Hasil untuk "Nutrition. Foods and food supply"

Confidence Ndlovu, Mfundo Mandla Masuku

The local food system plays a major role in ensuring food travels from “soil to the stomach.” However, in South Africa, it is deeply rooted in exclusionary barriers that restrict the participation of small-scale farmers in the formal value chain. The majority of these small-scale farmers remain in the informal sector and are often disconnected from the mainstream markets. The paper aims to analyse the exclusionary barriers that hinder the participation of small-scale farmers in the formal value chain. The study adopted a Comprehensive Literature Review (CLR) to synthesise and integrate theoretical, grey and empirical perspectives, thereby providing a holistic framework for understanding systemic barriers that perpetuate exclusion. The study reveals that the local food system is not transformative or inclusive of the needs of all agricultural sectors, particularly those of small-scale farmers. Thus, the inability to address food insecurity is further exacerbated by exclusionary or systematic barriers that prevent small-scale farmers from entering formal markets. The study recommends the reformation of local food system policies to eliminate exclusionary and systematic barriers, thereby fostering an enabling environment for small-scale farmers to thrive in formal markets. This can create equitable and inclusive opportunities for small-scale producers to enhance household food security.

Melvin A. Pascall, Jameel Ahmed, Mary Beth Arensberg et al.

Food packaging helps in labeling, transport, preservation, and the safety of food. Safety is especially critical in processing foods for vulnerable populations like infants/children, individuals with medical conditions, and older adults. These groups frequently rely on specialized nutrition products, including foods regulated in the United States (US) as infant formulas, medical foods, and foods for special dietary use (FSDU). As US states set post-consumer recycled (PCR) content mandates for product packaging, newer technologies like advanced recycling are essential to meet developing demands for recycled and sustainable packaging materials for specialized nutrition products. Also, advanced recycling must be fully supported in sustainability policies to ensure an adequate and safe recycled packaging supply. However, these urgent needs may not be well-recognized or understood. A literature search to identify scientific publications produced during the last 25 years found few papers specific to the packaging of specialized nutrition products and advanced recycling. Understanding emerging trends in safe food packaging materials, recycling, and sustainability policies is essential for maintaining access to specialized nutrition products in the US. This Perspective makes the case for advanced recycling as a path to safe, more sustainable food packaging for US specialized nutrition products and describes opportunities for strengthening the advanced recycling policy framework.

Yue Fan, Weicheng Li, Yexuan Sui et al.

Natural butter possesses a mild aroma that can be enhanced through biotransformation into cheese-flavored bases. This study systematically optimized hydrolysis and fermentation conditions using four proteases, lipase, and Lactococcus lactis. Initial single-factor experiments suggested that the lipase-to-protease ratio, hydrolysis temperature and duration, and starter culture inoculum level significantly affected flavor development. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to further refine the enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation conditions for the four treatment groups. GC–MS analysis identified 218 volatile metabolites across all samples, with esters, acids, and ketones being the predominant volatile classes in enzymatically hydrolyzed and fermented butter. Notably, distinct flavor profiles were observed for each of the four processes studied. Metabolic pathway analysis confirmed that these characteristic flavors originated from the synergistic interaction of proteases, lipase, and L. lactis. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the development and application of natural cheese-flavored essences in the food industry.

Ídila Maria da Silva Araújo, Deborah dos Santos Garruti, Ênio Giuliano Girão et al.

Abstract This study investigated tourists’ perceptions, familiarity, and sensory acceptance of cashew-derived products in Beberibe, Ceará, Brazil—a major cashew-producing region and popular tourist destination. Recognizing the growing role of gastronomy in tourism, the research examined the potential of local cashew products to enhance gastronomic tourism and contribute to regional economic development. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining an online survey of 132 tourists with sensory tests of five cashew-based products: cashew juice, cajuina, cashew fruit confection, cashew syrup, and a plant-based croquette made from cashew fiber. The survey assessed tourists’ motivations to try local foods and their attitudes toward cashew products using a five-point Likert scale, while sensory evaluations applied a nine-point hedonic scale and a five-point purchase intent scale. Results indicated that most tourists were interested in trying new foods and valued consuming local food, particularly products from family farms. Moreover, participants reported that they would be more likely to purchase local food if informed about the region’s history, culture, and production processes. High levels of acceptance were observed for cashew fruit confection, cajuina, and the croquette, each achieving mean sensory scores of 8.0 or above. By integrating sensory testing with motivational and demographic analyses, this study underscores the potential of cashew products to promote gastronomic tourism and provides actionable insights for stakeholders seeking to strengthen marketing strategies and support local economic growth. Practical measures such as improved packaging, storytelling, and short marketing circuits may further enhance product visibility.

