<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient, and the ability of some crops to accumulate Se is crucial for human and animal nutrition and health. Se deficiency can cause white muscle disease characterized by muscle weakness, heart failure, unthriftiness, and death in livestock. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of sulphur (S) on Se concentration in alfalfa (<italic>Medicago sativa</italic> L. cv. Verko) as a nonhyperaccumulator plant. Alfalfa plants grown in the field were treated foliarly with 3 g Se ha−1 solutions of selenate, 3 g S ha−1 sulphate, and both. The concentration of Se in both the leaves and stems of plants was similar in the control and S-treated plants. Se concentration in plants treated with S was undetectable, as expected. S was shown to enhance Se accumulation in alfalfa. Furthermore, although foliar Se + S spray increased biomass, photosynthetic pigments decreased peroxidase activity and malondialdehyde content. Overall, results suggested that foliar Se + S spray can be applied as a biofortification to improve alfalfa plants with appropriate amounts of Se and better nutritional as well as functional quality.</abstract>

Selenium-sulphur effects on the chemical composition of alfalfa (<italic>Medicago sativa</italic> L. cv. Verko)

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Most objectively, the dough rheological methods can characterize the quality of winter wheat. The Farinograph test is the traditionally used one in Hungary, but the importance of other methods, such as Alveograph and Extensograph tests, are getting more widely known due to the interest and requirements of the industry and export markets. The Hungarian Standard on wheat quality follows the changes in the global markets; this is why the falling number appeared in the MSZ (Hungarian Standard) 6383 in 1998. As the interest in the results of other rheological test increased from our accession to the European Union, the evaluation of these parameters on different varieties has become an important issue of qualification and in 2012 limit values for Alveograph and Extensograph parameters appear in the Hungarian wheat quality standard. Additionally, while the baking value was the only evaluated parameter of the Farinograph test earlier, the standard was supplemented with limit values for water absorption capacity and stability too. In this study, we revised different diagrams of Farinograph tests again from the previous years to reveal whether the new limit values for these Farinograph parameters change the valuation of wheat flour samples, therefore whether the quality groups in which the samples were ranked change considering the new requirements.</abstract>

Role of the farinograph test in the wheat flour quality determination

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Following a presentation of humans’ water-soluble vitamin requirements, the authors will discuss in detail the role these vitamins play in human organism and outline those major biochemical processes that are negatively affected in the body in case of vitamin deficiency. They point out that in the elderly population of developed countries cases of water-soluble vitamin deficiency are extremely rare and they are due to the lack of dietary vitamin, but mostly to the vitamin being released from its bindings, the difficulty of free vitamin absorption, gastrointestinal problems, medication, and often alcoholism. Among water-soluble vitamins, B12 is the only one with a sufficient storage level in the body, capable of preventing deficiency symptoms for a long period of time in cases of vitamin-deficient nutrition. Each type of vitamin is dealt with separately in discussing the beneficial outcomes of their overconsumption regarding health, while the authors of the article also present cases with contradictory results. Daily requirements are set forth for every water-soluble vitamin and information is provided on the types of nutrients that help us to the water-soluble vitamins essential for the organism.</abstract>

The role of vitamins in the diet of the elderly II. Water-soluble vitamins

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The role of selenium has been changed over the last decade. The element that was previously considered to be toxic turned out to be present in the human body in amounts of 10–15 mg, and almost every cell of our body contains it. Selenium contributes to growth, supports healthy muscle activity, reproductive organs, reduces the toxicity of certain elements such as mercury, supports the immune system, and even delays the spread of certain viruses (influenza, Ebola, HIV). Selenium-deficient areas of Europe could be a risk for their populations. The recommended daily intake (RDA) of selenium is 55 µg/day, while WHO and FAO have set up the daily tolerable dose at 400 µg/day. We must count with the harmful effects of selenium overdose, but it is almost impossible to introduce this amount into our body solely with food. Our selenium sources can be refilled with food supplements or selenium-enriched functional foods. In the review article, we report about the role of selenium in the environment, selenium-enriched plants, selenium-enriched yeast, the role of selenium in animal feed and in the human body, the opportunities of selenium restoration, selenium-enriched animal products, and the selenium content of milk.</abstract>

