Nutritional Quality Research Articles

To Evaluate the Phytochemicals, Antioxidant Activity and Antibacterial Activity of Pomegranate Arils Juice

Background: Pomegranate, belonging to the Punicaceae family, thrives in semi-arid, mild temperate to sub-tropical climates. Known for its health-promoting properties, pomegranate juice contains a variety of bioactive compounds that contribute to its antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of storage on the phytochemical, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of juice from three pomegranate varieties—Ghandhri, Bedana, and Tarnab Gulabi. Methods: Fresh juices were extracted from the arils of the three pomegranate varieties and stored at 5-10°C. Phytochemical analysis was performed using the Folin-Cioalteu reagent for total phenols and tannins, while antioxidant activity was assessed via the DPPH assay. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using standard microbiological techniques. Mineral content (iron, zinc, and calcium) was analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (model 2380). Statistical analysis was conducted with Statistic 8.1, utilizing ANOVA with a two-factorial design. Results: Tarnab Gulabi juice exhibited the highest phenolic content (571.3611±3.41 mgGaE/100ml) and antioxidant activity (81.12%). Ghandhri juice had the highest flavonoid (145.425±2.08 mgQuE/100ml) and anthocyanin concentrations (16.119±4.87 mgCyE/100ml), while Bedana showed the greatest tannin content (14.6046±11.5 mg/100ml). The study highlighted a significant reduction in phytochemicals due to storage, with marked antibacterial efficacy noted against E. coli and Citrobacter. Conclusion: Storage negatively affects the phytochemical content and antioxidant capacity of pomegranate juice. Fresh juice retains more bioactive compounds and exhibits higher antibacterial activity compared to stored juice. Varietal differences significantly influence the nutritional and functional qualities of the juice.

Use of online food delivery services among adults in five countries from the International Food Policy Study 2018–2021

AimOnline food delivery services (OFDS) are popular for purchasing meals prepared outside home, increasing access to energy-dense and nutrient-poor foods. This adversely impacts dietary choices and health outcomes. Our study examined trends in OFDS use in Australia, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US) from 2018 to 2021. MethodsRepeated annual cross-sectional data was sourced from the International Food Policy Study for five countries among adults over 18 years (N = 83,337). Weighted estimates for trends in i) the proportion of the respondent’s purchasing meals per week using OFDS, and ii) average number (and standard deviation (SD)) of meals purchased per week using OFDS were assessed. Logistic regression models were fitted. FindingsOFDS use increased among adults between 2018–2021 (Australia: 17 % of respondents purchased at least one meal in the last 7 days using OFDS in 2018 to 25 % in 2021, Canada: 12 % to 19 %, Mexico: 28 % to 38 %, UK: 19 % to 28 %, and US: 17 % to 21 %). Average number of meals purchased per week outside home remained consistent for all countries over time (e.g., in Australia, 2.70 (SD 0.06) meals in 2018 and 2.63 (SD 0.06) in 2021). However, average number of meals purchased using OFDS nearly doubled between 2018 and 2021 (e.g., in Australia, 0.45 (SD 0.03) meals in 2018 to 0.81 (SD 0.04) in 2021). ConclusionOFDS use is increasing and are substituting the conventional forms of purchasing meals outside home. Nutritional quality of foods sold, marketing practices and purchasing patterns on OFDS deserve further attention.

Discrimination and evaluation of commercial salmons by low-molecule-weight compounds: Oligopeptides and phosphatides

In this study, the overall sensory characteristics and low-molecule-weight compounds were analyzed to achieve the discrimination of different commercial salmons and investigate the salmon's sensory and nutritional quality. The results showed that above the overall sensory properties, O. mykiss, S. salar, and O. kisutch were the most satisfied salmons by the panel with the desirable texture and flavor, which displayed a large potential for growth in the consumption market. The alcohols and sulfur compounds were key volatile compounds contributing to typical aroma of O. masou and O. gorbuscha, response higher than others by 147% to 167%. The oligopeptides and phospholipids in salmon could be used as biomarkers for discrimination of these salmon. Oligopeptides were also closely related to the taste quality of salmon. Seventeen oligopeptides showed potential umami activity based on molecular docking results, especially Arg-Val and Ser-Asn, which were the key tastants contributing to the umami of salmon.

