Search Results (3,134)

Avocado fruits unsuitable for consumption are often used to produce oil, prized by food and cosmetic industries. This research assessed how press-extraction temperatures (20 °C and 80 °C) and cultivars affected avocado oil color, antioxidants, fatty acids composition, physico-chemical parameters, saponification value, nutritional and health-related indices and stability. Fruits and oils from cultivars Fuerte, Gween, Hass, Topa Topa, and Zutano were evaluated, and significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) among varieties as well as between extraction temperatures were detected for most traits. Fresh avocado pulp contained 13.6–15.7 g/100 g lipids; the extraction yield was 36.5% at 20 °C and 49.8% at 80 °C. In general, 20 °C better preserved chlorophyll (61.5 mg/kg) than 80 °C (43.8 mg/kg). The carotenoid β-cryptoxanthin was lower in the samples extracted at 80 °C. Gween oil had the highest tocopherol content (on average, 229.8 mg/kg); β-tocopherol (susceptible to extraction temperature) was the most abundant (49.10%), followed by α-tocopherol (38.15%) and γ-tocopherol (12.75%). The oils extracted at 80 °C showed higher density, viscosity and acidity but inferior refractive index, peroxide and iodine than those extracted at 20 °C. The oxidative stability index at 110 °C, measured by Rancimat, decreased in oils extracted at 80 °C compared to those extracted at 20 °C (9.1 vs. 10.4 h). Pressure-extracted avocado oil maintained excellent qualitative and technological properties at both extraction temperatures, thus suggesting its suitability for several food uses, including salad dressing and, thanks to its thermal stability, cooking. Full article

Background: Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) allows assessment of body composition and fluid distribution without relying on predictive equations. However, recent evidence shows that reference values from three decades ago are outdated and population-specific references are required. No large-scale BIVA references exist for populations residing in Mexico. Objectives: (1) to establish sex-stratified BIVA tolerance ellipses in a large sample of adolescents and adults (16–60 years) from Guadalajara; (2) to characterize the distribution of the extracellular-to-total body water ratio (ECW/TBW) index and its association with phase angle (PhA); (3) to describe age-specific PhA percentile normative values; and (4) to examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) category and BIVA parameters. Methods: Cross-sectional observational study of 5271 participants (3455 women, 1816 men; mean age 23.3 ± 6.6 years) assessed with the InBody^® 720 multifrequency segmental analyzer in Guadalajara, Mexico (2017–2023). PhA, BIVA tolerance ellipses (50th, 75th, and 95th percentiles), and the extracellular water/total body water ratio (ECW/TBW) were calculated. Sex-specific mean vectors were compared using Hotelling’s T² test and the Mahalanobis distance (D). Results: PhA was significantly higher in men (6.39 ± 0.57°) than in women (5.37 ± 0.56°; Cohen’s d = 1.81; p < 0.001). Mean BIVA vectors differed markedly by sex (Hotelling’s T², p < 0.001; D = 2.42). The ECW/TBW ratio was higher in women (0.378 ± 0.006) than in men (0.371 ± 0.006; d = 1.13). A total of 29.8% of women fell within the high-normal band (0.381–0.390) versus 5.0% of men (p < 0.001). PhA correlated strongly and inversely with ECW/TBW in both sexes (women r = −0.85; men r = −0.86; both p < 0.001), and PhA increased across BMI categories from underweight to overweight in both sexes (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.001). The bioimpedance centroids of this cohort residing in Mexico were descriptively displaced relative to previous European and North American references; ethnic origin was not recorded, so this displacement cannot be attributed to ethnicity. Conclusions: The tolerance ellipses and PhA percentile norms presented here are device-specific and constitute a population reference for clinical nutritional assessment, monitoring of fluid distribution in university health programs, and future longitudinal studies in Latin American populations. The marked differences from existing international references highlight the need for population-specific standards to achieve a valid clinical interpretation of bioimpedance parameters in Latin American populations. Full article

