluten-free dough systems, offering insights for future applications in gluten-free product development.

Monitoring of genetically modified crops in food products in Singapore

The rising demand for food worldwide, coupled with advancements in genetic engineering technology aimed at producing advantageous genetically modified (GM) crops, have intensified the cultivation of GM crops and heightened their visibility in the food market. Many countries and regions, including Singapore, mandate risk assessment procedures for GM crops before approving them for food use. GM crops without safety assessment may be unsafe due to potential toxic or allergenic effects and food products containing GM ingredients must not contain false or misleading claims on labels. To monitor the compliance with regulatory requirements for GM food, a market monitoring study on local food products was conducted over a period of 2020 – 2023 on 15 types of food crops. A total of 485 food samples were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting seven common GM screening markers, which cover over 90% of approved and unapproved GM crops worldwide. Our study did not detect any unapproved GM ingredients in food products sold in Singapore. Moreover, the study revealed a notable prevalence of approved GM events in maize and soya-containing food products, at 37.5% and 38.3% respectively, consistent with observations from other countries. We identified two soya products that contained GM ingredients greater than 5% that were mislabelled as non-GMO. These findings underscore the significance of monitoring regimes for GM food in Singapore to ensure compliance with local pre-market approval and labelling requirements, potentially aiding in the development of risk management and communication strategies to address GM food safety concerns.

Seeing is believing: How front-of-pack food imagery shapes parents' perceptions of child-oriented snack foods.

Child-oriented snack foods often display front-of-pack images suggesting they are natural or wholesome, yet many of these products are ultra-processed and nutrient poor. This study investigated parent's perceptions in response to common forms of front-of-pack food imagery on child-orientated snacks. An online experiment comprising four between-subjects food image conditions (no image; food photo; food cartoon; cartoon of children gardening) and two within-subjects snack type conditions (fruit; vegetable) was conducted with N=800 Australian adult parents/guardians of children aged 4-10 years. Participants viewed packaged snacks then rated them on visual appeal, perceived healthfulness, suitability for their child, and purchase intentions. For each outcome, 4 (between-subjects) x 2 (within-subjects) mixed ANOVAs were performed, with significant main effects explored using post-hoc pairwise t-tests with Bonferroni adjustment. The extent to which perception metrics predicted purchase intention within each condition was examined using multiple regression analyses. Participants perceived snacks displaying food photographs as healthier compared to all other conditions. When children's snacks displayed food photos, participants perceived the snack as more suitable for their child and showed stronger intentions to purchase the product than when cartoon children were displayed. Participants preferred fruit over vegetable snacks across all metrics, particularly when the picture was photorealistic. Visual appeal was the only perception metric that consistently predicted purchase intention across conditions. Findings provide clear evidence that parent's perceptions and purchase intentions towards children's snack foods are enhanced by pictures displayed on the packaging. Policy to regulate food packaging should require that foods depicted on the packaging accurately reflect product ingredients, particularly where whole foods are represented, and the actual ingredients are highly processed and no longer provide the nutrition of whole foods.

Production of whey protein ingredients with improved bioactivity based on single and sequential enzymatic hydrolysis reactions

Production of whey protein ingredients with improved bioactivity based on single and sequential enzymatic hydrolysis reactions

Secondary Metabolite of Bacopa monnieri Under Plant Growth Regulators Treatment on Fibroblast and Cancer Cells

Background: Bacopa monnieri L. is a significant medicinal herb with high economic and social value. Objectives: This study aimed to enhance the growth rate and the production of flavonoids and polyphenols using plant growth regulators (PGRs). Additionally, the study evaluated the effects of these metabolites on the viability of skin cancer cells (A375) and human fibroblast cells (HDF) in a completely randomized design with three replicates. Methods: For flavonoid extraction, samples were dried at 50°C. A total of 0.25 g of finely powdered dried sample was extracted with 20 mL of 60% (v/v) aqueous ethanol. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of B. monnieri was calculated. Human fibroblast cell lines (IBRC No. C10506) and skin cancer cells (A375; IBRC No. C11337) were cultured in an incubator maintained at 37°C, with 5% CO2 and high humidity. Results: The study found that 1 mg/L NAA yielded the highest flavonoid (1.76 mg/g DW) and polyphenol (35.17 mg/g DW) content. Among the cytokinins, 0.8 mg/L BAP produced the highest flavonoid (1.61 mg/g DW) and polyphenol (32.51 mg/g DW) content. The maximum viability of HDF cells (135%) was observed at 0.4 mg/L 2IP. The findings suggest that increasing flavonoid content in B. monnieri through various hormones is not recommended for skin cancer treatment. However, the use of 0.5 μg/mL 2IP significantly enhanced the growth of fibroblast cells. Conclusions: The results suggest that the application of 2IP in tissue culture of the B. monnieri plant can be beneficial for increasing fibroblast cell viability, making it a promising ingredient in cosmetics and health products. Further research is necessary to confirm these findings and optimize applications.

