Search Results (12,227)

Aerobic composting of food waste (FW) is constrained by delayed temperature increase initially. This study evaluated the use of high-solid anaerobic digestion (HSAD) biogas residue as a composting initiator. In the co-composting treatment containing biogas residue and FW (C3), the temperature peaked at 69.8 °C on day 5. In comparison, the FW composting alone (C1) reached a lower peak temperature of 67.1 °C on day 8. Similarly, C3 sustained the thermophilic phase (>55 °C) for 10 days, comparable to the 11 days observed in C1. The incorporation of biogas residue adjusted the pH of FW toward neutrality, helping to reduce nitrogen loss. C3 also demonstrated a distinctive phytohormone profile, with salicylic acid (SA) content reaching 42.62 ng g⁻¹, significantly exceeding that of C1 (31.54 ng g⁻¹), suggesting enhanced bio-stimulatory potential. Compared with C1, N₂O emissions in C3 were both reduced and delayed, while cumulative CH₄ emissions were lower than those in the biogas-residue-alone composting (C2). Biogas residue addition introduced thermotolerant microbes, reduced acidification by suppressing acidophiles, and enhanced humification via cooperative networks. Metagenomics revealed that C3 developed a denitrification gene profile favoring net N₂O consumption under high pH. These results demonstrate that HSAD biogas residue can serve as an effective initiator for FW composting. Full article

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important food crop in tropical agriculture. However, fertilization and soil management methods for common beans require further investigation to reduce production costs and increase sustainability. Furthermore, cultivation methods can directly affect GHG emissions. Thus, this study evaluates the CO₂ emissions from fuel consumption as a function of soil management and fertilization methods on the common bean crop. The randomized block design was used in a 2 × 3 factorial scheme with six repetitions composed of two fertilization systems (spread and furrow) and three soil management systems: convention-al tillage—CT, minimum tillage—MT, and no-tillage—NT. The productive performance of common beans varies according to fertilization methods and soil management. Field capacity in the (CT) was impaired due to the various mechanized soil preparation operations with 0.30 and 0.32 ha h⁻¹, without a significant effect from the fertilization method. CT system resulted in higher CO₂ emissions of 175.74 kg ha⁻¹ and 165.50 kg ha⁻¹; thus, in soil conservation management, these same values were up to 58% lower, with the lowest rates for NT. Crop yield in the MT system presented the best result compared to the CT and NT, with an appropriate cost–benefit ratio for bean production in tropical crops. Full article

Beginning with the notion that short-form video sites represent key digital commerce destinations for food influencers in general, there is very little research explaining how specific persuasion cues lead to varying degrees of consumer engagement. Based upon the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), Social Proof theory and the COBRA framework, this study aims to understand whether argument quality as a central-route cue and perceived emotional appeal as a peripheral-route cue affect consumption, contribution, creation engagement behaviors. Additionally, the study will determine if perceived post popularity, a platform-generated social proof signal, affects these relationships. A survey was conducted of 386 users of short food influencer videos. PLS-SEM analysis was performed on the survey data. Results indicated that both argument quality and perceived emotional appeal positively influence all three engagement levels. Perceived emotional appeal exerts a stronger effect, particularly on higher-engagement behaviors. The moderating effects of perceived post popularity were limited and applied solely to contribution, where it weakened the positive relationship between argument quality and contribution but strengthened the positive relationship between perceived emotional appeal and contribution. This study builds upon existing knowledge of how consumers respond to food influencer content by exploring differences between types of engagement and integrating platform-generated signals within an ELM-based theoretical model. Full article

Bee-collected pollen (BCP), due to its valuable nutrient content, is considered a natural food suitable for human consumption. On the other hand, it should be noted that the rich nutritional value of BCP is also relevant in the context of potential contamination with fungal secondary metabolites, such as mycotoxins. In this study, a total of 26 pollen samples were collected from different locations in order to investigate the potential presence of mycotoxins. All BCP samples were obtained from beekeepers who produce pollen for further commercialization. The analyzed mycotoxins included ochratoxin A (OTA), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), zearalenone (ZEN), T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, deoxynivalenol (DON), and fumonisins (FUMs), which were measured by direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The obtained results indicated the presence of at least three toxins in all samples. AFB1, OTA, and ZEN were detected above the limit of quantification (LOQ) in all samples, whereas T-2 and HT-2 were below the LOQ in five samples and DON in four samples. FUMs were below LOQ in all samples. Due to the significant content of AFB1 determined in all samples, there is a potential risk for future consumers, demanding constant monitoring as well as improvement of BCP production. Full article

Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) disproportionately affects Romania, where mortality exceeds the EU average and screening uptake remains low. Diet is among the most modifiable CRC risk factors, yet no validated instrument for assessing nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to CRC prevention exists for the Romanian population. We developed and pilot-tested the EduNutriCRC questionnaire and characterised the corresponding nutritional KAP profile of Romanian adults. Methods: In a cross-sectional pilot study (April–May 2026), a convenience sample of 301 Romanian adults aged 18–74 years completed the 51-item self-administered questionnaire. The instrument was evaluated for internal consistency and dimensional structure (exploratory factor analysis), with non-parametric tests used for group comparisons. Results: The composite knowledge score (C1–C9; maximum 9) was 6.12 ± 2.25 with wide item-level variation. Internal consistency was acceptable, and the Attitudes subscale resolved into two factors (Motivation & Self-Efficacy and Perceived Barriers). Screening engagement was critically low (92.4% never tested; 81.7% unaware of the national programme). Although 64.1% expressed willingness to change their diet, 46.2% reported consuming processed meat at least weekly. Motivation & Self-Efficacy, but not the knowledge score, was inversely correlated with risk-food consumption (ρ = −0.39, p < 0.001). Conclusions: EduNutriCRC demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties at the pilot stage. The study identified prevalent nutritional misconceptions, a marked knowledge–behaviour gap, low screening awareness, and a structural mismatch between information sources used and those trusted. Attitudes and self-efficacy, rather than factual knowledge, were the more proximal correlates of dietary behaviour, supporting the development of self-efficacy-focused, culturally adapted educational interventions for CRC prevention in Romania, with EduNutriCRC serving as a baseline and monitoring instrument. Full article

Dyslipidemia in adolescents represents an early and potentially modifiable stage in the lifelong trajectory of cardiovascular disease. However, optimal lipid screening strategies in this age group remain controversial, particularly regarding feasibility, biological relevance, and reliance on family history. Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL cholesterol) has emerged as a promising screening marker because it reflects the total burden of atherogenic lipoproteins and can be reliably assessed even without fasting, making it particularly suitable for large-scale pediatric screening settings. A recent nationwide population-based study of Korean adolescents provides robust real-world evidence supporting the utility of non-HDL cholesterol in dyslipidemia screening, across both sexes and independent of familial lipid risk. From a nutritional and public health perspective, non-HDL cholesterol is closely related to dietary habits, postprandial hyperlipidemia, and metabolic stress, and is particularly important in the modern food environment characterized by increased consumption of ultra-processed foods. This Opinion discusses the biological rationale, clinical feasibility, and population-level implications of non-HDL cholesterol-based screening in adolescents. By linking lipid biology with nutrition-focused prevention and lifelong cardiovascular health, non-HDL cholesterol may serve as a practical gatekeeper for early risk identification and upstream intervention. Full article