With the intention of investigating in further depth the horticultural biodiversity resulting from the selection and conservation effort carried out by farmers (custodians) who are dedicated to growing traditional products, we focused on six local landraces of Brassica rapa L. subsp. sylvestris (L.) Janch.; we conducted analyses addressing the presence of glucosinolates (GLSs), phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity of extracts of B. rapa landraces belonging to three groups with different growth phase behavior from planting to inflorescence appearance in the Salento area (Puglia or Apulia region, Italy). The studies focused on three local landraces known by Salento farmers as cima di rapa cinquantina (two separate accessions, 50SC and 50SD), cima di rapa sessantina (accessions 60SC and 60SD) and rapacaula (accessions rcSD and rcGA). We revealed the presence of eleven different glucosinolates and three main flavonoids, such as kaempferol, quercetin and isorhamnetin derivatives. The distribution and content of glucosinolates and flavonoids varied widely among the different landraces. Glucobrassicanapin was the predominant compound in all landraces, followed by gluconapin, except for 60SC, where the main GLS was the indolic glucobrassicin. Moreover, 50SC, 50SD and 60SC are characterized by the highest flavonoid content and the highest antioxidant capacity. The findings provide the basis for the characterization of B. rapa subsp. sylvestris L. local landraces as a useful source of valuable metabolites for human health, as well as for identifying one landrace with higher nutritional value as a starting point for accession conservation and economic development. Full article

African leafy vegetables (ALVs) are increasingly recognised for their nutritional, phytochemical, and socioeconomic importance, particularly in resource-limited communities. This narrative review synthesises current evidence on the effects of preservation methods on nutritional composition, phytochemical stability, microbial quality, sensory attributes, consumer acceptability, and their contribution to sustainable food systems in South Africa, supported by evidence from across Africa and the broader scientific literature. Evidence indicates that ALVs are rich sources of essential nutrients and bioactive compounds with important health-promoting properties. Preservation methods such as sun drying, blanching, freezing and solar drying are widely used to extend shelf life and improve year-round availability. However, their effects on nutrient retention, phytochemical stability, microbial safety, and sensory quality vary considerably. The review further highlights persistent challenges within ALV value chains, including inadequate processing and storage infrastructure, limited value addition, weak market integration, and low consumer awareness. Collectively, these constraints restrict the wider utilisation and commercialisation of ALVs despite their potential to strengthen food security and improve dietary quality. Standardised preservation approaches, investment in appropriate processing infrastructure, stronger value chains, improved consumer awareness, and supportive institutional and policy frameworks are required to enhance the adoption and sustainable utilisation of ALVs. Full article

Background: Nutritional safety has traditionally focused on preventing excessive nutrient exposure, yet chronic micronutrient inadequacy may also impair physiological function and health resilience. As the European Commission prepares to harmonise maximum permitted levels for food supplements and fortified foods, understanding long-term population intake trends is increasingly important. We assessed changes in micronutrient intakes and adequacy among adults in four European countries. Methods: Repeated, cross-sectional, secondary analyses of published adult (≥18 years) micronutrient intakes over approximately two decades were conducted using publicly available, non-harmonised national dietary surveys at non-contemporaneous time points in the Netherlands, Ireland, France and the United Kingdom (n = 17,261). Mean, lower-tail (5th centile; UK 2.5th) and upper-tail (95th centile; UK 97.5th) intakes were evaluated against dietary reference values, and changes in population intake estimates over the past two decades were examined. Results: Intakes of several micronutrients declined substantially, with mean and lower-tail intakes of vitamins D and A, riboflavin, folate and of calcium, iron and iodine decreasing by up to 50% in some population groups, indicating widening intake disparities and increasing risk of chronic insufficiency. Although improvements in some micronutrients were consistent with fortification policies and dietary changes, inadequacies remained widespread, including for vitamin D across all countries, iron in women, potassium in UK women, selenium in most populations and copper in Irish women. Folate intake in UK women and vitamin A intake in France were marginal. Conclusions: Declining intakes of several micronutrients and persistent inadequacies indicate emerging nutritional safety concerns in Europe. Population intake trends and chronic insufficiency should be explicitly considered in nutritional safety assessments, maximum permitted level discussions and modelling and future public health policy. Full article