Advances in Encapsulating Marine Bioactive Compounds Using Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) and Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) for Health Applications

As life expectancy rises and modern lifestyles improve, there is an increasing focus on health, disease prevention, and enhancing physical appearance. Consumers are more aware of the benefits of natural ingredients in healthcare products while also being mindful of sustainability challenges. Consequently, marine bioactive compounds have gained popularity as ingredients in cosmetics and food supplements due to their diverse beneficial properties. Nonetheless, the use of some of these compounds is restricted by their low stability and poor aqueous solubility, necessitating solutions to overcome these limitations. In this context, lipid nanoparticles, such as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), have been investigated for their potential to protect and improve the absorption of molecules through various routes, including oral and cutaneous. Numerous studies have shown that nanoencapsulating these compounds and incorporating them into cosmetics and food supplements can be effective. However, this application remains unregulated at the global level and is not currently addressed by existing legislation. Additional in vivo studies in both animals and humans are necessary to fully assess safety concerns.

Casting New Light on the Retinol and Retinyl Palmitate Functions as Chemical Enhancers for Transdermal/Topical Drug Delivery.

Retinol and retinyl palmitate, with excellent whitening and antioxidant activities, are widely used as essential functional ingredients in transdermal preparations and skincare products. Herein, for the first time, the influence and underlying mechanisms of retinol and retinyl palmitate on the skin penetration of caffeine are investigated. It is found that the penetration of caffeine is very significantly enhanced by retinol and retinyl palmitate with 2.83 and 2.57 folds, respectively. Mechanistic studies showed that they can disrupt the lipids of intercellular orderly arrangement and reduce the content of orthorhombic lattices in the skin, making the skin loose and the barrier function decreased. Furthermore, due to the formation of chemical bonds with the skin keratin, they have a strong affinity with the skin, changing the dense secondary structure of keratin with a reduced skin barrier effect. This study provides new evidence for the potential of retinol and retinyl palmitate as novel skin penetration enhancers with high safety that possess great potential for application in the transdermal delivery of pharmaceutical and cosmetic active substances.

Quaternary ammonium compounds inhibited phosphorus removal performance and aggravated the spread of resistance genes in enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems

As a common surfactant, quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are often used as the main ingredient in disinfection products. Hence, the three most commonly used QACs were selected for this study, including alkyltrimethylammonium compounds (ATMACs), alkylbenzyldimethylammonium compounds (BACs) and dialkyldimethylammonium compounds (DADMACs). Typical QACs at low (0.2 mg/L), medium (1 mg/L) and high (5 mg/L) concentrations to the enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) systems were studied. The QACs exposure study was conducted for a total of 93 days using four sequential batch reactors. DADMAC-C12 had the greatest inhibitory effect on EBPR performance, followed by BAC-C12 and ATMAC-C12. On day 51, R1 (stimulated by ATMAC-C12) and R2 (stimulated by BAC-C12) recovered their EBPR performance, whereas the P removal efficiency of R3 (stimulated by DADMAC-C12) was still only 65.9 %. Furthermore, the dosage of both ATMAC-C12 and BAC-C12 promoted sludge granulation, whereas DADMAC-C12 caused slight breakdown of formed aerobic granular sludge. The median volumetric diameter in R3 initially increased to a maximum of 409.9 µm and finally decreased to 352.6 µm at the end of the operation. The stress of QACs resulted in an enrichment of pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Flavobacterium) and antibiotic resistant bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas) in the systems. The abundance of Pseudomonas in R1 and R3 finally reached up to 9.40 % and 9.44 %, respectively. Additionally, QACs disrupted bacterial cell membranes and resulted in the release of intracellular resistent genes in sludge (si-RGs). Then, si-RGs converted to extracellular RGs in sludge and RGs in water. Zoogloea, Rhizobium, Turneriella and Aquimonas were the dominant potential hosts of RGs in EBPR systems dosed with QACs. This study can serve as an important reference for the control of RGs in EBPR processes.

