Search Results (16,791)

To address the low efficiency of manual quality grading for Pleurotus ostreatus in factory-scale production and the difficulty existing computer vision models face in balancing high localization accuracy with real-time edge deployment for food processing, a lightweight non-destructive detection model named POC-DETR-Prune is proposed. Based on an improved RTDETR framework, FasterNet is introduced to optimize feature extraction, reducing memory access latency while ensuring deep feature representation for complex food morphologies. A Small Object Enhancement Pyramid (SOEP) module is designed to mitigate the loss of subtle features caused by dense mushroom clustering. Furthermore, the Inner-MPDIoU loss function is proposed to significantly improve bounding box localization accuracy in highly overlapped food sorting scenarios. To adapt to industrial hardware constraints, a Random channel pruning strategy compresses computational overhead. Experimental results demonstrate that POC-DETR-Prune achieves a mAP@0.5:0.95 of 83.7% with a computation load of only 38.2 GFLOPs. Deployment testing on the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano Super edge computing platform achieves a real-time detection rate of 30.2 FPS. This emerging technology provides a certain level of visual algorithm support for automated quality grading equipment in the edible fungi industry. Full article

Climate change, increasing disease pressures, and rising global protein demand challenge future food security and highlight the need for sustainable alternative protein sources. Microalgae have emerged as a promising complementary feedstock due to their rapid growth, high protein content, favorable amino acid profiles, functional properties, and low land requirements. However, despite extensive research progress, industrial scale-up and economic feasibility of microalgal protein production remain limited. This review critically assesses the current state of microalgal protein research across the production chain, including strain selection, cultivation, harvesting, protein extraction, processing, and food applications. While plant-derived protein isolates are already widely used to improve food nutritional and functional properties, microalgal protein isolates remain underexplored in real food matrices, with most applications relying on whole biomass incorporation. Downstream processing represents a major economic bottleneck, particularly for high-purity protein products. The review identifies key knowledge gaps, evaluates socio-economic potential, and highlights limitations in current sustainability assessments. Although microalgae are unlikely to serve as a stand-alone solution to global protein demand, they offer strong potential as a complementary, resource-efficient protein source. Realizing this potential will require interdisciplinary research, improved technoeconomic analyses, supportive regulatory frameworks, and targeted investment to enable industrial implementation and contribute to a more resilient and climate-friendly food system. Full article

Edible coatings are widely studied as food-compatible formulations for reducing moisture loss, oxidation, microbial spoilage, oil uptake, and quality deterioration. Their translation from laboratory formulation to industrial use, however, depends not only on film-forming composition but also on controlled deposition, retained dose, surface coverage, drying history, defect formation, hygienic operation, and reproducible performance on heterogeneous food surfaces. An OpenAlex-supported evidence-map audit (2014–2026) was used to separate direct food-coating validation from adjacent engineering models. This review reframes edible coatings as engineered deposited interfaces and proposes a claim-controlled, evidence-tiered framework linking food-grade biopolymer fluids, processability, atomization, droplet impact, wet-film evolution, dry-film structure, image-based metrology, multiphase modeling, and food-performance endpoints. This review outlines the prerequisites for future digital-twin-ready edible coating workflows by linking functional biopolymer fluids, deposition technologies, droplet physics, intelligent image metrology, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Volume of Fluid (VOF), uncertainty reporting, food-performance endpoints, safety, Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA), Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) and patent-aware innovation. Digital twins are treated as a future integration target that depends on validated inputs, standardized reporting, deposition metrology and food-specific model validation. The central argument is that progress in edible coatings requires fewer isolated formulation claims and stronger validated links between deposited-interface properties and food-relevant function. A minimum reporting checklist is proposed to support reproducible comparison of deposition routes, coating structures, and translation potential. Full article

The broiler industry plays a crucial role in global food security and faces sustainability challenges that drive research aimed at assessing the environmental impacts of production. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the environmental performance of different growth stages of broiler chickens in a Brazilian poultry industry. The analysis followed the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and the ReCiPe 2016—Midpoint H calculation method. The data used were primary, provided by a company in the sector, and secondary, obtained from the Ecoinvent 3 inventory database. SimaPro version 9.5 software was used to perform the LCA analyses, with a functional unit of 1 kg of live broiler chicken and a system boundary at the farm gate. The results revealed that, at all stages, freshwater ecotoxicity had the greatest environmental impact, linked to the production of feed ingredients such as soybean and corn grains and crude soybean oil. Across the entire chain, the global warming potential value was 1.69 kg CO₂-eq, with the final fattening stage showing the worst environmental performance. The study contributes to quantifying environmental performance and identifying critical inputs associated with environmental burdens in broiler production systems, providing evidence to support environmental management and sustainability assessment in poultry production. Full article

