The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of guar gum, tara gum and konjac gum on the thermal, rheological and syneresis-related properties of potato starch pastes prepared at different gelatinisation temperatures (70-90°C). Native potato starch was mixed with individual hydrocolloids and analysed in terms of pH, thermal properties, water distribution during storage, syneresis and rheological behaviour. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that the addition of hydrocolloids reduced gelatinisation enthalpy, indicating lower energy requirements for gelatinisation. Guar gum and tara gum slightly decreased the onset gelatinisation temperature, whereas konjac gum increased it. Syneresis increased during storage in all systems; however, higher gelatinisation temperatures generally reduced water release. Pastes containing guar gum and tara gum gelatinised at 85-90°C exhibited the lowest syneresis and the highest water retention capacity. Konjac gum promoted nearly complete water binding during gelatinisation, particularly at lower temperatures. All samples exhibited non-Newtonian, pseudoplastic and thixotropic behaviour. Guar gum and tara gum improved structural stability during shear, resulting in lower hysteresis loop areas and smaller differences between consistency coefficients measured during increasing and decreasing shear rate tests. In contrast, control samples and systems containing konjac gum showed the greatest structural degradation under shear. Principal component analysis confirmed strong relationships between rheological parameters, water fractions and syneresis behaviour. The results demonstrate that the functional properties of potato starch pastes can be effectively modified through appropriate selection of hydrocolloids and gelatinisation conditions, with tara gum showing the most balanced stabilizing effect.

Reducing sodium chloride in meat products is essential for improving their nutritional profile but often impairs technological and sensory quality. This study evaluated the effects of sodium reduction on pork meat products formulated with a fixed potato starch–tara gum system. Model products with varying NaCl levels (0.57%, 1.14%, 1.71%, and 2.28%) were analysed for physicochemical properties, texture, and sensory attributes during storage. Multivariate analysis (PCA, correlation analysis) and a composite quality index were applied. Compared with the control, a 50% reduction in NaCl content (to 1.14%) resulted in increased cooking loss (from 2.66% to 3.22%), increased free water content from 0.73% to 2.23% after 20 days of storage, and reduced hardness (from 20.84 to 16.28 N after 20 days of storage), indicating a weakening of the protein matrix. The tested potato starch–tara gum formulation maintained acceptable water retention and structural properties across the evaluated NaCl levels, although progressive NaCl reduction was associated with deterioration of several quality parameters. Strong correlations between sodium content, hardness, and water-related parameters were observed. While the lowest NaCl level resulted in quality deterioration, the 1.14% variant maintained acceptable properties, demonstrating effective sodium reduction without compromising quality.

Excessive sodium intake is a major public health concern, and bread is one of the main dietary sources of sodium chloride. This study evaluated the potential of inactive yeast flakes as a functional ingredient for the partial replacement of sodium chloride in bread formulations. Bread samples with reduced salt and increasing levels of yeast flakes were analysed in terms of physicochemical properties, texture profile, colour, crumb structure, and sensory characteristics. The substitution of NaCl with yeast flakes significantly influenced bread quality. A reduction in crumb porosity, water activity, and springiness, as well as an increase in hardness and acidity, were observed. Colour analysis revealed crumbs with higher redness (a*) and yellowness (b*). Colour changes were confirmed by total colour difference values. Sensory evaluation showed a decrease in saltiness compared to the control sample, however, bread containing a moderate level of yeast flakes maintained acceptable sensory quality and flavour perception. Correlation analysis demonstrated strong relationships between selected instrumental and sensory parameters, particularly for colour, hardness, springiness, and porosity, confirming the consistency of both evaluation approaches. The results indicate that yeast flakes may represent a promising, naturally derived alternative for partial sodium chloride reduction in bread.

