Potential Food Research Articles

Surface Molding Hydrogel Film Initiated by ZIF-8 with Ethylene Adsorption Performance for Preserving Perishable Fruits.

The quality deterioration of postharvest fruits is greatly influenced by ethylene, leading to food wastage worldwide. Therefore, it is urgent to develop an efficient packaging strategy to reduce ethylene concentration and prolong the shelf life of perishable fruits. In this work, a surface-molding hydrogel film was created using ZIF-8 in combination with carboxymethyl starch (CMS) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS). Specifically, ZIF-8 is first anchored on CMS and then rapidly cross-linked in situ with CMCS, forming ZIF-8@CC on the fruit surface (within 10 s). The perfect tight-fitting effects of ZIF-8@CC were observed on various fruit surfaces with different roughness (Ra: ranges from 102 to 308 nm). ZIF-8@CC could absorb 57.3% endogenous ethylene from bananas, and the interaction mechanism between ethylene and ZIF-8 was studied by molecular dynamics simulations, providing insights into the ethylene adsorption capacity of ZIF-8@CC. Moreover, ZIF-8@CC presented excellent antibacterial properties and achieved satisfactory ultralong preservation effects on both nonclimatic and climatic fruits (12 days for strawberries and 14 days for bananas) at room temperature. Importantly, ZIF-8@CC is easily removed, washed, and degradable. These findings offer an efficient and potential food packing material with multifunctional properties for preserving perishable fruits.

Resistance artery vasodilator pathways involved in the antihypertensive effects of cocoa shell extract in rats exposed to fetal undernutrition.

Fetal undernutrition establishes the foundations for hypertension development, with oxidative stress being a key hallmark. A growing interest in nutraceuticals for treating hypertension and environmental waste concerns prompted the present study aiming to evaluate whether supplementation with a polyphenol enriched extract from cocoa shell (CSE), a by-product from the chocolate industry with antioxidant properties, reduces hypertension of developmental origin, thus improving mesenteric resistance artery (MRA) vasodilatation. Adult male and female offspring from rats exposed to 50% food restriction from mid-gestation (maternal undernutrition, MUN) and controls were used. Supplementation was given through a gelatine (vehicle, VEH) or containing CSE (250mgkg-1day-1) 5daysweek-1 for 3weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was assessed by tail-cuff plethysmography. MRA function was studied by wire myography, and superoxide anion and nitric oxide were investigated by fluorescent indicators and confocal microscopy. Compared to control-VEH, MUN-VEH males showed significantly higher SBP, reduced MRA as well as relaxation to ACh, sodium nitroprusside and the AMPK agonist 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside, but not to isoproterenol. In MUN males, endothelial endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor and nitric oxide were unaltered, but MRA released a vasoconstrictor prostanoid and produced higher levels of superoxide anion. CSE normalized blood pressure and improved all above-mentioned MRA alterations in MUN males without an effect on control counterparts, except the reduction of superoxide anion. MUN-VEH females were normotensive and only showed a tendency towards larger superoxide anion production, which was abolished by CSE. CSE supplementation reduces SBP improving endothelium-dependent and independent MRA vasodilatation, related to local superoxide anion reduction, being a potential nutraceutical ingredient to counteract hypertension, in addition to contributing to the circular economy. KEY POINTS: Fetal undernutrition induces hypertension in males associated with deficient resistance artery vasodilatation, being normalized by cocoa shell extract (CSE). Release of a cyclooxygenase-derived contractile factor is the main endothelial alteration, which is abolished by CSE. AMPK and soluble guanylyl cyclase-mediated relaxation are also reduced in smooth muscle cells from maternal undernutrition resistance arteries, being improved by CSE. Vascular oxidative damage caused by excess superoxide anion generation can account for impaired vasodilatation, which is improved by CSE. The capacity of CSE to improve relaxation is probably related to its antioxidant bioactive factors, and thus cocoa shell is a potential food by-product to treat hypertension.

