Food Quality Research Articles

Addressing the opportunities of non‐thermal food processing technologies in the ASEAN region context

SummaryThis study aims to explore the opportunities offered by non‐thermal food processing technologies, including high‐pressure processing, pulsed electric fields, ultraviolet light, ultrasound, and microwave that could be viable for the agriculture commodities produced in the ASEAN region. The applications of these technologies across various food product categories (from dairy to fruits and vegetables, meat and seafood, beverages, condiments, fermented foods, edible oil, and ready‐to‐eat meals) focusing on microbial inactivation and mass transfer process enhancement, are systematically discussed to highlight their potential to foster the production of safe, nutritious, and fresh‐like quality food products from the region. The adoption of non‐thermal technologies can face several challenges that hinder the integration of these technologies in ASEAN, including high start‐up costs, limited access to stable electricity and clean water, and inconsistencies in food regulations across countries. Information gaps related to the adoption of non‐thermal technologies within the diverse food‐related scenarios in ASEAN were identified and recommendations were given to improve the state of knowledge in the region. Overall, this work offers critical insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers to consider inclusion of non‐thermal technologies in food production as strategic approaches and tailored solutions to enhance the competitiveness of regional food products globally.

Selenium Nanomaterials Enhance Sheath Blight Resistance and Nutritional Quality of Rice: Mechanisms of Action and Human Health Benefit.

In the current work, the foliar application of selenium nanomaterials (Se0 NMs) suppressed sheath blight in rice (Oryza sativa). The beneficial effects were nanoscale specific and concentration dependent. Specifically, foliar amendment of 5 mg/L Se0 NMs decreased the disease severity by 68.8% in Rhizoctonia solani-infected rice; this level of control was 1.57- and 2.20-fold greater than that of the Se ions with equivalent Se mass and a commercially available pesticide (Thifluzamide). Mechanistically, (1) the controlled release ability of Se0 NMs enabled a wider safe concentration range and greater bioavailability to Se0 NMs, and (2) transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses demonstrated that Se0 NMs simultaneously promoted the salicylic acid- and jasmonic-acid-dependent acquired disease resistance pathways, antioxidative system, and flavonoid biosynthesis. Additionally, Se0 NMs improved rice yield by 31.1%, increased the nutritional quality by 6.4-7.2%, enhanced organic Se content by 44.8%, and decreased arsenic and cadmium contents by 38.7 and 42.1%, respectively, in grains as compared with infected controls. Human simulated gastrointestinal tract model results showed that the application of Se0 NMs enhanced the bioaccessibility of Se in grains by 22.0% and decreased the bioaccessibility of As and Cd in grains by 20.3 and 13.4%, respectively. These findings demonstrate that Se0 NMs can serve as an effective and sustainable strategy to increase food quality and security.

Separation and characterization of the antioxidant active component from Maillard reaction products in xylose-lysine system

ABSTRACT Maillard reaction products (MRPs) play a crucial role in preserving food quality due to their antioxidant capacity. In this study, we isolated and characterized the antioxidant components from MRPs using a xylose-lysine system under optimal conditions. Methylene chloride and ethyl acetate were employed for sequential extractions, and the ethyl acetate phase underwent thin-layer chromatography and silica column separation. The identified compound, 3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2(5 H)-furanone (3H4MFN), was analyzed using FT-IR, GC-MS, and NMR, revealing its volatile nature with a chemical formula of C5H6O3. Further activity analysis demonstrated that 3H4MFN exhibited higher or comparable antioxidant activity to vitamin C (VC) and vitamin B6 (VB6). This newly discovered compound shows potential as a natural antioxidant in cosmetics, food, and nutraceutical applications.