Genetic assessment of diverse rice germplasm for yield-related and stress tolerance traits

AbstractThe development of stress-resistant crops without compromising their yield and nutritional quality is one of the major challenges in plant biology. Plant breeders have made considerable effort in developing cultivars with high yield and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. This research aimed to evaluate pre-breeding resources for favorable genes conferring good yield and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses for rice varietal improvement. Two hundred forty diverse rice cultivars from top countries with which the United States imports and exports rice were selected from the Germplasm Resource Information Network (GRIN) collection, and these were characterized using molecular markers for various desirable traits. Among the cultivars, 16 were used as checks. The genes of various traits evaluated were grain number (Gn1a), panicle weight (WFP), cold stress tolerance (qSCT-11 and qCTS-12), anaerobic germination (AG1 and AG2), rice blast disease resistance (PiB, Pi-ta, Ptr, and Piz), wide compatibility (S5-n), and restoring ability (Rf4). Out of these 240 accessions, 192 have the Gn1a gene, 168 possess the qSCT-11 cold tolerance gene, 139 carry the Rf4 gene, 152 have the qCTS12 cold tolerance gene, 87 have blast resistance genes, and 44 possess the WC gene. None of the 240 accessions possess the WFP (Wealthy Farmer’s Panicle) gene. The selections with favorable genes can be used by breeders as potential donor parents for varietal improvement programs to produce new and promising cultivars with desired specific traits that may contribute towards alleviating global issues related to food security.

Improvements in fermentation and nutritive quality of elephant grass [Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone] silages: a review.

Elephant grass [Pennisetum purpureum Schumach. syn. Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone], also known as Napier grass and King grass, includes varieties Taiwán, Gigante, Merkerón, Maralfalfa, and others. The grass achieves high biomass production in tropical-subtropical, temperate, and arid areas. The high-water concentration of elephant grass suggests that ensiling could offer an alternative way to preserve the nutritional quality of the grass during storage, however, some considerations should be addressed because of the particularities of the grass. Ensiling elephant grass may produce adequate fermentation but could suffer effluent losses and subsequent losses of nutrients due to leaching. To improve fermentation and nutrient characteristics of elephant grass silages, several studies were conducted with the inclusion of additives. Lactic acid bacteria inocula have reduced pH and increased crude protein content of elephant grass silage, but aerobic stability of silages could be affected by the bacterial inoculation. There is limited information, however, on the potential of different silage inoculants to reduce growth of spoilage microorganisms during the aerobic phase of silage prepared with elephant grass. Exogenous fibrolytic enzymes also may improve elephant grass silage quality by enhancing microbial fiber-degradation with subsequent increase in lactic acid and its associated pH reduction. Another study approach to improve fermentation and nutritional quality of elephant grass silages involved the addition of different feeds at ensiling, including conventional feeds such corn, wheat, rice bran, and molasses or alternative feeds such as different dehydrated by-products obtained from the food industries of juice and jelly. In the manuscript, the presented scientific information shows the great potential of the different manipulations to improve the quality of elephant grass silages and with possible enhance of the economic profit and sustainability of livestock farming in the tropical areas.

A Comprehensive Perception of Biological Control Potential of Endophytes and Quality Refinement of Lagenaria siceraria.

Agriculture and livestock management practices known as organic farming rely more on internal processes than external inputs. Natural environments depend heavily on diversity, and organic farming incorporates both the stated purpose of fostering diversity as well as the use of diversity as a management tool. A more complete understanding of agriculture in terms of agro-ecology has begun to be questioned by the traditional reductionist approach to the study of agriculture. Therefore it is necessary to be aware more about the significance of microbes in processes including soil growth, plant nourishment, and the eradication of plant disease, pest, and weeds. In this study, fluorescent Pseudomonas strain (EFP56) and Trichoderma harzianum were studied for antifungal and antibacterial activity against four common root rot fungi and four common laboratory bacteria in vitro experiments. Furthermore, soil-borne disease surveillance and nutritional quality of Lagenaria siceraria, fluorescent Pseudomonas strain (EFP56) and Trichoderma harzianum were combined with neem cake and cotton cake to check their efficacy. Through the application of organic soil amendments in combination with biocontrol agents improved the quality of vegetables and their nutritional value by raising their polyphenol, carbohydrate, and protein content as well as enhancing antioxidant scavenging status. The experiments were conducted in pots and in fields to confirm their efficacy rate. The final outcomes also revealed greater induction of defense system, disease lessening and enriched fruit quality. Consortium of neem cake and cotton cake with bio-stimulants can regulate biotic as well as abiotic stress.