Food dye adsorption in single and ternary systems by the novel passion fruit peel biochar adsorbent

This study evaluated the passion fruit peel biochar (PFPB) as a novel adsorbent for synthetic food dyes indigotine blue (IB), tartrazine yellow (TY), and ponceau 4R (P4R) removal in single and ternary systems. A macroporous structure and a predominance of basic groups characterized PFPB. The pH study revealed better adsorption at pH 2.0. The response surface methodology optimization for adsorbent dosage and temperature predicted removal efficiencies of 100 % for IB, 79.8 % for TY, and 84.4 % for P4R. Elovich and Redlich-Peterson models better described kinetic and equilibrium, respectively, suggesting the contribution of chemical interactions. Thermodynamic data revealed endothermic, with an inordinate degree and spontaneous adsorption. In the ternary systems, antagonistic effects of interaction were noticed. The adsorption of synthetic effluents showed promising results with removal efficiencies of 99.6 % (IB), 60.2 % (TY), and 51.8 % (P4R). Therefore, we concluded that PFPB is a potential alternative low-cost synthetic food dye removal adsorbent.

Metabolomics analysis of Cucumis melo var. flexuosus organs in correlation to its anti-inflammatory activity aided by chemometrics

Snake melon (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus, CM) is a gourd with health-promoting nutritional traits and unexplored phytochemicals. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the phytoconstituents in the fruits, leaves, roots, seeds, and stems of CM, using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. Consequently, 118 metabolites were identified, encompassing phenolic compounds, flavonoids, megastigmanes, lignans, cucurbitacins, and fatty acids. Multivariate data analysis revealed differences in the metabolite composition of CM organs and correlated these variations with the potential in-vitro anti-inflammatory properties assessed against RAW 264.7 macrophages through the down-regulation of cyclo-oxygenase-Ⅱ, nuclear factor-kappa B, and tumor necrosis factor-α. The results indicated that leaf and seed extracts showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity due to their enrichment in several flavonoids, phenolic glycosides, and a megastigmane. These findings emphasize the health benefits of CM organs as potential functional foods and functional food by-products, serving as a natural source for developing new anti-inflammatory agents.

Purple Butter Clam (Saxidomus Purpurata) as a Potential Functional Food Source for Obesity Treatment.

Saxidomus purpurata extract (SPE) is a highly consumable seafood worldwide with known health-related benefits. However, there are no reports of its' anti-obesity effect. This study explores the potential of SPE for anti-obesity effects by modulating adipogenesis and lipolysis. SPE reduced intracellular lipid and triglyceride accumulation while increasing free glycerol release in adipocytes. SPE inhibited lipogenesis protein expressions and increased the phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase and Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) to promote lipolysis. In addition, SPE suppressed adipogenesis by downregulating protein expression of key adipogenic markers, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) via Wnt/β-catenin signaling. SPE augmented the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. Thus, pharmacological intervention with Zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP-HO-1 antagonist) was employed to validate the HO-1 role. The presence of ZnPP increased the lipid accumulation and reduced the free glycerol release. At the molecular level, adipogenic transcription factors (PPARγ, C/EBPα, and SREBP1) expressions were restored in the presence of ZnPP. GC-MS analysis revealed that SPE was comprised of several fatty acids, contributing to its anti-obesity activity. SPE is an effective nutraceutical that can be used to reduce the progression of obesity. HO-1 expression during adipogenesis might be the mechanism of action for the anti-obesity effect of SPE.

Food components and Abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a disease in which the abdominal aorta expands irreversibly and ruptures. At present, no preventive methods are available for this disease. Among potential risk factors, certain foods are considered to play important roles in the development of AAA. Epidemiological studies suggest a close relationship between AAA and dietary habits. Experimental studies have clarified potential suppressive or progressive food components for AAA. In this review, a summary of studies related to nutritional science in the fields of AAA and/or aortic degeneration are provided.

Digital Food Sensing and Ingredient Analysis Techniques to Facilitate Human-Food Interface Designs

Interactive technologies that shape the traditional human-food experiences are being explored under the emerging field of Human-Food Interaction (HFI). A key challenge in developing HFI technologies is the digital sensing of food, beverages, and their ingredients, commonly known as digital food sensing. Digital food sensing involves recognizing different food and beverages and their internal attributes, such as volume and ingredients (e.g., salt and sugar content). Contemporary research on interactive food applications, such as dietary assessment, primarily employs Computer Vision (CV) techniques to identify food; however, they are ineffective when (1) identifying food’s internal attributes, (2) discriminating visually similar food and beverages, and (3) seamlessly integrating with people’s natural interactions while consuming food. Thus, this article reviews potential food and beverage sensing technologies that can facilitate novel Human-Food Interfaces, primarily focusing on non-disruptive sensing techniques to analyze food and beverages during consumption. First, we review ten different digital food sensing techniques and their applications in four categories. Then, we discuss three main aspects to consider when adopting these food-sensing techniques for human-food interface designs. Finally, we suggest the future research requirements in digital food sensing methodologies, followed by potential applications of digital food sensing in future developments of Human-Food Interfaces.

