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Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPM) is a viscous modified natural polymer that is utilised as thickener, emulsifier and reducer of serum cholesterol. Novel films composed from HPM and corn silk polysaccharides (CSP) were prepared (HPM‐corn silk [CS]). The impact of using different percentages of CSP on the characteristics of HPM‐CS was studied. Results showed that replacing 37.5% of HPM with CSP led to a significant improvement in mechanical properties, with an increase of 58.71% for tensile strength and 54.29% for elongation at break. In addition, the produced films showed improved opacity, antioxidant activities and a smooth, continuous surface without any grooves, as well as being biodegradable. However, the thermal stability was reduced, and the crystallinity shapes were disrupted at higher concentrations due to the inclusion of CSP in the HPM‐CS films. The best HPM concentration (1 g/100 mL) with optimum CSP concentration of (0.6 g/100 mL) was used as food packaging material for low‐moisture mozzarella cheese. The packaging material kept the stability of total microbial count in hygienic scale up to 40 days of cold storage, moisture loss and pH values up to 30 days. Additionally, the results of hedonic sensory evaluation were satisfied compared with fresh cheese until 30 days of storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stigmasterol has been studied for its numerous biological effects on various metabolic diseases, but its potential role as a ubiquitous biomolecule in the plant kingdom is still in its infancy. Efficient utilization of stigmasterol's properties, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and self-assembly, is necessary for the food industry to effectively prevent microbial growth in food., in addition, to delaying rancidity by slowing down lipid oxidation. The need for safer alternatives in postharvest disease mitigation is driving scientists to consider stigmasterol as a potential solution to tackle a wide array of food-related dilemmas. This comprehensive review paper examines the roles of stigmasterol in the context of the food industry. Moreover, it encompasses its identification, content levels, and production pathways, and suggests future research directions for natural alternatives in food preservation. In addition, exogenous stigmasterol treatment not only delayed quality deterioration, ripening, and senescence but also enhanced cold stress tolerance and defense mechanisms against diseases relevant to food items. The multiple biological functions of stigmasterol in food have been attributed to its induction and interaction with reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide, which improved antioxidant and defense systems, decreased oxidative and microbial damage, and stigmasterol also possesses a safety profile. However, in-depth research is needed to uncover stigmasterol's full potential in food science and technology, particularly for ensuring food safety and regulatory compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancement of the oxidative stability of cactus seeds oil by blending with moringa seeds oil was investigated during storage period for four weeks at 50 °C. Blends (25, 50 and 75%) of moringa seeds oil with cactus seeds oil were prepared. Fatty acids composition, induction period, peroxide value, specific extinction coefficients (K232 and K270) and tocopherols were studied. Blending moringa seeds oil with cactus seeds oil at 25:75% increases the induction period to 4.06 h while it was 3.16 h in 100% cactus seeds oil. Peroxide values decreased due to increase moringa seeds oil amount in blends. Also, adding moringa seeds oil to cactus seeds oil caused a decrease in K232 and K270 values during the storage period in comparison with 100% cactus seeds oil. α-tocopherol values decreased during storage for all oil blends, while the content of γ-tocopherol in all samples (except moringa seeds oil) increased during storage period reaching the highest level after the third week then it started to decrease. Therefore, the obtained results provided a potential approach to utilize moringa oil to increase the oxidative stability of edible oils.

During the processing of maize, Stigma maydis, also known as corn silk, is normally discarded as waste. Phytochemical research was carried out on the S. maydis to use it as a valuable source of bioactive components. This research aimed to maximize the recovery of free and bound phenolic compounds from corn silk under optimal experimental conditions. Response surface design was operated to optimize the alkaline hydrolysis extraction of bound phytochemicals from corn silk based on total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity. The optimum conditions (i.e., NaOH concentration 2 M, digestion time 135 min, digestion temperature of 37.5°C, the solid‐to‐solvent ratio of 1:17.5, and acetone) were obtained. The optimum parameters were used to extract the corn silk. The structures of two compounds isolated from ethyl acetate extracts were then identified as friedelin (1) and (E)‐4‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl) but‐3‐en‐2‐one (2). The DPPH, H2O2, and ABTS % inhibition of the compounds is as follows: compound (1) 74.81%, 76.8%, 70.33% and compound (2) 70.37%, 56.70% and 57.46%, respectively. The current study has opened previously unexplored perspectives of the composition of bound compounds in corn silk and established the foundations for more effective processing and utilization of corn waste. Practical Application: Bound phenolic compounds from corn silk under optimal experimental conditions were obtained. Corn silk can be utilized as a type of medicinal herb as well as a source of inexpensive natural antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Corn silk polysaccharide (CSP) was isolated by heated 80 °C ethanol 70%. The extracted light (83.70 L*) with a yellowish (13.09 b*) reddish (1.98 a*) CSP had an ash content of 2.53 ± 0.03%. It is mainly composed of seven monosaccharides (xylose 23.64, glucose 16.65, ribose 17.35, galactose 13.64, rhamnose 11.93, arabinose 11.87 and mannose 4.85 mol%) and showed four peaks in 13C NMR correlated to the anomeric carbon of arabinose and/or xylose residues. The thermal characteristics exhibited the breakdown of CSP glycosidic bonds at 321.16 °C. The rheological properties showed that the raising of share rate (γ) caused a reduction in apparent viscosity for all tested concentrations, whilst the elastic G′ and viscous G″ storage moduli of CSP were enhanced by increasing the oscillation frequency. The immunomodulatory effects of CSP on RAW264.7 cells showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in NO secretion up to a concentration of 80 μg mL−1 from CSP. Additionally, the phagocytosis index and acid phosphatase activity were enhanced (P < 0.05) in a dose‐dependent manner by increasing CSP concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]