Unique Ingredients Research Articles

Destination Marketing Through a Signature Dish: The Case of Orlando’s Signature Dish

This case study examines how a destination can be marketed through a signature dish. In particular, this case study discusses how Visit Orlando selected its signature dish and how they use it to promote Orlando. Orlando’s signature dish “Orlando’s Honey Nougat Glace” created by Chef Catherine Delrieu of Mon Petit Cheri was decided to be a great way to display the fresh and unique ingredients found in the local area. This dish showcases local honey, which is a huge staple of Florida. Visit Orlando used this as an opportunity to encourage visitors to explore outside of the theme parks and taste the area’s delicious local cuisine. This study discusses why and how destination marketing organizations (DMOs) can utilize signature dishes to promote their destinations.

Neuroprotection of macamide in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease involves Nrf2 signaling pathway and gut microbiota

The underlying mechanisms of macamide’s neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) were investigated in the paper. Macamides are considered as unique ingredients in maca. Improvement effects and mechanisms of macamide on cognitive impairment have not been revealed. In this study, Vina 1.1.2 was used for docking to evaluate the binding abilities of 12 main macamides to acetylcholinesterase (AChE). N-benzyl-(9Z,12Z)-octadecadienamide (M 18:2) was selected to study the following experiments because it can stably bind to AChE with a strong binding energy. The animal experiments showed that M 18:2 prevented the scopolamine (SCP)-induced cognitive impairment and neurotransmitter disorders, increased the positive rates of Nrf2 and HO-1 in hippocampal CA1, improved the synaptic plasticity by maintaining synaptic morphology and increasing the synapse density. Moreover, the contents of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the hippocampus, serum, and colon were reduced by M 18:2. Furthermore, M 18:2 promoted colonic epithelial integrity and partially restored the composition of the gut microbiota to normal, including decreased genera Clostridiales_unclassified and Lachnospiraceae_unclassified, as well as increased genera Muribaculaceae_unclassified, Muribaculum, Alistipes, and Bacteroides, which may be the possible biomarkers of cognitive aging. In summary, M 18:2 exerted neuroprotective effects on SCP-induced AD mice possibly via activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and modulating the gut microbiota.

An ingredient co-occurrence network gives insight into e-liquid flavor complexity.

Part of the appeal of e-cigarettes lies in their available flavors. To achieve attractive flavors, e-liquids contain many different flavoring agents, which allow many flavoring combinations. To advance our knowledge of e-liquid flavors and compositions and to evaluate the effect of legislation, we determined whether there are ingredient combinations that are frequently used together. We used e-cigarette ingredient data from the European Common Entry Gate system (EU-CEG) as available on 31 December 2022. In e-liquids, we found 214 ingredient pairs with a co-occurrence odds ratio greater than 10. Together, these consisted of 62 unique ingredients. Network analysis revealed that ingredients were grouped together based on their flavor and/or chemical structure. We identified two densely connected regions (clusters) in the network. One consisted of six ingredients with sweet-vanilla-creamy flavors. The second cluster consisted of 13 ingredients. While some of these have fruity flavors, others, such as alkyl carboxylic acids and dimethyl sulfide, are known to have unpleasant flavors. Additional data and literature analyses indicated that alkyl carboxylic acids can contribute to a creamy and sweet-fruity taste, whereas dimethyl sulfide can contribute to a more refined fruity taste. These results exemplify that the flavor of e-liquids is not just the sum of its parts. Big data analyses on product data can be used to detect such patterns, but expert knowledge and additional data are needed for further interpretation. Monitoring of e-liquid flavors as well as ingredients will remain important to regulate e-liquid product attractiveness.

Association of health benefits and harms of Christmas dessert ingredients in recipes from The Great British Bake Off: umbrella review of umbrella reviews of meta-analyses of observational studies

ObjectiveTo determine the health benefits and harms of various ingredients in Christmas desserts from The Great British Bake Off.DesignUmbrella review of umbrella reviews of meta-analyses of observational studies.Data sourcesThe Great...

