Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing plant sciences by enabling precise plant species identification, early disease diagnosis, crop yield prediction, and precision agriculture optimization. AI uses machine learning and image recognition to aid ecological research and biodiversity conservation. It plays a crucial role in plant breeding by accelerating the development of resilient, high-yielding crops with desirable traits. AI models using climate and soil data contribute to sustainable agriculture and food security. In plant phenotyping, AI automates the measurement and analysis of plant characteristics, enhancing our understanding of plant growth. Ongoing research aims to improve AI models’ robustness and interpretability while addressing data privacy and algorithmic biases. Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to fully harness AI’s potential in plant sciences for a sustainable, food-secure future.

Pickering emulsions have emerged as suitable alternatives to healthily and sustainably deliver unstable compounds, addressing the demands of consumers, increasingly concerned about the nutritional value and environmental impact of the products they consume. They are stabilized by insoluble solid particles that partially hydrate both the oil (O) and aqueous (W) phases through a combination of steric and electrostatic repulsions determined by their surface properties. Since the desorption energy of the particles is very high, their adsorption is considered irreversible, which accounts for their greater stability compared to conventional emulsions. Proteins and polysaccharides, used either individually or in combination, can stabilize Pickering emulsions, and recent studies have revealed that microorganisms are also suitable stabilizing particles. This review provides an overview of recent research on Pickering emulsions, highlighting the properties of the stabilizing particles, and their ability to deliver hydrophobic and/or unstable compounds. The use of Pickering emulsions as fat-replacers, edible inks for 3D-printing or their incorporation into packaging material are also presented and discussed, pointing out their great potential for further innovation.

The extraction, separation, and purification of dietary proteins from a variety of food sources are crucial for their targeted use in food applications. To achieve this, proteins should be effectively separated from non-protein components such as cell wall structures, polysaccharides, and lipids. Traditional protein purification methods can be time-consuming, highlighting the need for automated, cost-effective, and sustainable alternatives. This comprehensive review critically assesses various protein purification instruments from an analytical perspective, weighing their advantages and disadvantages. The methods under evaluation include ultrafiltration, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), and microfluidic chips. Among these, FPLC stands out as an affordable and efficient technique that allows for high protein recovery. However, HPLC and UPLC provide faster results but may denature proteins, leading to lower recovery rates. Ultrafiltration is a cost-effective and straightforward method that doesn’t require complex equipment. Microchip-based approaches are emerging as innovative techniques for rapidly analyzing small samples. While SDS-PAGE is user-friendly, it denatures proteins, particularly those linked to other biomolecules. The choice of the most appropriate instrument depends on factors such as cost, energy efficiency, processing time, the characteristics of the target protein, desired outcomes, protein recovery, and resource availability. By critically examining these analytical instruments for protein purification, this review aims to assist researchers and practitioners in selecting the most suitable method for their specific needs, ultimately promoting efficient and successful protein purification endeavors in the field of food science and technology.

The objective of this work was to compile data for the characterization of pistachio’s chemical composition and to analyze the benefits of their consumption in the diet. Pistachio edible seed is cultivated mainly in America, Mediterranean countries and Middle East. The geographical precedence may affect its mineral content as well as its lipidic profile and it may also influence the content of bioactive compounds. Pistachio presents a high proportion of vitamins, carotenoids, polyphenols, and flavonoids that have been associated with pistachio health benefits such as its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Pistachio intake would reduce glycemic index and control Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus. Clinical studies have also indicated that the presence of phytosterols, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and dietary fiber from pistachio grains may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Furthermore, the main wastes of pistachio industry [pistachio green hull (PGH) and pistachio shell (PS)] could be also considered a good source of bioactive compounds. Recent studies showed that the encapsulation of these nutraceutical compounds of PGH may be a green strategy for manufacture high-value foods within the framework of circular economy. Moreover, PS can be considered a good source of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) that may be used for encapsulation and stabilization of oil-water emulsions.

