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Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUG Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.) is one of the oldest spices known to humankind and is used in culinary and traditional medicine practices. It is obtained from the inner bark of cinnamon trees and contains cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and cinnamate responsible for its antimicrobial activities. The focus on agri-food industry challenges, such as sustainability, antibiotic-resistant, eco-friendly farming, and the clean label, has been highlighted and increased. Therefore, the review will give a critical snapshot of cinnamon's potential to respond to the agri-food industry challenge. Cinnamon essential oil, obtained from both bark and leave, has been widely used as an antimicrobial ingredient against spoilage microorganisms and foodborne pathogens in the formulations of biodegradative films, edible coating, and adhesive patches. In addition to antibacterial and antifungal activity shown by these packaging, the cinnamon essential oil can improve the barrier, thermal and mechanical properties of films and coatings. GAIN (Axencia Galega de Innovación) | Ref. IN607A2019/01 CYTED | Ref. 119RT0568 Ministerio de Universidades Universidade de Vigo/CISUG

Pigmented rice has attracted major attention because of its higher levels of bioactive compounds and its higher concentration of micro- and macronutrients, compared with white rice. Pigmented rice cultivars are found in various colors i.e. black, purple, red, and brown. Pigmented rice contains good amounts of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and different phytochemicals with beneficial health effects. Pigmented rice is abundant in phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant compounds. In comparison with white rice varieties, colored rice contains higher levels of polyphenols. Starch is the main component of rice grain, and it accounts for about 72–82% of brown rice and 90% of milled rice. Native starches have many drawbacks; to improve these properties, starch is generally modified using different physical, chemical, and enzymatic treatments. Functional properties are the basic physicochemical properties of flours, which have a complex relationship between different components of grains. Pigmented rice has desirable functional properties, which are essential for product formulations. Pigmented rice has been reported to have several health benefits including preventing hypertension, gluten-related disorders, and heart diseases; as well as having anti-diabetic potential, antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory activity, and anti-cancer activity. This chapter will highlight the opportunities for developing novel health supplements from pigmented rice flours. Biotechnology is used in various crops, including rice, to improve its desirable properties. In this chapter, we will provide an overview of the nutritional composition, bioactive characteristics, functional properties and health benefits of pigmented rice.

Kaempferol and its derivatives are naturally occurring phytochemicals with promising bioactivities. This flavonol can reduce the lipid oxidation in the human body, prevent the organs and cell structure from deterioration and protect their functional integrity. This review has extensively highlighted the antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective activity of kaempferol. However, poor water solubility and low bioavailability of kaempferol greatly limit its applications. The utilization of advanced delivery systems can improve its stability, efficacy, and bioavailability. This is the first review that aimed to comprehensively collate some of the vital information published on biosynthesis, mechanism of action, bioactivities, bioavailability, and toxicological potential of kaempferol. Besides, it provides insights into the future direction on the improvement of bioavailability of kaempferol for wide applications.

Mycotoxins produced from Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium cause food spoilages during handling and storage, owing to immense economic losses and serious human health concerns including immunosuppression and carcinogenic effects. Furthermore, these species are also known to produce mycotoxins. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), zearalenone (ZEA), ochratoxin A (OTA), and deoxynivalenol (DON) are the most commonly occurring mycotoxins. The removal of mycotoxins from the contaminated feed using lactic acid bacterias (LABs) has been proposed as a green, inexpensive, safe, and promising mycotoxin decontamination strategy. LABs can control fungal growth by secreting antimicrobial compounds out of their cell wall, thus employing lactobacilli defense mechanisms to destroy bacterial and fungal cells. This article provides systematic review of LABs as bio-green preservative anti-mycotoxin for sustainable food safety.

Protein gels have diverse applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors due to their affordability, biodegradability, and edibility. However, the inherent properties of some native proteins have a few drawbacks that have to be tailored to meet the needs of specific functions as the food ingredients. The protein gelation properties mainly depend on the protein molecular structure, primarily the folding and unfolding of secondary structural elements (α-helix and β-sheets) with distinctive functions. In the past, a great amount of work (thermal, chemical, and enzymatic methods) has been carried out to enhance the gelation and functional properties of proteins. Recently, the traditional methods have been replaced with non-thermal physical methods that enhance the properties for better applications. One such approach is the use of ultrasonic technology as a low-cost green technology to modify the molecular orientation attributed to the native chemistry and functionality of that proteins. Ultrasonic technology is important in food systems and can be effectively used as an alternative method to improve the protein gelling characteristics to form high-quality gels. This article is aimed to comprehensively collate some of the vital information published on the mechanism of protein gelation by ultrasonication and review the effects of ultrasound-assisted extraction and treatments on gelation properties of different proteins. The enhanced gelation properties by the ultrasound application open a new stage of technology that enables the proteins for better utilization in the food processing sector.

