Search

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) techniques have garnered significant attention as green and sustainable methods for obtaining biologically active substances from a diverse array of plant byproducts. This paper comprehensively reviews the use of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) in obtaining bioactive compounds from various plant residues, including pomace, seeds, skins, and other agricultural byproducts. The main purpose of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is the selective isolation and recovery of compounds, such as polyphenols, essential oils, vitamins, and antioxidants, that have significant health-promoting properties. Using supercritical carbon dioxide as the solvent, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) not only eliminates the need for hazardous organic solvents, e.g., ethanol, and methanol, but also protects heat-sensitive bioactive compounds. Moreover, this green extraction technique contributes to waste valorisation by converting plant byproducts into value-added extracts with potential applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. This review highlights the advantages of SFE, including its efficiency, eco-friendliness, and production of residue-free extracts, while discussing potential challenges and future prospects for the utilisation of SFE in obtaining biologically active substances from plant byproducts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotion can reflect in the perception of food consumption. An increase in food intake during emotional and psychological conditions may have a negative impact on human health. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the associations between food consumption, emotional eating behavior, and emotional conditions such as stress, depression, loneliness, boredom eating, maintaining vigilance and alertness, and emotional food consolation. We used a Motivations for Food Choices Questionnaire (Eating Motivations, EATMOT) to determine the emotional aspects of food consumption in 9052 respondents living in 12 European countries between October 2017 and March 2018. Ordinal linear regression was used to identify the associations between the emotional eating behavior and emotional conditions such as stress, depression, loneliness, emotional consolation, and reasons to improve physical and psychological conditions. The regression models confirmed the associations between food consumption, emotional conditions, and emotional eating behavior. Associations were found between the emotional eating behavior and stress (odds ratio (OR) = 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07–1.60, p = 0.010), depressive mood (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.40–1.43, p < 0.001), loneliness (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.58–1.62, p < 0.001), boredom (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.36–1.39, p < 0.001), and emotional consolation (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.54–1.57, p < 0.001). Emotional eating was associated with an effort to improve physical and psychological conditions, such as controlling body weight (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.10–1.12, p < 0.001), keeping awake and alert (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.19–1.20, p < 0.001) and consumption to feel good (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.21–1.22, p < 0.001). In conclusion, emotions might provoke emotional eating behavior. The appropriate way to handle stress, depression, or other emotional states is important in conditions of being emotionally overwhelmed. The public should be educated on how to handle different emotional states. The focus should be moved somehow from emotional eating and the consumption of unhealthy food to healthy lifestyle practices, including regular exercise and healthy eating habits. Thus, it is necessary to halt these negative health effects on human health through public health programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antioxidant, organoleptic, and physicochemical changes in different marinated oven-grilled chicken breast meat were investigated. Specifically, the chicken breast meat samples were procured from a local retailer in Wroclaw, Poland. The antioxidant aspects involved 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 1,1-diphenyl-2-pierylhydrazy (DPPH), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The organoleptic aspects involved sensory and texture aspects. The physicochemical aspects involved the pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), cooking weight loss, L* a* b* color, and textural cutting force. Different marination variants comprised incremental 0.5, 1, and 1.5% concentrations of Baikal skullcap (BS), cranberry pomace (CP), and grape pomace (GP) that depicted antioxidants, and subsequently incorporated either African spice (AS) or an industrial marinade/pickle (IM). The oven grill facility was set at a temperature of 180 °C and a constant cooking time of 5 min. Results showed various antioxidant, organoleptic and physicochemical range values across the different marinated oven-grilled chicken breast