Past,present, and future of Chinese fermented food products

Abstract

In China there are many kinds of traditional fermented food products, which have a centuries‐long history. The main products are alcoholic beverages, Chiang, Chi, soy sauce, vinegar, red rice, and fermented bean curd. These products play a very important role in Chinese cuisine. The ancient methods of making fermented foods are changing gradually through modern microbiology and technology. This paper discusses the historical aspects, the manufacturing technology, and the future outlook on fermented food products in China.     

当前我国围绕食品安全内涵及相关立法的研究热点--兼论食品安全、食品卫生、食品质量之间关系的研究

介绍国内外关于食品安全概念的不同定义和当前我国围绕食品安全概念及内涵的各种认识,论述了食品安全、食品卫生、食品质量三者之间的关系,指出了确立食品安全法律概念的长远的重大意义。     

脆弱性理论视角下传统生鲜食品市场公共卫生风险及其治理

随着我国城市治理中风险因素的增加,传统生鲜食品市场已成为我国大型城市治理中的脆弱环节。为避免暴发由传统生鲜食品引发的公共卫生危机,有必要对我国传统生鲜食品市场内蕴藏的公共卫生风险进行分析与评估,进而提升我国公共卫生风险治理的能力。本文以脆弱性理论为研究视角,分析传统生鲜食品市场存在的公共卫生风险,论述我国传统生鲜食品市场在自然、社会、管理以及技术系统等方面的薄弱环节。在此基础上,本文对我国传统生鲜食品市场在脆弱性系统环境下存在的潜在、次生风险提出了有针对性的治理对策。     

关于COVID-19、膜脂质与公众健康（网络首发、推荐阅读）

冠状病毒具有一层脂质膜。虽然复制需要劫持宿主的RNA工具来合成病毒体蛋白,但必须将其包裹在脂质膜中,促其萌生以扩展感染。最近研究表明,某些必需脂肪酸可以抑制其复制活性。脂质膜通常被认为是水溶物的脂肪屏障,但它对细胞和亚细胞的功能是高度有序和组分特异性的,其对病毒外壳可能也有最佳的特异性。虽然复制中DNA、RNA和蛋白质组成不受饮食影响,但脂质膜受其影响。此外,自1960年代以来,人们就知道男性对这些必需脂肪酸和膜完整性不足的敏感性高于女性。有证据表明,花生四烯酸和二十二碳六烯酸具有抗病毒、免疫、抗炎、控制血压和消退素活性,因此,迫切需要考察它们在Covid-19预防和治疗中的地位,也需重新评估现行的膳食指导。当前,有关脑、神经、血管和免疫系统等富含膜系统对脂质需求还尚未被详细认识。毫无疑问,这些脂质在几百万年来塑造人类基因组方面具有重要意义,因此,如果这些膜脂质失衡将会使人类面临机体紊乱和感染风险,且男性比女性风险更大。     

Status and use of food products with health claim (FPHC) in the USA, Japan and France an anthropological perspective

Food Products with Health Claims (FPHC) are presented as a valuable alternative to pharmaceutical products. Their acceptance is believed to vary substantially from country to country according to the degree of understanding of the health content of the claims. The results of an anthropological fieldwork involving 144 US, Japanese and French respondents show that the status and use of FPHC are also driven by three well-established anthropological factors: the meal structure, the influence of medical discourses and the social representations of the body.In each country, FPHC rectify and integrate the ordinary food consumption. They are used to conform to norms influenced by culturally constructed food habits and ideals of health. Thus, cross-cultural differences in the adoption of FPHC are not due to an allegedly defective consumers’ perception of the claims, but rather to different ways of appropriating these products depending on cultural orientations proper to each country.     

Assessment of Algerian sorghum protein quality [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] using amino acid analysis and in vitro pepsin digestibility

To assess the protein quality and the nutritive value of seven Algerian local sorghum cultivars, the in vitro pepsin digestibility was determined, which ranged from 25.0% to 65.0%, and the amino acid composition of each cultivar was compared with other sorghum cultivars. In addition, the amino acid scores (AAS) and the protein digestibility-corrected amino acid scores (PDCAAS) were calculated. Relative to the WHO protein standard, most of the sorghum cultivars tested, scored very high AAS, with values ranging between 0.9 and 2.6 except for lysine, methionine and cysteine. The PDCAAS were high for Ain Salah cultivars AS1 and AS3, however, all other cultivars showed low values except for leucine. This study confirmed that in terms of both quantity and quality, sorghum proteins could serve as a source of essential amino acids and as a potential source of proteins in the future.     

