Search Results (31)

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is a nutrient-dense crop rich in fibre, minerals, and antioxidant compounds, including carotenoids and phenolic compounds, such as anthocyanins. Dehydrating sweet potato (SP) for flour production enhances its value and produces shelf-stable, health-promoting food products. This study investigated the effects of hot-air drying (HAD: 75 °C/20 h) and freeze-drying (FD: −41–30 °C/70 h) on the bioactive composition of flours from three SP varieties: Bonita (white-fleshed), Bellevue (orange-fleshed), and NP1648 (purple-fleshed). Key assessments included the total phenolic content (TPC), the total carotenoid content (TCC), and the total anthocyanin content (TAC) and the antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP). The results revealed distinct raw materials’ bioactive profiles: Bellevue was rich in TCC (49.3 mg of β-carotene/100 g db), NP1648 showed elevated TAC (27.3 mg of cyanidin-3-glucoside/100 g db), and Bonita exhibited minimal content of bioactive compounds. Both drying methods yielded significant losses of bioactive compounds, with the TPC decreasing by over 60%, while TAC and TCC losses did not exceed 32%, revealing higher stability. Multivariate analysis indicated that the variety significantly influenced the bioactive profiles more than the drying method. The interaction between carotenoids and anthocyanins and the SP fibrous composition likely contributed to their stability during drying, indicating that FD showed no advantages over HAD. The appealing colours and high antioxidant content of Bellevue and NP1648 flours suggest their potential as ingredients for enhancing foods’ bioactivity and sensory acceptance. Full article

In this study, hot water treatment (WT), ultrasonic treatment (UT), ultrasonic-sodium hydroxide treatment (UST), ultrasonic-enzyme treatment (UET), and ultrasonic-microwave treatment (UMT) were used to treat sweet potatoes. The structural, physicochemical, and functional properties of the extracted soluble dietary fibres (SDFs) were named WT-SDF, UT-SDF, UST-SDF, UET-SDF, and UMT-SDF, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal properties, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis were employed. The structural results indicated that the UST-SDF exhibited the best thermal stability, highest crystallinity, and maximum specific surface area. Moreover, compared to hot water extraction, ultrasonic extraction, or ultrasonic extraction in combination with other methods, enhanced the physicochemical and functional properties of the SDF, including extraction yield, water-holding capacity (WHC), oil-holding capacity (OHC), glucose adsorption capacity (GAC), glucose dialysis retardation index (GDRI), sodium cholate adsorption capacity (SCAC), cholesterol adsorption capacity (CAC), nitrite ion adsorption capacity (NIAC), and antioxidant properties. Specifically, the UST-SDF and UMT-SDF showed better extraction yield, WHC, OHC, GAC, CAC, SCAC, and NIAC values than the other samples. In summary, these results indicate that UST and UMT could be applied as ideal extraction methods for sweet potato SDF and that UST-SDF and UMT-SDF show enormous potential for use in the functional food industry. Full article

Currently, dietary fibre intake is low, which is one of the reasons for the global obesity epidemic and other metabolic disorders. Dietary fibre has many documented health-promoting properties, such as a prebiotic effect, inducing feelings of satiety and reducing postprandial glucose. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in the search for new products rich in dietary fibre. One of the sources of dietary fibre may be resistant dextrins obtained as a result of dextrinization of starch. In this study, soluble dextrin fibre (SDexF) was prepared by heating potato starch in the presence of hydrochloric and citric acids on a semi-industrial scale in the prototype dextriniser. The aim of the study was the optimisation of the preparation of SDexF on a semi-industrial scale and the physicochemical characterisation of the obtained product. Also, the molecular structure of the prepared product was analysed by using SEM and FTIR. The semi-industrial production of SDexF was successfully implemented, achieving approximately 100 times higher product quantities in one process cycle. SDexF was characterised by over 30% total dietary fibre (TDF) content, almost 100% water solubility, low viscosity and no retrogradation tendency. The physicochemical and functional properties of the obtained product indicate the possibility of implementing SDexF to enrich food products. Full article