Initial Evaluation of the Merit of Guar as a Dairy Forage Replacement Crop during Drought-Induced Water Restrictions

Dairy is the largest sector of the agricultural industry in New Mexico, but the sector’s need for high quality forage in the face of ongoing drought and climate change causes concern. The economic merit of using guar to replace alfalfa under imposed constraints in irrigation water availability is evaluated. Nutritional quality of guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) grown at the NMSU Agricultural Science Center at Clovis was estimated using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) analysis. Results show that 45.6 percent of analyzed samples were comparable to Supreme or Premium alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay using Relative Feed Value index, and 23.7% met this criteria using crude protein. While alfalfa uses 4.4 acre-feet of water (approximately 5400 cubic meters) per season, the guar sampled used 5 inches (500 cubic meters) of applied irrigation. Microsoft Excel Version 2404 LP Solver was used to identify an optimum crop mix of alfalfa and guar under different levels of irrigation water constraints. With increasing levels in modeled irrigation restrictions, the use of guar increased the potential forage production by 3% under a 0.4 acre-foot restriction up to almost 59% under a 1.5 acre-feet irrigation water limit. Our results merit additional research, including forage trials to determine the impact of guar forage on milk production and further agronomic research into growing guar to maximize forage yield.

Impact of Production Systems on the Levels of Vitamin E, β-Carotene, and Cholesterol in the Liver of Cattle Raised in the Eastern Amazon.

The nutritional composition of bovine liver, particularly in terms of vitamins E, β-carotene, and cholesterol concentration, is significantly influenced by the cattle-rearing system and diet. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of four predominant cattle-rearing systems in the Eastern Amazon region on the vitamin E, β-carotene content, and cholesterol levels in bovine liver during the rainy season. Liver-tissue samples were collected from 48 cattle, with twelve specimens representing each rearing system. The systems encompassed two native pastures located in flood-prone areas, cultivated pastures on upland terrain and a confinement-rearing system. Our findings indicate that, when considering all rearing systems collectively, there were no significant differences in the levels of vitamins and cholesterol in the liver tissues (p > 0.05). However, a marked disparity in cholesterol levels emerged when comparing intensive rearing systems to extensive ones, with the former demonstrating notably higher concentrations (p = 0.01). Additionally, the intensive rearing system was associated with elevated levels of β-carotene (p < 0.01), α-tocopherol (p = 0.01), and β-tocopherol (p = 0.01) relative to the extensive systems. No significant variations were observed amongst the different extensive systems (p > 0.05). These results suggest that, while all rearing systems yielded liver tissues with typical concentrations of vitamins and cholesterol, the intensive rearing system led to a higher accumulation of certain vitamin compounds. This study highlights the substantial nutritional implications of different cattle-rearing systems in the Eastern Amazon and provides valuable insights for developing dietary strategies to optimize the nutritional quality of bovine liver. Therefore, the generated results are groundbreaking in the Eastern Amazon, Brazil, and inspire the development of new research projects to address other demands in this field and achieve additional outcomes.

Are the Nutritional Properties of Organic Tomatoes Altered by Single and Combined Microbial Soil Inoculants?: A Multiperspective Approach

AbstractBiologically active compounds are key-important ingredients of tomato fruits, especially those produced by organic agricultural practices. Being biologically effective soil treatments, microbial inoculants can improve soil quality through a variety of mechanisms. Their activity can influence soil properties and plant development, thereby determining the quantity and quality of the crop. However, little research was done on how these inoculants affect the nutritional quality of the tomato fruit and on the antioxidant status of the fruits. This study investigated lycopene content and total antioxidant capacity of organically grown tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicum L. var. ‘Mobil’) using various types of single and combined bioeffector products in two growing seasons. Single inoculation contained Trichoderma harzianum, plant growth promoting Pseudomonas sp., and phosphorus-mobilizing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains. The combined treatment consisted of biotic Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Bacillus subtilis strains with abiotic micronutrients of zinc and manganese. Sum of ranking differences method, as a multicriteria optimization method, was used to rank the treatments and identify the ones deviating the least from the reference treatment. The results showed that all microbial soil inoculants positively affected tomato lycopene content. The combined treatment showed significantly higher lycopene content than the Control in both years. We found that weather and climate conditions also greatly influence the total antioxidant capacity. Based on our results, we recommend the use of combined bioeffective treatments to improve the food quality value of tomato fruits.

