Role of Spices Beyond Food Flavoring: Nutraceuticals with Multiple Health Effects

Spices are esoteric food adjuncts that have been used as flavoring and coloring agents, and as preservatives for thousands of years. Spices have also been recognized to possess medicinal properties and their use in traditional systems of medicine has been on record for a long time. With the advancement in the technology of spices and on knowledge of the chemistry and pharmacology of their active principles, their health benefit effects were investigated more thoroughly in recent decades. Many health benefit attributes of these common food adjuncts have been recognized in the past few decades by pioneering experimental research involving both animal studies and human trials. These studies documented digestive stimulant action, hypolipidemic effect, antidiabetic influence, antilithogenic property, antioxidant potential, anti-inflammatory property, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic potential of spices. Among these, the hypocholesterolemic and antioxidant properties of a few specific spices have far-reaching nutraceutical value. These beneficial physiological effects also have the potential of possible therapeutic application in a variety of disease conditions. This review presents an overview of experimental evidence for the nutraceutical potential of spices.     

香辛料精油抑菌作用及其在肉制品中的应用

香辛料精油的研究已成为目前国内外香辛料研究的热点问题。本文介绍了香辛料精油的主要成分,抑菌活性成分,在肉制品中的应用及国内外研究进展。     

Antioxidant Potential of Spices and Their Active Constituents

Excessive free radical generation overbalancing the rate of their removal leads to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the etiology of cardiovascular disease, inflammatory diseases, cancer, and other chronic diseases. Antioxidants are compounds that hinder the oxidative processes and thereby delay or suppress oxidative stress. There is a growing interest in natural antioxidants found in plants. Herbs and spices are most important targets to search for natural antioxidants from the point of view of safety. A wide variety of phenolic compounds present in spices that are extensively used as food adjuncts possess potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and cancer preventive activities. This paper reviews a host of spice compounds as exogenous antioxidants that are experimentally evidenced to control cellular oxidative stress, both in vitro and in vivo, and their beneficial role in preventing or ameliorating oxidative-stress-mediated diseases, from atherosclerosis to diabetes to cataract to cancer. The antioxidative effects of turmeric/curcumin, clove/eugenol, red pepper/capsaicin, black pepper/piperine, ginger/gingerol, garlic, onion, and fenugreek, which have been extensively studied and evidenced as potential antioxidants, are specifically reviewed in this treatise.     

富硒茶油对小鼠降血脂和抗氧化作用的影响

本试验旨在研究富硒茶油的降血脂、抗氧化功能,为膳食预防和控制高脂血症以及富硒茶油的推广提供借鉴。试验选用40只ICR小鼠随机分为5组:空白组、高脂组、阳性组、富硒茶油组、茶油组。空白组饲喂普通饲料,其余4组饲喂高脂饲料。空白组和高脂组灌胃蒸馏水,富硒茶油组、茶油组和阳性组分别灌胃富硒茶油、普通茶油和药物,9周后测定小鼠体重,肝、肾、脾、附睾脂肪垫质量,血脂水平和肝脏抗氧化指标。结果表明:与高脂组相比,富硒茶油组显著降低了小鼠体重、肝系数和附睾脂肪垫系数(P0.05),茶油组无显著影响(P0.05);富硒茶油组和茶油组对小鼠肾系数和脾系数均无显著影响(P0.05)。与高脂组相比,富硒茶油组显著降低了小鼠甘油三酯和总胆固醇水平(P0.05),茶油组显著降低小鼠甘油三酯水平(P0.05),对总胆固醇水平无显著影响(P0.05);富硒茶油组和茶油组均极显著降低了小鼠低密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平和动脉粥样硬化指数(P0.01),富硒茶油组和茶油组对小鼠高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平无显著影响(P0.05)。与高脂组相比,富硒茶油组和茶油组均极显著降低了小鼠肝脏中丙二醛水平(P0.01),极显著提高了肝脏总超氧化物歧化酶及肝脏总抗氧化能力(P0.01),富硒茶油组极显著提高了肝脏谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活力(P0.01),茶油组显著提高了肝脏谷胱甘肽过氧化物活力(P0.05)。富硒茶油和普通茶油均有降血脂和抗氧化作用,但富硒茶油效果更好。     

市售天然植物香料的抗氧化作用研究

采用DPPH法对生活中常用的20种天然香料局醇提取液进行了抗氧活性测定，结果表明：大多数香料都具有抗氧化作用，其中丁香和桂皮的抗氧活性最强，迷迭香、花椒、高良姜、桂皮、桂子、桂丁、草豆寇、香叶子、草果药的抗氧活性较强，食用天然香料既可以改善食品味道，还可以经人体内补充抗化剂，具有一定的保健效果。     