Anna Safitri, Sutrisno Sutrisno, Sri Wardhani et al.

Nigella sativa (black cumin) is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids with strong antioxidant and therapeutic effects; however its bioactive compounds exhibit instability and low bioavailability. This study developed spray-dried microcapsules of N. sativa extract using chitosan, gum Arabic, and maltodextrin as carrier materials. The formulations were evaluated for encapsulation efficiency (EE), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), morphology (SEM), and in vitro release under simulated gastric (pH 2.2) and intestinal (pH 7.4) conditions. Chitosan-based microcapsules showed the highest EE (78.62%) and antioxidant activity (IC50 99.64 µg/mL), with SEM revealing uniform, spherical particles (3.84–4.93 µm) and smooth surfaces. The release profile studies indicated pH-dependent behavior, with greater release at pH 7.4, suggesting suitability for intestinal delivery. Kinetic modeling indicated a non-Fickian diffusion mechanism. Overall, chitosan demonstrated superior performance and stability, producing microcapsules with strong antioxidant activity and controlled release, suggesting promising applications in functional food, nutraceutical, and therapeutic formulations.

Robin Wilson, Robin Wilson, Xiaotian Shen et al.

Sylvia M. S. Chungchunlam, Paul J. Moughan

Marleen A. H. Lentjes, Sarah Lönnström, Karin Lobenius Palmér et al.

Since lack of culture-specific foods in dietary assessment methods may bias reported dietary intake, we identified foods and dishes consumed by residents not born in Sweden and describe consequences for reported foods and nutrient intake using a culturally adapted dietary assessment method. Design consisted of cross-sectional data collection using (semi-)qualitative methods of dietary assessment (and national diet survey instrument RiksmatenFlex) with subsequent longitudinal data collection using quantitative methods for method comparison (December 2020–January 2023). Three community-based research groups were recruited that consisted of mothers born in Sweden, Syria/Iraq, and Somalia, with a median age of 34, 37, and 36 years, respectively. Women born in Syria/Iraq and Somalia who had lived in Sweden for approximately 10 years, reported 78 foods to be added to RiksmatenFlex. In a subsequent study phase, 69% of these foods were reported by around 90% of the ethnic minority groups and contributed to 17% of their reported energy intake. However, differences between the three study groups in median self-reported energy intake remained (Sweden 7.19 MJ, Syria/Iraq 5.54 MJ, and Somalia 5.69 MJ). The groups also showed differences in relative energy contribution from fats and carbohydrates, as well as differences in energy intake from food groups such as bread and sweet snacks. We conclude that a dietary assessment instrument containing culture-specific foods could not resolve group differences in reported energy intake, although these foods provided content validity and contributed 17% of energy intake. The dietary habits collected in this study serve to develop new dietary assessment instruments.

Ryan Flynn, Haley Cremerius, Lisa Ebner et al.

(1) Background: Multiple point-of-care (POC) glucometers are in use in veterinary medicine, but few are compared to each other. This leaves the potential for clinicians to be unaware of the effect of bias when comparing results from different POC glucometers. (2) Methods: Samples from healthy calves and ewes were simultaneously compared with two POC veterinary glucometers, the Precision Xtra and the AlphaTrak2, under both the “canine” and “feline” settings. The results of each sample were statistically analyzed with linear regression and Bland–Altman analysis. (3) Results: 170 samples from healthy calves and 108 samples from healthy ewes were available for comparison. Calves: The AT2 consistently overestimated blood glucose concentrations when compared to the PX device with the calves. Correlationt with the PX was r = 0.8496 (canine setting) and r = 0.8861 (feline setting). Both the canine and feline settings demonstrated a consistent bias (41.11 and 33.64 mg/dL, respectively). Ewes: The AT2 consistently overestimated blood glucose concentrations when compared to the PX device with the ewes. Correlation with the PX was R = 0.4710 (canine setting) and R = 0.7269 (feline setting). Both the canine and feline settings demonstrated a consistent bias (21.23 and 14.54 mg/dL, respectively). (4) Clinicians should be aware of the potential for consistent bias when evaluating calf and sheep blood glucose concentrations as the AT2 device, at both settings, overestimated blood glucose compared to the previously validated PX. This reliability appears to change when the values are farther from the normal ranges, which should be considered when making clinical decisions based on data from these devices.

