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Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) is an endemic cereal plant to Taiwan that has been cultivated by Taiwanese aborigines for hundreds of years. Djulis Djulis is a well-known ruby cereal because it contains betanin and exhibits strong antioxidant activity. This review summarizes comprehensive information regarding proximate composition, phytochemical compounds, biological activities, and recent industrial applications. Djulis is rich in phytochemical compounds including flavonoids, phenolics, and betanin. Further assessment of cell and animal studies showed that djulis leaf, whole grain, hull, and seed extracts exhibited antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-diabetic, anticancer, anti-adipogenesis, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and gastric protective properties. Products incorporating djulis were also included in this review. This review provides new insights into the application of djulis in the development of new products. more...

This study aims to develop a novel and rapid method which uses enzymatic spectrophotometric assay and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for differentiating adulterated milk from pure fresh milk. Furthermore, this study will use the lactulose and Maillard-derived compounds as indicators to distinguish reconstituted milk from fresh milk. In bottle-sterilized milk, lactulose concentration decreased with the increasing addition of reconstituted skim milk. In addition, the content of lactulose in raw, low-temperature long-time (LTLT), and high-temperature short-time (HTST) skim milk samples increased with the proportion of reconstituted milk. Furosine, which had a retention time (RT) of 4.686 min in standard solution, had the RTs of 4.908, 4.926, 4.940, and 4.973 min in raw, LTLT, HTST, and bottle-sterilized milk samples, respectively. The RT peak increased along with the content of reconstituted milk in raw, LTLT, and HTST milk samples but decreased in bottle-sterilized milk. In conclusion, this work represents an important step toward detecting adulterated milk and tightening food safety regulations. more...

Legumes are consumed in various foods, and people frequently expect desirable characteristics from them, such as low cooking times, which minimizes the time and energy required for consuming legumes. Here, we aimed to investigate the activation energy and water adsorption behavior of different combinations of temperatures and times by soaking and cooking adzuki beans. Soaking at 30 °C produced a high-water adsorption balance rate of 98.99 %. Soaking reduced the gelatinization of adzuki bean starch. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy revealed that, after crushing and filtering separated cotyledon cells, called “bean paste”, the process of soaking and cooking could significantly impact the process and quality of the bean paste. Alternatively, it could maintain a high yield by decreasing bean damage and tissue cracking during cooking. Hence, the results might be used to minimize the processing time, save energy, and improve the product quality of adzuki beans. more...

Chenopodium formosanum (djulis), well known for its vivid color variation during diverse senescence stages, has attracted attention for its perceived health benefits and antioxidant capacity. Djulis leaves, often discarded as biowaste after harvesting, were evaluated for their potential as a source of antioxidant compounds. The current study analyzes the physicochemical and antioxidant activities of red, green, and yellow djulis leaf extracts across various senescence stages to probe their prospective utility in cosmeceuticals. Various plant compounds including total carbohydrates, phenolics and flavonoids, chlorophyll a and b, and betaxanthins and betacyanins were measured using spectrophotometric techniques. Antioxidant potential was assessed using DPPH, FRAP, CUPRAC, TEAC, and DMPD assays. Green djulis leaves displayed elevated total carbohydrate and chlorophyll levels, whereas red djulis leaves exhibited heightened phenolic, flavonoid, betaxanthin, and betacyanin content, indicating its suitability for cosmeceutical applications. Antioxidant evaluations revealed substantial disparities among the extracts, with red djulis leaf extract demonstrating superior antioxidant activity in most assays. These findings revealed the distinct antioxidant profiles of djulis leaf extracts influenced by color and senescence stage. These findings advance our understanding of the bioactive attributes of djulis leaves and their potential for incorporation into functional products. more...

Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum), a native plant of Taiwan, is esteemed for its rich nutritional profile, encompassing high levels of dietary fiber, proteins, essential amino acids, and microelements. This study delved into the influence of soaking and germinating conditions on the synthesis of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, and enzymatic activity in djulis. Enrichment culture tests were conducted to ascertain optimal soaking conditions. Results revealed that soaking djulis seeds for 4 h at 25 °C before germination notably augmented GABA production. Furthermore, djulis seeds subjected to soaking and germination at 30 °C for 48 h exhibited heightened GABA and anthocyanin contents. Conversely, germination at 25 °C for 48 h demonstrated superior TPC and 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity. Optimal concentrations of glutamic acid, monosodium glutamate, pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (vitamin B6), Ca2+, and pH were found to enhance glutamine acid decarboxylase activity, consequently elevating GABA content. In summary, fine-tuning soaking and germinating conditions presents a promising avenue for augmenting GABA production in djulis, thereby bolstering its nutritional and functional utility. Future investigations aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying enzymatic activity modulation during soaking and germination could yield valuable insights into optimizing GABA production. more...

This study investigated the changes in the quality-related parameters and physicochemical properties of yam (Dioscorea alata L. var. Dasan) harvested after 260 d. The stem tip, middle, and bottom sections of yams were stored at room temperature (20 °C ± 2 °C) for 16 weeks. Samples were taken every 2 weeks and analyzed to determine the changes in physicochemical properties during storage. α-Amylase and PPO activities were highest in the stem tip section. A positive correlation between enzyme activities and storage time was observed in all groups. polyphenol oxidase (PPO) peaked during week 10 of storage and gradually decreased. No significant correlation was found between α-amylase activity and starch content. Moreover, similar to free sugar content, α-amylase activity reached its maximum value during week 14 of storage. All sections of the yams showed reductions in cooking loss rates with the prolongation of storage and reached their minimum cooking loss during week 10 of storage. During the storage, the middle sections of the yams exhibited the most consistent quality, presenting minimal changes in hardness and color stability and the lowest rate of cooking loss. The quality of yam tubers, particularly in enzymatic browning after slicing, post-cooking hardness, cooking loss, and free sugar content, was affected by fluctuations in α-amylase and PPO activities during storage. Therefore, these factors should be considered when evaluating quality and determining optimal storage and handling procedures. The results of this study may serve as a reference for determining the quality of yams during postharvest storage and are important for companies and researchers seeking to optimize yam storage for maximum yield and profitability. more...

