Polydextrose (PDX) is a non-digestible oligosaccharide used widely across most sectors of the food industry. It is a randomly linked glucose oligomer containing small amounts of sorbitol and citric acid. The random bonds in PDX prevent mammalian digestive enzymes from readily hydrolyzing the molecule and it has a reported energy value of 1 kcal/g. These properties have led to the acceptance in many countries that PDX provides similar physiological effects as other dietary fibers and has shown prebiotic potential. Dietary intervention with prebiotics has been shown to selectively stimulate the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of intestinal bacteria associated with several physiological benefits on health. Therefore, the objective of this review was a survey of the literature on the effect of supplementation with PDX in health, and to list the benefits for maintaining health and/or reducing the development of diseases.

Orange is highly nutritious and a source of phytochemical compounds. However, its by-products are usually discarded. In this study, we evaluated the effect of orange peel (OP) addition in orange jam on sensory, physicochemical, and nutritional characteristics. Four jam formulations were elaborated with different OP levels: OP0 (standard), OP4, OP8, and OP12 (Orange Peel 0, 4, 8 and 12%, respectively). All samples were evaluated for sensory acceptability, and physicochemical and nutritional composition. The addition of 12% orange peel in jam reduced (p < 0.05) the acceptability for all evaluated attributes, as well as overall acceptance and purchase intention. However, OP utilization increased (p < 0.05) the levels of water activity, soluble solids, titratable acidity, and sugars. Soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio, luminosity (L*), and yellow content (b*) decreased in all added OP jams, while red content (a*) increased. No change in the pH and moisture values of the product were observed after OP addition. Ash, protein, lipid, dietary fiber, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity values increased after OP addition, while carbohydrate and energy content decreased. A texture test showed that adhesiveness decreased, while gumminess, chewiness, and elasticity increased after OP addition. We concluded that the addition of up to 8% orange peel in jam maintains sensory acceptability similar to that of the standard product. OP addition is a viable alternative to improve some of the product’s physicochemical and nutritional characteristics.

The objective was to evaluate different cooking methods effect on chemical, nutritional and sensory characteristics of sweet potatoes. Samples were subjected to four cooking methods: boiled in water, fried, microwaved and baked. In general, pH, Titratable Acidity and Soluble Solids contents were altered by cooking methods. Reducing, Non-Reducing and Total Sugars levels increased after cooking, regardless of the method used. Levels of red and yellow were lower in tubers after the methods of boiled and baked, while the light reduced in all cooking processes. Cooking by boiled and fried increased Total Carotenoid content, reducing it in other methods. Except for boiled, all other processes increased Phenolic Compounds content. Ascorbic Acid content increased in all cooking processes, being higher for fried. Sweet potatoes cooked by boiled had higher moisture content and lower protein, lipid, carbohydrate and energy, while fried was the process that most elevated the content of these nutrients. Sensory scores were higher for sweet potatoes cooked in fried method. It is concluded that the processes of baked, boiled, fried and cooking in microwave alter chemical and nutritional characteristics of sweet potatoes. The tuber submitted to fried has greater sensory acceptability, however it is the least suitable for consumption due to high levels of fat and energy.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of sweet potato peel flour (SPPF) on the physicochemical, technological and sensorial characteristics of bovine hamburger. Four hamburger formulations were prepared added SPPF: F1 (0%), F2 (0.75%), F3 (1.5%) and F4 (2.25%). The flour was characterized by high levels of minerals, carbohydrate and dietary fiber, which improved the nutritional profile of the hamburger. There was an increase in moisture retention and shrinkage, as well as a reduction in fat retention and cooking yield, as the level of SPPF addition increased. The addition of flour in the product significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the values of L*, a* and b*. Similar acceptability to the standard sample was checked for the hamburger with the addition of up to 1.5% SPPF. However, all formulations had an acceptability index greater than 70%. It is concluded that SPPF is a potential ingredient to be added in bovine hamburger, improving nutritional and technological parameters and with low influence on the sensorial characteristics.

This research aimed to evaluate the interdisciplinary educational intervention effects on knowledge of eating, nutrition, and physical activity in elementary-school students. Participants were 368 school children enrolled in public schools. The research was organized in three stages: pre-intervention, intervention and post-intervention. In pre-intervention, children were evaluated regarding their nutritional status. They also answered questionnaires related to eating and nutrition and physical activity. In the intervention stage, educational interventions were carried out on the same topics for a period of five months; in post-intervention, children answered the same questionnaires applied in pre-intervention. Despite most children having normal nutritional status (58.2%), a high number of students were overweight (38%). In the initial phase, it was found that most children had excellent knowledge of eating, nutrition, and good physical activity knowledge (p-value < 0.05). Educational health intervention significantly increased children’s knowledge of eating, nutrition, and physical activity, when evaluated in the post-intervention period. Both boys and girls increased their knowledge of eating, nutrition, and physical activity after the application of interdisciplinary interventions (p-value < 0.05). A similar effect was observed for children with different nutritional status. It is concluded that interdisciplinary educational interventions carried out for children in an elementary-school environment are effective for improving knowledge of eating, nutrition, and in physical activity, promoting healthier habits among children.

This work aimed to evaluate the sensory acceptance by children of muffins containing different levels of jaboticaba skin flour. It also aimed to determine the physicochemical composition of the traditional product and compare it with that containing the highest level of jaboticaba skin flour showing acceptance similar to that of the traditional muffin. Five muffin formulations containing different levels of jaboticaba skin flour were prepared: 0% (standard), 4.5%, 9%, 13.5% and 18%. A group of 65 untrained tasters of both genders, aged from 7 to 10, took part in the sensory evaluation. The moisture, ash, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, calorie and dietary fibre levels were evaluated. The samples presented no significant alterations ( p > 0.05) for the attributes of appearance, aroma and colour. The formulations containing 0% and 4.5%, received the highest scores (p < 0.05) for flavour, texture and overall acceptance as compared to those with 13.5% and 18% jaboticaba skin flour. The sample with 9% was the one with the highest level of jaboticaba skin flour with acceptance similar to that of the traditional muffins. Higher moisture, ash and dietary fibre levels and lower lipid and protein levels were detected in the formulation with 9%, when compared to the traditional muffins, but there were no significant changes in the carbohydrate and calorie contents. It was concluded that a level of up to 9% jaboticaba skin flour in the muffins was well accepted by the child tasters, achieving a sensory acceptance similar to that of the traditional product and with good commercial potential.