The Anti-inflammatory Mechanism of Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Abstract:Based on network pharmacology methods and molecular docking technology, the targets of action of tauroursooxycholic acid (TUDCA) were predicted using the Swiss Target Prediction database. In addition, the potential TUDCA anti-inflammatory targets were obtained via mapping with antiinflammatory targets in the Genecards database. Protein-protein interactions (PPI) and ingredient-targetpathway (ITP) networks were constructed using the STRING database and Cytoscape software. The GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of potential targets were carried out via the David database, and the combination of TUDCA with the key targets were verified via molecular docking. The network showed that 81 targets were involved in the positive regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II promoter, signal transduction, protein phosphorylation and another 259 biological processes. This highlighted the adjustment of 61 signaling pathways, such as cancer-related pathways, PI3K-Akt, and cAMP. Three key anti-inflammatory targets, MAPK3, SRC and EGFR, were screened using network analysis. The results from the molecular docking analysis showed that the TUDCA molecule had good binding activities with the three key targets. The study also found that TUDCA exhibited multi-target and multi-pathway characteristics, and preliminary explorations indicated anti-inflammatory mechanismsBackground:Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, have achieved good results in relation to treating inflammation, but these drugs are often accompanied by side effects. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) has achieved good inflammation treatment results, with its unique ingredients, natural, safe and effective characteristics, and has therefore become a widely used anti-inflammatory drug.Objective:To explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of TUDCA and lay a foundation for the further development of TUDCA anti-inflammatory drugsMethods:Based on network pharmacology methods and molecular docking technology, the targets of action of tauroursooxycholic acid (TUDCA) were predicted using the Swiss Target Prediction database. In addition, the potential TUDCA anti-inflammatory targets were obtained via mapping with antiinflammatory targets in the Genecards database. Protein-protein interactions (PPI) and ingredient-targetpathway (ITP) networks were constructed using the STRING database and Cytoscape software. The GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of potential targets was carried out via the David database, and the combination of TUDCA with the key targets was verified via molecular docking.Results:The network showed that 81 targets were involved in the positive regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II promoter, signal transduction, protein phosphorylation and another 259 biological processes. This highlighted the adjustment of 61 signaling pathways, such as cancer-related pathways, PI3K-Akt, and cAMP. Three key anti-inflammatory targets, MAPK3, SRC and EGFR, were screened using network analysis. The results from the molecular docking analysis showed that the TUDCA molecule had good binding activities with the three key targetsConclusion:The study also found that TUDCA exhibited multi-target and multi-pathway characteristics, and preliminary explorations indicated anti-inflammatory mechanisms

Development of a Functional Acceptable Diabetic and Plant-Based Snack Bar Using Mushroom (Coprinus comatus) Powder.

Consumers' growing concern about health and well-being has led to increased interest in functional foods. This research aims to evaluate the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of a functional plant-based (PB) snack bar enriched with Coprinus comatus powder. The snack bar formulations exhibited a wide range of flavor and textural characteristics. Two PB snack bars and four commercial bars were evaluated by a consumer panel of healthy volunteers (n = 20). The PB snack bar scored 'like extremely' on the 9-point hedonic scale. External preference mapping determined that sweetness, flavors, cohesiveness, gumminess, and adhesion had the greatest influence on consumer acceptability. Water content, ash, protein, fat, carbohydrate, reducing sugar, resistant starch, and dietary fiber were measured. Nutritional content was enhanced (omega 3, fiber and protein), and samples were shelf life stable (aw < 0.29; moisture content < 10%). In addition, the PB snack bar underwent simulated digestion according to the INFOGEST protocol, and from the comparative evaluation, the PB snack can be seen to control the post-prandial glycemic responses, as observed by the different degree of reducing sugars released via the matrix. The PB snack bar can be further functionally enhanced by the addition of their unique ingredients such as Coprinus comatus. Coprinus comatus powder is claimed to benefit glycemic control in diabetes and has attracted growing interest in terms of its potential use in natural products with possible health benefits.