ABSTRACTThe fortification of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) with rheological characteristics, nutritional properties, and formation of contaminants in wheat flour-based flaky rolls was studied. Higher content of buckwheat flour increased the antioxidant capacity, and phenolic, protein, fiber, rutin, and quercetin contents, leading to the development of a nutritionally improved product. The contents of the process contaminants, for example, the acrylamide, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), and furfural ranged from 147.25–262.19 μg/kg, 19.17–73.56 mg/kg, and 1.34–4.55 mg/kg, respectively, when buckwheat was added in the range of 0–30%. Parallelly, the production levels of methylglyoxal (MGO) and glyoxal (GO) were 4.09–23.55 and 0.69–2.05 mg/kg in the buckwheat substitution range of 0–30%. Shortly, even though incorporating 10% buckwheat flour had the best sensory scores, 20% was the most suitable substitution rate in terms of controlling the contaminants produced during processing while enhancing the nutritional properties of flaky rolls. more...

Dried boat-fruited ripped seeds of Sterculia lychnophora, commonly known as Pangdahai, are frequently used in traditional Chinese medicines and functional foods. However, research on these constituents is limited. In this study, the extraction of Pangdahai polysaccharide (PP) was investigated using different solvents (deionized water, 50 % methanol, and 50 % ethanol), and its chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and anti-inflammatory activity were analyzed. Additionally, the Ames test was used to evaluate PPs’ food safety and mutagenicity. The results showed that the yields of PPs extracted with the three solvents ranged from ∼ 19 % to 21 % and that their monosaccharide compositions (rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, and glucose) were similar, with slightly different proportions. Moreover, the antioxidant capacity of all three PPs showed concentration-dependent effects. The EC50 values for each antioxidant were approximately 0.71–1.35 mg/mL for 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging ability, 1.88–46.13 µg/mL for 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging ability, 2.22–3.61 mg/mL for ferric reducing antioxidant power, and 0.52–3.11 mg/mL for hydroxyl radical scavenging ability. At concentrations below 500 µg/mL, the anti-inflammator activity of PPs promoted cell proliferation while inhibiting nitric oxide production at concentrations ranging from 31.25 to 125 µg/mL. In the Ames test, PPs (1–5 mg/plate) exhibited no toxicity or mutagenicity against the five strains of Salmonella typhimurium (TA98, TA100, TA102, TA1535, and TA1537). These findings will particularly be of interest to individuals involved in PP-related research or commercial enterprises. Thus, the findings of this study will elucidate the bioactive components and potential benefits of PP, making it especially valuable to researchers and practitioners in the Pangdahai industry and expanding opportunities for industrial development. more...

For the formation of mung bean paste, heat treatment is required where different process conditions will affect the degree of the denatures. The protein on the exterior surface of the cotyledon cells encapsulates the starch particles, thereby triggering the disintegration and relation of pectin present in the intercellular spaces between the mung bean cotyledon cells, namely the resultant to form mung bean paste. The optimum processing conditions of mung bean paste were investigated by response surface methodology using three levels (such as soaking time, cooking temperature, and time) of response surface analysis. Complete information on the physical properties and microstructure with color changes during the cooking of mung beans was established to observe the changes in the color of mung beans after cooking. The results showed that a high yield (65%) mung bean paste with minimally damaged starch (1.5%) was obtained by soaking at 30 °C for 2 h and cooking at 110 °C for 40–50 min. To the best of our knowledge, no study has investigated the formation mechanism and physicochemical properties of mung bean paste. Various physicochemical changes in mung beans were analyzed to reveal the production of mung bean paste under optimal conditions, which will help factories precisely control the production quality of mung bean paste-based foods. more...

There are various functional foods available for people with diabetes mellitus (DM) to help regulate their blood glucose levels. These include meal replacements and nutritional supplements. This study looked at the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of djulis extruded products (DEP), and also investigated their potential to help with diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). The results showed that the DEP developed had high antioxidant activity and high nutritional value, making them very beneficial for promoting health. The study also found that the developed DEP could help regulate blood glucose levels in an animal model of DCM, with the effectiveness of the treatment being dependent on the dosage. Furthermore, DEP was found to be effective in preventing oxidative stress (OS) and cardiac damage caused by DM, thereby helping to prevent the further development of DCM. This study suggests that DEP may be a useful functional food for controlling DM and could be of interest as a dietary intervention for people with diabetes. more...

Abstract Background The O2 levels in food packaging systems play an essential role in the deterioration of food quality and shelf life. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) supports the storage of fresh and processed foods by inhibiting chemical and physical changes while reducing the deterioration caused by microorganisms. Materials and methods This study established and validated the equations for the relationship between MAP formulation reagents, asparagus respiration, permeability of packaging film, and rates of O2 and CO2 mass transfer in which different interactions occur and affect each other. Results The resulting atmosphere of packaging was determined to be the key to achieving the MAP benefits. The active MAP formulations developed in this study were combined with very-low-density polyethylene films to store green asparagus spears. During storage, the combined films effectively maintained the firmness of green asparagus spears, fiber, and vitamin C content, and outperformed the passive MAP and control groups. The above results confirm all the equations in the passive and active MAP systems established in this study. Conclusions Hence, maintaining the asparagus quality with an active MAP treatment will reduce economic loss and possibly provide new insights into applying active MAP retail packages to preserve fruits and vegetables in post-harvest shelf life. Graphical Abstract more...