The role of selenium in nutrition – A review

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The recent years have seen a great number of instances when ultraviolet (UV) radiation was used in the preservation process of all sorts of foods. Since the purine and pyrimidine bases of DNA and RNA absorb well the 254 nm radiation, its application with the use of a correct dosage can result in disinfections of various orders of magnitude. It can be particularly effective in cases where technology does not allow a more intensive heat treatment. When used properly, UV treatment can be a competitive procedure in the case of foodstuffs where the large surface area allows for UV rays to penetrate the entire volume of the substance. Incorrectly applied UV treatment may change the composition of foods. Free-radical as well as photochemical reactions can digest the proteins, damage the antioxidants, oxidize the lipids, make changes to the colour and substance, and produce undesirable flavourings and odorous substances. Some vitamins are particularly sensitive to UV irradiation in the course of which losses could reach even 50%. Photosensitive water-soluble vitamins are vitamin C, B12, B6, B2 and folic acid, while vitamins A, K and E are the fat soluble sensitive to light, carotene being the only provitamin with such properties. On the other hand, UV treatment can be a useful tool of food safety because of the photosensitivity of fungal toxins.</abstract>

Effect of UV light on food quality and safety

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Until the middle of the last century, selenium was considered to be toxic, but recently it turned out to be a micronutrient with important physiological effects, whose lack impedes the functioning of several enzymes, while in the case of a prolonged deficiency, disease processes can also occur in the body. Hungary belongs to the selenium-deficient regions in Europe; therefore, our aim was to contribute to the improvement of selenium supply of the population through increasing the selenium content of milk and dairy products. A daily supplementation of 1-6 mg organic selenium to the feed of dairy cows increases the selenium content of milk from the value of 18 μg/kg to 94 μg/kg in 8 weeks, decreasing again to the initial value in 6 weeks after stopping the supplementation. After producing various products from the control milk (18 μg/kg selenium content) and the selenium-enriched milk (53 μg/kg) obtained from dairy cattle fed on a feed supplemented with 2 mg selenium/day, we concluded that the selenium content of selenium-enriched milk compared to the products produced from the control milk increased from the value of 18.6 to 58.5 μg/kg in the case of yogurt, from 66.0 to 138.1 μg/kg in the case of telemea, from 80.8 to 163.7 μg/kg in the case of orda (urdă) and from 88.6 to 200.0 μg/kg in the case of semi-hard cheese obtained by mixed-coagulation. The selenium content of whey also increased significantly (from 8.8-9.7 μg/kg to 20.1-25.8 μg/kg), which could also be used as a food for people or feed for animals. According to our calculations, the selenium requirements of the developing organism could be satisfied by the consumption of 2-3 dl selenium-enriched milk until the age of 8 and with 4-6 dl selenium-enriched milk until the age of 20.</abstract>

Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, Faculty of Technical and Social Sciences, Department of Food Science, Piaţa Libertăţii 1, 530104 Miercurea Ciuc, Romania 2University of Debrecen, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, Institute of Food Technology, H-4032 Debrecen, Böszörményi u. 138. Hungary

Kaposvár University, Faculty of Animal Science, H-7400 Kaposvár, Guba St. 40. Hungary.

Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, Faculty of Technical and Social Sciences, Department of Food Science, Piaţa Libertăţii 1, 530104 Miercurea Ciuc, Romania

Babes-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca, Nutritional Science

Retired from Kaposvár University, Faculty of Animal Science, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, H-7400 Kaposvár, Guba St. nr. 40

Production of selenium-enriched milk and dairy products

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The shortcomings encountered from the use of conventional methods of refining draw considerable attention when it comes to the processing of edible oils. The present invention to this effect is the usage of membrane technology, which stands out as a suitable alternative, as it offers significant advantages such as minimal chemical additions, low energy consumption, and the retention of nutrients and other desired components. This paper seeks to ascertain the quality of edible oil extracted by different solvents, refined via membrane filtration. Amounts of 25 mL of crude oil sample were extracted with three different solvents (n-hexane, ethanol, and n-hexane-ethanol blend) from seeds of <italic>Hildegardia barteri</italic> (Mast.) Kosterm. and were refined using a micro-filter of pore size of 0.45 µm and an ultrafiltration membrane with 50 kDa cut off before bleaching and deodorizing to obtain table oil. Proximate composition and elemental analyses were carried out on the table oil samples produced and compared with food-grade standards. Results obtained showed 0.133–0.53% moisture content, 0.04% ash, 98.90–99.67% ether extract, 0.23% carbohydrate, and elemental compositions of 51.60–55.00% C, 6.12–6.30% H, 6.21–6.28% O, 0.01–0.02% N, and 13.0–15.0% P for edible oil samples. The findings of this study indicate that edible oil produced from the seeds of <italic>H. barteri</italic> via membrane technology yields good-quality oil for commercial production, except for the need to enhance further reduction of phosphorus content.
</abstract>

Laboratory-scale extraction of <italic>Hildegardia barteri</italic> (Mast.) Kosterm. seed oil with different solvents, purified with membrane filtration

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The number of elderly people is steadily increasing in developing countries though the specific age-related challenges of nutrition fail to get properly addressed in the case of senior citizens. Accordingly, we have developed protein-polyphenol dietary fibre (PPF) bars using two kinds of protein mixtures (1 and 2) and some food additives, such as the banana powder, freeze-dried strawberries, coconut powder, Dutch cacao powder, and vanilla cookies, as they can interfere with the texture of bars and the flavour as well. The used food additives are also a source of polyphenols and dietary fibres that would enhance the nutritive values of the bars. The texture properties, such as hardness and cutting force, were assessed, and the results indicated a significant difference (P &lt; 0.05) among the bars, offering important hints about their suitability for the elderly. Also, significant differences were observed for the polyphenol content of the bars that would stress their increased nutritional relevance too. On average, the sensorial evaluation showed the developed bars of moderate acceptability, while Bar 3 and 6 had the highest scores for colour, texture, flavour, and aroma. Conversely, Bar 1 recorded the lowest values for all assessed criteria.
Interestingly, Bar 3 with freeze-dried strawberries and Bar 6 with Dutch cacao powder were the most appreciated flavours and contained in the range of 25–28% protein, 17–23% carbohydrate, 15–21% lipids, and 15–23% dietary fibre, which also indicates their nutritionally balanced nature. Furthermore, the above-mentioned macronutrient content ensures approximately 400 Kcal/100g per PPF bar, while through their polyphenol and flavonoid yield their health-promoting effect gets substantiated.
</abstract>

Development and comparative analysis of protein-polyphenol-fibre bars as nutritional supplements suitable for healthy senior consumers

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This study evaluates the effect of different weed control methods on the proximate composition and sensory properties of cowpea-based pudding produced from cowpea flour. Cowpea seeds of Ife Brown variety with three different treatments [(supplementary hoe weeding at 6 weeks after sowing, two hoe weeding at 3 and 6 weeks after sowing, and three hoe weeding at 3, 6, and 9 weeks after sowing (WAS)] were processed into flour samples and analysed for physicochemical properties using standard methods. The puddings were prepared from cowpea flour and were subjected to proximate composition, colour properties as well as sensory qualities using standard methods. The pH, total titratable acidity, water absorption capacity and amylose of cowpea flour were 4.85–5.10, 0.02%–0.05%, 276.00%–287.09%, and 22.04%–24.60% respectively. The ranges of values for moisture content, crude fat, total ash, crude fibre, crude protein, and total carbohydrate of cowpea based pudding were 74.26%–76.15%, 0.63%–0.71%, 0.75%–0.94%, 0.66%–0.75%, 16.70%–17.83%, and 5.11%–5.55% respectively. The colour properties of cowpea-based pudding were significantly affected (p &lt; 0.05) by each treatment. However, cowpea-based pudding prepared from treatment of supplementary hoe weeding at 6 weeks after sowing and three hoe weeding at 3, 6, and 9 weeks after were preferred most by the panelist.
</abstract>