Prediction of phase stability of UHT reconstituted skim milk after ambient storage using Raman spectroscopy

Milk is a colloidal system, and phase separation within such systems, such as excessive sedimentation and age gelation, is a quality defect in UHT-treated milk that remains challenging to predict. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of using Raman spectroscopy to characterize UHT reconstituted skim milk (RSM) and predict the degree of phase separation in UHT-RSM after storage. UHT-RSM samples after processing (M0) and three-month storage (M3) were vacuum-concentrated and analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. After 7.5 months of storage, the total solids depletion (TSD) of UHT-RSM was used to quantitatively reflect the degree of phase separation. Two independent partial least squares regression models were constructed using TSD7.5-month as the response variable and pre-processed Raman spectra collected from M0 and M3, respectively, as predictor variables. The nuances in UHT-RSM samples captured by Raman spectroscopy are crucial in developing the PLS regression models. Results showed that both M0 and M3 Raman spectra were relatively effective in predicting the phase separation condition (TSD7.5-month) of UHT-RSM at a later stage of storage (R2Pred = 0.74 and 0.85, respectively). This study demonstrated a new approach for forecasting the phase stability of UHT-RSM products based on spectral information. While there is a space for optimization of the presented prediction models, the technical approach shows good potential to be utilized by ingredient manufacturers and UHT milk processors to assist the ingredient screening process. Future research is encouraged to improve prediction accuracy within the framework of this novel approach.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from Tenebrio molitor

Tenebrio molitor, which is rich in various nutrients, and its polysaccharides, as significant bioactive substances, exhibit strong antioxidant effects. This study utilized defatted T. molitor as raw material and employed an ultrasound-assisted extraction method. The factors considered include extraction temperature, time, ultrasound power, and liquid-to-feed ratio, with the yield of T. molitor polysaccharides as the response value. Based on single-factor experiments and response surface methodology, the optimal extraction parameters for T. molitor polysaccharides were determined. Following purification, protein removal, and dialysis to eliminate impurities, the structure of the extracted polysaccharides was preliminarily investigated using infrared spectroscopy. Their antioxidant activities were explored by measuring their DPPH·, OH·, and ABTS+· radical scavenging abilities and Fe3+ reducing power. The results indicated that the optimal conditions for ultrasound-assisted extraction were an extraction temperature of 75 °C, an extraction time of 150 min, an ultrasound power of 270 W, and a liquid-to-feed ratio of 15:1 mL/g, yielding a polysaccharide extraction rate of 9.513%. Infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed the presence of pyranose sugars with main functional groups including C-O, C=O, and O-H. Antioxidant activity tests showed that within a certain concentration range, the higher the polysaccharide concentration, the stronger its radical scavenging abilities. Compared with Vitamin C(Vc), the polysaccharides had stronger scavenging abilities for DPPH· and OH·, some scavenging ability for ABTS+·, and Fe3+ reduction ability, and corresponding to IC50 values of 0.9625, 9.1909, and 235.69 mg/mL respectively. The Fe3+ reducing power reached a maximum absorbance of 0.38899 at a concentration of 1.6 mg/mL. T. molitor polysaccharides demonstrate promising antioxidant activity and potential as functional ingredients in food, health products, and pharmaceuticals, providing new technical references for the development and utilization of T. molitor resources.

