Ethanol and its Halal status in food industries

BackgroundEthanol is an important organic solvent and substrate which extensively used in research and industries. It is the main ingredient produced during fermentation of carbohydrates derived from fruits and other biomass substances. Halal status of ethanol is controversial and it is rational use is ambiguous.Scope and ApproachIn this review the issue of ethanol in food industries is addressed. Ethanol is a sensitive, controversial and main issue in the production of Halal (Permitted, Allowed) products. Setting the limit of ethanol in Halal food industries is needed to facilitate food production and complied with certain religious demands. This review gives an overview of ethanol, types, application, advantages and disadvantages. An attempt to set a limit of ethanol in food industries, supported by scientific facts and Islamic rules, is described.Key Findings and ConclusionHalal status of ethanol is highly controversial but rarely classified based on its source and concentration. Any ethanol produced by anaerobic fermentation and ranging between 1 and 15% is considered to be Haram (non-Halal, Forbidden), whereas ethanol produced by natural fermentation and less than 1% is considered as preserving agent and its Halal status is allowed. Any ethanolic solution higher than 15% is treated as a toxic solution but still could be used in industries, meanwhile ethanolic solution prepared by dilution from absolute or denatured ethanol is allowed for industrial used but toxic for human consumption. However, any concentration varied from 0.1 to 100% prepared with intention to be used as beverage drink is consider non-Halal.     

Recent advances in Levansucrase and Inulosucrase: evolution,characteristics, and application

Abstract

Levan and inulin are two types of fructan. Levan is composed of β-(2, 6) fructosyl linkage and inulin is composed of β-(2, 1) linkage. Both levan and inulin have been accepted and applied in the food, medicinal and chemical industries for their outstanding physicochemical properties in recent years. Microbial levansucrase and inulosucrase are key enzymes responsible for the synthesis of fructan from sucrose. In this review, levansucrase and inulosucrase are discussed together for the first time regarding the evolutionary relationships, bacteria origin, crystal structure, product-forming mechanism and commercial applications. Particularly, some insights into the product specificity about levansucrase and inulosucrase as well as the mechanism for product elongation for fructan are also discussed in the article.     

Sulfated modification of polysaccharides: Synthesis,characterization and bioactivities

BackgroundPolysaccharides are a kind of biological macromolecular substance with multiple biological effects. Natural polysaccharides derived from plants and fungi are known as ideal raw food supplements for health food and pharmaceuticals due to their few side effects. Sulfated modification could significantly improve structure characteristics, promote bioactivities, and even add new bioactivities to polysaccharides. Thus, sulfated polysaccharides are increasingly causing more attention, as they have been proved to possess a variety of biological activities, including antioxidant, anticancer, and immunoregulatory, and anticoagulant activities. Furthermore, recent advances in synthesis, characterization and bioactivities of sulfated polysaccharides can promote its application in the food industry or pharmaceutics.Scope and approachThis paper reviewed the main methods of sulfated modification, structural changes and the bioactivities of sulfated polysaccharide derivatives. We have comprehensively discussed biological activities of sulfated polysaccharides, emphatically the effects of sulfated group, composition, functional groups, as well as their replaced position on the bioactivities of sulfated polysaccharides, in order to reveal the potential mechanism of sulfation on bioactivities of polysaccharides.Key findings and conclusionsThis paper reviewed the recent research in the sulfated modification of polysaccharides and provided future directions for research in this area. There are many methods for sulfated modification, such as chlorosulfonic acid-pyridine method, concentrated sulfuric acid method, and sulfur trioxide-pyridine method, which could improve anti-coagulant, anti-oxidative, immunoregulation, anti-tumor, and anti-virus activities of polysaccharides. Sulfated modification could change bioactivities of polysaccharides due to their effects on structure characteristics. DS, monosaccharide compositions, replaced position of sulfated groups were considered to contribute to their bioactivities promotion. Further studies are required to explore the application of sulfated polysaccharides in pharmaceutical and food industries.     

