Search Results (947)

This study investigated the secondary fermentation of cocoa beans using mushrooms to further improve the quality of beans. Cocoa beans were fermented using 42 species of basidiomycetes and ascomycetes. Mycelial growth was observed in 29 strains. When 75% cocoa chocolate was prepared using the cocoa beans in which mycelial growth was observed, theobromine concentration was higher in 17 strains compared with the control. Furthermore, caffeine concentration was similar to or lower than the control in all strains. Chocolate produced using cocoa beans fermented with particularly Polyporus arcularius, Peziza vesiculosa, and Urnula craterium exhibited significantly higher theobromine concentrations. Compared to the control theobromine concentration of 7.53 mg/g, P. arcularius showed 9.25 mg/g, 9.13 mg/g for P. vesiculosa, and 9.05 mg/g for U. craterium. Furthermore, the reducing sugar concentration and total polyphenol concentration increased, and the antioxidant activity was similar to or higher than that of the control. These results suggest that secondary fermentation using mushrooms could be used to develop chocolate characterized by high theobromine, low caffeine, and rich polyphenol content. Full article

The Brazilian Amazon has been endangered by agro-extractivism, a development model characterized by the expansion of the agricultural frontier to produce raw commodities embedded in power-asymmetrical commodity chains. Recently, the socio-biodiversity economy has emerged as an alternative development model, aimed at reconciling local development with nature conservation. While the environmental and social contrasts between the two models are well documented, the commercial dimension of the socio-biodiversity economy remains underexplored. These two models are typically approached as separate systems, yet their coexistence and interaction within the same actors and across interconnected value chains has not been empirically examined. In this paper, we provide a qualitative analysis of dynamics and upgrading mechanisms in two cocoa value chains in the Brazilian Amazon: raw (bulk) and fine-flavor (fino) cocoa. Through this comparison, we examine how each chain differs in terms of commercial relations and how socio-biodiversity economy and agro-extractivism interact within the commercial sphere. The research took place in three municipalities along the Transamazon highway between March and September 2024. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with cocoa producers, buyers, and supporting actors such as NGOs, companies, and public agencies, complemented by participant observation and participation in cocoa-related events. Findings suggest that the bulk and fino cocoa chains present distinct commercial configurations, the former displaying agro-extractivist patterns, the latter consistent with the socio-biodiversity economy. Cocoa production in the region is part of an emergent socio-biodiversity economy that remains commercially embedded in agro-extractivism. Notably, farmers engage in both chains as part of their livelihood strategies, while relying predominantly on the bulk trade. We argue that the fino cocoa chain may represent a pathway for transforming commercial relations in the region, provided that the structural conditions sustaining agro-extractivist patterns in the bulk chain are addressed. More broadly, we show that production-level transitions toward sustainable farming do not automatically translate into the transformation of commercial relations, and call for greater analytical attention to the commercial dimension of socio-biodiversity economies. Full article

This study investigated the development of a sugar-free prebiotic and probiotic dark chocolate formulated with 39.76% cocoa mass, 41.856% cocoa butter, 14.8% inulin, and 1.6% stevioside. To enhance the stability of the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii, a microencapsulation technique using a cocoa powder, Na-alginate, and fructooligosaccharides (10:1:1 ratio) matrix was employed. The physicochemical properties and probiotic viability were monitored over a 120-day storage period at 25 °C. A significant increase in pH values was observed during storage (p < 0.05), while water activity (a_w) values significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Encapsulation provided superior protection, with encapsulated samples retaining 2.51 log CFU/g more probiotics than unencapsulated samples after 120 days. Furthermore, in vitro gastrointestinal digestion assays conducted after one day of storage demonstrated the protective efficacy of the matrix; while unencapsulated probiotics suffered a drastic reduction of 6.42 log CFU/g under gastric conditions (pH 3, 2 h), the encapsulated probiotics showed a significantly lower reduction of only 3.99 log CFU/g. These results confirm that the Na-alginate/FOS-based encapsulation significantly improves the resilience of S. boulardii against both storage conditions and gastrointestinal stress, making this sugar-free prebiotic chocolate an effective delivery vehicle for probiotic yeasts. Full article

Dark cup chocolate is recognized as a source of bioactive compounds with potential health-promoting properties. This study aimed to evaluate the fortification of the bioactive and sensory profile of dark cup chocolate formulated with three percentages of cocoa liquor from the Forastero variety (40, 70, and 100%). Chocolates were produced from cacao beans cultivated in Jaén (Cajamarca, Peru) and characterized in terms of their antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, tyramine concentration, and sensory attributes, which were assessed by a trained panel. The results showed that increasing the cocoa liquor percentage significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity and phenolic content, with the 100% cacao chocolate exhibiting the highest values. Likewise, tyramine concentration also increased with cocoa liquor content, reaching 41.90 mg/kg in the 100% formulation, while the 40% chocolate showed markedly lower levels (1.85 mg/kg). Overall, the findings demonstrate a positive association between cocoa liquor percentage, bioactive potential, and tyramine accumulation, highlighting the importance of cacao proportions in defining both functional properties and safety-related aspects of dark cup chocolate. Full article