The homology between food and medicine has been a successful and well-accepted concept in traditional medicine, where people believe that beneficial naturally available substances can be replenished via diet to promote health. In this study, the polysaccharides in jujube fruit (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) and dried boat-fruited Sterculia seeds (Sterculia lychnophora) were extracted using different methods (water, acid, and alkaline extraction), and their physicochemical properties and compositions were investigated. Additionally, the effects of polysaccharides on the growth of known intestinal bacteria were investigated using in vitro incubation. The results showed that the acid and alkaline extraction methods resulted in the highest yields of polysaccharides with a high uronic acid content and satisfactory antioxidant activity. The water-extracted polysaccharides exhibited a suitable viscosity. Moreover, the water-extracted polysaccharides were acid-hydrolyzed for 2–6 h, followed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) to obtain acidic hydrolyzed polysaccharides with a wide range of molecular weights and high carbohydrate contents. Subsequently, five known strains of intestinal bacteria cultured with the acidic hydrolyzed polysaccharides from jujube fruits and pandahai (10 mg/mL) were found to proliferate in Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, and Propionibacterium freudenreichir in 0–48 h cultures. However, further evidence is required to validate these results, either in gastrointestinal simulations or animal models. more...

d-limonene nanoemulsion (NE) previously showed satisfactory potential for storage stability and might be a safety carrier for transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDSs). Curcumin has been widely studied for health promotion, food safety, and functions. This study evaluated the application of d-limonene NE carrier for curcumin embedding and the transdermal absorption effect. Results revealed that the droplet size of curcumin NE affected the cumulative concentration of transdermal absorption following the descending order of hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) 11 > 8 > 5 > 3 > microemulsion (p more...

Abstract Penghu cactus (Opuntia dillenii [Ker.] Haw) is a cactus plant that commonly grows in Penghu Island, Taiwan, Republic of China (ROC). However, still lack of scientific study on the Opuntia dillenii [Ker.] Haw extract on skin-whitening-associated tyrosinase activity and melanin production. The activities of its extract in melanogenesis were investigated in this article. In this experiment, we used an extract from the Penghu cactus (Opuntia dillenii [Ker.] Haw) to study its tyrosinase inhibition, anti-melanin generation, UV-protection effects and wound healing capacity in B16-F10 melanocytes. Without reducing cell growth greatly or causing cell death, 20 g/L cactus extract effectively inhibited the melanin production of B16-F10 cells, and melanogenesis was induced by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. The cactus extract could also promote cell proliferation. Cactus extract treatment decreased the mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and increased that of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). Thus, it could reduce cell melanin production and promote cell growth but by also reducing IGF-1 and VEGF mRNA expression, may reduce wound scarring and prevent tumor proliferation and swelling. Increasing TGF-β mRNA expression can help increase collagen to remove wrinkles and help in wound healing. Skin patch test results agreed with in vitro results with B16-F10 melanoma cells. The cactus extract significantly inhibited tyrosinase activity and reduced melanin production, showing a whitening effect on skin tests. Cactus may be a good natural candidate for inhibiting melanin production and promoting cell proliferation. more...

Abstract Eggshells offer many advantages as adsorbents, such as affordability without special preparations other than pulverization and calcination. However, the manufacturing industry generally has a severe problem with high concentrations of heavy metals in wastewater. The purpose of this study was to use eggshell byproducts and calcined eggshell treatment for the adsorption of copper in an aqueous solution. The reaction time, metal concentration, adsorbent dose, temperature, and pH were evaluated using primary factors followed by the response surface method (RSM) to investigate the optimum conditions for eggshell byproducts and calcined eggshell adsorption treatment. The results of the one-factor-at-a-time experiment showed that the optimal adsorption rate was obtained from treatment at 24 h, 25 mg/L, 10 mg, and 25 °C. In addition, the effect of pH on the adsorption rates of eggshells and eggshells with membrane were detected at pH values of 5 and 5.9 and found to be 95.2, 90.5, and 73.3%. The reaction surface experiment showed that the best adsorption rate reached 99.3% after calcination at 900 °C for 2 h and a 20 min reaction. The results showed that eggshells, eggshell membranes, eggshells with membrane, and calcined eggshells could be applied to remove copper ions from industrial wastewater. The adsorption capacity of the calcined eggshell is better than that of the non-calcined eggshell and has good neutrality in acidic industrial wastewater. Therefore, it is convenient and practical for practical production and application. Likewise, this study conveys promising findings in the context of improving wastewater treatment based on a circular economy approach to waste reuse in the food industry and represents a valuable direction for future research. more...

This study investigated the optimal soaking and cooking conditions for adzuki bean paste formation, using response surface methodology (RSM) in a three-variable, three-level [soaking time (0, 6, and 12 h), cooking-temperature (100, 110.5, and 121 °C), and time (30, 45, and 60 min)] design approach to improve production process and quality. This study revealed the microstructures of cotyledons, where the pectin substances of the middle lamella disappeared during the cooking process. Moreover, the proteins were thermally denatured and formed granules with starch, which were ground and separated before forming adzuki bean paste granules. In addition, soaking was accompanied by cooking processes that increased the yield of adzuki bean paste while cell wall rupture decreased; thereby, adzuki bean paste quality improved. Regarding the optimum process conditions for adzuki bean paste, this study showed that soaking for 5–6 h and cooking at a temperature of 110.5 °C combined with cooking for 45 min yielded the best adzuki bean paste products in an optimum process. more...