Betalains,the nature-inspired pigments,in health and diseases

Abstract

Betalains are unique nitrogen-containing pigments found exclusively in families of the Caryophyllales order and some higher order fungi, where they replace anthocyanin pigments. Betalains, consisting of betacyanins and betaxanthins are generally used as color additives in food. This review discusses on the favorable effects of acute and chronic consumption of betalains, whose edible sources consist primarily of red beetroots (Beta vulgaris) and prickly pears (fruit of the Opuntia genus of cacti). Moreover, it encompasses in vivo and in vitro studies about the bioavailability and bioaccessibility of betanin and indicaxanthin. It seems that treatment with betalains and betalain-rich diets is not only nontoxic but could also prove to be a promising alternative to supplement therapies in oxidative stress-, inflammation-, and dyslipidemia-related diseases such as stenosis of the arteries, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and cancer, among others. Due to its toxicological safety, accessibility, low price, biodegradability, and potentially advantageous biological effects on health, the incorporation of betalains in food manufacturing and related industries could pave the way to overcome current concerns over the health risks of artificial colors. Nevertheless, further studies using pure betalains are required to gain a deeper understanding of their precise biological functions.     

Occurrence,types, properties and interactions of phenolic compounds with other food constituents in oil-bearing plants

ABSTRACT

Phenolic phytochemicals have become of interest due to their therapeutic potential, particularly with regards to their anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycemic properties. An evolving area of research involving phenolics in foods and their products pertains to the functional, biological, and nutritional consequences resulting from the binding between certain phenolic compounds and the macronutrient and micronutrient constituents of foods. The goal of this review is to provide a summary of studies investigating endogenous phenolic interactions with major components in food systems, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, minerals and vitamins, with a focus on the phenolic compounds and nutrients in oil-bearing plants. Another major objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of the chemical nature of phenolic interactions with food constituents that could affect the quality, nutritional and functional properties of foods. Such information can assist in the discovery and optimization of specific phenolic complexes in plant-based foods that could be utilized towards various applications in the food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.     

Main characteristics of peanut skin and its role for the preservation of meat products

BackgroundThe produced peanuts by-products are a huge challenge, but they are recognized to be a source of valuable nutrients, including natural antioxidants and antimicrobials. Antioxidants are considered as necessary ingredients in food to prevent oxidative reactions and their undesirable effects in food quality during processing and storage. However, the use of such compounds is regulated due to their harmful effects revealed by in vitro and in vivo studies. The use of natural antioxidants appears as an interesting alternative for food producers, particularly meat industries.Scope and approachPeanut skin (PS), a by-product of peanut processing in agro-industries, constitutes an under-explored source of natural antioxidants. Thus, this review was focused on both the reuse of peanuts by-products and societal health, reducing the use of synthetic antioxidants and antimicrobials.Key findings and conclusionsProanthocyanidins are the main compounds in PS that are associated with the antioxidant activity in vitro and its protective effect in meat products. Studies in recent literature strengthen the role of PS as a natural source of antioxidants wherein oxidative reactions involving mainly pigments, lipids and proteins are delayed.     

The past decade findings related with nutritional composition,bioactive molecules and biotechnological applications of Passiflora spp. (passion fruit)

BackgroundFor centuries, Passiflora species have been used in folk medicine, especially as sedatives and anxiolytics, and in recent decades have been exploited by the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Currently, the concentrated juice manufacture is the most impacting activity involving Passiflora spp., since its market is expanding worldwide. Such a wide-scale passion fruit processing inevitably ends up generating huge amounts of wastes (i.e., seeds, rinds and bagasse), as it corresponds to more than a half of the fruit mass.Scope and ApproachThe present review aims to summarize and evaluate the past decade findings related with nutritional composition, bioactive molecules and biotechnological applications of Passiflora spp., with special attention to the potentialities of its co-products.Key Findings and ConclusionsA series of emerging technologies firmed on non-thermal principals, along with encapsulation by nanoparticles methods, have been studied for the sustainable recovery of some target high added-value compounds from Passiflora spp. and their co-products, which include biologically active components such as polyphenols, terpenes, peptides, polysaccharides and dietary fibers. In addition, the passion fruit co-products are promising (and still underutilized) agents of bioconversion and bioremediation, besides low-cost functional ingredients for both cosmetic and food industry.     

Review of Green Food Processing techniques. Preservation,transformation, and extraction

This review presents innovative food processing techniques and their role in promoting sustainable food industry. These techniques (such as microwave, ultrasound, pulse electric field, instant controlled pressure drop, supercritical fluid processing) in the frontiers of food processing, food chemistry, and food microbiology, are not new and were already used for > 30 years by academia and industry. We will pay special attention to the strategies and the tools available to make preservation, transformation and extraction greener and present them as success stories for research, education and at industrial scale. The design of green and sustainable processes is currently a hot research topic in food industry. Herein we aimed to describe a multifaceted strategy (innovative technologies, process intensification, bio-refinery concept) to apply this concept at research, educational, and industrial level.Industrial relevanceGreen Food Processing could be a new concept to meet the challenges of the 21st century, to protect both the environment and consumers, and in the meantime enhance competition of industries to be more ecologic, economic and innovative. This green approach should be the result of a whole chain of values in both senses of the term: economic and responsible, starting from the production and harvesting of food raw materials, processes of preservation, transformation, and extraction together with formulation and marketing.     