Population growth in urban food systems has led to a decline in food resources and the emergence of social imbalances, while consumers’ shift toward a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, against the backdrop of a growing carbon footprint and negative health impacts, highlights the need to promote fish-based products as part of a balanced diet, alongside the implementation of circular strategies for utilizing byproducts from processing, which has led to increased interest in reformulating these products in accordance with the principles of the circular bioeconomy. Aquaculture and the agri-food industry generate a large amount of byproducts that are underutilized, even though they could be extremely useful as functional food ingredients. Recycling these streams into ingredients is an effective way to reduce food waste, make better use of resources, and lessen the environmental impact of food systems. In this context, by-products can be strategically incorporated into food reformulation processes, where their bioactive compounds simultaneously improve both the nutritional value and the technological function of foods. However, such approaches can only be effectively utilized if there is a coordinated framework that ensures food safety, supports scalable processing technologies, and complies with regulatory standards. This analysis takes an integrated approach to examine how specific processing strategies, quality control measures, and risk assessment protocols can work together to ensure nutritional optimization, guarantee food safety, and promote circular use. This paper also addresses how these interconnected systems contribute to maintaining public health and increasing consumer confidence, particularly in urban food systems. By highlighting these connections, the research offers a clearer operational perspective on applying circular economy principles to sustainable food production. Even with these opportunities, issues related to scalability, regulatory compliance, and the limited number of applied studies remain major challenges. In this context, this paper examines how the coordinated implementation of these mechanisms can contribute to public health, strengthen consumer confidence, and facilitate the transition to sustainable urban food systems. Finally, this paper offers a clearer operational perspective on how the principles of the circular economy can be effectively put into practice by harmonizing nutrition, safety, and value-added recovery. Full article

Fish is a food of high nutritional value, being an important source of proteins, fat, vitamins, and essential minerals. Atlantic horse mackerel is also rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFAs), recognized for their benefits to cardiovascular and neurological health. However, this composition also makes it highly susceptible to lipid oxidation, reducing its shelf life. Oxidation is accelerated by high water activity and near-neutral pH, conditions common in fish and processed products such as fish burgers. This work aimed to develop fish burgers incorporated with bioactive extracts (protein hydrolysates from cod fish processing by-product—PH, or green tea extract—GTE) and study their shelf life. The PH was recovered from cod frames using subcritical water extraction, and GTE with hydro-alcoholic extraction. The fish burgers were prepared using minced fish meat incorporated with 1% (w/w) of extracts, in four formulations: (i) 1% (w/w) of PH; (ii) 1% (w/w) of GTE; (iii) a combination of both extracts at 0.5% (w/w) each; and (iv) control without extracts. Physical–chemical, antioxidant and microbiological analysis of the burgers was performed to evaluate their preservation over 6 days of refrigerated storage. Compared to the control, samples with only GTE or the combined GTE + PH presented a delay in oxidation (50% less in TBARS) and microbiological deterioration (reduction of 0.5–1.8 Log CFU/g in total psychrotropic microorganisms). No significant changes were observed in the fish burgers incorporated with only PH. The results demonstrate that the incorporation of bioactive extracts has potential in reducing oxidative degradation and improving microbiological stability in fish-based products; however, superior doses must be used. Moreover, the use of natural extracts aligns with current consumer demand for clean-label and functional foods. Full article

