Whole Wheat Crackers Fortified with Mixed Shrimp Oil and Tea Seed Oil Microcapsules Prepared from Mung Bean Protein Isolate and Sodium Alginate

Recent Advances in Astaxanthin as an Antioxidant in Food Applications

In recent years, astaxanthin as a natural substance has received widespread attention for its potential to replace traditional synthetic antioxidants and because its antioxidant activity exceeds that of similar substances. Based on this, this review introduces the specific forms of astaxanthin currently used as an antioxidant in foods, both in its naturally occurring forms and in artificially added forms involving technologies such as emulsion, microcapsule, film, nano liposome and nano particle, aiming to improve its stability, dispersion and bioavailability in complex food systems. In addition, research progress on the application of astaxanthin in various food products, such as whole grains, seafood and poultry products, is summarized. In view of the characteristics of astaxanthin, such as insolubility in water and sensitivity to light, heat, oxygen and humidity, the main research trends of astaxanthin-loaded systems with high encapsulation efficiency, good stability, good taste masking effect and cost-effectiveness are also pointed out. Finally, the possible sensory effects of adding astaxanthin to food aresummarized, providing theoretical support for the development of astaxanthin-related food.

Advances in protein-based microcapsules and their applications: A review

Due to their excellent emulsification, biocompatibility, and biological activity, proteins are widely used as microcapsule wall materials for encapsulating drugs, natural bioactive substances, essential oils, probiotics, etc. In this review, we summarize the protein-based microcapsules, discussing the types of proteins utilized in microcapsule wall materials, the preparation process, and the main factors that influence their properties. Additionally, we conclude with examples of the vital role of protein-based microcapsules in advancing the food industry from primary processing to deep processing and their potential applications in the biomedical, chemical, and textile industries. However, the low stability and controllability of protein wall materials lead to degraded performance and quality of microcapsules. Protein complexes with polysaccharides or modifications to proteins are often used to improve the thermal instability, pH sensitivity, encapsulation efficiency and antioxidant capacity of microcapsules. In addition, factors such as wall material composition, wall material ratio, the ratio of core to wall material, pH, and preparation method all play critical roles in the preparation and performance of microcapsules. The application area and scope of protein-based microcapsules can be further expanded by optimizing the preparation process and studying the microcapsule release mechanism and control strategy.

Mung bean protein as an emerging source of plant protein: a review on production methods, functional properties, modifications and its potential applications

Plant protein is rapidly becoming more of a prime interest to consumers for its nutritional and functional properties, as well as the potential to replace animal protein. In the frame of alternative protein new sources, mung bean is becoming another legume crop that could provide high quality plant protein after soybean and pea. In particular, the 8S globulins in mung bean protein have high structural similarity and homology with soybean β-conglycinin (7S globulin), with 68% sequence identity. Currently, mung bean protein has gained popularity in food industry because of its high nutritional value and peculiar functional properties. In that regard, various modification technologies have been applied to further broaden its application. Here, we provide a review of the composition, nutritional value, production methods, functional properties and modification technologies of mung bean protein. Furthermore, its potential applications in the new plant-based products, meat products, noodles, edible packaging films and bioactive compound carriers are highlighted to facilitate its utilization as an alternative plant protein, thus meeting consumer demands for high quality plant protein resources. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

A comprehensive review of mung bean proteins: Extraction, characterization, biological potential, techno-functional properties, modifications, and applications

The popularity of plant-based proteins has increased, and mung bean protein (MBP) has gained immense attention due to its high yield, nutritional value, and health benefits. MBP is rich in lysine and has a highly digestible indispensable amino acid score. Dry and wet extractions are used to extract MBP flours and concentrates/isolates, respectively. To enhance the quality of commercial MBP flours, further research is needed to refine the purity of MBPs using dry extraction methods. Furthermore, MBP possesses various biological potential and techno-functional properties, but its use in food systems is limited by some poor functionalities, such as solubility. Physical, biological, and chemical technologies have been used to improve the techno-functional properties of MBP, which has expanded its applications in traditional foods and novel fields, such as microencapsulation, three-dimensional printing, meat analogs, and protein-based films. However, study on each modification technique remains inadequate. Future research should prioritize exploring the impact of these modifications on the biological potential of MBP and its internal mechanisms of action. This review aims to provide ideas and references for future research and the development of MBP processing technology.

