The study investigates blanching duration optimization in ash gourd candy production and the utilization of rosehip waste as a functional ingredient to develop value-added confectionery as an approach to sustainable waste valorisation. Optimization of blanching duration showed improved phytochemical retention, while structural analysis of blanched samples indicated higher porosity, which may have facilitated the penetration of rosehip phytochemicals into the candy. The enhanced functionality of candies may have been the result of blanching optimization and incorporation of rosehip powder and extract during osmotic dehydration. Rosehip waste increased phytochemical and antimicrobial activities while retaining acceptability scores (>7 on a 9-point scale), with the highest scores observed for 2.5% powder and 5% extract in optimised (2.5 min) blanched samples. FT-IR spectra show the presence of functional groups, and ranking analysis indicates that blanching duration primarily affected the colour and texture, whereas rosehip waste incorporation had a greater effect on taste and flavour. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to assess the influence of formulation and processing parameters on the quality characteristics of the developed product. These findings demonstrate the potential of rosehip waste upcycling to reduce food processing waste and produce value-added functional confectionery products while retaining satisfactory sensory quality.

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the impact of mineral sprays and storage conditions on post-harvest quality and biochemical attributes of tomato fruits. Three pre-harvest treatments-zinc sulfate heptahydrate (ZnSO4.7H2O, 0.5 %), potassium iodide (KI, 1 %) and ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO4.7H2O, 0.5 %) were applied and fruits harvested at turning and red-ripe stages were stored under ambient (25 +/- 2 degrees C) and refrigerated (8 +/- 2 degrees C) conditions for 0, 4, 8 and 12 days. Among the treatments, ZnSO4.7H2O consistently outperformed others, retaining the highest ascorbic acid content (24.12 mg 100 g- 1 FW at 12 days), total phenolic content (TPC, 74.81 mg GAE 100 g- 1 FW), total flavonoid content (TFC, 38.27 mg 100 QE g- 1 FW) and lycopene (5.32 mg g- 1 FW). FeSO4.7H2O notably enhanced antioxidant potential, recording maximum FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) activity (15.42 mg TE 100 mL- 1). Refrigerated storage significantly delayed quality deterioration, with fruits under Zn treatment maintaining superior firmness (0.53 kg cm- 2) and lower physiological weight loss (8.25 %) compared to other treatments. Sensory evaluation confirmed the superiority of Zn-treated fruits, which retained better color, flavor, texture and overall acceptability after 12 days of refrigerated storage. Harvest stage also influenced fruit quality, with turning-stage fruits generally exhibiting better storability and biochemical retention than red-ripe fruits. Overall, the study highlighted that pre-harvest ZnSO4.7H2O treatment, combined with refrigerated storage, most effectively maintained post-harvest nutritional quality, antioxidant capacity and shelf life of tomato fruits. These findings provided a sustainable approach for reducing post-harvest losses and improving marketability of tomatoes under varying storage conditions.

The present investigation aimed to genetically evaluate palak (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis) germplasm to identify nutritionally superior genotypes rich in essential minerals and bioactive compounds. Forty genetically diverse genotypes were biochemically profiled over two consecutive seasons. Genetic variability, heritability, and trait associations were assessed through parameter estimation, principal component analysis (PCA), correlation, and hierarchical clustering. Substantial diversity was observed for mineral nutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mg, K, Na, S) and phytochemicals [total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity (DPPH)]. Genotype PP35 showed maximum Mg (9751.33), Cu (17.60), and K (1476.23) in mg/kg, while PP36 exhibited highest Zn (86.83mg/kg), P (9533.33mg/kg), and Fe (829.47mg/kg) concentrations with high inter-seasonal stability. PP46 and PP47 recorded >93% DPPH inhibition, and PP17 and PP7 showed >430mg GAE/100g DW TPC. High heritability (>0.95) and genetic advance for Fe, TPC, TFC, S, P, and K indicated strong additive gene action. PCA revealed that PC1 and PC2 explained 43.5% of total variation. Cluster analysis identified eight elite genotypes combining micronutrient density, antioxidant potential, and stability. These findings provide a genetic foundation for biofortification and functional food development to enhance nutritional security.

Increased anthropogenic activities had adverse effects on global environmental conditions which further had a negative impact on biodiversity. Many plant species get extinct and large populations become endangered. Medicinal plants constitute a large portion of the reduced species. Medicinal plants have a crucial role in human life since ancient times. They were used for their medicinal properties in daily life. Thus, required steps should be taken to conserve the remaining population of essential medicinal plants. This review contains information about the morphology, chemical composition, therapeutic and economic benefits of five important medicinal plants inhabited in north India. The factors leading to population reduction and conservation strategies to increase the population size of these plants are also discussed.

