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Although edible insects (EI) have been consumed for ages in many countries around the world, in most European countries, this is not a traditional practice. Still, it has been encouraged as a sustainable source of animal protein besides other nutrients. The Food and Agricultural Organization and the United Nations, recommend consuming EI as a way to contribute to the sustainable development goals. Hence, this research investigated how participants from Portugal and Romania perceive EI, and how these can be useful as a source of nutrients and other benefits for human health, as well as possible risks. For that, it was undertaken a questionnaire survey, with data collected online in the two countries. For the analysis of data, basis statistics and chi-square tests were used. Results showed significant differences between Portuguese and Romanian participants in six out of ten questions, namely regarding safety (p < 0.001), use in traditional medicine (p < 0.001), possible infection with parasites (p = 0.021), of pesticides (p = 0.031), their usage as therapeutics (p = 0.001) and being potential sources of allergens (p < 0.001) and aflatoxins (p < 0.001). Also, differences were tested for other sociodemographic variables. The results showed significant differences according to age for only three questions, gender for only two questions, and Education for most of the questions, i.e., six out of the ten. These results highlighted the greater influence of variables like country of origin and education in the perception of the effects of EI in human health.

This article presents a study on customer knowledge and habits regarding the use of refrigerated display cabinets (RDC). The study was carried out on a sample of Portuguese retail stores’ customers, using a questionnaire survey available through an Internet platform. The sample consisted of 136 individuals, who voluntarily participated in the study. Questions included the characterization of the sociodemographic population involved. The questionnaire included different questions to related with RDC, namely customer knowledge about the appearance of each RDC equipment, questions to evaluate the respondents’ perception about the advantages and disadvantages related to open or glass-door closed RDC, questions to assess the participants’ habits and behavior when purchasing food products from glass-door closed RDC (frequency and duration of door open), questions to characterize the consumers’ habits on purchasing food products from RDC, and also questions to characterize the consumers’ shopping attitudes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2. The results seem to indicate that customers prefer closed RDC; for example, 61.8% of participants prefer products preserved in glass-door closed RDC, against 6.6% that admit to preferring products preserved in open RDC. Therefore, we can deduce that the existence of doors does not appear to be an obstacle to purchasing food products. Regarding the use of glass-door closed RDC, 80.1% of the participants say they just open the door once, and 53.7% of the costumers believe they keep the door open in the interval [4‒6 s]. This indicates that Portuguese customers are quite well informed about food safety issues and seem to follow assertive attitudes when purchasing food products from RDC. This study reinforces the benefits of replacing open RDC by closed glass-doors allowing significant energy savings.

“Grada de Viseu” is an indigenous hazelnut variety from Portugal, and it is considered by the producers as the most important variety in terms of production and productivity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the influence of harvest year (2017/2018/2019) and location of production (Viseu/Faia) on some physical and chemical properties of the variety “Grada de Viseu,” namely biometric parameters, colour, true and bulk densities, texture parameters (hardness and friability), and chemical composition. The results showed that the fruits of the samples harvested in 2019 had higher values of height, width, and thickness. Hazelnuts from 2018 had a clearer shell, independently of the location of production, but only the samples from Faia harvested in 2018 had a clearer kernel. As for the texture, the fruits grown in Viseu harvested in 2018 had a harder shell and was more resistant to fracture, whereas the sample from 2019 had a harder kernel. In all cases, fat was the major chemical component. The sample from 2019 had a water activity greater than 0.62, meaning that its stability was not guaranteed. “Grada de Viseu” from Faia in 2018 presented a higher induction period and, therefore, was the one with the highest oxidation stability. The year of production showed to be the best predictor for almost every chemical and biometric characteristics. In general, it was possible to verify that harvesting year and geographical location influence hazelnut characteristics.

Morphology and structure of starch from fruits of two acorns species, Quercus rotundifolia Lam. (QR) and Quercus suber Lam. (QS), isolated by enzymatic (ENZ) and alkaline (A3S) methods were studied. Acorn starches granules presented a round and oval shape, consisting of medium/small granules, with a mean granule size ranging between 9 and 13 µm. Isolated acorn starches appear as light grayish-brown in naked eye, with high values of L* for starches isolated by the ENZ method, and QR starches were duller than QS. No differences were observed for all the samples in FTIR spectra results. Acorn starches showed a C-type pattern, with a relative crystallinity between 43.1 and 46.6%. The 13C CP/MAS NMR spectra are different for the used isolation methods but are similar for both acorn species. However, acorn-isolated starches presented a predominant A-type allomorph packing type, and the A3S starches showed a higher degree of crystalline material. Those differences in the structure of acorn starches would be helpful to better understand the relationships among structure and functional properties for a possible potential industrial application of chestnut starches.

