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Article
Publication date: 1 October 1996

Maeve C. Brady

Notes that the main criteria for selecting nutrients to be added to foods are that they are shown to be safe, effective and beneficial, or that for certain at‐risk population…

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Abstract

Notes that the main criteria for selecting nutrients to be added to foods are that they are shown to be safe, effective and beneficial, or that for certain at‐risk population groups there is a demonstrable need. Also that addition of nutrients requires careful attention to food regulations, labelling, nutritional rationale, cost, acceptability of the product to consumers and assessment of technical and analytical limitations for compliance with label declarations. Points out that there are several examples where the nutritional enrichment of foods (restoration and fortification) has helped prevent or reduce the level of nutritional inadequacies within a population. Concludes that foods with added nutrients provide an ideal vehicle for improving the nutritional status of populations, particularly in the light of changing lifestyles and dietary patterns.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 98 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 February 2017

Bruna Teodoro Barbosa, Jéssica Ferreira Rodrigues and Sabrina Carvalho Bastos

People are increasingly concerned about food and health and are seeking enriched products. One way to add nutritional value to yogurt consists of the addition of nutritional

Abstract

Purpose

People are increasingly concerned about food and health and are seeking enriched products. One way to add nutritional value to yogurt consists of the addition of nutritional flour. However, it is necessary to optimize formulations that meet the consumers’ expectations. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to aim at sensory optimization of a strawberry yogurt enriched with different flours.

Design/methodology/approach

The optimal concentrations of each flour were defined using the Just-about-right-scale test. Then, an acceptance test was used to assess the samples at optimal concentrations.

Findings

It was observed that the strawberry yogurt should include 1.275 percent golden flaxseed flour, 1.093 percent green banana flour, 1.075 percent eggplant flour and 3.420 percent oatmeal flour. All formulations had good acceptability and the yogurt added with the addition of golden flax flour and the traditional product received similar sensory acceptance. Thus, it is possible to add nutritional value to strawberry yogurt by maintaining its sensory quality.

Research limitations/implications

More detailed studies on the shelf-life of yogurt are necessary to enable the incorporation of flours into yogurt as heat, light and oxygen can reduce the beneficial effects of flours. Therefore, researchers should test the proposed propositions further.

Practical implications

Optimization of an enriched yogurt is a good alternative to provide a product that meets consumers’ expectations, besides adding value to the product. However, there are technological challenges when adding functional components in foods. Thus, this study aimed at sensory optimization of a strawberry yogurt enriched with different flours.

Social implications

The authors aimed to provide a healthy product to the market as well as contribute toward product variety in the market.

Originality/value

There are few studies in respect to the sensory aspects of enriched yogurts. Therefore, this work will aid future studies, supporting the optimization of functional products and contributing toward product variety in the market.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 119 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 February 2018

Savita Rani, Rakhi Singh, Rachna Sehrawat, Barjinder Pal Kaur and Ashutosh Upadhyay

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a rich source of nutrients as compared to the major cultivated cereal crops. However, major factors which limit its utilization are the…

1175

Abstract

Purpose

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a rich source of nutrients as compared to the major cultivated cereal crops. However, major factors which limit its utilization are the presence of anti-nutritional factors (phytate, tannins and polyphenols) which lower availability of minerals and poor keeping quality because of higher lipase activity. Therefore, this paper aims to focus on the impact of different processing methods on the nutrient composition and anti-nutritional components of pearl millet.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a literature review study from 1983 to 2017, focusing on studies related to pearl millet processing and their effectiveness in the enrichment of nutritional value through reduction of anti-nutritional compounds.

Findings

From the literature reviewed, pearl millet processing through various methods including milling, malting, fermentation, blanching and acid as well as heat treatments were found to be effective in achieving the higher mineral digestibility, retardation of off flavor, bitterness as well as rancidity problems found during storage of flour.

Originality/value

Through this review paper, possible processing methods and their impact on the nutrient and anti-nutrient profile of pearl millet are discussed after detailed studied of literature from journal articles and thesis.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 48 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 May 2014

Ishmael Owiredu, Damian Laryea and John Barimah

– The aim of this paper is to promote the utilization and diversification of cashew nuts through its use as a substitute for wheat flour in biscuit production.

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to promote the utilization and diversification of cashew nuts through its use as a substitute for wheat flour in biscuit production.