The increasing generation of solid waste has become a critical environmental and economic challenge worldwide, demanding innovative strategies for sustainable management and resource recovery. In this context, the conversion of solid waste into green materials has emerged as a promising approach to reduce environmental impacts associated with waste disposal. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the transformation of various solid waste streams (including agricultural residues, food waste, industrial by-products, and municipal solid waste) into value-added green materials. Particular emphasis is placed on innovative synthesis processes such as thermochemical conversion, hydrothermal treatments, biological transformations, and advanced physicochemical methods that enable the production of functional materials with enhanced properties. The review also discusses the potential applications of these materials in areas such as environmental remediation, catalysis, energy storage, and construction materials. Overall, the valorization of solid waste into green materials represents a sustainable pathway to reduce environmental burdens while generating high-value products for diverse industrial sectors. Full article

Citrus fruits are a significant source of flavonoids. Of all the citrus fruits, Citrus paradisi (grapefruit) presents the highest concentration of the flavonoid naringin, a compound offering a variety of human health benefits and applications in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries. Commonly, when a citrus fruit is consumed, the peel and seeds are discarded, resulting in approximately 50% waste, making the potential use of citrus waste in order to reduce environmental impact a research priority. The present study used fresh grapefruit albedo to extract naringin via eco-friendly methods, such as ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), which were compared against the conventional reflux extraction procedure. Furthermore, the presence of naringin was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, while naringin content was determined via HPLC-DAD analysis. The results obtained show that the pink grapefruit variety was the optimal source for extracting the flavonoid of interest, producing the highest content (3.41 g/kg), followed by the red (2.47 g/kg) and white (1.70 g/kg) varieties. The UAE method was observed to reduce the extraction time significantly, to only 10 min, which is up to 30-and -fold times less than the extraction times obtained using conventional (5 h) and MAE (40 min) methods, respectively. These results prove the usefulness of UAE as a simple, fast, efficient, and eco-friendly method for extracting naringin from fresh grapefruit albedo, via the use of a green solvent such as ethanol. In addition, the present study is the first to conduct a comparative analysis of naringin content in the three main grapefruit varieties grown in Mexico. Full article

Date syrup is a product processed from date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) flesh through a multi-unit operation process. This nutritious liquid is rich in carbohydrates, dietary fibres, polyphenols, minerals, and vitamins, and may provide functional and bioactive compounds with potential health-promoting properties. In this review, a summary of current literature related to the technological aspects of date syrup production was given with a focus on traditional, conventional, and novel extraction methods. Further, a systematic analysis of available data describing the compositional quality of date syrup based on biochemical, functional, antioxidant, and pro-healthy properties was highlighted. Finally, the potential applications of date-based syrup in several fields of food industry were discussed by highlighting the importance of using date syrup as an emerging alternative for sugar substitution in numerous food products and formulations. Full article

Soybean residue (Okara), a major by-product of soybean product processing, is highly susceptible to spoilage due to its high moisture content (approximately 78% w.b.), which creates both environmental and resource-related challenges. This study aimed to develop energy-efficient drying technologies and value-added application models to improve its storage stability. The effects of heat pump drying, microwave drying, and two-stage drying on the drying kinetics, energy consumption, and product quality of okara were systematically compared. The experimental results indicated that Heat Pump Drying (HPD) at 65 °C required a prolonged drying time of 360 min. In contrast, Microwave Drying (MWD) at 2.0 W/g significantly accelerated the process, achieving the shortest drying time of 50 min (an 86.1% reduction) and lowering the specific energy consumption (SEC) to 2.2 kWh/kg (a 42.1% energy saving compared to HPD). Meanwhile, the HPD–MWD two-stage drying process offered a balanced alternative, requiring 190 min and reducing thermal risk while maintaining high efficiency. The dried okara powder contained a total dietary fiber content of 47.78%, while its water activity was maintained below 0.60. Dynamic Dew Point Isotherm (DDI) analysis confirmed a critical water activity (a_wc) of 0.66, with mathematical modeling predicting a shelf life of up to 389 days under barrier packaging conditions. In value-added application experiments, muffins containing 10% okara powder achieved sensory scores above 6 on a 9-point scale and demonstrated significantly better flavor acceptability (p = 0.0093). In summary, this study established an efficient drying and value-added application approach for okara, providing a feasible strategy for the circular use and sustainable utilization of agricultural by-products. Full article

