Consumption of faba beans (Vicia faba L. ssp. minor) as a protein source of local origin has a lower climate impact than consumption of meat or imported soybeans. This study assessed the food potential of locally grown faba beans in the Netherlands by evaluating ten different cultivars. The cultivars were assessed for yield, nutritional composition, antinutritional factors, and techno-functional properties, and compared to soybeans and yellow peas. All faba bean cultivars had higher protein contents (26.4–29.6% d.m.) than yellow peas (20.7% d.m.) but lower than soybeans (33.1% d.m.). However, faba beans had a higher protein yield (1.54–2.05 tons ha^-1) compared to literature values for soybeans (0.96–1.19 tons ha^-1), but their amino acid composition was less favorable. Faba bean cultivars exhibited higher vicine and convicine levels compared to soy and yellow pea. Dehulling largely reduced the tannin content in the faba bean cultivars. The tannin content of faba beans was lower than that of soy but higher than that of yellow pea. Most faba bean cultivars contained higher levels of phytic acid than soy and yellow pea, and the trypsin inhibitor concentration was comparable to that of yellow pea but markedly lower than in soy. In terms of techno-functional properties, faba bean cultivars showed good foaming capacity and stability, as well as adequate water and oil holding capacities compared to soybeans and yellow peas, with no significant differences between cultivars. Despite the study including measurements of a single growing season and limited replicates, these results highlight faba beans as a promising alternative to soybeans and animal-derived proteins. Selecting the appropriate cultivar is essential to ensure optimal (anti)nutritional composition and techno-functional properties for specific food applications.

Sausages, a global favorite, generated $6 billion in African market revenue in 2018, but their reliance on animal fat poses health risks like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This study explores quinoa and amaranth starches as climate-resilient alternatives to corn starch in fresh, fermented, and emulsion sausages. Starch was extracted via wet milling using water, sieving, and centrifugation, while sausages were formulated with fat replacers at 3% and 10% inclusion levels. Technological property analyses included water-holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss, pH, emulsion stability, and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Higher fat replacer levels reduced cooking loss, with quinoa starch excelling in fresh sausages and amaranth starch performing best in fermented and emulsion sausages. WHC was superior at 10% inclusion, particularly for fresh and emulsified sausages. Quinoa starch showed strong antioxidant activity at lower levels, while higher inclusions enhanced benefits in emulsion sausages. These starches proved promising alternative fat replacers, offering health and shelf life benefits in sausage formulations.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of yerba mate extract, both in its free and microencapsulated forms, in Vienna sausages, focusing on preserving their physical properties, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial activity during storage at 5°C and 12°C. The results demonstrated that microencapsulating yerba mate extract significantly reduced weight loss during sausage cooking, maintained antioxidant activity, and inhibited lipid oxidation more effectively than the free extract. Furthermore, yerba mate extract exhibited notable antimicrobial properties against pathogenic microorganisms, enhancing the microbiological safety of meat products. The analysis revealed that storage temperature significantly influenced the characteristics of sausages treated with yerba mate extract. Sausages stored at 5°C retained higher antioxidant activity, exhibited lower levels of oxidative compounds (TBARs), and showed more effective inhibition of microbial growth compared to those stored at 12°C. Regarding sensory acceptability, sausages containing free yerba mate extract were more similar to the control sample than those with the microencapsulated extract. These findings highlight the promising potential of yerba mate extract, particularly in its microencapsulated form, as a functional ingredient in sausages, contributing to physical stability, antioxidant protection, and antimicrobial properties during storage.

This study examines the factors influencing wine purchasing behaviour among young Albanian consumers, focusing on Millennials and Generation Z. Using an attribute-based segmentation approach, data from 316 respondents were analysed through Principal Component Analysis (PCA), hierarchical and K-means clustering, and a CHAID (Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detector) decision-tree model. The results identified seven distinct consumer segments differing in their preferences for sweetness, taste, safety, and origin—attributes that together define both hedonic and trust-based decision patterns. Millennials emerged as more authenticity- and quality-oriented, while Generation Z displayed pragmatic, exploratory, and trend-sensitive behaviours. The CHAID model confirmed the segmentation's robustness and highlighted sweetness as the primary discriminating factor. The study contributes methodologically by demonstrating the value of attribute-based segmentation alongside traditional choice experiments. Practical implications emphasise transparent communication, balanced sensory profiles, and targeted marketing strategies to engage younger generations in emerging wine markets.

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is commonly used as food packaging material because of its affordability, convenience and versatility. However, there are concerns regarding the chemical migration of contaminants into food especially at high temperatures, and thus requires further investigation. The study documented the total residual contaminants (TRCs) that migrate into fatty and oily foods from LDPE food contact articles (FCAs) that are sold in the Philippines to fill a major gap in the country’s regulatory system. The study compared two international standard methods 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 177 and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO 2009)—to assess their suitability for local applications. The researchers collected and analysed 23 LDPE samples across Mega Manila to estimate residue concentrations. Results indicate that TRC levels of FCAs exhibited statistically significant differences among the collection sites which may be influenced by factors such as environmental exposure, transportation and handling. Samples with the lowest and highest TRC concentrations from the 23 LDPE samples were selected for the comparative studies of the two international methods. Each low- and high-level sample underwent analysis using the testing conditions of both methods. A comparative analysis using paired t-test revealed distinct variations between the methods, with US 21 CFR giving higher concentrations at low-level samples (9.34 mg/L TRCs), and JETRO 2009 at high-level samples (19.6 mg/L TRCs). Statistical validation confirmed these differences, highlighting the need for rigorous method validation and harmonization of international and local testing standards. These findings also highlight the significance of the development of regulatory frameworks and robust testing methods that are specific to the Philippines’ environmental and industrial conditions in order to ensure food safety and enhance the country’s global competitiveness.