Design/methodology/approach

Wheat flour was substituted with cashew nut flour (CNF) at levels of 0, 20, 30 and 40 percent in the production of biscuit. The products obtained were subjected to proximate, mineral and sensory analysis.

Findings

There was a significant increase in protein and fat contents from 7.75 and 22.11 percent to 12.89 and 32.11 percent, respectively, when CNF increased, whiles carbohydrate decreased from 66.67 to 48.04 percent. A significant increase in magnesium (27.93-97.03 mg/100 g), sodium (198.11-228.02 mg/100 g), phosphorus (55.90-149.00 mg/100 g), potassium (290.40-990.00 mg/100 g), zinc (0.72-2.00 mg/100 g) and iron (0.28-1.00 mg/100 g) was also observed as CNF increased. Sensory analysis revealed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the 20 and 30 percent substituted samples, in terms of overall acceptability. Therefore, wheat flour could be substituted with CNF up to 30 percent in the production of biscuit.

Originality/value

This study was done to ascertain the potential use of CNF as a substitute for wheat flour and a nutrient enrichment in biscuit production, in order to diversify its use; since it still remains an underutilized raw material in Ghana.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 44 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2005

Yanyun Zhao, Su‐il Park, Scott W. Leonard and M.G. Traber

This study aims to evaluate the use of vacuum impregnation (VI) for developing vitamin E fortified fresh‐cut apples (Fuji).

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the use of vacuum impregnation (VI) for developing vitamin E fortified fresh‐cut apples (Fuji).

Design/methodology/approach

A 20 per cent high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) or edible coating materials of 1 per cent hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and 1 per cent calcium caseinate (CC) were used to make VI solutions, and 0.4 per cent α‐tocopherol acetate, 7.5 per cent gluconal cal\tf="Pi3" \char"31 (GC) and 0.04 per cent zinc lactate (ZL) were incorporated into the VI solutions. Vitamin E content, color, and selected physicochemical properties of fortified fresh‐cut apples were analyzed.

Findings

Results showed that VI treatment with 20 per cent HFCS solution containing 0.4 per cent α‐tocopherol acetate increased vitamin E content up to 21.8 mg in 100 g of fresh‐cut apples, while 12.0 mg and 20.2 mg vitamin E were achieved when using 1 per cent HPMC or 1 per cent CC as VI solutions, respectively. Calcium and zinc content were also increased to 146.6 mg and 1.7 mg in 100 g of apples, respectively, when adding 7.5 per cent GC and 0.04 per cent ZL along with the vitamin E into the VI solutions. Use of HFCS, HPMC and CC as VI solutions resulted in different effects on the physiochemical properties of fresh‐cut apples. While HFCS is promising for vitamin E fortification and retention of natural apple color, HPMC and CC can be used to achieve similar vitamin E fortification with the least impact on the soluble solids and moisture contents of apples.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates that there is great potential for developing high quality, vitamin E and minerals fortified fresh‐cut apples using vacuum impregnation technology, thus further enhancing the health benefit of the apples.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 35 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 September 2011

Joanne Labrecque and Sylvain Charlebois

Functional foods, also known controversially as “phoods,” are perceived by many as the food industry's response to consumers' increasing desire to make healthier eating choices…

3018

Abstract

Purpose

Functional foods, also known controversially as “phoods,” are perceived by many as the food industry's response to consumers' increasing desire to make healthier eating choices. The objective of the present study is to determine the influence of the production technology used to make functional foods on the perceived health value of functional foods.

Design/methodology/approach

To meet the objectives of the study, the paper employs an exploratory study with six conditions. The two factors addressed were the added nutrient (lycopene and beta‐carotene) and the degree of production technology (low, medium, and high). Lycopene and beta‐carotene were both added to two functional foods with different health features, which in this study were orange juice and apple pie. The use of this latter factor supposed that the level “low” implied a product which was improved by adding a food that naturally contained a nutrient, the level “medium” implied that the nutrient was added in the laboratory, and the level “high” refers to an ingredient whose genetic code had been modified in order to introduce the gene producing the nutrient. In order to reduce the effect of the order of presentation of the technology levels, the sequence of levels was randomized.

Findings

The results show that perceived health benefits and intention to purchase are not so much influenced by what we pose as graduated stages of production technologies as by a perceived dichotomy between natural and artificial foods. The results also show the extensive mediating effect of perceived risks and benefits on the relationship between experimental conditions, perceived health benefits, and intent to purchase. The results also reveal that pre‐purchase intentions of functional foods are more noteworthy for orange juice, which has a usefulness valence, than for apple pie, which has a less healthy epicurean valence.