Recent development of lactoferrin-based vehicles for the delivery of bioactive compounds: Complexes,emulsions, and nanoparticles

BackgroundLactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding glycoprotein that exhibits a variety of potentially beneficial biological activities and has favorable safety and biocompatibility characteristics. For these reasons, LF has been widely used as a functional component in the medical, food, and cosmetic industries. Applications of LF-based materials, such as complexes, nanoparticles, hydrogels and emulsions, to encapsulate, protect and deliver bioactive compounds is gaining increasing attention.Scope and approachThis review highlights the considerable potential of LF-based encapsulation and delivery systems by summarizing research progress on the structure, physicochemical properties, and biological activities of LF. In particular, it highlights advances in utilizing LF-based nanocarriers as natural vehicles for nutraceutical delivery and release, as well as strategies for encapsulating LF as a functional ingredient.Key findings and conclusionsFunctional LF-biopolymer complexes can be formed by heat treatment, covalent conjugation or electrostatic assembly under appropriate fabrication conditions. These complexes have been shown to be highly effective for the oral delivery of nutraceuticals and drugs. LF can also be utilized to fabricate emulsions, nanoparticles, or microgels to improve the stability and bioaccessibility of bioactive components. However, there are still a number of challenges associated with optimizing the performance of LF-based delivery systems so that they can be used in commercial applications.     

Analytical methods combined with multivariate analysis for authentication of animal and vegetable food products with high fat content

BackgroundFood fraud is described as a violation of food law, which is intentionally committed to get an economic or financial gain through the consumer's swindle resulting in multi-million business and posing a public health threat. The main fraudulent practices are mislabelling of composition, certificates of origin, health claims, and artificial increases in weight or volume caused by replacement, dilution, addition or removal of some ingredients. Hardly 68% of the food fraud violations are produced in animal and vegetable products with high fat content (27% meat, 13% fish, 11% oils, 10% dairy products, 4% nuts and seeds and 3% animal by-products) becoming a crucial issue for food processing industries.Scope and approachThe present review focuses on the main authentication techniques and methods employed to clarify the authenticity of both animal and vegetable fat food products emphasizing the importance of the use of robust and reliable analytical techniques combined with multivariate analyses.Key findings and conclusionsTargeted approaches, such as chromatography and DNA-based methods, combined with multivariate analysis have shown high accuracy, sensitivity and selectivity, allowing the simultaneous evaluation of multiple analytes. In addition, non-target methods, such as those based on spectroscopic techniques, have been used to establish the geographic origin of food products with quick response, low cost, non-destructive character and also offering the possibility to be miniaturized.     

Improving the bioavailability of phenolic compounds by loading them within lipid-based nanocarriers

BackgroundPhenolic compounds¹ are one of the main interested nutraceuticals in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The application of phenolics is limited due to their low bioavailability, low solubility, low stability, and un-targeted release. These limitations could be overcome by novel ‘‘lipid-based nano-encapsulation technologies’’ capable of appropriated and targeted delivery functions into foods.Scope and approachIn this review, preparation, application, and characterization of lipid-based nanocarriers for phenolics have been considered and discussed including nano-emulsions, nano-scale phospholipids, and nanostructured lipid carriers. The bioavailability of nano-encapsulated phenolic products and capability of them to produce functional foods have been considered as well.Key findings and conclusionsIn the food and nutraceutical industries, the main aims of loading phenolics into nanocarriers are masking their undesirable flavor for oral administration, providing high stability and high absorption, and better release in gastrointestinal (GIT) conditions. Compared with micro-sized carriers, nanocapsules based on lipid formulations provide more surface area and have the potential to enhance solubility, improve bioavailability, and ameliorate controlled release of the nano-encapsulated phenolic compounds.     

