Encapsulation of Cinnamaldehyde and Vanillin as a Strategy to Increase Their Antimicrobial Activity.

Many studies have suggested that the encapsulation of natural antimicrobials increases their antimicrobial activity. In this sense, the objective was to study the inactivation of microorganisms with encapsulated cinnamaldehyde and vanillin (E-CIN and E-VN), in comparison with the unencapsulated antimicrobials (CIN and VN) in protein beverages. Additionally, the microbial response was quantified through mathematical modeling. Cinnamaldehyde and vanillin were encapsulated using whey protein concentrate (WPC) as the encapsulating agent. The effectiveness at inactivating Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was evaluated in a protein-apple juice beverage during storage (4 °C). Encapsulation increased the effectiveness of cinnamaldehyde, reaching reductions of 1.8, 3.3, and 5.3 log CFU/mL in E. coli, L. innocua, and S. cerevisiae, respectively, while vanillin encapsulation had little effect on antimicrobial activity, reducing by 0.5, 1.4, and 1.1 log cycles, respectively. The combined treatments (E-CIN + E-VN) had an additive effect in reducing E. coli and a synergistic effect against S. cerevisiae. The Gompertz model was more versatile and better described the biphasic curves, whereas the Weibull model complemented the information regarding the spectrum of resistances within the microbial population. In conclusion, the encapsulation of cinnamaldehyde with WPC enhanced its activity. However, further studies are necessary to improve the antimicrobial activity of vanillin.

Printability and Thermophysical Properties of Three-Dimensional-Printed Food Based on "Cochayuyo" Durvillaea antarctica Seaweed Flour.

This research assessed the feasibility of adding Cochayuyo seaweed flour (at 30, 50, and 70% levels) to rice flour-based paste to improve its 3D printing quality. The paste's rheological properties, printing quality, texture profile, thermal properties, and color of 3D-printed foods were explored. Results showed that pastes with Cochayuyo addition exhibited shear-thinning behavior, and viscosity increased with increased Cochayuyo concentration. Viscoelastic properties and a Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) revealed that Cochayuyo improved mechanical strength and made the paste easier to flow, improving printed food's extrudability, fidelity, and shape retention, which was better observed in RC50 and RC70 printed at 15 mm s-1. A differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis showed a partial substitution of rice flour for Cochayuyo flour in the formulation. This increased the onset and melting peak temperatures and reduced the enthalpy of fusion. CIE color parameters a*, b*, and L* showed that Cochayuyo addition increased the color to yellow and red; however, lightness was considerably reduced. Therefore, Cochayuyo flour could have the potential to be used for the manufacture improvement of 3D-printed food with better rheological, mechanical, thermal, printing quality, and nutritional properties, making possible the exploitation of the native Cochayuyo seaweed, which is highly available in Chile.

Principios, aplicaciones y efectos de la aplicación de plasma frío en alimentos: una revisión actualizada

En el ámbito de las tecnologías no térmicas para el procesamiento de alimentos, la aplicación de plasma frío destaca por su rápido crecimiento y amplias proyecciones. El plasma frío se genera aplicando energía que ioniza un gas específico, lo que produce especies altamente reactivas como las reactivas de oxígeno y nitrógeno, además de ozono, iones, radicales libres y radiación ultravioleta. Las configuraciones más comunes para su generación incluyen la descarga de barrera dieléctrica y la descarga corona. Sus aplicaciones y efectos clave abarcan la destrucción de biofilms, inactivación de microorganismos, descontaminación de micotoxinas, degradación de pesticidas y modificación de almidones, entre otros. Los mecanismos de acción propuestos varían desde modificaciones químicas y moleculares hasta lisis celular y daño genético. Este artículo proporciona una visión general actualizada sobre los principios, generación y aplicaciones del plasma frío en la industria alimentaria.

In the field of non-thermal food processing technologies, the application of cold plasma stands out for its rapid growth and broad prospects. Cold plasma is generated by applying energy to ionize a specific gas, producing highly reactive species such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, as well as ozone, ions, free radicals, and ultraviolet radiation. The most common configurations for generating cold plasma include dielectric barrier discharge and corona discharge. Key applications and effects include the destruction of biofilms, inactivation of microorganisms, decontamination of mycotoxins, degradation of pesticides, and modification of starches, among others. Proposed mechanisms of action range from chemical and molecular modifications to cellular lysis and genetic damage. This article provides an updated overview of the principles, generation, and applications of cold plasma technology in the food industry.