Many studies have confirmed the effectiveness of herbal medicines or complex formulations in clinical therapy for metabolic diseases. This study investigated the effects of a HeShouWu decoction and its complex formula on blood lipids and antioxidant activity in hamsters with a high-cholesterol intake-induced hyperlipidemia model. The biological efficacy of HeShouWu and its complex formula were assessed by measuring body weight (BW), and fecal metabolites, conducting a blood biochemical analysis, and examining liver sections. Triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) contents, and antioxidant activities in the liver and kidneys were measured. The results showed no inhibited growth after 10 weeks of treatment. However, significant decreases in blood and liver lipids (TC and TG) were detected in all treatment groups (p more...

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are at high risk of major adverse limb events (MALEs) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). CHA2DS2-VASc is a prognostic score for atrial fibrillation stroke risk; however, no study has evaluated its predictive ability for MALEs and MACEs in PAD patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. We conducted a retrospective cohort study on patients from Taiwan with PAD. The patients were stratified into four risk groups based on their modified CHA2DS2-VASc score. Cox proportional hazard models, 10-fold cross-validation, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were utilized to evaluate the predictive ability of CHA2DS2-VASc for MALEs, MACEs, and MALEs + MACEs. Kaplan–Meier analysis estimated the survival probability of the risk groups. CHA2DS2-VASc was found to be a significant predictor of MACEs (hazard ratio (HR) 3.52 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.00–12.12; p = 0.048), HR 4.18 (95% CI 1.19–14.36; p = 0.023), and HR 5.08 (95% CI 1.49–17.36; p = 0.009), for moderate-, high-, and very high-risk groups, respectively), while for MALEs and MALEs + MACEs, significance was achieved only for the high-risk group using a univariate model. For the multivariate adjusted model, the score was found to be a significant predictor of MACEs for only the very high-risk group, with an HR of 4.67 (95% CI 1.03–21.09; p = 0.045). The score demonstrated an AUC > 0.8, good discrimination (c-index > 0.8), and good calibration for predicting MACEs. However, it failed to achieve good performance for predicting MALEs and MALEs + MACEs. Based on all of the findings, CHA2DS2-VASc could potentially serve as a risk stratification score for predicting MACEs in patients with PAD, but it failed to qualify as a good predictor for MALEs. more...

Banana is a typical tropical fruit that is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, and consumed daily because of its superior nutritional profile. This study aimed to investigate the changes in bananas’ physicochemical properties and nutritional composition from ripening stages 1 to 9. The analysis included color (peel and flesh), texture, total starch content, resistant starch content, free sugar content, minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, phosphorus), and vitamin content. At the same time, the browning enzyme activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase, oxalic acid, and tannin were also measured. In this study, the banana peel gradually changed from dark green to light green to yellow during the ripening process, eventually appearing with many black spots, while the pulp color changed from white to light yellow and decreased in brightness. The pulp became softer with a prolonged ripening period, which was inconsistent with the time point of peel color change (ripening period 4–5). However, total starch content decreased from 74% to 31%, resistant starch originally at 32% gradually decreased to 5%, and free sugar content gradually increased with increasing ripening period. Vitamin C content and PPO activity decreased significantly during the ripening period, while other vitamins and minerals did not change significantly. In contrast, oxalic acid, tannin content, and peroxidase activity were negatively correlated with the ripening period. Therefore, this study reveals the changes in the nutrient content of bananas at different ripening stages, which may provide helpful information for researchers and producers to identify suitable raw materials for producing stable and high-nutrition-value banana-related foods during the peak raw material abundance seasons while reducing business risk. more...

Bull Camphor tree (Cinnamomum kanehirae Hayata; CKH) (Lauraceae) is an endemic species in Taiwan. Its trunk is the main host of Taieanofugus camphoratus, traditional medical fungi. There are few research involving the functional properties and antibacterial activity of Cinnamomum kanehirae Hayata leaves (CKHL), although its abundant leaves. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of the different concentrations of ethanol solvents on the chemical compositions and biological activities of the CKHL extract (CKHLE). Furthermore, the antioxidant, antibacterial activity, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer ability of the extracts were tested. The results showed that the 50% ethanol CKHLE indicated the highest total polyphenols (TPC) and total flavonoids (TFC) (16.98 ± 0.18 mg GAE/g and 1.90 ± 0.04 mg QE/g, respectively) among the CKHLEs. The 50% ethanol CKHLE also indicated the best antioxidant performance in DPPH and ABTS+ free radical scavenging, reducing power, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The antioxidant performance of the four CKHLEs were exhibited in a dose-dependent manner. As well as, the 95% ethanol extract CKHLE indicated moderate antibacterial activity against Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus cereus. In terms of anti-inflammatory ability, all CKHLEs showed the best COX-2 inhibition at the concentration of 10 mg/mL. The 80% ethanol CKHLE reduced by 50.05% of NO production in Raw 264.7 cells compared to the control. The 80% and 95% CKHLEs also exhibited decreases in cell viability of colorectal cancer cells (C2BBe1) up to 94.64% and 93.99%, respectively, at the CKHLE’s concentration of 1000 μg/mL. These results demonstrated the different solvents affected the chemical compositions and biological activities (antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities) of CKHLE. Furthermore, the CKHLE are a potential source of healthy foods, bacteriostatic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) development. more...