Crosslinked Chitosan Films Supplemented with Randia sp. Fruit Extract.

This work proposes the development of a polymer film made up of affordable components for its use as a healthcare material. Chitosan, itaconic acid, and Randia capitata fruit extract (Mexican variation) are the unique ingredients of this biomaterial prospect. Chitosan (from crustacean chitin) is crosslinked with itaconic acid, and in situ added R. capitata fruit extract in a one-pot reaction carried out in water as the sole solvent. Structurally, the film formed is an ionically crosslinked composite characterized by IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis (DSC and TGA); cell viability was also performed in vitro using fibroblasts BALB/3T3. Dry and swollen films were analyzed to determine affinity and stability in water. This chitosan-based hydrogel is designed as a wound dressing due to the combined properties of the chitosan with R. capitata fruit extract, which has potential as bioactive material due to its properties in epithelial regeneration.

American college students’ understandings of the good life: a grounded theory

ABSTRACT ‘What is the good life?’ Few empirical studies explore how American college students answer this important question. In this grounded theory study, we analysed the responses of 276 American college students in two phases. In the first phase, we examined responses from 109 students at 10 different universities. In the second phase, we added interviews with an additional 167 students at one of the universities. Based on our coding, we found students’ visions of the good life were comprised of 24 unique ingredients; the most common being having a stable or passion-inspired career, being married, having children, continuing advanced learning, and being financially stable. We also discovered that eight distinct clusters of ingredients accounted for three-fourths of student responses. The clusters included American dreamers, happy strivers, comfort, and stability seekers, ECL (enjoy work, have comfort, limited family) students, family cultivators, singular career strivers, moral strivers, and God-followers.

(301) Evidenced-Based Analysis of the Top 50 Testosterone Booster Supplements on Amazon Marketplace

Abstract Introduction As the population ages, the prevalence of age-related hypogonadism is expected to rise. Demand for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has increased, as evidenced by revenue from T prescriptions in the world increasing from $150 million USD in 2000 to $1.8 billion in 2011. A market research analysis shows the market for T was 10.9 billion USD in 2019. The NHIS survey in 2012 revealed that consumers in the United States spend annually $30.2 billion on dietary supplements of which include T supplements. Dietary supplements have gained in popularity, as they are more accessible since the advent of online marketplaces and relaxed testing protocols for safety and effectiveness. Of the online marketplaces available to purchase supplements, Amazon Marketplace has the majority share of online sales at 41%, with the next largest retailer occupying only 6% of online sales. The aim of our study was to determine and evaluate the evidence behind the top 50 dietary T supplements (ranked in terms of sales) sold on Amazon Marketplace. Objective 1. Determine the product characteristics and claims made by the Top 50 T supplements sold on Amazon Marketplace. 2. Determine the cost to the consumer and customer satisfaction with these products. Methods The top 50 T supplements were determined by visiting the Amazon page, “Best Sellers in Sports Nutrition T Boosters,” which lists the top products based on sales and revenue. Active ingredients, number of active ingredients, 30-day costs, 5-star ratings, refunds, and claims of these products were documented. Ingredients present in a minimum of 50% of products were analyzed. Results A total of 50 supplements were analyzed. The three most common claims were “boosts/supports T” (46/50), “increases muscle mass” (46/50), and “increases energy” (45/50). The average number of claims a product made was 4. The average 30-day cost of a product was $25.95, with cost ranging from $6.66 to $84.99. The average customer satisfaction rating of these products was 4.23 (1-5), ranging from 3.4 to 4.7. Forty-seven out of 50 products did not offer a refund. A total of 129 unique ingredients were identified with 57% of the ingredients being unique to one product. Only Tongkat Ali root extract (Eurycoma Longifolia, EL) was used in a minimum of 50% of the supplements analyzed (59%) and thus further analyzed for efficacy and safety. Two randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials examined the efficacy of EL. One of the trials only showed improvement in total T levels when EL was used concurrently with exercise. The second trial, which examined 32 patients either receiving placebo or EL, showed an increase of T levels in the EL group. No clinical trial has examined the safety profile of EL in patients. Conclusions There is large heterogeneity in the composition of T supplements sold on Amazon Marketplace, and these products can present a significant 30-day cost to patients despite having no strong evidence regarding efficacy and more importantly safety. Further research and trials are needed to examine the most common ingredients needed in these supplements. Disclosure No

