Current Nutrition & Food Science - Volume 20, Issue 10, 2024

Cognition includes all phases of valid functions and processes, e.g., sensitivity, judgment, assessment, and decision-making. Thinking is also a cognitive procedure since it involves considering potential opportunities. There are various types of cognition. Hot cognition involves mental procedures where emotion plays a role, while cold cognition includes mental processes that do not include feelings or emotions. Cognitive memories of various types include sensor memory, sensing touch, smell, and sight; short-term memory allows one to recall, e.g., what one had for lunch a few days ago; working memory includes remembering telephone numbers or directions to a destination; and long-term memory comprises of major milestones in life and recalling one's childhood events. These are further classified as episodic, e.g., the first day in primary school, and semantic memories, such as recalling the capital city of a country and filling out crossword puzzles. Declarative memories include remembering significant past events, such as global information. Cognition is affected by factors, such as nutrition, aging, addiction, environment, mental health, physical activity, smoking, and keeping the brain active. Consumption of plant- based foods plays a prominent role in the prevention of cognitive memory. Playing games and instruments, reading books, and being socially active make life more satisfying, thus assisting in the preservation of mental function and slowing mental decline.

Curcumin is a naturally derived phytochemical compound obtained from the turmeric plant Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae family), which is a popular spice and food color and has been actively researched for decades. It has been shown to have a variety of pharmacological properties both in vitro and in vivo. Several investigations have shown that curcumin's metabolites contribute to its pharmacological effectiveness. Curcumin has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activity when used alone or in conjunction with conventional treatments. There are various unique and diverse pharmacological effects of curcumin against various disease conditions like diabetes, inflammation, cancer, malaria, and Alzheimer's. The in vitro and in vivo mechanisms by which curcumin exerts its pharmacological effects are reviewed. Based on data from the clinical and experimental evaluation of curcumin in animal models and human subjects, the review summarizes the pharmacological effect of curcumin and its derivatives concerning anti-tumor property, their mechanism of action, and their cellular target. The current research focuses on identifying curcumin's function in the immune system's cascade and determining the ideal effective dose (ED50). Through in-vitro and in-vivo experiments, the current study aims to comprehend and establish the role of curcumin in the healing of disease conditions.

The consumption of cereals and grains, along with whole grain food, is considered a healthy food that has various health benefits. Minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins are present in the diet of many people. Phytochemicals play an essential role in combating oxidative stress and are present in high amounts in grains. These phytochemicals are also known as secondary metabolites that are present in plants. The nutritional components of basil (Ocimum basilicum), chia (Salvia hispanica), flax (Linum usitatissimmum), Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), and oat (Avena sativa) are analyzed. Seeds are considered a good source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that have a significant impact on human health. The high amount of tocopherol (vitamin E) is due to the high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). γ-Tocopherol is an antioxidant nutrient that usually blocks the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines from nitrites present in food in the stomach. This review provides detailed information on the nutritional and health benefits of these cereals and grains, in which all the major components have been discussed. Conclusively, the potential use of these cereals and grains alone and by mixing them with other food products is also discussed which may enhance the nutritional content of the food product.

Aim: This paper examines how consumers' purchase intentions and actual purchase behavior for organic food products are related to the moderating effect of availability and its relationship with those two variables. Methods: Using structural equation modeling, a structured survey of 250 participants revealed that the three components of the theory of planned behavior-attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavior control impacted consumers' purchase intentions. Results: Findings revealed a strong correlation between purchase intention and actual purchase behavior of the consumers towards organic products. Furthermore, it identifies a few areas for future work that would benefit wholesalers, retailers, marketers, consumers, and scholars. Conclusion: Food provides indispensable nourishment, which leads to a healthy life. However, it has recently come to light that many food products have become unhealthy due to farmers' excessive use of pesticides and chemical-based fertilizers, resulting in several illnesses. Currently, it has been observed that many consumers are attracted to organic food that is healthy, tasty, and free from chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers. To increase the study's accuracy and utility, further research might be done on additional aspects, such as significant price premiums, a lack of knowledge, confidence in organic certification programs, and quality.

Lung cancer has emerged as one of the most often reported illnesses and leading causes of mortality worldwide. Inefficient, lack of safety, low therapeutic index, unpleasant effects, and excessive cost have led to a loss of trust in synthetic medications, limiting their use. Natural compounds have good anticancer potential without unwanted toxic effects. Among them, flavonoids are the most important compounds. Flavonoids are polyphenolic chemical compounds abundant in fruits and vegetables and are essential in preventing lung cancer. Their potent anticancer effects are said to be based on a wide range of biological actions, such as antioxidants, anti-mutagenesis, anti-inflammation, and differentiation induction, preventing cancer cell proliferation through regulating signal transduction pathways, triggering cell cycle arrest, and activating apoptosis or autophagy; anti-invasion; anti-metastasis, altering cancer cell drug resistance and increasing sensitization to chemotherapy. This review illustrates the most recent advancements in flavonoids in lung cancer and their associated molecular mechanisms using information from scientific research studies like in vitro and in vivo clinical trials. It takes these data into theory and practice.

