National nutrition policies play a pivotal role in promoting healthier dietary choices and reducing the consumption of unhealthy foods, thereby contributing to improved public health outcomes. Understanding their scope and implementation is essential for guiding regional health policies and strategies to improve food systems. We conducted a scoping review to map national-level nutrition policies, legislation, and regulatory instruments related to food production, labeling, marketing, pricing, and consumption across 31 European countries. We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, FAOLEX, Google, and the Global Database on the Implementation of Food and Nutrition Action for records published between 2014 and 2024. Policy actions were categorized according to the NOURISHING framework. Out of 6,299 screened records, we identified 379 national food and nutrition policy actions. Finland, France, Spain, and Sweden showed the broadest domain coverage, with policy actions identified in nine or more of the 10 NOURISHING policy areas, whereas Cyprus, Poland, and Latvia showed limited coverage, with five or fewer areas represented. The most regulated domain was food supply chain governance (32%), followed by nutritional quality of the whole food supply (19%) and labeling (15%). In contrast, the integration of nutrition services in healthcare settings (1%), and the use of economic incentives (1%), were underrepresented. European countries showed marked variation in the adoption of nutrition policies. While progress has been made in food safety and information provision, significant gaps remain in behavior-shaping policies. These disparities may reinforce existing health inequalities. Coordinated EU-level strategies, stronger enforcement mechanisms, and broader uptake of evidence-based interventions are needed to support a more equitable and effective transformation of food systems across the region.
The food industry faces numerous challenges, including ensuring food safety, managing supply chain disruptions, meeting changing consumer demands, addressing climate change impacts, and reducing food waste. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers innovative solutions to these issues through applications like predictive analytics, real-time quality control, and intelligent supply chain management. This review explores the role of AI in optimizing food production processes, enhancing food safety, and personalizing dietary recommendations, while addressing ethical considerations and challenges in implementation. By analysing recent literature and case studies, this study highlights AI's potential to revolutionize food technology and processing, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable food system. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-026-06728-2.
Food insecurity and child mental health difficulties frequently intersect, yet the mechanisms and pathways connecting them remain underexplored in resource-limited settings. This study developed a contextually grounded explanatory model to examine these relationships within a single rural Ugandan setting. We conducted 12 focus group discussions with 36 teachers across four schools in Masaka district, drawing on their sustained observations of children's food insecurity and mental health difficulties across a nine-month timeframe. Data were analysed using realist thematic analysis, supported by iterative coding, nine consensus meetings and member checking. Three interrelated pathways were identified. In the social causation pathway, food insecurity, manifested through hunger-related stress, food-related stigma and irregular or inadequate meals, preceded and contributed to mental health difficulties. In the social drift pathway, preexisting mental health difficulties among caregivers and/or children disrupted household functioning and food provision, increasing vulnerability to food insecurity. A bidirectional pathway captured recursive processes in which food insecurity and mental health difficulties co-evolved and reinforced one another over time. These pathways shaped children's mental health and educational engagement within school environments. The findings offer context-specific insights that may inform research in similar settings. They also highlight the potential value of integrated, multi-level interventions, while underscoring the need for longitudinal and intervention research.
Artificial intelligence (AI) can offer individualized dietary guidance based on multimodal data collected from various sources, including wearable sensors, high-dimensional multiomics and biomarker analyses, behavioral tracking, and self-reported dietary intake, enabling the emergence of precision nutrition. However, the predictive power and fairness of these models rely on the quality of the data inputs, and measurement errors in any of these underlying data streams can introduce systematic bias, degrade model performance, and disproportionately affect underserved populations. In this review, we examine the central role played by measurement error in AI-driven nutrition tools and evaluate statistical and machine learning approaches for mitigating the impacts of measurement error. We provide structured comparisons exploring both classical methods (e.g., regression calibration, Bayesian models) and emerging AI strategies (e.g., denoising autoencoders, multitask learning, uncertainty-aware deep learning) for correcting biased inputs. We also explore how uncorrected measurement error can perpetuate demographic biases, compromise efforts toward personalized medicine, and exacerbate equity gaps when models are deployed in real-world settings. Our review draws upon evidence across nutrition science, digital health, and algorithmic fairness. We propose a framework and offer actionable strategies for overcoming measurement error that can be implemented by researchers, developers, and regulators working at the intersection of data science and dietary health and seeking to build calibration-aware, inclusive precision nutrition systems.
