Nutritious Ingredient Research Articles

Effects of different heat treatment methods on physicochemical characteristics and in vitro digestibility of sweet potato flour and its application in meal replacement flour.

This study examined the effects of various heat treatments on physicochemical properties, functionality, and starch digestibility of sweet potato flour. Heat treatments darkened the color but did not change the chemical structure. Solubility decreased and swelling power increased (17.3%-18.3%) with baking, frying, and microwaving, while extrusion and steaming had opposite effects. Rapidly digestible starch content increased (8.96%-41.91%) in all treatments except steaming, which reduced slowly digestible starch (61.81%-28.97%). Based on the analysis of these studies, using low-temperature baked and extruded sweet potato flour as the main raw material, combined with the concept of complete nutrition, supplemented by nutritious ingredients such as quinoa, oats, and whey protein, we have successfully developed two sweet potato meal replacement flours (SP-1 and SP-2) and found they had good brewing properties and showed shear-thinning behavior. This study provided theoretical basis for sweet potato deep processing and functional product development. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This paper studied the effects of different heat treatments on sweet potato flour, and developed two meal replacement flour based on this, to provide a theoretical basis for the application of the sweet potato industry.

Organoleptic characteristics of high‐protein snacks with novel and sustainable ingredients: Cricket flour and carob powder

AbstractTo fulfill consumer trends in sustainable and healthy food choices, this study explored the application of edible insects and carob powder as sustainable and nutritious ingredients in developing a high‐protein snack, known as a protein ball. Four formulations were developed and characterized in terms of moisture content, water activity, color, texture, microbial count, and nutritional profile. Finally, the sensory profile was determined using the flash profile method, and the developed product was compared to a commercial product. The effect of replacing the conventional protein source with cricket flour and cocoa with its sustainable alternative, carob, on the measured characteristics was determined. The results showed that cricket flour significantly decreased the lightness color values (from 40 to 30) on the internal surface of the protein ball. Texture remained largely unaffected initially; however, after 2 weeks of storage, cricket flour significantly decreased the hardness (from 15 to 12 N) and chewiness values (from 1.6 to 1.0 N mm). Moreover, cricket flour significantly increased the aerobic count (from 3–4 log to 5 log cfu g−1). The sensory space of the cricket samples was separated from the milk protein samples, mainly related to flavor attributes, while the commercial sample was distinguished by dryness and sweetness. In general, carob powder did not affect the measured parameters compared to cocoa. This study demonstrated the suitability of utilizing cricket flour and carob powder in a high‐protein snack without substantially compromising the product's organoleptic properties. Future research could investigate the consumer acceptability of the product.

Faba bean nutrition: Macronutrients, antinutrients, and the effect of processing

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesFaba beans are emerging as highly nutritious ingredients that have the potential to contribute to the global demand for healthy and sustainable plant‐based proteins. The current review aims to provide a summarized overview of faba bean macronutrients, protein quality, and antinutritional factors (ANFs), as well as their reduction strategies through a variety of processing means.FindingsRelative to other pulses, faba beans are higher in protein content and similar in protein quality. However, without proper preparation and/or processing, the presence of minor amounts of ANFs can hinder their nutritional value. These nonnutritive, but biologically active, compounds can be diminished through mechanical, thermal, and nonthermal treatments.ConclusionsNonconventional processing techniques to retain or improve protein quality remain an area of future research for improving faba bean nutrition and expanding its utilization.Significance and NoveltyThis review will advance the science and utilization of faba bean ingredients while providing future research opportunities.