Empowering Agrifood System with Artificial Intelligence: A Survey of the Progress, Challenges and Opportunities

With the world population rapidly increasing, transforming our agrifood systems to be more productive, efficient, safe, and sustainable is crucial to mitigate potential food shortages. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) techniques such as deep learning (DL) have demonstrated their strong abilities in various areas, including language, vision, remote sensing (RS), and agrifood systems applications. However, the overall impact of AI on agrifood systems remains unclear. In this paper, we thoroughly review how AI techniques can transform agrifood systems and contribute to the modern agrifood industry. Firstly, we summarize the data acquisition methods in agrifood systems, including acquisition, storage, and processing techniques. Secondly, we present a progress review of AI methods in agrifood systems, specifically in agriculture, animal husbandry, and fishery, covering topics such as agrifood classification, growth monitoring, yield prediction, and quality assessment. Furthermore, we highlight potential challenges and promising research opportunities for transforming modern agrifood systems with AI. We hope this survey could offer an overall picture to newcomers in the field and serve as a starting point for their further research. The project website is https://github.com/Frenkie14/Agrifood-Survey.

Generic Food Safety Assessment: A Framework to Evaluate Food Safety Hazards Emerging from Change(s) in the Primary Production System – A Case Study Involving Intercropping

Food safety is a shared responsibility of all actors along the food supply chain. Changes in the primary production system can affect food safety hazards along the supply chain. This highlights the need for a framework that enables primary producers (i.e., farmers) to assess the potential food safety hazards and, if needed, to apply control measures. This paper presents a generic food safety assessment (GFSA) framework that has been developed based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP). The proposed framework was applied to a case study, i.e., the transition from sole cropping of oats to intercropping of oats with lupins. The application of the GFSA framework enabled the evaluation of potential changes in food safety hazards from this transition and the establishment of appropriate control measures. In addition, GFSA users can employ the results to support decision-making process. Our case study showed that implementing GFSA can be challenging for smallholder or individual farmers and may need coordinated action. Finally, effective and transparent communication is critical for managing food safety along the food supply chain, including when changes are implemented in primary production.

Connected Food: First Steps for an Ambitious National Food Strategy

Background: The global food system faces growing pressure from population growth, climate change, wealth inequity, geo-political instability, and damage to the ecosystems on which our food supply depends. Fragmentation of the priorities and needs of food system stakeholders—citizens, food producers, food industries, governments—compounds the problem, with competing or misaligned interests increasing the risk of failure to adequately meet the needs of those that form, and are served, by the food system. Growing consensus on the need for transformative system level change to address the problems facing the food system is yet to be significantly reflected in strategic action. Methods: The national food strategy of the UK is offered as an exemplar to discuss the need to promote more coherent and ambitious visions of transformative change that acknowledge the complexity of the food system as a whole. We draw upon cross-sectoral experience to distil the needs, priorities, and key food system tensions that must be acknowledged to promote transformative systems change that equitably delivers healthy sustainable diets, contributes to a resilient global food system, and protects the environment. Results: Greater coherence, ambition, and consideration of the food system as a whole are needed if a UK national food strategy is to contribute to significant transformative change. Conclusions: To promote this, we advocate for (1) a food system digital twin to model and test potential food system interventions or legislation; (2) a citizens’ forum to inform and co-develop a cohesive national food strategy; and (3) increased cohesion and integration of food system governance within government to drive a coherent, ambitious national food strategy.

Seaweeds and derived bioactive compounds as food alternatives: Current status and future perspective in Africa

The urgency for food security and diversification has necessitated extensive exploration of all potential food options. Seaweeds, now considered potential functional foods are widely consumed across Asia and parts of Europe. In Africa, reports on consumption trends and food-related applications are scarce. About only 1 % of the annually harvested ~120,000 (fresh weight) tonnes of commercially useful eucheumatoids are utilized locally in the continent's top-producing country, Tanzania. Ultimately, the intensification of current efforts shall promote up-scaling of the seaweed industry. In this review, we have discussed the nutritional profile and nutraceutical potential of commercially viable species, paying attention to consumer safety measures. Also, prospective food-related application of seaweeds based on current international and local African consumption trends is reviewed. The review further addresses factors that hinder consumer acceptance in Africa and the up-scaling of the seaweed industry at large. This review aims to provide some theoretical reference for future developments and application of seaweed as food in Africa.