Sarah Dickie, Julie Woods, Priscila Machado et al.

Braja Manggala, Malinny Debra, Chatchawan Chaichana et al.

Hydroponics has been proven to increase crop production, particularly for leafy vegetable families, significantly. In addition, the hydroponic system can assist farmers in managing water and nutrition; as a result, this method is appropriate for sustainability as a real action to prevent further environmental damage caused by agricultural production. Several hydroponics systems have been invented; however, to get high plant yields, a selection of the system must be done by looking at the characteristics of the cultivated plants. Furthermore, artificial environmental conditions, such as light, temperature, and humidity, must be adjusted to accommodate the plant's requirements in a closed hydroponic system.  In this study, three hydroponics systems (i.e., wick technique, Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), and Deep Flow Technique (DFT)) were compared for morphology features, including the number of leaves, leaf width, plant height, wet root weight, and fresh weight. Caisim (Brassica chinensis L.) was grown on a single shelf; this design was intended to maximize land utilization in a closed area. Caisim's growing condition was under blue-red LED light for 35 days with a 16-hour illumination time at a distance of 15 and 20 cm. At harvest time, Caisim morphology utilizing the NFT approach produced a more significant (P < 0.05) result than the wick and DFT methods. Furthermore, on fresh weight, the LED at 15 cm outperformed the wick, DFT, and NFT at 20 cm by 20%, 47%, and 33%, respectively. According to the findings, the NFT approach combined with a 15 cm spacing distance or a light intensity of 250 PPFD was better and significantly impacted Caisim's shape.

EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP), Claude Lambré, José Manuel Barat Baviera et al.

Abstract The food enzyme containing triacylglycerol lipase (triacylglycerol acylhydrolase; EC 3.1.1.3) is prepared from the pregastric tissues of calves, young goats and lambs by Caglificio Clerici SpA. The food enzyme is intended to be used in the production of cheese. As no concerns arose from the animal source of the food enzyme, from its manufacture and based on the history of safe use and consumption, the Panel considered that toxicological data were not required and no exposure assessment was necessary. A search for the similarity of the amino acid sequence of the food enzyme to known allergens was made and no match was found. The Panel considered that a risk of allergic reactions upon dietary exposure cannot be excluded, but the likelihood is low. Based on the data provided, the Panel concluded that this food enzyme does not give rise to safety concerns under the intended conditions of use.

EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP), Claude Lambré, José Manuel Barat Baviera et al.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP Panel) assessed the safety of the recycling process Coca‐Cola HBC Polska (EU register number RECYC213), which uses the Vacurema Prime technology. The input material is hot caustic washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes originating from collected post‐consumer PET containers, including no more than 5% PET from non‐food applications. The flakes are heated in a batch reactor (step 2) ■■■■■ and then heated in a continuous reactor (step 3) ■■■■■ before being extruded into preforms. Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that step 2 and step 3 are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. The operating parameters to control the performance of these steps are temperature, pressure and residence time. It was demonstrated that this recycling process is able to ensure that the level of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food is below the conservatively modelled migration of 0.1 μg/kg food. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not of safety concern, when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs for long term storage at room temperature, with or without hotfill. The final articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave and conventional ovens and such uses are not covered by this evaluation.

Rafael Perez-Araluce, Miguel Ángel Martínez-González, Miguel Ángel Martínez-González et al.

Adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet has been customarily assessed with the Mediterranean diet score (MDS or Trichopolou Index), with values of 0 or 1 assigned to each of the nine elements, and with the use of the sex-specific median as the cutoff. The value of persons whose consumption of the six beneficial items (ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fatty acids, vegetables, legumes, fruits and nuts, cereal, and fish) is at or above the median and is assigned a value of 1. Otherwise they receive 0 points. For detrimental elements (meats and dairy products) persons whose consumption is below the median are assigned a value of 1. An additional ninth point is assigned to moderate ethanol intake. We assessed the effect of each of the nine components of the MDS (replacing the fats ratio with olive oil, the main source of monounsaturated fats in the Mediterranean diet) on the risk of COVID-19 infection, symptomatic and severe COVID-19. From March to December 2020, 9,699 participants of the “Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra” (SUN) cohort answered a COVID-19 questionnaire. After excluding doctors and nurses, 5,194 participants were included in the main statistical analyses. Among them, we observed 382 cases of COVID-19 based on symptoms and clinical diagnosis; 167 of them with test confirmation. For the two COVID-19 definitions used, we found a significant decrease in risk for a higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (OR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.42–0.98, p for trend = 0.040; and OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.22–0.88, p for trend = 0.020, for test-diagnosed cases). A protective effect was also found for symptomatic COVID-19 (OR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.41–1.00, p for trend = 0.050). Among the different individual food groups, only the consumption of whole dairy products showed a harmful direct association. The Mediterranean diet as a whole seems more important than each of its components in preventing the infection and symptoms of COVID-19.

Paulina Szczurek-Janicka, Katarzyna Ropka-Molik, Maria Oczkowicz et al.

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of different dietary interventions started at middle age on the metabolic phenotype and gene expression profiling in the hypothalamus. One-year old rats were fed either a control diet, high-fat diet (HFD), HFD supplemented with resveratrol (HFD+RESV), or HFD supplemented with α-ketoglutarate (HFD+AKG). A 6-week HFD feeding led to significant changes in concentrations of plasma glucose, insulin, lipids, and thyroid hormones. Moreover, 32% of the 84 analyzed genes correlated with aging were differentially expressed compared to the control group, with the largest functional class being related to inflammatory response. Dietary RESV ameliorated the changes in plasma glucose, total cholesterol, and triiodothyronine concentrations induced by HFD feeding and significantly downregulated 60% of the surveyed genes compared to the control group, resulting in a major molecular shift compared to HFD alone. In contrast, AKG supplementation did not affect the metabolic phenotype, but prevented the gene expression pattern caused by HFD consumption, mimicking the effects observed in the control group. HFD feeding induces metabolic dysfunction and age-related genetic alterations in the hypothalamus of middle-aged rats, while dietary RESV or AKG may partially retard these effects, even though these compounds act in a different and specific manner.

Ismael A. Contreras-Guillén, Sara Leeson, Sara Leeson et al.

Background: Latin American countries show a fast-growing rate of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and diet is a critical risk factor that must be properly assessed. Automated dietary assessment tools to collect 24-h dietary recalls (24HR) are lacking in Argentina.Objective: This study aimed to develop an open-access automated tool (MAR24) for collecting 24HR using a multiple pass method and a database containing foods and recipes commonly consumed in Argentina.Methods: MAR24 was developed based on data from 1,285 24HR provided by male and female participants aged 18 to 68 years from the six Argentinian geographical regions. The main structure and interface of the tool were designed using Visual Basic for Applications programming language in Excel Microsoft Office 365, integrating the five steps of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Automated Multiple-Pass Method (AMPM) for the application of 24HR in Spanish. The tool underwent alpha testing and expert assessment to address structural and usability issues. Critical feedback and face validation from researchers and experienced dietitians, and repeated testing to collect 24HR were used to adjust and improve the tool.Results: A total of 968 food items and 100 standard Argentinian recipes were added to its database. MAR24 allows the estimation of the nutrient profile of dietary intake. The analytic food composition includes energy and 50 nutrients including water, macronutrients, total dietary fiber, total sugar, 10 minerals, 19 vitamins, eight fatty acids, cholesterol, ethyl alcohol, caffeine, and theobromine. MAR24 includes a user manual and technical manual to guide users to apply changes (e.g., add foods or recipes, or change food designation according to local terms) to fit different research and clinical applications.Conclusions: MAR24 is the first tool that uses the AMPM methodology for 24HR applications in Argentina. The tool may be used in clinical practice and clinical trials for monitoring purposes, and in validation of food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) for nutritional epidemiology studies addressing dietary-associated risk factors for NCDs.