The potential therapeutic role of camel milk exosomes – A review

Abstract Exosomes (EXOs) are naturally occurring nano-sized vesicles released into the extracellular environment by exocytosis. EXOs contribute to intercellular communications by regulating DNA, mRNA, and protein levels. EXOs are considered good vehicles for delivering therapeutic agents in multiple diseases. Camel milk (CM) is a valuable food with a rich source of EXOs. Camel milk exosomes (CMEXOs) have unique ingredients compared to other animal milks. It is reported that CMEXOs reduce the growth of cancer cells by inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation. CMEXOs can block stress signaling pathways including inflammation and apoptosis which could be resulted in adverse effects if medication levels exceed the therapeutic range. Moreover, CMEXOs improve the antioxidant capability in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. On the other hand, the anti-angiogenesis property of CMEXOs has been reported via decrease in expression of the angiogenesis-related gene of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). It is predicted that exosomal lactoferrin (LF) and kappa casein (KC) mRNAs are crucial parts of CMEXOs mediating their anticancer effects. The immunomodulatory effect of CMEXOs may be attributed to their high contents of LF and KC. According to previous works, CMEXOs are promising alternatives in developing new therapeutic models for multipile diseases. This review aims to provide an overview of the isolation, characterization and biological activities of the exosomes derived from camel milk for addressing their possible use in therapeutics.

Standardization And Analytical Evaluation Of Siddha Herbal Formulation Aavarai Kirutham In The Treatment Of Madhumega Avathai Vii: Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Aavaarai kirutham is a Siddha herbal confection which literarily recommended for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (Mathumega Avathaigal) in the authentic Siddha textbook " Sigicha rathina deepam". There are no standards for this antidiabetic herbal preparation. Standardization of the individual ingredients helps to prepare a quality test drug which responsible for the desired pharmacological effect. So, the present study has been performed to standardize unique ingredients and the herbal formulation 'Aavaarai kirutham' as a preliminary study by using three groups of test drug samples. The parameters used to standardize the preparation are organoleptic characters, Biochemical analysis, Physicochemical properties,HPTLC fingerprint analysis, Heavy metal analysis by ASS, Test for specific pathogens, Sterility test by pour plate method, Aflotoxin analysis, Pesticide residue analysis,and Thin layer chromatography. The organoleptic characteristics such as color, taste, odor, smell, and consistency of the ingredients and the test drug were evaluated. Physico-chemical parameters were determined as per WHO guidelines and reported as total ash, insoluble acid ash, water soluble extractive, ethanol soluble extractive, total sugar, reducing sugar content, fat content, and loss on drying. Thin layer chromatography developed for different solvent systems and detection of TLC fingerprint profiles were carried out under UV light at the wavelength of 366nm and also viewed after spraying with anisaldehyde sulfuric acid spray reagent. Colors and Rf Values of major spots were noted.

The Differences of sensory quality in kimchi from Korea and Indonesia: A Systematic Review

