Search Results (1,471)

Background: Edible insects constitute a highly nutritious, environmentally sustainable and culturally significant food resource with considerable potential to contribute to food system transformation within academic and broader societal contexts. Although global interest in entomophagy continues to increase, there remains limited research exploring the knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and consumption practices of university populations within rural South African settings. Methods: Three concurrent cross-sectional quantitative studies were conducted at the University of Venda (UNIVEN), located in Thohoyandou, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Study 1 evaluated the knowledge, attitudes and consumption patterns of edible insects among 200 students. Study 2 examined knowledge and utilisation of edible insects among 390 students. Study 3 investigated knowledge and perceptions regarding edible insects among 200 university staff members. Structured questionnaires covering socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and food frequency practices were administered across all studies. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 28 through descriptive statistics, frequencies and percentages. Analyses were descriptive only; no inferential testing, factor analysis or regression was undertaken, and the three studies are compared as a descriptive synthesis rather than pooled into a single dataset. Results: Findings across all study groups demonstrated high levels of awareness regarding edible insects, with awareness reported by 85% of participants in Study 1 and 100% in Study 2, and 98% of staff members acknowleded the ecological importance of insects. Mopane worms (Gonimbrasia belina), termites and grasshoppers emerged as the most recognised and frequently consumed edible insect species. Consumption prevalence was notably high, reported at 91% in Study 1 and 69.2% in Study 2 and 66.3% among staff in Study 3. General attitudes towards entomophagy were largely favourable, with 41% of students expressing excitement about edible insect consumption and 91.1% of staff supporting the commercialisation of edible insects. Key barriers influencing consumption included religious restrictions (25.1%, reported in Study 2 only; participants with religious dietary prohibitions were excluded at sampling in Studies 1 and 3, limiting cross-study comparability of this barrier), cultural taboos (3%), inadequate market availability and limited awareness regarding nutritional benefits. Staff members further demonstrated positive environmental and sustainability perceptions, with 84.1% recognising edible insects as environmentally beneficial and viable future food sources. Conclusions: Across three independent cross-sectional studies conducted at the University of Venda, broadly similar patterns of awareness, attitudes, perceptions and edible insect consumption were observed. Although the studies differed in sampling and measurement, they consistently suggest that edible insects remain culturally accepted among many students and staff. Nevertheless, challenges relating to nutritional literacy, market accessibility and policy integration continue to limit broader adoption. Strengthening nutrition education initiatives and incorporating edible insects into institutional food systems may enhance the contribution of edible insects towards food security, sustainable protein provision and nutrition sustainability within Limpopo Province and beyond. Full article

Wenchang chicken, a premium indigenous yellow-feathered broiler in China, faces production constraints due to high feed costs and soybean meal dependence. Black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) is a promising alternative protein source, but its effects on Wenchang chickens are largely unknown. This study evaluated the effects of dietary BSFLM on growth performance, meat quality, intestinal health, and cecal microbiota. A total of 192 fifty-day-old female Wenchang chickens were randomly assigned to diets with 0%, 5%, 10%, or 15% full-fat BSFLM for 42 days. The 15% BSFLM inclusion increased final body weight (p < 0.05) while reducing the feed conversion ratio (p < 0.01) and feed cost per kg gain (p < 0.001). Regarding meat quality, 15% BSFLM enhanced redness (a*) and reduced shear force, 48 h drip loss, and cooking loss (p < 0.05). It also elevated antioxidant enzyme activities, upregulated Nrf2–Keap1, improved intestinal villus architecture and tight junction proteins, and reduced serum diamine oxidase (p < 0.05). Cecal microbiota underwent distinct restructuring, with dose-dependent proliferation of beneficial taxa. Overall, BSFLM exerts beneficial effects on the feed efficiency, meat quality, and intestinal health of Wenchang chickens, and the 15% inclusion level achieved relatively better comprehensive outcomes. This study provides a scientific reference for insect protein utilization and contributes to sustainable high-quality Wenchang chicken production. Full article

The use of non-traditional oilseeds for food purposes has increased significantly in recent years. Due to the high content of unsaturated fatty acids, the production of cold-pressed oils from pumpkin and hemp seeds is growing at a steady pace. This results in the accumulation of a by-product (oilseed press cake), from which high-quality proteins can be derived. Protein hydrolysates based on these raw materials offer further potential for valorization. This review summarizes classical and modern methods for obtaining protein isolates from pumpkin and industrial hemp oilseed cakes, as well as possible approaches for their modification to enhance their nutritional and functional properties. Furthermore, it provides an overview of the methods for producing protein hydrolysates rich in bioactive peptides. The presence of peptides with antioxidant, antihypertensive, or hypoglycemic properties makes hydrolysates a valuable source of nutraceutical components with potential applications in the development of functional foods or dietary supplements. However, most studies to date have been conducted using in vitro systems. Further research involving animal models or clinical observations is required to determine dosage regimens and applications of these hydrolysates. Regarding protein isolates, the challenges for their broader use in the food industry are related to increasing solubility, removing anti-nutritional factors, and improving techno-functional properties. Full article