Background/Objectives: The rates of obesity and binge-eating disorder (BED) have increased markedly over the last few decades. The onset of these conditions has been associated in part with the disruption of neural pathways that regulate food reward. Existing literature has implicated the endogenous opioid system as an important mediator of pleasure and reinforcing behaviors associated with food intake. While the relationship between opioids and food intake has been studied extensively, how dysregulated opioid signaling contributes to compulsive eating still remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this review is to analyze the role of opioid peptides and receptors, and their interactions with dopamine in hedonic feeding. Methods: We conducted a narrative review of preclinical and clinical trials, incorporating studies that were relevant to opioid-mediated feeding and food reward. Results: β-endorphins appear to modulate the hedonic value of food, but their effects appear to be context-dependent. Enkephalins may influence motivational drive toward food, while nociceptin signaling has been linked to the preferential consumption of palatable foods under binge-like conditions. Consistent with these findings, NOP antagonism has been reported to reduce binge-like intake of a high-fat diet (HFD) without affecting homeostatic eating patterns. Lastly, chronic mu-opioid receptor (MOP) activation by palatable foods may induce neuroadaptive changes, including receptor desensitization, dopamine D2 receptor downregulation, and reward hypofunctionality, which overlap with mechanisms associated with substance use disorders. Conclusions: Altered MOP signaling may disrupt the hedonic and behavioral mechanisms that regulate feeding behavior. Pharmacological therapies targeting opioid and opioid-dopamine interactions may show promise for treating obesity and BED. However, additional research is still needed to clarify peptide-specific mechanisms, sex differences, and long-term neurobiological consequences associated with hedonic and compulsive eating. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent contaminants of concern in food safety and human exposure assessment. Aquatic foods are important components of dietary diversification, but their association with internal PFAS burden remains unclear in inland populations. Of the 1294 participants initially recruited, 1292 with complete demographic information were included in the final analyses. Serum concentrations of 22 PFASs were measured by solid-phase extraction coupled with UPLC-MS/MS, and nine PFASs detected in more than 75% of samples were analyzed. Dietary intake frequency, sociodemographic characteristics, and lifestyle factors were collected using structured questionnaires. Multivariable linear regression and sex-stratified analyses were performed. Seafood-related food groups showed the most consistent positive associations with serum PFAS levels. Frequent consumption of shellfish, shrimp, crabs, fish, and seaweed was associated with higher concentrations of long-chain PFASs, including PFDA, PFNA, PFHxS, PFOS, and PFOA, while shrimp and crab intake was also positively associated with 6:2 Cl-PFESA. These associations were generally stronger in males, suggesting sex-related heterogeneity in the relationship between seafood intake and PFAS body burden. These findings suggest that seafood consumption is associated with distinct PFAS body-burden profiles in inland adults and may support integrated biomonitoring, dietary assessment, and food-contaminant surveillance. Full article

The accelerating urgency of global public health challenges, biodiversity loss, and climate change has driven rapid innovation in novel foods and alternative proteins, including cultured cells, fermentation-derived components, plant-based meats, insects, and algae, which promise nutritious, sustainable, and ethical dietary choices with lower environmental footprints. Although technologies have advanced, consumer perception and preferences remain key hindrances due to perceptual, cultural, and sensory challenges. This semi-systematic narrative literature review aims to incorporate interdisciplinary studies (2020–2025) that span sensory science, AI-driven marketing, behavioral economics, and policy analysis to explore consumer incentives, barriers, and intervention approaches associated with novel food categories. Of 1260 initial records, 310 duplicates were removed, 530 were excluded at title/abstract screening, 233 were excluded at full-text review, leaving 197 studies for the final synthesis. The focus is on understanding cultural contexts, cognitive biases, digital and social influences, and the global framing impacts that shape consumer adoption. Consumer perceptions and preferences are primarily influenced by health benefits, ethical concerns, and environmental sustainability; however, neophobia, sensory unfamiliarity, trust deficits, and price temper these factors. Preliminary evidence suggests that AI-generated personalization, transparent labeling, behavioral nudges, and social norms may be useful tools for overcoming resistance to change, though the effectiveness of AI-driven personalization in actual purchasing behavior is not yet firmly established. Cultural diversity affects acceptance routes, with culturally established insect consumption differing from Western neophobia. Future studies should integrate interdisciplinary methodologies, longitudinal cross-cultural analyses, and innovative technologies to enhance communication and product design. Full article