This paper reviews the nutritional quality and safety of edible farmed insects from the point of view of the Czech-Slovenian bilateral project: Quality, Safety and Authenticity of Insect Protein-based Food and Feed (INPROFF). Insects as a sustainable source of dietary protein for animal feed and even humans, when integrated into the European agrifood system, could offer a solution to Europe’s feed protein deficit and help alleviate environmental pressure from increasing protein demand, such as declining availability of land, water, marine and energy resources, the overuse of pesticides and reduced biodiversity. However, despite a growing interest in the European Union (EU) in farming edible insects, many economic, scientific, technological, and social barriers remain. In response, Slovenia, represented by the Jožef Stefan Institute, the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana, and Jata Emona d.o.o. (the leading supplier of feedstuffs for the Slovenian market), a country with no history of insect rearing but an interest in alternative protein, joined with the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, representing the Czech Republic—a country with a history of insect rearing and research into edible insects—to establish INPROFF a three-year bilateral project that aims to close the knowledge gap regarding the quality and safety of insect-based products and boost the farmed insect food and feed value chain. Specifically, it comprises three thematic pillars: (P1) nutritional enhancement, (P2) safety and quality and (P3) authenticity, traceability, and consumer acceptance. The paper also discusses the gaps in the metrological challenges of analysing insects, which will be critical for ensuring safety, quality, and sustainability. The paper finds that although much work has been done, many exciting avenues remain for new research.

Over the past few decades, there has been a major increase in type 2 diabetes (T2D) prevalence, a long-term medical condition in which your body doesn't use insulin properly in most regions of the world. After adjusting for the impact of aging populations, diabetes prevalence in adults (85–95% T2D) almost doubled between 1980 and 2020 worldwide. Increases were more pronounced in low- and middle-income countries and in men compared to women. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of a very low-calories ketogenic diet (VLCKD) as an effective nutritional approach for both TD2 and obesity. A ketogenic diet (KD) positively affects blood glucose levels, body weight, glycosylated hemoglobin, neurological disorders, and plasma lipid profiles. We combined ClinicalTrials.gov data and data from PubMed from 2020 to 2022. Only published papers that met the requirements of reporting clinical trials investigating an adult sample of T2D obese patients were included. The review shows the beneficial therapeutic value of a VLCKD in the management of T2D and long-term obesity and its capacity to help achieve disease remission. Evidence from the literature underlines the need to redefine guidelines to offer a dietary and low-carb option to combat insulin resistance (IR) and related diseases.

Food samples require extensive sample preparations for instrumental analyses due to the complex matrices involved. Food safety regulatory agencies also require sample preparation procedures that are accurate, sensitive, robust, and, above all, fast, to handle the requirements for determining the safety of the massive amounts of foods and food products needed for human, pet and livestock consumption. There is also an inseparable interconnection between environmental, agricultural, forensic, cosmetic and industrial analytical chemistry involved in this requirement, and advances in analytical methodology are simultaneously applicable to all of these realms. As a response to these needs, the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method was developed to provide multiclass analysis of agricultural products, and remains the basis for regulatory procedures for large scale analyses of food samples containing a wide variety of possible contaminants. However, since QuEChERS does not enhance analyte concentrations during sample preparation of these complex samples, the methodology also requires very expensive, very sensitive final analytical instrumentation, requiring highly trained personnel and continual maintenance. Smaller regulatory and field laboratories may also need sample preparation procedures for only a limited number of specific pesticides, metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or other contaminants, requiring much less expensive and labor-intensive preparations and instrumentation. This is the role of liquid phase microextraction (LPME) in food sample preparation and analysis. LPME, individually or in combination with other sample preparation procedures, such as QuEChERS or traditional techniques such as solid phase extraction (SPE), can meet the requirements for sensitive and accurate analyses of specific analytes found in complex matrices, providing not only cleanup, but concentration of sample extracts, allowing the use of greener, less expensive and low maintenance final determination analytical instrumentation. Crucial review and application publications are tabulated to allow analysts easier access to appropriate publications to use this information for developing new or improved and greener validated methods for plant and animal food analyses.