meat samples, most of which appeared somewhat limited. Incorporating either AS or IM seemingly widens the ABTS and FRAP ranges, with much less for the DPPH. Moreover, with increasing CP, GP, and BS concentrations, fluctuations seemingly persist in pH, TBARS, cooking weight loss, L* a* b* color, and textural cutting force values even when either AS or IM was incorporated, despite resemblances in some organoleptic sensory and texture profiles. Overall, the oven-grilling approach promises to moderate the antioxidant, organoleptic, and physicochemical value ranges in the different marinated chicken breast meat samples in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of modifications of pig-feeding by additions of rapeseed oil and the humus-containing mineral additive Humokarbowit® on selected quality parameters of cured ham. Pig hybrids (Polish Landrace × Large White Breed) × Piétrain) were used in the feeding experiments. Humokarbowit® was added up to 4%. Rapeseed oil was added at the dosage of 10 g·kg−1 of complete diet. The physicochemical, technological and sensory qualities of prepared hams were evaluated. Supplementation of pig diet with rapeseed oil and humus-containing mineral additive did not change the technical parameters of the final product, namely, the yield of the production process and weight losses. Cured hams manufactured meat from pigs fed the supplemented diet were brighter and less yellow than cured hams of pigs fed a normal diet. The applied feed modification contributed also to better storage stability of the meat product color. The control and experimental products did not show significant differences in sensory value. Supplementation of pig diets with rapeseed oil and Humokarbowit® increased content of polyenoic—especially n-3-free—fatty acids, comparing to control group, as well as ratio between n-6 and n-3 FFA. Used additives were effective as feed component in prevention of changes in the fatty acids content of cured hams during storage. In summary, the addition of rapeseed oil and humus-containing preparation to pig diets had a positive effect on raw meat quality and may have a beneficial effects on human health by increased polyenoic fatty acids content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of selenium yeast and phytobiotic on the storage capacity, selected quality parameters of meat and content of selenium in muscles obtained from broilers. In the experiment, 1440 male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to four research groups: group received no additive (G1), group received a supplement of 0.3 mg Se (as sodium selenite)/kg of feed mixture (G2), group received 0.2 g phytobiotic and 0.3 mg Se as 0.1 g selenium yeast per 1 kg of feed mixture (G3) and group received 0.3 mg Se as 0.1 g selenium yeast per 1 kg of feed mixture (G4). Measurement of pH, determination of water retention capacity, degree of advancement of oxidative changes and selenium content in muscles were performed. Samples of chickens' breast and thigh muscles were microbiologically analyzed. The additives significantly influenced the level of oxidation in muscles and the incorporation of selenium. The meat of chickens receiving organic selenium was characterized by significantly lower dynamics of oxidative changes. The studies carried out showed that selenium in organic form had better absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The general objective of this study was to investigate the effect of hybrid barley and wheat in the diet of fattening pigs on the oxidative stability of pork related to the chemical composition, especially the fatty acid profile. The feeds used included 80% hybrid barley in group I, a mixture of 40% wheat and hybrid barley in group II, and 80% wheat in group III. The feeding trial lasted 78 days. Meat samples were taken from twelve carcasses, randomly selected, chosen from each experimental group. The meat analyses covered the physicochemical and sensory traits. The results showed a decrease in the palmitic acid concentration and an increase in the oleic acid concentration in the meat of fattening pigs fed a diet of 80% hybrid barley. The meat of these pigs was characterised by the best marbling, which was closely related to its juiciness after thermal processing and its final culinary quality. Moreover, meat samples from the hybrid barley fed pigs exhibited a reddish colour, before and after thermal processing. In summary, the addition of hybrid barley into the diets of pigs improved the quality of the culinary meat. Feed determines the quality of pork meat, in which the composition of the fatty acid (FA) profile is one of the easiest to modify by the application of selected feed components. Barley grains are considered to have an impact on meat quality, including pork; however, there are still limited data on the use of hybrid barley in fattening pigs' nutrition in relation to meat quality. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between meat quality, i.e., its oxidative stability, especially the FA profile, and fattening pigs' diets with hybrid barley and/or wheat. In group I, hybrid barley (HB) composed 80% of the feed; in group II, a mixture of (40% each) wheat and barley was used; and in group III, wheat (W) composed 80% of the feed. Meat samples were taken from twelve randomly selected carcasses chosen from each group. The meat analyses covered the physicochemical and sensory traits. The results showed that the pork meat of fattening pigs fed fodder with 80% HB had decreased palmitic acid concentrations and increased oleic acid concentrations. The meat of these pigs was characterised by the best marbling, which was closely related to its juiciness after thermal processing and determined its final culinary quality. Moreover, the meat from these pigs exhibited a reddish colour, before and after thermal processing. In summary, the application of hybrid barley into pig nutrition improved the quality of the culinary meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in the slaughter of pregnant cows (SPCs) for meat (except as may be approved by veterinarians on health grounds to salvage the animal) is unethical. SPCs for meat is also counterproductive, detrimental to food security, and may enhance zoonotic disease transmission. In this context, therefore, this current study examined slaughter conditions and the slaughtering of pregnant cows, and the implications for meat quality, food safety, and food security in Southeast Nigeria. The direct observational method was employed to examine the slaughterhouse activities, from when the cattle arrived at the lairage to the post-slaughter stage. A pre-tested and validated closed-ended-questionnaire was used to elicit information on causes of the SPCs and the method of disposal of eviscerated foetuses. Pregnancy status of cows slaughtered was determined by palpation followed by visual examination of the eviscerated and longitudinal incised uteri. The study lasted for six months during which 851 cows out of 1931 slaughtered cattle were surveyed. Assessment/decision-making protocol of slaughterhouse conditions, welfare conditions of slaughter-cattle, reasons for sale or slaughter of pregnant cows, distribution of pregnant cows slaughtered, method of disposal of eviscerated foetuses, and estimated economic losses of SPCs were delineated. Of the 851 cows examined, 17.4% (148/851) were pregnant while 43.2% (64/148) of the total foetuses recovered were in their third trimester. Major reasons adduced for SPCs by proportion of involved respondents were: ignorance of the animals' pregnancy status (69.7%, 83/119), high demand for beef (61.3%, 73/119), preference for large-sized cattle (47.9%, 57/119), economic hardship (52.1%, 62/119) and diseases conditions (42.9%. 51/119). The conduct of SPCs for meat would not be profitable. This is because within six months, an estimated loss of about 44,000 kg of beef, equivalent to ₦ 70.1 million or $186,400 would be associated with SPCs and the consequential foetal wastages. If losses were to be replicated nationwide across slaughterhouses, 4.3 tons of beef estimated at ₦ 8.6 billion or $23 million would be wasted. Improving slaughter conditions and the welfare of slaughter-cattle in Nigerian slaughterhouses through advocacy, training of slaughterhouse workers, and strict implementation of laws promoting humane slaughter practices is imperative. Preventing SPCs for meat and inhumane slaughter practices at the slaughterhouse would enhance the welfare needs of slaughter cattle, grow the national herd size, and improve meat safety as well as food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins are produced by fungi and are known to be toxic to humans and animals. Common mycotoxins include aflatoxins, ochratoxins, zearalenone, patulin, sterigmatocystin, citrinin, ergot alkaloids, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, trichothecenes, Alternaria toxins, tremorgenic mycotoxins, fusarins, 3-nitropropionic acid, cyclochlorotine, sporidesmin, etc. These mycotoxins can pose several health risks to both animals and humans, including death. As several mycotoxins simultaneously occur in nature, especially in foods and feeds, the detoxification and/or total removal of mycotoxins remains challenging. Moreover, given that the volume of scientific literature regarding mycotoxins is steadily on the rise, there is need for continuous synthesis of the body of knowledge. To supplement existing information, knowledge of mycotoxins affecting animals, foods, humans, and plants, with more focus on types, toxicity, and prevention measures, including strategies employed in detoxification and removal, were revisited in this work. Our synthesis revealed that mycotoxin decontamination, control, and detoxification strategies cut across pre-and post-harvest preventive measures. In particular, pre-harvest measures can include good agricultural practices, fertilization/irrigation, crop rotation, using resistant varieties of crops, avoiding insect damage, early harvesting, maintaining adequate humidity, and removing debris from the preceding harvests. On the other hand, post-harvest measures can include processing, chemical, biological, and physical measures. Additionally, chemical-based methods and other emerging strategies for mycotoxin detoxification can involve the usage of chitosan, ozone, nanoparticles, and plant extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) guides