Improved barrier, mechanical and antioxidant properties of pH-responsive film by incorporating dialdehyde starch and anthocyanins into rice protein/sodium alginate.

This study aimed to develop rice protein/sodium alginate (RP/SA) pH-responsive films with enhanced properties by incorporating dialdehyde starch (DAS) and Lycium ruthenicum anthocyanins (LRA) and the film was applied to monitor the fruit freshness. The effect of the DAS and LRA content on the morphology, mechanical, water barrier, oxygen barrier, ultraviolet-blocking and thermal stability properties of RP/SA-based films was investigated. The best water vapor permeability of the film was 3.33g·mm/(m2·d·kPa) with 10% DAS. With increasing the DAS content from 0% to 20%, the tensile strength of the film was increased by 66.3% compared with that of the film without DAS, while the thermal stability, oxygen barrier and ultraviolet light barrier properties were significantly enhanced. These results may be due to the formation of a compact structure observed by scanning electron microscopy, and stronger hydrogen bonding interactions and lower binding energy in the RP/SA/DAS/LRA system obtained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and molecular dynamics simulation. The RP/SA/DAS10/LRA5 film had 51.6 times higher antioxidant property than the film without LRA and exhibited significant color variations with changes in fresh-cut cantaloupe quality. The developed RP/SA-based films with improved properties are potential intelligent food packaging materials.

The intestinal microbiome, but not clinical aspects of inflammatory bowel disease, is impacted by lactose malabsorption compared to lactose digestion in children

BackgroundDietary exclusion of lactose from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) persists with speculation that deleterious effects are mediated through intestinal microbes. ObjectivesTo compare IBD characteristics and changes in the intestinal microbiome (IM) at diagnosis in children with and without lactose malabsorption (LM). MethodsA cross-sectional cohort of children (8–17 y of age) diagnosed with Crohn’s disease [n = 149 (63%)] or ulcerative colitis (n = 86) that had undergone lactose breath hydrogen testing was evaluated. The IM of mucosal luminal aspirates was profiled at the time of diagnosis using 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene amplicon sequencing of the V6 hypervariable region. ResultsOf the 235 children, 61 (26%) had LM. Microbial characterization yielded differences in bacterial differential abundance between children who could and could not absorb lactose, which varied by intestinal site and between subtypes of IBD. There were no differences in the ages [13.2 ± 3.0 y (mean ± standard deviation) compared with 12.7 ± 3.4 y; P = 0.25], sex (P = 0.88), extent of disease involvement or severity of disease at presentation (P = 0.74) when comparing those that could or could not absorb lactose nor was there a difference in the need for initiation of biological agents (P = 0.43) during 2 y of follow-up. ConclusionsLM does not affect the clinical presentation or outcomes of children with IBD. However, this study establishes that a single nonabsorbed fermentable food product can alter the IM in both a regional and disease-specific manner. As we continue to learn more about the pathophysiology of IBD and the role of the IM in disease onset and progression, it would be of benefit to examine the impact of other potential fermentable nutrients and their products on IBD outcomes.

Water-soluble polysaccharides extracted from Enteromorpha prolifera/PVA composite film functionalized as ε-polylysine with improved mechanical and antibacterial properties

The issue of environmental protection has received sustained and widespread attention. In order to reduce environmental pollution related to traditional plastics, it is an incessant demand to design novel environment-friendly food packaging materials with excellent performance. Sulfated polysaccharide extracted from the “green tide” marine pollution Enteromorpha prolifera (SPE) has been innovatively transformed into a film-forming material for better utilization. The insufficient mechanical properties and limited functionalities, however, hinder its wide application. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was blended to enhance its mechanical properties and ε-polylysine (ε-PL) was incorporated to endow it with antimicrobial performance. A novel and biodegradable film composed of SPE, PVA, and ε-PL was fabricated by casting method. We further determined the physicochemical properties of composited films. Mechanical performance test revealed the tensile strength of SPE-PVA-PL films increased from 5.56 MPa to 6.65 MPa and the E% increased from 128.8 % to 246.9 % compared with that of SPE-PVA films. Antimicrobial tests showed the excellent antibacterial activity of SPE-PVA-PL films against representative microbial species, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The results of this study suggested that the SPE-based composite film has the potential to be used as a potential food packaging and wound dressing materials.