Periodontitis affects over 80% of dogs over 3 years of age, progressing irreversibly from gingivitis due to an imbalance in the subgingival microbial community that triggers an immune response. Early diagnosis of gingivitis is challenging, often relying on visible redness or bleeding noticed by pet owners or professionals. Therefore, an easy-to-interpret, clinically relevant, and responsive measurement tool based on the subgingival microbiome is needed to facilitate early diagnosis of oral health issues. We developed the Canine Tooth Microbiome Gingival Index (CTMGI), a single-score metric derived from subgingival plaque microbiome data and machine learning models, and validated its responsiveness via nutritional intervention. We collected subgingival plaque microbiome profiles from 692 tooth samples of 347 dogs, generated through 16S amplicon sequencing. For the machine learning models, the tooth gingivitis scores were dichotomized into healthy (gingivitis score <3) and unhealthy (gingivitis score ≥3), along with other clinical scores such as tooth recession, pocket depth, and attachment loss. The raw data were split into training and test sets, and five distinct machine learning models were employed to identify features that distinguish healthy from gingivitis sites. The two top-performing models-random forest and logistic regression-yielded 22 unique features. These 22 features included the sum of early and late colonizers, the phyla actinobacteria and proteobacteria, and other bacterial species. The CTMGI was derived from the 22 features, categorized as "positive" or "negative" based on their influence on gingivitis. The CTMGI classification cutoff score was set at -0.12 with a Receiver Operating Characteristics-Area Under the Curve (ROC-AUC) of 0.761, a sensitivity of 0.701, and a specificity of 0.752. A score greater than -0.12 was found to indicate a "healthy" gingival condition; otherwise, it indicated "unhealthy." Furthermore, we conducted a nutritional intervention study to validate the responsiveness of the CTMGI, in which the test food, which has documented oral health benefits, resulted in a significantly higher CTMGI score (1.32) compared to the control food, which offers no oral health benefits (0.66). Overall, this study developed and validated a quantitative, single-score, microbiome-based metric that is clinically translatable for the assessment of early-stage canine gingival health. Furthermore, its demonstrated responsiveness to nutritional intervention suggests that this index can serve as a prognostic measure.
Asaigermanium is a water-soluble organogermanium compound created by Kazuhiko Asai and colleagues in 1967. It was first researched and developed decades ago as a pharmaceutical product, but it is now used as a raw material for food supplements and cosmetics. After more than 50 years of research and development, the physiological activities of Asaigermanium have been investigated, and the effects of Asaigermanium have been evaluated in multiple toxicological studies. However, because of the health hazards of inorganic germanium (germanium dioxide and lactic acid/citric acid-germanium, also known as the germanium-citrate-lactate complex), there have been false reports that all organogermanium compounds may be as harmful to health as inorganic germanium is. Therefore, in this review, in addition to providing an outline of the test data that have verified the safety of Asaigermanium thus far, we introduce the results from many recent toxicological studies. In addition, we describe the registered certification of Asaigermanium in the In-House Safety Association of Health Foods of the Japan Health and Nutrition Food Association, which is a third-party registration framework for the voluntary safety inspection of health food ingredients in Japan.
Probiotic lactic acid bacteria derived from agro-food sources play a pivotal role in promoting human health and advancing functional food development, however the genomic determinants underlying their adaptive versatility and probiotic functionality remain insufficiently characterized. The current study employs a comparative genomics framework to evaluate the genetic diversity, metabolic plasticity, and evolutionary trajectories of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (HMX2 and NMGL2) and Pediococcus acidilactici (BCB1H), aiming to elucidate the molecular determinants and functional mechanisms governing their probiotic efficacy. Various genomic analysis, including whole genome sequencing, genome annotation, average nucleotide identity (ANI), and Pan Genome analysis, was performed to assess the mechanism of adaptations and genomic variations. NMGL2 exhibited the largest genome of 3.46 Mb among these strains, while having a total of 3,402 genes together with plasmids, which enhanced metabolic flexibility. A total of 59 genes were found which are likely linked with the functions of probiotic-related traits such as adhesion, immune modulation, and stress response. Although 59 genes were identified to be linked to probiotic characteristics like adhesion, immunomodulation, and stress resistance, the identified genomic features reflect the potential functionality and do not necessarily result in phenotypes. The effectiveness of a probiotic is assessed based on more than just the availability of these genes; their regulation and expression are crucial. L. plantarum HMX2 and NMGL2 are found to be the same species but differ slightly at the genetic level, as indicated by the ANI between the two bacteria, which stands at 99.80%. On the other hand, the ANI between P. acidilactici BCB1H and L. plantarum is only around 68%, which is way less than 95% and thus indicates that they are not of different species. This shows that the two genera diverged at an early stage in their evolutionary path. Through Pan-Genome analysis, gene clusters were identified for varying levels of adaptability. The genetic features of L. plantarum NMGL2 suggest potential adaptability for industrial and probiotic use, though these predictions require experimental validation. The combined studies on transcriptomics and metablomics are required for the validation of functional potential in the genomics of these studies.
