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This review explores advances in silymarin extraction and liposomal encapsulation techniques, highlighting their potential applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. The study evaluates a range of extraction techniques, including supercritical fluid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and enzyme-assisted extraction, emphasising their efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Furthermore, it examines conventional and innovative liposomal encapsulation techniques, including supercritical carbon dioxide encapsulation and microfluidics, which enhance silymarin's bioavailability and therapeutic effects. The integration of these methods promises more effective, safe, and eco-friendly silymarin products. This comprehensive review aims to inform readers of the latest research and future industrial applications, with a particular focus on the refinement and scaling up of these processes to meet commercial demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interesterification process allows structured lipids (SLs) to be obtained with a modified triacylglycerol (TAG) structure, in which the unfavorable saturated fatty acids (SFAs) are replaced with nutritionally significant fatty acids (FAs) such as monounsaturated (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated (PUFAs). Oxidative stability is crucial for the quality of SLs. This study aimed to characterize and evaluate the FA profile and oxidative stability of SLs synthesized by the enzymatic interesterification of hemp seed oil (HO) and coconut oil (CO) blends. Blends were prepared in three ratios (75% HO:25% CO, 50% HO:50% CO, and 25% HO:75% CO) and interesterified using sn-1,3 regiospecific lipase for 2 or 6 h. FA composition, the FA distribution of TAGs, acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), and oxidation time were analyzed and compared to non-interesterified blends. Results showed no significant difference in the SFA:MUFA ratios between interesterified and non-interesterified blends with the same proportions. Lauric acid predominantly occupied the sn-2 position in all blends. Interesterified blends had higher AVs, exceeding codex standards, while PVs remained within the acceptable limits. Blends with 75% HO had lower oxidation times compared to those with 75% CO, with no significant difference between interesterified and non-interesterified blends. In the interesterification process of the studied blends, new TAGs with a modified structure were created, which may affect their physical and nutritional properties. This process also had a significant effect on the AV and PV levels, but not on the oxidation time of the modified blends. Therefore, it is necessary to remove free FAs after the enzymatic process to produce SLs characterized by improved hydrolytic stability. This will lead to better technological properties compared to the original oils. Further research is also necessary to enhance the oxidation stability of SLs obtained from blends of CO and HO to improve their storage stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing world population necessitates the implementation of appropriate processing technologies for edible insects. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of distinct drying techniques, including convective drying at 70 °C (70CD) and 90 °C (90CD) and freeze-drying (FD), on the drying kinetics, physical characteristics (water activity, color), chemical characteristics (chemical composition, amino acid profile, oil properties, total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity, mineral composition, FTIR), and presence of hazards (allergens, microorganisms) of blanched yellow mealworm larvae. The freeze-drying process results in greater lightness and reduced moisture content and water activity. The study demonstrated that the freeze-dried insects exhibited lower contents of protein and essential amino acids as compared to the convective-dried insects. The lowest content of total polyphenols was found in the freeze-dried yellow mealworm larvae; however, the highest antioxidant activity was determined for those insects. Although the oil isolated from the freeze-dried insects exhibited the lowest acid and peroxide values, it proved to have the lowest PUFA content and oxidative stability. All the samples met the microbiological criteria for dried insects. The results of the study demonstrate that a high temperature during the CD method does not result in the anticipated undesirable changes. It appears that freeze-drying is not the optimal method for preserving the nutritional value of insects, particularly with regard to the quality of protein and oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to compare the quality of fat extracted from different priced dry pet food for adult cats through classical and instrumental methods: pressure differential scanning calorimetry (PDSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) or gas chromatography (GC). Fat extracted from pet food was examined for induction time (IT), fatty acid composition, free fatty acid (FFA) content and peroxide value with the use of PDSC, GC, acid–base and iodometric titration, respectively. FT-IR data from the selected spectral regions correlate with the value of oxidation IT or the content of FFA. This resulted in construction of a reference model for IT with the following statistical features: Rcalibration = 0.917 (RMSEC = 28.0) and Rvalidation = 0.841 (RMSEP = 34.6). For fatty acid content, model statistics were as follows: Rcalibration = 0.912 (RMSEC = 0.61) and Rvalidation = 0.856 (RMSEP = 0.75). Discriminant model that uses spectral data alone, calculated with performance index 83.7 allowed distinguishing the studied pet food samples due to the price. Studies conducted proved PDSC and IR as reliable analytical techniques to control and monitor the quality of dry pet food for cats. Considering quality of the studied samples, it was proved that low-priced pet foods can be stored longer than premium-priced ones, while former is nutritionally more beneficial for adult cats.