Peng Miao, Lin Guan

Background: Many case–control studies have investigated the association between dietary cholesterol and gastric cancer, yielding inconsistent findings. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies to assess the relationship between dietary cholesterol intake and gastric cancer among adults.Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were systematically searched to identify articles that evaluated the association of dietary cholesterol with gastric cancer up to May 2021. Pooled odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using random-effects models. Dose–response analysis was used to explore the shape and strength of the association.Results: Fourteen case–control studies with 6,490 gastric cancer patients and 17,793 controls met our inclusion criteria. In the meta-analysis of the highest vs. the lowest dietary cholesterol categories, a significantly higher (~35%) risk of gastric cancer was observed in association with high cholesterol consumption (pooled OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.29–1.62, I2 = 68%; 95%CI: 45–81%). Subgroup analysis also showed this positive relationship in population-based case–control studies, those conducted on non-US countries, those with a higher number of cases and high-quality studies, those that collected dietary data via interviews, studies not adjusted for Helicobacter pylori infection, and studies where the body mass index was controlled. Besides, a non-linear dose–response association was also identified (P = 0.03).Conclusion: This study demonstrated that dietary cholesterol intake could significantly augment the risk of gastric cancer in case–control studies. Prospective cohort studies with large sample sizes and long durations of follow-up are required to verify our results.

Jalal Moludi, Jalal Moludi, Nitin Shivappa et al.

Aims: Previous studies suggest that diet and inflammation are important risk factors for heart failure (HF); however, the associations remain unclear. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) was established to measure the inflammatory capacity of individuals' diet. This study aimed to explore the DII in HF subjects compared with controls.Methods and Results: We conducted a case–control (116 cases and 113 controls) study that recruited in the similar clinics. DII scores were calculated based on dietary intakes. N-Terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels and ejection fraction (EF) were assessed in both groups. In order to analyze DII scores with HF as the outcome, we used conditional logistic regression. A linear regression was applied to explore the associations between the DII and left ventricular EF (LVEF).There was statistically significant difference in DII scores in cases vs. controls (−0.16 ± 1.37 vs. −0.33 ± 1.67; p = 0.040). Conditional logistic regression has shown that subjects with higher DII scores had higher risk of HF. For every one-point rise in DII score, the odds of having HF increased by 30% (OR: 1.30; CI: 1.03, 1.69; p = 0.047). The EF was inversely associated with saturated fatty acid (β = −0.34, 95% CI: −0.61, −0.07; p = 0.012). Subjects with higher DII scores had higher NT-proBNP levels and had lower EF.Conclusion: The DII score was associated with high probability of HF. It appears that consumption of anti-inflammatory diet may lead to the prevention of HF and therefore suggests that dietary modification with the goal of reducing DII scores could be a valuable strategy for improving clinical outcomes in these patients.

Jun Han, Lei Shen, Zheng Zhan et al.

Abstract Background Cancer-associated cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome defined by progressive weight loss with ongoing loss of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Adipose loss occurs in the early stage of cachexia and is associated with reduced quality of life and survival time. Although numerous lncRNAs are regarded as novel regulators in adipose metabolism, the role of lncRNAs that selectively modulate the development of adipose loss in cachexia remains limited. Methods In this study, we analyzed microarray data of lncRNAs in adipose loss and further explored the function and mechanism of MALAT1 in adipose loss. First, we explored the expression and function of MALAT1 in adipose cell by quantitative PCR and RNA knockdown. Subsequently, the mechanism of MALAT1 involvement in adipose loss was analyzed via RNA-seq, bioinformatics analysis and reporter gene assay. Finally, we explored the clinical significance of MALAT1 through correlation analysis. Results Cellular experiments revealed that knocking down MALAT1 significantly inhibited the process of adipogenesis. RNA-seq data showed that numerous adipogenic genes were downregulated upon MALAT1 knockdown. A protein–protein interaction network analysis identified PPAR-γ as the central node transcription factor, the inhibition of which explains the downregulation of numerous adipogenic genes. A reporter gene assay suggested that MALAT1 can regulate the gene expression of PPAR-γ at the transcriptional level. Moreover, MALAT1 was weakly expressed in the subcutaneous white adipose tissue of cancer-associated cachexia patients and was related to low fat mass index and poor prognosis in cancer patients. Conclusions This study indicated that MALAT1 is associated with adipose loss in cancer-associated cachexia by regulating adipogenesis through PPAR-γ, which may potentially be a novel target for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer-associated cachexia in the clinic.