Innovative Food Product Development using Molecular Gastronomy: a Focus on Flavour and Sensory Evaluation

The primary goal of this research was to develop novel ice cream products using the principles of molecular gastronomy. An ice cream model system (emulsion) was developed, in which the effects of ingredient levels on stability and formation were investigated and optimised using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Two characteristic volatiles of banana (isoamyl acetate and furfuryl acetate) were added to the optimised emulsion, and their headspace emission was quantified using Solid Phase Microextraction with Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. RSM was used to investigate the main and interactive effects of ingredient, salt and pH levels on the headspace emission of these volatiles. Salt was found to significantly influence (p ≤ 0.05) headspace emission of isoamyl acetate. The pairing of novel foods (banana and bacon (B+BN), banana and basmati rice (B+R), and banana and olive oil (B+O)) was investigated as an important sensory phenomenon with a key interest in determining how different components in the selected food pairings (both volatile and non-volatile) affect and interact with other components to influence sensory perception. Consumer sensory evaluation (n = 85) showed that B+R and B+BN were significantly more acceptable (p ≤ 0.05) pairings than B+O. Correlation of descriptive sensory analysis (n = 28) and organic volatile profiling was conducted to try to elucidate the hedonic results. Two ice cream product recipes were formulated to provide a matrix for the two preferred novel food pairings (B+R and B+BN). Product acceptability was assessed using two consumer panels representing general and specific markets. Significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between hedonic results of the two panels suggest that the B+R ice cream may be more suited to a general retail product, whereas the B+BN ice cream may be more suited to a selective culinary market

Renal replacement modality and stroke risk in end-stage renal disease—a national registry study

Background: The risk of stroke in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on renal replacement therapy (RRT) is up to 10-fold greater than the general population. However, whether this increased risk differs by RRT modality is unclear. Methods: We used data contained in the Scottish Renal Registry and the Scottish Stroke Care Audit to identify stroke in all adult patients who commenced RRT for ESRD from 2005 to 2013. Incidence rate was calculated and regression analyses were performed to identify variables associated with stroke. We explored the effect of RRT modality at initiation and cumulative dialysis exposure by time-dependent regression analysis, using transplant recipients as the reference group. Results: A total of 4957 patients commenced RRT for ESRD. Median age was 64.5 years, 41.5% were female and 277 patients suffered a stroke (incidence rate was 18.6/1000 patient-years). Patients who had stroke were older, had higher blood pressure and were more likely to be female and have diabetes. On multivariable regression older age, female sex, diabetes and higher serum phosphate were associated with risk of stroke. RRT modality at initiation was not. On time-dependent analysis, haemodialysis (HD) exposure was independently associated with increased risk of stroke. Conclusions: In patients with ESRD who initiate RRT, HD use independently increases risk of stroke compared with transplantation. Use of peritoneal dialysis did not increase risk on adjusted analysis

Continued monitoring of acute kidney injury survivors might not be necessary in those regaining an estimated glomerular filtration rate > 60 mL/min at 1 year

Background. Severe acute kidney injury (AKI) among hospitalized patients often necessitates initiation of short-term dialysis. Little is known about the long-term outcome of those who recover to normal renal function. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term renal outcome of patients experiencing AKI requiring dialysis secondary to hypoperfusion injury and/or sepsis who recovered to apparently normal renal function. Methods. All adult patients with AKI requiring dialysis in our centre between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 2010 were identified. We included patients who had estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >60 mL/min/1.73 m2 12 months or later after the episode of AKI. Patients were followed up until 3 March 2015. The primary outcome was time to chronic kidney disease (CKD) (defined as eGFR persistently <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) from first dialysis for AKI. Results. Among 2922 patients with a single episode of dialysis-requiring AKI, 396 patients met the study inclusion criteria. The mean age was 49.8 (standard deviation 16.5) years and median follow-up was 7.9 [interquartile range (IQR) 4.8–12.7] years. Thirty-five (8.8%) of the patients ultimately developed CKD after a median of 5.3 (IQR 2.8–8.0) years from first dialysis for AKI giving an incidence rate of 1 per 100 person-years. Increasing age, diabetes and vascular disease were associated with higher risk of progression to CKD [adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval): 1.06 (1.03, 1.09), 3.05 (1.41, 6.57) and 3.56 (1.80, 7.03), respectively]. Conclusions. Recovery from AKI necessitating in-hospital dialysis was associated with a very low risk of progression to CKD. Most of the patients who progressed to CKD had concurrent medical conditions meriting monitoring of renal function. Therefore, it seems unlikely that regular follow-up of renal function is beneficial in patients who recover to eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m2 by 12 months after an episode of AKI

Distinctive Features of Mobile Messages Processing

World’s mobile market pushes past 2 billion lines in 2005. Success in these competitive markets requires operational excellence with product and service innovation to improve the mobile performance. Mobile users very often prefer to send a mobile instant message or text messages rather than talking on a mobile. Well developed “written speech analysis” does not work not only with “verbal speech” but also with “mobile text messages”. The main purpose of our paper is, firstly, to highlight the problems of mobile text messages processing and, secondly, to show the possible ways of solving these problems

Expanding the Restaurant Value Chain through Digital Delivery: a Significant Disruptor in the U.S. Restaurant Industry

The food industry has experienced enormous growth in the use of food delivery in recent years. More specifically, digitally enabled food delivery has emerged as the most disruptive force in the foodservice industry today. Increased consumer demand for convenience and variety in conjunction with the rapid pace of technological advancements are believed to be the driving factors for the emergence of this phenomenon (Carsten et al., 2016). Foot traffic at traditional dine-in establishments has dwindled as customers opt for online delivery instead, resulting in an altering of the restaurant value chain (Huang, Kohli and Lal, 2019). In particular, the emergence of third-party delivery aggregators (TPDA), such as Grubhub and Uber Eats, present traditional, brick and mortar foodservice operators with a multitude of both opportunities and challenges. Opportunities range from lower financial and logistical barriers for marketplace entrance, to accessing new and more extensive geographical markets, as well as the opportunity for increased sales volumes (Maras, 2019). However, it has been reported that large commission and services fees (5 to 40% on each delivery order) paid to the TPDAs by restaurants are consuming already narrow profit margins (Fisher, 2019). Other reported challenges include operational issues and a lack of consistency of food and service quality (Maras, 2019). On the consumer side, the added convenience of dining at home can come at a premium expense through delivery charges and higher-priced menu items. Therefore, the decision to offer food delivery service