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Network pharmacology is an emerging interdisciplinary research method. The application of network pharmacology to reveal the nutritional effects and mechanisms of active ingredients in food is of great significance in promoting the development of functional food, facilitating personalized nutrition, and exploring the mechanisms of food health effects. This article systematically reviews the application of network pharmacology in the field of food science using a literature review method. The application progress of network pharmacology in food science is discussed, and the mechanisms of functional factors in food on the basis of network pharmacology are explored. Additionally, the limitations and challenges of network pharmacology are discussed, and future directions and application prospects are proposed. Network pharmacology serves as an important tool to reveal the mechanisms of action and health benefits of functional factors in food. It helps to conduct in-depth research on the biological activities of individual ingredients, composite foods, and compounds in food, and assessment of the potential health effects of food components. Moreover, it can help to control and enhance their functionality through relevant information during the production and processing of samples to guarantee food safety. The application of network pharmacology in exploring the mechanisms of functional factors in food is further analyzed and summarized. Combining machine learning, artificial intelligence, clinical experiments, and in vitro validation, the achievement transformation of functional factor in food driven by network pharmacology is of great significance for the future development of network pharmacology research.

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The emergence of innovative plant-based meat analogs, replicating the flavor, texture, and appearance of animal meat cuts, is deemed crucial for sustainably feeding a growing population while mitigating the environmental impact associated with livestock farming. Multi-material 3D food printing (MM3DFP) has been proposed as a potentially disruptive technology for manufacturing the next generation of plant-based meat analogs. This article provides a comprehensive review of the state of the art, addressing various aspects of 3D printing in the realm of plant-based meat. The disruptive potential of printed meat analogs is discussed with particular emphasis on protein-rich, lipid-rich, and blood-mimicking food inks. The printing parameters, printing requirements, and rheological properties at the different printing stages are addressed in detail. As food rheology plays a key role in the printing process, an appraisal of this subject is performed. Post-printing treatments are assessed based on the extent of improvement in the quality of 3D-printed plant-based meat analogs. The meat-mimicking potential is revealed through sensory attributes, such as texture and flavor. Furthermore, there has been limited research into food safety and nutrition. Economically, the 3D printing of plant-based meat analogs demonstrates significant market potential, contingent upon innovative decision-making strategies and supportive policies to enhance consumer acceptance. This review examines the current limitations of this technology and highlights opportunities for future developments.

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The importance of Gellan gum has been increasing gradually and its unique characteristics are suitable for various advanced food technologies. This review outlines recent developments in gellan gum production, modification, and newer applications focusing on food printing and bioactive delivery applications, in the last three years. The yield and production condition of gellan gum is a major factor that affects the cost and its applications. Moreover, modified Gellan gum has been shown to have superior characteristics and functionality as compared to native one. The viscosifying, thermosensitive, gelling etc. characteristics of gellan gum makes it an crucial ingredient in case of preparation of 3D printing ink. Further, gellan gum is also found to be important wall material in case of bioactive delivery application through encapsulation. Optimized methods of production, sustainable feedstock, and stress conditions are critical for the desired functionality and yield of the Gellan gum.

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The food industry extensively uses chemically modified starches and their hydrolysates, which is mainly due to their emulsification ability. Therefore, it becomes inevitable to develop new starch derivatives, including modified starch hydrolysates, and effective preparation methods to meet the increasing demands of producers, consumers, and technology. This study comprehensively researches the physical, chemical, and functional properties (such as the water-binding capacity, swelling power, solubility, and fat absorption capacity) of chemically modified biopolymers and their enzymatic hydrolysis products. We utilized oxidized and acetylated potato and waxy-corn starches with varying degrees of substitution by carboxyl and acetyl groups in our research. The process of enzymatic hydrolysis was performed in a recirculated membrane reactor (CRMR). Our findings indicated that the physicochemical properties of starch derivatives and their hydrolysates depended on the biological origin of the biopolymer and the type and degree of modification. However, the presence of carboxyl groups in the modified starch molecules is critical and affects the rheological properties and water-binding capacity of the starch preparations. For example, in the case of waxy-corn starch preparations with a lower content of carboxyl groups (i.e., derivatives with a low degree of oxidation), the water-binding capacity (WBC) increases when compared to native starch. The highest WBC value of 206.3% was noted for the doubly modified waxy-corn starch with an oxidation degree of 0.2% and an acetylation degree of 2.5%, while native waxy-corn starch shows a WBC of 161.4%. In contrast, it was observed that preparations with a higher content of carboxyl groups, i.e., derivatives with an oxidation degree of 2.5%, show a lower swelling power compared to native waxy starch.