The post-mortem rigid of farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) affects the texture of the meat and might even be risky for microorganisms, undermining the popularity of frozen filets among consumers. This study investigated the importance of different conditions (0°C, 4°C, and 25°C for 0–4 days) and physicochemical characteristics of rainbow trout filet storage on fish’s characteristics, freshness, quality, and shelf-life. Results showed that the fish easily underwent rigor mortis and resolution of rigor mortis when stored at 25°C. However, rigor mortis was more likely to occur under storage at 0°C than at 4°C [with 100 kV/m high voltage electrostatic fields (HVEF)] due to low-temperature stimulation, but resolution of rigor mortis began to appear after 24 h of storage at either temperature. The protein solubility and gel strength of fish stored at 25°C continued to decrease due to thermal denaturation, and those of fish stored at 4°C and 0°C also showed a decrease owing to rigor mortis and then an increase when rigor mortis disappeared. The K values increased rapidly at 25°C and reached 61% at 14 h. Under storage at 4°C and 0°C, the K values only slightly increased before resolution of rigor mortis. However, the K-values did not exceed 40% for 4 days post-resolution of rigor mortis. Differential Scanning Calorimetry analysis and tissue sectioning showed that protein denaturation and separation between muscle fibers persisted during storage at various temperatures, most notably at 25°C. It is important to note that storing at 0°C for 96 h did not result in any significant changes in the molecular protein composition. Moreover, the muscle tissue remained in excellent condition compared to storage at 25°C and 4°C. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the total viable count (TVC) and psychrophilic bacteria between storage at 0°C and 4°C, considered safe for food consumption. These promising findings are conveyed in a circular economy based on the food industry, particularly adequate raw materials, stable prices, measures to reduce food loss and waste, and contributing to developing efficient, diverse, and sustainable food processing systems. more...

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are currently consumed as live fish, primarily for catering or consumers, as an alternative to salmon in sashimi or dishes. However, Covid-19 has hampered store and restaurant operations. Therefore, developing suitable processing conditions to extend its shelf life, such as online distribution specifications while enhancing the filets’ commercial value, would raise its production value. In this study, we investigated the fish filets salted in a 5% salt solution for 2 days and then smoked at 65°C for 4 h under different storage conditions. As result, the higher rate of salt penetration and water loss in the resolved rigor mortis group was associated with tenderization of the meat compared to the rigor mortis group. Thermal-shrinkage and thermal-induced tissue destruction of the smoked fish filets during processing which affects the appearance, flavor, chewiness and overall acceptability. Nevertheless, according to the results of a consumer-type evaluation, the product characteristics of the fish filets from the resolution of rigor mortis group were consistent with those of the rigor mortis group, except for a weaker aroma. Thus, these results explain the relationship between frozen stored fish and the quality of processed products. The economic concept of regulating and distributing scheduling production between raw materials and finished products in the food industry conveys promising findings that will contribute to developing sustainable food processing systems. more...

Marine collagen can be extracted from marine by-products such as skin, scale, bone, and swim bladder which cause enormous waste problems worldwide (20–80%). In recent years studies of collagen extraction methods have developed from conventional methods (acid extraction and pepsin extraction method) to a novel method (ultrasound-assisted extraction method) to increase the quality and quantity of collagen. In this review paper, the methods of collagen extraction and analysis are compared to understand the effect on its physicochemical properties. Marine collagen can be used in the food, cosmetic and medical industries. The results show that marine collagen extracted using conventional methods assisted with ultrasonication results in a higher yield percentage and better quality compared to the extraction process without ultrasonication. more...

This study aims to investigate the physicochemical composition, textural parameters, and chemical constituent of flaky rolls incorporated with different proportions of black rice flour. According to farinographic characteristics, the addition of black rice flour could reduce the stability and increase the dough development time and water absorption (%). While for the extensographic properties, addition of black rice flour resulted in significantly different maximum resistance to extension (BU) and extensibility (cm) vs. the control. With the addition of black rice flour in flaky rolls, the crude protein, total dietary fiber (TDF), soluble dietary fiber (SDF), and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) were significantly improved. Glucose released was much lower with 10 and 20% black rice than the control and 5% black rice because of the higher black rice inclusion. With increasing black rice incorporation, total anthocyanin content, and antioxidant capacity was also improved. The content of asparagine, acrylamide, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furfural, methylglyoxal, and glyoxal in flaky rolls was also increased. The proper content of black rice flour (5%) could significantly enhance the stability of the dough properties; control the final volume, texture, and appearance; and retain good protein and fiber composition, antioxidant capacity, and overall acceptance of the flaky roll. more...

Since the 1990s, the prevalence of mental illnesses, such as depression, has been increasing annually and has become a major burden on society. Due to the many side effects of antidepressant drugs, the development of a complementary therapy from natural materials is an urgent need. Therefore, this study used a complex extract of chlorella and lion's mane mushroom and evaluated its antidepressant effects. Six-month-old male senescence-accelerated mice prone-8 (SAMP8) were divided into positive control; negative control; and low, medium, and high-dose groups. All groups were treated with corticosterone (CORT) at 40 mg/Kg/day for 21- days to induce depression in the animals, and the effects of different test substances on animal behavior was observed. The positive control group was intraperitoneally injected with a tricyclic antidepressant (Fluoxetine, as tricyclic antidepressant), the control group was given ddH2O, and the test substance groups were administered test samples once daily for 21 days. The open field test (OFT) and forced swimming test (FST) were applied for behavior analyses of depression animal models. The OFT results showed that the mice in the positive control and the medium-, and high-dose groups demonstrated a significantly prolonged duration in the central area and a significantly increased travel distance. In the FST, the positive control and the medium, and high-dose groups displayed significantly reduced immobility times relative to the control group. The blood analysis results showed significant decreases in triglyceride and blood urea nitrogen levels relative to the positive control and the medium- and high-dose groups. Notably, in the positive control and the medium- and high-dose groups, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) increase by more than in the control group. In summary, medium and high dose of extract of chlorella and lion's mane mushroom could improve depression behavior in animals and have the potential to be antidepressant health care products. more...