Improving early seedling establishment is critical for enhancing crop performance under diverse agro-climatic conditions. This study investigated the effect of seed priming with zinc and iron (as nanoparticles (NPs), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) chelates, and sulfates) and iodine (as iodides) on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Punjab Ratta) under complete randomized design (CRD). Seed priming with zinc nanoparticles (Zn-NP) resulted in the highest germination percentage (95.00%), seed vigor index I (1215.05), total seedling length (12.79 cm), and fresh weight (0.41 g) among all other treatments. Zn-NP also enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, showing 23.25% increase in superoxide dismutase, 44.45% catalase, and 9.42% peroxidase activity as compared to control. Meanwhile, lipid peroxidation reduced by 63.30% malondialdehyde (MDA) content under the iron nanoparticles (Fe-NP) treatment relative to control. Iodine treatments also performed better than the control but were less effective than zinc and iron treatments. Additionally, seed priming improved mobilization of seed reserves contributing to early seedling growth. Multivariate analyses (principal component analysis and heat map) also supported the superior performance of Zn-NP and Fe-NP treatments. Overall, zinc-, iron-, and iodine-based seed priming, especially in the form of NPs, significantly improved germination, vigor, and oxidative stress tolerance in tomato.

The functional quality of horticultural crops through targeted minerals strategies is a key focus in modern food and nutrition research. Among various micronutrients, zinc, iron and iodine are critical for improving crop nutritional value. This study evaluated their soil and foliar application effects on antioxidant enzyme and mineral enrichment in tomato. Among seven treatments with foliar application of zinc sulphate (0.5%) showing most pronounced improvements. Lycopene (11.52 mg 100 g-1), carotenoids (19.22 mg 100 g-1), phenolics (51.36 mg GAE 100 g-1) and flavonoids (40.86 mg QE 100 g-1) increased significantly alongside enhanced phenylalanine ammonia lyase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase activities. Mineral profiling confirmed greater accumulation of Zn (2.43 mg kg-1), Fe (46.76 mg kg-1) and I (0.07 mg kg-1) in fruits. FTIR and XRD revealed biochemical and structural changes. Therefore, foliar biofortification particularly with zinc emerged as practical and sustainable strategy to improve nutritional quality with potential human health benefits.

A soft matter physics framework offers a systematic approach to designing texture-modified foods (TMFs) that can improve swallowing safety, nutritional adequacy, and acceptability in older adults with dysphagia, malnutrition, and sarcopenia. This narrative review synthesizes experimental and clinical studies published from 2020 onward that treat TMFs as soft matter systems, including gels, emulsions, and composite biopolymer networks, used in geriatric nutrition and dysphagia care. Evidence on rheology, tribology, microstructure, particle size, protein-polysaccharide and emulsion gels, 3-dimensional (3D) food printing, and thermal and nonthermal processing is integrated to relate material parameters to swallowing safety and nutritional outcomes. Across studies, safer boluses are consistently soft, shear thinning, cohesive, low adhesive, and sufficiently extensible, with quantitative windows of viscosity, yield stress, viscoelastic moduli, extensional viscosity, and friction offering better prediction of swallowability than qualitative texture levels alone. Protein-polysaccharide gels, emulsion-filled matrices, plant-based networks, and 3D-printed structures can be engineered to meet standardized dysphagia diet levels while increasing protein density, hydration, and delivery of bioactive compounds. Processing conditions and particle-size control further tune tenderness, cohesion, digestibility, and nutrient bioaccessibility. A physics-aware soft matter approach thus provides actionable design rules linking formulation and processing to bolus flow, lubrication, and sensory properties, enabling TMFs that are safer, more palatable, and more nutritious for older adults, although phenotype-specific targets and long-term clinical trials remain important gaps for future research on healthy aging. Unlike prior reviews that emphasize either clinical dysphagia management or processing technologies in isolation, this work uniquely integrates rheology, tribology, microstructure, particle size, 3D printing, and thermal/nonthermal processing under a single soft matter physics design framework and translates these soft matter descriptors into quantitative, phenotype-aware engineering windows for safer and more nutritious geriatric TMFs.