Effects of the consumption of algal biomass versus protein concentrate on postprandial satiety and metabolism

Algae are promising sources of nutritious and sustainable protein, but little is known about their metabolic health impact and acceptability as meal ingredients. This acute, randomized, controlled, five-way crossover trial compared whole algal biomasses and their corresponding protein concentrates to soy protein concentrate in terms of palatability, appetite, satiety, and metabolic response. Nineteen healthy Chinese males (21–50 years, 18.5–25.0 kg/m2) consumed noodle meals supplemented with 10 g of nori biomass/protein concentrate (NB/NC), Chlorella vulgaris biomass/protein concentrate (CB/CC) or soy protein concentrate control (CON) in randomized order. At regular intervals, blood samples were collected to measure biochemical markers, while gastrointestinal tolerance, palatability, and appetite were assessed using questionnaires and visual analog scales (VAS). Results indicated that algae-enriched meals were well-tolerated and comparable to soy in both visual appeal and smell, with NB and CC outperforming soy in aftertaste (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between treatments in glucose, insulin, C-peptide, appetite/satiety, plasma ghrelin, and GLP-1. However, exploratory analysis of serum triglycerides revealed significant time × treatment effects (p < 0.004) and differences in incremental area under the curve (iAUC0–120,p = 0.0249). Our findings reveal that algal biomasses and protein concentrates are as comparable to soy protein concentrate in palatability, satiety, and metabolic outcomes, highlighting their potential as practical, sustainable, and nutritious ingredients.

The Impact of Freeze-Dried Tenebrio molitor Larvae on the Quality, Safety Parameters, and Sensory Acceptability of Wheat Bread.

The research context involves analyzing the potential benefits derived from integrating insect protein into everyday food items. Utilizing methods consistent with established food science protocols, wheat bread was prepared with variations of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% Tenebrio molitor larvae powder, derived from larvae cultivated on brewery spent grain. A substrate selected for its superior nutritional content and a substrate with agar-agar gels were used. The tests included basic bread tests; sugar, acrylamide, amino, and fatty acid (FA) tests; and sensory acceptability. The results have shown that the acrylamide levels in bread with larvae remained below harmful thresholds, suggesting that using T. molitor can be a safe alternative protein source. The incorporation of powdered T. molitor larvae (p-TMLs) into bread was observed to increase certain sugar levels, such as glucose, particularly at higher larval concentrations. The addition of T. molitor significantly raised the protein and fat levels in bread. The inclusion of larvae enriched the bread with essential amino acids, enhancing the nutritional value of the bread significantly. The FA profile of the bread was altered by the inclusion of p-TMLs, increasing the levels of monounsaturated FAs. Despite the nutritional benefits, higher concentrations of larvae decreased the sensory acceptability of the bread. This suggests that there is a balance to be found between enhancing the nutritional content and maintaining consumer appeal. These findings highlight the potential for using p-TMLs as a sustainable, nutritious ingredient in bread making, although the sensory qualities at higher concentrations might limit consumer acceptance.

Chemical Characteristic and Sensory Evaluation of Biscuit Prepared from Wheat and Aleppo Pine Seeds Flour.

This study aimed to explore the potential use of Aleppo pine seed flour as a nutritious ingredient in biscuit production. Aleppo pine seed flour was blended with wheat flour to create biscuits with varying proportions: 15%, 30%, and 45% Aleppo pine seed flour. The analysis of the chemical composition of the biscuits revealed that increasing the proportion of Aleppo pine seed flour led to higher levels of protein, fat, and ash, while the carbohydrate content decreased. Sensory evaluation showed that biscuits with 15% Aleppo pine seed flour and 85% wheat flour had favorable characteristics in terms of color, flavor, crispness, and overall appeal. These findings indicate that incorporating Aleppo pine seed flour into wheat flour can enhance the nutritional profile of biscuits, offering higher protein, fat, and mineral content. The study suggests that a blend containing 15% Aleppo pine seed flour is optimal for producing biscuits with desirable sensory properties, making it a promising alternative ingredient for healthier biscuit formulations. Overall, this research highlights the potential of Aleppo pine seed flour to improve the nutritional quality of biscuits without compromising their sensory qualities, paving the way for its use in health-conscious baking practices.