Shifting dietary patterns is necessary to meet global environmental and health targets. Legumes represent a nutritious and viable protein source. Yet, consumption remains low among consumer groups due to low familiarity and inferior sensory perceptions. Sensory conditioning has proven effective in increasing acceptance of unfamiliar foods and may have applicability in shaping future legume preferences. The study compared Mere-Exposure, Flavor–Flavor and Flavor–Nutrient learning strategies in their effectiveness in increasing consumer preferences for legumes in a Danish adult sample (N = 70). Participants filled out a questionnaire before and after a three-week at-home meal intervention. Fava beans were used as the legume case, and all participants, were exposed to 12 fava bean test stimuli. Participants in the Mere-Exposure group experienced a significant increase in preferences, while the Flavor–Flavor and Flavor–Nutrient groups did not. The Mere-Exposure group also experienced an increase in liking of the appearance and flavor of fava beans. By showcasing the potential of a widely applicable sensory strategy, the study highlights how sensory conditioned learning might support the adoption of more sustainable foods in an adult sample. The results provide insights for health and nutritional personnel, researchers and policymakers seeking to promote sustainable diets. Full article

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) account for a substantial proportion of energy intake and are commonly characterized by being low in protein. The growing availability of protein-fortified UPFs may contribute considerably to dietary protein intake. This study examined associations between UPF consumption and protein intake and evaluated the effects of UPF reduction on protein intake. Fifty-two healthy adults were randomized to either minimize UPF consumption (MPF; n = 25) or maintain typical dietary patterns (UPF; n = 27) for six months. Dietary intake was assessed using three-day diet records at baseline and post-intervention, and foods were classified by the Nova Food Classification System. At baseline, UPF consumption was positively associated with UPF-derived protein intake and the proportion of protein obtained from UPFs (p’s < 0.0001), while demonstrating inverse associations with protein intake relative to body mass and the percentage of calories derived from protein. The MPF group significantly reduced UPF consumption and UPF-derived protein intake (p’s < 0.0001). Despite this, total protein intake, protein intake relative to body mass, and percentage of calories derived from protein were maintained. These findings suggest that dietary protein adequacy can be preserved during UPF reduction while decreasing reliance on UPF-derived protein sources. Full article

Interest in sustainable protein sources is increasing because of environmental concerns related to animal agriculture and the growing burden of chronic non-communicable diseases. Plant-derived bioactive peptides (PDBAPs), amino acid sequences released from dietary proteins, are gaining attention because experimental studies have reported activities relevant to hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cancer-associated processes. Although animal proteins have long been major sources of bioactive peptides, plant materials may offer advantages such as abundance, potentially lower production costs, and broad cultural acceptability; however, these benefits depend on the source, processing requirements, safety, and scale-up conditions. This review integrates plant sources, processing technologies, proposed mechanisms of action, and translational barriers. Current research covers traditional sources, including legumes and cereals, as well as agro-industrial by-products such as potato peels, spent coffee grounds, and broccoli stems. Modern processing strategies increasingly combine enzymatic hydrolysis or microbial fermentation with process-assisting technologies, including ultrasound treatment and subcritical water processing, to improve protein recovery or peptide release. Recent studies also examine proposed mechanisms of PDBAP activity, including Keap1/Nrf2-associated responses and inhibition of enzymes involved in metabolic disorders. Evidence is interpreted according to the stage of experimental validation, from computational prediction and cell-free assays to cellular, animal, and human studies. Key challenges remain, particularly digestive instability, uncertain systemic bioavailability, bitterness, safety standardization, and limited human clinical evidence. Future work should prioritize standardized extraction and analytical methods, optimized delivery systems, and robust clinical trials. Full article