Dietary fibre is an essential part of healthy human nutrition. However, due to the changes in the definition of dietary fibre in 2009, we are still struggling to update the data about dietary fibre content as data obtained with methods that include all dietary fibre components are scarce. This problem is transferred to nutritional studies worldwide and impairs the quality of monitoring the dietary intake of dietary fibre. The aim of our work was to develop a simple yet acceptably accurate model for dietary fibre intake based on analytical data. Based on the national study SI.Menu 2017/2018 we collected the frequency of food items eaten in the food groups that contribute the most to dietary fibre intake. From these groups, the most frequent foods were selected and analysed for dietary fibre content using AOAC methods 991.41 and 2011.25. After obtaining the results, the data were used in our “forced choice” model. The model was created on the data of food intake for 392 people. The cumulative intake of six food groups (vegetables, fruits, grains and grain products, potato and potato products, legumes and nuts) was known; therefore, we could calculate the share of each food selected to the total food group intake. Having calculated the daily intake for each food, analytical data were applied. This allowed us to calculate the daily intake of dietary fibre. The calculated daily intake was 17.6 g/day using data obtained with the AOAC 991.43 method. The daily intake estimated with data obtained with the AOAC 2011.25 method was 34.3 g/day. In order to evaluate our model, the daily intake of dietary fibre was compared with that in another study based on the same population. Our estimation based on 45 food items was only 10.6% lower than the estimation based on all food items reported by people included in the other study. Therefore, we conclude that our simple model can provide a rough estimate based on analytical data and can serve as a good tool to update research on the daily intake of dietary fibre. Full article

Current gluten-free food development trends tend to favour pigmented rice flour. Bario Merah Sederhana is a type of red-pigmented rice that is indigenous to Sarawak, Malaysia. This research investigates the nutritional, texture, and sensory properties of gluten-free rice bread produced from a composite of BMS rice flour and potato starch, producing samples referred to as F1 (100:0), F2 (90:10), F3 (80:20), and F4 (70:30). The gluten-free rice bread formulations demonstrated higher ash and crude fibre content and lower carbohydrate content than wheat bread. However, the crude protein content of the bread decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with a decreased amount of rice flour, owing to wheat flour containing greater protein. The crumb of rice bread appeared to be darker due to the red pigment of rice flour; in contrast, the crust was lighter than the control sample, possibly due to a lower Maillard reaction. Among rice bread formulations, F4 demonstrated the lowest hardness in dough and bread, as well as the highest stickiness and springiness in dough and bread, respectively. The wheat bread received the highest rating (p < 0.05) in the sensory test; nonetheless, among the rice breads, F4 was considered to be an acceptable formulation owing to its high score in colour (7.03), flavour (5.73), texture (6.03), and overall acceptability (6.18). BMS has potential in gluten-free rice breads; the formulation of 70% rice flour combined with 30% potato starch was indicated to be acceptable. Full article

Background: There are still open questions with respect to the optimal dietary treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and coexisting non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The aim of this study is to investigate, in patients with T2D, the association between NASH, dietary component intake, food groups and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 2026 people with T2D (1136 men and 890 women). The dietary habits were assessed with the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) questionnaire. NASH was identified by the Index Of NASH (ION). Based on the cluster analysis two dietary patterns were identified: the NASH and the NO-NASH pattern. Results: The macronutrient composition of the diet was similar in the two patterns. However, the NASH pattern compared with the NO-NASH pattern was characterized by a significantly lower content of fibre (p < 0.001), β-carotene (p < 0.001), vitamin C (p < 0.001), vitamin E (p < 0.001), polyphenols (p = 0.026) and antioxidant capacity (p < 0.001). With regard to food consumption, the NASH pattern compared with NO-NASH pattern was characterized by higher intake of rice (p = 0.021), potatoes (p = 0.013), red (p = 0.004) and processed meat (p = 0.003), and a lower intake of wholegrain bread (p = 0.019), legumes and nuts (p = 0.049), vegetables (p = 0.047), fruits (p = 0.002), white meat (p = 0.001), fatty fish (p = 0.005), milk and yogurt (p < 0.001). Conclusions: NO-NASH dietary pattern was characterized by a food consumption close to the Mediterranean dietary model, resulting in a higher content of polyphenols, vitamins, and fibre. These finding highlight the potential for dietary components in the prevention/treatment of NASH in people with T2D. Full article

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are associated with lower diet quality and several non-communicable diseases. Their consumption varies between countries/regions of the world. We aimed to describe the consumption of UPFs in adults aged 18–75 years living in Switzerland. We analysed data from the national food consumption survey conducted among 2085 participants aged 18 to 75 years. Foods and beverages resulting from two 24-h recalls were classified as UPFs or non-UPFs according to the NOVA classification, categorized into 18 food groups, and linked to the Swiss Food Composition Database. Overall, the median energy intake [P25–P75] from UPFs was 587 kcal/day [364–885] or 28.7% [19.9–38.9] of the total energy intake (TEI). The median intake of UPFs relative to TEI was higher among young participants (<30 years, p = 0.001) and those living in the German-speaking part of Switzerland (p = 0.002). The food groups providing the most ultra-processed calories were confectionary, cakes & biscuits (39.5% of total UPF kcal); meat, fish & eggs (14.9%); cereal products, legumes & potatoes (12.5%), and juices & soft drinks (8.0%). UPFs provided a large proportion of sugars (39.3% of total sugar intake), saturated fatty acids (32.8%), and total fats (31.8%) while providing less than 20% of dietary fibre. Consumption of UPFs accounted for nearly a third of the total calories consumed in Switzerland. Public health strategies to reduce UPF consumption should target sugary foods/beverages and processed meat. Full article