Replacing Fishmeal and Fish Oil with Complex Protein and Canola Oil: Effect on Organoleptic and Nutritional Quality of Triploid Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

A twelve-week feeding experiment was undertaken to explore the impact of substituting dietary fish meal (FM) and fish oil (FO) with complex protein (CP) and canola oil (CO) in the diet of triploid rainbow trout on the quality of their fillets. The control diet (F100) contained FM (60%) and FO (18.6%) as the main protein and lipid sources. Based on this, 50% and 100% of FM and FO were substituted by CP and CO and they were named as F50 and F0, respectively. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the specific growth rates, condition factors, gutted yields, fillet yields and yellowness values as the substitution levels increased (p > 0.05). The F50 treatment obtained the highest values of fillet springiness and chewiness, improved the umami and bitter taste of the fillets by increasing the contents of inosine-5'-monophosphate and histidine, and increased lipid, protein, C18: 1n-9 and C18: 2n-6 contents (p < 0.05). The F0 treatment obtained the highest values of fillet hardness and pH, attenuated the sweet taste of the fillets by decreasing the content of glycine, and decreased the contents of EPA and DHA (p < 0.05). Both F50 and F0 treatments could increase the redness value, decrease the lightness and hue values of fillets, and increase the odor intensity, resulting in the typical fillet odors of green, fatty, orange and fishy (p < 0.05). In general, 50% and 100% of FM and FO substitution did not affect the growth of trout, but it did affect quality. Compared to the F100 treatment, the fillet quality of the F0 treatment was similar to the F50 treatment and could improve the appearance and odor intensity of the fillets. However, the difference was that the F50 treatment increased the springiness, umami, bitterness and lipid nutritional value of the fillets, but the F0 treatment increased the hardness, decreased the sweetness, and decreased the lipid, EPA and DHA contents of the fillets.

Effect of Longterm Fertilization and Manuring on Nutritional Quality of Maize Grain

A study on Effect of long term fertilization and manuring on soil quality and nutritional quality of maize (Zea mays L.) under finger millet-maize cropping system was carried out in LTFE plots which has been in progress since 1986 at UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru. Eleven treatments were laid in randomized block design with three replications. The hybrid maize was grown in LTFE plots during Rabi 2021-2022 (35th crop cycle) and qualities of grain were assessed. Application of 100 per cent NPK+ FYM+ lime recorded significantly higher grain quality viz., geometric mean diameter (7.63 mm), bulk density (791 kg m-3), 1000 grain mass (444.10 g), colour (L*72.91, a*4.68, b*27.48), crude protein (10.35%), ash (1.73%), moisture (8.19%) and crude fibre (1.85%). Inorganic fertilization alone, 100% N, 100% NP and control treatments recorded poor quality grain of maize. The conjoint use of organic manures along with chemical fertilizers in balanced form is essential to maintain good soil quality and for quality maize production.

Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C-associated phospholipid metabolism mediates DcGLRs channel to promote calcium influx under CaCl2 treatment in shredded carrots during storage