The current investigations were aimed at the determination of the hydrolytic and oxidative stability of commercial pomegranate seed oils provided by four different producers, and to assess the oils' primary quality parameters. During storage, many changes occur in oils that can significantly affect their quality. The oils were tested for acid and peroxide values, fatty acid profile, and their distribution between the sn-1,3 and sn-2 positions of triacylglycerols. The oxidative stability was also determined, and melting curves were plotted for the oils. The analyzed oils were stored for one month in a dark place at refrigerator temperature. Based on the obtained results, it was found that the acid values for most oils did not exceed the permissible level determined by the Codex Alimentarius. However, in all oils, the peroxide value exceeded the permissible level set by the standard EN ISO 3960:2017-03 and the Codex Alimentarius after the one-month storage period. The examined pomegranate seed oils were found to be valuable sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially punicic acid, which was the most abundant fatty acid present in these oils. In all analyzed oils, linoleic acid predominated in the sn-2 position of the triacylglycerols. Pomegranate seed oils did not exhibit good oxidative stability, as the oxidation induction times for all tested oils were very short. The storage period significantly affected the content of the primary oxidation products and oxidative stability of the oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, an increasing interest has been shown in alternative food sources. Many studies are focused on the use of insects. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the chemical and thermal properties of black soldier fly larvae influenced by the pulsed electric field (PEF) and convective (CD) or infrared–convective (IR-CD) drying techniques. Examinations of the basic chemical composition, properties of extracted fat (fatty acid composition, acid and peroxide values, and oxidative stability), total polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, allergen content, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were performed. Generally, the results showed that dried black soldier fly larvae are a good source of protein and fat, up to 33% and 44%, respectively. The fat extracted from the dried insects consisted mainly of saturated fatty acids (above 75%), in particular lauric acid (C12:0). A good oxidative stability of the fat was also observed, especially from samples dried with the IR-CD method. The convective drying technique allowed for better preservation of protein content compared to samples dried with the IR-CD method. Nevertheless, samples treated with PEF were characterized by significantly lower protein content. The samples after PEF pretreatment, with an intensity of 20 and 40 kJ/kg and dried with the IR-CD method, were represented by a significantly higher total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity. Furthermore, in most cases, the convectively dried samples were characterized by a higher allergen content, both crustaceans and mollusks. Taking into account all of the investigated properties, it can be stated that the samples without treatment and those that were PEF-treated with an intensity of 40 kJ/kg and dried with the infrared–convective method (IR-CD) were the most rewarding from the nutritional point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Walnuts (Juglans regia) are characterized by a high fat content of approximately 73%. The oil contained in the nuts is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, including monounsaturated oleic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acids, both of the n-3 and n-6 family. One important thermal process for nuts is roasting, which significantly increases their palatability. Technically, roasting is a drying process at high temperatures. The purpose of roasting is to reveal new flavor and aroma properties of the raw material. The aim of the current study was to determine and compare the fatty acid composition and oxidative and hydrolytic stability of oils extracted from both roasted and raw walnuts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oat (Avena sativa L.) grains are an important source of protein, minerals and oil. They contain at least twice as much fat as other common cereals, such as wheat, barley or rye, and the fat contained in oat grains significantly contributes to their properties, including improved calorific value and nutritional quality. Heat treatment, particularly roasting, has long been considered the essential method of processing grains, as roasting effectively extends shelf life, provides a pleasant roasted flavor and improves taste. The paper covers the improving effect of the roasting process of the whole oat grain on the quality of the oil contained in the grains. A differential scanning calorimeter coupled with a high-pressure cell has been used to determine the oxidative stability of oil. A calorimetric bomb was applied to determine the whole grain calorific value and GC (Gas Chromatography) determined the fatty acid composition of oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing demand for energy and care about natural environment is the motivation to find alternative sources of energy. One of them is biomass from cherry and morello cherry stones, which is food processing industry waste. Stones have fairly good physical properties regarding material for combustion. Cherry and morello cherry crop in Poland is at the level of 200 thousand tons yearly, and processing them generates a considerable amount of waste that consists of stones, which may be used for energy purposes. In the work, the initial water content (u), curves of combustion in different temperatures, percentage ash content, heat of combustion and percentage share of stone in the whole fruit were determined.

Highly methylated apple pectin (HMAP) and pork gelatin (PGEL) have been proposed as gelling agents for pumpkin purée-based films. Therefore, this research aimed to develop and evaluate the physiochemical properties of composite vegetable films. Granulometric analysis of film-forming solutions showed a bimodal particle size distribution, with two peaks near 25 µm and close to 100 µm in the volume distribution. The diameter D4.3, which is very sensitive to the presence of large particles, was only about 80 µm. Taking into account the possibility of creating a polymer matrix from pumpkin purée, its chemical characteristic was determined. The content of water-soluble pectin was about 0.2 g/100 g fresh mass, starch at the level of 5.5 g/100 g fresh mass, and protein at the level of about 1.4 g/100 g fresh mass. Glucose, fructose, and sucrose, the content of which ranged from about 1 to 1.4 g/100 g fresh mass, were responsible for the plasticizing effect of the purée. All of the tested composite films, based on selected hydrocolloids with the addition of pumpkin purée, were characterized by good mechanical strength, and the obtained parameters ranged from about 7 to over 10 MPa. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis determined that the gelatin melting point ranged from over 57 to about 67 °C, depending on the hydrocolloid concentration. The modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) analysis results exhibited remarkably low glass transition temperature (Tg) values, ranging from −34.6 to −46.5 °C. These materials are not in a glassy state at room temperature (~25 °C). It was shown that the character of the pure components affected the phenomenon of water diffusion in the tested films, depending on the humidity of the surrounding environment. Gelatin-based films were more sensitive to water vapor than pectin ones, resulting in higher water uptake over time. The nature of the changes in water content as a function of its activity indicates that composite gelatin films, with the addition of pumpkin purée, are characterized by a greater ability to adsorb moisture from the surrounding environment compared to pectin films. In addition, it was observed that the nature of the changes in water vapor adsorption in the case of protein films is different in the first hours of adsorption than in the case of pectin films, and changes significantly after 10 h of the film staying in an environment with relative humidity RH = 75.3%. The obtained results showed that pumpkin purée is a valuable plant material, which can form continuous films with the addition of gelling agents; however, practical application as edible sheets or wraps for food products needs to be preceded with additional research on its stability and interactions between films and food ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]