scholarly journals Quality Aspects of Insects as Food—Nutritional, Sensory, and Related Concepts

Foods ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Elhassan ◽  
Karin Wendin ◽  
Viktoria Olsson ◽  
Maud Langton

In the search for another appealing source of future food to cover the increasing need for nutrients of a growing global population, this study reviewed the potential of insects as human food. Most previous reviews have dealt with insects as a group, making it difficult to evaluate each individual insect species as food because of the generalized data. This study assessed some common edible insects, but concentrated on mealworms. Insects, especially mealworms, have a similar or higher nutritional value than many conventional food sources. For example, the protein content of mealworm larvae is reported to be almost 50% of dry weight, while the fat content is about 30% of larval dry weight. Mealworms can be cooked by different methods, such as hot air drying, oven broiling, roasting, pan frying, deep frying, boiling, steaming, and microwaving. Oven broiling in particular gives a desirable aroma of steamed corn for consumers. Changes in the flavor, taste, and texture of mealworm products during storage have not been studied, but must be determined before mealworms can be used as a commercial food source. Factors controlling the shelf-life of mealworms, such as their packaging and storage, should be identified and considered with respect to the feasibility of using mealworms on a commercial scale.

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (21) ◽  
pp. 4925
Author(s):  
Antonella Castagna ◽  
Giovanni Benelli ◽  
Giuseppe Conte ◽  
Cristina Sgherri ◽  
Francesca Signorini ◽  
...  

In this study, the effect of different drying processes (freeze-drying (FD), microwave-assisted drying (MWD) and classic hot air drying (HAD)) on the polyphenols, flavonoids, and amino acids content was investigated on bee-collected chestnut, willow and ivy pollen for human consumption. Furthermore, the pollen chemical properties were monitored after three and six months of storage, and then analyzed using a multivariate approach. Chestnut pollen was the richest source of polyphenols, flavonoids, and rutin, while ivy pollen contained the highest amount of total and free amino acids, and total and free proline. Drying and storage affected pollen chemical composition with species-dependent effects. MWD allowed the best retention of flavonoids in chestnut pollen for up to six months of storage. All drying techniques led to a depletion of flavonoids in willow pollen; however, MWD ensured the highest flavonoids content after six months. FD and MWD did not lead to flavonoids depletion in ivy pollen during storage. Additionally, storage did not affect the rutin content, which was highest in FD willow samples after six months. Notably, both FD and MWD techniques are efficient in preserving amino acids-related quality of bee pollen up to six months of storage.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2575
Author(s):  
Dorota Wichrowska ◽  
Wojciech Kozera ◽  
Tomasz Knapowski ◽  
Piotr Prus ◽  
Anna Ligocka

Broccoli is a short-term fresh storage vegetable; it most often goes to the processing plant where it is frozen or cold-stored. 1-methylcyclopropene gas (1-MCP) can be used to extend broccoli’s shelf life. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the genetic cultivar determinants, the use of 1-MCP and the storage time on the weight loss as well as the content of nutrients and harmful compounds in cultivars: ‘Bay Meadows’, ‘Monaco’, ‘Naxos’ and ‘Vicario’. The cultivars selected for the study differed significantly in terms of the traits after harvest and storage, and the differences were also conditioned by the interaction of the genetic factor and 1-MCP used, especially within 30 days after harvest. Of the broccoli cultivars, ‘Monaco’ demonstrated the lowest weight loss during storage, the highest content of dry weight, total sugars, vitamin C, both after harvest and after storage, in the samples treated with 1-methylcycloprepene after harvest. In turn, ‘Vicario’ lost most weight after storage and broccoli florets treated with 1-MCP have lost less weight. The highest amounts of nitrates and nitrites, both after harvest and after storage, were found in ‘Monaco’; however, the differences, as compared with the other cultivars, were significant, yet relatively low. The lowest compactness of the florets was recorded, and hence the lowest commercial value (basically unmarketable), for ‘Naxos’, ‘Monaco’ and ‘Vicario’ cultivars after 30 days of storage without the use of 1-MCP. However, due to the use of 1-MCP and low temperature (4 °C), the commercial value of those broccoli cultivars was satisfactory.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Supapohn Yamuangmorn ◽  
Suchada Jumrus ◽  
Sansanee Jamjod ◽  
Narit Yimyam ◽  
Chanakan Prom-u-Thai

Purple rice has become an interesting source of nutritional value among healthy cereal grains. The appropriate cultivation together with post-harvest management would directly benefit farmers and consumers. This study aimed (i) to determine the yield, grain nutritional quality, and antioxidant capacity of purple rice varieties grown at lowland and highland elevations, and (ii) to evaluate the effects of storage conditions on the stability of the rice nutritional value during six months of storage. The high anthocyanin PES variety grown in the lowlands had a higher grain yield than the plants grown in the highlands, but grain anthocyanin concentration had the opposite pattern. In the high antioxidant capacity KAK variety, grain yield and DPPH activity were not significantly different between plants grown at the two elevations. The storage of brown rice and vacuum-sealed packages were both found to preserve greater anthocyanin concentrations in PES, but there was no effect on the DPPH activity of KAK. The grain properties were not significantly different between storage at 4 °C and room temperature. This study suggests that the optimal cultivation practices and storage conditions would result in the higher yield and grain quality of purple rice varieties.