Chemometrical methods applied to chemical data of raw and cooked spinach (Chenopodium vulvaria) and purslane (Potulacae oleracea)

Hundreds of edible wild plants form a vegetal environment that provides a supply of nutritious and delightful food. It also contains a wealth of nutritious ingredients such as proteins, iron, calcium, and vitamins, as well as fibers, and mineral salts that our bodies require. Knowing these plants also aids in preserving the traditional users' cultural heritage. It is crucial to describe, characterize, and search the nutritional content of these plants. This is a very intriguing topic to explore and advance due to the variety of plants that have been harvested and their usage in various industries (nutritional, medical, cosmetic, pharmaceutical). The leaves and stems of some plants are used in cooking or eaten raw in salads. The limited research that has been done in Algeria has not demonstrated the potential contribution of these items to ration balance. The aim of this work was to gauge the chemical composition of two raw and cooked plants, leaves and petioles of wild spinach (Chenopodium vulvaria) and leaves of purslane (Portulaca oleracea), and to apply chemometric methods to obtain information that permit their characterization. Five samples of ten bunches of each plant were purchased from different retail traders in different markets of Constantine (Algeria) and prepared according to standard AFNOR. The samples were analyzed by determining moisture, total lipids, proteins, ash, minerals, dietary fibers, as well as, total carbohydrates and energy value by calculation. A multivariate data analysis method such as principal components analysis (PCA), was applied on a data matrix consisting of the analytical parameters of raw and cooked spinach leaves and petioles; and of raw and cooked purslane leaves. The results obtained showed that the samples of cooked spinach were characterized by the total carbohydrate and nutritional fiber (ADF, NDF and lignin). As for raw spinach, it was associated with lipid, protein, dry matter, energy value, carbohydrate and ash. The PCA of minerals revealed that the leaves are separated from petioles and are richer in minerals. PCA also enabled demonstration of the distinction between raw and cooked purslane. The dry matter content of the leaves of spinach and purslane decreased after cooking. It would be interesting to continue the work by studying the composition of fatty acids, tocopherols and pigments. In addition, the study could be broadened to include other cooking methods, and harvested plants that grow in Algeria. Key words: Spinach (Chenopodium vulvaria), Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), Nutritional composition, Principal Components Analysis, Cooking

Sensory evaluation of pumpkin flour-wheat flour composite cookies: Exploring nutritional enrichment and consumer acceptance

The study comprehensively evaluated the consumer acceptability and sensory characteristics of cookies made from varying ratios of pumpkin flour and wheat flour. The researchers incorporated pumpkin flour at four different levels - 0%, 40%, 50%, and 80% - into the cookie formulations. To assess the sensory profile of these cookie samples, the researchers conducted a thorough evaluation using a 7-point hedonic scale. This scale allowed panelists to rate their level of liking or disliking for key sensory attributes, including color, aroma, taste, aftertaste, and texture. The results of this sensory analysis revealed some interesting trends. As the substitution level of pumpkin flour increased, there was a significant decrease in consumer preference for the color, aroma, and taste of the cookies. However, an intriguing finding was that the aftertaste was actually improved with higher pumpkin flour content. Notably, the cookies made with a 50% pumpkin flour to 50% wheat flour ratio were most preferred by panelists in terms of texture. This suggests that a balanced approach to the flour blend, incorporating a considerable amount of pumpkin flour, can produce cookies with an acceptable and even desirable textural profile. The study demonstrates the potential of pumpkin flour as a nutritious ingredient that can be incorporated into cookie production. The nutritional benefits of pumpkin flour, such as its high content of beta-carotene, fiber, and other vitamins and minerals, make it an attractive alternative to traditional wheat flour. However, the researchers caution that higher substitution levels of pumpkin flour, beyond the 50% ratio, may require further optimization to enhance the overall sensory acceptance of the cookies. Finding the right balance between nutritional enhancement and maintaining desirable sensory attributes will be crucial for the successful development of pumpkin flour-based cookies that appeal to health-conscious consumers.