Non-waste technology through the enzymatic hydrolysis of agro-industrial by-products

BackgroundOne of the major challenges facing the world at present is the utilisation of by-products. European food industries generate millions of tonnes of by-products annually. Fruit and grain processing industries do not fully utilise potentially valuable raw materials (peels, husks, seeds, stones, bran) that contain a significant amount of dietary fibre and antioxidants. According to recent research, due to the complexity in structure of agro-industrial by-products, both lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds integrated into the matrix and furthermore they are linked with various macromolecules. These interactions have a great influence on bioavailability and hence antioxidant ability of biologically active compounds present in by-products. At present, one major concern is the development of efficient and green technology for the degradation of starch and non-starch polysaccharides presented in by-products, thus contributing to their reduction, as well as long-term improvements in environmental quality and enhancement of extractability of antioxidant compounds.Scope and ApproachThis review summarizes the research progress on the enzymatic hydrolysis of by-products, gives a brief insight into the current state of the amount of the by-products, and describes one possible method of waste recycling.Key findings and conclusionsProcessing of by-products, using enzymatic hydrolysis is promising technique for prebiotic substrates development. Moreover, enzymatic hydrolysis is able to increase the extractability of polyphenols including non-extractable proanthocyanidins from food matrix with no utilisation of organic solvents, nor any other toxic chemicals.     

Eleven shades of food integrity: A halal supply chain perspective

BackgroundFood integrity is not only related to the good quality of the food product, nonetheless, it distresses closely more on the health, safety, religious and cultural matters. Weaknesses in handling, monitoring, processing and other factors along the food’s supply chain outbreaks the recent food integrity scandal. These outbreak food integrity scandals could be prevented if clear aspects that affect the food integrity were embraced along the food supply chain. This article is aiming to highlight the factors affecting food integrity in the context of the halal food supply chain and their potential for future research.Scope and approachThis review attempts to provide a wider view of supply chain management in the halal food industry. Attention is drawn to the literature on other food industries and the results there are put in the context of the halal food setting. In this review, it emphasizes the factors could be monitor or control that contributes to the problem of food integrity.Key findings and conclusionsEleven ‘shades’ of food integrity in the halal supply chain are offered, which can be categorized into four supply chain dimensions, related to raw materials, production, service, and the consumer. Each shade is defined and aligned with the results in the literature, and areas for future research are suggested. Theoretical and managerial implications are provided. The ‘shades’ highlighted can be used and considered by managers as fundamental insights to ponder in safeguarding the integrity of halal products.     

Balanced diets in food systems: Emerging trends and challenges for human health

ABSTRACT

Processed foods, generally known as modified raw foods produced by innovative processing technologies alters the food constituents such natural enzymes, fatty acids, micronutrients, macronutrients and vitamins. In contrast to fresh and unprocessed foods, processed foods are guaranteed to be safer, imperishable, long lasting and consist high level of nutrients bioactivity. Currently, the evolution in food processing technologies is necessary to face food security and safety, nutrition demand, its availability and also other global challenges in the food system. In this scenario, this review consists of information on two food processing technologies, which effects on processed foods before and after processing and the impact of food products on human health. It is also very well established that understanding the type and structure of foods to be processed can assist food processing industries towards advancement of novel food products. In connection with this fact, the present article also discusses the emerging trends and possible modifications in food processing technologies with the combination of conventional and modern techniques to get the suitable nutritional and safety qualities in food.     

Ready-to-use single tube quadruplex PCR for differential identification of mutton,chicken, pork and beef in processed meat samples

ABSTRACT

A reliable and sensitive identification method is required to tackle food adulteration mainly in meat production. We developed a dry reagent based ready-to-use single tube quadruplex PCR assay for accurate identification of chicken, mutton, beef and pork. The assay was found to be specific and reproducible. Thermo-stability studies of lyophilized PCR master mix were conducted at different temperature and time intervals, which revealed significant stability for 75 days at 4°C and for 60 days at 25°C. The developed assay was shown to be sensitive down to 16 pg DNA per reaction and the detection limit was found to be 0.01% (w/w) of each species. Furthermore, this method has been applied to the analysis of 68 commercial meat products and the results indicated that nine samples contained non-declared meat components. This dry reagent-based quadruplex PCR assay can be utilized to monitor various processed food products and also to maintain quality control in food industries mainly in the resource-limited settings.     

Liposomal microencapsulation using the conventional methods and novel supercritical fluid processes

BackgroundLiposomes are spherical phospholipid vesicles with the capability of versatile microencapsulation of hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds. Organic solvent residue has always been a concern in conventional methods of liposome generation.Scope and approachDense gas techniques using supercritical carbon dioxide as the phospholipid-dissolving agent can provide a green solution for reduction or avoidance of organic solvent use.Key findings and conclusionsIn this review, conventional and dense gas processes of liposomal microencapsulation are evaluated. Comprehensively understanding the current progress of supercritical fluid techniques for liposomal microencapsulation will be helpful for development of a non-toxic continuous process of this application in the food and related industries.     