Cardiovascular diseases and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are increasing sharply worldwide and share overlapping pathophysiological pathways, including oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperglycemia, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Dark chocolate, rich in cocoa flavanols such as epicatechin and catechin, exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Based on these properties, this narrative review uniquely integrates evidence on chocolate’s effects on both cardiovascular and hepatic health, exploring shared mechanisms and clinical implications. Evidence from clinical studies suggests that chocolate modulates nitric oxide bioavailability and NADPH oxidase activity. Clinical findings demonstrate improvements in flow-mediated dilation, decreased NT-proBNP, reduced intestinal permeability and endotoxemia, improved lipid profile (increased HDL-c and reduced total cholesterol, LDL-c, and triglycerides), increased plasma polyphenols, improved platelet function, and attenuated hepatocyte apoptosis. These findings suggest a potential role for cocoa flavanol-rich dark chocolate in cardiometabolic health; however, the evidence remains preliminary and is limited by heterogeneous study designs, small sample sizes, and short intervention durations. Despite these limitations, current evidence supports the inclusion of moderate dark chocolate consumption as a possible adjunct strategy to mitigate cardiometabolic and hepatic metabolic risks. Further large-scale, long-term trials are needed to confirm these beneficial effects and to standardize the dosage and formulation of cocoa flavanols. Full article

The cacao tree (Theobroma cacao L.) is a crop of great economic importance to Brazil and has undergone several breeding processes that, among other things, have made it possible to obtain several self-compatible genotypes, ensuring that there is no genotypic variation in the crop, with the differences observed in the plants being caused only by the environment. For this to continue, the proper and reliable execution of scientific experiments is essential, and quantifying the material needed to carry out these experiments, i.e., the plot size, is an important step. This requires a scientific justification for choosing the plot size. In the literature, various plot sizes are adopted in experiments with seedlings. Therefore, the objective was to determine the optimal plot size for experiments with clonal cacao seedlings. The method adopted was the modified maximum curvature method using a bootstrap resampling simulation with 2000 replacements. The genotypes CCN10, CCN51, CP2204, CP2176, PS1319, and PH16 were evaluated based on 13 morphological characteristics and three quality indices used in morphological characterization studies of seedlings. The optimal plot size for experimentation with cocoa seedlings is nine plants per experimental plot. Full article

Polyphenols are a diverse group of plant-derived bioactives that have been investigated as multi-target candidates for the potential prevention and management of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). We conducted an integrated bibliometric and mechanistic scoping review covering 12 polyphenol classes and seven major NDDs using records from PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science (1940–2024). Research landscapes and emerging themes were mapped using keyword co-occurrence, clustering analyses, and BERTopic modeling. Mechanistic evidence was synthesized across core pathways, including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, proteostasis (amyloid/tau and α-synuclein), mitochondrial dysfunction, and cholinergic modulation, to link preclinical findings with clinical outcomes. Publication output increased markedly after 2000, with China and the United States contributing the most records. Four persistent hotspots were identified: (1) antioxidant and neuroprotective effects (e.g., resveratrol, curcumin); (2) anti-inflammatory activity and intracellular signaling; (3) cognition, aging, and sex-specific responses in clinical research; and (4) animal models of memory impairment. Clinically investigated interventions include epigallocatechin gallate, Ginkgo biloba extracts, olive/cocoa polyphenols, and flavonoid-rich mixtures; however, limited bioavailability and heterogeneous trial designs constrain the strength of effect estimates. Advances in delivery systems, computational screening, and precision nutrition may improve translation. Overall, polyphenols show multi-target neuroprotective potential, but larger and more standardized clinical trials are needed to support evidence-based nutritional strategies for NDD prevention and management. Full article

This study examines the feasibility of incorporating cocoa bean hulls (CBH) into chocolate in order to improve the resource efficiency of the cocoa value chain. The substitution of cocoa nibs with pre-milled cocoa bean hulls without adjustment of fat content was investigated in dark chocolate. The reference R100.0 (dark chocolate, 0% CBH) was compared with V75.25 (25% of cocoa nibs replaced; 16.25% CBH total) and V50.50 (50% replacement; 32% CBH total). Increasing CBH significantly elevated viscosity and yield stress, and firmness rose correspondingly. Both effects align with the literature attributing such increases to higher solids loading and reduced fat content. Colour analysis (ΔE) showed distinct differences between R100.0 and V50.50. Environmental impact was reduced by 16% for V75.25 and 32% for V50.50. According to the EU Novel-Food-Status-Catalogue, CBH is not classified as novel food. While CBH is typically regarded as an underutilized by-product, this study demonstrates its potential as a functional, cost-reducing ingredient in dark chocolate formulations when applied at optimized inclusion levels. Full article