Enhancing functional buffalo yogurt: Improving physicochemical properties, biological activities, and shelf life using marjoram and geranium essential oils

The use of essential oils (EO) has attracted interest in the food industry because of their wide range of beneficial properties. In this study, a new functional yogurt was developed using 2 EO, marjoram and geranium, at 3 different concentrations (0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6% vol/vol). The physicochemical properties, including syneresis, viscosity, pH, and chemical composition; bioactivities, including antioxidant activity, anticancer and antibacterial effects, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC); and sensory characteristics of the developed yogurt were evaluated. The findings indicated that the yogurts fortified with 0.6% marjoram or geranium exhibited higher viscosity and lower syneresis compared with other treatments. The yogurt supplemented with 0.6% marjoram displayed significant antibacterial activity against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, and Escherichia coli. In addition, the yogurt enriched with geranium and marjoram oils at a concentration of 0.6% had notably significant (P < 0.05) higher TFC levels compared with the control sample and other concentrations. In the same context, in terms of TPC, yogurt supplemented with 0.6% marjoram displayed significantly (P < 0.05) elevated levels in comparison to the other samples tested. Yogurt enriched with marjoram oil exhibited noteworthy antioxidant activity, followed by geranium oil, compared with the control samples. The yogurt supplemented with 0.6% marjoram demonstrated strong radical scavenging activity, and the yogurt fortified with 0.6% geranium showed higher anticancer activity against HepG2 human liver carcinoma cells and oxidative stress enzyme activities. Among the various concentrations of EO tested, the yogurts fortified with 0.6% marjoram or geranium EO exhibited the most favorable outcomes, followed by 0.4% marjoram or geranium. To summarize, geranium and marjoram EO can be used as a potential nutritious ingredient and as a natural preservative for milk and related products.

Pelatihan Teknologi Ekstraksi Rimpang Jahe (Zingiber officinale) pada Masyarakat Kampung Jahe Kelurahan Karasak-Astanaanyar

The people of Ginger Village at Karasak Urban Village support the urban greening program by planting ginger plants in the yards and roadsides. Ginger is a traditional medicinal plant commodity that has the potential to be cultivated and developed into health products because of its various pharmacological effects. The PkM team has conducted Community Service Activities for active PKK cadres in Jahe village. This activity aims to educate residents of Ginger Village through PKK cadres about the importance of knowing reasonable ginger extraction procedures so that the benefits of ginger can be optimal as a nutritious ingredient with pharmacological effects. The service method is training in processing ginger using the infusion method. The results showed an increase in participants' knowledge of up to 67%, which indicates that PKK cadres could understand how to extract ginger correctly to maintain its quality and properties.

Nutritional values of ready-to-eat snacks available in the Indian E-market—a comparative study based on the health star rating system

BackgroundThe popularity of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods has increased globally, especially among children, because they are readily available, convenient, tasty, and have attractive packaging designs. The number of packaged foods, drinks, and snacks has risen in the Indian market, and the presence of less-healthy packaged products is a significant cause of overweight and diseases related to diet. The Health Star Rating (HSR) System, initiated by the Australian and New Zealand governments, was designed to rank these packaged products based on fat, sugar, energy, salt, and other nutritional compositions. The study assessed the nutritional value of RTE snacks currently available in the Indian e-market using the HSR system.MethodsThis comparative study analyzed the nutritional values of RTE snacks from November 2022 to February 2023. The data were extracted from the Indian e-market, namely Amazon Fresh, Flipkart Grocery, and Big Basket, using specific keywords. The HSR system has been used to evaluate and compare the healthiness of RTE snacks, using a star rating scale of 0.5 stars = bad to 5 stars = excellent. The study assessed 294 RTE products, including chips, cocoa-based snacks, and baked snacks, with a price range of INR 50 and below.ResultsThe findings revealed that the mean HSR was low (1.46) stars [SD 0.63] out of (5) stars for the studied products, with significant concerns about high levels of energy, sugar, sodium, and saturated fat. Additionally, the study observed a limited utilization of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes (FVNL) in the market products.ConclusionThe study highlights the unhealthiness of snack products available in the Indian e-market due to high levels of sugar, salt, and fat. These snacks also lack FVNL as nutritious ingredients. The data extracted can underscore public health concerns, highlight the importance of consumer awareness, and help snack manufacturers develop healthier snacks for society.