Kimchi is a traditional Korean fermented food made from mixed vegetables and unique ingredients. Kimchi is a functional food with a probiotic effect that gives consumers health benefits, especially on the intestines. This literature review aimed to determine the differences in sensory quality of kimchi products in South Korea and Indonesia. We performed a systematic literature review using search engines: Google Scholar, NCBI, Science Direct, Neliti, and Research Gate to search for articles. The number of articles we found for this systematic review is 21 articles. In conclusion, the sensory of Kimchi between Indonesia and Korea can be affected by five factors: (1) metabolic production of lactic acid bacteria, (2) food starter, including type of vegetables and other seafood, (3) salt and salting process, (4) spices, including capsaicinoids, gojugaru, and (5) Fermentation time. The taste of Kimchi from Indonesia is less spicy and less acidic compared to Korean Kimchi. Kimchi from Korea is spicier because Korean Kimchi contains gochugaru that can affect the spiciness. Kimchi in Korea is sourer and has a softer texture because Korea has a longer fermentation time than Indonesia. The Kimchi produced in Indonesia is less acidic because the Indonesian salt concentration is higher, which affect the acidity of Kimchi and the texture is harder than Korean Kimchi.

Efficacy and safety of innovative acne scar serum in Indian patients (ESTEEM India study).

Scarring is a common and undesirable outcome of acne vulgaris. There are limited effective topical formulations for acne scar treatment. The investigational product, acne scar serum (HEXILAK® Acne Scar Serum) is latest topical formulation developed for treatment of acne scar with unique ingredients, Kollaren and Exo-T. Evaluate safety and efficacy of latest acne scar serum on the reduction of acne scars in Indian population. Subjects, diagnosed clinically with acne scars with or without hyperpigmentation, of either gender in the age group of 15 to 45 years were enrolled in the study. The investigational acne scar serum was applied twice daily for 3months with monthly follow for outcome evaluation. Out of 72 subjects enrolled, 67 completed the study. Most of the subjects, 79.1% showed improvement in acne scar at Day 90. Significant reduction of mean total post-acne hyperpigmentation index (PAHI) was seen at all follow up visits compared with baseline. Significant improvement in mean acne scar depth, mean acne scar volume, and mean L value using 3D imaging were observed at all visits compared with baseline. All side effects reported were mild and overall, it was well tolerated by all subjects. We found that there was a significant reduction in acne scar and post-acne pigmentation with new acne scar serum as a monotherapy, this needs further confirmation in larger randomized controlled studies. Therefore, topical acne scar serum with unique ingredients Kollaren and Exo-T can be a safe, effective, and new option in the armamentarium of acne scar management.

Patient characteristics and antiseizure medication pathways in newly diagnosed epilepsy: Feasibility and pilot results using the common data model in a single-center electronic medical record database

IntroductionEfforts to characterize variability in epilepsy treatment pathways are limited by the large number of possible antiseizure medication (ASM) regimens and sequences, heterogeneity of patients, and challenges of measuring confounding variables and outcomes across institutions. The Observational Health Data Science and Informatics (OHDSI) collaborative is an international data network representing over 1 billion patient records using common data standards. However, few studies have applied OHDSI's Common Data Model (CDM) to the population with epilepsy and none have validated relevant concepts. The goals of this study were to demonstrate the feasibility of characterizing adult patients with epilepsy and ASM treatment pathways using the CDM in an electronic health record (EHR)-derived database. MethodsWe validated a phenotype algorithm for epilepsy in adults using the CDM in an EHR-derived database (2001–2020) against source records and a prospectively maintained database of patients with confirmed epilepsy. We obtained the frequency of all antecedent conditions and procedures for patients meeting the epilepsy phenotype criteria and characterized ASM exposure sequences over time and by age and sex. ResultsThe phenotype algorithm identified epilepsy with 73.0–85.0% positive predictive value and 86.3% sensitivity. Many patients had neurologic conditions and diagnoses antecedent to meeting epilepsy criteria. Levetiracetam incrementally replaced phenytoin as the most common first-line agent, but significant heterogeneity remained, particularly in second-line and subsequent agents. Drug sequences included up to 8 unique ingredients and a total of 1,235 unique pathways were observed. ConclusionsDespite the availability of additional ASMs in the last 2 decades and accumulated guidelines and evidence, ASM use varies significantly in practice, particularly for second-line and subsequent agents. Multi-center OHDSI studies have the potential to better characterize the full extent of variability and support observational comparative effectiveness research, but additional work is needed to validate covariates and outcomes.