Cocoa bean shells (CBS) represent a significant by-product of the transformation of cocoa beans, constituting approximately 15% of the total cocoa bean weight. Recently, interest in exploring the potential of these shells as a sustainable source of functional ingredients for use in cosmetics and nutraceuticals has grown. The present study investigates microwave-assisted subcritical water extraction (MASWE) as a green and fast technique to recover bioactive compounds from CBS. A flash extraction (five minutes) at 170 °C yielded a maximum of 45.78 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per gram of CBS, which was higher than that obtained using conventional conditions (25.73 mg GAE/g CBS with 50% acetone solution). Additionally, the HPLC profile of the extract from MASWE revealed a significant increase in hydroxybenzoic acids and catechin, compared to the conventional extract. Following the optimization of the extraction process, seven distinct resins were examined to isolate a bioactive-enriched fraction: Sepabeads SP700 was found to be the most effective resin for concentrating such compounds, increasing both methylxanthines and TPC selectivity up to 4.2-fold. This valorization approach, integrating MASWE and downstream optimization, offers an innovative strategy to recover added-value products from CBS in line with green extraction and nutraceutical innovation. Full article

Unsafe disposal of pesticide waste remains a critical environmental and public health issue in developing agricultural systems. This study examined cocoa farmers’ disposal behaviours and their determinants across Nigeria’s major cocoa-producing regions using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. Quantitative data were collected from 391 farmers, followed by 23 in-depth interviews to contextualise behavioural drivers. Results showed that knowledge of pesticide risks and availability of disposal facilities significantly predicted safer disposal practices (R² = 0.469, p < 0.05), whereas age had a negative influence. Qualitative findings revealed that negative attitudes, social norms, and limited infrastructure reinforced unsafe behaviours, while membership in farmers’ associations promoted safer practices through peer learning. A joint display demonstrated convergence between structural enablers (collection cages, extension support) and behavioural factors (knowledge, attitudes, norms). The study identifies a dual challenge of systemic shortcomings and behavioural inertia, suggesting that regulatory action alone is insufficient without farmer engagement and education. Policy and extension programmes should prioritise collection infrastructure, association-based training, and Integrated Pest Management to promote sustainable pesticide waste management. These insights advance understanding of pesticide disposal behaviour and offer actionable guidance for environmental governance in low- and middle-income agricultural contexts. Full article

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is an important source of bioactive compounds with high antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial properties. However, these compounds are susceptible to degradation by light, oxygen, pH, and temperature, which limits their functionality. This study evaluated the microencapsulation of CCN-51 cocoa extracts by spray drying, using maltodextrin (MD) and gum arabic (GA) as encapsulating agents, with the aim of preserving their bioactive activity and promoting their application in food. Microcapsules formulated with 5%GA showed the highest encapsulation efficiency (77.5%) and the highest phenolic content (92.7 GAE/g), showing significant differences compared to formulations with MD (p < 0.0001). Antioxidant capacity, quantified using the ABTS method, reached 583.3 µmol TE/g for 5% GA, significantly exceeding that of microcapsules with 10%MD (230.9 µmol TE/g; p < 0.0001). In terms of antimicrobial activity, microcapsules containing 5%MD showed greater inhibition against Escherichia coli (22.1 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (12.3 mm), while those containing GA recorded halos of 10.1 mm and 12.1 mm. When applied to chicken muscle, treatments with 5%GA significantly reduced microbial growth for 72 h, demonstrating that the prepared microcapsules have high bioactivity, stability, and antimicrobial capacity in samples of meat products that are widely consumed and potentially susceptible to spoilage due to microbial growth. Full article