The present exploratory study evaluated egg quality and yolk functional properties in one commercial hybrid (Lohmann Brown^®), two Italian (Livorno and Milanino) and a French (Marans) local laying hen breeds reared under agroecological conditions and fed a diet enriched with 20% whole hemp seed (HS). A total of 120 laying hens (30 per breed) were raised with pasture access and received the experimental diet for nine months. Egg physical traits, yolk composition, cholesterol content, fatty acid profile, nutritional indices, total phenolic content (TPC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) were assessed at 0, 3, 6, and 9 months. Breed significantly influenced egg characteristics, including yolk and albumen proportions, yolk to albumen ratio, yolk pigmentation, and selected fatty acids (p < 0.05). The adopted agroecological management system increased polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly omega-6, omega-3, reduced the n-6/n-3 ratio, improved atherogenic and thrombogenic indices, and enhanced the health promoting index, desirable to undesirable fatty acid ratio, and essential fatty acid content (p < 0.05). TPC and TAOC also increased significantly over time (p < 0.01), indicating enhanced antioxidant properties of the yolk. Overall, the adopted agroecological management characterized by HS enriched diet improved the nutritional and functional quality of eggs. These findings support alternative farming strategies that enhance egg value and promote the conservation of local poultry genetic resources. Full article

This study evaluated the applicability of tumbo (Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima) seeds for oil extraction by expeller pressing and characterized the resulting oil in terms of physicochemical quality, fatty acid profile, and in vitro antioxidant properties. The nutritional composition of tumbo fruit fractions, including pulp, peel, seeds, and residual seed cake, was also assessed. Tumbo seed oil showed a pressing yield of 16.78% and was characterized by a predominance of polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly linoleic acid, together with low acid and peroxide values and a high iodine value. The oil also showed measurable in vitro antioxidant capacity in ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays, along with relevant total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). These findings provide baseline information on tumbo seed oil as a non-conventional Andean fruit seed oil and suggest potential interest for future technological and food-related studies. Further research is required to evaluate its oxidative stability, safety, detailed bioactive compound profile, and potential biological effects before proposing specific functional or health-related applications. Full article

Background and Objectives: Chronic systemic inflammation and malnutrition drive adverse outcomes in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients. This study investigated the prognostic utility of four accessible inflammatory indices—systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), and advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI)—in predicting survival. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated electronic health records of 222 incident HD patients in Turkey (2014–2021), followed through December 2024. Baseline biomarkers were calculated prior to HD initiation. Survival outcomes were assessed using Kaplan–Meier curves, and independent predictors of all-cause mortality were determined via multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results: During a median follow-up of 24.9 months, 106 patients (47.7%) died. Non-survivors presented with significantly higher median SII, NLR, and AIP, and markedly lower ALI than survivors (all p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis revealed that elevated SII (HR: 1.035, 95% CI: 1.020–1.050; p < 0.001) and NLR (HR: 1.081, 95% CI: 1.042–1.122; p < 0.001) were risk factors for mortality. In contrast, higher ALI demonstrated a significant protective effect on survival (HR: 0.975, 95% CI: 0.953–0.998; p = 0.036). Kaplan–Meier analyses confirmed superior overall survival in patients with lower SII, NLR, AIP, and higher ALI. Conclusions: SII, NLR, AIP, and ALI are practical, cost-effective biomarkers for mortality risk stratification in HD patients. ALI, integrating both nutritional and inflammatory dimensions, demonstrates particularly robust prognostic value for predicting survival. Full article