Feed efficiency remains a significant challenge in farmed raccoon dogs, and performance differences can occur even when diets are formulated with similar nutrient levels. Beyond nutrient concentrations, digestion kinetics can alter the timing of carbon and nitrogen availability along the gastrointestinal tract, thereby influencing microbial assembly in a segment-specific way. Twenty 2-month-old male raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) were divided into four dietary groups (n = 5) in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The design combined protein-source formulations containing either soybean cake or dried distillers grains with solubles and starch-source formulations based primarily on either extruded corn or high-amylose corn starch, representing relatively rapid and slow expected digestion characteristics, respectively. The purpose was to assess how digestion-rate synchronization affects jejunal and cecal microbiota structure and whether community state types (CSTs) link diet and feed efficiency. Growth performance varied modestly among treatments, with group B showing the lowest feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) and highest average daily gain (ADG). Starch source significantly affected ADG, while protein and protein × starch interaction influenced F/G. Microbiota profiles were strongly segment-dependent: the cecum had higher richness and diversity than the jejunum. Two-way analyses and Bray–Curtis ordinations showed that the jejunal community was primarily associated with the protein × starch interaction, whereas the cecal community was associated mainly with the protein-source factor and the protein × starch interaction. Network analysis revealed more complex and densely connected microbial communities in the cecum, with core genera occupying central positions. Dirichlet multinomial mixture modeling, performed independently for each intestinal segment, identified two jejunal community states (J-CST1 and J-CST2) and two cecal community states (C-CST1 and C-CST2). J-CST1 and J-CST2 represented alternative lactic acid bacteria-dominated configurations, with J-CST2 enriched in Lactobacillus and J-CST1 characterized by higher abundances of Streptococcus and Bacillus. C-CST2 was represented predominantly by samples from group B and was characterized by higher abundances of Segatella and taxa affiliated with Bacteroidota and Lachnospiraceae. Predicted functional profiles differed between CSTs, involving pathways related to carbohydrate, amino acid, lipid, and bile acid metabolism. Mediation analysis did not provide consistent evidence of significant indirect effects for J-CST membership, whereas C-CST membership was associated with significant estimated indirect effects on final body weight, ADG, and F/G. These findings suggest that dietary protein- and starch-source combinations with different expected digestion characteristics drive segment-specific microbial patterns. Supported by taxonomic, network and functional evidence, cecal CSTs act as an intermediate ecological phenotype that partially explains the variation in growth efficiency, highlighting hindgut community states as potential targets for personalized nutrition of raccoon dogs. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable and nutritionally optimized protein sources has positioned edible insects as promising platforms for next-generation food and feed systems. Although insect composition varies with diet, the deliberate engineering of their nutritional profiles through controlled dietary and microbiome modulation remains insufficiently characterized. This review proposes an integrative framework in which edible insects are conceptualized as programmable biological systems whose biochemical composition can be tailored through diet–microbiome interactions. Current evidence is critically synthesized to elucidate how dietary inputs, including agro-industrial by-products and algal biomass, reshape gut microbial communities and metabolic pathways in key species such as Hermetia illucens, Tenebrio molitor, and Acheta domesticus. Emphasis is placed on engineering lipid metabolism and fatty acid composition because of their relevance to human nutrition, animal nutrition, and the development of functional food and feed products. By integrating insights from insect physiology, microbiology, and nutritional biochemistry, this work outlines strategies for precision feeding and microbiome-guided interventions aimed at optimizing insect-derived biomass. Key knowledge gaps and technical limitations are also identified, highlighting the need to transition from empirical approaches toward predictive, systems-based nutritional engineering. Collectively, this review highlights the transition from empirical feeding strategies toward predictive, systems-based approaches for designing customized insect biomass within sustainable circular bioeconomy frameworks. Full article

Precision nutrigenomics requires a diet–microbiome–host perspective because microorganisms can transform feed substrates, generate bioactive metabolites, compete with pathogens, and modify intestinal and systemic gene regulation. This structured narrative review synthesizes representative controlled feeding trials, transcriptomic and targeted gene-expression studies, microbiome analyses, and complementary multi-omic evidence concerning dietary regulations in cultured finfish. The available evidence is concentrated particularly on soybean-derived proteins, lipid-source replacements, selected amino acids and micronutrients, functional additives, probiotics, and fermented ingredients in a limited range of cultured finfish species; therefore, the synthesis is not intended to provide exhaustive coverage of every dietary intervention or finfish taxon. Recurrent host responses involve intestinal inflammation and barrier integrity, nutrient transport, lipid and bile-acid metabolism, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty-acid biosynthesis, targets of rapamycin/insulin-like growth factor (TOR/IGF) signaling, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Nrf2/Keap1) antioxidant defense. The expanded microorganism-centered synthesis shows that dietary effects depend on microbial niche, substrate availability, community succession, metabolite production, and strain-specific probiotic or pathobiont activity. Lactic-acid bacteria, Bacillus-associated interventions, butyrate-generating strategies, fermented ingredients, and microbial biomass may support digestion, immune balance, and disease resistance, but taxonomic shifts alone do not demonstrate functional benefit. Current evidence is limited by extensive reliance on 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) relative-abundance data, inconsistent digesta-versus-mucosa sampling, inadequate feed and water controls, and weak causal validation. Future precision aquafeed studies should combine host transcriptomics with absolute microbial quantification, shotgun metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metabolomics, culturomics, histology, and pathogen challenge. Integrating microbial function with host phenotype can improve sustainable feed design, intestinal health, and resilience. Full article