The rapid activation of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) occurs early after the stimulation of biotic and abiotic stress in plants, which directly associated with the calcium channel-induced calcium ion (Ca2+) influx. Exogenous calcium chloride (CaCl2) mediates the calcium signaling transduction to promote the γ-aminobutyric acid accumulation and nutritional quality in shredded carrots whereas the generation mechanism remains uncertain. Therefore, the involvement of PI-PLC-associated phospholipid metabolism was investigated in present study. Our result revealed that CaCl2 treatment promoted the expression and activity of PI-PLC and increased the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and hexakisphosphate content in shredded carrots. The transcripts of multi-glutamate receptor-like channels (DcGLRs), the glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content, and Ca2+ influx were induced by CaCl2 treatment in shredded carrots during storage. However, PI-PLC inhibitor (U73122) treatment inhibited the activation of PI-PLC, the increase of many DcGLRs family genes expression levels, and Ca2+ influx. Moreover, the identification of DcPI-PLC4/6 and DcGLRs proteins, along with the analysis of characteristic domains such as PLCXc, PLCYc, C2 domain, transmembranous regions, and ligand binding domain, suggests their involvement in phospholipid catalysis and calcium transport in carrots. Furthermore, DcPI-PLC4/6 overexpression in tobacco leaves induced the Ca2+ influx by activating the expressions of NtGLRs and the accumulation of glutamate and GABA. These findings collectively indicate that CaCl2 treatment-induced PI-PLC activation influences DcGLRs expression levels to mediate cytosolic Ca2+ influx, thus, highlighting the “PI-PLC-GLRs-Ca2+” pathway in calcium signaling generation and GABA biosynthesis in shredded carrots.

Fermented Products Enriched with Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Broiler Chicken Nutrition and Fat Quality of Produced Meat

Broiler chicken meat is the preferred meat among the human population. Broiler meat contains high-quality protein and a low-fat content, alongside a desirable fatty acid profile. A frequent problem in human nutrition is an insufficient PUFA intake in the diet. One possible strategy to increase the dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in humans is to produce, and thereby enrich, broiler chicken meat with sufficient amounts of essential PUFA. A method to increase the proportion of essential fatty acids in chicken meat is by changing the fatty acid composition of the feed. Feed production via solid-state fermentation using lower filamentous fungi can be used to prepare valuable feed from cereal by-products enriched with important PUFA and pigments and can thus be included as a suitable feed ingredient in the diet of chickens. From previously published studies, it can be concluded that the application of 3–10% of the prepared fermented products to the diet of broiler chickens increased the proportion of essential fatty acids in the fat of the chicken meat and had a beneficial effect on the growth parameters of chickens.

Changes in the Aroma Profile and Phenolic Compound Contents of Different Strawberry Cultivars during Ripening.

Secondary metabolites, namely, phenolic and volatile organic compounds, contribute to the nutritional and organoleptic quality of the strawberry fruit. This study focuses on the changes in the content of phenolic compounds and volatile organic compounds during the ripening, from green to overripe fruit, of five strawberry cultivars ('Asia', 'CIVN 766', 'Aprica', 'Clery', and 'Malwina'). Additionally, these changes are compared with the colour of the fruit and peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity. Our results show that the accumulation of secondary metabolites (phenolic and volatile organic compounds) significantly changed during the ripening process for all of the studied cultivars. As for phenolic compounds, flavanols and hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives comprised between 87 and 95% of the total phenolic compound content in unripe green fruit. In contrast, anthocyanins and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives comprised between 64 and 77% of the total phenolic compound content in overripe fruit, except in the fruit of the cultivar 'CIVN766'. When it comes to the aroma profile, the content of aldehydes decreased by 24-49% as the fruit ripened, and the accumulation of esters increased. Our study also shows that the ripening process differs among cultivars, and it is therefore necessary to define ripening indicators separately for each cultivar.

From Salinity to Nutrient-Rich Vegetables: Strategies for Quality Enhancement in Protected Cultivation

Salinity, a significant abiotic stressor, imperils vegetable growth, yield, and quality. Moreover, elevated salinity levels, driven by climate change, jeopardize vegetable nutritional quality. In particular, protected cultivation systems, responsible for 60% of the global vegetable industry’s economic value, encounter notable challenges in managing salinity due to water runoff and drainage mechanism limitations. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the intricate mechanisms that control salinity and use this knowledge to improve plant tolerance to these conditions. In this study, we explore strategies to effectively mitigate the detrimental impacts of salinity on vegetable crops cultivated within protected environments. Additionally, we investigate the benefits of controlled moderate salinity adjustments in protected cultivation to enhance their nutritional content. Moderate salinity or nutrient solution increases typically raise total soluble solids, sugar, vitamin C, phenols, lycopene, and antioxidants in most fruit vegetables. Though generally applicable to leafy vegetables, exceptions like lettuce and wild rocket may show inconsistencies, potentially reducing some quality traits. Interdisciplinary approaches are essential to developing sustainable solutions for managing salinity in protected cultivation systems, thereby ensuring the resilience of vegetable production in the face of changing environmental conditions. Given the impracticality of desalinating all areas, future research should also investigate synergies between moderate salinity stress, cultivars used, and environmental factors from physiological and molecular perspectives to enhance vegetable nutritional quality.