Organic Farming vs. Integrated Nutrient Management: A Comparative Review of Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability

In an era where sustainable agriculture is crucial for global food security and environmental preservation, organic farming and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) have emerged as leading practices. This review paper offers a comprehensive comparison of these two approaches, focusing on their impact on agricultural productivity and sustainability. Organic farming, with its emphasis on reducing the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, growth hormones, and feed additives, aligns closely with the principles of sustainability. It enhances food quality, promotes soil health, and mitigates adverse environmental effects by encouraging natural recovery cycles. However, organic farming's limitations, such as lower yields and a more labour-intensive approach have prompted interest in innovative solutions that blend organic practices with modern technologies. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) presents a compelling alternative. By combining organic, inorganic, and biological nutrient sources, INM seeks to optimize nutrient use efficiency and maintain soil health. This approach offers a flexible nutrient management strategy, balancing organic and inorganic inputs to maintain crop productivity while reducing environmental impact. Studies have shown that INM can improve soil properties, such as bulk density, porosity, and water-holding capacity, leading to enhanced crop yields and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The paper explores how INM's integrated approach not only stabilizes crop production but also supports the growth of soil microbes, providing a source of energy and organic carbon. By using a combination of specific microorganisms, organic matter, and minimal doses of inorganic fertilizers, INM can achieve a harmonious balance that reduces environmental pollution and ensures long-term soil fertility. Ultimately, this review underscores the potential of combining organic and INM practices to create a sustainable and productive agricultural system. Through a comparative analysis, the paper aims to guide researchers, policymakers, and farmers towards adopting strategies that foster agricultural sustainability without compromising productivity.

FeedKind: Bridging Generosity and Need

This project describes the FeedKind application which is designed to address the critical societal challenges of food waste and food insecurity by establishing an efficient system to redistribute surplus food from restaurants, caterers, and food providers to vulnerable populations such as elderly care homes and orphanages. The overarching goal is to create a structured framework that minimizes food wastage while simultaneously ensuring that nutritious meals reach those who face difficulties in accessing them. Through strategic coordination with food providers and recipient organizations, this initiative aims to streamline the collection, safe handling, and timely delivery of surplus food. It recognizes the logistical complexities involved in handling surplus food and emphasizes compliance with legal regulations, ensuring food safety and quality throughout the redistribution process. The project places a strong emphasis on collaboration and awareness building within the community. By encouraging engagement from food providers and recipient organizations, this initiative seeks to establish a sustainable network that facilitates the transfer of surplus food to those in need.

Simultaneous measurement of refractive index and temperature using a balloon-type optical fiber sensor

In the food industry, acetic acid is a compound often used as a preservative or additive, but it is also produced during the fermentation of various food products and constitutes a key marker of food safety and quality. Although accurate, sensitive, and selective, the traditional methods for determining acetic acid are also expensive and time-consuming. In this regard, optical fiber sensors have emerged as a possible alternative for the real-time monitoring of small molecules. In this work, we propose an optical fiber sensor for the simultaneous measurement of refractive index (RI) and temperature using a balloon-shaped structure with a single sensing element. The sensor, based on cladding modal interference, was characterized by its response to RI in the range from 1.320 to 1.352 RIU, using acetic acid solutions with concentrations between 0% and 50%(v/v), and by its response to temperature between 23 and 43 °C. A maximum sensitivity of 170.66 nm/RIU was obtained for RI, equivalent to 110.7 pm/%(v/v) in terms of concentration, and a maximum sensitivity of −119.2 pm/°C was obtained for temperature.

Flash heating process for efficient meat preservation

Maintaining food safety and quality is critical for public health and food security. Conventional food preservation methods, such as pasteurization and dehydration, often change the overall organoleptic quality of the food products. Herein, we demonstrate a method that affects only a thin surface layer of the food, using beef as a model. In this method, Joule heating is generated by applying high electric power to a carbon substrate in <1 s, which causes a transient increase of the substrate temperature to > ~2000 K. The beef surface in direct contact with the heating substrate is subjected to ultra-high temperature flash heating, leading to the formation of a microbe-inactivated, dehydrated layer of ~100 µm in thickness. Aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, yeast and mold on the treated samples are inactivated to a level below the detection limit and remained low during room temperature storage of 5 days. Meanwhile, the product quality, including visual appearance, texture, and nutrient level of the beef, remains mostly unchanged. In contrast, microorganisms grow rapidly on the untreated control samples, along with a rapid deterioration of the meat quality. This method might serve as a promising preservation technology for securing food safety and quality.