Kombucha is a fermented tea beverage and a rich source of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different tea substrates (green, oolong, and black tea) on fermentation characteristics, bioactive compound profiles, antioxidant activity, and cytotoxicity, and to develop a nanoemulsion system for the encapsulation of kombucha-derived bioactive compounds for food applications. Kombucha was fermented for 15 days and during microbial growth, pH, total acidity, and sugar consumption were monitored. The results showed that green tea kombucha exhibited the lowest pH and highest total acidity, indicating more active fermentation. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that concentrated green tea kombucha contained higher levels of catechin, caffeine, and selected organic acids, whereas black tea kombucha exhibited the highest epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) concentration. Among the tested samples, green tea kombucha demonstrated superior antioxidant properties as determined by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, while exhibiting no significant cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7, Caco-2, and A549 cells. Based on these findings, a nanoemulsion system was developed using concentrated green tea kombucha. The nanoemulsion exhibited an average particle size of 110.03 ± 6.2 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.28 ± 0.01, and a zeta potential of +32.5 ± 0.5 mV. Furthermore, the nanoemulsion maintained acceptable physicochemical stability during 6 months of storage at 4 °C, remaining within the nanoscale range with only minor changes in PDI and zeta potential. The encapsulation efficiency reached 91.66 ± 2.29%, and the system demonstrated a biphasic release profile with an initial burst followed by sustained release. Cellular uptake studies confirmed efficient internalization of the nanoemulsion in all tested cell lines. These findings highlight the potential of green tea kombucha as a functional food ingredient and demonstrate the feasibility of nanoemulsion-based systems for the encapsulation and cellular internalization of kombucha-derived bioactive compounds. This study provides a promising strategy for the development of value-added fermented beverages and functional food products. Full article

Fungicide residues in complex food matrices represent an increasingly important challenge in food safety monitoring because intensive agricultural practices, diverse fungicide chemistries, and tropical production conditions can generate multiclass contamination patterns, particularly in Southeast Asian food systems. This review critically evaluates literature published between 2019 and 2026 on microchemical analytical strategies for multiclass fungicide residue determination in fruits, vegetables, rice, spices, and processed foods. The review focuses on the integration of miniaturized and green sample preparation techniques, including modified QuEChERS, dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction, solid-phase microextraction, hollow-fiber liquid-phase microextraction, magnetic solid-phase extraction, and deep eutectic solvent-based extraction, with advanced chromatographic and mass spectrometric platforms. Current evidence shows that these methods can reduce solvent consumption, improve analytical efficiency, and support sensitive residue determination when coupled with UHPLC–MS/MS, GC–MS/MS, and high-resolution mass spectrometry. However, method performance remains strongly matrix-dependent and is constrained by matrix effects, limited standardization of emerging extraction materials, inconsistent validation practices, and trade-offs among selectivity, throughput, cost, and sustainability. No single extraction strategy is universally optimal for all food matrices or fungicide classes. Future research should therefore prioritize matrix-adapted hybrid workflows, harmonized validation protocols, improved detection of transformation products, and broader use of high-resolution screening strategies to support reliable, sustainable, and regulatory-compliant fungicide residue monitoring. Full article

Background: International students are exposed to new food environments that may influence their dietary behaviours. While dietary diversity has been widely studied, less attention has been given to food variety, which reflects the number of individual food items consumed. This study assessed food variety, its relationship with unhealthy food consumption, and associated sociodemographic and behavioural factors among international students in Hungary. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 380 international students enrolled in Hungarian higher education institutions. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). FVS and UFCS were calculated, and associations were examined using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multivariable linear regression analyses. Results: The mean FVS was 62.7 ± 26.7. Cereals, vegetables, and milk and dairy products were consumed by all participants, whereas fish and other seafood (61.6%) and white tubers and roots (67.9%) were the least frequently consumed food groups. A very strong positive correlation was observed between FVS and UFCS (r = 0.930, p < 0.001). This association remained strong after excluding unhealthy food items from the FVS (aFVS; r = 0.862, p < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, higher monthly income and employment were positively associated with FVS and UFCS, whereas scholarship status, postgraduate study, and following a special diet were negatively associated with both outcomes. Conclusions: Food variety among international students in Hungary varied considerably and was strongly associated with unhealthy food consumption, indicating that greater food variety did not necessarily correspond to healthier dietary patterns. These findings highlight the importance of considering both the diversity and nutritional quality of foods consumed when assessing dietary behaviours and designing nutrition interventions for international students. Full article