Acne Supplements Sold Online.

IntroductionAs no centralized database of acne supplements is available, we aimed to provide an overview of these products, with a focus on safety.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to document the number, formulation, contents, and marketing strategies utilized by acne supplements sold online.MethodsAn online search was conducted between March and May 2020. Products were included in the study if they used the terms: “whitehead”, “blackhead”, or “acne”. Data were extracted from the website, box, and Supplement Facts label.Results49 products were identified, which contained 146 unique ingredients. These included vitamins, minerals, food extracts, botanical extracts, amino acids, animal products, and distinct microbial strains. Few (4.1%) products were tested by third parties.ConclusionsThis survey of acne supplements available online raised concerns regarding lack of warning labels, teratogenicity, exceedingly large levels of vitamins and minerals, and lack of third-party testing. Given the limited regulation and oversight of dietary supplements, it is imperative that physicians educate patients on the potential risks of these products.

A Mini Review of Healthy Bars – Purchasing Motives and Challenges: Towards Halalan Toyyiban Approach

Nowadays, the consumption of healthy bars has increased worldwide due to the nutritional values and versatility of the products. The latest study explains these different healthy bars, their typical ingredients, and consumers’ growing awareness on food safety and quality simultaneously demanding halal-certified products. This review article compares different healthy bars that influence consumers’ purchasing motives and elaborates on the obstacles producers encounter while producing these healthy bars using halal and toyyib. The review was carried out by going through information from 98 publications related to four types of nutritious bars: (i) cereal-based bars, (ii) energy bars, (iii) fruit-based bars and (iv) vegetable-based bars. Meanwhile, the packaging attribute is the most crucial component influencing consumers’ purchasing decisions. Manufacturers discovered the most challenging tasks are keeping up with the demand for unique ingredients in healthy bars and not forgetting consumers’ demand for halalan toyyiban food products.

Triterpenoids Biosynthesis Regulation for Leaf Coloring of Wheel Wingnut (Cyclocaryapaliurus)

Cyclocaryapaliurus leaves are rich in triterpenoids with positive results in the treatment of diabetes, antioxidation, and scavenging free radicals. C. paliurus red leaves have been found to contain higher flavonoids including anthocyanin, however, the triterpenoids accumulation pattern is still unclear. For the purpose of researching the triterpenoid accumulating mechanism during red new leaf development, transcriptome and metabolome analysis was conducted during C. paliurus the red leaf development process. The results uncovered that most triterpenoid ingredients were found to accumulate during leaves turning green, while the unique ingredients content including cyclocaric acid A, cyclocarioside I, cyclocarioside Ⅱand cyclocarioside Ⅲ decreased or remained unchanged. Functional structure genes (hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA synthase, hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, and farnesyl-diphosphate synthase) were identified for promoting triterpenoids accumulation mainly in the mevalonic acid pathway (MVA). Moreover, glycosyltransferase (UGT73C, UGT85A, and UGT85K) was also found attributed to triterpenoids accumulation. These findings provide information for a better understanding of the triterpenoid biosynthesis mechanism during leaf development and will be useful for targeted breeding.

Deconstructing the Supermarket: Systematic Ingredient Disaggregation and the Association between Ingredient Usage and Product Health Indicators for 24,229 Australian Foods and Beverages.

Unhealthy diets are underpinned by the over-consumption of packaged products. Data describing the ingredient composition of these products is limited. We sought to define the ingredients used in Australian packaged foods and beverages and assess associations between the number of ingredients and existing health indicators. Statements of ingredients were disaggregated, creating separate fields for each ingredient and sub-ingredient. Ingredients were categorised and the average number of ingredients per product was calculated. Associations between number of ingredients and both the nutrient-based Health Star Rating (HSR) and the NOVA level-of-processing classification were assessed. A total of 24,229 products, listing 233,113 ingredients, were included. Products had between 1 and 62 ingredients (median (Interquartile range (IQR)): 8 (3–14)). We identified 915 unique ingredients, which we organised into 17 major and 138 minor categories. ‘Additives’ were contained in the largest proportion of products (64.6%, (15,652/24,229)). The median number of ingredients per product was significantly lower in products with the optimum 5-star HSR (when compared to all other HSR score groups, p-value < 0.001) and significantly higher in products classified as ultra-processed (when compared to all other NOVA classification groups, p-value < 0.001). There is a strong relationship between the number of ingredients in a product and indicators of nutritional quality and level of processing.