Emerging innovative pre‐ and post‐harvest management practices to mitigate patulin‐linked food safety risks in apple and its products

AbstractPatulin, a toxic secondary metabolite produced by certain molds (Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Byssochlamys), poses a significant health risk when present in apple juice products above permissible levels. Its presence is a major concern for both consumers and regulatory bodies due to its potential carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. Minimizing patulin concentration in apple juice products requires a multifaceted approach involving various stages of apple fruit production, from orchard management to processing and storage. This review explores the pre‐ and postharvest strategies associated with minimizing patulin concentration in apple juice products. It examines the role of good agricultural practices in reducing mold contamination in orchards and discusses the importance of proper postharvest handling, including fruit sorting and washing to remove contaminated apples before processing. During processing, factors such as temperature, pH, and processing time play crucial roles in minimizing patulin levels. Innovative processing technologies, such as pulsed electric fields (PEF), ultraviolet (UV) radiation, high‐pressure processing, enzymatic, and chemical degradation have shown promise in reducing patulin concentration while preserving the sensory and nutritional quality of the juice. Furthermore, effective storage practices, such as maintaining proper temperature and humidity levels, are essential for preventing patulin formation during storage. Continuous monitoring and analytical testing for patulin content throughout the production chain are necessary to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and to guarantee the safety of apple juice products. Despite advancements in technology and production practices, challenges remain in effectively minimizing patulin concentration. These include the need for further research to develop more efficient detection methods, the adoption of sustainable and eco‐friendly practices in orchard management, and the dissemination of knowledge and best practices to stakeholders across the apple juice supply chain. In conclusion, minimizing patulin concentration in apple juice products requires a holistic approach that integrates preventive measures, innovative processing technologies, and stringent quality control measures. By addressing these challenges, the apple juice industry can ensure the production of safe and high‐quality products that meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations.

Sustainable one-pot solvent-free enzymatic synthesis of capric acid-rich structured lipids to enhance the nutritional value of grape seed oil

Grape seed oil (GSO) is a valuable resource for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries due to its fatty acid composition, which provides anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. GSO is also recognized for its sensory attributes and serves as an essential component in our dietary intake, providing vital fatty acids for metabolic reactions. The enzymatic synthesis of structured lipids (SL) using GSO was investigated in this study. The SL was created by incorporating medium chain fatty acids (capric acid – C10) at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions and long chain fatty acids in the internal position of the triacylglycerols (TAG). GSO was selected based on its composition rich in unsaturated fatty acids, mainly linoleic acid. The acidolysis reactions were catalyzed by an immobilized commercial lipase Lipozyme TLIM®. The incorporation degree of C10 into GSO reached 36%. Health lipid indices were calculated to determine the C10 incorporation effect on the improvement of nutritional quality of oil. The SL showed lower oxidative stability index (OSI) values than the original oil and higher degree of fatty acid (DFA) values. The simpler, solvent-free method not only enhances the health benefits of oils but also gives valuable properties to GSO, making it an even more attractive option for food industries.

