Mackerel and Seaweed Burger as a Functional Product for Brain and Cognitive Aging Prevention.

Most world countries are experiencing a remarkable aging process. Meanwhile, 50 million people are affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementia and there is an increasing trend in the incidence of these major health problems. In order to address these, the increasing evidence suggesting the protective effect of dietary interventions against cognitive decline during aging may suggest a response to this challenge. There are nutrients with a neuroprotective effect. However, Western diets are poor in healthy n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), iodine (I), and other nutrients that may protect against cognitive aging. Given DHA richness in chub mackerel (Scomber colias), high vitamin B9 levels in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), and I abundance in the seaweed Saccorhiza polyschides, a functional hamburger rich in these nutrients by using these ingredients was developed and its formulation was optimized in preliminary testing. The effects of culinary treatment (steaming, roasting, and grilling vs. raw) and digestion on bioaccessibility were evaluated. The hamburgers had high levels of n-3 PUFAs in the range of 42.0-46.4% and low levels of n-6 PUFAs (6.6-6.9%), resulting in high n-3/n-6 ratios (>6). Bioaccessibility studies showed that the hamburgers could provide the daily requirements of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + DHA with 19.6 g raw, 18.6 g steamed, 18.9 g roasted, or 15.1 g grilled hamburgers. Polyphenol enrichment by the seaweed and antioxidant activity were limited. The hamburgers contained high levels of Se and I at 48-61 µg/100 g ww and 221-255 µg/100 g ww, respectively. Selenium (Se) and I bioaccessibility levels were 70-85% and 57-70%, respectively, which can be considered high levels. Nonetheless, for reaching dietary requirements, considering the influence of culinary treatment and bioaccessibility, 152.2-184.2 g would be necessary to ensure daily Se requirements and 92.0-118.1 g for I needs.

Influence of cooking methods and storage time on colour, texture, and fatty acid profile of a novel fish burger for the prevention of cognitive decline.

Western diets are poor in healthy n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), namely eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), iodine (I), and other nutrients that may protect against cognitive ageing. Given DHA richness in chub mackerel (Scomber colias), high vitamin B9 levels in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), and I abundance in the seaweed Saccorhiza polyschides, a functional hamburger rich in these nutrients by using these ingredients was developed. This research focused on the factors affecting its quality by examining the impact of cooking (steaming at 100 °C, roasting at 180 °C, grilling at 180 °C) and storage time (after 4 and 6 months at -20 °C) upon the product's properties. Cooking treatments were found to influence the burger's colour and texture, whereas storage duration impacted FA levels and the polyene index. Cooked burgers presented lighter (L*, 45.1-55.0 vs 36.9 ± 2.4) and more yellow colouration (b*, 15.8-17.8 vs 13.6 ± 1.0) than raw burgers. Cooked burgers also exhibited higher textural values across various parameters than their raw versions. Grilled burgers (excluding initial time) were firmer (50.0 ± 5.1 N) than those cooked otherwise (37.0-39.9 N). Regarding FA levels, a decrease in DHA was recorded after four months (21.8-23.0% vs 26.4-30.6%). The polyene index followed a similar trajectory, declining from 2.6 to 3.6 initially to 1.8-1.9 in the fourth month. Hence, the studied mackerel burger could be a promising source of EPA, DHA, and other n-3 PUFAs in human diets, optimally with a frozen storage duration of fewer than four months to preserve nutritional integrity.