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Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), the most toxic and harmful mycotoxin, has a high likelihood of occurring in animal feed and human food, which seriously affects agriculture and food safety and endangers animal and human health. Recently, natural plant products have attracted widespread attention due to their low toxicity, high biocompatibility, and simple composition, indicating significant potential for resisting AFB1. The mechanisms by which these phytochemicals resist toxins mainly involve antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic pathways. Moreover, these substances also inhibit the genotoxicity of AFB1 by directly influencing its metabolism in vivo, which contributes to its elimination. Here, we review various phytochemicals that resist AFB1 and their anti-AFB1 mechanisms in different animals, as well as the common characteristics of phytochemicals with anti-AFB1 function. Additionally, the shortcomings of current research and future research directions will be discussed. Overall, this comprehensive summary contributes to the better application of phytochemicals in agriculture and food safety.

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Food comprises proteins, lipids, sugars and various other molecules that constitute a multicomponent biological system. It is challenging to investigate microscopic changes in food systems solely by performing conventional experiments. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation serves as a crucial bridge in addressing this research gap. The Groningen Machine for Chemical Simulations (GROMACS) is an open-source, high-performing molecular dynamics simulation software that plays a significant role in food science research owing to its high flexibility and powerful functionality; it has been used to explore the molecular conformations and the mechanisms of interaction between food molecules at the microcosmic level and to analyze their properties and functions. This review presents the workflow of the GROMACS software and emphasizes the recent developments and achievements in its applications in food science research, thus providing important theoretical guidance and technical support for obtaining an in-depth understanding of the properties and functions of food.

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The 4th International Symposium on Food Science, Nutrition and Health (ISFSNH) was held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Dalian, China, on May 29-31, 2023. The symposium explored the connotations and needs of "The Great Food Perspective" under the theme "Focusing on new discoveries in food technology and creating a new future of nutrition and health" to better address the global emerging diverse food needs. The ISFSNH covered four areas: (1) food processing theory and technology, (2) food safety and quality control, (3) precision nutrition and health, and (4) creation of nutritious and healthy foods. More than 1000 scholars and entrepreneurs from more than 100 colleges and universities globally attended the conference. This special issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry highlights the important topics of the 4th ISFSNH and includes more than 20 papers.

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The vast majority of the food we eat comes from land-based agriculture, but recent technological advances in agriculture and food technology offer the prospect of producing food using substantially less or even virtually no land. For example, indoor vertical farming can achieve very high yields of certain crops with a very small area footprint, and some foods can be synthesized from inorganic precursors in industrial facilities. Animal-based foods require substantial land per unit of protein or per calorie and switching to alternatives could reduce demand for some types of agricultural land. Plant-based meat substitutes and those produced through fermentation are widely available and becoming more sophisticated while in the future cellular agricultural may become technically and economical viable at scale. We review the state of play of these potentially disruptive technologies and explore how they may interact with other factors, both endogenous and exogenous to the food system, to affect future demand for land.

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An increased demand for natural products nowadays most specifically probiotics (PROs) is evident since it comes in conjunction with beneficial health effects for consumers. In this regard, it is well known that encapsulation could positively affect the PROs' viability throughout food manufacturing and long-term storage. This paper aims to analyze and review various double/multilayer strategies for encapsulation of PROs. Double-layer encapsulation of PROs by electrohydrodynamic atomization or electrospraying technology has been reported along with layer-by-layer assembly and water-in-oil-in-water (W1/O/W2) double emulsions to produce multilayer PROs-loaded carriers. Finally, their applications in food products are presented. The resistance and viability of loaded PROs to mechanical damage, during gastrointestinal transit and shelf life of these trapping systems, are also described. The PROs encapsulation in double- and multiple-layer coatings combined with other technologies can be examined to increase the opportunities for new functional products with amended functionalities opening a novel horizon in food technology.