Impact of microplastics pollution on ciprofloxacin bioaccumulation in the edible mussel (Perna viridis): implications for human gut health risks

Antibiotics and microplastics are prevalent pollutants in mariculture. Consuming contaminated bivalves can potentially endanger human health, but the impact of microplastics on antibiotics bioaccumulation in bivalves and the related health risks to consumer health risks is not fully understood. We obtained bivalves from a mariculture farm and set up exposure scenarios with ciprofloxacin (1μg/L) alone, microplastics (0.6mg/L) alone, or their combination on mussels for 2-weeks. We investigated ciprofloxacin accumulation and analyzed the effects of these pollutants on detoxification and intestinal microbiome changes. Furthermore, potential food safety hazards related to ingestion of antibiotic-tainted bivalves were also assessed. We found that the accumulation of the ciprofloxacin in bivalves was significantly aggravated by the presence of microplastics. There was a significant increase in the production of antioxidant substances in the host's haemolymph, and an enhanced synthesis of antioxidants by the predicted metabolic functions of the intestinal microbiome. Concomitantly, microplastics exacerbated intestinal dysfunction, with a reduction in beneficial Spirochaetes and an increase in pathogenic bacteria Treponema, which may lead to deterioration of detoxification in the host. Additionally, an assessment of human gut health risks was conducted on the residual ciprofloxacin in bivalves combined with human consumption habits. The estimated target hazard quotients and cancer risk were below safety thresholds, directly consuming contaminated bivalves poses little toxicity. However, with raw mussels consumption, the dietary exposure doses of ciprofloxacin to human gut microbiome exceeded minimal selective concentrations for resistance. This could promote the growth of potentially resistant bacteria, indicating a risk of antibiotic resistance.

The profile of plant bioactive compounds in Xinjiang, China unifloral safflower honey and their inhibitory on ACE, and determination of the mechanism of inhibition

Investigating the plant bioactive compounds in unifloral safflower honey from Xinjiang, China, is helpful for verifying its botanical origin and evaluating its functional properties. Therefore, this study quantifying hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), anhydroxysafflor yellow B (ASYB), quercetin, kaempferol, rutin, myricetin, hyperoside, gallic acid, quinic acid, and ferulic acid in safflower honey by high-performance liquid chromatography; HSYA and ASYB accounted for 16.12–28.83% and 13.63–33.09%, respectively, of the quantified plant bioactive compounds and were considered characteristic markers for authentication. These compounds also exhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity; the IC50 ranges from 13.33 to 132.45 μmol L−1, and the inhibition constant (Ki) is between 17.13 and 121.34 μmol L−1. HSYA (IC50 = 20.24 μmol L−1, Ki = 19.63 μmol L−1) and ASYB (IC50 = 19.33 μmol L−1, Ki = 17.13 μmol L−1) exhibited the strongest inhibitory effects. Molecular simulation studies have shown that these bioactive compounds bind key residues in the active pocket of ACE through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, leading to ACE inhibition. Overall, HSYA and ASYB could be considered bioactive chemical markers for verifying the botanical origin of Xinjiang, China, unifloral safflower honey, and safflower honey may be a potential functional food by inhibiting ACE.

Food for Thought in Malaysian Borneo: Data Mining and Sentiment Analysis of Tripadvisor Reviews for Online Destination Branding

Unique destination branding in tourism is crucial to gaining a competitive advantage. Local food is a significant component of a destination brand which Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) must integrate into their official marketing efforts. DMOs must monitor the popularity and perception of their food promotions against the competition. Online promotion and management are challenging due to the rise of user-generated content. Automatic data mining techniques were used to determine the extent to which tourist food choices on TripAdvisor matched foods promoted by DMOs and how distinct these choices were from a rival DMOs’ promotion. We compared online food promotion between the Sabah Tourism Board and the Sarawak Tourism Board. We developed a software system to automatically extract food branding business intelligence from TripAdvisor restaurant reviews. The application of web crawling and scraping technology was applied to extract data and use Sentiment Analysis for interpretation. Online foods promoted by DMOs for each region were found to contain only a few common dishes, but these were more popular than region-specific foods. Significantly different distributions of food choices were found for each region. Some potentially useful differences between foreign and domestic tourists and locals were also identified. Sentiment analysis revealed hidden information in reviews useful for potential food destination branding. Findings from TripAdvisor confirm practical suggestions for improving brand distinctiveness found in the literature. This study is the first to develop an actual system that DMOs could use to estimate the online popularity of their promoted foods and those of their competition.

Valorization of Date Fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) as a Potential Functional Food and Ingredient: Characterization of Fiber, Oligosaccharides, and Antioxidant Polyphenols.