Several foodborne disease outbreaks involving school-aged children and teachers have been reported in the Philippines due to the lack of effective and sustainable strategies to address this public health concern. This study aimed to assess and compare the self-reported and observed food safety competencies of Cookery teachers. Using a descriptive-comparative research design, the study was conducted across three Department of Education (DepEd) school divisions. A total of 102 Cookery teachers from junior and senior high schools were selected through universal sampling to complete an online survey, while 30 were chosen through multi-stage cluster sampling for classroom observation. Five food safety experts also assessed the teachers’ competencies. Data were collected using an adopted survey questionnaire and observation checklist. Descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test at a 0.05 significance level were employed for data analysis. Results showed that the teachers’ self-reported food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) had an overall mean of 1.27, interpreted as “Poor.” Meanwhile, observed food safety practices had a mean of 2.93, interpreted as “Always Practiced.” The discrepancy between self-reported and observed practices suggests possible unawareness or reluctance to disclose actual behaviors. The nonparametric test indicated a significant difference between self-reported and observed food safety competencies (Z = -4.25, p < 0.05). The study concludes that Cookery teachers display a notable gap between perceived and actual food safety practices, highlighting the need for a capability-building program to enhance their competencies.

One of the processed products from Javanese grasshopper (Valanga nigricornis Burm.) flour that is being developed is snack bars. This product was designed to introduce processed Javanese grasshopper flour (JGF) products with high protein content to consumers. However, the shelf life of the grasshopper snack bar and the best type of packaging to store the product are not yet known. This research aimed to determine the shelf life of Javanese grasshopper snack bars packaged in three different types of packaging and to identify the most effective packaging for these products. The three types of packaging chosen were plastic packaging in the form of a standing pouch (SP), aluminium foil packaging without folds (alufo), and aluminium foil packaging with folds (alumina). This research used the accelerated shelf life testing (ASLT) method with the Arrhenius approach. The parameters measured were moisture, fat, and water activity (aw) content during eight measurement periods with three different storage temperatures (20^oC, 30^oC, 45^oC). There were differences in estimated shelf life based on parameters for each type
of packaging. The shelf life of Javanese grasshopper snack bar products based on packaging type and estimation parameters varied from 0.68 months to 14.81 months. The best parameter to estimate shelf life was the fat content in the alufo packaging, which had the highest R² value from the order 1 equation in the Arrhenius method with a value of R² 0.999. The shelf life of the Javanese grasshopper snack bar product estimated by measuring the fat content parameters on the alufo packaging was 14.81 months if stored at a temperature of around 30^oC.

Using tilapia trim meat (TTM), a by-product from industrial-scale tilapia fillet manufacturing, for production of fermented fish sausage (FFS) may increase the benefit to the tilapia filleting industry by selling this new product to consumers. Six ratios of TTM:tilapia fillet meat (100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80 and 0:100) were used for sausage production. FFS samples prepared with each ratio were collected on days 0, 2, 4 and 6, and analyzed for quality parameters including lactic acid bacteria (LAB), total plate count (TPC), yeast and mold (YM), texture profile analysis (TPA), CIE color values (L*, a* and b*), pH, titratable acidity and sensory acceptability. The ratio of TTM to tilapia fillet
meat had no effect on YM, b*, pH and titratable acidity. The 0:100 ratio produced lower LAB, TPC and L* values compared to 100:0, 80:20 and 60:40. The ratio also yielded a higher a* than 100:0 and 80:20. The 0:100 ratio generated the best TPA, followed by 20:80. However, these two ratios were not significantly different concerning sensory acceptability. The 20:80 ratio, giving similar sensory quality to 0:100, is recommended for the production of FFS. The results also reveal that FFS ripened on day 2 and ratios of TTM:tilapia fillet meat did not affect the ripeness of the product. The best quality of FFS was found on day 4.

Developing products that meet consumer expectations can be a challenge for researchers. Yogurt is a palpable dairy product because it is versatile and can be eaten as a dessert and snack. The present work aims to develop a yogurt with the addition of carrot peel and celery peel to satisfy the current market requirements by reintegrating some vegetable by-products in the technological process of making yogurt but also to replace protein additives, which have the role of improving the rheological characteristics and sensory properties of yogurt. In this sense, a comparative analysis was made between yogurt with addition, classic yogurt, and yogurt with powdered milk. A non-numerical multi-criteria multi-personal agreement method described by Fadhil and collaborators was used to perform the sensory analysis (Fadhil et al., 2021). Physicochemical analysis of the samples was performed during a storage period of 18 days on the first day, the ninth day and the eighteenth day. The pH, titratable acidity, syneresis, water holding capacity and lactose content of the samples were measured. The results indicate an improvement in the degree of syneresis and the water retention capacity, especially in the second part of the storage time, of the yogurt with the addition of celery and carrot peels, compared to the other two samples. The evaluated sensory characteristics obtained better scores because the carrot and celery peels brought a unique flavor to the product.