Application of Polyphenol-Loaded Nanoparticles in Food Industry

Nanotechnology is an emerging field of science, and nanotechnological concepts have been intensively studied for potential applications in the food industry. Nanoparticles (with dimensions ranging from one to several hundred nanometers) have specific characteristics and better functionality, thanks to their size and other physicochemical properties. Polyphenols are recognized as active compounds that have several putative beneficial properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activity. However, the use of polyphenols as functional food ingredients faces numerous challenges, such as their poor stability, solubility, and bioavailability. These difficulties could be solved relatively easily by the application of encapsulation. The objective of this review is to present the most recent accomplishments in the usage of polyphenol-loaded nanoparticles in food science. Nanoparticles loaded with polyphenols and their applications as active ingredients for improving physicochemical and functional properties of food, or as components of active packaging materials, were critically reviewed. Potential adverse effects of polyphenol-loaded nanomaterials are also discussed

Mycotoxins and Mycotoxin Producing Fungi in Pollen: Review

Due to its divergent chemical composition and good nutritional properties, pollen is not only important as a potential food supplement but also as a good substrate for the development of different microorganisms. Among such microorganisms, toxigenic fungi are extremely dangerous as they can synthesize mycotoxins as a part of their metabolic pathways. Furthermore, favorable conditions that enable the synthesis of mycotoxins (adequate temperature, relative humidity, pH, and a(w) values) are found frequently during pollen collection and/or production process. Internationally, several different mycotoxins have been identified in pollen samples, with a noted predominance of aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, and T-2 toxin. Mycotoxins are, generally speaking, extremely harmful for humans and other mammals. Current EU legislation contains guidelines on the permissible content of this group of compounds, but without information pertaining to the content of mycotoxins in pollen. Currently only aflatoxins have been researched and discussed in the literature in regard to proposed limits. Therefore, the aim of this review is to give information about the presence of different mycotoxins in pollen samples collected all around the world, to propose possible aflatoxin contamination pathways, and to emphasize the importance of a regular mycotoxicological analysis of pollen. Furthermore, a suggestion is made regarding the legal regulation of pollen as a food supplement and the proposed tolerable limits for other mycotoxins

The Influence of Milk Type on the Proteolysis and Antioxidant Capacity of White-Brined Cheese Manufactured from High-Heat-Treated Milk Pretreated with Chymosin

We investigated the effect of milk type on the proteolysis and total antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of white-brined cheeses prepared from high-heat-treated (90 degrees C, 10 min) cow's and goat's milk, pretreated with chymosin at a low temperature (4 degrees C). The cheeses produced showed improved antioxidant characteristics and a high content of denatured whey proteins. However, these characteristics depend on the type of milk and the ripening time. Ripened cow's milk cheese had higher values of WSN/TN (water-soluble nitrogen per total nitrogen content) and TCA-SN/TN (nitrogen soluble in 12% trichloroacetic acid per total nitrogen), but similar PTA-SN/TN (nitrogen soluble in 5% phosphotungstic acid per total nitrogen) values were observed in ripened cheeses. The antioxidant potential of a WSF (water-soluble fraction) was higher in goat's milk cheese, but higher TEAC (total antioxidant capacity) values of WINF (water-insoluble fraction) were observed in matured cow's milk cheese. In vitro digestion slightly improved the radical scavenging capacity of WSF, whereas digested WINF had more than twice the capacity of their undigested counterparts. The cheeses prepared in this study could be a good source of antioxidant peptides. Further investigations of their in vitro and in vivo functionality need to be conducted

In vitro digestion of meat- and cereal-based food matrix enriched with grape extracts: How are polyphenol composition, bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity affected?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of enriching a complex food matrix (FM) with grape extracts on polyphenol content, composition, bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity during digestion. The grape extracts and FM were separately tested under the same conditions as controls. The FM by itself contains a significant amount of phenolic acids and flavonols, influencing the final recovery of polyphenols from grape extracts. The FM significantly increased the total recovery of polyphenols after digestion of grape seed extracts compared to those digested without the FM; however, a low recovery of proantocyanidins and total flavonoids was observed. Digestive fluids and FM compounds significantly increased the total polyphenol content of grape digests and significantly contributed to their ABTS(center dot+) scavenging activity and ferrous-ion-chelating capacity. The present study suggested that enrichment of meat-and cereal-based products with grape polyphenol extracts could be a good strategy to formulate a healthier diet