During the preparation of beer wort, significant amounts of waste raw materials, such as brewers’ spent grain (BSG), are generated. In line with the zero-waste approach, a processing technology for BSG was developed to valorize this by-product. The developed method involves obtaining a BSG extract (plant-based milk), followed by filtration to remove insoluble residues and subsequent fermentation to produce vegan BSG-based yogurt-like products, with and without the addition of sucrose, as well as pectin, guar gum, and konjac gum as stabilizers. The samples were analyzed for pH, moisture and protein content, water activity (Aw), color, viscosity, and syneresis, and were also subjected to an organoleptic evaluation. Fermentation with starter cultures yielded BSG-based yogurt-like products with an optimal pH (~4.0), which, combined with Aw values below 0.95, ensures microbiological safety by inhibiting the growth of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms. Due to phase separation, the use of stabilizers was necessary to achieve a yogurt-like texture. Their application also contributed to a reduction in syneresis—sometimes even preventing its occurrence—and led to an increase in viscosity, which ranged from 0.162 to 0.463 Pa·s, depending on the stabilizer used. The moisture content of fermented BSG extracts ranged from 88.2% to 91.7%. All samples showed similar protein content, approximately 50% on a dry matter basis. Furthermore, organoleptic assessment (5-point scale) revealed that sensory characteristics varied depending on the stabilizer and sugar used. The yogurt-like variant formulated with 0.5% pectin and 1% sucrose received the highest acceptance score (4.0), indicating good sensory quality.

During growth, plants produce bioactive compounds—secondary metabolites. Their concentration can be stimulated by the presence of a stressful factor—an elicitor. Since chlorine dioxide is commonly used in water plants to disinfect drinking water, its application as a plant elicitor seems to be very attractive. The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of a new elicitor, ClO2, on the quality of seeds and bioactive compounds of sprouts. Elicitation of radish and broccoli seeds using ClO2 solutions did not significantly reduce their germination percentage (GP remained over 90%). Radish sprouts sprouted from seeds elicited in chlorine dioxide solutions with concentrations up to 800 ppm did not differ statistically significantly in terms of polyphenol content. Sprouts which were grown in the presence of ClO2 contained significantly fewer polyphenolic compounds. Elicitation of broccoli seeds in 800–1000 ppm ClO2 solutions causes an increase in total phenolic content and concentration of ascorbic acid in sprouts. Elicitation in chlorine dioxide solutions not only increased concentrations of selected bioactive compounds but also improved the microbiological quality of sprouts.

SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts) is an artificially created mixed culture containing selected strains of acetic acid and lactic acid bacteria and yeast which are present in the cellulose membrane. The growing popularity of kombucha consumption and high popularity of coffee creates the possibility of developing coffee-based kombucha production on an industrial scale, which currently does not differ in method from production on a laboratory scale and at home. Therefore, the aim of this work was to determine the possibility of using an alternative method of coffee fermentation using SCOBY, in which the fermentation was carried out in a bioreactor with a constant air flow (rate 2L/min). This study determined the effect of the fermentation method on the processing time, SCOBY mass gain, and selected properties of the fermented coffee beverage. The alternative fermentation method did not negatively affect the properties of the fermented coffee beverage, i.e., caffeine content, colour, polyphenol content, and antioxidant properties, in comparison with the traditional fermentation method. Additionally, it accelerated the fermentation process, shortening it from 8 to 4 days, and in some cases caused an increase in the total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity, almost 10% and over 40%, respectively. The results of this study show a possibility to use alternative methods for coffee fermentation, which can be easily adapted for industrial scale. Variants of fermented and aerated beverages with 4% coffee, and 4 and 5% sugar concentrations stood out among the others as having the best properties and might be introduced to the industry.

Soybean can be easily digested and is a valuable substitute for animal protein in various applications. That is why soy products are a very important component of a vegan and vegetarian diet. During soymilk processing, large quantities of by-products are generated. Hardly anyone knows that every kilogram of dried soybeans processed into soymilk or tofu gives about 1.2 kg of soybean curd residue, namely, okara, often regarded as a waste. Acting in the spirit of zero waste, a soybean processing technology has been developed that does not generate waste. The developed technology consists of obtaining soymilk followed by filtration to remove the insoluble residues (okara), preparing okara and fermenting to obtain vegan soft cheese. Samples analyzed for physical, chemical, and organoleptic properties. Also, the microbial quality of the obtained products was tested. Soy products produced with the proposed zero waste technology were assessed by the sensory panel and received very good marks. Fermented soy products are characterized with high levels of Lactobacillus spp. (105–108 cfu/mL), thus consuming them can bring health benefits. Cheese made from okara can be an alternative to cheeses currently obtained from soymilk.