Encapsulation is a pivotal technique for protecting and enhancing the efficiency of sensitive natural bioactive substances, notably essential oils, vitamins, and phenolic compounds, widely used in foods and nutraceuticals. Critical considerations in selecting encapsulation agents encompass safety, release kinetics, stability, and cost-effectiveness. Yeast cells emerge as versatile carriers distinguished by their low cost, compatibility with biological systems, and eco-friendly degradation properties, accommodating both hydrophilic and hydrophobic bioactive agents. Various yeast strains, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Torulopsis lipofera, Cutaneotrichosporon curvatus, Yarrowia lipolytica, and Candida utilis, find utility in microencapsulation. Yeast cell encapsulation relies on the permeation of bioactive agents through yeast cell walls, predominantly composed of mannoproteins and polysaccharides. The encapsulation process includes passive or vacuum-infused diffusion of bioactive compounds inside yeast cells, precise droplet size control, and attractive forces to trap bioactive components within cellular structures. Yeast cells display versatility in various states, whether alive or dead, intact or plasmolyzed. In addition, the loading capacity of hydrophobic bioactives can be increased through chemical pretreatment techniques such as plasmolysis, autolysis, and enzyme hydrolysis, freeing up space within yeast cells by eliminating water-soluble components. In summary, yeast cell encapsulation presents a promising and sustainable technology with diverse applications within the food industry. Yeast cells enhance the stability and controlled release of bioactive compounds, magnifying the efficacy of natural hydrophobic bioactives like curcumin, essential oils, β-carotene, and vitamin D across various food products. This comprehensive review focuses on the encapsulation procedures, influential factors, characterization techniques, and applications, with a pronounced emphasis on hydrophobic materials.

In recent years, many societies have expressed increasing apprehension regarding the potential negative impacts of food additives, pesticides, and environmental contaminants on human health. Environmental or occupational exposure to these compounds can cause significant adverse effects on human health by causing temporary or permanent changes in the immune system. There is supporting evidence linking pesticides/food ingredients/contaminants-induced immune alterations to the prevalence of diseases associated with changes in immune responses. Hence, it is essential to comprehensively understand the key mechanisms contributing to immune dysregulation induced by these substances, including direct immunotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and antigenicity. The impact of pesticides/food ingredients and contaminants on the human body ranges from mild to severe, depending on their affinity for blood components. These compounds form complexes with blood serum proteins, influencing their metabolism, transport, absorption, and overall toxicity. Numerous studies in the literature have explored the interactions between serum proteins and various molecules, including pesticides, drugs, and food dyes. These investigations employed a range of techniques, including spectroscopy, electrochemical and chromatographic methods as well as molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations analyses. This recent review, spanning from 2020 to the present, has been employed to investigate the binding characteristics, mechanisms, and attributes of different food additives, pesticides, and contaminants with serum proteins by using various techniques such as steady-state fluorescence, circular dichroism and ultra-violet spectroscopies, and computational docking methods. The review provides insights into these compounds’ positions and affinities to proteins and possible effects on human health through detailed research studies.

In many areas of human life, including food, health, culture, and religion, mushrooms have had a significant impact. Most people eat mushrooms for their flavor and texture. Recently, they have gained popularity as a protein source and a drug research tool. According to the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, mushrooms are fungi that produce spongy fruiting bodies, particularly those that possess a stalk and an envelope top. Mushrooms are composed of 90% water and 10% dry material. Additionally, it has a physicochemical composition that is important for nutrition. Edible mushrooms have been shown to offer therapeutic benefits, including anti-cancer, cardiovascular, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, hypolipidemic, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-diabetic actions. Mushrooms are a fantastic source of nourishment since they are rich in proteins, minerals, complex sugars, unsaturated fatty acids, and secondary metabolites. The composition and nutritional benefits of edible mushrooms have been carefully investigated in this review. Edible mushrooms have been used as potential therapeutic stand-ins, and bioactive components present in edible mushrooms, such as polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant activity, have also been studied. This review article may also help scientists, researchers, and medical professionals slow the advancement of some lifestyle diseases, neurological disorders, along autoimmune disorders.

