Introduction Food is the basic need of every human being, and efficient techniques are essential to minimize food spoilage. Food spoilage refers to the deterioration of a food item’s nutritional value, texture, and taste to the extent that it becomes unsafe for consumption. In ancient times, food preservation was not a concern as there typically was no or minimal leftover food after daily meals. However, the necessity for food storage and preservation ascended at an indeterminate point when there was a surplus of food available. During periods of scarcity, storing food became imperative for su ..read more

Introduction According to World Food and Agriculture, statistical yearbook, cereals are most traded food commodities by quantity in the year 2020. The Americas and Europe are the largest exporters of cereals while the Asia is the largest importer.1 Pakistan imported 2490628 and 2486191 tons of wheat for the year 2020 and 2021, respectively.2 Other than a variety of staple flatbreads (roti, naan, and sheermal, etc.), wheat is widely used to prepare biscuits, cakes, noodles, and breads in Pakistan. Biscuits are convenience food which attracted a wide consumption base due to its lower processing ..read more

Introduction Arazá (Eugenia stipitata) is an evergreen tree of the Myrtaceae family which grows in the Amazon region of Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia.1 It has a high-perishable, oval shape and thin skin yellow fruit. Its pulp is aromatic and acidic,2 it is rich in ascorbic acid, malic acid, terpenes, phenolic compounds, flavonoids,3,4 and carotenoids,5 these bioactive compounds provide it antioxidant and other biological properties.4 Among its carotenoids, zeaxanthin, β-carotene, α-carotene and lutein have been found, being lutein with the highest concentration, with 154 μg/100 g.5 Lutein ..read more

Introduction In recent years, oral supplements marketed as “skin, hair, and nail” supplements are becoming popular and trendy treatments in the world of the skin health1,2. These products are also called “nutricosmetics” and represent the new frontier of the beauty industry3. The concept behind nutricosmetics is related to their ability to work from the inside promoting the beauty from within. This category of “beauty” supplements boosts the Consumer hope to improve the appearance using a capsule, seeking out the “hope in a capsule”. The role of food supplements in correcting/integrating the d ..read more

Introduction In recent years, food consumption patterns in Indonesia have shifted away from traditional cuisines and towards high-fat, low-fiber fast food. In general, the risk of diabetes and heart disease is significantly increased by consuming fast food. Diabetes mellitus arises from alterations in insulin function, insulin production, or both, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.1 In 2017, reported that 425 million adults between the ages of 20-79‘old are at risk of developing diabetes according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). They predicted that this figure would increa ..read more

Introduction The prevalence of obesity among Filipinos is often associated with the country’s fascination with fast food. Before the pandemic, most Filipino consumers had developed a habit of dining outside—38% weekly, 15% twice a week, and 5% daily1. Fast-food obesity is observed to be higher among the youth compared with adults2. Contributing factors include a strong preference for energy-dense foods and beverages, the unaffordability of healthier diets, and the proximity of accessible quick-service restaurants (QSRs) to residences, schools, and workplaces3. While previous studies had alread ..read more

Introduction Stunting is still a significant health problem for children under five worldwide that must be urgently addressed, including in Indonesia 1. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) defines stunting among children aged 0-59 months as a chronically malnourished status with a height-for-age z-score (HAZ) of less than -2 standard deviations (SD) based on World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards 2. Most children were stated to be stunted by the age of 2 years old. If not treated well, stunted children will experience delays in their growth and development, which is irreversi ..read more

Introduction Cookies have become a widely consumed snack product due to their convenience, such as easy storage and ready-to-eat, affordability, and relatively stable shelf life.1 As a result, people of all ages prefer them. The cookies are rich in wheat flour, butter, and sugar but have low amounts of dietary fiber and bioactive compounds.2 Nowadays, the bakery industry faces challenges from consumers’ increasing desire for healthy food. They require product development with enhanced sensory, physicochemical, and nutritional qualities.3 The addition of novel food ingredients in cookies, such ..read more

Introduction Sweet potatoes are an essential crop for food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. The root has a three-month growth cycle and is regarded as a climate-smart crop. It grows on marginal terrain, including saline areas, and needs very little water. Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSPs) are a great source of energy and vitamins, particularly provitamin A carotenoid, which has been demonstrated to be an efficient and long-lasting source of vitamin A in humans1 Orange-fleshed sweet potato puree is a novel and distinctive ingredient with significant growth potential found in baking items. Ea ..read more

Introduction Nicotiana tobacum L. is a widespread non-food crop all over the world. The tobacco plant has many applications – as a substance of abuse and tobacco products manufacturing, medical plant, and industrial crop good for obtaining seed oil, biodiesel, and biomass.1, 2, 3 The tobacco leaves are an economically important part of the plant, but tobacco seeds are also part of its cultivation process. Tobacco seeds are gaining popularity as they are not sufficiently studied as part of the plant with good potential for utilization.4, 5 Tobacco seeds can be considered waste under certain cir ..read more