Optimizing Harvesting Efficiency: Development and Assessment of a Pneumatic Air Jet Excitation Nozzle for Delicate Biostructures in Food Processing

This study presents a new pneumatic air jet excitation nozzle, specifically designed for food processing applications. The device, which uses compressed air equipment and a precision solenoid valve, controls air discharge through a parametric air jet nozzle. Tests showed that the device could achieve shooting frequencies in the 40–45 Hz range, with operational pressures between 5 and 7 bar. A sensor system was used to measure the force generated by the device at different frequencies and pressures. Using the Design of Experiments (DOE) methodology, we identified optimal cavity designs for 5 and 6 bar pressures. These designs outperformed others in generating uniform force and maintaining consistent vibration voltage behavior. This highlights the efficacy of our approach in enhancing device performance under different conditions. The device’s practical application in food processing was demonstrated, particularly in delicate tasks such as the selective harvesting of sensitive crops like coffee fruits. The precise vibrations generated by the device could potentially enhance harvesting efficiency while significantly reducing mechanical damage to plants. The results position the device as a compelling proof of concept, offering an alternative method for exciting biostructures in food processing. This device opens up new possibilities in agricultural and biological fields, providing a non-intrusive and practical approach to manipulating and interacting with delicate, contactless structures, with a specific focus on improving food processing efficiency and quality.

Traceability of Fruits and Vegetables Agricultural Products using Blockchain

This study explores the implementation of traceability systems utilizing blockchain technology in the agricultural sector, specifically focusing on fruits and vegetable products. Traceability is crucial for ensuring food safety, quality control, and supply chain transparency. Blockchain offers a decentralized and immutable ledger that enables the recording of every transaction or movement of agricultural products from farm to fork. By leveraging blockchain, stakeholders along the supply chain can access real-time, transparent, and tamper-proof information regarding the origin, cultivation, harvesting, processing, and distribution of fruits and vegetables. This enhances trust between consumers and producers, facilitates regulatory compliance, improves efficiency in recall management, and enables swift identification and resolution of food safety issues. Through case studies and analysis, this report evaluates the benefits, challenges, and future prospects of integrating blockchain-based traceability solutions into the agricultural industry, ultimately aiming to enhance food safety and consumer confidence.

An Evaluation of People’s Acceptability of Rural Household Energy: A Study of Kaski District, Nepal

Rural energy infrastructure development is essential for promoting holistic and sustainable advancement in emerging nations. This effort seeks to address poverty, improve quality of life, protect the environment, and strengthen resilience against external disruptions. The involvement of governments, development organizations, the private sector, and local communities is essential to ensuring the widespread availability of modern energy services for rural people. The effective implementation of rural energy initiatives hinges on the pivotal issue of popular acceptance. We utilized Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques to determine the public's view of the suitability of various resources (Firewood, LPG, Kerosene, Electricity, and Biogas) for household cooking in local communities. This assessment was based on eight distinct criteria. The criteria have been derived from prior research and a preliminary survey conducted in the rural Kaski area of Nepal. Moreover, the fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) will be employed to determine individuals' preferences for various energy sources. Based on the input from customers and impartial experts, the study determined that the most sustainable sources of energy in the rural Kaski area of Nepal are electricity and biogas, notwithstanding their limited usage. According to the study, firewood is the optimal choice for cooking in rural areas attributable to its exceptional effectiveness concerning food preparation, availability, and friendliness. Although the LPG is widely acknowledged as a most dependable energy source, it is not favored by users due to concerns of safety, friendly, and cost. Rural users regard electric cooking as unreliable, with safety concerns and food quality testing, but people generally embrace it as a healthy and ecologically friendly option. The utilization of biogas is influenced by factors such as cost, reliability, and sensory perception of food.

Impact of Food Additives and Food Hybridization on Human Health W. R. T. Gara Visha