Freeze-dried food is widely used during space expeditions or flights. However, evidence on how this affects the gut microbiota is limited. This study aimed to assess changes in the composition of gut microbiota in volunteers subjected to a 14-day stay in a controlled space-analogue habitat. Five adults provided stool samples at baseline and after two weeks. Meals were freeze-dried and standardized for portion size and composition. Meals were served according to a daily schedule with no additional snacks allowed. Coffee and tea were permitted. Compliance was monitored by returning and verifying the packaging. Bacterial community profiles were assessed using shallow shotgun metagenomics and analyzed using paired statistical methods, including alpha diversity indices and beta diversity ordination with permutation-based testing. Differential abundance analyses were performed to identify taxa showing trends toward change during the intervention. Overall gut bacterial diversity and community structure were essentially stable over 14 days among all participants. No statistically significant changes in alpha diversity were observed, and global beta diversity patterns did not indicate a consistent separation of the entire community between baseline and day 14. Exploratory analyses suggested small changes within individuals in the relative abundance of selected taxa; however, inter-individual variability prevailed, and the small sample size limited statistical power. It appears that a diet consisting entirely of freeze-dried foods, consumed for 14 days, did not significantly affect the overall diversity of the gut microbiota or the structure of its communities. However, these studies are preliminary in nature and provide hypotheses for use in larger, controlled studies aimed at elucidating the microbiome's response to dietary regimens based on freeze-dried products.
Developing high-performance biopackaging is crucial for mitigating plastic pollution and advancing a sustainable circular economy. Guided by a supramolecular design strategy, this work presented a novel, mechanically strong, and bioactive gelatin-based composite plastic film constructed by sequentially incorporating carboxylated cellulose nanofibers (CCNF), gallic acid (GA), and Al3+, forming a multicross-linked network. The rigid CCNF phase drastically enhanced surface hydrophobicity (water contact angle: 113.9°). GA incorporation achieved near-complete DPPH/ABTS+ free radical scavenging (∼100%), validated by practical blueberry preservation, and increased elongation at break by 384%, indicating a brittle-to-ductile transition. Subsequent Al3+ coordination further strengthened the composite film, yielding a tensile strength of 28.7 MPa and a Young's modulus of 828 MPa. The final multicross-linked film (GCGAF) exhibited excellent thermal stability, robust gas barrier properties, notable antibacterial activity, and favorable biodegradability. This work provides an effective strategy for fabricating high-performance gelatin-based supramolecular plastics with balanced and superior properties for practical packaging applications.
Evidence on selenium status and cognitive performance in university populations remains limited. We examined dietary intake and serum selenium concentration, and their associations with cognitive performance in Spanish university students. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 132 students aged 18-29 years. Participants completed a dietary record to estimate selenium intake. Cognitive performance was assessed using the WAIS-IV, including the Total Intelligence Quotient (mean TIQ = 90) and its cognitive indices. Serum selenium status was classified according to a reference adequacy threshold of 80 μg/L. Associations between selenium status and cognitive outcomes were evaluated using Spearman correlations and linear regression models. The 53.5% of female and 16.4% of male fell below the reference serum value. Students with TIQ < 90 had lower serum selenium than those with TIQ ≥ 90 (84.9 ± 16.9 vs. 93.3 ± 21.4 μg/L). Serum selenium was positively correlated with TIQ, Verbal Comprehension index "VCI" and Working Memory "WMI." Dietary selenium intake correlated with VCI. In adjusted models, male sex and higher energy intake were positively associated with TIQ, whereas selenium intake showed an inverse association with TIQ (β = -0.067 points/μg/day) and Perceptual Reasoning Index "PRI" (β = -0.129 points/μg/day), and was not independently associated with VCI, WMI, or Processing Speed Index "PSI." Selenium intake and serum selenium were associated with cognitive outcomes in unadjusted analyses, while adjusted models suggested a more complex relationship. A substantial proportion of female exhibited low serum selenium levels, underscoring the importance of monitoring selenium status in young adults and warranting confirmation in longitudinal studies.