¿Qué se está investigando sobre insectos comestibles? Un análisis bibliométrico de las publicaciones entre 1990 y 2022

Este artículo presenta una visión general relacionada con las publicaciones científicas sobre insectos para consumo humano a través de un análisis bibliométrico utilizando datos extraídos de la base de datos Web of Science en un período de tiempo comprendido entre 1990 y 2022 cubriendo más de 30 años de producción científica. Los resultados se presentan en forma de tablas, gráficos y diagramas con diferentes tipos de mapeo obtenidos mediante el uso de paquetes específicos para el análisis de las relaciones bibliométricas como VoS Viewer y el paquete de R Bibliometrix. De acuerdo con la clasificación de las áreas de conocimiento en WoS, la mayoría de los artículos se encuentran principalmente en los segmentos de tecnología de los alimentos, la entomología, la agricultura multidisciplinar con trabajos que van desde los aspectos ambientales, la composición química, y la percepción sensorial, entre otros. Los países con mayor influencia en el tema son Italia, EE.UU. y Corea del Sur con el mayor número de publicaciones en el área. Por otro lado, los autores con mayores métricas son Kinyuru, JN (Kenia), Choi, YS, (Corea del Sur) y Aquilanti, L, (Italia). Las revistas con mayor productividad en insectos comestibles son Journal of insects as food and feed, Foods e Insects con un número de publicaciones de 217, 107 y 61 respectivamente. Finalmente, las conclusiones de este trabajo permiten establecer rutas a seguir para los investigadores en el campo de los insectos comestibles para la alimentación humana como por ejemplo que documentos son más importantes, donde publicar y en que países e instituciones el tema se encuentra mas desarrollado.

This article presents an overview of scientific publications on insects for human consumption through a bibliometric analysis using data extracted from the Web of Science database from 1990 to 2022, covering more than 30 years of scientific production. The results are presented in tables, graphs, and diagrams with different types of mapping obtained by using specific packages to analyze bibliometric relationships, such as VOSviewer and the R-package Bibliometrics. According to the classification of areas of knowledge in WoS, most articles are mainly in food science technology, entomology, and multidisciplinary agriculture, with works ranging from environmental aspects, chemical composition, and sensory perception, among others. The countries with the most significant influence on the subject are Italy, the USA, and South Korea, with the highest number of publications in the area. On the other hand, the authors with the highest metrics are J.N. Kinyuru (Kenya), Y.S. Choi (South Korea), and L. Aquilanti (Italy). The journals with the highest productivity in edible insects are the Journal of Insects as Food and Feed, Foods, and Insects, with several publications of 217, 107, and 61, respectively. Finally, the conclusions of this work allow establishing routes to follow for researchers in the field of edible insects, such as which papers are most important, where to publish and in which countries and institutions the topic is most developed.

Experimental and Numerical Study of a Turbulent Air-Drying Process for an Ellipsoidal Fruit with Volume Changes.

It is common in the numerical simulations for drying of food to suppose that the food does not experience a change of volume. The few numerical studies that include volume changes assume that the shrinkage occurs symmetrically in all directions. Therefore, this effect has not been fully studied, and it is known that not considering it can be detrimental for the accuracy of these simulations. The present study aims to develop a three-dimensional model for the simulation of fruits that includes the volume changes but also takes into consideration the asymmetry of the shrinkage. Physalis peruviana is taken as the subject of study to conduct experiments and imaging analyses that provided data about the drying kinetics and asymmetric shrinkage mode. The effective diffusion coefficient is found to be between 10-12 m2 s-1 and 1.75 × 10-9 m2 s-1. The shrinkage occurs essentially in only one direction, with an average velocity of 8.3 × 10-5 m/min. A numerical modelling scheme is developed that allows including the shrinkage effect in computer simulations. The performance of the model is evaluated by comparison with experimental data, showing that the proposed model decreases more than 4 times the relative error with respect to simulations that do not include volume changes. The proposed model proves to be a useful method that can contribute to more accurate modeling of drying processes.

Un análisis bibliométrico del concepto "Novel Foods" en publicaciones de investigación entre 1997 y 2020

RESUMEN En Europa se consideran como "Novel Foods" cualquier alimento producido con nuevas tecnologías y sustancias, así como los que no se hayan utilizado para el consumo humano en un grado significativo dentro de la UE antes del 15 de mayo de 1997. Este artículo presenta una revisión general de las publicaciones relacionadas con Novel Foods, mediante un análisis bibliométrico utilizando información extraída de Web of Science (WoS) entre 1997 y 2020. La revisión identificó a los autores más citados y productivos, así como a los principales países y revistas que realizan publicaciones. Los resultados se exponen en tablas y gráficos, además se incluye un mapeo bibliométrico obtenido con el programa VOSviewer. Entre los países con mayor número de publicaciones y citaciones se encontró Estados Unidos, Inglaterra y Países Bajos; mientras que entre los autores más productivos se encontró a Naska A. (Grecia), Siani A. (Italia) y Turck D. (Francia). Este trabajo puede orientar a diversos académicos que deseen realizar investigaciones en este campo junto con otros investigadores de diferentes países e instituciones.