Currently, there is an increasing trend to replace artificial antioxidants with natural antioxidants. However, certain naturally occurring antioxidants have lower antioxidant activities than artificial antioxidants. Therefore, they will not be as effective in preventing cellular damage. Nevertheless, if they are controlled, natural antioxidants represent a valuable alternative to synthetic antioxidants. With regard to current knowledge, new applications of natural antioxidants in the food industry include food additives, feedstuffs, food packaging materials, and nutraceuticals. The younger leaves of Malan (Kalimeris indica (L.) Sch. Bip.), often referred to as “malanto”, are usually eaten as a vegetable. The findings of this study demonstrated that malanto flavonoids form the active ingredient of the naturally occurring malanto. The malanto extract contains six flavonoids with antioxidant capacity. Malanto flavonoids (0.02% addition) were evaluated for their antioxidant effects and were found to be similar to BHT in inhibiting the peroxidation of sesame, soybean, and sunflower oils. This study aims to provide unique insights into the comprehensive utilization of the flavonoids extracted from malanto. more...

Rice protein is a suitable alternative protein source for dairy protein in infant formulas on account of its unique nutrition and hypoallergenicity. Rice protein was isolated through enzymatic hydrolysis (Alcalase, papain, bromelain, Flavourzyme®) in combination with high-pressure processing (HPP) (400 MPa for 15 min at 25 °C) to enhance its functional properties and broaden its food processing applications. The effect of the HPP-treated rice protein hydrolysate on dexamethasone (DEX)-induced atrophy in C2C12 myotubes was also studied. The length of myotubes was observed under a light microscope, and periodic acid Schiff staining. The results showed that even though enzymatic hydrolysis and HPP treatment affected the color of the resulting rice protein, the protein content (3120.31 ± 42.15), branched chain amino acid (BCAA) content (15.12 ± 1.03), peptide content (31.25 ± 0.55), and amino acid composition of the rice protein were significantly increased. Moreover, the combined enzymatic and HPP treatment effectively overcame the problem of limited solubility and water-holding capacity. Rice protein produced through enzymatic and HPP treatment exhibited a higher free radical scavenging activity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity. It also alleviated DEX-induced muscle atrophy in C2C12 myotubes as indicated by the increase in myotube length. In short, the enzymatic and HPP treatment of rice protein not only overcame limitations, but also produced rice protein with high functionality in terms of antioxidant and therapeutic effects on muscle atrophy. The rice protein hydrolysate produced through enzymatic hydrolysis and HPP treatment showed the potential for use as an ingredient for functional foods in the nutraceutical industry. more...

The “blue shark”, Prionace glauca (class: Chondrichthyes), is a pelagic shark species commonly found in tropical and temperate oceans. This shark is mainly sold in Asian countries as food and as traditional Chinese medicine. According to the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, P. glauca is classified as low-risk to near endangered. P. glauca cartilage contains collagen type II, which makes it suitable as a bioactive ingredient in cosmeceutical products. This study evaluated the effects of a gel containing various concentrations (0.125–5%) of lyophilized hydrolyzed P. glauca cartilage on the human inner wrist skin compared to a placebo (base). A skin properties evaluation test was conducted before and after applying various concentrations (0.125–5%) of the P. glauca cartilage gel for 10 and 20 min on the inner wrists of participants using a skin analyzer that determined the moisture level, oil level, texture level, complexion level, and the 3D level. Adding lyophilized hydrolyzed shark cartilage (LHSC) significantly improved the moisture, texture, and complexion of the skin while controlling oil and providing a wrinkle-smoothing effect. The result indicated that LHSC formulations were prepared at different concentrations, and they had significantly enhanced effects on skin hydration and elasticity (texture) and the smoothing of wrinkles (3D level). The LHSC also effectively controlled oil secretion and the complexion. more...

Samples of sweet gelatinized adzuki-bean jelly cake were successfully prepared and systematically analyzed to investigate the factors that affect the production, quality, and gelatin properties of yokan (gelatinized adzuki bean cake). The purpose of this study was to investigate the properties of gelatinized adzuki-bean cake gelatin and identify the optimal production conditions using response surface methodology with three factors: agar concentration, sugar concentration, and concentration time. Findings show that the optimum processing conditions are 1.2–1.5% agar concentration and 34–40% sugar concentration, with 30–40 min concentration time. These conditions produced a gelatinized adzuki-bean cake favored by the majority of the sensory evaluators. Overall, the relationships between different gelatinized adzuki-bean cake processing conditions and gelatin properties were preliminarily clarified. The findings not only provide a promising avenue for gelatinized adzuki-bean cake production but also promote the potential application of various processing conditions in quality improvement. more...

Chlorophyll is the primary source of color in widespread green plants. It has been investigated in mung bean seed coats and cotyledons. This study aimed to examine chromatic changes in mung beans during heat processing. It observed pigment variation within the cotyledons and seed coats of mung beans. Following thermal treatment from 0 to 50 min, the color of mung bean products changed, primarily from a decrease in chlorophyll content in the seed coat (from 6.57 to 1.28 mg/100 g, with significant differences. p < 0.05), accompanied by the formation of tawny pheophytin. However, the b value of mung bean seed coat showed an increasing trend with significant differences (yellowness, 21.55 increasing to 34.85, p < 0.05). Interestingly, the total flavonoid content in the seed coat tended to increase with thermal time (2.93 to 18.74 µg/mg) with statistical differences (p < 0.05). The condensation reaction of flavonoids with other polyphenolic compounds formed dark-brown polymers, resulting in a significant decrease in brightness (L value) of the cooking solution with thermal processing time (p < 0.05). Thus, the chlorophyll extraction and purification of the mung bean seed coat confirmed the morphological change of chlorophyll combined with the Maillard reaction, resulting in the color change after thermal treatment. It showed that a significant reason for the discoloration of mung beans was pheophytin from chlorophyll in the processing process. more...