Originality/value

This study has various strengths, including a novel intervention that addressed a timely topic for which few data are currently available. The sale of functional foods is a complex practice. This exploratory study took a few steps toward understanding how health benefits of functional foods are perceived and how these perceptions can be better understood by food manufacturers and consumers in today's society.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 41 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 January 2021

Viviane Andrade de Oliveira, Gilmar Freire da Costa and Solange de Sousa

The purpose of this study is to investigate the chemical and microbiological quality of biscuits and bread through the partial substitution of the wheat flour.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the chemical and microbiological quality of biscuits and bread through the partial substitution of the wheat flour.

Design/methodology/approach

Completely randomized experiment with four treatments and nine replications was used in this study. The quality of biscuits and bread formulations was monitored by chemical parameters (moisture, ashes, protein, lipids, pH, water activity, acidity and carbohydrates) and microbiological parameters (coliforms at 35 and 45ºC, coagulase positive Staphylococcus and Salmonella sp.).

Findings

The formulation of biscuits containing 25, 50 and 75% of cassava flour and formulation of bread containing 10, 20 and 30% of cassava flour had higher carbohydrate content compared to the control formulation (p = 0.014). This was associated with the incorporation of cassava flour, which is an excellent producer of carbohydrates compared to other cereals. All formulations showed values <3 for coliforms at 35 and 45ºC and coagulase positive Staphylococci, as well as an absence for Salmonella sp.

Originality/value

The present attempt was made to formulate biscuits and bread with a reduction in wheat flour and the addition of manioc flour, with the objective of reaching products with higher carbohydrate content and low gluten content, to improve the nutritional level and commercial value of these products.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. 51 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2005

Shalini Hooda and Sudesh Jood

Wheat is considered nutritionally poor, due to deficiency of essential amino acids such as lysine and threonine, whereas fenugreek (Trigonella faenum graecum L.) flour has a high…

1141

Abstract

Purpose

Wheat is considered nutritionally poor, due to deficiency of essential amino acids such as lysine and threonine, whereas fenugreek (Trigonella faenum graecum L.) flour has a high protein content (25 per cent), lysins (5.7g/16gN), soluble (20 per cent) and insoluble (28 per cent) dietary fibre besides being rich in calcium, iron and beta‐carotene. Fenugreek seeds contain 20 per cent soluble fibre (gum), which can act as functional agent in wheat dough. The presence of bitter saponins in fenugreek seeds limits their acceptability in foods. However, it has been possible to debitter fenugreek seeds by using various domestic processing methods. Therefore, their use can be exploited as functional and nutritional food as well as therapeutic agents. Hence, in the present study efforts have been made to develop wheat‐fenugreek‐based health bread.

Design/methodology/approach

In commonly grown varieties of wheat, namely WH‐423, and fenugreek namely Pusa, early bunching was obtained. Fenugreek seeds were divided into three portions. One portion was left unprocessed (raw), while the other two portions were soaked (12hr at 37C) and germinated (48hr at 37C) separately. Soaked and germinated samples were dried at 55‐60C. Dried samples of raw, soaked and germinated seeds were ground to fine powder. Fenugreek seed powder (raw, soaked and germinated) was blended separately with wheat flour at different levels, namely 5, 10, 15 and 20 per cent. Breads from control and supplemented flours were baked in replicates. Baking, organoleptic and nutritional characteristics were analysed in the control and supplemented breads. The data were statistically analyzed in complete randomized design for analysis of variance according to the standard method.

Findings

Supplementation of wheat flour with fenugreek flour from 5 to 20 per cent levels increased the protein, lysine, minerals and fibre contents of bread. Additions of fenugreek (raw, soaked and germinated) up to the level of 15 per cent produced bread with a satisfactory loaf volume and other sensory quality attributes (crumb colour, crumb texture, taste etc.), whereas the 20 per cent level of supplementation caused a depression effect in loaf volume and the breads were found to be bitter in taste, However, among the various supplemented breads, germinated fenugreek flour‐supplemented bread at 15 per cent level showed satisfactory baking and organoleptic characteristics and contained an appreciable amount of protein (24 per cent), total lysine (3.02g/100g protein), dietary fibre (12.04 per cent) and minerals.