The novel Coronavirus has brought global mortality, disruption, and a significant loss of life. A compromised immune system is a known risk factor for all viral influenza infections. Due to the perceived “immune-boosting” properties of nutraceutical products, sales of dietary supplements have grown globally. In recent years, consumers have increasingly demanded nutraceutical products rather than curative synthetic medicines for preventive therapies for the coronavirus disease outbreak of 2019 (COVID-19). Healthy foods and nutraceuticals have become daily diet plans for consumers. Although there has been an increase in demand, there is no such regulation and harmonized process, which stands as a barrier to the approval of these products. Therefore, many misbranded and spurious products are entering the market, which may harm consumers. This article focuses on the role of functional foods and nutraceutical in the management of COVID-19 also focuses on the different nutraceutical regulations in each country and compare the similarities and differences of the following countries: India, the USA (United States of America), the EU (European Union), and China. The comparative study of nutraceutical regulations in India, the USA, Europe, and China shows that there is a difference regarding the nutraceutical regulations; however, despite the differences, it is observed that it has the same underlying objective, i.e., ensuring the safety of the consumers by maintaining the product quality.

Background: Air pollution has been linked with gut microbiota dysbiosis. Ingested environmental pollutants may alter gut microbiota compositions by changing the environment of the gut. Gut microbiota dysbiosis has been observed in children with asthma, linking the possible role of gut microbiota with systemic immune response and asthma. Methods: This paper aims to identify current science on how prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics can improve gut microbiota dysbiosis. Results: We reviewed the existing literature related to the role of pre-, pro-, and synbiotics in child health, and the evidence mapping method was chosen as the rapid review to identify gaps in knowledge and future research needs. Conclusion: In conclusion, the current evidence on the role of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics on child health, while limited, showed promising results on the allergy and immunology pathway, including infection prevention for the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract.

Background: RASFF notifications serve to determine the hazards responsible for food and feed. In case of determining risks to human health, the information provided to member countries via the rapid alarm system at the same time warned us to take the necessary measures. Objectives: In this research, the RASFF portal alerts over the last three years related to aflatoxins in hazelnut, fig, and peanut products were examined. The impact of image processing technologies on lowering the danger of aflatoxins in shelled hazelnuts and dried figs was also investigated, as well as Critical Control Points (CCPs) on aflatoxin hazard. Methods: The RASFF database was used in the RASFF Window portal and analyzed for aflatoxin alerts. ISO 22000:2018 was used for hazard and risk analysis for raw hazelnut, peanut, and fig products. Aflatoxin analyses were performed according to the AOAC 2000/991.31 method. Prior to and after hazelnut sorting methods, levels of aflatoxin were measured. Besides, aflatoxin contamination in peanuts harvesting in 2023 years from three local producers in Turkey was studied. Results: The number of RASFF notifications for hazelnuts, peanuts/groundnuts, dried figs, and their products for the period of 03/01/2020 to 01/06/2023 were 84, 283 and 173, respectively. As a result of HACCP implementation, especially for aflatoxin hazard management, optical-laser-manual sorting and aflatoxin detection using UV light stages are accepted as CCPs. When nuts were sorted using optical and laser systems were detected decreasing total aflatoxin levels. The mean value of Aflatoxin B1(AFB1) and total aflatoxins were reduced from 7.80±1.08 and 13.56±1.06 to 3.63±0.39 and 7.21±0.71, respectively. 79.16% of all sorted samples were found to comply with legal limits. Investigated peanut samples for aflatoxin B1 contents were found between 5.63 and 27.75 μg kg^-1 in 19.5%. Conclusion: The alerts based on aflatoxin contamination above legal limits have been carried on for nuts and dried figs. The physical sorting methods using optical selection and high-resolution laser sensor systems aflatoxin-contaminated nuts from healthy nuts applied for in-shell Turkish nut sorting were able to assess the quality of the batch studied, and the systems were assigned significantly effective to reduce aflatoxin contents. Food business operators in Turkey, which is among the countries exporting agricultural and food products to the European Union (EU), have tended to prefer the most advanced technologies. Efficacies of reduction of aflatoxin by different physical and other (such as imaging, X-ray and acoustic, audio signals and hyperspectral images of moldy natural nuts etc.) methods will be developed in the near future.

Background: Wallace melon has a powerful, pleasant aroma when ripe. However, little is understood about the aroma profile and the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) biosynthesis during ripening. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the metabolome and transcriptome of Wallace melon to study the mechanism underlying its aroma formation systematically. Methods: HS-SPME/GC-MS and RNA-Seq were used to analyze the VOCs and associated genes of Wallace melon from three developmental stages (i.e., green, transition, and yellow stages). Results: The aroma profiles included 47 VOCs, which were in connection with 35 genes. Yellow- stage fruits are more aromatic than the melons in the transition and green stages, producing higher concentrations of total VOCs (2994.36 ng/g), with ethyl acetate (543.16 ng/g) being the most abundant compound. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the biosynthesis of VOCs was mainly related to fatty acid and amino acid metabolisms. Moreover, the lipoxygenase-1 (MELO3C014482.2), alcohol dehydrogenase-2 (MELO3C017100.2), 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase-3 (MELO3C010941.2), and hydroperoxide dehydratase (MELO3C018412.2) genes were closely related to alcohols/esters through correlation analysis. Conclusion: The information generated will deepen the understanding of Wallace melon storage quality and guide melon product development.