The growing volume of agro-industrial and food-processing residues has intensified interest in their use as low-cost substrates for microbial bioprocessing. Coffee-derived waste streams, including spent coffee grounds (SCGs), wastewater, pulp, husk, and silverskin, represent abundant but still underutilized biomass resources. This narrative review evaluates their potential as liquid or solid substrates or as components of cultivation media for selected microbial systems, including microalgae, bioremediation- and bioprocess-related bacteria, edible fungi such as Pleurotus spp., and yeasts in the genera Pichia, Kluyveromyces, Saccharomyces, and Yarrowia. The review compares the suitability of individual coffee residues based on substrate composition, pretreatment requirements, inhibitory compounds, process limitations, and reported outputs. Coffee-derived residues can reduce substrate costs, support waste valorization, and partially replace conventional nutrients in microbial processes. However, their broader application is limited by compositional variability, conditioning or hydrolysis requirements, difficulties in process standardization, and downstream processing costs. Current evidence most strongly supports fungal cultivation on SCG-containing substrates, bacterial treatment of caffeine-rich wastewaters, yeast fermentation of hydrolyzed residues, and microalgal use of conditioned liquid streams. The review identifies key research gaps and outlines realistic directions for developing coffee-based microbial bioprocesses within a circular bioeconomy framework. Full article

The growing global population has increased energy and food demand, leading to a higher production of waste streams such as fly ash from the energy sector and wastewater from food and beverage industries. Without proper treatment, these wastes pose significant environmental concerns. One promising strategy is to repurpose industrial byproducts for wastewater treatment. Winery wastewater, for instance, contains acidic organic compounds and alcohol that are difficult to remove using conventional methods, while large amounts of fly ash remain underutilized. This study, therefore, examines a hybrid system that combines fly ash-assisted Fenton oxidation with membrane filtration for winery wastewater treatment. The process involved sequential Fenton pre-treatment followed by lab-scale nanofiltration using a 1 kg/mol ceramic membrane (13.1 cm²). A Design of Experiments approach was applied to evaluate system performance under varying H₂O₂ dosages (10–30 mL/L), fly ash loadings (1–3 g/L), and membrane fluxes (40–80 LMH). Filtration was performed through multiple constant-flux cycles, with energy requirements ranging from 400 to 800 kWh/m³ for the flux variations calculated from the lab-scale pump operating at a constant power supply. The hybrid method showed strong performance, achieving 70% TOC removal and 90% reduction of color and iron. However, considerable membrane fouling was observed, likely due to increased retention and deposition of organic matter, iron, and fly ash during filtration. Full article

The agricultural industry largely relies on conventional pesticides to maintain healthy, pest-free crops. Application of conventional insecticides is the go-to method for cultivating important food crops, such as corn and sorghum, free of Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) infestations. However, conventional insecticides have purported negative environmental and health impacts. Natural plant extracts, such as essential oils, are viewed as a promising alternative to conventional insecticides. In the current study, Dysphania ambrosioides (epazote) essential oil was embedded into an artificial diet and fed at two different concentrations to fall armyworms during a 10-day period. Final weights of the 5% epazote treatment group were statistically less (F₆₃₄₃ = 136.2 p < 0.001) than control groups. The 5% epazote treatment group also experienced the highest mortality rate (62%) of any treatment group (X² = 831.4, DF = 6, p < 0.001). Findings suggest that epazote essential oil has potential as an effective, natural insecticidal ingredient. This research is of importance to the fields of agronomy and health sciences. Full article

Background: Consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) continues to rise alongside a growing body of epidemiological evidence linking high UPF intake to adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, in the general population. However, the factors underlying these associations remain incompletely understood, underscoring the need to examine components beyond traditional nutrient composition. In particular, food-processing additives are increasingly recognized as defining features of industrially formulated UPFs. Objective/Methods: In this study, we used a large food label database to cross-sectionally examine the presence and co-occurrence of selected additives (sorbates, benzoates, phosphate additives, and non-nutritive sweeteners [NNSs]) in sweetened beverages sold by the 25 top-selling U.S. food and beverage manufacturers in 2020. Results: We found that sweetened beverages marketed in the U.S. frequently contain multiple additive classes concurrently, supporting the concept that these products represent complex chemical exposure mixtures rather than simple combinations of water and sweeteners. Formulations containing multiple additives were substantially more common than simpler formulations, with many beverages simultaneously containing combinations of sweeteners, preservatives, and phosphate additives. Products containing NNS exhibited higher additive clustering compared to products containing added sugar. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings support the need for broader consideration of beverage formulation complexity in nutrition research, dietary guidance, and policy regulation. Full article