Food is an essential entity for all the living beings. Food habit is a key source of individual’s health. The quality of healthy life is dependent on the quality of food the person consumes. There are some protocols explained in Ayurveda for the processing and consumption of food through which one can achieve a healthy life and can increase the life expectancy. Since many years raw food is being processed with some or the other chemicals for its better Shelf-life, Taste, Appearance, Smell etc. for the purpose of mass distribution, attractiveness, large selling, Easy to cook, Easy to eat etc. And these all processing and generative methods fall under the term of Hybridization and Food additive criteria. In spite of being used with good purpose, a long term use of these products will give a bad impact on human health system. The health issues and deadly diseases which we are observing since last few decades could be probably due to these processing methods. The diseases like Cancer, Coronary diseases, Liver failure, Organ toxicity, all the metabolic and endocrinal disorders etc. are in a peak stage. And one among the reason could be the quality of food which is being used. These types of changes in life style will unknowingly lead to exposure of toxins in one or the other way. Which we can call it as a Gara visha (artificial/concealed poison). Gara visha is a type visha which is produced by combination of two or more non poisonous / poisonous substances. Through this poisoning symptoms/ disease may manifest in few weeks to months. Poisoning may generate through improper food habit, drugs , medications etc. Gara visha will produce symptoms such as Pandu(Anemia), Grahani(IBS), Hridrog(Heart diseases), Gulma(Tumors) etc.

Future of Food Exploring Edible Insects- An Alternative Approach: A Review

The burden of human population is influences availability and quality of food, therefore edible insect may be an alternative source for food. Almost all insects are rich in their nutritional content and have the potential to be served as food for animals and humans. It is provide important necessary nutrition required for the people, while its nutritional content may vary from species to species and genus to genus. Many numbers of insect are recognized as edible that belong to genus Ocalea, order Coleoptera. Apart from direct consumption, edible insects have a huge impact in the food processing industry. These insects are extremely rich in their nutritional value and can help to resolve the world’s hunger crisis and other global deficits. At present day, most of the edible insects are collected from the wild area, even though in-house and these insects provide sustainable product. Till date, there is total of 1,900 edible insects are reported from worldwide. This review is summarizing on the different types of edible insects availability, nutritional composition and production strategies.

A novel electrochemical sensor for the detection of metronidazole residues in food samples

The widespread use and misuse of antibiotics in pharmaceuticals and animal farming has resulted in their accumulation in food sources and the environment, posing significant threats to human health, the environment, and the global economy. In this study, we have developed a hypersensitive, and ultra-selective electrochemical sensor, the first of its kind, by integrating a thermally annealed gold-silver alloy nanoporous matrix (TA-Au-Ag-ANpM) with reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) and poly(glycine) at the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). This sensor aims to detect life-threatening metronidazole (MTZ) residues in food samples. TA-Au-Ag-ANpM/r-GO/poly(glycine)/GCE was thoroughly characterized using a range of analytical techniques, including UV–Vis, FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and EDX. Furthermore, its electrochemical properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The sensor exhibited outstanding performance, with a broad linear range of 2.0 pM–410 μM. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were determined to be 0.0312 pM and 0.104 pM, respectively. The TA-Au-Ag-ANpM/r-GO/poly(glycine)/GCE exhibited exceptional reproducibility, repeatability, stability, and resistance to interferences. Moreover, the sensor demonstrated outstanding performance in detecting MTZ residues in milk powder, pork, and chicken meat samples, achieving very good recoveries (96.9%–101.4%) with a relative standard deviation (RSD) below 5%. This performance highlights the potential for practical applications in food safety and quality monitoring. Therefore, the developed sensor contributes to the advancement of electrochemical sensing technology and its application in ensuring food safety and integrity by combating antibiotic residues.

Robust deep learning method for fruit decay detection and plant identification: enhancing food security and quality control

This paper presents a robust deep learning method for fruit decay detection and plant identification. By addressing the limitations of previous studies that primarily focused on model accuracy, our approach aims to provide a more comprehensive solution that considers the challenges of robustness and limited data scenarios. The proposed method achieves exceptional accuracy of 99.93%, surpassing established models. In addition to its exceptional accuracy, the proposed method highlights the significance of robustness and adaptability in limited data scenarios. The proposed model exhibits strong performance even under the challenging conditions, such as intense lighting variations and partial image obstructions. Extensive evaluations demonstrate its robust performance, generalization ability, and minimal misclassifications. The inclusion of Class Activation Maps enhances the model’s capability to identify distinguishing features between fresh and rotten fruits. This research has significant implications for fruit quality control, economic loss reduction, and applications in agriculture, transportation, and scientific research. The proposed method serves as a valuable resource for fruit and plant-related industries. It offers precise adaptation to specific data, customization of the network architecture, and effective training even with limited data. Overall, this research contributes to fruit quality control, economic loss reduction, and waste minimization.