Phyllanthus emblica L. is traditionally used as both medicine and food in Taiwan. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotection bioactivities of P. emblica fruit. P. emblica fruit extracts had a high content of total phenol and flavonoids, and chlorogenic acids. For antioxidant capacity, 95% ethanol-extracted P. emblica had the best DPPH radical scavenging activity, ferrous ion chelating ability, and reducing power as compared with hot water, 50% ethanol, and commercial extracts, and showed the highest reducing power and lipid peroxidation inhibition. The present results have demonstrated that the P. emblica extracts can protect the oxidative degradation of lipids by inhibiting FeCl3-ascorbate-mediated lipid peroxidation. For anti-inflammatory activity, P. emblica fruit extracts showed dose-dependent inhibition of nitric oxide in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and significantly high COX-2 inhibition. For neuroprotection bioactivity, P. emblica extracts had higher percentages of pheochromocytoma cell protection than commercial extracts. Hot water and ethanol extracts showed higher percentages of PC12 cell protection than commercial extracts. P. emblica hydroalcoholic extracts had a neuroprotective effect against oxidative damage, which could be due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. P. emblica extracts could be used in daily health beverages, foods, and cosmetic products. more...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and eating quality of salted noodles that are incorporated with different formulations of flour. Up to 20% of wheat flour was substituted by composite flours of highly resistant starches, including heat moisture treatment corn starch (HMT-CS), high-amylose corn starch (Hylon VII), and green banana flour (GBF). The physical properties of dough, in conjunction with the eating quality and estimated glycemic index (EGI) of cooked salted noodles, were investigated in this study. The results concluded that the incorporation of GBF, HMT, and Hylon VII not only affected the water absorption and mixing tolerance of the dough, but also the maximum resistance to extension and extensibility in terms of the extensographic properties. Meanwhile, GBF, HMT, and Hylon VII incorporation significantly increased the resistant starch content and decreased the fat content of the noodle samples. The textural profile analyses of cooked salted noodles indicated that hardness, gumminess, chewiness, and shearing force increased; nevertheless, springiness declined with the increase in the proportion of flours from 10 to 20%. The sensory evaluation detected that wheat flour composited with 10% GBF and HMT flours could produce acceptable quality noodles as compared with normal typical control noodles. In the meantime, salted noodles incorporated with GBF, HMT-CS, and Hylon VII flour decreased the estimated glycemic index (EGI) dramatically. The result of this study concluded that incorporation of various sources of resistant starch flour could develop a low-GI noodle with good acceptability that may contribute to gastrointestinal health. more...

Oyster shell waste has led to many problems, including displeasing odors, pollution of the seaside, and harm to the environment. Using calcined oyster shells as a natural preservative might solve the problem of oyster shell waste. We studied the use of calcined oyster shell powder (COSP) as a natural preservative for improving shrimp shelf-life over 12 days under refrigerated conditions. As compared with the control, COSP treatment effectively retarded pH change, reduced the formation of total volatile basic nitrogen, and inhibited bacterial growth during refrigerated storage. In addition, shrimp muscle lipid oxidation measured by peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) was decreased during storage. The quality was preserved up to 12 days with 2.0–4.0% COSP treatment as compared with only 6 days for un-treated shrimp. The development of preservatives for aquatic products is expected to delay growth of and spoilage by microorganisms in the refrigerated state, thus providing more barrier protection for aquatic food safety. more...

Palmyra palm syrup, produced from Borassus flabellifer flowers’ sap, is rich in nutrients and minerals and has unique flavors. This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant activity, physicochemical characteristics, and Maillard reaction products of palmyra palm syrup prepared by thermal and ultrafiltration processes. Palmyra palm syrup prepared by a thermal process had smaller L*, b* values, and larger a* values than that prepared by an ultrafiltration process. Palmyra palm syrup contained 10 vitamins, the most abundant being vitamin E. Overall, 38 volatile compounds were found and classified into six groups in the order of alcohols > acids > ketones > sulfurs > pyrazines > phenols and aldehyde. Volatile compounds depended on concentration, temperature, and ultrafiltration process. Protein content decreased because of participation in the Maillard reaction and increased 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and total phenolic content. The HMF content was very low (0.02–14.95 mg/100 g). The radical scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-1 picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) in palmyra palm syrup with thermal process was higher than with ultrafiltration. This study established that ultrafiltration pretreatment of palmyra palm syrup generated a good appearance and reduced the HMF content, however, it negatively affected the volatile compounds and physicochemical characteristics. more...

Lignan glycosides are one of the major bioactive components in sesame meal. In the current study, we evaluated whether the absorption efficiency of lignan glycosides from sesame meal (LGSM) increases after wet milling. The current data show that oral bioavailability of LGSM significantly elevated from 0.18 to 0.26% after nano/submicro-sizing due to the smaller particle size and larger surface area. Oral administration of nano/submicro-sized LGSM (N-LGSM) significantly increased the concentrations of sesaminol triglucoside and sesaminol glucuronide in rat urine compared to administration of LGSM that was not nano/submicro-sized. More importantly, oral administration of N-LGSM increased the concentrations of enterolactone and enterodiol found in the plasma, liver, kidney, small intestine and urine of rats, suggesting that the nano/submicro-sizing process greatly improved the accessibility of intestinal microbiota to LGSM. In addition, oral administration of N-LGSM remarkably alleviated lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant enzyme activities against tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced oxidative damage in rats. more...