Nutritional, functional and sensory evaluation of flaxseed-enriched cupcakes

Purpose: Snacking is quite a common preference in this busy world. Increasing the availability of healthier snack alternatives might help consumers view snacks as foods that support health. &#x0D; Design/Methodology/Approach: The current experimental study aimed to determine the nutritional, functional and sensory properties of home-baked cupcakes encouraged with six variants with indigenous flaxseed flour (FF) and flaxseed oil (FO) in 10, 15 and 30% of batter substitution. A one-way ANOVA, least significant difference and Pearson’s correlation were applied using IBM SPSS version 21.0.&#x0D; Findings: Proximate analysis indicated an increase in ash, fiber and protein contents as compared to the standard formulation. The highest ash (1.91±0.26%), fiber (1.09±0.01%) and protein contents (3.08±0.30%) were observed in the sample FF30 (30% flaxseed flour). The cupcakes with 30% flaxseed oil had a significantly greater fat content (35.91±0.55%) and hence a total calorie value of 221.00±3.17%. Antioxidant activity and phenol content of fortified cupcakes ranged from 32.88–76.02% and 22–80 mgGAE/100 gms respectively. The sensory evaluation proved FF15 and FO30 to be the most acceptable recipes.&#x0D; Conclusion: Minor recipe alterations to snacks may yield large and long-term health benefits especially promoting immunity and reducing the risk of inflammatory chronic illnesses. Flaxseed oil might be used in snacks substituting for other vegetable oils to enhance the essential fatty acid content without compromising its acceptability. New formulations could therefore be tested to develop foods fortified with higher proportions of functional and nutritious ingredients especially given the ever-increasing prevalence of chronic illnesses.

Razvoj recepture i senzorska svojstva ekstrudirane bezglutenske testenine na bazi sirka

Pasta is one of the most consumed staples worldwide. New formulations incorporating novel nutritious ingredients are now common in its production. The purpose of this study was to formulate, optimise and evaluate the sensory properties of sorghum-based extruded gluten-free pasta. Sorghum flour, pearl millet flour, high-iron bean flour (Biofortified NUA 45 beans) and Hermes potato flour were evaluated for proximate and micronutrient composition, formulated to produce pasta through the extrusion process. Three sorghum-based pastas, namely sorghum high bean pasta (SHBP), sorghum bean pasta (SBP) and sorghum high potato pasta (SHPP) were produced and evaluated for sensorial properties (visual, palpatory and gustatory qualities). The Box-Benhken Design (BBD) in conjunction with Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to select the best formulation by evaluating cooking quality parameters and sensory parameters. The protein content in the four flours ranged from 10.52% to 22.00%. NUA 45 bean flour had significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher protein content than the other flours. Potato flour had significantly higher carbohydrate content (73.82%) than other flours. SHPP had a significantly (p&lt;0.001) higher optimum cooking time (7 minutes) than SHBP (5 minutes) and SBP (6.2 minutes). SHPP had significantly (p&lt;0.001) higher water absorption (WA) capacity (238%) than pasta SHBP (190%) and SBP (210%). A significant (p&lt;0.001) difference in the swelling index (SI) of the three pasta samples was observed, with pasta SHBP having a significantly lower SI (1.02%) than pasta SBP (1.15%) and pasta SHPP (1.24%). The cooking loss (CL) for pasta SHPP (11%) was significantly higher (P&lt;0.001) than for pastas SHBP and SBP, with pasta SHBP having the lowest CL. There was no significant (p&gt;0.05) difference in the cross-sectional area, surface appearance and surface property of the three cooked pastas. A significant (p&lt;0.05) difference in shape between SHBP and SBP samples was noted. The gluten-free pasta was developed and produced successfully. Sorghum high bean pasta treatment (SHBP) was found to be superior in terms of sensory, nutritional and physical properties as compared to the other pasta samples, making it good for commercialisation.