Background. Honey is a popular food product because of its taste, nutritional and health values. It is valued for its rich composition. During storage, honey changes its consistency from liquid to solid. The length of this process varies depending on the botanical origin of honey. The goal of the study was to determine the impact of thermal treatment on the selected qualitative features of honey and to extend the period during which honey remains liquid. The research material was non-purified, raw polyfloral honey. To prevent quick honey crystallization, hot air, microwave radiation and ultrasonic treatment was carried out. In order to identify changes in the structure of honey, its moisture content, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content, the degree of honey crystallization during storage using the measurement of the amount of backscattered light (BS) and thermal properties using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were deter mined. Results and conclusions. Each of these treatments was accompanied by an increase in the hydroxy methylfurfural content (HMF). However, the HMF content in heat-treated honey still meets the Council Directive 2001/110/EC criteria (< 40 mg/kg). To measure the progress of honey granulation during stora ge, the amount of backscattered light (BS) was checked. The microwave-heated honey remained in the liquid state for a long time, which was confirmed by a low amount of backscattered light. On the other hand, a common treatment preventing honey granulation, i.e. hot air, was not the most efficient method to prolong the storage time of liquid honey. Moreover, the honey heated with hot air had the highest HMF content and BS amount.

There have been determined the features of m. longissimus lumborum steaks from young cattle-for-fattening of Holstein-Friesian breed, Polish black-and-white variety. There were measured pH values, basic chemical composition and colour parameters. The meat was subjected to moist-ageing for 12 days and, next, stored in modified atmosphere for the following 10 days. The amount of heat loss in relation to the temperature of thermal processing was determined. Texture parameters were studied instrumentally and organoleptically. The studied muscles from young cattle-for-fattening characterised with proper and similar pH values. The average fat content was 4.37%. The surface colour of the studied dorsal muscle was relatively bright, the average value L*=37.97, and on the cross-section L*=32.97. The average value of the muscle surface's ‘redness’ was a*=18.98, whereas cross-section's a*=20.27. The amounts of heat leakages were rising along with the increase of temperature from 11.24 to 37.14%. Ageing and storing in MAP led to a significant decrease in the amounts of heat leakages. Ageing and storing in MAP had a significant influence on decreasing shear force and on increasing the organoleptic evaluation marks of the m. longissimus lumborum after thermal processing, which shows that the muscle may become culinary meat with features accepted by consumers.

The aim of the study was to examine the contents of nitrates and nitrites in raw beef coming from cattle of the Polish Holstein-Friesian breed, black-and-white type, originating from different parts of Poland. The research material comprised semitendinosus and longissimus thoracis muscles obtained from 176 heads of cattle. The content of nitrites in the examined muscles ranged from 0.6 to 13.3 mg kg-1 in rump muscles and from 0.8 to 13.7 mg kg-1 in muscles of the back. The most samples were characterised by the presence of nitrites in the range from 1 to 5 mg kg-1, and the least samples from 11 to 14 mg kg-1. The contents of nitrates were significantly higher, ranging from 10.2 to 73.5 mg kg-1 in the semitendinosus muscle and from 10.4 to 74.3 mg kg-1 in the thoracis longissimus muscle. Such and higher level of contamination may be the cause of meat discolouration after heat treatment despite the absence of curing ingredients. It is necessary to continuously monitor the concentration of nitrates in raw materials, water and feed to ensure the complete safety of food of animal origin.

The aim of the study was to elaborate a universal calibration for the near infrared (NIR) spectrophotometer to determine the moisture of various kinds of vegetable seeds. The research was conducted on the seeds of 5 types of vegetables - carrot, parsley, lettuce, radish and beetroot. For the spectra correlation with moisture values, the method of partial least squares regression (PLS) was used. The resulting qualitative indicators of a calibration model (R = 0.9968, Q = 0.8904) confirmed an excellent fit of the obtained calibration to the experimental data. As a result of the study, the possibilities of creating a calibration model for NIR spectrophotometer for non-destructive moisture analysis of various kinds of vegetable seeds was confirmed.