The role of sugars and sweeteners in food,diet and health: Alternatives for the future

BackgroundThere is currently great interest in reducing the sugar content of foods to control dietary intake and curb obesity rates. Despite a lack of consensus from the scientific literature about the adverse effects of sugars on health, many health professionals and new dietary guidelines place pressure on industry to seek alternative sweetening solutions.Scope and approachWe discuss the nutritional characteristics and health implications of nutritive and non-nutritive sweeteners. The role of traditional sweeteners, which are often overlooked in the debate about sugars and health, is emphasised.Key findings and conclusionsTrends in future sweetener use will likely be influenced by increasing obesity prevalence and consumer demand; however, it is not yet clear which sweetener provides the best solution for this purpose. Given the main concern about sugars is their disproportionate contribution to dietary energy intake, non-nutritive sweeteners (e.g., aspartame, stevia), which provide intense sweetness but minimal caloric value, are increasing in popularity. However, their assumed role in facilitating body weight management is far from established, and many questions remain about their long term effects on energy metabolism and safety. Traditional sweeteners (e.g., maple syrup, honey, carob, and agave) have been safely consumed for generations, and although they contribute to energy intake, these sweeteners tend to have lower glycaemic potency than refined sugars. Moreover, traditional sweeteners contain a plethora of nutrients and bioactive compounds (e.g., polyphenolics) that may be of potential benefit to health.     

《保健食品检验与评价技术规范》中肉碱含量测定方法适用性的探讨

目的对《保健食品检验与评价技术规范》(2003年版)肉碱含量测定的高效液相色谱法进行适用性研究。方法通过对检测波长、色谱柱、流动相比例等色谱条件,提取剂、提取温度及提取时间等提取条件的试验研究,探讨不同提取方法及色谱条件对检验结果的影响。结果以纯化水为提取剂、30℃超声20 min,采用色谱柱Phenomenex Gemini C18,流动相p H 2.5 0.05 mol/L磷酸氢二钾:0.002 mol/L辛烷磺酸钠:乙腈(52:45:3),检测波长210 nm,0.8 m L/min,肉碱浓度在47.86~2390μg/m L范内呈良好的线性关系,(r2=1.0000),平均回收率为101.58%,RSD值为1.46%。结论该方法简化了提取剂配制步骤,优化了流动相的比例,改善了色谱柱的专属性,该试验条件适用于不同产品中左旋肉碱含量的测定,可提高肉碱质量标准的实验操作性。     

Current knowledge of buttermilk: Composition,applications in the food industry,nutritional and beneficial health characteristics

Buttermilk is one of the most important by‐products of the dairy industry. Approximately 2 million tonnes were produced within the European Union in 2015. Recently, buttermilk has gained increasing attention due to its unique structure, characteristics, and promising applications. It is classified as a functional food because it contains water‐soluble components, polar lipids and milk fat globule membranes. This review is focused on buttermilk composition, global production, and applications in several food industries. Furthermore, the beneficial characteristics of buttermilk for human health are highlighted.     

Antioxidant capacity of medicinal plants from the Province of Córdoba (Argentina) and their in vitro testing in a model food system

The total phenols content (Folin–Ciocalteau assay) and antioxidant capacity (ferric reducing/antioxidant power – FRAP) of 41 plants from Córdoba (Argentina) were analyzed. Phenol content ranged from 8.2 to 100.2 mg GAE/g. FRAP ranged from 85.2 to 1862.0 μmol of Fe(II)/g. Capparis atamisguea had the lowest values of total phenols content and antioxidant capacity (8.2 mg GAE/g and 85.2 μmol of Fe(II)/g, respectively), while Ligaria cuneifolia exhibited the highest values (100.2 mg GAE/g and 1862.0 μmol of Fe(II)/g, respectively). A significant linear correlation (p < 0.05) was found (0.9125) between phenols content and antioxidant capacity. Results support the idea that these plants may be a good source of natural antioxidants for food applications. Plants from the Asteraceae family (the most representative of the Córdoba flora) were further tested for their DPPH radical scavenging activity. Some plant extracts were tested in a simple food system to investigate to their potential use in foods.     

Optimisation of the determination of thiamin, 2-(1-hydroxyethyl)thiamin,and riboflavin in food samples by use of HPLC

The aim of this study was first to optimise and validate a method using an enzyme-mixture to liberate protein- and phosphate-bound thiamin and riboflavin in food by the use of ultrasonication and HPLC, and second to include the quantitation of the vitamin B₁ active compound 2-(1-hydroxyethyl)thiamin (HET).     

Insights into the nutritional value and bioactive properties of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa): past,present and future prospective

In recent years, quinoa gained increased attention due to its great adaptability to harsh environmental conditions, high nutritional values and high preference as ingredients of gluten-free and functional foods. In order to improve the diet and direct the population to a better health, the search for new foodstuffs suitable for a healthy lifestyle and proper diet is still ongoing and quinoa seeds are one of these food raw materials. It is a promising variety for human consumption and nutrition in the world, as it has higher nutritional and health values than traditional cereal grains, such as high concentration of protein, fatty acids, tocopherols, phytosterols, phenolic compounds, and low glycaemic index and gluten-free nature. Its consumption is not spread worldwide due to lack of knowledge regarding nutritional and health benefits of quinoa among consumers. This review summarises the nutritional values, bioactive properties, antinutritional factors, and uses of quinoa seeds and oils.     