Proximate composition and sensory acceptability of cowpea-based pudding produced from cowpea cultivated using different weed control methods

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Roselle calyces (<italic>Hibiscus sabdariffa</italic> L.) were evaluated through a critical study of existing research works on health benefits, mineral compositions, bioactive compositions, mechanisms, and possible research gaps. The use of roselle calyces as an alternative to synthetic food dyes, addressing growing global challenges of overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases, was evaluated and encouraged. Studies indicate the attenuation of obesity by chlorogenic acid (the predominant phenolic compound in roselle calyx) via mechanisms associated with the UCP-1 and PGC-1α pathways, resulting in reduced blood lipid levels, reduced fat accumulation in the liver, and increased thermogenesis through fat metabolism. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of known bacteria and fungi, such as <italic>Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhimurium</italic>, <italic>Candida tropicalis</italic>, and <italic>Candida krusei</italic>, were studied. More research, however, needs to be conducted on organic acids present in roselle calyces to look into their possible applications and maximize their possible benefits.
</abstract>

Nutritional quality and health benefits of roselle calyces

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This experiment was conducted to appraise the role of the curing phytohormone treatment and storage method in the postharvest microbial decay of ware potatoes during storage. The study was designed as a Split-Split-Plot Design (SSPD) in which the curing period was placed in the main plot, and the storage method and the phytohormone were put in subplot and sub-sub-plot respectively. Each treatment was replicated three times to form a 4 × 3 × 3 factorial experiment. Each treatment consisted of 20 potato tubers out of which decayed samples were counted for the calculation of percentage rot loss and identification of the causal agent, which was done fortnightly until the end of the storage period of 12 weeks. Temperature, relative humidity, and wind velocity were monitored weekly. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the GenStat Discovery Edition statistical software package. Means that exhibited significant difference were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMTR) at p = 0.05 level of significance. The results of the analysis showed that the phytohormone levels had highly significant influence (p ≤ 0.01) on percentage rot loss. Although there was a significant interaction between the curing periods and phytohormone concentration, storage conditions (p ≤ 0.05) were observed throughout the storage period of 2–8 weeks. <italic>Fusarium solani</italic>, <italic>Rhizopus oryzae</italic>, and <italic>Aspergillus niger</italic> were implicated in the rotting of potato tubers.
</abstract>

Effect of postharvest management on the microbial quality of potato (<italic>Solanum tuberosum</italic> L.) tubers

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This study was aimed at determining the mineral and anti-nutritional properties of naturally fermented millet and pumpkin leaf flour blends. The millet grains were allowed to ferment spontaneously for 24 hrs and 48 hrs and were processed into flour. Dried pumpkin leaves were blended into flour and substituted using D-optimal mixture design, which resulted in ten experimental runs. The mineral content and the anti-nutritional properties of the flour blend formulation were analysed. Duncan’s multiple range test was used to evaluate the mean at p &lt; 0.05 with SPSS version 21.0. Significant differences were observed in the mineral and anti-nutritional composition of the fermented millet and pumpkin leaf flour blends at 24 hrs and 48 hrs of fermentation time respectively. Calcium, potassium, and iron content increased significantly (p &lt; 0.05) with increasing the amount of pumpkin leaf flour in the flour blends. The values for tannins and total phenolic composition ranged from 0.089 to 0.162% and from 0.075 to 0.120% for 24 hrs and from 0.080 to 0.141% and from 0.060 to 0.120% for 48 hrs of fermentation time respectively. Results showed that fermentation technique could be used to enrich the nutritional and bioactive potential of millet.
</abstract>