The by-products obtained from orange and cucumber industries, such as pomace and peel, are usually discarded after primary processing. In this study, orange pomace and cucumber peel were microwave dried (180 W for 40 min) to prepare powders and incorporated at varying levels (5%-20%) to prepare tricolor pasta. The prepared pasta was evaluated for its nutraceutical, cooking, textural, and sensory characteristics. The viscoelastic behavior of orange pomace (OPP) and cucumber peel (CPP) powder enriched pasta dough was also analyzed. The elastic modulus (G') and viscous modulus (G″) of dough increased with the incorporation of the higher proportion of pomace and peel powder. The total dietary fiber in pasta incorporated with OPP increased from 10.30% to 20.19%, while it was increased to 24.91% upon the incorporation of CPP. These powders also contributed to the natural orange and green color of pasta. The antioxidant activity of OPP pasta increased from 10.64% to 31.9% and 10.64% to 20.29% in CPP (at a 20% level). Total phenolic content, carotenoid content, and chlorophyll content of OPP and CPP enriched pasta were determined, which progressively increased with increased levels of both the powders. The firmness of OPP increased from 0.29 to 1.54 N and 0.29 to 1.87 N in CPP at their highest level (20%) of addition. Therefore, orange pomace and cucumber peel waste from industries can be efficiently used to prepare pasta with improved nutritional characteristics.

Previously proso-millet, considered an underutilized cereal, has drawn considerable attention due to health benefits like good nutritional profile, low glycemic index, and gluten-free. The present review discusses starch extractability, structural characteristics, morphology, and physicochemical properties. Starch properties mainly depend on the amylose and amylopectin composition and distribution of brained chains. A very diverse starch structure and morphology were observed among the waxy and non-waxy cultivars. The amylose content ranged from 0.75 to 28.3% in many varieties, but exceptionally Hongmeizi variety showed a 32.3% as per the reported evidence. There are a positive correlation between the amylose content and cooking quality, thermal and pasting properties. The size and shape of smallest to largest starch granules varied between 0.3 and 17 μm and round to polygonal, respectively. The non-waxy starch varieties of proso-millet are widely used in food processing due to high resistance to swelling during heat treatment. Few food applications of proso-millet are bakery products like gluten-free bread, porridge, pasta, ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, infant foods, and distilleries. We can conclude that proso millet is an alternative to existing starch for its quality characteristics and provides insight to many food processing industries.

Plastic-based food packaging is generating a serious environmental problem by accumulating large amounts of plastic in the surroundings. Ecological and health concerns are driving research efforts for developing biodegradable films. There are few alternatives that could reduce the environmental impact; one of them is to substitute petroleum-based plastic with starch-based film. Starch has remarkable properties, including biodegradability, sustainability, abundancy, and capable of being modified or blended with other polymers. However, low mechanical strength and low water resistance restrict its application in food packaging. Nanocellulose isolated from lignocellulosic fibers has attracted tremendous interest in the field of science due to high crystallinity and mechanical strength, unique morphology along with abundancy, renewability, and biodegradability. Therefore, nano cellulose as a reinforcer proved to be a good option for fabricating biocomposites for food packaging. The current review will give a critical snapshot of the potential application of nanocellulose in food packaging and discuss new challenges and opportunities for starch biocomposites enriched with nano cellulose.

During processing of mango (Mangifera indica) into beverages, squashes and jellies, by-products such as peel and kernel are generated. The higher generation volume of mango-seed makes it cheaper and readily available material for extraction of starch. The current article addresses the mango-seed as potential source of starch over the conventional sources. The starch isolation, its composition structural morphology along with the various physicochemical properties are well discussed. Various modifications for improving the functionality of mango-seed starch (MSS) are comprehensively investigated based on the previous findings. Digestibility profile and glycaemic index of MSS reflected the presence of more resistant starch compared to other conventional starches; making it suitable ingredient for managing diabetes. The structure of mango seed starch can be easily manipulated using biological, chemical and physical methods for improving its application in the foods. Possible utilization of the MSS at large scale will improve the economic viability of the mango processing industries.