2002 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.K. Yadav ◽  
S. Sehgal

Spinach ( Spinacia oleracia) and amaranth ( Amaranthus tricolor) leaves were stored in polyethylene bags and without packing for 24 and 48 hours in a refrigerator at 5°C and 30°C in polyethylene bags. The fresh leaves were also dried (oven and sun), blanched (5, 10 and 15 min) and cooked in an open pan and a pressure cooker. The processed leaves were analysed for total iron, its availability and antinutrient content. The iron content of these leaves varied from 26.54 to 34.14 mg/l00g, dry weight and its HCl-extractability and in vitro availability were 62.11–67.18% and 3.03–3.97% of total respectively. Drying and storage had no significant effect on total iron content, Hel-extractability and availability ( in vitro), while blanching and cooking resulted in significant improvement of iron availability, and a significant reduction in oxalic acid content, while only blanching significantly reduced phytic acid and polyphenol contents. Thus cooking and blanching are good ways to improve HCl-extractability and in vitro availability of iron.


Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 516
Author(s):  
Roghieh Sakooei-Vayghan ◽  
Seyed Hadi Peighambardoust ◽  
Rubén Domínguez ◽  
Mirian Pateiro ◽  
José M. Lorenzo

The effect of different composite coatings on quality of semi-moist apricot cubes mixed with cornflakes was investigated during 180 days of storage. The apricot cubes were osmotically dehydrated (OD) and coated before hot-air drying (HAD) at 60 °C. Chitosan-bees wax (CBW) and whey protein isolate-bees wax-oleic acid (WPI-BW-OA) coatings were applied after HAD and the samples were added to cornflakes. Application of OD and pectin-ascorbic acid (Pec-AA) coating (prior to HAD) and WPI-BW-OA coating (after HAD) led to significant retention of total phenol compounds, β-carotene and antioxidant activity in apricot cubes compared to uncoated and CBW-coated samples. WPI-BW-OA-coated samples gave significantly higher L* values (lighter color) and b* values (more creamy or yellowish color) and lower a* values (less reddish color) and browning values than control followed by CBW-coated apricots at any time of storage (p < 0.05). The rate of apricot moisture loss and cornflakes moisture gain was higher in uncoated apricot cubes, followed by CBW- and WPI-BW-OA-coated samples. Application of WPI-BW-OA coating was effective in retaining the crispness measured by lower firmness (Fmax) values in cornflakes upon storage. Based on the obtained results, WPI-BW-OA coating allowed effectively preserving the quality characteristics of semi-moist apricot cubes and cornflakes components in the mixed state.


2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-282
Author(s):  
Hêmina Carla Vilela ◽  
Patrícia de Fátima Pereira Goulart ◽  
Kamila Rezende Dázio de Souza ◽  
Ana Carolina Vilas Boas ◽  
Jane Silva Roda ◽  
...  

The arracacha is an alternative of fresh-cut product; however it can be easily degraded after the processing techniques. The objective of this work was to evaluate the useful life of fresh-cut arracacha submitted to two types of cuts and storage, as well as to evaluate the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The roots were selected, sanitized and submitted to two cut types: cubed and grated. Then they were evaluated at 3 times: 0, 3 and 7 days. The cutting in cubes provided higher quality and lower SOD, CAT and APX activity. However, the grated product presented higher PG activity and lower PPO activity. The microbiological safety and the nutritional value were maintained in both cuts during the whole storage period. The useful life, regarding the physicochemical, nutritional and microbiological aspects, can be established at 7 days under refrigeration for fresh-cut arracacha.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
Edy Kustiani ◽  
Mariyono Mariyono ◽  
Bela Citra Ayuningtyas