Emerging plant proteins as nanocarriers of bioactive compounds

The high prevalence of chronic illnesses, including cancer, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases has become a growing concern for modern society. Recently, various bioactive compounds (bioactives) are shown to have a diversity of health-beneficial impacts on a wide range of disorders. But the application of these bioactives in food and pharmaceutical formulations is limited due to their poor water solubility and low bioaccessibility/bioavailability. Plant proteins are green alternatives for designing biopolymeric nanoparticles as appropriate nanocarriers thanks to their amphiphilic nature compatible with many bioactives and unique functional properties. Recently, emerging plant proteins (EPPs) are employed as nanocarriers for protection and targeted delivery of bioactives and also improving their stability and shelf-life. EPPs could enhance the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of bioactives by different types of delivery systems. In addition, the use of EPPs in combination with other biopolymers like polysaccharides was found to make a favorable wall material for food bioactives. This review article covers the various sources and importance of EPPs along with different encapsulation techniques of bioactives. Characterization of EPPs for encapsulation is also investigated. Furthermore, the focus is on the application of EPPs as nanocarriers for food bioactives.

Efficient Utilization of Tea Resources through Encapsulation: Dual Perspectives from Core Material to Wall Material

With the high production and consumption of tea around the world, efficient utilization of tea byproducts (tea pruning, tea residues after production, and drinking) is the focus of improving the economy of the tea industry. This review comprehensively discusses the efficient utilization of tea resources by encapsulation from the dual perspectives of core material and wall material. The core material is mainly tea polyphenols, followed by tea oils. The encapsulation system for tea polyphenols includes microcapsules, nanoparticles, emulsions, gels, conjugates, metal-organic frameworks, liposomes, and nanofibers. In addition, it is also diversified for the encapsulation of tea oils. Tea resources as wall materials refer to tea saponins, tea polyphenols, tea proteins, and tea polysaccharides. The application of the tea-based delivery system widely involves functionally fortified food, meat preservation, film, medical treatment, wastewater treatment, and plant protection. In the future, the coencapsulation of tea resources as core materials and other functional ingredients, the precise targeting of these tea resources, and the wide application of tea resources in wall materials need to be focused on. In conclusion, the described technofunctional properties and future research challenges in this review should be followed.

Microcapsules of Shrimp Oil Using Kidney Bean Protein Isolate and κ-Carrageenan as Wall Materials with the Aid of Ultrasonication or High-Pressure Microfluidization: Characteristics and Oxidative Stability

Emulsions containing shrimp oil (SO) at varying amounts were prepared in the presence of red kidney bean protein isolate (KBPI) and κ-carrageenan (KC) at a ratio of 1:0.1 (w/w). The emulsions were subjected to ultrasonication and high-pressure microfluidization to assist the encapsulation process. For each sample, ultrasonication was carried out for 15 min in continuous mode at 80% amplitude, whereas high-pressure microfluidization was operated at 7000 psi for 10 min. Ultrasonicated and microfluidized emulsions were finally spray-dried to prepare KBPI-KC-SO microcapsules. Moderate to high encapsulation efficiency (EE) ranging from 43.99 to 89.25% of SO in KPBI-KC-SO microcapsules was obtained and the microcapsules had good flowability. Particle size, PDI and zeta potential of KBPI-KC-SO microcapsules were 2.58–6.41 µm, 0.32–0.40 and −35.95–−58.77 mV, respectively. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images visually demonstrated that the wall material/SO ratio and the emulsification method (ultrasonication vs microfluidization) had an impact on the size, shape and surface of the KBPI-KC-SO microcapsules. Encapsulation of SO in microcapsules was validated empirically using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. Encapsulation of SO in KBPI-KC microcapsules imparted superior protection against oxidative deterioration of SO as witnessed by the higher retention of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and astaxanthin when compared to unencapsulated SO during extended storage at room temperature.