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(1) The nutritional quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) fruits, among others, is largely maintained by the presence of soluble sugars and organic acids. As the primary products of photosynthesis, they are energy depots in plants, necessary for the construction of cell constituents, but also serve as precursors of aromatic compounds and signaling molecules. (2) In this study, fruits of 25 strawberry cultivars were qualitatively and quantitatively characterized concerning individual sugars and organic acids by HPLC, FT-ICR-MS, and MS imaging analysis. In addition, the total quality index (TQI), as a novel mathematical model, was used to compare all individual parameters evaluated to obtain a quantitative single score, as an indicator of overall fruit quality. (3) Regardless of a large number of cultivars and monitored parameters that were studded, several cultivars stood out in terms of selected primary metabolites, such as 'Rumba', 'Jeny', and 'Sandra', while the latter had the best TQI score. (4) Intercultivar variations in sugars and organic acids profiles, along with other bioactive compounds, should be considered for selection of promising cultivars with improved naturally occurring nutraceutical traits. Besides the search for a pleasant taste, increased awareness of healthy nutrition resulted in heightening consumer demand for high-quality fruit.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) encourage the efficient use of sustainable technologies. Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) is one of the extraction process techniques, which are also directed towards sustainability as a goal. Coffee silver skin (CS), being a healthy raw material as well as a waste, could be utilized in the manufacturing process of new dietary products. The goal of this research was to isolate proteins and polyphenols from CS using UAE and to employ spectrophotometry to determine the yields. Three parts of the research were conducted: ultrasonic extraction, the optimization of UAE conditions for the isolation of proteins and polyphenols from CS, and the analysis of the amino acid extract obtained with the optimal use of UAE. According to the results, it was reported that the highest yields of total polyphenols isolated from the CS using UAE were obtained by applying an amplitude of 75% and a time interval of 9 min. The optimal parameters of UAE, when considering the proportions of total polyphenols and proteins, are an amplitude of 100% and a time of 9 min. The most abundant amino acids in isolated proteins (Asp, Glu, Pro, Gly, and Ala) were defined as well. Based on the use of energy, it was obvious that UAE is a promising technology. This concurs with the proposed practice that when non-thermal technologies are analyzed from an environmental point of view, the first common denominator is the use of electricity to run the equipment, in relation to resource depletion. As expected, CS poses a great waste to be recycled, being a nutritionally rich raw material with great potential. Quantitative consideration on the environmentally friendly applicability of CS in mass production should be carried out to validate the entire process of developing a new product from both economic and environmental aspects. © 2023 by the authors.

Sensory analysis has been, is, and will be one of the most important methods in judging food quality. As such, it is an evaluation tool involving human subjects with specific skills to conduct assigned series of tests. This review outlines main characteristics of 179 trained panels published in 16 selected scientific journals in the last 12 months, as well as training methods used for panelists, and type of sensory studies employed. The results reveal that two thirds of the panels have between eight and twelve members, with gender data provided in half of the papers. Overall duration of their initial training is presented only in around 20% of reviewed publications. When provided, duration was below 2 hr per session involving up to 10 sessions. One third of papers confirmed to have conducted training of the panel for methods employed, while almost half used experienced human subjects with no further data. Around 12% of all manuscripts have validated training of their sensory panel, while 20% of papers covered at least one criterion for assessment of their panels' performance. The majority of papers (80%) used descriptive methods, mainly with intensity scales. It is of note that 15% of papers used hedonic tests typical for consumer studies. Almost half of the scholars conducted their research in triplicates (41.3%) while almost one quarter (24%) provided no data on this subject. Type of food analyzed has no effects on the quality of data provided regarding panels, training, sensory methods, and replications.

This paper gives an overview of main food supply chain stakeholders and their role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As this supply chain is global, playing a significant role in feeding the world, a deeper analysis of 17 SDGs, their targets and indicators reveals numerous direct and indirect connections with various SDGs. To perform such an overview, the authors investigated the link between the main stakeholders of the chain (farmers, food processors, food traders and consumers) with UN SDGs. In parallel, the authors explored the roles of policy-makers, inspection services, certification bodies and academia in supporting these SDGs. In spite of numerous papers, calculations and estimations, discussion and media coverage, the authors believe that only the tip of the iceberg has been revealed. Based on this overview, the authors emphasize SDG 2—Zero Hunger and SDG 12—Responsible Consumption and Production as the most dominant for the food supply chain. In parallel, the achievement of SDG 17—Partnerships for the Goals will enable deeper intertwining of the goals and all stakeholders in the food supply chain continuum. Additional efforts are needed to pave the way for fulfilling the targets of the UN SDGs and exceeding expectations of all stakeholders.

This study gives on overview of food safety tools that have been developed recently through the perspective of the animal origin food supply chain. It introduced some expected food safety legal issues, new technological outbreaks, food safety culture outlined in latest versions of food safety management system standards and tools applicable for the entire supply chains. Finally, the paper briefly shows some incentives associated with food safety and Covid-19 as well as the role of UN Sustainable Development Goals in animal origin food.