Cocoa production in West Africa supplies most of the global demand but is increasingly constrained by yield stagnation, soil degradation, disease pressure, and climate variability. This review examines how integrating regenerative agriculture (RA) with unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and artificial intelligence (AI) can support more precise and resilient cocoa management across heterogeneous smallholder landscapes. A PRISMA-guided systematic review of peer-reviewed literature published between 2000 and 2024 was conducted, yielding 49 core studies analyzed alongside supporting evidence. The synthesis evaluates regenerative agronomic outcomes, UAV-derived multispectral, thermal, and structural diagnostics, and AI-based analytical approaches for stress detection, yield estimation, and management zoning. Results indicate that regenerative practices consistently improve soil health and yield stability, while UAS data enhance spatial targeting of rehabilitation, shade management, and stress interventions. AI models further improve predictive capacity and decision relevance when aligned with data availability and institutional context, although performance varies across systems. Reported yield stabilization or improvement typically ranges from 12–30% under integrated approaches, with concurrent reductions in fertilizer and water inputs where spatial targeting is applied. The review concludes that effective scaling of RA–UAS–AI systems depends less on technical sophistication than on governance arrangements, extension integration, and cooperative service models, positioning these tools as enabling components rather than standalone solutions for sustainable cocoa intensification. Full article

The objective of this research was to optimize a technological package for the biosorption of heavy metals in water, using agricultural waste activated with lemon juice, as a sustainable development alternative. Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, copper, and chromium were characterized in two stages (field and laboratory conditions) using the American Public Health Association (APHA) method, and morphological characterization was performed using electron scanning techniques. Cocoa pod husk (CPH) and banana stem (BS) waste was collected with the informed consent of the native communities to obtain charcoal activated with lemon juice (LJ). In addition, a portable filter was designed that could be adapted to the native communities. The efficiency and validation of the filter were also calculated in the field. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test and Pearson’s correlation. The results show a significant reduction in lead from 0.209 mg/L to 0.02 mg/L. With regard to morphological characterization, more compact structures were observed after activation with BS, favoring the absorption of heavy metals. The correlations were positive for copper and lead (1.000), evidently due to the alteration of anthropic factors. The efficiency of the cocoa filter reached 87.48% and that of the banana stem reached 88.77%. For the cadmium, copper, and chromium parameters, the values obtained were within the maximum permissible limit (LMP). The validation of the filters showed that 80% of the population agrees with using the filters and hopes for their large-scale implementation. These findings represent a new alternative for native communities and a solution to the problem of heavy metals in drinking water. Full article

Celiac disease (CeD) is a chronic immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by dietary gluten in genetically predisposed individuals which also entails intestinal dysbiosis. This hallmark microbial imbalance provides a rationale for exploring interventions that could modulate the gut ecosystem. Cocoa is a bioactive food rich in polyphenols, theobromine, and fiber, compounds known to have an influence on both immune function and gut microbiota composition. Here, we investigated the effects of cocoa supplementation on the gut microbial profile and predicted functionality in DQ8-D^d-villin-IL-15tg mice, genetically predisposed to CeD. Animals were assigned to a reference group receiving a gluten-free diet (GFD), a gluten-containing diet group (GLI), or the latter supplemented with defatted cocoa (GLI + COCOA) for 25 days. The cecal microbiota was analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing, and functional pathways were inferred using PICRUSt2. Goblet cell counts and CeD-relevant autoantibodies were measured and correlated with microbial taxa. Cocoa supplementation partially attenuated gluten-induced dysbiosis, preserving beneficial taxa such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Lactobacillus species while reducing opportunistic and pro-inflammatory bacteria. Functional predictions suggested differences in the predicted microbial metabolic potential related to amino acid, vitamin, and phenolic compound metabolism. Cocoa also mitigated goblet cell loss and was inversely associated with anti-gliadin IgA levels. These findings suggest that cocoa, as an adjuvant to a GFD, could be of help in maintaining microbial homeostasis and intestinal health in CeD, supporting further studies to assess its translational potential. Full article

This study evaluates the chemical profile and antifungal efficacy of essential oils from Piper glabratum, Piper friedrichsthalii, and Piper cumanense against the cocoa pathogens Moniliophthora roreri and Phytophthora palmivora. Microwave-assisted hydrodistillation followed by GC-MS analysis identified 80 constituents, predominantly monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, which exhibited significant mycelial inhibition comparable to commercial fungicides. Beyond basic characterization, a comprehensive chemoinformatic analysis was conducted to elucidate the molecular mechanisms driving this bioactivity. The computed physicochemical landscape reveals a dominant lipophilic profile (average LogP 3.4) and low polarity (TPSA 11.5 Ų), characteristics essential for effective fungal membrane penetration. Structural mining identified conserved benzene and cyclohexene scaffolds alongside specific 1,3-benzodioxole moieties, while Maximum Common Substructure (MCS) analysis uncovered high similarity clusters among phenylpropanoids and sesquiterpenes. These findings suggest a synergistic mode of action where conserved structural backbones and interchangeable diastereomers facilitate membrane destabilization and ion leakage. Consequently, the integrative chemoinformatic profiling elucidates the molecular basis of this efficacy, positioning these Piper essential oils not merely as empirical alternatives, but as sources of rationally defined synergistic scaffolds for next-generation sustainable fungicides. Full article