Food Ingredients as Anti-Obesity Agents: A Review

Overweight and obesity have a major impact on global health; their prevalence has rapidly increased in all industrialized countries in the past few decades and diabetes and hypertension are their direct consequences. Pharmacotherapy provides reinforcement for obesity treatment, but should be an adjunctive support to diet, exercise, and lifestyle modification. At present, only orlistat and sibutramine have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for long-term use, but sibutramine was withdrawn for sale by the European Medicines Agency. The development of functional foods for the prevention and/or treatment of obesity suppose an opportunity for the food market and involve the knowledge of the mechanisms of appetite and energy expenditure as well as the metabolic sensation of satiety. Strategies for weight control management affect gut hormones as potential targets for the appetite metabolic regulation, stimulation of energy expenditure (thermogenesis), and modifications in the metabolic activity of the gut microbiota. Functional foods for obesity may also include bioactive fatty acids, phenolic compounds, soybean, plant sterols, dietary calcium, and dietary fiber. This review intends to offer an overview of the present situation of the anti-obesity agents currently used in dietary therapy as well as some functional food ingredients with potentially anti-obesity effects.     

Essential Oils as Natural Food Antimicrobial Agents: A Review

Food-borne illnesses pose a real scourge in the present scenario as the consumerism of packaged food has increased to a great extend. Pathogens entering the packaged foods may survive longer, which needs a check. Antimicrobial agents either alone or in combination are added to the food or packaging materials for this purpose. Exploiting the antimicrobial property, essential oils are considered as a “natural” remedy to this problem other than its flavoring property instead of using synthetic agents. The essential oils are well known for its antibacterial, antiviral, antimycotic, antiparasitic, and antioxidant properties due to the presence of phenolic functional group. Gram-positive organisms are found more susceptible to the action of the essential oils. Essential oils improve the shelf-life of packaged products, control the microbial growth, and unriddle the consumer concerns regarding the use of chemical preservatives. This review is intended to provide an overview of the essential oils and their role as natural antimicrobial agents in the food industry.     

Nontargeted Analytical Methods as a Powerful Tool for the Authentication of Spices and Herbs: A Review

Food fraud in herbs and spices is an important topic, which has led to new technologies being studied as potential tools for fraud identification. Nontargeted technologies have proven to be a useful tool for the authentication of herbs and spices. The present review focuses on the use of near‐infrared, hyperspectral imaging, Fourier‐transform infrared, Raman, nuclear magnetic resonance, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy for the authentication of spices, which includes the determination of origin and irradiated spices and the identification of adulterants. The methods developed based on vibrational spectroscopy combined with chemometric techniques seem to be promising tools for determining the presence of adulterants and contaminants in herbs and spices. On the other hand, nuclear magnetic resonance seems to be the most efficient technology to determine the origin of herbs and spices although, for some cases, studies with near‐infrared spectroscopy can be a viable substitute. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy is the technique par excellence used for the authentication of irradiated herbs and spices, so its use should be expanded to many more spices’ varieties. Portable devices are preferred by those involved in the food industry, due to its manageability and low cost. Data fusion and big data are shown as promising tools for spice fraud control. In conclusion, spectroscopic techniques show a great efficiency to authenticate spices, although their evaluation must be expanded to other spice varieties, to new strategies of data analysis (as data fusion and big data), and to the use of portable devices.     

玉米须食品化及分析研究进展

玉米须作为我国一种传统中草药,含有多种功效作用,兼具药理和食疗特征,在民间和临床都得到了广泛的应用。本文主要对玉米须食品化的可选功效和食品化应用概况进行总结,分析玉米须食品化存在的问题,并对玉米须食品化进行展望。     

Pharmacological Properties and Traditional Therapeutic Uses of Important Indian Spices: A Review

Indian spices that provide flavor, color, and aroma to food also possess many therapeutic properties. Ancient Indian texts of Ayurveda, an Indian system of medicine, detailed the medicinal properties of these plants and their therapeutic usage. Recent scientific research has established the presence of many active compounds in these spices that are known to possess specific pharmacological properties. The therapeutic efficacy of these individual spices for specific pharmacological actions has also been established by experimental and clinical studies. The medicinal effects traditionally ascribed to Indian spices are validated by modern pharmacological and experimental techniques, thus providing a scientific rationale to their traditional therapeutic usage.     

加工过程对食品中农药残留的影响

食品加工过程不仅能改变食品的品质特性,而且还会对食品的安全性产生影响,如农药残留的变化。大部分加工过程可降低食品中的农药残留,如清洗、去皮、榨汁、杀菌、发酵等;但也有一些如浓缩、干燥以及油脂提炼等过程,可能会导致农药残留水平升高;另外,加工过程还可能使某些农药成分发生改变。了解加工过程对食品中农药残留的影响,不仅可为优化产品加工工艺提供依据,更重要的是为开展食品安全风险评估提供基础数据。本文以食品加工过程为出发点,综述常用食品加工方式对农药残留的影响。     

National Food Control Systems: A Review

This article reviews literature on national food control systems (NFCS). The major objectives of NFCS, their main components, and current issues relating to NFCS are discussed. Common problem areas and the actions taken by countries to improve their system are analysed. The review shows that elements of NFCS suffer from certain limitations, such as obsolete food laws, duplication of work, lack of resources, and poor organisation, which make the system ineffective. NFCS have been established to various extents in both developed and developing countries; however, most countries have not used management techniques in developing and implementing their food control programme. Since NFCS face a number of challenges, it is important for both developed and developing countries to strengthen their food control systems to meet these challenges.     