Carrageenan is a well-known gelling agent used in the food industry. The present review of patent and scientific literature shows that carrageenan is a useful additive in the cheese production process. The gel-strengthening properties of carrageenan are as a result of the fairly strong bonds it forms with casein macromolecules. However, carrageenan-casein interaction is dependent on pH. Different carrageenan types have different charge levels (the most charged is the helix form of lambda-carrageenan), which affects the carrageenan-casein aggregates. The correct concentration of carrageenan and temperature treatment can improve cheese yield and whey protein recovery, which is desirable for cheese producers. Even small amounts of this hydrocolloid can increase cheese firmness and maintain cheese structure after cheese curd heating. Carrageenan improves cheese structure and other properties, such as ease of grating or slicing, which are very important for customers. Some modifications to cheese composition can destroy the natural cheese structure, but the addition of carrageenan can be useful for creating modified cheese-like products with desirable attributes. Carrageenan can be a good replacement for emulsifying salts, to stabilize cheese fat without disturbing the Ca: P ratio. The replacement of emulsifying salts with carrageenan (as little as 1%) results in a homogenous cheese product. For that reason, carrageenan is a useful additive for maintaining the organoleptic and structural values of fat-free cheese. Carrageenan can also stabilize the structure in cheese-like products and replace casein in cheese imitations.

Kiełki znane były już w starożytności, jednak na nowo zostały odkryte w XIX. w., kiedy wegetarianizm zaczął zyskiwać na znaczeniu i świadomie oraz celowo, nie tylko z pobudek religijnych, konsumenci wyłączali lub ograniczali mięso w diecie. Dzięki m.in. walorom odżywczym kiełków przewiduje się, że ich udział w rynku żywności będzie coraz większy. Bogaty skład chemiczny i stosunkowo łatwa technologia produkcji powodują, że kiełki stają się pożądanym produktem. Dodatkowym atutem kiełków jest ich całoroczna dostępność na rynku w przeciwieństwie do warzyw i owoców, które występują sezonowo. Wraz ze wzrostem popularności kiełków pojawiły się także liczne metody i sposoby ich otrzymywania. W pracy przedstawiono i scharakteryzowano metody otrzymywania kiełków, zarówno na małą skalę, jak również na skalę przemysłową. Wśród przedstawionych metod produkcji kiełków wymieniono metodę słoikową, która jest najstarsza, a zarazem najprostsza. W warunkach domowych często wykorzystuje się kiełkownice składające się z perforowanych tac ułożonych jedna na drugiej, które okresowo przemywa się wodą. Na większą skalę stosuje się metodę zbiornikową, szafy klimatyczne czy kiełkowniki bębnowe. Obok metod opisano także rozwiązania spotykane w produkcji kiełków, jak automatyczne urządzenia do kiełkowania w postaci maszyny vendingowej. W urządzeniu można produkować kiełki w miejscu ich sprzedaży, a jego obsługa jest nieskomplikowana i ogranicza się do zaopatrywania urządzenia w nasiona na kiełki.

1Department of Microbiology and Food Technology, University of Life Science and Technology, Bydgoszcz 2Department of Crop Sciences, Division of Vegetables and Ornamentals, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria 3Department of Apparatuses and Food Technology, Division of Food Technology Faculty of Chemical and Engineering University of Life Science and Technology, Bydgoszcz

sprouts were subjected to sensory assessment, were appearance, aroma, texture and more were examined against a five-point scale. In comparison with seeds of radish, quinoa seeds had significantly lower germination capacity (73%) and higher rates of incidence of fungal infections (8%). Based on the obtained results, it is possible to obtain good quality sprouts from quinoa seed. Sprouts obtained from quinoa seeds, like radish seeds, received good overall assessment scores in the sensory test. Quinoa sprouts have a distinctive colour, which means that the colour components of CIE L* a* b*are statistically significantly different from the parameters of the radish sprouts. However, their colour, bright green leaves and pink stems and roots, may be desirable and very attractive to consumers. Further studies on both the conditions of the germination process and on preparation for the production of sprouts of quinoa seeds directly derived from crops are needed. K e y w o r d s : quinoa, seed quality, sprouts, sensory test, colour