Regional features of camel milk composition and properties in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Camel milk, renowned for its distinctive nutritional qualities, has captured the interest of scientific researchers due to its potential health benefits. This study aims to compare the biochemical composition of camel milk sourced from two distinct regions of Kazakhstan: Jetisu and Mangystou. Analytical methods were employed to achieve this objective, including gas chromatography for fatty acid analysis, chemical methods for physicochemical parameter determination, and assessment of amino acid, fatty acid, mineral, and vitamin content. In samples from the Jetisu region, protein content ranged from 3.61% to 3.70%, fat from 3.85% to 4.64%, and lactose from 4.80% to 4.85%. In comparison, samples from the Mangystou region exhibited protein content ranging from 3.65% to 3.81%, fat from 4.72% to 5.75%, and lactose from 4.21% to 4.28%. Regarding amino acid composition, Mangystou region samples contained more essential amino acids per 100 g of protein than Jetisu region samples: 41.29 g versus 38.20 g, respectively. Additionally, the Jetisu region sample contained 64.291% saturated fatty acids, while the Mangystou region sample had 62.135%, indicating differences in fatty acid composition based on geographical origin. In terms of mineral composition, camel milk from the Mangystou region exhibited higher calcium and zinc content compared to Jetisu region samples, with calcium and zinc content measured at 124.50 mg/100 g and 490.15 μg/100 g, respectively, for Mangystou samples, and 112.50 mg/100 g and 321.24 μg/100 g, respectively, for Jetisu samples. Overall, the study underscores regional variances in camel milk's biochemical composition, which can impact its nutritional and biological value. These findings provide dairy product producers in Kazakhstan with enhanced opportunities to create healthy, high-quality dairy products.

Submerged fermentation of lentil protein isolate and its impact on protein functionality, nutrition, and volatile profiles.

Fermentation of pulses as a clean processing technique has been reported to have a favorable impact on the functional and nutritional quality of the starting materials. Compared to commonly fermented pulses such as peas and chickpeas, limited information is available on the effect of fermentation on lentils, especially when using a high protein isolate (>80% protein) as compared to seeds or flours. Therefore, in the present work, lentil protein isolate was used as a feedstock for submerged fermentation with Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, or Lactobacillus plantarum. After 48h, the samples showed increased protein content with enhanced solubility and oil-holding capacity. Controlled fermentation, as opposed to spontaneous fermentation, maintained the high foaming capacity; however, all fermented samples had lower foam and emulsion stabilizing properties and reduced water-holding capacity compared to the control. The fermented proteins were also less digestible, possibly due to an increase in phenolics and saponins. New volatile compounds were identified in fermented samples that show promise for improved sensory attributes. Significant differences were observed in specific quality attributes depending on the microbial strain used. Further research is required to better understand the fermentative metabolism of microbial communities when provided high-protein lentil ingredients as growth substrates. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Fermented lentil protein isolate has promising flavor profiles that may improve its sensory properties for food application.

Exogenous melatonin prolongs raspberry postharvest life quality by increasing some antioxidant and enzyme activity and phytochemical contents

There is a growing trend towards enhancing the post-harvest shelf life and maintaining the nutritional quality of horticultural products using eco-friendly methods. Raspberries are valued for their diverse array of phenolic compounds, which are key contributors to their health-promoting properties. However, raspberries are prone to a relatively short post-harvest lifespan. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of exogenous melatonin (MEL; 0, 0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 mM) on decay control and shelf-life extension. The results demonstrated that MEL treatment significantly reduced the fruit decay rate (P ≤ 0.01). Based on the findings, MEL treatment significantly increased titratable acidity (TA), total phenolics content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total anthocyanin content (TAC). Furthermore, the MEL-treated samples showed increased levels of rutin and quercetin content, as well as antioxidant activity as measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reduction activity potential (FRAP). Additionally, the samples exhibited higher levels of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and catalase (CAT) enzymes compared to the control samples. Moreover, the levels of pH, total soluble solids (TSS), and IC50 were decreased in the MEL-treated samples (P ≤ 0.01). The highest amount of TA (0.619 g/100 ml juice), rutin (16.722 µg/ml juice) and quercetin (1.467 µg/ml juice), and PAL activity (225.696 nm/g FW/min) was observed at 0.001 mM treatment, while, the highest amount of TAC (227.235 mg Cy-g/100 ml juice) at a concentration of 0.01 mM and CAT (0.696 u/g FW) and TAL activities (9.553 nm/100 g FW) at a concentration of 0.1 mM were obtained. Considering the lack of significant differences in the effects of melatonin concentrations and the low dose of 0.001 mM, this concentration is recommended for further research. The hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) divided the treatments into three groups based on their characteristics. Based on the Pearson correlation between TPC, TFC, TAC, and TAA, a positive correlation was observed with antioxidant (DPPH and FRAP) and enzyme (PAL and CAT) activities. The results of this study have identified melatonin as an eco-friendly compound that enhances the shelf life of raspberry fruits by improving phenolic compounds, as well as antioxidant and enzyme activities.