This study evaluated the distribution of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and arsenic (As), collectively referred to as potentially toxic elements (PTEs), in Andean dairy production systems affected by volcanic ash deposition and examined their relevance to raw milk safety. Samples of soil, forage, supplementary feed, drinking water, and raw milk were collected from 15 georeferenced dairy farms in Bilbao Parish, Ecuador. Soil and forage were assessed as interconnected environmental matrices, whereas supplementary feed and drinking water were considered additional exposure sources. PTE concentrations and selected physicochemical properties were examined using descriptive statistics, box plots, exploratory principal component analysis, and Spearman correlation analysis. Element distribution differed among matrices and did not follow a uniform or strictly linear soil–forage–milk pathway. Pb and As concentrations were lower in milk than in the environmental and dietary matrices, indicating limited occurrence in the final product under the conditions studied. Cd remained detectable in milk and therefore warrants attention because of its potential relevance to chronic dietary exposure. Cr occurred at comparatively higher concentrations in forage and supplementary feed but was substantially lower in milk. Exploratory correlations showed that Pb, Cr, and As varied positively with corrected density, protein, lactose, and total solids, whereas Cd showed inverse associations with these variables. These relationships should not be interpreted as causal because of the limited number of milk samples. Overall, the findings support an integrated, element-specific assessment of milk safety that considers environmental matrices, supplementary dietary inputs, drinking water, and milk composition. Larger seasonal studies and elemental speciation are recommended to clarify exposure pathways and potential risks. Full article

Oenocarpus bataua Mart. (Arecaceae) (known as “majo” in Bolivia) is an Amazonian palm fruit with considerable potential for the development of functional foods; however, its rapid postharvest deterioration limits its utilization. This study evaluated the effects of preservation methods and frozen storage on the physicochemical properties of two morphotypes of its fruits (dark-purple and pale-colored). Proximate analysis of pulp and peel fractions revealed a lipid-rich composition, with crude lipid contents close to 49% (dry basis), moderate protein levels (7.1–9.7%), and crude fiber contents around 15%. Dietary fiber characterization showed exceptionally high total dietary fiber (61.6%), predominantly insoluble dietary fiber (56.3%) under short-term frozen storage. Fresh pulp exhibited high antioxidant capacity, as determined by the DPPH assay (2003–2070 µmol TE/g dry matter), while freeze-drying preserved significantly higher antioxidant activity than hot-air drying. Functional properties were strongly affected by storage duration, with water-holding capacity decreasing from (4.43–3.17) g H₂O/g dry matter and swelling capacity from 13.95 to 9.62 mL H₂O/g dry matter after prolonged freezing. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of characteristic polysaccharide and lignocellulosic structures and indicated structural disruption of the insoluble fiber matrix during long-term storage. These findings support the use of Bolivian majo as a promising source of functional ingredients and provide a basis for developing value-added Amazonian food products and optimizing preservation strategies. Full article