Cirkularna ekonomija u prehrambenoj industriji

The concept of the circular economy goes beyond the outdated idea of the linear economy, which involves the uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources, and the material flows from the factory through the user to the landfill. In the circular economy, the circle product - waste - product is closed. It is expected from the industry to function as a natural eco-system, and waste from one industry becomes a raw material to another industry, i.e. to stimulate circulation, from which the term circular originates. The circular economy is a general term that encompasses all activities that reduce, reuse, and recycle materials in the processes of production, distribution, and consumption. Taking into account the projections for population growth on Earth, the food industry is expected to increase production, which inevitably carries an increase in the amount of generated waste. Organic components of vegetable waste are of interest for further use because they contain large quantities of highly valuable molecules. This paper aimed to show that waste from the food industry is not waste but a raw material that can be incorporated into other processes, which are the basic principles of circular economy - regeneration and circulation. The wine industry, as a major industry for the grape as raw material, creates large quantities of such waste. In the literature review are provided various innovative solutions that show what to do next with wine by-products, especially grape hush. Besides using in the industry of strong drinks, through composting or as a forage supplement, new solutions are presented. They are: the hush as a significant bioenergy source; the use of the most important substances from the hush, such as polyphenolic compounds, dietary fiber, tartaric acid, oils; the hush as a raw material for the production of biofuels, enzymes, biosurfactants, etc.Koncept cirkularne ekonomije prevazilazi zastareli koncept linearne ekonomije, koji podrazumeva nekontrolisanu eksploataciju prirodnih resursa i protok materijala od fabrike preko korisnika do deponije. U cirkularnoj ekonomiji dolazi do zatvaranja kruga: proizvod - otpad - proizvod. Od industrije se očekuje da funkcioniše kao prirodni eko-sistem i da otpad iz jedne industrije postaje sirovina u drugoj tj. da podražava kruženje, odakle potiče naziv cirkularna. Generalno, cirkularna ekonomija je opšti pojam koji obuhvata sve aktivnosti koje smanjuju, ponovo koriste i recikliraju materijale u procesima proizvodnje, distribucije i potrošnje. Uzimajući u obzir predviđanja o rastu populacije na Zemlji, od industrije hrane se očekuje porast proizvodnje, koji neminovno sa sobom nosi i povećanje količine generisanog otpada. Organske komponente otpada biljnog porekla interesantne su za dalje iskorišćenje, jer sadrže velike količine visoko vrednih molekula. Cilj rada bio je da se pokaže kako otpad iz prehrambene industrije nije otpad već sirovina koja se može uključiti u druge procese, osnovni principi cirkularne ekonomije - regenerativnost i kruženje. Vinska industrija, kao glavna industrija kada se radi o grožđu kao sirovini, stvara velike količine ovakvog otpada. U ovom pregledu literature data su razna inovativna rešenja koja pokazuju šta dalje raditi sa nus-proizvodima dobijanja vina, pre svega komine grožđa. Osim iskorišćenja u industriji jakih pića, putem kompostiranja ili kao dodataka stočnoj hrani, prikazana su nova rešenja - komina kao značajan bioenergetski izvor, iskorišćenje najvažnijih supstanci iz komine, kao što su polifenolna jedinjenja, dijetetska vlakna, vinska kiselina, ulja, zatim osvrt na kominu kao sirovinu za dobijanje biogoriva, enzima, biosurfaktanata, itd

The Application of Pollen as a Functional Food and Feed Ingredient-The Present and Perspectives

Pollen is recognized as an excellent dietary supplement for human nutrition, which is why it can be found in different forms on the market (granules, capsules, tablets, pellets, and powders). But, the digestibility of pollen's nutrients is strongly affected by the presence of a pollen shell, which can decrease the bioavailability of nutrients by 50% and more. Since consumers have become more aware of the benefits of a healthy diet and the necessity to improve pollen digestibility, different pollen-based functional food products have been developed and extensive studies were done to estimate the beneficial effects of pollen-based feed on animal growth, health, and rigor mortise stage. Considering the positive effects of pollen nutrients and phytometabolites on human and animal health, the aim of this paper was to give an overview of recent achievements in the application of pollen in the formulation of functional food and animal diets. Special attention was paid to the effects of pollen's addition on the nutritional, functional, techno-functional, and sensory properties of the new formulated food products. Anti-nutritional properties of pollen were also discussed. This review points out the benefits of pollen addition to food and feed and the possible directions in the further development of functional food and feed for the wellbeing of everyone

Polyphenolic profile and antioxidant properties of bee-collected pollen from sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plant

The aim of this work was to determine phenolic profile and antioxidant properties of methanolic (MEP) and ethanolic (EEP) extracts of monofloral bee-collected sunflower pollen from Serbia. In total, 37 different polyphenols (19 flavonol glycosides and 18 other polyphenols) were identified by UHPLC/MS-MS Orbitrap analysis. The different phenolic profile of MEP and EEP was observed with flavonols as most abundant, 94.1% (MEP) and 93.4% (EEP), out of which flavonoid glycosides represented 73.2% (MEP) and 66.1% (EEP). The higher amount of total phenolics was recorded in EEP (200.58 mg/kg DW) than in MEP (244.44 mg/kg DW). The quercetin 3-O-galactoside was the major compound in both extracts, 112.86 mg/kg in MEP and 128.64 mg/kg in EEP. The presence of coumaroylated and acetylated flavonoid glycosides were registered, among which the quercetin 3-O-(6 ''-acetyl)hexoside was recored in the significant amount in MEP (111.10 mg Q3G/kg DW), whereas in EEP the content of coumaroylated kaempferol glycosides (137.95 mg Q3G/kg DW) was significantly higher. The ferric reducing power and ABTS radical scavenging activity assays revealed that pollen extracts possessed significant antioxidant activity. The monofloral bee-collected pollen of Helianthus annuus L. can be used as good food supplement with high flavonoids content and antioxidant activity