An integrated strategy for the establishment of a protoberberine alkaloid profile: Exploration of the differences in composition between Tinosporae radix and Fibraurea caulis.

Accurate species and content identification of major active components in herbals are the guarantee of the safety and effectiveness for medical and commodity purposes. In this study, an integrated strategy used to establish the protoberberine alkaloid profile was applied to explore the differences in composition between the pieces of Tinosporae radix and Fibraurea caulis, both of which had morphological similarities. First, an in-house library including possible protoberberine alkaloids based on different substituents was predicted by systematic literature survey. Meanwhile, diagnostic fragments of protoberberine alkaloids were investigated using the corresponding standards. Second, ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) was used to obtain multidimensional mass spectral data. Then, the identifications were confirmed by targeted filter of the acquired data based on the library. As a result, 10 protoberberine alkaloid molecules including 46 isomers were identified or characterised. The qualitative distribution and relative content of protoberberine alkaloids revealed the fundamental difference between Tinosporae radix and Fibraurea caulis. 25 alkaloids were present in both herbals, while five compounds were detected only in Tinosporae radix. Furthermore, the contents of four alkaloids in Tinosporae radix were significantly higher than those in its adulterant, Fibraurea caulis. The five unique ingredients in Tinosporae radix can be used as a better indicator for distinguishing the pieces of Tinosporae radix and Fibraurea caulis. The protoberberine alkaloid profile established in this study can be applied to quality evaluation of the two herbals or other herbals containing major protoberberine alkaloids.

Interactions and Acceptability of Nutritics Digital Nutrition and Allergen Information at a European Nutrition Conference

Abstract Objectives To calculate and display digital nutrition and allergen information for composite recipes served at a European nutrition conference. To analyze interactions and assess acceptability of digital menus. To connect stakeholders using technology to showcase the potential of digital food information. Methods In advance of the 4-day conference, food information was collected for 4 eating occasions on the 1st day, 3 on the 2nd &amp; 3rd days and 1 on the 4th day. Nutrition information, serving sizes, ingredient list and allergens were calculated using Nutritics. Visual menus were displayed on screens. QR code web links enabled access to the menu on smartphones and personal devices. Menu information was further accessible via a digital diet assessment app called ‘Libro’. Interactions with the menus were recorded and analyzed using SPSS (ver.24). An on-site survey was conducted to assess the acceptability of the menus by delegates. Results 223 unique ingredients were used to create 101 recipes, 55 sub-recipes and 46 final menu items. 1654 people from 78 countries attended the conference. 13 delegates downloaded Libro. 1464 menu interactions were recorded across four days. There was a significant positive correlation between the number of interactions per day and the number of eating occasions (breaks) per day r = 0.971, P = 0.029. The rate of interactions per minute was significantly greater during breaks (1.36 per min) compared with outside breaks (0.37 per min) t = 5.764, P = 0.001. The most viewed item was the ‘Arancini with parmesan ragu’ canapé with 67 views. This item contained 55 Calories per 30 g serving. Of delegates surveyed (n = 61), 92% found the information as expected or better than expected and 80% said they would use this information elsewhere. Conclusions There was a higher rate of menu interaction during breaks compared with outside of breaks, suggesting peaked interest while food is being served. Delegates’ perception of digital menus was extremely positive considering this is a novel way to present food information. Further research is required to determine if interaction will increase with additional exposure. However, our findings suggest this is an acceptable way to present food information when eating out of the home. Funding Sources Nutritics, Dublin, Ireland.