This study investigated the anti-oxidant properties, starch composition, pasting behavior, structural properties, textural properties and non-targeted metabolomic profiles of pigmented and non-pigmented rice landraces as potential next-generation functional food ingredients. Pigmented rice demonstrated 1.34 times more anti-oxidant activity as compared to non-pigmented rice. Pigmented landraces showcased superior nutritional and functional attributes, including higher total dietary fiber and starch content. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed distinct molecular signatures with enhanced peak transmittance, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated greater crystallinity ranging from 36-44.3% in pigmented rice compared with 30-40% in non-pigmented rice, suggesting improved digestibility and processing versatility. Pigmented rice recorded less amylose content hence tended to possess increased adhesiveness values whereas non-pigmented rice revealed greater amylose content hence was coupled with greater hardness values. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images revealed that pigmented rice had densely packed and polygonal starch granules whereas non-pigmented rice had loosely packed starch granules with intergranular voids. Untargeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling identified 84 metabolites, including unique compounds such as 3,3-dimethylbutanol and ethanoic acid, along with shared metabolites such as sucrose and linoleic acid, highlighting notable biochemical diversity. Multivariate statistical analyses using principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway mapping further differentiated the metabolomic landscapes, with variable importance in the projection (VIP) scores identifying key bioactive contributors. Pigmented rice landraces exhibited significant functional and nutritional advantages, making them promising candidates for functional food development and nutritional improvement programs. These findings support their potential role in advancing sustainable and health-oriented food systems. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
Hemodialysis (HD) patients experience high morbidity due to metabolic acidosis and malnutrition. Dietary acid load (DAL), largely determined by protein source, is a key modifiable factor in acid-base balance. However, the relationship between protein source substitutions and DAL, considering nutritional status, remains unclear. We investigated associations between exchanging dietary protein sources and DAL in HD patients. This multicenter cross-sectional study enrolled 307 maintenance HD patients. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and serum albumin was measured from blood samples. Isocaloric substitutions of 1 g/day protein from one source for another were evaluated using generalized linear models with simultaneous inclusion of both protein sources, adjusted for total energy intake and relevant confounders. Isocaloric substitution of red/processed meat with dairy, legume, or nut protein was significantly associated with increased odds of higher DAL. Conversely, replacing dairy protein with red/processed or white meat, as well as exchanging legume or nut protein for red/processed or white meat, was associated with reduced odds of higher DAL. These associations were markedly modified by nutritional status assessed by serum albumin. In patients with lower albumin levels (< 3.83 g/dL), substitutions involving red/processed meat replacement with plant-based proteins showed stronger associations with Potential renal acid load (PRAL), an estimate of the renal acid excretory requirement imposed by diet, with the most pronounced protective association observed when nut protein was replaced with red/processed meat. In patients with higher albumin levels (≥ 3.84 g/dL), replacement of white protein with dairy, legume, or nut protein uniformly increased PRAL odds, while substituting legume or nut protein with red/processed or white meat consistently exerted a protective association against elevated dietary acid load. Protein source substitutions are independently associated with DAL in hemodialysis patients, with effect directions and magnitudes varying by specific food combinations and substantially modified by nutritional status. These findings support personalized dietary strategies integrating both protein source selection and individual patient characteristics for optimized acid-base management in this high-risk population.
Tea proteins from tea-processing by-products are sustainable resources, but their application is constrained by poor solubility and functionality. This review highlights interfacial engineering as a key strategy to improve tea protein performance and establishes a framework linking molecular structure, interfacial behavior, and functionality. The characteristics of tea residue protein and tea seed protein are first summarized in terms of source, composition, and interfacial properties. Modification strategies are then discussed from physical, chemical, biological, and combined perspectives. Representative applications include functional stabilizers for plant-based foods and edible packaging, precursors of bioactive peptides, and colloidal particles for Pickering emulsions and structured foods. Industrialization challenges, including scalability, safety, sensory quality, and regulatory issues, are critically evaluated. Future directions focus on rational modification, targeted nutrition, advanced food systems, and sustainable biomaterials, highlighting tea proteins as multifunctional ingredients for circular food systems.