A new method based on melatonin-mediated seed germination to quickly remove pesticide residues and improve the nutritional quality of contaminated grains.

In the present study, we attempted to use melatonin combined with germination treatment to remove pesticide residues from contaminated grains. High levels of pesticide residues were detected in soybean seeds after soaking with chlorothalonil (10 mM) and malathion (1 mM) for 2 hours. Treatment with 50 μM melatonin for 5 days completely removed the pesticide residues, while in the control group, only 61-71% of pesticide residues were removed from soybean sprouts. Compared with the control, melatonin treatment for 7 days further increased the content of ascorbic acid (by 48-66%), total phenolics (by 52-68%), isoflavones (by 22-34%), the total antioxidant capacity (by 37-40%), and the accumulated levels of unsaturated fatty acids (C18:1, C18:2, and C18:3) (by 17-30%) in soybean sprouts. Moreover, melatonin treatment further increased the accumulation of ten components of phenols and isoflavones in soybean sprouts relative to those in the control. The ability of melatonin to accelerate the degradation of pesticide residues and promote the accumulation of antioxidant metabolites might be related to its ability to trigger the glutathione detoxification system in soybean sprouts. Melatonin promoted glutathione synthesis (by 49-139%) and elevated the activities of glutathione-S-transferase (by 24-78%) and glutathione reductase (by 38-61%). In summary, we report a new method in which combined treatment by melatonin and germination rapidly degrades pesticide residues in contaminated grains and improves the nutritional quality of food.

Recent Advances of Food Hazard Detection Based on Artificial Nanochannel Sensors.

Food quality and safety are related to the health and safety of people, and food hazards are important influencing factors affecting food safety. It is strongly necessary to develop food safety rapid detection technology to ensure food safety. As a new detection technology, artificial nanochannel-based electrochemical and other methods have the advantages of being real-time, simple, and sensitive and are widely used in the detection of food hazards. In this paper, we review artificial nanochannel sensors as a new detection technology in food safety for different types of food hazards: biological hazards (bacteria, toxins, viruses) and chemical hazards (heavy metals, organic pollutants, food additives). At the same time, we critically discuss the advantages and disadvantages of artificial nanochannel sensor detection, as well as the restrictions and solutions of detection, and finally look forward to the challenges and development prospects of food safety detection technology based on the limitations of artificial nanochannel detection. We expect to provide a theoretical basis and inspiration for the development of rapid real-time detection technology for food hazards and the production of portable detection equipment in the future.

Food Sales Activities Associated to Family Survival Strategies During Covid-19 Lockdown in Brazzaville, Congo

The COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on people's living conditions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa in vulnerable and low-income families. The aim of this work is to analyze the socio-demographic profile of people who engaged in food sales activities during the COVID-19 lockdown in Brazzaville, as well as their coping and survival strategies. The study, which used a mixed (qualitative and quantitative) approach, included 716 people (241 men and 475 women) aged 18 to 72 years residing in four communes in the southern zone of Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. The main study inclusion criterion was the practice of selling food during COVID-19 lockdown. However, we did not include people whose profession had been selling these products prior to the health crisis. The qualitative data collected during the interviews concerned information on vendors, sales locations, coping strategies used to find the products sold, and sales prices. As for the qualitative data assessed using a food questionnaire, they were summarized in terms of the quality and quantity of food consumed, which made it possible to assess daily energy intake and therefore the level of food security. The results showed that the sellers, with an average age of 42.7, had a relatively low level of education and lived in a medium-sized family (8). Of these, 21.8% were food insecure. Foodstuffs sold were dominated by miscellaneous products (48.2%), street foods (26.7%), ready-made meals (22.3%), cassava flour (17.4%) and fruit and vegetables (7.5%). Salted fish, smoked fish and frozen (imported) meat products were also sold. As far as prepared dishes were concerned, grilled meats of various kinds were the most popular. Sales outlets included state markets, neighborhood markets, storefronts and street markets for auctions. The use of rickshaws and wheelbarrows by a few money-seeking youngsters enabled the products purchased to be transported from the places of purchase to the various markets or sales sites. In short, given the absence of an effective distribution and marketing policy in the food system in times of crisis in the Congo, our results call into question the resilience of vulnerable populations in the face of the country's sociosanitary crises.