Occurrence of dioxins (PCDDs,PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in wild,farmed and processed fish,and shellfish

Forty-eight composite samples of the most commonly consumed fish and shellfish species were prepared from up to 60 individual subsamples of each species and analysed for chlorinated dioxins (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These included 24 species of fresh wild fish, seven of farmed fish, seven of fresh shellfish, and ten processed fish and shellfish products. The ISO 17025-accredited analytical methodology used is consistent with the requirements given in European Commission Directive 2002/69/EC. Concentrations ranged from 0.03 ng kg^–1 PCDD/F plus PCB World Health Organization-toxic equivalent quantity (WHO-TEQ) for a sample of surimi, to approximately 6 ng kg^–1 for wild pilchards/sardines. The corresponding range for the ΣICES-6 PCBs was 0.04 μg kg^–1 to approximately 47 μg kg^–1. None of the samples showed concentrations above the European Union maximum permitted limits. Averaged PCDD/F and PCB concentrations for the two groups of farmed and wild fish show that there is little difference between the two categories, although individual species may show variations depending on factors such as the sampling location.     

Modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) does not affect the bioavailability of tocopherols and carotenoids from broccoli in humans: A cross-over study

Aim of the study

Ready-to-eat and pre-packed vegetables are increasingly accepted by consumers but little is known about the effect of these technological approaches on the bioavailability of the nutrients. To assess the effect of modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the bioavailability in humans of carotenoids and tocopherols from broccoli.

Results

Serum lutein increased significantly upon broccoli intake but those of β-carotene, α- and γ-tocopherol did not reach statistical significance. Serum changes were observed regardless of the type of broccoli consumed.

Conclusions

Modified-atmosphere packaging does not affect significantly the in vivo bioavailability of carotenoids and tocopherols from broccoli, supporting its convenience for use by the food industry and consumers.     

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the quality and safety assurance of food: Detection of soya in processed meat products

A new method for the specific and sensitive detection of soya (Glycine max) in processed meat products has been developed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. The presence of soya deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from several soya protein concentrates was determined with two pairs of specific oligonucleotides yielding a 414-bp (bp=base pair) fragment and an internal 118-bp fragment amplified from the soya lectinLe1 gene. The test detected DNA from textured soya protein concentrates in meat products at a level of 1% and was confirmed by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).     

Contents of cadmium, copper, mercury and lead in fish from the Neretva river (Bosnia and Herzegovina) determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

The concentrations of cadmium, copper, mercury and lead in fish from the Neretva river have been investigated in order to assess safety for consumers and the level of contamination. Samples of muscle and liver from six fish species (brown trout, common carp, prussian carp, chub, rudd and gray mullet) were collected at six locations upstream and downstream from the three largest towns along the Neretva river. Metal concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after microwave-assisted acid mineralisation. Accumulation of metals in fish tissues was species-dependent. The average content of metals in fish muscle samples was 0.013-0.055, 0.068-16.059, 0.050-0.401 and 0.055-0.703 mg/kg for Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb, respectively. Health effects due to fish consumption could not be excluded. Further investigation is recommended, including a survey of fish consumption frequency among the local inhabitants and sports fishermen.     

新时期粮食区域公用品牌可持续发展研究（网络首发、推荐阅读）

粮食区域公用品牌建设是新时期粮食产业经济发展的重要部分,发挥市场和政府的作用是其可持续发展的本质。在已有理论基础上,构建了粮食区域可持续发展的理论框架、梳理了影响因素并设计了问卷,通过实证分析,研究了市场与政府对可持续发展的作用。研究发现：市场和政府的作用贯穿于可持发展的全过程,政府在“培育阶段”和“成长阶段”作用明显,市场在“成熟阶段”作用更为突出。并相应给出如下建议：一是在“培育阶段”和“成长阶段”以政府为主导,规范品牌管理,划好产权界限;挖掘品质内涵,做好宣传推广。二是在“成熟阶段”以市场为主导,发挥企业经营和区域资源优势。三是所处任何阶段,发展粮食区域公用品牌均需注重产品品质,夯实品牌基础;组建产业联盟,助力区域品牌;强化标准引领,规范品牌发展。     

The use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the determination of toxic and essential elements in different types of food samples

This paper describes a simple method for the determination of sixteen elements in food samples by using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS). Prior to analysis, 100–250 mg of powdered food samples were accurately weighed into a Teflon digestion vessel. Then, 4 ml of 20% v/v concentrated nitric acid and 2 ml of hydrogen peroxide were added. Decomposition of samples was carried out in a microwave digestion system. In order to verify the accuracy and precision of the proposed method, five Standard Reference Materials from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) (Whole Egg Powder RM 8415, Rice Flour SRM 1568a, Typical Diet SRM 1548a, Wheat Flour SRM 1567a and Bovine Muscle Powder RM 8414) were analyzed. Additional validation data are provided based on the analysis of 18 different types of food samples by the proposed method and using comparative methods with AAS as the detector.