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Nutritional Properties, Sensory Profile and Bioactive Components of Food, 3rd Edition

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 2049

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Food Science and Biotechnology, Department of Engineering and Cereal Technology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
Interests: functional foods; physicochemical properties of foods; food analysis; food processing; food quality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Food Technology and Assessment, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 159C Nowoursynowska Street, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: functional foods; physicochemical properties of foods; food analysis; food processing; food quality

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Throughout recent decades, there has been an increased focus on describing the composition and nutritional value of foods, also supported by the study of their sensory profiles. This can be seen to stem from the notably increasing demand by consumers for foods that go beyond nutritional needs to promote well-being, reduce disease and increase lifespan.

Epidemiological studies have shown a correlation between the increased consumption of some specific foods and the reduced risks of chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and age-related functional decline. These health-beneficial effects are thought to be related to macronutrients, micronutrients and bioactive compounds and the potential health benefits linked to the numerous phytochemicals present in different food sources, which appear to be responsible for preventing many diseases and infections, are well known.

Furthermore, the sensory properties of food such as color, appearance and flavor (the last being given by smell, taste and texture) are extremely important not only to consumers, but also to producers, as they directly relate to product quality and end-user acceptance. The increasing demand for more attractive, tasty and healthy food can lead to the development of value-added products in the food sector. Nowadays, it is important to deepen our knowledge of food quality, phytochemical composition and marketability to meet the demand of consumers, producers and retailers.

This Special Issue aims to further underline current developments in all fields that are connected to the bioactive constituents of food, as well as their nutritional and sensory characteristics.

Dr. Aldona Sobota
Dr. Grażyna Cacak-Pietrzak
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • food analysis
  • bioactive compounds
  • sensory characteristics
  • food composition
  • functional food ingredients

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 2037 KB  
Article
Wheat Pasta Enriched with Green Coffee Flour: Physicochemical, Antioxidant and Sensory Properties
by Dariusz Dziki, Grażyna Cacak-Pietrzak, Julia Kopyto-Krzepicka, Agata Marzec, Sylwia Stępniewska, Anna Krajewska, Wioleta Dołomisiewicz, Renata Nowak and Sebastian Kanak
Molecules 2025, 30(24), 4765; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30244765 - 13 Dec 2025
Viewed by 233
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of green coffee flour (GCF) addition (2–8%) and drying method (convective versus microwave-vacuum drying) on the physicochemical, textural, and bioactive properties of pasta. Both factors were found to significantly influence the assessed parameters. Green coffee had [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of green coffee flour (GCF) addition (2–8%) and drying method (convective versus microwave-vacuum drying) on the physicochemical, textural, and bioactive properties of pasta. Both factors were found to significantly influence the assessed parameters. Green coffee had no observable effect on the microstructure of convectively dried pasta, whereas microwave-vacuum drying caused visible cracks and a heterogeneous starch-protein matrix even at a 2% supplementation level. Microwave-vacuum-dried pasta exhibited a shorter optimal cooking time and higher water absorption compared with convectively dried samples, while increasing the level of GCF prolonged cooking time and increased cooking losses. Texture analysis revealed that convectively dried pasta showed decreased elasticity and cohesiveness with increasing GCF content, whereas microwave -vacuum-dried pasta maintained a relatively uniform texture regardless of supplementation. The incorporation of GCF enhanced the antioxidant capacity of pasta, with the most pronounced effect at 2% addition, while higher levels showed reduced benefits. Similarly, fortification increased the content of phenolic acids, particularly chlorogenic acid and its isomers, with convectively dried samples exhibiting higher levels than microwave-vacuum-dried pasta. Consumer acceptance was highest for convectively dried pasta without GCF and for samples containing 2%, while pasta with higher GCF levels or microwave-vacuum-dried samples received lower scores. Full article
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16 pages, 826 KB  
Article
Effect of Wheat Flour Substitution with Medicinal Mushroom Powder on Protein and Starch Digestibility and Functional Properties of Bread
by Paulina Łysakowska, Aldona Sobota and Małgorzata Gumienna
Molecules 2025, 30(22), 4380; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30224380 - 13 Nov 2025
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Abstract
Medicinal mushrooms are recognised as a source of bioactive polysaccharides and proteins with potential health benefits. This study presents the first comparative evaluation of wheat bread fortified with powdered fruiting bodies of three medicinal mushroom species: Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane), Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), [...] Read more.
Medicinal mushrooms are recognised as a source of bioactive polysaccharides and proteins with potential health benefits. This study presents the first comparative evaluation of wheat bread fortified with powdered fruiting bodies of three medicinal mushroom species: Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane), Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), and Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Cordyceps). Wheat flour was partially substituted at levels of 3–12%, and the resulting breads were analysed for (1→3)(1→6)-β-D-glucan content as well as in vitro protein and starch digestibility. Mushroom enrichment significantly increased β-glucan concentration in bread, with the greatest enhancement observed for 12% Reishi substitution (5.67% d.m.). Starch digestibility decreased across all fortified breads, accompanied by a substantial increase in resistant starch, particularly for Reishi bread (+427% relative to control). Protein digestibility was also reduced, most prominently in Cordyceps bread (−32.7 percentage points), although these products still provided up to ~52% more total protein than the control. The results confirm that incorporating medicinal mushrooms into wheat bread effectively increases its content of bioactive components, such as β-glucans, resistant starch and protein, indicating its potential as a nutrient-enriched bakery product with improved functional value. Full article
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Review

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21 pages, 3306 KB  
Review
Oil from Cornelian Cherry Kernels
by Anna Bieniek, Iwona Szot and Grzegorz P. Łysiak
Molecules 2025, 30(22), 4382; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30224382 - 13 Nov 2025
Viewed by 559
Abstract
The utilization of post-production and post-processing by-products aligns with current trends in sustainable fruit industry practices. Recovering valuable nutrients from such materials holds significant potential for the food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors. Among these, cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) seeds represent [...] Read more.
The utilization of post-production and post-processing by-products aligns with current trends in sustainable fruit industry practices. Recovering valuable nutrients from such materials holds significant potential for the food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors. Among these, cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) seeds represent a promising source of functional ingredients, particularly due to their oil’s rich nutritional and phytochemical profile. The seeds, accounting for approximately 9–10% of the fruit mass, yield an oil characterized by high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids—mainly linoleic acid (≈67.5%) and oleic acid (≈20%)—alongside palmitic (≈5.8%) and stearic acids (≈2.1%). Linolenic acid content, however, shows notable variability (1.4–14.7%), influencing the oil’s omega-6/omega-3 ratio, which generally remains below 5:1. Cornelian cherry seed oil stands out among other stone fruit oils (e.g., rosehip, apricot, peach, cherry, plum) for its favorable fatty acid composition and absence of cyanogenic glycosides, making it safe for human consumption. Beyond its nutritional value, this oil exhibits biological activity and health-promoting potential, suggesting wide applicability in functional foods and nutraceutical formulations. Despite progress in characterizing seed composition—including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, minerals, and tannins—knowledge gaps persist regarding the transfer of these compounds into the oil, particularly under cold-pressing conditions. Future studies should focus on optimizing extraction processes, assessing thermal treatment effects, and clarifying the variability of linolenic acid. Such research will support the sustainable exploitation of cornelian cherry by-products and the industrial-scale development of this high-value oil. Full article
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