Accurately assessing dietary intake in children and adolescents is essential for understanding dietary patterns and informing public health strategies. In Latin America, rapid nutrition transitions and increasing childhood obesity highlight the need for culturally appropriate, validated dietary assessment tools (DATs). However, methodological challenges and limited regional data hinder effective dietary surveillance. This scoping review identified and characterised DATs used among children and adolescents (5-18 years) in Latin America, examining tool types, features, validation and regional coverage. Following Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, comprehensive searches were conducted in EMBASE, Web of Science, PubMed, and LILACS (April 2024) in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Eligible studies included original research developing, validating, or applying DATs in Latin American populations. Of 13,946 records screened, 105 reports met the inclusion criteria. Brazil and Mexico contributed the most studies, while six countries (Paraguay, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, and Belize) had none. Forty-three DATs were identified, 77% of which were food frequency questionnaires (FFQs). Half targeted adolescents, 39% children, and 11% both groups. Most were interviewer-administered (58%) and applied in person (49%), with only 19% conducted online, reflecting regional digital limitations. Validation was reported for 70% of tools, primarily against 24 HR. The DAT landscape in Latin America remains dominated by FFQs and traditional administration methods, with limited use of digital platforms. Developing age-appropriate, validated and culturally adapted digital DATs is essential to strengthen dietary surveillance and guide effective nutrition policies across the region.
Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Roem.& Schult.) T.D. Penn, also popularly known as 'quixabeira', is a medicinal species characterized by thorny deciduous vegetation, a short trunk, whitish flowers with a sweet aroma, glabrous leaves, and succulent fruits with seeds. The objectives of this review were to compile and evaluate the literature on quixabeira published over the last fifteen years and to explore the potential applications of each part of the tree. The results of these studies are promising. Studies have shown that the chemical composition of S. obtusifolium extracts varies depending on the plant part and the solvent used, with maceration and immersion being the most common techniques, especially for leaves. Methanol and ethanol are the most commonly used solvents to identify compounds such as phenolics, saponins, terpenoids, alkaloids, and glycolipids. The biological activity of the polyphenols present in the leaf extracts demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antinociceptive, and antimicrobial properties in vitro. In the fruits, extraction is still limited. However, it allows for the identification of carotenoids (47.21 μg/g of β-carotene), flavonoids (55.99 mg of quercetin/100 g), and anthocyanins (58.68 mg/100 g), all of which have nutritional and technological potential. Ethnopharmacological studies indicate that the species is recognized by rural communities, which utilize various parts of the plant for food, medicinal, veterinary, technological, and construction purposes. However, further studies on physicochemical, nutritional, toxicological, and pharmacological composition are needed to ensure safety and validate its biological properties.
Broccoli is a nutrient-dense vegetable rich in phytochemicals. However, it is highly perishable due to its high respiration rate and ethylene sensitivity, leading to rapid yellowing and nutrient loss. Maintaining both visual appearance and nutritional integrity remains a major challenge in the postharvest supply chain. This review comprehensively summarizes the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms involved in postharvest senescence of broccoli, focusing on chlorophyll catabolism, oxidative stress, and glucosinolate metabolism. It critically evaluates recent progress in preservation technologies, emphasizing their underlying regulatory mechanisms and impacts on quality attributes. Visual and nutritional decline in broccoli are mechanistically interconnected rather than parallel processes. Senescence drivers, including ethylene and phytohormone crosstalk, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS), promote chlorophyll degradation by regulating chlorophyll catabolic enzymes (CCEs) and chlorophyll-degradation peroxidase (Chl-POX) and impairing chloroplast integrity via lipid peroxidation. They also disrupt cellular integrity, allowing glucosinolates to contact degrading enzymes and accelerate their degradation. Meanwhile, hormone crosstalk regulates glucosinolate metabolic genes, resulting in decreased glucosinolate content. Based on these insights, postharvest strategies can delay senescence and preserve quality by targeting these drivers, such as by inhibiting ethylene action, enhancing antioxidant systems, and regulating hormone crosstalk. Overall, this review highlights promising technologies to maintain the green color and nutritional value of broccoli, ensuring high-quality and residue-free produce.