ABSTRACT "Novel Foods" are any foods produced with new technologies and substances, as well as those that have not been used for human consumption to a significant degree. This article presents a general review of publications related to "Novel Foods", through a bibliometric analysis using information extracted from Web of Science (WoS) between 1997 and 2020. The review identified the most cited and productive authors, as well as the main countries and journals publishing. The results are presented in tables and graphs, and a bibliometric mapping using the VOSviewer program is also included. The countries with the highest number of publications and citations were the United States, England, and Netherlands; while among the most productive authors were Naska, A. (Greece), Siani, A. (Italy) and Turck, D. (France). This work may provide guidance to academics who wish to conduct research in this field together with other researchers from different countries and institutions.

Effects of Infrared-Assisted Refractance Window™ Drying on the Drying Kinetics, Microstructure, and Color of Physalis Fruit Purée.

The objective of this work was to study the influence of the drying temperature, infrared (IR) radiation assistance, and the Mylar™ film thickness during Physalis fruit purée drying by the Refractance Window™ (RW™) method. For this, a RW™ dryer layout with a regulated bath at working temperatures of 60, 75, and 90 °C, Mylar™ thicknesses of 0.19, 0.25, 0.30 mm and IR radiation of 250 W for assisting RW™ drying process was used. Experimental curves data were expressed in moisture ratio (MR) in order to obtain moisture effective diffusivities (non-assisted RW™: Deff = 2.7-10.1 × 10-10 m2/s and IR-assisted RW™: Deff = 4.2-13.4 × 10-10 m2/s) and further drying curves modeling (Page, Henderson-Pabis, Modified Henderson-Pabis, Two-Term, and Midilli-Kucuk models). The Midilli-Kucuk model obtained the best-fit quality on experimental curves regarding statistical tests applied (Coefficient of Determination (R2), Chi-Square (χ2) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). Microscopical observations were carried out to study the RW™ drying conditions effect on microstructural changes of Physalis fruit purée. The main findings of this work indicated that the use of IR-assisted RW™ drying effectively accelerates the drying process, which achieved a decrease drying time around 60%. Thus, this combined RW™ process is strongly influenced by the working temperature and IR-power applied, and slightly by Mylar™ thickness.

Pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita maxima): a review of functional attributes and by-products / Semillas de calabaza (Cucurbita máxima): una revisión de sus propiedades funcionales y sub-productos

ABSTRACT The need to obtain nutritious foods from new sources and lower waste in industry has created a high interest in studying different parts of plants or foods that today are considered waste, but could be considered by-products with high nutritional value with potential use in human diets. Pumpkin seeds are commonly considered as waste but they have a high content of fatty and amino acids, which when used as a by-product or ingredient can add value to food products. The aim of this work was to perform a wide review of the nutritional and functional properties of Cucurbita maxima seeds and their potential medicinal influence.

RESUMEN La necesidad de obtener alimentos nutritivos de nuevas fuentes y menores desperdicios en la industria ha generado un gran interés en el estudio de diferentes partes de plantas o alimentos que hoy en día se consideran desechos, pero que podrían considerarse subproductos con alto valor nutricional y uso potencial en alimentación humana. Las semillas de calabaza se consideran comúnmente como desechos, pero tienen un alto e importante contenido de ácidos grasos y aminoácidos, que cuando se utilizan como subproducto o ingrediente pueden aportar un alto valor agregado a los productos alimenticios. El objetivo de este trabajo es realizar una amplia revisión de las propiedades nutricionales y funcionales de las semillas de Cucurbita maxima y su potencial influencia medicinal asociada a ellas.

Influence of air-drying temperature on drying kinetics, colour, firmness and biochemical characteristics of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fillets.

In this work the drying kinetics of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fillets and the influence of air drying temperature on colour, firmness and biochemical characteristics were studied. Experiments were conducted at 40, 50 and 60°C. Effective moisture diffusivity increased with temperature from 1.08×10(-10) to 1.90×10(-10) m(2) s(-1). The colour difference, determined as ΔE values (from 9.3 to 19.3), as well as firmness (from 25 to 75 N mm(-1)) of dried samples increased with dehydration temperature. The lightness value L(∗) and yellowness value b(∗) indicated formation of browning products at higher drying temperatures, while redness value a(∗) showed dependence on astaxanthin value. Compared with fresh fish samples, palmitic acid and tocopherol content decreased in a 20% and 40%, respectively, with temperature. While eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) content remained unchanged and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content changed slightly. Anisidine and thiobarbituric acid values indicated the formation of secondary lipid oxidation products, which is more relevant for longer drying time than for higher drying temperatures.