Celiac disease is an immune-mediated disease caused by ingestion of gluten-containing products. The main aim of this study was to develop novel gluten-free doughnuts with high nutritional value using inulin and lupin flour. Five different doughnuts were formulated. Lupin flour was used to replace the potato starch–corn flour composite at levels of 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75% in gluten-free doughnut formulations (AF), (BF), (CF), (DF) and (EF), respectively. Inulin was added to all blends at a level of 6%. Doughnuts made with 100% wheat flour (C1) and 100% corn flour–potato starch blend (C2) served as the controls. The results indicated that the moisture, ash, fat, protein and crude fibre contents of the doughnuts were increased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing levels of lupin flour. The rheological properties showed that the dough development time increased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing lupin flour in the formulation with higher water absorption. The consumer acceptability sensory results varied among the different treatments. However, the AF, CF, and EF doughnuts had the highest value for flavour, texture and crust colour, respectively. Different levels of lupin flour can be used in gluten-free doughnuts production to improve their quality and to enhance their nutritional value in the presence of inulin at a 6% level. These results may have significant implications for the development of novel, healthier food products for gluten-sensitive consumers. Full article

Since there are no products in the European market labelled as low-FODMAP (low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols), patients with irritable bowel syndrome and non-celiac wheat sensitivity often consume gluten-free products. These naturally contain little FODMAP, but have poorer sensory properties and lower nutritional value. This study aimed to develop sensory attractive crackers with high-fibre and low-FODMAP content. Various gluten-free flours (wholemeal buckwheat and millet, white maize), pumpkin seed meal, chia seeds, flax seeds, rice protein, sweet potato, sourdough, and spices were used to develop nine formulations. Using a nine-point hedonic scale and ranking test, four best-scored products were selected for which descriptive sensory analysis was performed and nutritional value and fructan content were determined. Crackers made from maize and millet flour mixtures (ratio 1:2.5) with sourdough and with chia or flax seed addition were rated highest for overall impression (8.2 and 7.0, respectively). Generally, high-fibre content, hardness, chewiness, dark colour, and bitterness lower the acceptability of crackers, but the addition of spices and sourdough can improve their acceptability and marketability. The crackers could be labelled as “gluten-free”, “low-FODMAP” (<0.12 g/100 g), “naturally high-fibre” (7–10 g/100 g of which 17–23% are soluble), and “high in protein” (24–26 g/100 g). Full article

The present study examined dietary risk factors for breast cancer, their association with quality of life, and changes in eating habits in postmenopausal women after mastectomy. The study included 210 women with histologically confirmed invasive breast cancer and 225 women without a cancer diagnosis. Questionnaire data on frequency of intake of 40 different foods, the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire, and SF-36 for evaluation of quality of life were used. All questionnaire data in the patient group were collected after diagnosis. Questions about eating habits covered two time points—before breast cancer diagnosis and after completion of treatment. Logistic regression was applied to calculate the odds ratios of breast cancer risk and 95% confidence intervals. A significant positive association was found between the risk of breast cancer and more frequent intake of red meat, smoked products, offal, animal fat, white bread, potatoes, and sweets, high intake of total fat, and low consumption of dietary fibre. Foods that were inversely associated with the risk of breast cancer included fish, vegetables, fruit, wholemeal bread, and groats. The relationship between quality of life and dietary habits according to the Block Eating Frequency Questionnaire was analysed using multiple regression. It was shown that high intake of total fat reduces the quality of life in its mental components. We observed a positive change in eating habits after cancer diagnosis, albeit not always to the level in the control group. As an important lifestyle component, the diet is of great significance for primary prevention of breast cancer as well as for improving the quality of life of breast cancer patients. Full article

Paper and plastic are the main materials used in food packaging. In the context of climate change, the importance of tree conservation and the mitigation of the negative environmental impacts caused by fossil consumption and deforestation is greater than ever before. This article reviews the potential of plant-origin feedstock from the Baltic Sea region for use in non-wood-fibre and bio-origin plastic food packaging production. It also presents a systematised literature review of the environmental impacts and applications of tree-free paper, plant-origin plastics, and natural-fibre-reinforced bio-composites in fully green food packaging. The results reveal that beneficial environmental impacts are achieved if waste or by-products are used as feedstock. While the production volumes of alternative materials in Europe are small (0.25% of paper is made of materials other than wood, and the share of bio-plastic is 0.9%), we found a large demand and potential for growth. The biggest volumes of natural fibre feedstock in Baltic Sea region countries are generated from wheat. Wheat straw, which is a by-product, has a production volume of 68.71 million tons and is potentially a significant non-wood-paper food packaging source. Agricultural waste generated from sugar beet, maize, potato, and wheat is an environmentally beneficial by-product that could be used for bio-plastic food packaging production. Full article