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Food science encounters increasing complexity and challenges, necessitating more efficient, accurate, and sensitive analytical techniques. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) emerges as a revolutionary tool, offering more molecular-level insights. This review delves into MSI's applications and challenges in food science. It introduces MSI principles and instruments such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, desorption electrospray ionization, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, highlighting their application in chemical composition analysis, variety identification, authenticity assessment, endogenous substance, exogenous contaminant and residue analysis, quality control, and process monitoring in food processing and food storage. Despite its potential, MSI faces hurdles such as the complexity and cost of instrumentation, complexity in sample preparation, limited analytical capabilities, and lack of standardization of MSI for food samples. While MSI has a wide range of applications in food analysis and can provide more comprehensive and accurate analytical results, challenges persist, demanding further research and solutions. The future development directions include miniaturization of imaging devices, high-resolution and high-speed MSI, multiomics and multimodal data fusion, as well as the application of data analysis and artificial intelligence. These findings and conclusions provide valuable references and insights for the field of food science and offer theoretical and methodological support for further research and practice in food science.

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In modern industrialized societies, the focus on healthy eating has increased significantly across multiple sectors, including the media, public policy, expert opinion, and public awareness. The aim of this research was to explore the perceptions of healthy eating and the barriers to adopting a healthy diet among undergraduate students in Human Nutrition and Dietetics (HND) and Food Science and Technology (FST) degrees in Spain. An exploratory and descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a qualitative and quantitative methodology and convenience sampling. Two focus groups and a questionnaire were utilized (300 participants from all academic years completed the survey). Differences in definitions of healthy eating and perceived barriers were found between genders and students at different stages of training (p < 0.05). In their understanding of healthy eating, the students placed importance on balance, variety, moderation, and individual factors. Although students considered it easy to follow a healthy diet, family's eating habits, time availability, and emotional states were found to be the main barriers to the implementation of healthy practices. The obtained data supports the need to critically address perceptions of healthy eating throughout the training of nutrition and food science professionals. The insights obtained on the perceived barriers highlight the importance of considering both individual and environmental factors.

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Harnessing the potential of considerable food security efforts requires the ability to translate them into commercial applications. This is particularly true for alternative protein sources and startups being on the forefront of innovation represent the latest advancements in this field.

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One third of the food produced for human consumption is currently lost or wasted. Insects have a high potential for converting organic waste- and by-products into food and feed for a growing human population due to symbiosis with microorganisms. These symbioses provide an untapped reservoir of functional microbiomes that can be used to improve industrial insect production but are poorly studied in most insect species. Here we review the most current understanding and challenges of valorizing organic waste- and by-products through insects and their microbiomes for food and feed, and emerging novel food technologies that can be used to investigate and manipulate host(insects)-microbiome interactions. We further construct a holistic framework, by integration of novel food technologies including holo-omics, genome editing, breeding, phage therapy, and administration of prebiotics and probiotics to investigate and manipulate host(insects)-microbiome interactions, and solutions for achieving stakeholder acceptance of novel food technologies for a sustainable food production.

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Considering the prevalent strain on environmental resources imparted by existing food systems, prioritizing environmental sustainability is an imperative course of action. Subsequently, the shift towards sustainable production and consumption patterns engenders an escalating demand for environmentally conscious food systems. Thus, 3D-printed food technology surfaces are a promising solution noted for their efficacy in curtailing food waste, bolstering environmental sustainability, and imparting innovative strategies to the food supply chain. Herein, we amalgamate the theory of planned behavior (TPB) framework with several variables, namely 'sensory appeal', 'food neophobia', 'perceived health risk', and 'environmental friendliness' to probe the behavioral intentions of Taiwanese university students' perceptions about 3D-printed food. Employing the snowball sampling method, 370 questionnaires were disseminated, out of which 319, constituting an effective retrieval rate of 86.2%, were deemed valid. Statistical analysis produced intriguing findings. Consumers' inclination to purchase 3D-printed food is substantially determined by their attitudes, subjective norms, sensory appeal, food neophobia, perceived health risks, and environmental friendliness. Contrary to our initial hypothesis, perceived behavioral control did not exhibit a significant impact on consumers' propensity to purchase 3D-printed food. Therefore, businesses should focus on magnifying the sensory appeal of 3D-printed food, coupled with precise nutritional labeling, to bolster consumer interest, enhance acceptance, and augment behavioral intentions. This study sheds light on the potential for the development of 3D-printed food in Taiwan, providing an indispensable reference for future endeavors in Taiwan's 3D-printed food industry.

