Functional Foods: Composition Detection, Benefits and High-Value Development

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods, and Novel Foods".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2024) | Viewed by 2556

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
Interests: natural bioactive components; chlorophylls; carotenoids; phytochemicals; digestion; encapsulation; food analysis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
Interests: quality control; food by-products; functionality evaluation; food fermentation; flavor; food macro-molecules

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Functional foods or food ingredients have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential to provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. This issue aims to explore the composition detection, benefits and high-value development of functional foods, highlighting their importance in promoting overall well-being. The accurate qualification and quantitation of bioactive components in functional foods enables the development of precise formulations that offer specific health benefits, such as improved digestion, enhanced immune function and reduced risk of chronic diseases. Apart from supplementing particular vitamins and minerals to address nutrient deficiencies in individuals, functional foods are linked to various health benefits, encompassing antioxidant properties, probiotic effects, enhanced digestion and absorption of essential nutrients, among others. Recognizing the growing demand for functional foods, there is a need for high-value development to ensure their quality and effectiveness. This involves investing in research and development to create innovative functional food products using natural and sustainable ingredients. Additionally, implementing strict quality control measures throughout the production process guarantees the safety and reliability of these products. Developing partnerships with healthcare professionals and nutritionists can also help in educating and guiding consumers about the benefits of functional foods, leading to increased integration and market growth.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

Analysis of functional components in foods or food ingredients, including methodological improvement and simplification, screening methods and strategies, novel equipment or detection approaches; 

Assessing the functionality of bioactive compounds, food extracts, foods or food ingredients;

Formation of functional products, including production techniques and the evaluation of associated health benefits.

Dr. Kewei Chen
Prof. Dr. Jianquan Kan
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • functional foods
  • functional evaluation
  • high-value development
  • food analyses
  • health benefits
  • detection techniques
  • functionality screening
  • phytochemicals

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

20 pages, 3616 KiB  
Article
Green Tea Epigallocatechin 3-Gallate Reduced Platelet Aggregation and Improved Anticoagulant Proteins in Patients with Transfusion-Dependent β-Thalassemia: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
by Touchwin Petiwathayakorn, Sasinee Hantrakool, Kornvipa Settakorn, Nuntouchaporn Hutachok, Adisak Tantiworawit, Nopphadol Chalortham, Pimpisid Koonyosying and Somdet Srichairatanakool
Foods 2024, 13(23), 3864; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13233864 - 29 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2035
Abstract
Patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT) with iron overload have been linked to hypercoagulability and increased platelet (PLT) activation that causes thrombosis. Green tea extract (GTE) rich in epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) exerts iron-chelating and antithrombotic properties. The study aimed to assess the effects of GTE [...] Read more.
Patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT) with iron overload have been linked to hypercoagulability and increased platelet (PLT) activation that causes thrombosis. Green tea extract (GTE) rich in epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) exerts iron-chelating and antithrombotic properties. The study aimed to assess the effects of GTE treatment on plasma coagulation state and PLT function in vitro and in patients with TDT. The subjects consumed a placebo or GTE tablets (50 mg and 2 × 50 mg EGCG equivalent) every day for two months. Blood was then collected from the treated patients for analyses of PLT numbers, agonist-induced PLT aggregation, and anti-coagulation proteins. In our findings indicate that the in vitro treatment of GTE (at least 1 mg EGCG equivalent) inhibited PLT aggregation in patients who were healthy and with thalassemia platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which was significant in the healthy PRP. Consistently, GTE treatment inhibited the PLT aggregation that had been ex vivo generated by collagen or ADP. In addition, consumption of GTE tablets greatly inhibited PLT aggregation and increased the plasma levels of proteins C and S, as well as the free protein S concentrations depending upon the time course, but not the GTE dosage. Moreover, plasma ferritin levels decreased in both green tea tablet groups in a time-dependent manner (p < 0.05 in the second month). In conclusion, EGCG-rich GTE diminished PLT aggregation in patients who were healthy and patients with thalassemia plasma. It also improved PLT aggregation and hypercoagulability in patients with TDT by increasing the antithrombotic activity of protein C and protein S. This would suggest an adjuvant of GTE could reduce the risk of thrombosis associated with iron overload. Full article
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