This review is focused on the utilization of insects as a new opportunity in food and feed products, including their commercialization both in traditional and new markets. It has been suggested that insects are considerably more sustainable when compared with other sources of animal protein, thus alleviating the pressure over the environment and the planet facing the necessity to feed the world population, constantly increasing. Many chefs have adhered to the trend of using insects in their culinary preparations, bringing insects to the plan of top gastronomy, highlighting their organoleptic qualities allied to a recognized high nutritional value. However, in some markets, insects or insect-based products are not readily accepted because of neophobia and disgust. Moreover, the insect markets, farming, and commercialization are experiencing a huge growth, in which the domain of animal feed is undoubtedly a very strong component. The future of insects as human food and animal feed seems promising in view of the recent trends and challenges.

The objective was to develop and validate an instrument that measures different determinants of people’s food choices and simultaneously accounts for a variety of factors: health, emotions, price and availability, society and culture, environment and politics, and marketing and advertising.

Recently, edible flowers (EF) have aroused increased interest because of their aesthetic properties as well as potential health benefits related to the occurrence of some bioactive compounds. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the total phenolics, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity (AOA) (following DPPH and ABTS methods) in eleven EF. The samples were subjected to three successive extraction steps using methanol, and these extracts were then analysed for the aforementioned properties using spectrophotometric methods. The obtained extracts were used for the quantification of phenolic composition and AOA. The results indicated that, among the flowers analysed in this study, red rose, pink rose, and red carnation possessed the highest total phenolic contents (27.53, 23.30, and 18.17 mg g−1 gallic acid equivalents, respectively), total anthocyanins (3.07, 1.97, and 4.47 mg g−1 catechin equivalents [CE], respectively), and AOA (12.07, 15.77, and 12.93 mg g−1 TE, respectively, as given by the DPPH method or 8.23, 9.27 and 8.00 mg g−1 TE, respectively, as given by the ABTS method). The flowers with highest flavonoids contents were red carnation, Mexican marigold, and pink rose (17.50, 16.90, and 16.57 mg g−1 CE, respectively). Cluster analysis grouped the analysed flowers into two groups, those richest in phenolics with AOA and those not so rich. Finally, some important correlations were observed between the total phenolics and the AOA. In conclusion, these flowers could represent a potential source of natural compounds with antioxidant capacity.

The adequate intake of dietary fibers is essential to human health. Hence, this study intended to evaluate the level knowledge of about food fibers and investigate what factors might be associated with it. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample composed of 6,010 participants from ten different countries. The survey was based on a questionnaire of self-response, approved and complying with all ethical issues. The data collected were subjected to the factor analysis (FA) and the cluster analysis (CA). Validation was done by splitting the data set into two equal parts for confirmation of the results. FA concluded that ten from the 12 variables used to measure the knowledge about dietary fibre (DF) should be grouped into two dimensions or factors: one linked to health effects of DF (α = 0.854) and the other to its sources (α = 0.644). CA showed that the participants could be divided into three groups: Cluster 1 – good knowledge both about sources and health effects of DF; Cluster 2 – good knowledge about the sources of DF but poor knowledge about its health effects; Cluster 3 – poor knowledge both about sources and health effects of DF. The data were appropriate for the analysis by means of factor and CA, so that two factors and three clusters were clearly identified. Moreover, the cluster membership was found varying mostly according to the country, living environment, and level of education but not according to age or gender.

This study investigated the Turkish consumers’ knowledge about dietary fibres and purchasing behaviours about fibre rich foods and also their attitudes towards food labelling with specific emphasis on dietary fibre. The survey consisted of a longitudinal study undertaken on a sample of 293 participants. For the analysis of the data, basic descriptive statistics was used, complemented with statistical tests (U-Mann Whitney [UMW] for comparisons between two groups and Kruskal–Wallis [KW] test for comparisons between three or more groups). Finally, a tree classification analysis was done to evaluate the relative importance of each of the possible influential variables on knowledge: age group, level of education, gender or living environment. The results revealed that both the level of knowledge about dietary fibre and foods and also the level of knowledge about dietary fibre and health effects were considered high for the general population. The classification analysis revealed that gender was the major discriminant for knowledge about dietary fibre and foods, while the most important discriminant for knowledge about dietary fibre and health effects was age. The importance of this study resided in the highlight of the pivotal factors that influence people’s knowledge about dietary fibre sources and the health benefits of its ingestion.