The main objective of this study was to assess the exposure associated with aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) of the adult population in Serbia from consumption of milk and dairy products. This assessment was performed using concentration values of AFM1 in raw milk (385 samples) and dairy products (556 samples) based on the analyses conducted in the period between 2015 and 2018. In parallel, a dairy products consumption survey was completed during 2018 based on ‘one-day’ and ‘seven-day’ recall methods. In order to estimate the intake of AFM1 from the consumption of dairy products for both recall methods, a Monte Carlo simulation was conducted. The study revealed that pasteurized milk and yogurt are dairy products mostly consumed by the Serbian adult population. Estimated daily intake of AFM1 was in the range of 62-74 × 10-3 ng/kg bw/day, depending on the recall methods and scenarios employed. Although the results show moderate exposure risks compared to similar studies worldwide, climatic conditions and weather extremes that have occurred recently may have negatively influenced the contamination of feed and, consequently, AFM1 contamination of milk. As a result, it is justifiable to promote continuous monitoring in feed and dairy supply chains in Serbia and provide an update of exposure assessment.

This study investigated the effectiveness of the ultraviolet irradiation of the C region (UV–C) for the decontamination of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on artificially inoculated maize and peanut using innovative decontamination equipment that supports vibrations to achieve semi-fluidization of the grain/kernel material and getting equal irradiation of all surfaces of irradiated foods. UV irradiation is a non-thermal alternative to thermal processes commonly used in food processing with a well-known effect on AFB1 degradation. Samples of maize and peanut were exposed to UV-C irradiation with a total dose in the range of 1080–8370 mJ/cm2. Analysis by Tracker and ImageJ software confirmed the even distribution of irradiation on all surfaces during the entire duration of exposure. The highest reduction of A. flavus count was observed after ten days of incubation and irradiation treatment delivering a dose of 8370 mJ/cm2 achieving A. flavus count reduction of 4.4 log CFU/g in maize and 3.1 log CFU/g in peanut. Depending on the treatment, AFB1 reduction level in maize ranged from 17 to 43% and in peanut ranged from 14 to 51%. Sensory and physical testing of the peanut samples showed only minimal changes in the evaluated characteristics caused by different levels of the UV-C treatment. Presented results demonstrate a potential for the use of the presented approach as an effective reduction strategy for both A. flavus and AFB1 in maize and peanut.

The objectives of this research were to identify the quantities and global warming, acidification and eutrophication potentials associated with household food waste in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In parallel, this study investigated perceptions related to food waste and using the quality function deployment for environment model, correlated reasons for discarding food waste and beliefs associated with food waste. Based on this study, it is estimated that around 2.8 kg of food waste is disposed of by the average household every week. Global warming, acidification and eutrophication potentials associated with household food waste are, on average, 3.49 kg CO(2)e/week, 2.42 g SO(2)e/week and 8.70 g PO(4)e/week, respectively. Also, Bosnian households discard over 80 different pieces of food packaging waste weekly, where plastic packaging is the most dominant packing type. The highest ranked reason for discarding food is linked to plate leftovers. In general, Bosnian citizens feel guilty when they waste food.

This paper gives an overview of scientific challenges that occur when performing life-cycle assessment (LCA) in the food supply chain. In order to evaluate these risks, the Failure Mode and Effect Analysis tool has been used. Challenges related to setting the goal and scope of LCA revealed four hot spots: system boundaries of LCA; used functional units; type and quality of data categories, and main assumptions and limitations of the study. Within the inventory analysis, challenging issues are associated with allocation of material and energy flows and waste streams released to the environment. Impact assessment brings uncertainties in choosing appropriate environmental impacts. Finally, in order to interpret results, a scientifically sound sensitivity analysis should be performed to check how stable calculations and results are. Identified challenges pave the way for improving LCA of food supply chains in order to enable comparison of results.

The main objective of this research was to perform an exposure assessment of mycotoxin intake through consumption of wheat-based products in Serbia, Croatia, and Greece by estimating deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) exposure from wheat. Food consumption survey of wheat-based products has been performed during 2017 in the three countries with at least 1000 interviewees per country. Values for the concentration of DON and ZEA were extracted from available research published in this decade. Finally, a Monte Carlo analysis of 100,000 simulations was performed to estimate the intake of DON and ZEA from consumption of wheat-based products. Results revealed that the estimated daily wheat-borne intake of DON of the adult population in Croatia was 0.121 mu g/kg bw/day, followed by Greece with 0.181 mu g/kg bw/day and Serbia with 0.262 mu g/kg bw/day. This shows that 0.25% of Croatian, 1.19% of Greek and 3.96% of Serbian adult population is exposed to higher daily dietary intakes of DON than recommended. Estimated daily wheat-borne intake of ZEA was 0.017 mu g/kg bw/day in Greece, 0.026 mu g/kg bw/day in Croatia and 0.050 mu g/kg bw/day in Serbia. Higher intake of ZEA is associated with 0.62% of the Greek population, followed by 0.95% Croatian and 2.25% of Serbian citizens. This type of research is helpful to assess accurately the risk by DON/ZEA intake associated with the consumption of wheat-based products by consumers in these three countries. Distributions of potential mycotoxin intakes were highly right-skewed.