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Oral processing refers to the series of physical, chemical, and biological processes inside the oral cavity when we consume food. This process affects the taste, quality, and nutrient absorption of the body. In the human diet, oral processing plays a crucial role because it impacts not only the food flavor and texture but also the absorption and utilization of nutrients. With the progress of science and technology and the increasing demand for food, the study of oral processing has become increasingly important. This paper reviews the history and definition of oral processing, its current state of research, and its applications in food science and technology, focusing on personalized taste customization, protein structure modification, food intake and nutrition, and bionic devices. It also analyzes the impact of oral processing on different types of food products and explores its potential in the food industry and science research.

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An effective evaluation of a bachelor's thesis (BT) needs the use of valid tools such as rubrics. There are few studies providing a validation of rubrics for these theses and even fewer in the academic field of food science and technology; hence the aim of this study was to validate a rubric for the assessment of relevant competencies in the BT. Ninety-seven students presented their thesis and 56 teachers participated as members of the committees. The degree of relevance, suitability, and clarity of the rubrics were assessed as well as the relationship between student perception and academic performance and the congruence between the teacher's and students' evaluations. The content validity index and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated. Students had a moderate level of knowledge about rubrics, but they mostly agreed with the premise that the rubrics are an accurate tool to assess the quality of BTs. Teacher's and student's marks mostly aligned. No significant relationship was found between the positive perception of rubric's validity and the final grades. Regarding clarity, suitability, and relevance as perceived by teachers, the used rubrics were highly valued. The ICC of criteria indicated that the rubrics were valid in the studied terms. Hence, the validation of a food science and technology degree BT assessment system based on a rubric has been achieved. Supporting Information PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The conclusions drawn from this research could enable teachers at other universities to use this methodology for validating their rubrics for bachelor's theses. Furthermore, they could use this validated rubric to evaluate projects presented at their respective institutions.

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Acoustic cavitation, an intriguing phenomenon resulting from the interaction of sound waves with a liquid medium, has emerged as a promising avenue in agri-food processing, offering opportunities to enhance established processes improving primary production of ingredients and further food processing. This comprehensive review provides an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms, design considerations, challenges and scale-up strategies associated with acoustic cavitation for agri-food applications. The paper starts by elucidating the fundamental principles of acoustic cavitation and its measurement, delving then into the diverse effects of different parameters associated with, the acoustic wave, mechanical design and operation of the ultrasonic system, along with those related to the food matrix. The technological advancements achieved in the design and set-up of ultrasonic reactors addressing limitations during scale up are also discussed. The design, engineering and mathematical modelling of ultrasonic equipment tailored for agri-food applications are explored, along with strategies to maximize cavitation intensity and efficiency in the application of brining, freezing, drying, emulsification, filtration and extraction. Advanced US equipment, such as multi-transducers (tubular resonator, FLOW:WAVE®) and larger processing surface areas through innovative designing (Barbell horn, CascatrodesTM), are one of the most promising strategies to ensure consistency of US operations at industrial scale. This review paper aims to provide valuable insights into harnessing acoustic cavitation's potential for up-scaling applications in food processing via critical examination of current research and advancements, while identifying future directions and opportunities for further research and innovation.

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Foodomics has become a popular methodology in food science studies. Mass spectrometry (MS) based metabolomics and proteomics analysis played indispensable roles in foodomics research. So far, several methodologies have been developed to detect the metabolites and proteins in diets and consumers, including sample preparation, MS data acquisition, annotation and interpretation. Moreover, multiomics analysis integrated metabolomics and proteomics have received considerable attentions in the field of food safety and nutrition, because of more comprehensive and deeply. In this context, we intended to review the emerging strategies and their applications in MS-based foodomics, as well as future challenges and trends. The principle and application of multiomics were also discussed, such as the optimization of data acquisition, development of analysis algorithm and exploration of systems biology.

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