Practical implications

Fast food are becoming as popular, as in developing countries. Keeping this fact in view, in the present study, health breads were prepared. The developed product had good acceptability, was nutritionally rich and had therapeutic value. So, these can be considered for commercialization.

Originality/value

As fenugreek seeds contain 20 per cent soluble fibre (gum), and 5.7g/16gN lysine contents, the soluble fibre of fenugreek seeds has been reported to reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Therefore, their use can be exploited in the development of health foods.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 35 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 July 2017

Bindvi Arora, Shwet Kamal and Ved Prakash Sharma

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the quality characteristics of white button mushroom powder enrichment in sponge cake. The developed product can be a promising inclusion…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the quality characteristics of white button mushroom powder enrichment in sponge cake. The developed product can be a promising inclusion in the convenience functional foods and would serve the purpose of improving nutritional status of consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

Cakes containing graded levels of agaricus bisporus (white button mushroom) powder were prepared by replacing wheat flour with 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 per cent mushroom powder. The effect of mushroom powder supplementation on physical, nutritive and sensory quality of the cakes was evaluated and analyzed statistically using Agres-Agdata software.

Findings

Batter density and specific volume of cake samples decreased with increasing levels of mushroom powder in the formulation, which is contrary to the knowledge that they are inversely proportional. For 20 per cent enrichment, batter density and specific volume decreased by 8.23 and 5.79 per cent, respectively. There was no significant difference in individual organoleptic attributes of cake samples up to a level of 20 per cent fortification of mushroom powder, with significant nutrient enrichment (p > 0.05).

Originality/value

Replacing flour in cakes has been tried with many protein-rich ingredients to improve the nutritional quality of cake although with limiting success when it comes to sensorial acceptability. Mushroom powder was incorporated in the formulation to enrich sponge cakes. The processing technology will also reduce post-harvest losses in mushrooms and improve the nutritional status of society.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 47 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1942

Perhaps it should be said that optimal nutrition is an ultimate goal which science is not yet prepared to define descriptively in detail. Speaking operationally, we may say that…