Wheat noodles incorporated with isomaltodextrin were assessed in relation to physicochemical properties (color), microstructure features, biochemical composition (fiber profile), cooking properties, textural attributes, and sensory evaluations during different storage temperatures (25, 4, −20 °C) and periods (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24 months). Meanwhile, an accelerated study was also carried out at 40 °C storage conditions for 12 months to evaluate the fiber profile changes. Under different conditions, the overall quality of both raw and cooked noodle samples depended slightly on both the type and amount of added fiber isomaltodextrin, resistant starch (RS), insoluble high-molecular-weight dietary fiber (IHMWDF), and soluble high-molecular-weight dietary fiber (SHMWDF). However, this significantly changed for the fiber profile under 40 °C of storage for 12 months. Cooking quality, fiber profile, and color parameter did not differ by storage at −20 °C after 24 months than at 0 months, and noodles only slightly differed in texture and sensory characteristics. On sensory analysis, noodle samples were acceptable by panelists, with an acceptability score >5. In short, storage temperature is one of the most important factors in preserving food stability and retail properties. Isomaltodextrin noodles samples should be stored at low temperature to preserve the product functionality. more...

Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) is a species of cereal grain native to Taiwan. It is rich in dietary fibre and antioxidants and therefore reputed to relieve constipation, suppress inflammation, and lower blood glucose. The aim of this study was to investigate the composition and physicochemical properties of dietary fibre from djulis hull. Meanwhile, determination of the in vivo antidiabetic effect on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after consuming the djulis hull powder. Djulis hull contained dietary fibre 75.21 ± 0.17% dry weight, and insoluble dietary fibre (IDF) reached 71.54 ± 0.27% dry weight. The IDF postponed the adsorption of glucose and reduced the activity of α-amylase. Postprandial blood glucose levels in patients with T2DM showed three different tendencies. First, the area under the glucose curve was significantly lower after ingesting 10 or 5 g djulis hull powder, which then postponed the adsorption of glucose, but the area under the glucose curve was similar with the two doses. After consuming 10 g djulis hull before 75 g glucose 30 and 60 min after the meal, patients with T2DM had blood glucose values that were significantly lower at the same postprandial times than those of patients who did not consume djulis hull. In short, patients who consumed djulis hull prior to glucose administration had decreased blood glucose level compared with those who did not. Djulis hull may have benefits for patients with T2DM. more...

The plant vacuole acts as a storage compartment for inorganic phosphate and buffers cytoplasmic phosphate concentration. Here, Liu et al. identify a group of vacuolar phosphate transporters in Arabidopsisthat are required for plant growth in response to fluctuating availability of phosphate. more...

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury has a complex pathophysiology resulting from a number of contributing factors. The effect of longan flower ethyl acetate extract (LFEE) on hepatic I/R injury in rats was examined. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 activities were significantly increased after I/R injury, but decreased in the groups with LFEE treatment. Significant decrease in hepatic glutathione levels after I/R injury was observed upon LFEE treatment. NADPH:quinone oxidoreductase 1 activity was significantly increased after I/R injury, and it was further increased in the groups with LFEE treatment. Histological results indicated that LFEE was effective in improving liver tissue morphology during I/R injury. Therefore, LFEE might offer a novel intervention for patients suffering from I/R of the liver especially in the process of hepatotomy and liver transplantation. more...

Eggs are linked to some health-related problems, for example, allergy, and religious restrictions, thus the food manufacturer is challenged to find egg replacements and include the physicochemical properties of egg in food. In this study, enzymatic hydrolysis of rice protein was used to produce rice protein hydrolysates (RPHs) for use as an egg replacement in flaky egg rolls. Formulations were control (A), rice protein isolate (B), RPH15 (C), RPH30 (D), and RPH60 (E), respectively. The protein content of formula E increased from 19.69 to 22.18 g/100 g, while carbohydrate and sugar content decreased to 64.12 and 12.26 g/100 g, respectively. Overall amino acid contents significantly increased as compared with formula A. The overall acceptability for sensory evaluation was higher with formula C. The color of the sample was highly affected by the protein-rich ingredients accounting to a Maillard reaction progression and causing a decrease in brightness (L*) and increase in redness (a*). RPHs successfully maintained the functional and physiochemical properties, along with flavor and texture, of flaky egg rolls and could be an egg replacement. These high-value RPHs produced by enzymatic hydrolysis could be beneficial for various applications, particularly food and related industries. more...

Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) is an annual fast-growing underutilized pseudo cereal with a high percentage of starch content. In this study, djulis starch was extracted from the flour of dried grains by three different isolation procedures: (1) hydrochloric acid (HCl) isolation procedure (HP); (2) deionized water isolation procedure (WP); and (3) sodium hydroxide (NaOH) isolation procedure (NP), followed by investigation of the physicochemical properties of the isolated djulis starch. The amylose content of HP, WP, and NP was 22.14%, 24.15%, and 22.43%, respectively. For scanning electron microscopy (SEM) morphological observation, djulis starch presented a polygonal shape with granule sizes of 0.56−1.96, 0.74−3.02, and 0.62−2.48 μm, respectively. Djulis starch showed the classification of typical A-type x-ray patterns, and the relative degree of crystallinity for HP, WP, and NP was 33.15%, 36.17%, and 37.42%, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis was used to determine the transition temperatures, transition range, and enthalpies of the gelatinization of starches. HP and WP isolated starch exhibited the highest ΔH 9.24 and 8.51 J/g, respectively, whereas NP starch showed the lowest ΔH of 6.95 J/g. The pasting temperatures of HP, WP, and NP isolated starch, which were analyzed by using a Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA), were 71.70 °C, 72.80 °C, and 69.53 °C, respectively. The dependence of swelling power for the three isolated starches on temperature was tested at 10 °C with intervals between 60 °C and 90 °C. In short, the NP isolation procedure with a stable reaction is compelling from a technological point of view. more...