The Ziziphi spinosae semen flavonoids (ZSSF) possess significant nutritional value and exhibit a wide range of health benefits, exerting positive effects on diseases related to the central nervous system. Given the excellent bioactivity and limited absorption of ZSSF, elucidating the underlying mechanism of ZSSF is imperative. In this study, in vitro fecal microbial culture fermentation was performed to investigate the metabolism of ZSSF and its effect on the gut microbiota. A total of 45 chemical constituents were identified by Ultra-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS), and possible biotransformation pathways were postulated. The degradation rates of spinosin and 6‴-feruloylspinosin were 2.53 ± 0.07 μg/mL/h and 0.79 ± 0.06 μg/mL/h, respectively, with swertisin accumulating to 55.00 ± 3.55 μg/mL at 24 h before declining. The abundance of Firmicutes increased from 8.42% at 0 h to 48.26% in the ZSSF fermentation group at 48 h, while Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria decreased from 60.02% and 30.25% to 23.46% and 20.02%, respectively. Furthermore, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyze short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), revealing that ZSSF was associated with higher butyrate concentration at 48 h under the tested batch-fermentation conditions, with significantly higher levels observed in the ZSSF fermentation group compared to the control (1.34 ± 0.03 vs. 1.10 ± 0.05 mmol/L, p < 0.05). This study provides the first integrated analysis of ZSSF metabolism, gut microbiota modulation, and SCFAs production in a single in vitro fermentation model, offering a comprehensive understanding of the gut microbiota-mediated biotransformation of ZSSF and its metabolic consequences. Notably, these findings are derived from an in vitro batch fermentation model, and therefore, in vivo validation is required to confirm the physiological relevance of these observations. Collectively, this study provides insight into the exploration of the metabolic functions and mechanisms of ZSSF. Full article

Virgin olive oil (VOO) is highly valued for its nutritional, sensory, and health-promoting properties, which are strongly influenced by olive fruit maturity and extraction technology. This study evaluated the combined effects of fruit ripening stage and extraction system on the yield, physicochemical characteristics, bioactive compounds, fatty acid composition, and sensory quality of virgin olive oil obtained from the Jordanian Nabali Baladi cultivar. Olive fruits were harvested at four maturity indices (MI-3, MI-4, MI-5, and MI-6) during the 2024/2025 harvest season and processed using industrial two-phase and three-phase centrifugation systems under identical malaxation conditions (28–30 °C for 45 min). Oil yield, physicochemical quality parameters, total phenolic content, pigment concentrations, fatty acid composition, and sensory attributes were determined using standard analytical methods. Fruit ripening significantly increased oil yield (p < 0.05), reaching 27.80% and 30.00% at MI-6 in the two-phase and three-phase systems, respectively. However, increasing maturity was associated with higher free acidity and peroxide values and with significant reductions in phenolic compounds, chlorophyll, carotenoids, and sensory quality. Oils extracted using the two-phase system consistently exhibited lower acidity, lower peroxide values, and significantly higher concentrations of phenolic compounds than those obtained using the three-phase system. Sensory analysis showed progressive declines in fruitiness, bitterness, and pungency with advancing maturity, particularly in oils produced by the three-phase extraction system. Significant interactions between ripening stage and extraction technology confirmed that oil quality depends on both biological and processing factors. Although delayed harvesting improved oil recovery, it adversely affected the nutritional and sensory quality of virgin olive oil. The two-phase extraction system better preserved bioactive compounds and overall oil quality than the three-phase system. Harvesting olives at intermediate maturity stages (MI-4) combined with two-phase extraction provides the most suitable strategy for achieving an optimal balance between oil yield and quality under Jordanian growing conditions. Overall, this study provides a scientific basis for integrating harvesting and processing decisions within a unified quality-management framework for virgin olive oil production. Full article