The present review is designed to measure the effects of saffron extract in functional foods and its pharmacological properties against various disorders. Saffron is a traditional medicinal plant used as a food additive. The stigma of saffron has bioactive compounds such as safranal, crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin, kaempferol, and flavonoid. These bioactive compounds can be extracted using conventional (maceration, solvent extraction, soxhlet extraction, and vapor or hydrodistillation) and novel techniques (emulsion liquid membrane extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, enzyme-associated extraction, pulsed electric field extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction). Saffron is used as a functional ingredient, natural colorant, shelf-life enhancer, and fortifying agent in developing different food products. The demand for saffron has been increasing in the pharma industry due to its protection against cardiovascular and Alzheimer disease and its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antidepressant properties. Conclusively, the phytochemical compounds of saffron improve the nutrition value of products and protect humans against various disorders.

Controlled oral delivery of bioactive molecules remains a promising platform for the food and biomedical realm. Nonetheless, there are many bottlenecks to the efficient oral bioactive delivery that necessitates the development of advanced approaches. In recent years, prebiotic carbohydrates have drawn surging interest for targeted bioactive delivery due to their potential of multi-stimuli release mechanisms. Harnessing prebiotic-based vehicles confers novel possibilities for intact oral bioactive delivery, improving their bioavailability and efficacy. This critical review updates state of the art on progresses in oral delivery of natural active agents via prebiotic carbohydrates. We offer the latest advances concerning prebiotic-based vehicles (i.e., pH/time-dependent systems, enzyme-sensitive polymers, and colonic microbiota-dependent vehicles), emphasizing their key attributes to attaining controlled/targeted bioactive delivery to the intended locus. Finally, we discuss safety considerations, challenges, and future perspectives toward advances in the field.

The development of novel protein sources to compensate for the expected future shortage of traditional animal proteins due to their high carbon footprint is a major contemporary challenge in the agri-food industry currently. Therefore, both industry and consumers are placing a greater emphasis on plant proteins as a sustainable source of protein to meet the growing nutritional demand of ever increasing population. In addition to being key alternatives, many plant-based foods have biological properties that make them potentially functional or health-promoting foods, particularly physiologically active peptides and proteins accounting for most of these properties. This review discusses the importance of plant-based protein as a viable and sustainable alternative to animal proteins. The current advances in plant protein isolation and production and characterization of bioactive hydrolysates and peptides from plant proteins are described comprehensively. Furthermore, the recent research on bioactivities and bioavailability of plant protein-derived bioactive peptides is reviewed briefly. The limitations of using bioactive peptides, regulatory criteria, and the possible future applications of plant protein-derived bioactive peptides are highlighted. This review may help understand plant proteins and their bioactive peptides and provide valuable suggestions for future research and applications in the food industry.

One of the most varied species of lactic acid bacteria is

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) is the most well-known and commonly cultivated fruit from the Chenopodiaceae family. Beetroot is a rich source of nutrients including vitamins (B complex and C), minerals, fibre, proteins, and a variety of bioactive phenolic substances, which are chiefly composed of betalains, and other components possessing antioxidant activity, such as coumarins, carotenoids, sesquiterpenoids, triterpenes, and flavonoids (astragalin, tiliroside, rhamnocitrin, kaempferol, rhamnetin). Beetroot and its value-added products provide a variety of health advantages and may help prevent and manage various ailments and diseases due to bioactive components. Beetroot's phytochemical diversity makes them potential sources of nutraceutical chemicals that can be used to build functional foods. Pharmacologically, beetroot has the potential to be an antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancerous, hypocholesterolemic, and anti-inflammatory agent. In a comprehensive analysis, this review first provides an overview of the bioactive compounds present in beetroot and its parts, followed by a specific description of the current evidence on this bioactive potential of beetroot and its parts, highlighting the biochemical mechanisms involved. Additionally, the factors affecting the concentration and activity of the beetroot bioactives and the best possible method to conserve its bioactivity has also been discussed in this review.

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera G.) seeds are rich in nutrients and mainly used for food and medicinal applications. The seeds are an important food item in many countries and are generally considered a low glycemic index food. Starch is a major component of lotus seeds and may amount to over 50% of the dry weight. The quality of lotus seed products is mainly determined their starch properties, such as gelatinization and retrogradation. This review comprehensively summarizes recent developments in isolation, modifications, and applications of lotus seed starch (LS). This survey highlights different properties of native and modified LS in comparison with other starches. Native LS has been found with high amylose content (20–35%), high peak gelatinization temperatures (>70 °C), and pasting temperatures (>75 °C). The high amylose content has contributed to lower swelling power and fast retrogradation of LS. The modification of LS has been done using different methods, including thermal, microwave, high pressure, chemical, and enzymatic processing for functionality improvement. Native and modified LS have promising potential to be a valuable functional ingredient in different food and other applications. Finally, an outlook on the future possibilities for utilization of LS is provided.