Content and nutritional value of selected biogenic elements in monofloral sunflower bee-collected pollen from Serbia

Pollen (floral or bee-collected) can be used as a good source of different nutrients including several important biogenic elements (minerals). The aim of this study was to determine content of selected biogenic elements (phosphorous, potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc) in monofloral bee-collected pollen originated from sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants grown in Serbia and to estimate its nutritional value regarding to elements content. In that purpose ICP-OES analytical method was applied. According to obtained results the examined pollen sample contains above mentioned elements in following quantities: P – 3523.98 mg/kg; K – 2869.13 mg/kg; S – 1951.74 mg/kg; Ca – 1919.20 mg/kg; Mg – 654.36 mg/kg; Fe –83.55 mg/kg; Zn – 45.92 mg/kg of dry weight. Based on recommended daily intakes for iron, phosphorus and zinc application of pollen, as food or food ingredient, will cover meaningful part of human needs for these three important elements

In vitro assessment of pesticide residues bioaccessibility in conventionally grown blueberries as affected by complex food matrix

The aim of this study was to investigate the bioaccessibility of pesticide residues in blueberries (com-mercial and sample from controlled field trial) from Serbia, involving the presence of a complex food matrix and to assess the potential risk to human health. The presence of nine active substances (azox-ystrobin, boscalid, fludioxonil, cyprodinil, pyrimethanil, pyridaben, pyriproxyfen, acetamiprid and thia-metoxam) in initial blueberry samples was determined in concentration range from 5.15 mu g/kg for thiametoxam to 187 mu g/kg for azoxystrobin. Clothianidin, metabolite of thiametoxam, was not detected in any blueberry sample. However, after in vitro digestion, the content of initially detected pesticides residues was significantly decreased or it was below limit of quantification resulting in the total bio-accessibility of about 15%. Azoxystrobin, pyrimethanil and fludioxonil was quantified in digestive juice at concentrations which were about 81%, 37% and 10% less than the inital concentration, respectively. The presence of food matrix during digestion of blueberries even more severely reduced concentration of pesticide residues (total bioaccessibility was about 7%) compared to digestion without the food matrix. Only azoxystrobin was quantified after digestion with food matrix in concentration of 27 mu g/kg in sample from controlled field trial and detected in two commercial samples but below the limit of quantification. Furthermore, chronic risk assessment indicated that risk is acceptable for the health of different human subpopulation groups. The current study on pesticides residues, most commonly applied on blueberries, provides for the first time an insight into their bioaccessibility under conditions that mimic physiological environment of human digestive tract

In vitro assessment of pesticide residues bioaccessibility in conventionally grown blueberries as affected by complex food matrix

The aim of this study was to investigate the bioaccessibility of pesticide residues in blueberries (com-mercial and sample from controlled field trial) from Serbia, involving the presence of a complex food matrix and to assess the potential risk to human health. The presence of nine active substances (azox-ystrobin, boscalid, fludioxonil, cyprodinil, pyrimethanil, pyridaben, pyriproxyfen, acetamiprid and thia-metoxam) in initial blueberry samples was determined in concentration range from 5.15 mu g/kg for thiametoxam to 187 mu g/kg for azoxystrobin. Clothianidin, metabolite of thiametoxam, was not detected in any blueberry sample. However, after in vitro digestion, the content of initially detected pesticides residues was significantly decreased or it was below limit of quantification resulting in the total bio-accessibility of about 15%. Azoxystrobin, pyrimethanil and fludioxonil was quantified in digestive juice at concentrations which were about 81%, 37% and 10% less than the inital concentration, respectively. The presence of food matrix during digestion of blueberries even more severely reduced concentration of pesticide residues (total bioaccessibility was about 7%) compared to digestion without the food matrix. Only azoxystrobin was quantified after digestion with food matrix in concentration of 27 mu g/kg in sample from controlled field trial and detected in two commercial samples but below the limit of quantification. Furthermore, chronic risk assessment indicated that risk is acceptable for the health of different human subpopulation groups. The current study on pesticides residues, most commonly applied on blueberries, provides for the first time an insight into their bioaccessibility under conditions that mimic physiological environment of human digestive tract