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging foodborne pathogen in Europe, primarily associated with the consumption of pork products. While conventional destructive TRIzol extraction methods followed by RT-qPCR can detect HEV RNA in processed meat, this approach fails to distinguish between infectious and inactivated virus, complicating risk assessment. Currently, no standardized method exists for extracting intact, infectious HEV from pork products, limiting our ability to evaluate viral infectivity post-processing. In this study, we developed and evaluated three extraction methods to recover intact, infectious HEV from pork meat products. Our optimized soft extraction method using TGBE buffer and stomacher-based homogenization allowed us to successfully isolate infectious HEV from pork liver pâté bought in a Belgian supermarket, confirming the presence of infectious HEV in a ready-to-eat pâté intended for direct consumer consumption. Furthermore, viral RNA was detected following extraction with this method at concentrations (copies/g) similar to those obtained with the TRIzol method, while preserving viral integrity, as confirmed by capsid integrity assays and cell culture infectivity models. As a critical tool for assessing the impact of food processing on viral infectivity, the method holds significant potential for advancing food safety research and improving risk evaluations related to HEV transmission through pork products. Full article

Background: Adequate nutrition during pregnancy is essential for maternal health, pregnancy outcomes, and foetal development. However, general awareness of healthy eating may not translate into detailed nutritional knowledge or appropriate dietary practices. This study assessed nutritional knowledge and selected dietary behaviours among pregnant women from urban and rural areas of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland, in two periods: 2008–2010 and 2017–2019. Methods: A repeated cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 938 pregnant women, including 630 respondents surveyed in 2008–2010 and 308 in 2017–2019. The original questionnaire assessed sociodemographic characteristics, nutritional knowledge, dietary behaviours, sources of information, supplementation practices, and selected health-related behaviours. Internal consistency was good (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.88). Results: Most respondents were aged 25–34 years, married, and had normal pre-pregnancy or early-pregnancy BMI. Compared with 2008–2010, women surveyed in 2017–2019 more often had higher education and more frequently reported income above the predefined questionnaire threshold. Although general awareness of healthy nutrition during pregnancy was high, detailed knowledge of key nutrients remained insufficient. Correct knowledge of the role of folic acid was reported by 58% of respondents, iron by 36%, vitamin D by 29%, iodine by 21%, and calcium by 18%. Prenatal supplement use was common, but only 39% reported supplementation based on medical recommendations. Frequently reported dietary problems included irregular meals, low fish consumption, frequent sweets intake, insufficient water intake, and low vegetable and fruit consumption. Knowledge of selected nutrient-rich foods was higher in 2017–2019, particularly for omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin D sources. Conclusions: Nutritional knowledge was heterogeneous, and practical gaps in dietary behaviours persisted, supporting the need for accessible and individualized prenatal nutrition education. Full article

Background: In contemporary society, marked by rapid transformations in the sphere of communication and social interaction, social networks have gone beyond the role of simple communication platforms, becoming places where identities are formed, cultural norms are negotiated and self-perceptions are shaped. This reality has generated a growing interest in studying the relationship between the digital environment and health behaviors, especially among young people, a social category extremely receptive to visual and normative influences promoted online. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students enrolled in different kinds of faculties and specialties. An online questionnaire was distributed to gather socio-demographic, academic and medical data along with lifestyle and health-related behaviors. Several psychometric instruments were used: Health Behaviour Scale (HBS) to measure various dimensions of health-related actions, Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) to screen for addictive or problematic social media use, Social Media Disorder Scale (SMDS) to measure the problematic social media use among adolescents, Body Appreciation Scale–2 (BAS-2) to evaluate measure of one’s acceptance, favorable opinions and respect of their own body, and Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) to identify the psychological motives behind overeating. Results: More than 70% of students declared that they had their first smartphone before the age of 12 and 65% of students had screentime higher than 3 h per day during the weekdays, with a small increase during the weekends. Women scored higher than men in emotional eating (food consumption in response to negative emotions), and external eating (response to food stimuli in the environment, independent of hunger). Respondents from rural areas showed a significantly lower level of respect and acceptance of their own body and higher risk for Social Media Disorder compared to participants from urban areas. Important statistical correlation has been identified among the variables of the research. Social media addiction was associated with higher emotional eating both directly and indirectly, via lower body appreciation. The analysis also indicated that it does not show a direct relationship with restrictive eating behaviors; rather, its association with restrained eating is fully mediated by the individual’s body appreciation. Conclusions: The use of social platforms is a challenging process, with a great impact on psychological and emotional balance of young people. Even if the study identified a normative use among young people with a high education level, the risks factors should be taken into consideration when dealing with screentime, psychological and mental health and the risk for addiction. Full article