In the confectionery market, jelly gums are one of the most relevant sectors, being frequently consumed by many people, from children to adults. The present work intended to evaluate the textural properties in newly developed jelly gums made with berry fruits and herbs, given the critical role of texture in products with a gel-like structure. Four types of gums were developed (Strawberry & Anise, Strawberry & Mint, Raspberry & Mint, Blueberry & Mint) and their texture was evaluated through two types of tests (compression with a 75 mm probe and puncture with a 2 mm probe) allowing to calculate several textural properties. The results showed some differences between the two faces of the jelly gums analysed, i.e. on the top and on the bottom. As for the compression test, the Strawberry & Anise gums were among the softer (25.6 N) and with lower resilience (36.3%) and chewiness (16.9 N), despite being more adhesive (−0.5 N s). As for the puncture test, the sample Strawberry & Mint had the highest adhesiveness (−2.0 N s) but the lowest stickiness (−0.38 N). Additionally, very strong correlations were encountered between some of the properties studied (r = 0.861 or r = 0.822), and the factor analysis allowed defining three factors, the first clearly associated with the puncture properties while the other two were related to the compression properties. This work allowed concluding that the jelly gums presented different textural properties, particularly when assessed through different types of measurements. Hence, the use of different types of tests for texture analysis is recommended, since the results are complementary. This is relevant when developing food products intended for industrial production and commercialization.

The aim of this work was to identify procedures adopted by family farms in the centre and north of Portugal and Galicia (Spain), and to verify whether they resemble those used in organic farming. A checklist was prepared in Portuguese and Spanish and applied personally to managers of family farms. The participation was voluntary and 125 valid responses were collected.

A healthy diet is crucial for the maintenance of health. Therefore, the aim of this work is to evaluate the perceptions towards a healthy diet among the participants with work or studies in areas related to diet and nutrition and those who did not.

Physalis (Physalis peruviana L.), also known as cape gooseberry or ground-cherry, plays an important role in nutrition as an excellent base for dietetic products. Highly valued for its unique flavour, texture and colour, recent research has shown that physalis fruit is rich in many beneficial compounds. In this study, the diameter and mass of physalis fruits were measured, which can be used to calculate other biometric characteristics of the fruit, such as: surface area, volume or density. Other physical properties were measured, namely the colour coordinates, by means of a Chroma meter, whilst the textural parameters firmness and elasticity were measured with a texturometer. The following values were calculated for the physalis fruits analysed in the present work: 1.69 cm for average diameter; 8.98 cm2 for surface area, 2.51 cm3 for volume; 2.77 g for mass was, and 1.10 g/cm3 for density. The colour coordinates were 56.72 for lightness, 16.69 for redness, and 58.11 for yellowness. Skin firmness and elasticity were evaluated for texture attributes, and their average values were 2.40 N and 2.94 mm, respectively. The results of this work are in accordance with data reported by other authors in the literature.

