Investigation on the influence of ultrasonic pretreatment on color, quality and antioxidant attributes of microwave dried Inula viscosa (L.).

Impact of various ultrasound pretreatment and microwave drying parameters on the qualitative and antioxidant characteristics of Inula viscosa (L.) was investigated in this study. The leaves of Inula viscosa (L.) were sonicated for 10, 20, and 30 min in an ultrasonic bath (37 kHz, 150 Watts). Microwave drying was done at three distinct times (1, 3, and 5 min) and with three different microwave power levels (100, 180, and 300 Watts). Microwave dried samples were tested for color characteristics (L*, a*, b*), chlorophyll, carotenoid, total phenol, and antioxidant content. All dried samples were prepared by infusing them in hot water as tea, and the sensorial properties of teas including odor, color, aroma, and overall acceptability were evaluated by panelists. For 10, 20, and 30 min of ultrasound pretreatment, the L* values of leaves varied from 37.70 to 49.76, 34.97 to 46.25, and 27.88 to 43.34, respectively. The total carotenoid concentration ranged from 0.12 to 0.32 mg/g DW, while the total chlorophyll content was from 0.44 to 0.94 mg/g DW. The antioxidant activity of Inula viscosa (L.) leaves that were dried at 300 Watts for 5 min did not change significantly as a result of ultrasound pretreatment. There was a significant positive correlation between aroma and TPC, as well as between color and overall acceptability. The darkest-colored teas were deemed preferable by the panelists.

Role of food nutrients and supplementation in fighting against viral infections and boosting immunity: A review.

BACKGROUND: The viral infections can be highly contagious and easily transmissible, which even can lead to a pandemic, like the recent COVID-19 outbreak, causing massive deaths worldwide. While, still the best practical way to prevent the transmission of viruses is to practice self-sanitation and follow social distancing principles, enhancing the individual's immunity through the consumption of proper foods containing balanced nutrients can have significant result against viral infections. Foods containing nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, few polysaccharides, and some non-nutrients (i.e. polyphenols) have shown therapeutic potential against the function of viruses and can increase the immunity of people. SCOPE AND APPROACH: The results of conducted works aiming for studying the potential antiviral characteristics of diverse groups of foods and food's nutrients (in terms of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals) are critically discussed. KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION: Nutrients, besides playing an important role in maintaining normal physiology of human's body and healthiness, are also required for enhancing the immunity of the body and can be effective against viral infections. They can present antiviral capacity either by entering into the defensive mechanism directly through interfering with the target viruses, or indirectly through activating the cells associated with the adaptive immune system. During the current situation of COVID-19 pandemic (the lack of proper curative viral drug), enhancing the immunity of individual's body through proposing the appropriate diet (rich in both macro and micro-nutrients) is one of few practical preventive measures available in fighting against Coronaviruses, this significant health-threatening virus, as well as other viruses in general.