National Food Control Systems: A Review

This article reviews literature on national food control systems (NFCS). The major objectives of NFCS, their main components, and current issues relating to NFCS are discussed. Common problem areas and the actions taken by countries to improve their system are analysed. The review shows that elements of NFCS suffer from certain limitations, such as obsolete food laws, duplication of work, lack of resources, and poor organisation, which make the system ineffective. NFCS have been established to various extents in both developed and developing countries; however, most countries have not used management techniques in developing and implementing their food control programme. Since NFCS face a number of challenges, it is important for both developed and developing countries to strengthen their food control systems to meet these challenges.     

食品级Pickering乳液的研究进展

Pickering乳液是指由纳米/微米级粒子稳定的乳液。近年来,Pickering乳液因其独特的稳定性,以及在食品、药品中的包埋、载运和质地改良等方面的潜在应用,逐渐成为食品研究领域的热点。本文结合食品级Pickering粒子的相关性质解释了其稳定机制,包括三相接触角理论、吸附理论和空间屏障理论等,并分析了环境因素如温度、pH值和盐浓度等对乳液制备及稳定性的影响;综述了近年来开发的一系列食品级Pickering粒子的制备方式、性质及其实际应用情况,以期推动Pickering乳液在食品领域的研发及工业应用。     

A Comparison of Maize,Sorghum and Barley as Brewing Adjuncts

Sorghum and maize adjunct, at a 5 to 20% level, resulted in a decrease of extract recovery, solubilisation of nitrogen, and production of free amino nitrogen and peptide nitrogen progressively. Both sorghum and maize adjuncts released higher levels of FAN and peptide nitrogen in their extracts than barley adjuncts, but the peptide levels were higher in sorghum than maize and barley adjuncts. The solubilisation of nitrogen and hydrolysis of the soluble nitrogen were higher for high nitrogen barley adjunct than for low nitrogen barley. Although maize adjunct is used extensively in brewing, the results of this study showed that sorghum has the potential to release higher levels of peptides than maize. This difference may influence fermentation potential.     

Lipid Oxidation in Low-moisture Food: A Review

Overly high intake of saturated fat is an international problem contributing to global health issues. Low-moisture snacks account for a nutritionally significant proportion of the saturated fat in the diet, making these foods a key target for improving consumers’ health. However, it is not currently feasible to maintain the same oxidative shelf life when replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats, which are generally perceived to be more heart-healthy. This article summarizes current theories and available research on lipid oxidation in low-moisture foods in order to lay the groundwork for new lipid oxidation rate-reduction strategies. Research deficits needing attention and new methods for assessing lipid oxidation in low-moisture foods are also discussed.     

食品中百菌清残留检测方法研究进展

百菌清(CTN)是一种广泛、保护性有机氯杀菌剂,常用于防治蔬菜、瓜果、花生、水稻、小麦等作物真菌病害,但因其毒性及残留问题对环境和人体健康的危害,对其残留检测日益受到人们的重视。本文就CTN的性质与应用、毒性及残留检测方法等进行阐述,旨在为CTN的检测研发提供一定的参考。     

电流体动力学加工技术在食品中的研究进展

电流体动力学加工技术作为一种新型非热加工技术,逐步应用于食品科学技术领域,助力未来食品工业发展。本文对电流体动力学加工技术的工作原理、分类及影响因素,用于食品加工的生物分子原料以及该技术在食品加工中的应用进行详细阐述,同时总结并展望未来该技术在食品领域的发展。电流体动力学加工技术由静电纺丝和静电喷雾技术所组成,该技术可生产功能复杂的微米/纳米级纤维体或微粒,用于食品功能成分的微胶囊包埋、固定化酶、生物传感器与食品活性包装开发、食品3D打印辅助技术等开发。未来研究可以围绕提升纤维体/微粒产量,减少溶剂毒性残留,该技术与食品3D打印融合等方面,助力未来食品工业发展。     

体外生物测定法在食品接触材料安全性评价中的应用研究进展

体外生物测定法是利用酵母、细菌、细胞等进行的生物体外短期毒性实验,可以有效针对生物体某一特异性效应,评价测试物的危害性以及探索其毒性作用机制。由于体外生物测定法可以提供食品接触材料迁移物（混合物）整体实际危害的综合信息,因此,近年来被越来越多地应用于食品接触材料的危害评估,尤其集中在细胞毒性、遗传毒性和内分泌干扰这3 类毒理学终点。本文重点综述了这3 类体外生物测定方法的基本原理,以及近20年来其在食品接触材料提取物危害评价中的应用研究进展,以期为今后食品接触材料生物学安全性评价的相关研究提供理论参考。