Proliferative enteropathy is an enteric disease caused by the bacterium Lawsonia intracellularis, which affects several species of domestic and wild animals. The mechanisms underlying the mechanisms employed by L. intracellularis to cause host cell proliferation are poorly understood, mostly because this bacterium is extremely difficult to isolate and propagate in vitro. Comparative genomics methods for searching for genes orthologous to genes known to be associated with pathogenesis allow identification of genes potentially involved in pathogenesis by the pathogen of interest. The goal of this study was to carry out in silico research on L. intracellularis genes orthologous to genes required for intracellular invasion and survival present in other pathogenic bacteria, particularly Brucella abortus, B. melitensis, B. suis, Listeria monocytogenes, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, Salmonella enterica, Yersinia pestis, Y. enterocolitica, and Y. pseudotuberculosis. A total of 127 genes associated with invasion and intracellular survival from five known intracellular bacteria were mapped against the predicted proteomes of all L. intracellularis strains publicly available on GenBank, using the OrthoFinder program. A total of 45 L. intracellularis genes were orthologous to genes associated with pathogenesis of other intracellular bacteria. Genes putatively associated with signal the transduction of chemotaxis and cell motility were identified. Genes related to DNA binding and repair were also identified, with some of them supporting a possible association of bacteria with macrophages or inducing pro-inflammatory responses. The homology-based identification of these genes suggests their potential involvement in the virulence and pathogenicity of L. intracellularis, opening avenues for future research and insights into the molecular mechanisms of Lawsonia-elicited proliferative enteropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edible insects (EIs) have recently gained attention as an alternative and more sustainable food, emerging as an alternative to other protein foods with higher environmental impacts, like bovine meat. EIs contain a valuable composition of macro and micronutrients, important for human nutrition. Nevertheless, their consumption is not yet widespread in Western countries, such as in Europe. This work aimed to study how consumers in three different European locations perceive the role of EIs in human nutrition. Data collection was carried out by a questionnaire survey in three countries (Croatia, Lithuania, and Portugal), and 1723 participants were included in the study. For the treatment of the data, SPSS software was used, and chi-square tests and tree classification analysis were performed. The results showed that for all the statements presented to the participants, significant differences were found in information about EIs according to country. The results further highlighted that the participants were better informed about the high protein content of EIs, while not being well informed about their possible anti-nutritive effects. Tree classification revealed that the most important discriminating variable was country, with Lithuanian participants being better informed than those from Portugal or Croatia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Climate change is one of the drivers of change towards sustainable food systems food security. Therefore, food security is a priority all around the world and across different sectors of society. Edible insects are recommended as a sustainable source of food of animal origin, but their acceptance is very diverse across cultures and countries. Therefore, our work investigated the perceptions of consumers about edible insects in 14 countries. We concluded that depending on origin, the level of knowledge is different, which is a starting point to design more focused campaigns to promote EIs, not only in non-insect-eating countries, but also in insect-eating countries. Better knowledge about the health effects of EIs and their nutritive value is a driver of change. Insects have been consumed for time immemorial in many regions of the globe. However, in other parts, they are not traditionally eaten. Because they are a more sustainable source of animal protein and provide valuable nutrients as well as bioactive compounds with beneficial effects on the human body, their consumption is encouraged. Knowledge can serve as a tool for better acceptance of insects as food. In this context, the present work investigated the knowledge about the nutritional value and health effects of edible insects in different countries. Data were collected by employing a questionnaire survey translated into the different languages of all participating countries and were treated using statistical tools. A total of 7222 responses were obtained. The results indicated that for many issues, the participants manifested a neutral opinion (neither agree nor disagree), but the participants who manifested agreement/disagreement were generally well informed. They were also able to identify untrue facts and answer accordingly by disagreeing. Factor analysis showed four groups of questions: nutritive value, negative perception and risks, safety and benefits of insects and contamination and harmful components. Finally, significant differences were observed according to the sociodemographic variables studies (sex, age, education, living environment and country), with age and country being the most influential of the sociodemographic factors on knowledge. Therefore, increasing knowledge is envisaged as an essential factor in augmenting the recognition of edible insects as a nutritional food, presenting health benefits apart from being a more sustainable source of animal protein when compared with beef or pork meats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to characterize the agricultural activities and past experiences in professional training in the context of mobile learning in different countries (Portugal, Spain, Slovakia, Hungary, UK, Italy and Turkey). Design/methodology/approach: For the survey, a questionnaire was prepared in English and Portuguese and then translated into the languages of the participating countries. It was delivered electronically for answering online by adults only. The participation was voluntary and in the end 133 consented valid questionnaires were obtained. For the treatment of the data, SPSS was used and basic descriptive statistics tools were applied, together with tests, namely, crosstabs and ?[superscript 2] tests, considering a level of significance of 5 percent. Findings: The results showed that the majority of the participants presently have some agricultural activity and one-third is thinking about starting one in the future. Most of the participants want to produce food organically, with significant differences among the countries studied in this paper. Most of the participants were enrolled in training activities in agriculture, especially those with higher education. This participation showed significant differences between countries as well as according to the dimension of the farms owned by the participants. A significant association was found between being a teacher in forming activities related to agriculture and being a farmer. When compared to distance learning, the training activities in classroom were the most frequent, with significant differences among the countries. Practical implications: This study allowed characterizing the learning activities in the field of organic agriculture and established vision for planning of future training programs, in different countries, with maybe different social, educational and cultural realities. Originality/value: Because the study included the participation of people from several countries all around Europe, the results obtained enrich the scientific area of training in organic farming, in view of distance learning vs classroom learning on a more global basis.