Penambahan Kulit Kacang Tanah pada Medium Jamur Menambah Berat Kering Jamur Tiram Putih

Medium composition affects the productivity of oyster mushroom. Nutritious ingredient may increase the mushroom productivity. Peanut shell as a leguminous plant is rich in protein content than zea mays bran a common supplement for the medium. This research ach aims to see the influence of peanut shell supplementation at different concentration on productivity of oyster mushroom in comparison to zea mays bran. The concentration used were 0; 3 and 6% of peanut shell or zea mays bran. The parameter observed were the time of primordial pin head appearance; the pin head number, fresh weigh and dry weight of oyster mushroom. The data obtained were analyzed using ONE WAY ANOVA followed by Least Significant Different Test for the significance. The result showed that medium with Zea mays did not show a significant different from control in all parameters used. The peanut shell increased the dray weight of oyster mushroom, the dray weight increase was higher at supplementation of 3% peanut shell than that of 6%. The fresh weight and number fruiting body were not significantly different among all the treatments, however, the average of the fresh weigh and the number of pin-head, were higher found on medium supplemented with peanut shell that others. Three percentage of peanut shell was better than that of 6%.

A SERS-based immune-nanoprobe for ultrasensitive detection of glycinin via a lateral flow assay

Glycinin is one of the most nutritious ingredients in soybean, but it is also an allergen that can cause allergic reactions in humans and animals, and even endanger life in severe cases. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a rapid and ultrasensitive detection method for glycinin. In order to achieve this goal, this experiment combined surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technology with an economical, simple, fast and easy-to-carry immunochromatographic test strip, and successfully constructed an efficient sandwich immunochromatographic test strip. The immunoprobe of the test strip was covalently coupled by gold nanostars (AuNSs), Raman molecule 4-aminothiophenol (4-PATP) and rabbit polyclonal antibody. In this experiment, a gold nanostar immunochromatographic test strip for detecting glycinin was established. The detection limit of the test strip was 0.23 ng / mL, the recovery rate was 91.5–96.6 %, and the coefficient of variation was 1.61–6.15 %. In addition, the test strip had no cross reaction with whey protein, wheat protein, peanut protein, sesame protein and β-conglycinin, indicating that the detection method had good specificity and the ability to avoid false positive results. Hence, this experiment successfully prepared a rapid and sensitive test strip for glycinin.

Preparation, nutritional and glycemic properties of multigrain instant “adai” mix

Abstract Background and Objectives: “Adai” is a traditional South Indian breakfast prepared using the wet ground batter of white rice and pulses. Convenience foods are gaining popularity and owing to the increasing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, there is a need for food products with lower glycemic index (GI). The current study aimed to develop an instant adai mix using brown rice, millets, pulses, and spices. Materials and Methods: The instant adai mix was prepared by blending pulverized brown rice, sorghum, and pulses (green gram, horse gram, decorticated and split red gram, black gram, and chickpea) along with roasted cumin, red chilies, and salt. The nutritional composition of the instant adai mix was analyzed, and GI of “adai” was evaluated in healthy human volunteers using International organization for standardization protocol. Results: The instant adai mix was rich in whole grains (48%) and pulses (45%). Nutritional profiling of the instant adai mix revealed that it is rich in protein and dietary fiber. One hundred grams of instant adai mix fulfill 27.8% of protein and 29.6% of dietary fiber requirements of recommended dietary allowance of adult male. Likewise, 100 g of instant adai mix fulfill 34.9% of protein requirements of the estimated average requirement of an adult male. The “adai” prepared from the instant mix exhibited medium GI (65.1). Conclusion: The instant “adai” mix was found to be nutritionally superior, and the adai prepared from the mix showed a medium GI. It can be a healthy option compared with instant mixes containing refined grains such as white rice. More formulation trials are needed to prepare an adai mix to achieve a low GI. Reformulation of traditional foods with nutritious ingredients and achieving a lower GI can expand the healthier food choices for this vulnerable population who are at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Determination of Physicochemical, Textural, and Sensory Properties of Date-Based Sports Energy Gel.

Applying energy supplements in gel form may circumvent gastric discomfort and thus it is a practical alternative. The main objective of this investigation was to develop date-based sports energy gels consisting of highly nutritious ingredients such as black seed (Nigella sativa L.) extract and honey. Three date cultivars (Sukkary, Medjool, and Safawi) were used and characterized for their physical and mechanical properties. The sports energy gels were prepared with addition of xanthan gum (0.5% w/w) as the gelling agent. The newly developed date-based sports energy gels were then analysed for proximate composition, pH level, colour, viscosity, and texture profile analysis (TPA). A sensory test was also conducted with 10 panellists who analysed the appearance, texture, odour, sweetness, and overall acceptability of the gel using a hedonic scale. The results showed that different types of date cultivars affect the physical and mechanical properties of the new developed gels. The outputs of the sensory evaluation revealed that the date-based sports energy gel prepared from Medjool received the highest mean score, followed closely by those prepared from Safawi and Sukkary, indicating that, overall, all three cultivars are acceptable to consumers, but the date-based sports energy gel prepared from Medjool is the most preferred one.