Infertility is a crucial and common health issue worldwide, that affects people both physiologically and psychosocially. The condition is described as the disease of the reproductive system of either male or female or both, incapability to instate a pregnancy after one year or more than twelve months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse or six months for women aged 35 years or more. Presently, the etiology of infertility is not well understood, many genetic factors, lifestyle factors, and environmental conditions such as stress work, oxidative stress, unbalanced nutrition, and unhealthy dietary patterns have been implicated to interfere with reproductive safety in both the sex. The nutritional factors are known to be amenable to normal and healthy reproductive function in both males and females. According to many studies, increased energy intake, dietary behavioral change, and low physical activity are responsible for epidemic disorders such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity that affect reproductive health as well, and clear evidence indicates that there is a connection between inappropriate nutrition and sperm quality. Endocrinal disruption, occupational stress, and lifestyle behavior are positively linked with the pathophysiology of infecundity. Imbalance intake of both macro and micronutrients negatively affects normal reproductive function. Changes in eating behavior, and unhealthy dietary patterns such as a higher intake of food prepared with saturated and trans fats, spicy and salty foods, and a lower intake of antioxidants including fruit and vegetables are associated with reproductive life. This narrative review summarized that many studies with more consumption of fruit, vegetables, whole cereals, meat, poultry, skim milk, and seafood and less consumption of fried, spicy, salty, sugary, processed cereals and meats are linked with good sperm count.

Natural antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds, carotenoids, vitamins, and microelements, are predominant in fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. The accretion interest of consumers in utilizing natural ingredients in food products, have accelerated the appeal for functional “natural” operations. Therefore, understanding how natural antioxidants especially nano-antioxidants, and their delivery systems when used in antioxidant polymers for food packaging are extracted from natural sources, would help prevent oxidation reactions. Given the increasing role of natural antioxidants in the daily lives of today’s communities, a continuous synthesis of relevant literature is pertinent. To supplement existing information, recent advances in nano-related natural antioxidants, their extraction methods and applications in the food industry are discussed in this current work. Insightfully positioning antioxidants within the nano-delivery systems, this current work reveals the potential nanotechnology provides in enhancing the absorption of antioxidants in human metabolic systems.

Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder, is the most prevalent form of dementia with an increasingly growing incidence rate worldwide. As no effective therapeutic modalities are still available for the treatment of this serious disabling condition, lifestyle modifications, especially nutritional interventions, have been shown to be important in its prevention and symptomatic alleviation. In this short perspective article, an inverse association between the intake of sunflower seeds and the mortality from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is proposed, showing that in the countries with the highest consumption of sunflower seeds, the death rate from this neurodegenerative disorder is low. The bioactive ingredients of sunflower seeds and their possible neuroprotective mechanisms are further unraveled, highlighting the potent antioxidant, antiinflammatory and neurotrophic effects of tocopherols, unsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols. Among the latter agents, β-sitosterol might be particularly important in combating Alzheimer’s disease by enhancing the levels of nerve growth factor and thereby promoting neurite formation. If future epidemiological studies will confirm the proposed inverse association between the intake of sunflower seeds and the development of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, it is easy to include appropriate sunflower seed products in the everyday diet to protect against the pathogenesis and progression of this neurodegenerative disorder, especially in individuals with a genetic predisposition. Considering the rather long latency period before clinical manifestation of Alzheimer’s disease, nutritional approaches with specific foods might be a promising strategy for fighting against dementia.

Plants play a key role in the treatment and prevention of diseases since ancient times. Eucalyptus has been traditionally used in the treatment of conditions related to the respiratory system, such as flu, colds, sore throats, bronchitis, as well as neuralgia, and stiffness. Eucalyptus camaldulensis has several phytoconstituents such as ellagitannins endowed with bioactivity, including antioxidant and inhibitory potential on various microorganisms causing foodborne diseases. Tellimagrandin I, pedunculagin, castalagin/vescalagin are among the most representative and have activity against pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus. These antioxidant ellagitannins may have potential application in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. The main industrial uses of E. camaldulensis are related to the production of wood, paper, and charcoal, with its leaves and branches considered by-products from these industrial activities. However, these plant by-products could be used to obtain bioactive compounds for the development of new and improved consumer goods. Therefore, the aim of this work was to review the main ellagitannins of E. camaldulensis and their antioxidant and antibacterial activities in foodborne microorganisms, as well as the relevance that these compounds may have in the food industry and related sectors.