Native starches are modified to overcome the shortcoming, including retrogradation, syneresis, and low water-holding potential, which limit their industrial applications. The enzymatic modification includes designing a starch with a new structure. The molecular mass, branch chain-length distribution, and amylose/amylopectin ratio can be altered by enzymatic reactions when the enzymes react with gelatinized starch. The enzymatic modification directly affects the properties of the modified starch, including in freeze-thaw stability of gels and retardation of retrogradation during storage. Various enzymatic modifications of starch have been attempted for novel applications to the food industry as food ingredients, the enhancement of product quality, and the improvement of the efficiency of food processing. This review article addresses the key enzymes used for starch modifications, their mechanism of action, functionality and discusses new challenges and opportunities for effective modification. Also, the current review will give a critical snapshot of the applications for starch modifications in food industries.

Litchi (Litchi chinensis) seeds are discerned as the primary waste by-products produced after processing of litchi fruit into beverages, jellies, wine, and squash. These seeds are a rich source of complex polysaccharides, out of with 40% are constituted by starch. This starch exhibits certain unique functional and structural properties which are ascribed to its low amylose and high amylopectin content. These distinct functional food properties include (swelling power, water holding capacity, solubility) and micromeritic properties (Hausner's ratio, Carr's index, and angle of repose). These properties ascertain their application both in food (thickener, edible packaging, functional ingredient) and non-food (excipient in pharmaceutical products, targeted drug delivery) products. Utilization of starch from litchi seed can improve the economic feasibility of litchi processing industry and also help in preventing the waste accumulation and environmental pollution. This review article explores the litchi seed starch isolation, its structure, functional properties and diversified novel applications.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations reports, approximately half of the total harvested fruits and vegetables vanish before they reach the end consumer due to their perishable nature. Enzymatic browning is one of the most common problems faced by fruit and vegetable processing. The perishability of fruits and vegetables is contributed by the various browning enzymes (polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase) and ripening or cell wall degrading enzyme (pectin methyl-esterase). In contrast, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) assist in reversing the damage caused by reactive oxygen species or free radicals. The cold plasma technique has emerged as a novel, economic, and environmentally friendly approach that reduces the expression of ripening and browning enzymes while increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes; microorganisms are significantly inhibited, therefore improving the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. This review narrates the mechanism and principle involved in the use of cold plasma technique as a nonthermal agent and its application in impeding the activity of browning and ripening enzymes and increasing the expression of antioxidant enzymes for improving the shelf life and quality of fresh fruits and vegetables and preventing spoilage and pathogenic germs from growing. An overview of hurdles and sustainability advantages of cold plasma technology is presented.

Many plants and fruits are rich in antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds, such as phenolic compounds. Watermelon is one example, as various parts of the fruit present interesting phytochemical profiles. This study demonstrates that a natural C.&nbsp, colocynthis (watermelon) (W) skin sap (SS) extract can effectively improve the oxidative stability of microencapsulated soybean (SB) oil. By employing a combination of alginate–xanthan gums (AXG) in a matrix hydrogel bead model with WSS extract, high encapsulation efficiency can be obtained (86%). The effects of process variables on the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of phenolic compounds from watermelon (W) skin sap (SS) using the response surface methodology (RSM), as an optimized and efficient extraction process, are compared with the effects of a conventional extraction method, namely the percolation method. The WSS extracts are obtained via UAE and RSM or the conventional percolation extraction method. The two obtained extracts and synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxytolune (BHT) are added to SB oil separately and their antioxidant effects are tested and compared. The results show the improved oxidative stability of SB oil containing the extract obtained via the optimized method (20–30%) compared to the SB oil samples containing extract obtained via the percolation extraction method, synthetic antioxidant (BHT), and SB oil only as the control (no antioxidant added). According to existing studies, we assume that the use of WSS as an effective antioxidant will ensure the prolonged stability of encapsulated SB oil in hydrogel beads, as it is well known that extended storage under different conditions may lead to severe lipid oxidation.