Microorganisms and microbial metabolites: The next frontier in skincare products

Abstract. Microorganisms and microbial metabolites are important resources for skincare product ingredients. The development of synthetic biology has brought more opportunities for the application of microorganisms and their metabolites in skincare products. With increasing consumer interest in natural and probiotic skincare, market acceptance of microbial metabolites is also gradually improving. However, this trend faces challenges such as regulatory issues, technical difficulties, and cost constraints. This paper explores the application prospects of microorganisms and their metabolites in skincare products, focusing on a review of several major microorganisms and their metabolites, including Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and their mechanisms of action in skincare. Additionally, it analyzes the potential application value of other microorganisms in skincare, such as Cutibacterium acnes and Streptococcus thermophilus, which have also been found to have positive effects on skin health. Finally, the review identifies the current opportunities and challenges faced by microorganisms and their metabolites in the skincare field, providing direction for future research.

Közép-európai gyógyszergyártó vállalatok forgótőke helyzetének elemzése

The pharmaceutical industry has huge market potential and investment opportunities, while pharmaceutical players also face a number of challenges, such as regulating the production and pricing of active pharmaceutical ingredients, protecting intellectual property and competing with other players. As a key sector of the Hungarian economy, the industry generates a significant share of GDP and has grown dynamically in recent years, the aim of our study is to compare the activities of Hungarian industry players with sectoral companies in other Visegrad countries, and thus to examine the similarities and differences in the liquidity management of the pharmaceutical industries in these countries. The analysis was based on the annual accounts of regional pharmaceutical companies for the period 2018-2022, extracted from the EMIS database. The period covered included several globally significant events, and therefore our research also examined the impact of the coronavirus epidemic and the war in Ukraine on pharmaceutical companies and whether there were differences between the Central European countries. Overall, sectoral players in each of the region's countries were able to keep their indebtedness under control and, although Hungarian companies were able to manage the largest assets, by the end of the period the working capital efficiency of Polish companies was better than their regional competitors overall.

Positive effect of fermented sorghum on productivity, jejunal histomorphology, and tight junction gene expression in broiler chickens

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary fermented sorghum (FS) as a substitute for corn on growth performance, jejunal histomorphology, cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, and gene expression of tight junctions in broiler chickens. A total of 240 one-day-old male New Lohmann Indian River chicks were randomly divided into five groups, with each group receiving different dietary treatments: a control group (CTRL) with a basal diet, groups supplemented with 10% (NFS10) and 20% (NFS20) non-fermented sorghum, and groups supplemented with 10% (FS10) and 20% (FS20) fermented sorghum. Each group was further divided into six replications, with eight birds per replicate. Orthogonal contrasts were used to compare the feed treatments (fermented sorghum and non-fermented sorghum) to the control. The results revealed that the inclusion of 20% fermented sorghum significantly increased feed intake (FI, P = 0.005), body weight (BW; P = 0.025), and body weight gain (BWG; P = 0.010) compared to other groups. Additionally, the FS20 group exhibited a notable increase in villus height (P = 0.001). There were significant differences in cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production among the treatment groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, fermented sorghum notably upregulated the gene expression of occludin (OCLN, P = 0.008), without significant impacts on the expression of claudin-1 (CLDN-1), junctional adhesion molecules-2 (JAM-2), and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). In conclusion, addition of 20% fermented sorghum in broiler diets could enhance growth performance and intestinal histomorphology, indicating its potential as a beneficial feed ingredient for poultry production.

The Influence of Temperature on the Antioxidants of Aronia mitschurinii Fruit Juice and Drinks.

Aronia mitschurinii is a cultivated species originating from crossbreeding the wild species Aronia melanocarpa, also known as the black chokeberry, and European mountain ash Sorbus aucuparia. The aronia fruit is dark purple, which can be attributed to the high content of anthocyanins, other flavonoids, and polyphenols. Aronia's reputation as a superberry entices small farms to use it as a prospective specialty crop. The fruit's high antioxidant content is a likely ingredient in several new products, such as jellies, jams, vitamin supplements, and beverages. Food applications of any fruit require high-temperature pasteurization as a major step in fruit processing. Many also require cooking. However, there are some major effects higher temperatures may have on antioxidants, such as isomerization and decomposition, both of which result in a loss of bioavailability of these key compounds. Here, we present a detailed investigation of the effect of temperature and time on the antioxidant content of Aronia mitschurinii juice and power aid drink. UV/vis methods were used to determine the total concentrations of anthocyanins, flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins and to determine the optimal pasteurization and/or thermal processing conditions that would prevent significant loss in the antioxidant content in aronia products.