Mobile health (mHealth) apps increasingly capture the physiological, biomechanical, and psychological variables involved in sport training, but the evidence remains fragmented across single-domain reviews, leaving practitioners without a consolidated basis for selecting and deploying these tools across the training process. This scoping review aimed to identify and characterize research on mHealth apps in sport training, focusing on their performance testing, training load and recovery monitoring, technical and skill development, injury screening and prevention, and athlete self-management. It also synthesized evidence regarding their applications, intended purposes, technical characteristics, and the evidence supporting their effectiveness. Five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, Embase) were searched from inception to July 2026 for journal articles reporting original empirical data on app research on the sport training process in athletes. Studies involving only the promotion of physical activity or lacking human-subject testing, including commercially available apps without supporting research on their effectiveness, were excluded. Findings were synthesized narratively, and methodological quality was appraised with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Of 9476 records identified, 111 studies met the inclusion criteria and were inductively classified into ten application categories: sport skill training (n = 26), performance measurement (n = 20), vertical jump measurement (n = 18), self-reported monitoring (n = 12), physiological measurement (n = 12), musculoskeletal screening (n = 10), psychological intervention (n = 5), nutrition (n = 3), anthropometric and maturation screening (n = 3), and tactical and match analysis (n = 2). Most apps relied on built-in smartphone sensors or no sensing at all and used manual or deterministic computation; processing location went unreported in 74.8% of studies, which reflects a reporting gap rather than an architectural profile of the field, and reported that AI or machine learning labels did not track with actual method disclosure. Validation and reliability designs dominated the evidence base (52%), while randomized or controlled effectiveness trials were rare (10%). Apps generally showed good relative validity but limited absolute accuracy against criterion instruments, and wherever apps were deployed longitudinally, adherence rather than accuracy determined their real-world value. mHealth apps now support nearly every stage of sport training and can substitute for laboratory instruments in select, validated use cases, including video-based sprint and jump timing and chest-strap-paired heart-rate variability monitoring. However, the field remains organized around demonstrating measurement accuracy rather than showing that app-guided decisions improve athlete outcomes. A successful pathway for mHealth app development should progress from technical validity, through measurement reliability and responsiveness, to decision rules, and then to practitioner adoption by coaches and athletes, ultimately yielding better athlete outcomes. Full article

The purpose of this study is to explore markets for fresh beef in Serbia by assessing consumers’ attitudes and awareness of three aspects, health, nutrition, and the environment, after being given information. Our working hypothesis was to explore the “halo” and “horn” effects of information about beef production and consumption on consumers. Surveys were carried out with a total sample of 956 beef consumers in order to analyze what they take into account in their buying decisions when they are directly informed. Consciously, we explored three different groups of consumers, consumers conscious about health, nutrition and the environment, which was confirmed after cluster analysis was done. The most numerous groups were customers conscious about health and nutrition, with 39.6% and 35.6% shares of the total number of consumers, respectively. Finally, our results show that consumers value health and environmental information the most, while they were not significantly affected by information about the nutritional benefits of beef. Full article

Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw. (chayote), a neglected and underutilized Cucurbitaceae crop widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions, has drawn growing interest as a source of health-promoting food components. This review critically synthesizes studies published between 2000 and 2026 on its botanical features, genome characterization, nutritional value, phytochemistry, bioactivities, safety, and food-industry applications, based on literature retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library. Different plant parts (fruits, leaves, seeds, tuberous roots, and peels) contain diverse bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, cucurbitacins, pectin polysaccharides, and carotenoids. Reported bioactivities include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, cardioprotective, antiproliferative, and geroprotective effects, mediated in part through Nrf2-mediated antioxidant signaling and sirtuin (SIRT1/3/5/6) upregulation. Notably, a systematic meta-analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in serum glucose (MD = −20.56; 95% CI: −29.35 to −11.77) and HbA1c following three months of chayote intake in patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Industrially, chayote has been developed into fermented products, starch- and peel-derived bioactive films, ultrasound-extracted pectin, α-amylase inhibitory seed protein isolates, and probiotic encapsulation systems. Recent genomic work has further revealed a chromosome-level genome assembly, whole-genome duplication events, and a domestication history tracing to Mexico’s Oaxaca region. Collectively, this evidence positions chayote as a promising underutilized resource for food, nutraceutical, and biomedical use, while highlighting key gaps: the need for standardized clinical trials, bioavailability studies, and comprehensive safety evaluation. Full article