Abstract

Perhaps it should be said that optimal nutrition is an ultimate goal which science is not yet prepared to define descriptively in detail. Speaking operationally, we may say that recent research has established, fully and objectively, the principle of the nutritional improvability of the normal. The experimental evidence can, of course, be but sketchily presented in a review of this sort which attempts to summarise in so little space a scientific advance of undoubtedly far‐reaching significance. Under the necessity of extreme brevity, the writer trusts he will be pardoned for drawing illustrations chiefly from the work with which he is best acquainted. In experiments to determine what proportion of protective food suffices to balance a minimum proportion of wheat in the diet, it was found that a mixture of five‐sixths ground whole wheat and one‐sixth dried whole milk with table salt and distilled water (Diet A) was adequate in that it supported normal growth and health with successful reproduction and rearing of young, generation after generation. Yet when the proportion of milk was increased (Diet B) the average results were better. In the experiments just mentioned, an already‐adequate dietary and an already‐normal condition of nutritional wellbeing and health were improved by a more scientific adjustment of the relative quantities in which the staple articles of food were consumed. And in the comparison of the effects of these two diets the principle of the nutritional improvability of the normal was manifested measurably at every stage of the life cycle. Growth and development, adult vitality, and length of life all were normal on Diet A and all were better on Diet B. This research having been planned in terms of natural articles of food, the sole experimental variable was the quantitative proportion or ratio between the foods constituting the dietary. If, on the other hand, we turn to the consideration of individual chemical factors, we find that the single change in proportions of staple foods had the effect of enriching the dietary at four points: protein, calcium, riboflavin, and vitamin A. Subsequent experimentation was planned both in terms of these four chemical factors separately and in terms of diversification of the dietary by addition of natural foods of other types. Here it was found that enrichment of the original diet with protein alone or its diversification with other natural foods tended to a moderate increase in growth and adult size, but no distinct improvement in the life history. Clearly this indicates that the increased intake of protein played but little if any part in the nutritional improvement induced by Diet B over Diet A; and also strengthens the probability that the observed improvement is essentially explainable in terms of the factors we recognise, for if anything unknown had played an important rôle in this improvement, the diversification of the diet would probably have revealed some indication of it. Calcium, riboflavin, and vitamin A each is found to play a signicant part in the nutritional improvement of the already adequate diet and already normal health. With each of these three factors the level of intake giving best results in long‐term experiments is two or more times higher than the level of minimal adequacy. Some aspects of the respective rôles of these three factors are still subjects of further experimental investigation. It is not to be assumed that the wide margins of beneficial intake over actual need, found as just mentioned with calcium, riboflavin, and vitamin A, will apply to the other nutritionally essential mineral elements and vitamins. Each should be investigated independently in this respect; and with no presuppositions derived from the findings with calcium, riboflavin, and vitamin A, for these were not random samples, but were taken for rigorous experimental study because of the definite suggestions of earlier work. Meanwhile the above‐mentioned findings with the factors already comprehensively investigated afford a basis both for clarification of a fundamental chemical principle in nutrition, and for its practical application. One useful first‐approximation of nineteenth‐century science was that an organism may be expected to grow only as fast or as far as is consistent with the specific chemical composition of its kind; and another was that it is the fixité of the organism's internal environment which enables it to cope with new or changing external environments. It is surprising that these views continued to be held so rigidly for so long when at the same time there were developing physico‐chemical principles which call for a more flexible concept. In this light it seems clear that the so‐called steady states of the body are only relatively so: that one cannot introduce into the system different amounts and proportions of such active factors as we know some food constituents to be, without some resulting changes of concentration levels or of dynamic‐equilibrium points, or both. And now we have the objective evidence of well‐controlled, long‐term experimentation showing nutritional improvement of an already normal bodily condition in such manner as seems best expressed by saying that the chemical aspect of the body's internal environment has been modified for the better. Thus in accordance with physico‐chemical principles we now conceive the “normal level” of each nutritional factor to be not a single fixed level but a zone. Undoubtedly this zone is wider for some factors than for others, and probably also the most advantageous level is with some substances near the upper margins, and with other substances near the middle or the lower margins, of the respective normal zones. Thus while our bodies enjoy by virtue of their biological inheritance certain self‐regulatory processes of striking effectiveness, our minds are now finding, through chemical research, how these can be made still more effective by the scientific guidance of our nutritional intakes; by helpfully influencing our internal environments through good habits in our daily choice of food. Contemporary research in the chemistry of nutrition is here developing a fundamental and far‐reaching scientific concept which hitherto has hardly been apprehended because species have been regarded as more rigidly specific in their chemical composition, and the “steady states” of their internal environment have been regarded as more rigidly fixed, than they really are. The accepted generalisation that each life history is determined (1) by heredity and (2) by environment assigns all except hereditary factors to environment by definition. But as the result of nearly a century of scientific as well as popular habit of thought, the word “environment” actually connotes surroundings. Science exaggerated the extent and rigidity with which our internal chemistry is automatically regulated by our biological inheritance, to such an extent that there seemed nothing for us to do about it except to admire its wonders and stand ready to repair its occasional breakdowns. But now that we are finding ways to add conscious chemical control and improvement to the marvellous mechanism with which nature endows us, we can be not merely repair‐men to a biologically inherited bodily machine, but also architects of a higher health. It may help to make this newly‐opened opportunity clearer if, instead of the above‐mentioned two, we think and speak of three major determinants of our life‐histories: (1) heredity; (2) environment, in the familiar external sense of surroundings; and (3) the body's internal environment, which immediately environs and conditions the life process, and which in the course of the life cycle is much more significantly influenced than hitherto supposed by even the normal differences in what we take into our bodies as food. This responsiveness of our internal chemistry, and resulting degree or level of positive health, to our nutritional intake, usually becomes manifestly measurable only in cases of visible injury from nutritional deficiency, which, once apprehended, we seek to avoid; or in experimentation with laboratory animals whose natural life‐cycles are such as to permit of accurately controlled conditions and observations extending throughout entire lifetimes and successive generations. In the long‐controlled, laboratory‐bred colony of experimental animals used in large numbers for full‐life and successive‐generation feeding tests conducted with all the quantitatively meticulous care and precautions to which research workers in the exact sciences are trained, we now have an instrument and technique of investigation such as has not existed before. Much remains to be done in the new field of research thus opened; but work already completed shows clearly the possibility of nutritional improvements of already‐normal health, vitality and efficiency throughout our lives. Whatever we are individually born with, we can each do more for ourselves to influence our life histories in the direction of our aspirations than science has hitherto thought.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 44 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

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