The illicit use of formaldehyde (FA) as a preservative in aquatic products poses grave public health risks due to its proven carcinogenicity. While gold-standard techniques like HPLC offer high precision, their implementation in real-time surveillance is hindered by labor-intensive pre-treatment and reliance on expensive instrumentation, necessitating intelligent, non-destructive sensing platforms. We present Res-Reg, a novel image-to-value deep regression framework optimized for rapid FA quantification. The sensing paradigm integrates the high specificity of the Hantzsch chromogenic reaction with digital microscopic imaging, employing a residual-based backbone and a specialized regression head for multi-layer feature aggregation. To enhance environmental robustness against matrix interference, the training dataset was augmented with Gaussian blur kernels. Systematic evaluation on 1,548 microscopic images demonstrated that Res-Reg achieved an MAE of 0.0027, MSE of 0.0028, and GM of 0.0002, significantly outperforming traditional CNN-based models by maintaining superior sensitivity in low-concentration intervals where optical signals are often obscured by turbidity. Res-Reg effectively bridges the gap between microscopic optical signatures and precise chemical concentration without complex purification. This modular and scalable technology supports the digital transformation of food quality control, providing a potent solution for proactive safety surveillance and the preservation of global nutritional standards in the Food Industry 4.0 era.
The increased demand for the development of healthy snack items is observed worldwide. Chips are the most widely consumed snack, enjoyed by individuals of all ages throughout the year. Regarding the issue, the objective of the study was to replace existing snacks with some healthier options by using different concentration levels (0-10%) of Moringa oleifera leaves to develop tortilla chips and to evaluate their physical, nutritional, textural, and antioxidant activity. With increased concentration levels of Moringa oleifera leave powder (MLP) the protein content increased along with antioxidant activity and calcium content as compared to the control sample. The hardness also increased as the incorporation of MLP levels increased. Tortilla chips incorporated with MLP were obtained to have a greener color as obtained from L*, a*, and b* values. All the formulations were fried at three different time-temperature combinations (160, 170, 180ºC temperature and 40, 60, and 80 s time) to optimize the process parameters for frying conditions for the development of MLP-based tortilla chips. Overall, the addition of MLP could be a good alternative to a healthy choice of chips with better nutritional characteristics. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-025-06274-3.
Polysaccharide based edible films often exhibit high brittleness and poor extensibility, limiting their widespread application in food preservation. To address these limitations, plasticizer-free polysaccharide-protein composite films were fabricated from xylanase hydrolyzed flaxseed gum (EFG) and citric acid modified soybean protein isolate (ASPI). This approach aimed to concurrently enhance the flexibility, structural stability, and preservation performance of the target films. Structural characterization using FTIR and SEM confirmed the formation of a compact three-dimensional network driven by changed intermolecular hydrogen bonding, evidenced by a shift of the OH stretching band to 3430 cm-1. The FSF matrices exhibited notable bioactivity, showing strong antioxidant capacity with hydroxyl and ABTS radical scavenging rates of 97.24% ± 5.96% and 36.64% ± 0.72%, respectively, at 2 mg/mL. The films also demonstrated effective antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation identified FSF-4 as the optimal formulation (membership score: 0.698), achieving a balanced combination of mechanical strength and barrier performance. FSF-4 displayed a tensile strength of 2.87 ± 0.22 MPa, elongation at break of 85.44% ± 1.45%, and water vapor permeability of 1095.73 ± 22.01 g/(m2·24 h). Application tests showed that FSF-4 effectively preserved blueberry quality during 21 days of storage, maintaining higher firmness and weight retention than the uncoated control. Although FSF-1 exhibited greater tensile strength, FSF-4 provided superior overall performance by integrating flexibility, barrier properties, and bioactivity. These films achieved high functionality without external plasticizers, relying on the intrinsic plasticizing effect of ASPI, highlighting their potential as environmentally sustainable food-packaging materials.
Baru (Dipteryx alata Vogel) is a native Cerrado species with growing nutritional and economic relevance, yet the mineral partitioning between the almond/oil and the resulting techno-functional implications remains unknown. This study provides an integrated characterization of mineral composition, structural features, and physicochemical, rheological, and thermal properties of baru almond and its extracted oil. XRF revealed high levels of essential minerals in the almond, while transition metals showed limited migration into the oil, contributing to its oxidative stability. Conversely, Mg, P, and Zn were proportionally enriched in the oil. The oil exhibited low acidity and peroxide values, a lipid profile dominated by oleic and linoleic acids, Newtonian behavior at processing-relevant shear rates, and high thermal stability (Tonset = 394.9 °C). FTIR confirmed the structural integrity of triacylglycerols. Altogether, the selective mineral distribution and balanced lipid composition underpin the chemical and thermal robustness of baru oil, supporting its potential for food and bioeconomic applications.