Exploration of the nutritional and carotenoids profiles of vegetables in Thai cuisine as potential nutritious ingredients

Missing information on plant origin control and nutritional data on herbs, spices and vegetables could lead to sample quality deficit and misusage of the plant database. In this study, twenty vegetables that were collected and managed based on the recommendations of the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand, were investigated regarding their proximate mineral, vitamin and carotenoid contents using the standard procedures of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). The results showed that these plants (100 g dry weight) exhibited similar energy levels (337.11–420.48 kcal), which were mainly distributed from high carbohydrate content (21.01–88.17 g), while protein (3.14–66.07 g) and fat (0.00–10.33 g) levels were quite low. As a form of carbohydrate, dietary fiber was found to be high in Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf (Cy. citratus) and Solanum torvum Sw. (So. torvum) (57.00–59.54 g). Interestingly, Senegalia pennata subsp. insuavis (Lace) Maslin, Seigler & Ebinger (S. pennata) exhibited exceptionally high protein content, which was between 2.3 and 3.1 times higher than its carbohydrates. High mineral contents were detected in S. pennata, Ocimum africanum Lour. (O. africanum), Ocimum basilicum L. (O. basilicum), Ocimum gratissimum L. var. macrophyllum Briq. (O. gratissimum) and Coriandrum sativum L. (Co. sativum), while Mentha cordifolia Opiz ex Fresen (M. cordifolia) was observed to be a good source of vitamin C (381.36–547.47 mg). High carotenoids were mostly found in Eryngium foetidum L. (E. foetidum), O. gratissimum, Co. sativum and O. basilicum (75.23–119.96 mg). Interestingly, the location of sample collection seemed to have minimal effect on the nutritional and carotenoid compositions. The results of this study provide reliable information concerning the nutritional and carotenoid contents in plant sources with control of origin, which could be used in the future for food development with specific nutritional requirements.

Traditional Medicine Using Betel Leaf for The Batubara Community

Betel leaf is a plant that grows a lot in Indonesia and can be easily found anywhere. The efficacy of betel leaf as a healing drug from various scientific research results concludes that betel has very nutritious ingredients and millions of benefits for health. The tradition of betel nut can strengthen teeth because ancient people already knew the efficacy of green betel leaf which can treat several diseases, this study explains how the benefits of betel leaf for medicinal ingredients. This research was conducted in the Batubara area, the technique of collection. The results of this study indicate that the coal community, treating illnesses such as fever still believes in the traditional way by using betel leaf as medicine.

Development of added-value culinary ingredients from fish waste: Fish bones and fish scales

Around 10% of the global fish catch (>90 million tonnes) is currently discarded, while by-products in fisheries account for up to 70% of the whole fish weight. From these, fish bones and scales represent 14–20% of by-products, which are also discarded. Therefore, there is an unmet need for valorising these by-products by transforming them into functional and nutritious ingredients. Towards this objective, we report herein different culinary processes to extract gelatine from fish scales, as well as fish flours from bones and scales, as innovative methods for waste valorisation in the food services industry. On the one hand, gelatine was extracted from demineralised and non-demineralised scales and their respective gelling and melting properties were analysed and compared in culinary elaborations. Both gelatines showed a lower melting point (23 °C) than pork gelatine (29 °C, used as control), which provided these gelatines with a smooth and creamy texture in mouth. On the other hand, financiers made of fish bone and fish scales flour were compared with those made with regular wheat-flour, resulting in no significant differences regarding their adhesiveness and springiness. These results showcase the potential of upcycling fish by-products into protein-rich value-added ingredients in the food services industry.