Chemical composition,health effects,and uses of water caltrop

BackgroundWater caltrop (Trapa spp.) has been cultivated for food and traditional medicine in Asia for thousands of years. It is, however, considered as a pest in North America due to the adverse effects on ecological systems. Thus, a better understanding of the chemistry and potential applications of water caltrop may suggest strategies to utilize this aquatic plant.Scope and approachThis review summarizes the chemical composition, nutritional benefits, processing, and food and industrial uses of different parts of water caltrop from diverse species. The relationships between the components and potential uses of water caltrop are discussed.Key findings and conclusionsPeels and kernels of water caltrop are rich in starch, dietary fiber, essential amino acids, and certain types of phenolics and minerals, and showed a range of bioactivities such as anti-cancer and antioxidant capacities. Water caltrop has been utilized in diverse food and non-food sectors. There is great potential of water caltrop for various applications due to the unique chemical composition and abundance of supply.     

A process for turning pomegranate peels into a valuable food ingredient using ultrasound-assisted extraction and encapsulation

A new method for pomegranate peel application in food industries was developed based on the ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds and their subsequent encapsulation by spray drying. The effects of various parameters on extraction yield, on encapsulation efficiency/yield, and on the main physical properties of the microcapsules (moisture content, bulk density, rehydration ability) were studied. Ultrasound was found to increase extraction yield, but mainly to shorten the treatment time by over 20 times. The maximum encapsulation efficiency was 99.80% and the optimum operating conditions were found to be: wall material, maltodextrin/whey protein isolate (50:50); inlet air temperature, 150 °C; drying air flow rate, 17.5 m³/h; ratio of wall to core material, 9/1; feed solid concentration, 30% (w/w). The encapsulated phenolic extract was found efficient in improving the shelf life of hazelnut paste, in spite of the limited solubility of the crude extract in such a high lipid content matrix.Industrial relevancePomegranate peels, a by-product of pomegranate juice and concentrate industries, present a wide range of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical properties. Therefore, the peels could have more beneficial applications in food industries instead of being used as animal feed or in commercial cosmetic products. In this work, a new method for pomegranate peel application was developed based on the ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolics and their subsequent encapsulation by spray drying.     

Stingless bee honey: Quality parameters,bioactive compounds,health-promotion properties and modification detection strategies

BackgroundHoney is a natural product produced and marketed worldwide by stingless bees and Apis bees. Both these types of honey contain unique and distinct compounds of variable nutritional and biological importance. Stingless bee honey is popular for its distinct sweetness, mixed with an acidic taste, and fluid texture; it has higher added value than Apis mellifera honey. Due to the relatively low output of stingless bee honey compared to Apis mellifera honey, comprehensive data regarding the former is limited. This complex, natural product requires official, international methodologies and standards to be established to serve as a reference for quality control, to prevent adulteration, and to aid marketing purposes.Scope and approachThe article summarises the existing literature regarding the physicochemical parameters, chemical composition, bioactive constituents, biological properties, and modification detection strategies of honey originated from 478 honey samples from 66 different stingless bee species produced worldwide.Key findings and conclusionsStingless bee honey is one of the most complex natural foodstuffs. This type of honey quantitatively possesses a higher moisture content, greater acidity, a slightly lower level of total carbohydrates, and higher levels of antioxidant and biological activities than Apis mellifera honey. This review emphasises that stingless bee honey represents an important innovation for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, due to its positive health effects and market potential.     

Enhancing production of microalgal biopigments through metabolic and genetic engineering

Abstract

The versatile use of biopigments in food, feed, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and analytical industries emphasized to find different and renewable sources of biopigments. Microalgae, including cyanobacteria, are becoming a potential candidate for pigment production as these have fast-growing ability, high pigment content, highly variable and also have “Generally recognized as safe” status. These algal groups are known to produce different metabolites that include hormones, vitamins, biopolythene and biochemicals. We discuss here the potential use of microalgal biopigments in our daily life as well as in food and cosmetic industries. Pigment like carotenoids has many health benefits such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties and also provide photo-protection against UV radiation. This review details the effect of various abiotic and biotic factors such as temperature, light, nutrition on maximizing the pigment content in the microalgal cell. This review also highlights the potential of microalgae, whether in present native or engineered strain including the many metabolic strategies which are used or can be used to produce a higher amount of these valuable biopigments. Additionally, future challenges in the context of pigment production have also been discussed.