In recent decades, the exponential growth of the global seafood industry has intensified the exploitation of aquatic invertebrates, particularly decapod crustaceans, whose commercial value continues to rise alongside consumer demand. This expansion has coincided with significant scientific advances recognizing these animals as sentient beings capable of experiencing pain and exhibiting complex behavioral responses to noxious stimuli. Nevertheless, legal systems have been slow integrate such evidence, resulting in a persistent misalignment between scientific knowledge and regulatory practice. This article critically examines the legal status of decapod crustaceans within animal welfare law, underscoring a pronounced disjunction between well-established scientific evidence of their sentience and the limited protections they receive. Despite extensive research supporting their capacity for suffering, the prevailing legal paradigm continues to construe these animals predominantly as commodities. Through a comparative analysis of regulatory regimes across the European Union, Italy, and selected extra-European jurisdictions, including UK, Australia, and New Zealand, the study identifies a significant regulatory lacuna alongside considerable legislative fragmentation. It scrutinizes a spectrum of normative models, ranging from indeterminate, principle-based provisions to more exacting and technically prescriptive standards. The article finally advocates for a harmonized, science-driven regulatory framework to ensure coherent and effective welfare protections for decapod crustaceans within the global food industry. Full article

Brewer’s spent grain (BSG), the main by-product of the brewing industry, is a rich source of arabinoxylans (AXs) and hydroxycinnamic acids, particularly ferulic acid (FA), which contribute to its prebiotic potential. This study evaluates the prebiotic properties of residual solid from an enzymatically treated BSG, compared to the properties of BSG as a non-enzymatically hydrolyzed control. Although the residual solid exhibited total polyphenol (2581.96 ± 70.63 mg/100 g dry weight) and FA (180.84 ± 3.28 mg/100 g dry weight) contents comparable to those of the non-hydrolyzed control (2500.38 ± 284.20 and 179.59 ± 3.30 mg/100 g dry weight, respectively), the AX content was significantly higher (14,084.81 ± 185.72 mg/100 g), accompanied by a lower degree of feruloylation (12.84 ± 0.23 mg FA/g AX), higher antioxidant activity (64,825.35 ± 4011.24 μmol TE/100 g), and structural changes visualized by scanning electron microscopy. In addition, in vitro colonic fermentation showed a delayed butyrogenic profile, with increased butyrate production compared to the control (3.17 ± 1.44 mM). Microbiota analysis by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) coupled with flow cytometry indicated an increase in butyrate-producing bacteria, including Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (+5.90) and Eubacterium rectale (+6.88). Growth of Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium spp. was also promoted. Overall, these findings suggest that enzymatic processing of BSG can generate a residual solid with modified structural characteristics and potential prebiotic functionality, supporting its potential application as a fermentable flour ingredient in functional foods. Full article

The valorization of agro-industrial fruit by-products as sources of natural antioxidants represents a sustainable strategy to replace synthetic additives in food preservation. This study systematically evaluated the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of extracts from thirteen underutilized Colombian fruit by-products (peels, seeds, and calyxes) and assessed their protective effect against lipid oxidation in an edible vegetable oil (EVO) model system over 15 days at 60 °C. Total phenolic content (TPC) ranged from 23.1 to 2553.2 mg GAE/100 g. Orange peel (OP) and pineapple peel (PP) exhibited the highest TPC and strongest antioxidant activity, effectively inhibiting the formation of lipid hydroperoxides, hexanal, nonanal, and TBARS, and outperforming synthetic antioxidants (BHA, BHT, TBHQ) in several parameters. Multivariate analyses classified the extracts into high-efficacy, moderate-to-low efficacy, and pro-oxidant groups. HPLC-ESI-MS/MS characterization of OP and PP revealed diverse phenolic acids (gallic, caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric, vanillic, sinapic) and flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, catechin, C-glycosylated derivatives), which are related to the antioxidant properties observed. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between TPC and oxidation inhibition (r = 0.89–0.94). These findings demonstrate that Colombian fruit by-products, particularly OP and PP, are promising sustainable sources of natural antioxidants for enhancing the oxidative stability of edible vegetable oils within a circular bioeconomy framework. Full article