the inspection and production of beef meat and prescribes the good practices pertinent to beef products' handling, processing, and packaging. Specifically, good hygiene practice (GHP) assures beef product safety and consumer protection, whereas good storage practice (GSP) assures the continuity of hygiene activities within the storage stages. Relevant literature about butchers' knowledge and perception of good hygiene and storage practices within Nigeria slaughterhouses remains scant. This current study, therefore, assessed butchers' knowledge and perception of good hygiene and storage practices through a cattle slaughterhouse case analysis. The selected cattle slaughterhouse serves the increasingly thriving Nsukka beef market in Enugu State, Nigeria. Content validation was utilised to authenticate the questionnaire items, which were administered face-to-face to the respondents (i.e., the butchers). The questionnaire included a total of 30 questions. The results showed that the butchers were male (Freq. = 100%, n = 50), acquired their knowledge informally (Freq. = 88%, n = 44), were largely with more than 5 years of slaughterhouse experience (Freq. = 82%, n = 41), and were strongly (p < 0.0001) familiar with good hygiene (Freq. = 96%, n = 48) and storage (Freq. = 98%, n = 49) practices. The butchers provided examples that demonstrated knowledge and perception aspects of GHP and GSP. The perception aspects of GHP and GSP were correlated more, compared to knowledge and knowledge versus perception. Very conscious of their knowledge and perception of good hygiene and storage practices, the butchers herein have to strive for continuous improvement in their slaughterhouse activities to assure beef quality and consumer safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The common practice of supplementing broiler feeds with oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids to improve the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in chicken muscles results in a reduced oxidative stability of the meat and accelerated intensity of lipid peroxidation during storage. This study evaluated the effects of commercial rosemary (RO) and blackcurrant (BC) extracts rich in polyphenolic antioxidants added to broiler diets on the oxidative stability of meat and chicken production parameters. In this study, 120 one-day-old male Hubbard Flex broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 5 experimental groups, and for 35 days, were fed control starter and grower diets or the same basal diets containing two concentrations (2.5 and 5 g/kg) of the RO or BC extracts. The inclusion of RO and BC in the birds' diet had no significant effect on broiler weight gain, feed conversion ratio, or carcass characteristics. The enrichment of chicken diet with RO and BC did not affect the oxidative stability of chicken breast muscles, but reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) formation in frozen thigh muscles. The effects of dietary supplementation with extracts of rosemary (RO) and blackcurrant (BC) on the performance indices and the oxidative stability of broiler meat were investigated during a 35-d experiment. For the experiment, 120 one-day-old male Hubbard Flex broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 5 experimental groups (control group and 4 treatments, each in 6 replications, 24 birds per group, 4 birds per replicate) and fed control starter and grower diets or basal diets containing two concentrations (2.5 and 5 g/kg) of the RO and BC extracts. Basic performance traits (body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion) were recorded during the trial. At the end of the experiment, pectoral and thigh muscles were collected. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assays using the muscles samples were performed after 1 and 5 d of chilling (4 °C) and after 90 d of frozen storage (−18 °C). The inclusion of RO and BC in the birds' diet had no significant effects on weight gain and feed conversion ratio of chickens, or on carcass characteristics, compared with control group. Enrichment of chicken diet with RO and BC did not affect the oxidative stability of chicken breast muscles, but the tested extracts significantly reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) formation in frozen thigh muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous reactive oxygen species (ROS) entities exist, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is very key among them as it is well known to possess a stable but poor reactivity capable of generating free radicals. Considered among reactive atoms, molecules, and compounds with electron-rich sites, free radicals emerging from metabolic reactions during cellular respirations can induce oxidative stress and cause cellular structure damage, resulting in diverse life-threatening diseases when produced in excess. Therefore, an antioxidant is needed to curb the overproduction of free radicals especially in biological systems (in vivo and in vitro). Despite the inherent properties limiting its bioactivities, polysaccharides from natural sources increasingly gain research attention given their position as a functional