Findings that Zn and fibre source affected the nutrient apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), made us hypothesize that interactions could occur affecting the apparent digestibility of Zn and trace elements (TEs) interacting with Zn in the digestive tract. Therefore, the study investigated the effects of Zn and fibre sources on the apparent digestibility and solubility of TEs (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn) and pH in the small intestinal segments of 40-days-old piglets. In vitro solubility of TEs was estimated using a simulated digestion assay. Feed supplementation with potato fibre (PF) affected the ATTD of all TEs and dry matter as well as mineral solubility in the ileum and/or jejunum without any effect on pH in the small intestine. Intake of PF enhanced Zn and Cu absorption (p < 0.01), but significantly decreased ATTD of Fe and Mn (p < 0.001). Diet supplementation with Zn glycinate decreased Zn absorption in the gut (p < 0.01) and affected the solubility of other TEs in the different digestion phases. Although in vitro solubility of TEs does not provide a good prediction of mineral bioaccessibility, using a combination of in vitro and in vivo methods can enable prediction of the trace mineral absorption. Full article

The effects of the zinc and fibre source in piglets’ diet on the bone mineral content, density, and strength parameters of the femur were investigated using 24 piglets fed a diet supplemented with either lignocellulose (LC) or potato fibre (PF). Half of each group of piglets consumed a diet with ZnSO₄ monohydrate or with zinc glycinate (ZnGly). The diets contained similar amounts of lysine, energy, and fibre. Bone mineral content and density were over 9% higher in pigs receiving diets with ZnGly than in animals fed diets with ZnSO₄. Moreover, ZnGly strongly improved maximum and elastic strength (by 25.7 and 20.0%, respectively, p < 0.0001) and bone stiffness (by 29.4%, p < 0.0001). Only the mass of the femur was affected by the type of fibre in the diet, as the femurs of piglets fed diets with LC were over 7% (p < 0.0001) heavier than in piglets fed diets with PF. The intake of digestible zinc and the zinc content in the blood serum were positively correlated with the measured bone parameters and, depending on the parameter, “r” ranged from 0.749 to 0.866 and from 0.400 to 0.479, respectively. It can be concluded that bone parameters are affected more strongly by the organic than inorganic source of zinc. Full article

The objective of the present study was to differentiate and compare the proximate composition, minerals, flesh colour, phenolic composition, and antioxidant activities of varieties of white-fleshed sweet potato (WFSP) and potato (WFP) locally grown in Pakistan. The results showed that WFP presented higher moisture and crude fat content, while WFSP offered better ash, crude protein, and crude fibre contents. Colour analysis revealed that WFSP and WFP showed the highest L* (lightness) values and exhibited the maximum total phenolic content and total flavonoids content of 9.27 ± 0.88 mg GAE/g and 19.01 ± 0.66 mg QE/g. In vitro, results demonstrated that WFSP possessed better antioxidant activity with the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power of 58.67 ± 0.22 mM Fe²⁺/g and DPPH scavenging activity of 39.12 ± 0.33% compared to WFP. It is concluded that WFSP possesses a better proximate and mineral profile followed by higher antioxidant activity. Full article

The aim of our study was to analyse vegetables, potatoes and their products as sources of energy and nutrients in the average diet in Poland. Representative data of the 2016 Household Budget Survey from 36,886 households were used. This is the largest study sample in Poland, so we generalized the conclusions to the whole population using the statement ‘average diet’. We analysed three main product groups: vegetables, vegetable products, and potatoes and potatoes products, dividing them into 14 subgroups (e.g., tomatoes, cabbage, carrots, other vegetables, and mushrooms). The percentages of energy, protein, carbohydrates, total fat, nine vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin E), seven minerals (calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron, magnesium and zinc), and fibre from the analysed food subgroups are presented. Additionally, the influence of household characteristics on the supply of energy and nutrients from each subgroup of vegetables, potatoes, and their products was evaluated using cluster analysis. In the analysis, R programme and Kohonen neural networks were applied. Our study showed that vegetables, potatoes, and their products provide 7.3% of daily dietary energy supply. Vegetables contribute more than 20% of the supply of six nutrients: vitamin C (51.8%), potassium (32.5%), folate (31.0%), vitamin A (30.6%), vitamin B6 (27.8%), and magnesium (20.2%), as well as fibre (31.8%). Cluster analysis distinguished three clusters that differed in nutritional supply from vegetables, potatoes, and their products. Educational level, income measured by quintile groups, village size, socio-economic characteristics, urbanization degree, and land use were the most important factors determining differences between clusters. Full article