This study investigated oil extraction from PAU Magaz Kaddoo1, India’s first hull-less pumpkin seed variety, using mechanical pressing (MPO), supercritical fluid extraction (SCFEO), and solvent extraction (SEO). Oil recovery varied significantly: SEO yielded higher percentage 47.58 ± 0.42, SCFEO 42.84 ± 0.34, and MPO 32.89 ± 0.78 (p < 0.05). MPO exhibited superior preservation of unsaturated fatty acids (iodine value: 104.99 ± 1.51 gI2/100g, p < 0.05). SCFEO produced oil with the highest lightness (L*=34.21 ± 0.65) and chroma (C*=8.79 ± 0.14). FTIR analysis revealed unique absorption bands in SCFEO at 1746, 1235, and 723 cm⁻¹. MPO outperformed in preserving nutritional and antioxidant properties, including higher tryptophan content (4.77 ± 0.82), mineral retention (Fe: 1.96 ± 0.07 mg/Kg), and total phenolic content (94.81 ± 0.50 mgGAE/100 g). MPO showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging capacity (56.12 ± 0.02) compared to SCFEO (28.78 ± 0.49) and SEO (33.85 ± 0.41) (p < 0.05). A 90-day shelf-life study revealed MPO maintained lower peroxide values (3.095 meq/kg) and free fatty acid content (3.108) compared to SCFEO and SEO (p < 0.05). While SEO achieved the highest yield, mechanical pressing proved optimal for PAU Magaz Kaddoo 1 oil, offering superior nutritional quality, antioxidant capacity, and oxidative stability. This study highlights the critical influence of extraction methodology on specialty oils from this novel Indian hull-less seed pumpkin variety.

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is a highly beneficial and profitable crop, accounts for 30% of the world’s sugar production. In order to secure the food security of Kazakhstan, it is necessary to strive to find a safe eco-friendly method for long time storage of sugar beet. In the current study, soil samples from the sugar beet cultivating regions of the southern and northern Kazakhstan has been studied for the presence of microbial diversity. The domestically and foreign-produced varieties of sugar beet which preferred to grow in Kazakhstan were screened to find out suitable candidate for bio-preparation. An isolate of the fungi Trichoderma asperellum has been found and used to formulate a bio-product to improve the storage life of the sugar beet material. It has been stipulated that the bio-preparation can be used to increase the storage time for sugar beet seeds based on the findings in the laboratory and field testing. While it was observed that the mixture of drugs (Maxim with Extrasol; and Celestop with Phytosporin-M) also enhance the growth processes of seeds. It was found out that a bio-preparation based on an isolated strain of fungus: "Trichoderma asperellum - KazNIIPPP-19" is quite acceptable to improve the long-term storage of sugar beet seeds. Additionally, it also improves the treated seeds' growth activities and promotes high-quality products in economic conditions.

Microgreens are health promoting delicate yet delicious tender greens with diverse color, unique texture, and strong flavors with a life cycle of 10-14 days. They need limited land, labor and short growth period with exceptional nutrition and limited disease incidence thus offering viable options for urban, indoor and vertical farming. Brassicaceae microgreens are among the most studied crops during last decade due to exceptional levels of glucosinolates (GLs), phenolic, tocopherol, phylloquinone, ,B-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid and minerals (e.g., Cu and Zn) with reported anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic, brain protective, neurogenerative and anti-obesogenic properties. Research efforts of the last decade reflects that their composition (nutritional and functional), quality, storability and acceptability can be enhanced by stress induction and application of Omics technology for harnessing the functional and therapeutic benefits of these superfoods. Microgreens cultivation has emerged as sustainable food systems to ascertain accomplishment in novel areas including space and natural farming. The article provides a comprehensive outlook on technological innovations in sustainable cultivation, functional enrichment by stress induction and application of novel technologies i.e. omics technology, natural/organic farming and space cropping with technological and scientific gaps in the shelf-life management, processing and packaging of microgreens with future researchable areas for increasing their availability to masses in general for overall well-being. (c) 2025 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

Edible flowers have been used in traditional cosines and medicine to treat and manage different diseases indicating the presence of bioactive compounds having functional properties. Increased awareness of health-conscious consumers has derived the consideration of edible vegetable flowers (EVFs) as food with diverse nutritional and health benefits. The present review insights into traditionally consumed floral vegetables having diverse phytochemicals, minerals and bioactivities. Though EVFs have been consumed historically, however, the scientific pieces of evidence for their potential role in modulating health are not well studied and documented. Therefore, systematic research efforts regarding the functional characterization of edible floral vegetables are need of the hour to establish and document their functional significance and increase their acceptability as food constituents. Floral vegetables are promising crops having a high amount of bioactive compounds making them a valuable addition to a balanced diet. Literature cites their key role as potent antioxidants, antidiabetic and anti-cancerous agents. However, limited in vitro and in vivo studies have been conducted on floral vegetables to support their functional claims. These edible flowers could be used for the development of functional foods and value-added products. Due to their high susceptibility, perishability and limited shelf life, technologies for their preservation could be developed. The systematic studies and clinical evidence of the functionality of specific floral vegetables can provide in-depth sights into their nutraceutical properties.

White button mushrooms have an extremely high rate of respiration, while the lack of cuticle covering on their surface further compounds the perishability and thus the losses. This study investigates the efficacy of chitosan (1, 2, and 3

The demand for phytochemical-enriched foods has increased in recent years; therefore, an attempt was made in the present study to improve the phytochemical properties of sand pear cubes.