ingredient. Improving the functionality and bioactivity of polysaccharides have been established through degradation of their molecular integrity. In this critical synopsis; we articulate the effects of H2O2 on the degradation of polysaccharides from natural sources. Specifically, the synopsis focused on free radical formation/production, polysaccharide degradation processes with H2O2, the effects of polysaccharide degradation on the structural characteristics; physicochemical properties; and bioactivities; in addition to the antioxidant capability. The degradation mechanisms involving polysaccharide's antioxidative property; with some examples and their respective sources are briefly summarised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this current work, the functional and quality characteristics of ginger, pineapple, and turmeric juice mix as influenced by blend variations were investigated. Specifically, the blends had constant ginger amounts, decreased pineapple, and increased turmeric proportionally. Additionally, the functional properties involved physicochemical (pH, soluble solids (SS), total titratable acidity (TA) and viscosity), proximate (moisture, protein, fat and ash), minerals (Ca, and Mg) and vitamin C and β-carotene analyses, whereas quality properties involved microbiological and sensory analyses. The results showed that as quantities of pineapple and turmeric respectively decreased and increased, there was significant increases in Ca, Mg, vitamin C, and β-carotene contents (p < 0.05). Across the blends, the degree of significant differences (p < 0.05) in the protein, fat, and ash seemed more compared to those of moisture contents. Despite the increases in pH and viscosity, and decreases in SS and TA, the increases in turmeric potentially reinforced by ginger most likely decreased the bacterial/fungi counts, as well as inhibition zones. Increasing and decreasing the respective amounts of turmeric and pineapple might not necessarily make the blends more acceptable, given the decreases in appearance, taste, aroma, and mouthfeel scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work intended to explore some motivations that influence people's eating habits towards sustainability. This was an observational, cross-sectional study, carried out by questionnaire survey on a non-probabilistic sample of 10,067 participants from 13 countries (Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Romania and United States). Results indicated that people prefer fresh local foods from the season, being important because it allows transportation and storage to be reduced, which in many cases implies refrigeration systems and consequent energy expenditure. Although people avoid food waste at home, the awareness for the waste at restaurants still needs to be improved. Consumers seem to prefer foods that have been produced and packed in sustainable ways but still give importance to the package—understandable for food products. The results also indicated significant differences in the food choice motivations between groups for all sociodemographic variables tested (age, sex, marital status, education, professional area, living environment and country), but the association was high only for variable country. Additionally, a tree classification analysis allowed to identify the relative importance of the influential variables on the sustainable food choices, with country being the most important, followed by age and sex. Additionally, discriminant function analysis allowed establishing a model for the relation between country and six variables accounting for preservation of biodiversity, respect for life, save natural resources, save energy, reduce industrial pollution and minimal packaging. Although with some limitations, this study brings valuable insight into some aspects linked with sustainable food choices on a number of countries and how people shape their food choices according to some sustainability issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cubing machines in food processing have evolved over the years, which have made products like Star®, Knorr®, and Chicken® bouillon cubes become commercially available today, even in many parts of Africa. On the other hand, the fermented mesquite seed "okpeye" food condiment, traditionally produced by well-trained artisans and widely utilised in Nigeria, requires further product development in order to compete with bouillon cubes. Quality comparisons between the cubed "okpeye" condiment and commercially available bouillon cube products have not yet been reported. Therefore, cubing fabrication/costing and machine performance on African fermented "okpeye" condiment quality attributes, compared with commercial bouillon types, were done. The processing of mesquite seeds into the "okpeye" condiment resembled those of artisans. Bouillon cube products involved the Star®, Knorr®, and Chicken® types. Quality attributes involved proximate, micronutrient, phytochemical, and microbial aspects. Results showed that the throughput capacity of a cubing machine increased with an efficiency of 48 condiment cubes/min, forming properly without separation. Across all studied samples, the protein, ash, moisture, crude