Effects of Packaging Materials on Food Quality and Shelf Life in Australia

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of packaging materials on food quality and shelf life in Australia. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: In Australia, advanced packaging technologies such as modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and active packaging extend the shelf life of perishables by inhibiting microbial growth. Sustainable packaging options are gaining traction, balancing environmental concerns with maintaining food safety. Intelligent packaging with condition indicators enhances consumer decisions by providing food safety information. Strict Australian regulations ensure that packaging materials meet safety standards, supporting food quality preservation. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Diffusion theory, mass transfer theory &amp; shelf life prediction models may be used to anchor future studies on analyze the effects of packaging materials on food quality and shelf life in Australia. Practical recommendations should emphasize the adoption of innovative packaging technologies tailored to specific food products and storage conditions. Policymakers should prioritize initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration between industry stakeholders, research institutions, and regulatory bodies to address pressing challenges in food packaging.

Influence of Agricultural Practices on Food Safety in Nigeria

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of agricultural practices on food safety in Nigeria Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The influence of agricultural practices on food safety in Nigeria is significant, with traditional and modern methods impacting the safety and quality of food. The use of pesticides and fertilizers, often unregulated, can lead to residue accumulation in crops, posing health risks. Additionally, the prevalence of subsistence farming without proper sanitation measures can contribute to the contamination of food products. There is also concern about the spread of zoonotic diseases through livestock farming, exacerbated by inadequate veterinary services and poor handling practices. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social identity theory, stakeholder theory &amp; norm activation theory may be used to anchor future studies on analyze the influence of agricultural practices on food safety in Nigeria. Promote the adoption of good agricultural practices (GAPs) and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies among farmers to minimize food safety risks at the production level. Advocate for the development and enforcement of robust food safety regulations and standards that encompass the entire agricultural supply chain.

PSV-2 Digestible indispensable amino acid scores (DIAAS) in pork products

Abstract The “Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score” (DIAAS) method measures protein quality in human foods. However, values for DIAAS are not available for some pork products. Therefore, this study aimed to determine DIAAS values for nine pork products. Nine diets contained one pork product (i.e., back ribs, shoulder butt, tenderloin, Coppa ham, prosciutto ham, speck ham, chorizo, Italian sausage, and bratwurst) as the only source of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA). Nine ileal cannulated gilts with an initial average body weight of 50.3 ± 3.8 kg were used in a 9 × 6 incomplete Latin square with 9 diets and six 7-d periods. Ileal digesta were collected on d 6 and 7 of each period. There were, therefore, six replicate pigs per diet, but no pig was fed the same diet twice. A nitrogen-free diet was used to measure basal endogenous losses of CP and AA, and this diet was fed to all pigs in one separate 7-d period. The standardized ileal digestibility (SID) and DIAAS of each pork product were calculated. Reference ratios were used for children from 6 mo to 3 yr old and individuals older than 3 yr. Data were analyzed by ANOVA using the MIXED procedure of SAS with pig as the experimental unit. Diet was the fixed effect and replicate pig was the random effect. Results indicated that for both age groups, prosciutto ham had greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) DIAAS than all other pork products (Table 1), which may be because prosciutto is from the hind leg of the pig, which contains less connective tissue. Prosciutto was also not smoked, which may contribute to the greater DIAAS values for this protein because smoking may reduce DIAAS. For children from 6 mo to 3 yr old, tenderloin, Coppa ham, and Italian sausage had greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) DIAAS than chorizo and bratwurst sausages, back ribs, and shoulder butt. However, for individuals older than 3 yr, Coppa ham had greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) DIAAS than all other pork cuts and sausages. The observation that back ribs and shoulder butt had decreased DIAAS than tenderloin is likely because tender cuts with less connective tissues tend to have greater concentrations of indispensable AA with less non-nitrogen content. In addition, for both age groups, there was no limiting AA for all pork products, except that chorizo sausage was limiting in sulfur AA for children from 6 mo to 3 yr old. In conclusion, data from this experiment demonstrated that all pork products have “good” or “excellent” protein quality for individuals older than 6 mo of age, indicating that these food ingredients may be used to complement lower-quality proteins and provide a meal with all indispensable AA.