proteins | Functional Foods

Pomegranate as a potential cancer inhibitor

Apr 11, 11

Posted by admin in Phytochemicals, Polyphenols

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has always been associated with various health benefits making it a largely consumed fruit. Its high antioxidant activities have led to the application of pomegranate juice in functional food ingredients, mainly for heart and prostate health. These properties are due to the presence of biologically...

Whey protein nanoparticles

Jul 19, 10

Posted by admin in Functional foods

The enrichment of clear beverages poses the challenge of maintaining sensory properties such as transparency and avoiding turbidity. These properties may be improved by the use of nanoparticles, due to their particle size of 100 nm or even less. In fact, a recent study presented by the University of Tennessee suggests that whey...

Omega-3 encapsulation: whey protein nanoparticles

Jul 14, 10

Posted by admin in PUFAs

Numerous studies have shown the health benefits of essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6). The trend for reduction of fat consumption calls for the enrichment of non-fat or low-fat foodstuffs with such essential nutraceuticals. New technologies need to be developed so that,...

Proteins as ideal encapsulation systems

Jun 25, 10

Posted by admin in Functional foods

Following the present trend to replace synthetic ingredients with natural ones, biopolymers are an interesting alternative to synthetic polymers used as micro and nano-encapsulation systems. In particular, proteins are very promising as carriers of nutraceuticals due to several reasons. Proteins possess unique functional properties,...