fat, crude fibre, and carbohydrate contents were in the range of 1.45–42.50%, 5.29–6.75%, 8.50–12.29%, 2.56–18.54%, 2.45–3.19%, and 18.16–25.56%, respectively. The protein, fat, moisture, calcium, iron, magnesium, and manganese contents of "okpeye" condiment were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of bouillon cubes. Fair amounts of vitamins B1, B2, B3, and E were found, with the "okpeye" condiment higher in vitamin E. Besides the flavonoids (0.12–0.18%), alkaloids (0.08–0.15%), saponins (0.19–0.55%), and tannins (0.69–0.93%) present, the microbial loads were similar (p > 0.05) across all samples. Indeed, the "okpeye" condiment can be cubed, and by quality attribute, it competes favourably, and very promising substitute to commercial bouillon cubes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of dietary hybrid barley and/or wheat on production parameters, selected biochemical parameters of blood serum characterizing health status in fattening pigs. The use of hybrid barley as the basic ingredient of diets for fattening pigs provided similar production parameters as those obtained with wheat. No significant differences were noted in case of performance results and meatiness of fatteners. However, usage of hybrid barley with high level in diet decreased level of total cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoprotein fraction) fraction in blood. It means that barley had a beneficial effect on blood lipid indices. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of dietary hybrid barley and/or wheat on production parameters, selected biochemical parameters of blood serum characterizing health status in fattening pigs. In group I, hybrid barley constituted 80% of feed; in II—wheat and hybrid barley were used, each in amount of 40% feed; in III—contained 80% of wheat. No significant differences were noted in case of performance results (body weight gains, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio) and meatiness of fatteners. All estimated biochemical indices determined in serum were within normal range. Usage of 80% hybrid barley decreased concentration of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein fraction (LDL), and triglycerides in blood (p < 0.05). However, high-density lipoprotein fraction (HDL) content increased (p < 0.01) up to 1.04 mmol·dm−3, comparing to the group with 80% of wheat (0.84 mmol·dm−3). Summarized, the diet with high level of barley had a beneficial effect on blood lipid indices, what indicate a good health status of all animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many aspects linked to personal characteristics, society and culture constitute some of the motivators that drive food choice. The aim of this work was to determine in what extent the eating behaviors of individuals are shaped by six different types of determinants, namely: health, emotions, price and availability, society and culture, environment and politics, and marketing and commercials. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, involving a non-probabilistic sample of 11,960 participants from 16 countries. The objective of this work was to validate the questionnaire, so as to make it suitable for application in different contexts and different countries. For that, six scales were considered for validation by confirmatory factor analysis with structural equation modelling. The obtained results showed that the six individual scales evaluated presented good or very good fitting indices, with saturation in goodness-of-fit index in all cases. The values of chi-square ratio were 6.921 (for health), 0.987 (environment), 0.610 (emotions) and 0.000 in the remaining cases (convenience, society, marketing). Furthermore, the fit was perfect, with saturation for all indices, in three of the six models (convenience, society and marketing). The results of this wok allowed the validation of the six scales, and the assessing of different types of factors that can influence food choices and eating behaviors, namely in the categories: health, emotions, price and availability, society and culture, environment and politics, and marketing and commercials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the modern economy, there is a significant increase in interest in tourism, both at the level of states, regions, communes and individual places. Tourism is seen primarily as an opportunity for economic development, but also for social development and activation of local communities. Well-managed tourism can become a way to preserve and protect the natural, cultural and historical heritage of specific places or regions by exploring and nurturing it. Heritage elements become, on the one hand, attractions around which unique tourism products are created, and on the other hand, a kind of distinguishing feature of a given place or region, based on which local communities build their identity and sense of belonging. The concept of creating regional tourism products could integrate these two factors, i.e., tourism and heritage. The article presents the concept of a regional tourist product on the example of the Wooden Architecture Route (case study). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]