Red spinach (Amaranthus gangeticus) is one of the most popular vegetables because of its high nutritional value and easy cultivation. Efforts to increase the production of red spinach are to fertilize to meet the needs of both macro and micronutrients. This study aimed to determine the effect of ZA fertilizer dose on the growth and yield of red spinach. The environmental design used was a non-factorial, completely randomized design with four replications. The factors tested were the dose of ZA fertilizer which consisted of 6 levels, namely: without ZA fertilizer (D0); 0.4 gr/polybag (D1); 0.8 gr/polybag (D2); 1.2 gr/polybag (D3); 1.6 gr/polybag (D4); 2 gr/polybag (D5). The data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance, and if the results were significantly different, the BNT test was continued at a 5% level. The growth and yield of red spinach showed significant differences due to the ZA fertilizer dose treatment. The ZA fertilizer dose treatment of 1.2 g/polybag (D3) resulted in the highest plant height, the number of leaves, and leaf area of red spinach at 14, 21, and 28 days after planting. The ZA fertilizer dose treatment of 1.2 g/polybag (D3) resulted in the highest wet and dry weight plants of 49.15 and 4.38 grams, respectively. The ZA 1.2 gr/polybag dose is the ideal dose to increase the productivity of red spinach.Bayam merah (Amaranthus gangeticus) termasuk sayuran penting yang disukai masyarakat karena bernilai gizi tinggi dan mudah pembudidayaannya. Upaya peningkatan hasil bayam merah salah satunya dengan pemupukan untuk menambah nutrisi yang dibutuhkan tanaman. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah mempelajari respon pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman bayam merah pada perlakuan dosis pupuk ZA. Pelaksanaan penelitian ini menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) satu faktor. Faktor yang diujikan adalah dosis pupuk ZA, terdiri 6 taraf, yaitu: tanpa pupuk ZA (D0); 0.4 gr/polybag (D1); 0.8 gr/polybag (D2); 1.2 gr/polybag (D3); 1.6 gr/polybag (D4); 2 gr /polybag (D5). Percobaan dilakukan dengan ulangan sebanyak 4 kali. Analisis data menggunakan analysis of variance (ANOVA), apabila berbeda nyata dilanjutkan uji Beda Nyata Terkecil (BNT) taraf 5%. Perlakuan dosis pupuk ZA berpengaruh nyata terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman bayam merah. Perlakuan dosis pupuk ZA 1.2 gr/polybag (D3) menghasilkan tinggi, jumlah dan luas daun tanaman bayam merah tertinggi pada pengamatan umur 14, 21, dan 28 HST. Dosis pupuk ZA 1.2 gr/polybag (D3) juga menunjukkan berat basah dan berat kering tanaman tertinggi sebesar 49.15 dan 4.38 gram. Dosis ZA 1.2 gr/polybag merupakan dosis ideal untuk meningkatkan produktivitas tanaman bayam merah.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2427
Author(s):  
Rosana Chirinos ◽  
David Campos ◽  
Sofía Martínez ◽  
Sílfida Llanos ◽  
Indira Betalleluz-Pallardel ◽  
...  

Avocado cv. Hass consumption has expanded worldwide given its nutritional, sensory, and functional attributes. In this work, avocado fruit from two harvests was subjected to hydrothermal treatment (38 °C for 1 h) or left untreated (control) and then stored for 30 and 50 days in a controlled atmosphere (4 kPa O2 and 6 kPa CO2 at 7 °C) (HTCA and CA, respectively) with subsequent ripening at ~20 °C. The fruit was evaluated for primary and secondary metabolites at harvest, after storage, and after reaching edible ripeness. A decrease from harvest to edible ripeness in mannoheptulose and perseitol was observed while β-sitosterol, hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activity (H-AOX, L-AOX), abscisic acid, and total phenolics (composed of p-coumaric and caffeic acids such as aglycones or their derivatives) increased. HTCA fruit at edible ripeness displayed higher contents of mannoheptulose, perseitol, β-sitosterol, L-AOX, caffeic acid, and p-coumaric acid derivatives, while CA fruit presented higher contents of α-tocopherol, H-AOX, and syringic acid glycoside for both harvests and storage times. The results indicate that a hydrothermal treatment prior to CA enables fruit of high nutritional value characterized by enhanced content of phenolic compounds at edible ripeness to reach distant markets.


1991 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 302-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehrassa Khademi ◽  
David S. Koranski ◽  
David J. Hannapel ◽  
Allen D. Knapp ◽  
Richard J. Gladon

Water uptake by impatiens (Impatiens wallerana Hook. f. cv. Super Elfin Coral) seeds was measured as an increase in fresh weight every 24 hours during 144 hours of germination. Seeds absorbed most of the water required for germination within 3 hours of imbibition and germinated at 60% to 67% moisture on a dry-weight basis. Germination started at 48 hours and was complete by 96 hours at 25C. Water stress of -0.1, -0.2, -0.4, and -0.6 MPa, induced by polyethylene glycol 8000, reduced germination by 13%, 49%, 91%, and 100%, respectively, at 96 hours. Under the same water-stress conditions, increases in fresh weight were inhibited by 53%, 89%, 107%, and 106%, respectively. Three distinct groups of storage proteins were present in dry seed; their estimated molecular weights were 1) 35, 33, and 31 kDa; 2) 26, 23, and 21 kDa; and 3) two bands <14 kDa. Major depletion of storage proteins coincided with the completion of germination. Water potentials that inhibited germination also inhibited degradation of storage proteins. During germination under optimum conditions, the soluble protein fraction increased, coinciding with a decrease in the insoluble fraction.


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