Tropical fruit processing generates substantial quantities of seed-derived by-products that remain underutilized despite their potential as sources of bioactive compounds, proteins, lipids, dietary fiber, and polysaccharides. This critical narrative review evaluates their conversion into functional ingredients by integrating compositional variability, pretreatment and extraction, antinutritional-factor mitigation, structural characterization, food-system performance, storage stability, gastrointestinal behavior, safety, regulatory readiness, and scale-up feasibility. Direct evidence was distinguished from mechanistic support derived from non-target botanical matrices. An exploratory semantic clustering of 100 PubMed records published in 2024–2026 was conducted with Carrot2 to organize application-oriented themes and identify knowledge gaps; its output was interpreted as a thematic aid rather than a quantitative trend analysis. The review also examines biochar production from exhausted or non-food-grade seed biomass as a complementary cascading route, considering feedstock properties, thermochemical conditions, physicochemical quality, safety, application performance, and techno-economic constraints. The main contribution is an evidence-derived multi-stage decision framework linking ingredient validation with residual-biomass valorization. Current evidence supports promising nutritional and technological applications but remains heterogeneous and predominantly laboratory-based, with limited standardized comparisons, in vivo validation, regulatory assessment, and pilot-scale studies. Advancing these materials therefore requires application-specific, safety-oriented, and economically realistic validation within circular bioeconomy systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Loss of skeletal muscle mass is linked to functional decline and adverse health outcomes. Evidence on long-term associations between macronutrient-based dietary patterns and muscle mass decline remains limited. This study examined this association in a prospective cohort of Korean adults aged 40–69 years. Methods: Participants were categorized into four groups by macronutrient energy proportion: high-carbohydrate (HCHO, carbohydrate > 65% of total energy), high-fat (HF, fat > 30%), high-protein (HP, protein > 20%), and normal diets (ND). Cox models estimated associations between dietary patterns and decline in height-adjusted skeletal muscle mass, including sensitivity analyses using stricter decline thresholds (≥3%, ≥5%, and a reduction exceeding the least significant change); linear mixed-effects models evaluated longitudinal muscle mass changes. Results: A total of 9516 adults were included. During a median follow-up of 5.6 years (IQR 3.8–9.8), 6971 participants developed a decline in skeletal muscle mass relative to baseline. Adjusted hazards were higher for HCHO (aHR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04–1.21) and HP (aHR 1.20, 95% CI 1.01–1.42) versus ND, whereas HF showed no significant association (aHR 0.73, 95% CI 0.46–1.15). These associations were attenuated and no longer significant under stricter thresholds. Mixed-effects models showed no significant group effects or group-by-time interactions. Conclusions: HCHO and HP patterns were associated with a higher risk of muscle mass decline, but this was not consistent under stricter thresholds, and longitudinal trajectories did not differ across patterns. These findings should be considered preliminary. Further studies should clarify the roles of macronutrient quality, food sources, and overall dietary patterns in muscle health. Full article

Wheat is a major staple crop and an important dietary source of protein, minerals and grain bioactives. Wheat genetic resources for nutritional improvement include landraces, primitive wheats, old cultivars, cultivars and breeding material; however, their value should be evaluated using measured genotype and trait information rather than inferred from germplasm origin alone. This study quantified free, bound and total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity in Swedish wheat materials and integrated these data with existing mineral/elemental, carotenoid and tocol-related datasets from overlapping Swedish wheat genotypes. Bound phenolics represented the major phenolic fraction across the evaluated materials. The integrated comparisons indicated genotypic variation across the evaluated nutritional traits. Some old cultivars, including ‘Diamant brun’, ‘Atson’ and ‘Algot’, showed good combinations of several measured nutritional and selected food safety traits, whereas ‘Rauweizen’ was mainly associated with phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. Overall, these results show that nutritional variation in Swedish wheat germplasm was related to genotype and trait group rather than to germplasm background alone. Full article

Protein utilization efficiency is a key determinant of metabolic health, body composition, and muscle function, particularly under high-protein dietary conditions and when using plant-based protein sources with lower digestibility. However, the extent to which enhancing early gastric proteolysis translates into improved whole-body protein utilization remains unclear. The present in vivo study investigated whether supplementation with an actinidin-enriched kiwifruit concentrate (Kwd+^®) modulates protein utilization efficiency and physiological outcomes under normoproteic and hyperproteic dietary conditions using casein or pea protein as dietary sources. Rats were fed normoproteic casein (NP), high-protein casein (CHP), or high-protein pea (PHP) diets with or without Kwd+^® supplementation for 8 weeks. Gastric protein hydrolysis patterns were evaluated by SDS–PAGE, while metabolic outcomes were assessed through body composition, plasma amino acid profiling, skeletal muscle morphology, and contractile function. Kwd+^® supplementation enhanced gastric proteolysis in a protein source-dependent manner. Despite the absence of significant changes in circulating amino acid concentrations after multiple comparison correction, Kwd+^® improved markers of protein utilization efficiency depending on dietary protein source. In animals fed a high-protein pea diet, supplementation significantly reduced fat mass relative to accumulated protein intake, indicating improved nutrient partitioning. In contrast, in animals fed a high-protein casein diet, Kwd+^® increased muscle mass relative to protein intake, suggesting enhanced anabolic efficiency. Under normoproteic conditions, Kwd+^® supplementation was associated with an increased muscle fiber cross-sectional area and improved fatigue resistance without alterations in fiber type composition or contractile protein abundance. These findings demonstrate that modulation of early gastric proteolysis through actinidin produces protein source-dependent effects on protein utilization efficiency, nutrient partitioning, and muscle function. This work highlights a novel nutritional strategy to improve metabolic outcomes and muscle performance, particularly in the context of high-protein and plant-based diets. Full article