Mineral and anti-nutritional properties of pearl millet and pumpkin leaf flour as affected by fermentation

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>We have developed a new procedure for reducing soy trypsin inhibitor activity by means of heat treatment combined with chemical methods, through which soy trypsin inhibitor activity decreases to the tenth or twentieth part of the original value. We determined the optimal concentration of the applied chemicals (hydrogen-peroxide, ammonium-hydroxide) as well as the optimal temperature and duration of the treatment. The chemical procedure combined with heat treatment results in lower energy consumption as compared to the original heat treatment methods.</abstract>

Methods and procedures for reducing soy trypsin inhibitor activity by means of heat treatment combined with chemical methods

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>After its discovery, selenium was most noted for its harmful effects. Selenium was the first element identified to occur in native vegetation at levels toxic to animals. Poisoning of animals can occur through consumption of plants containing toxic levels of selenium. Livestock consuming excessive amounts of selenized forages are afflicted with “alkali disease” and “blind staggers”. Typical symptoms of these diseases include loss of hair, deformed hooves, blindness, colic, diarrhoea, lethargy, increased heart and respiration rates, and eventually death. On the other hand, selenium deficiency in animal feeds can cause “white muscle disease”, a degenerative disease of the cardiac and skeletal muscles. In this regard, this review paper attempts to summarize the essentiality of selenium for humans, animals, and plants and the role of selenium in plant metabolism and physiology.</abstract>

The essentiality of selenium for humans, animals, and plants, and the role of selenium in plant metabolism and physiology

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Kernel hardness is controlled by friabilin protein and it depends on the relation between protein matrix and starch granules. Friabilin is present in high concentration in soft grain varieties and in low concentration in hard grain varieties. The high gluten, hard wheat our generally contains about 12.0–13.0% crude protein under Mid-European conditions. The relationship between wheat protein content and kernel texture is usually positive and kernel texture influences the power consumption during milling. Hard-textured wheat grains require more grinding energy than soft-textured grains. The aim of our research was to determine the possible relationship between kernel hardness and various other parameters of the our (dough visco-elastic characteristics, wet gluten, water absorption, our recovery, alveograph). We used Perten SKCS 4100 to determine the kernel hardness, while the Perten 3303 mill was used to establish Particle Size Index (PSI). Registered and widely used Hungarian wheat varieties (7 of HRWW and 4 of SRWW) were applied in the study. Twin correlations were used to determine the relationship among the various traits. According to the results, there is a very strong correlation between milling energy and kernel hardness (r = 0:99): The correlation between hardness index and the examined our parameters was also significant (r = 0:81–0:87). We found strong correlation between the milling energy and water absorption (r = 0:88) of our. The associations found in this study will help the better understanding of the technological aspects concerning wheat grain and our quality. </abstract>

Flour quality and kernel hardness connection in winter wheat

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> In compliance with consumer expectations, careful processing and preservation are increasingly used with fruits and vegetables. The aim is that during these treatments the valuable nutritional characteristics of the raw materials change as little as possible. Drying has been used for the preservation of raw materials for a long time, which can distinguish two different groups based upon pressure. These are the atmospheric and the more careful vacuum drying.During the research, Alto F1 beetroots were being dried in vacuum and under atmospheric pressure at different temperatures. Vacuum drying took place at 40, 50, and 60 °C, while atmospheric drying at 60, 70, and 80 °C. All drying processes lasted 150 minutes. During drying, changes of moisture content and water activity were monitored. After drying, colour measurement was realized and the inner parameters were investigated, such as polyphenol, betalain, and antioxidant capacity. These measured parameters were compared in the ease of atmospheric and vacuum drying.</abstract>

Effect of drying methods for inner parameters of red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.)

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