Ginkgo biloba is a relict tree species showing high resistance to adverse biotic and abiotic environmental factors. Its fruits and leaves have high medicinal value due to the presence of flavonoids, terpene trilactones and phenolic compounds. However, ginkgo seeds contain toxic and allergenic alkylphenols. The publication revises the latest research results (mainly from 2018–2022) regarding the chemical composition of extracts obtained from this plant and provides information on the use of extracts or their selected ingredients in medicine and food production. A very important section of the publication is the part in which the results of the review of patents concerning the use of Ginkgo biloba and its selected ingredients in food production are presented. Despite the constantly growing number of studies on its toxicity and interactions with synthetic drugs, its health-promoting properties are the reason for the interest of scientists and motivation to create new food products.

The growing interest in functional food makes looking for new possibilities of enriching products with health-promoting ingredients necessary. One raw material with a very high potential for the food industry is the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), which has a strong antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer effect. Carp meat (Cyprinus carpio) also has beneficial properties. It is rich in easily digestible protein, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oyster mushroom addition on the quality of carp burgers, with particular emphasis on the antioxidant effect. The scientific literature produced so far has not focused on the synergy between oyster mushrooms and carp meat. The addition of oyster mushrooms contributed to the increase in antioxidant properties and sensory attractiveness of burgers. The fat content in the finished product was reduced, and the degree of their oxidation was also reduced. The obtained results will contribute to the creation of innovative food products that meet the expectations of consumers looking for healthy food.

Smoking is one of the oldest technologies for processing and preserving raw materials of animal origin. To this day, smoked fish is very popular among consumers. The most popular smoked fish is salmon. The research compared the qualitative changes in the fat fractions of hot and cold-smoked salmon during refrigerated storage. Generally accepted physicochemical methods for assessing the quality of fats, such as peroxide, anisidine, and acid number, were used. First, the smoked salmon was stored, and then, the samples were analyzed to find changes in the fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). It was shown that cold smoking significantly inhibited the increase in the level of lipid oxidation compared to hot smoking and raw samples stored in the same way. In the meat of stored and cold- and hot-smoked salmon, the TOTOX values remained at the level indicated by the Codex Alimentarius. Hot smoking limited the degree of lipid hydrolysis during storage as compared to cold smoking. The smoking process had a protective effect on EPA and DHA acids. In the raw samples, the loss of these acids was three times higher. Summarizing the research, it can be concluded that smoked products are a good and safe source of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet.

Fermentation enhances the nutritional profile of foods and beverages like beer, wine, and fermented teas. Ginkgo biloba, long utilized for its health-enhancing properties, contains bioactive compounds like terpene trilactones and flavonoids, known for their antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. This study explores the feasibility of using dried Ginkgo biloba leaves in SCOBY-mediated fermentation to produce novel health-promoting beverages similar to kombucha. Infusions of dried Ginkgo biloba leaves with varying sugar concentrations are fermented over 21 days. Results showed that these beverages exhibited potent antioxidant properties, notably higher than tea-kombucha, attributed to increased polyphenol content. HPLC analysis identified significant levels of bioactive compounds such as catechin and apigenin. Sensory evaluation highlighted optimal acceptance of the seven-day fermented product. This research underscores the potential of Ginkgo biloba as a functional ingredient in fermented beverages, offering a healthier alternative to conventional soft drinks.

Insect farming is more ecological than traditional animal farming, as it requires less water and contributes to lower greenhouse gas emissions. In our study, banded cricket (BC) and mealworm larvae (ML) were analyzed. The proximate composition was determined according to Association of Official Analytical Chemists. The mineral content was determined by colorimetry and mass spectrometry. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were obtained from the samples and separated using a gas chromatography apparatus, coupled with a mass spectrometer. Our research confirmed that insects are a rich source of protein, with ML containing significantly more protein than BC (74.41 and 65.66 g/100 g dry matter (DM), respectively). In terms of the content of macrominerals, ML was significantly richer than BC, especially in terms of magnesium content (8.75 g/100 g DM). In terms of the content of saturated fatty acids, BC contained almost twice as much as ML (40.05 and 24.74% of the sum of fatty acids, respectively). EPA and DHA were only detected in the fat of BC. The presented results prove that both ML and BC can be good sources of protein both in human and companion animal diets. The component that is predominantly high in insects is fat, with a favorable fatty acid profile, especially in terms of polyunsaturated fatty acids. This study contributes new knowledge on the nutritional value of edible insects. In this research, we included three different nitrogen conversion factors for crude protein content. Our results partially confirm previous studies by other authors, although they provide new information on the content of fatty acids.

Background: The growing consumption of snack foods such as chips driving demand for healthier, more nutritious alternatives. This study investigated the effect of frying temperature on oil absorption, oil binding capacity, and fatty acid composition of fish-based snacks made from a 1:1 ratio of tapioca starch and carp meat obtained after the separation of the remains of its industrial filleting. Methods: The snacks were deep-fried at 160 °C, 170 °C, and 180 °C, and analyzed for expansion, oil absorption, oil binding capacity, fatty acid profiles, and nutritional indices. Oxidation levels and free fatty acids were also measured, ensuring compliance with legal limits. Results: Deep-frying at 180 °C resulted in significantly higher snack expansion (95.20%) than the 50% expansion observed at 160 °C and 170 °C. However, snacks deep-fried at 180 °C absorbed the most oil (29.07%) and exhibited the lowest oil binding capacity (8.84%), whereas deep-frying at 160 °C and 170 °C led to oil binding capacities of 15.83% and 18.58%, respectively. Fatty acid profiles also showed temperature-dependent changes, with increased oil absorption reducing omega-3 to omega-6 ratios. Importantly, deep-frying for 45 s at all temperatures did not lead to excessive oxidation or free fatty acid levels beyond regulatory thresholds. Nutritional indices of the deep-fried product were comparable to those of vegetable oils, while before deep-frying, they resembled those of seafood products like shellfish and seaweed. Conclusions: While higher frying temperatures improve the texture and expansion of fish-based snacks, they also increase oil absorption and reduce oil binding. Based on these findings, deep-frying at 180 °C was suggested as the optimal condition to balance product texture, oil absorption, and nutritional quality, making the snacks a healthier alternative to conventional deep-fried products.