The fruit of the date tree (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is increasingly recognized for its nutritional and functional value. This exotic fruit shows variable composition, influenced by factors such as variety, ripening stage, and climatic conditions. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the nutritional profile and the bioactive components, including phenolic compounds and oligosaccharides, in different varieties of dates from Saudi Arabia collected at the Tamr ripening stage. The HPLC-ESI-MS analysis identified a total of 15 phenolic compounds, principally phenolic acids and flavonoids. Among the varieties tested, Safawi exhibited the highest phenolic concentration (1132 µg/100 g dw). To the best of our knowledge, the oligosaccharide composition is described for the first time among different varieties, with Sukari showing the highest concentration (3.37 g/100 g dw). Moreover, the antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays) was assessed following a solid-phase extraction (SPE) clean-up to remove interferents, especially sugars. These results provide valuable insights into the health-promoting properties of date fruit as a functional food and provide a foundation for further research into their industrial applications as functional ingredients.

Acceptability trial of local Indonesian snack (SISTIK) enriched with chicken liver and eggshell powder as a potential food to increase micronutrient intakes among women of reproductive age

Background Addressing stunting is a key global nutrition goal for 2025, with Indonesia among the top five countries grappling with high stunting rates in children. Chronic micronutrient deficiencies in women and young children in Indonesia have been associated with poor foetal and infant growth. To tackle this issue, we developed micronutrient-enriched crackers (MEC) incorporating nutrient-rich chicken liver and powdered eggshells. These crackers, known locally as 'sistik,' may provide a sustainable solution to boost micronutrient intakes. Our study among Indonesian women aimed to gauge their acceptability of MEC, which have the potential to enhance maternal micronutrient status and thus combat stunting during early childhood. Methods We conducted a two-phase acceptability trial involving 81 women aged 19-35 years in Ujung Berung Sub-district, Bandung City, Indonesia. Each phase was a single-blinded trial; only the researcher was aware of product assignment. The first phase entailed a test feeding session in a local community house which participants sampled both MEC and standard wheat crackers (SWC) on one day. Participants assessed each product using a 7-point cued facial response scale, evaluating colour, smell, flavour, and texture. In the second phase, all participants received a 14-day supply (75 g/day) of either MEC (n=41) or SWC (n=40) to consume at home under real-life conditions. Adherence was determined by weighing unconsumed products. Results The test MEC food received favourable ratings from participants on a 7-point scale, with no significant differences in liking scores between MEC and SWC regarding colour, smell, flavour, and texture. Mean (SD) daily adherence was 51 (21) g/d, with no significant difference between groups. Conclusions This study provides valuable insights for stakeholders and policymakers regarding the potential options for MEC as a food or as daily snacks to increase the intakes and status of micronutrients among adult women. Registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04564222, 25th September 2020).

Microencapsulation of a green microalga (Chlorella vulgaris) by complex coacervation for its valuation as a feasible ingredient in pear snacks

The nutritional and bioactivity values of Chlorella vulgaris make this green microalga a potential functional food ingredient. However, its unpleasant taste and smell, as well as dark green color, have been considered restrictive for its consumers' acceptability. Here, it was hypothesized that complex coacervation can be used to produce microcapsules able to mitigate the sensory weaknesses of C. vulgaris in think pear snacks, while ensuring their acceptance and intention to buy. For this, two proteins with similar isoelectric points were used, the pea protein isolate (PPI) and the bovine serum albumin (BSA), while the partially-sulfated carrageenan (C) was the selected polysaccharide to encapsulate C. vulgaris (6 % w/w), at pH 3. Higher encapsulation yield (79 %) and efficiency (75 %) were obtained for PPI/C coacervates due to these polymers' higher electrostatic interaction at pH 3, contrasting with the higher repulsion promoted by some negatively charged BSA amino acids. Despite this, both microcapsules exhibited an amorphous structure and low water activity (aw around 0.3). However, PPI/C microcapsules had significantly lower moisture and water solubility (11 % and 57 %, respectively), as well as continuous shells. Moreover, PPI/C avoided the early release of C. vulgaris compounds at gastric conditions ensuring its later release in the intestinal tract. When incorporated into think pear snacks, the higher sensory scores and buying intention were obtained for snacks with PPI/C microcapsules containing C. vulgaris. Therefore, complex coacervation, particularly of PPI/C, allowed to mitigate non-valued microalga sensory attributes contributing for the future acceptance and consumption of algae-based food products.