Background: Ω-3 fatty acids perform several therapeutic functions in the body, however, their applications are limited due to the inferior oxidative stability. To improve the oxidative stability and release properties of Ω-3 fatty acids, microencapsulation is performed. Butter is a good source of fat-soluble vitamins and antioxidant systems however, it is not a good source of Ω-3 fatty acids. Supplementation of butter with microcapsules of vegetable oils rich in Ω-3 fatty acids is not reported in literature.Methods: Microcapsules of chia oil (MCO) were prepared using chitosan as encapsulating material by spray drying at lower temperature. Unsalted butter prepared from cultured cream usingLactococcus lactisssp.Lactisat 21 °C for 16 Hrs. Cream was churned at 12 °C and microcapsules of chia oil were added to the butter during the working stage at four different concentrations i.e. 2, 4, 6 and 8% (T₁, T₂, T₃and T₄, respectively). Butter without supplementation of MCO were kept as control. Butter samples were stored for 90 days at -10 °C. Butter composition, antioxidant capacity, fatty acid profile, induction period, free fatty acids, peroxide value and sensory evaluation were performed at 0, 45 and 90 days of storage.Results: Addition of MCO in butter did not have any effect on standards of identity of butter. Microencapsulation had no effect on fatty acid profile of microcapsules of chia oil. Concentration of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in control, T₁, T₂, T₃and T₄were 0.49, 4.29, 8.41, 13.21 and 17.44%, respectively. Concentration of ALA in fresh and 90 days stored butter samples were 17.44 and 17.11%, respectively. After 90 days of storage, loss of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were 0.07%, 0.05 and 0.03%, respectively. At 0, 45 and 90 days of storage, 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyle (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity of free chia oil was 39.81, 71.22 and 62.18%, respectively. However, microcapsules of chia oil had superior antioxidant activity. DPPH free radical scavenging activity of microcapsules at 0, 45 and 90 days of storage was 36.51, 36.43 and 35.96%, respectively (p > 0.05). Total antioxidant capacity of microcapsules at 0, 45 and 90 days of storage was 70.53, 69.88 and 68.52%, respectively (p > 0.05). It was recorded that induction period of free chia oil and microcapsules was only 2.86 h and 8.55 h. Among the butter samples, control revealed the lowest induction period. While, induction period of experimental samples was not different from each other. Peroxide value and free fatty acids of the butter samples at the end of storage period (90 days) was less than the European Union standards limit (10MeqO₂/kg and 0.2%). Sensory characteristics of experimental samples were similar to the control. MCO can be added in butter to improve its functional value.Conclusion: Concentration of Ω-3 fatty acids in butter up to 8% can be increased through microcapsules of chia oil with reasonable oxidative stability and no effect on sensory characteristics.

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is commonly consumed by humans and widely available around the world. It has impressive nutritional properties, a rich phytochemical profile, and various claimed medicinal and health benefits. The major carotenoids in watermelon include lycopene, β-carotene, phytofluene, phytoene, lutein, and neurosporene. Lycopene (approximately 6,888 μg/152 g) is the major bioactive component in the fruit and it reportedly promotes several therapeutic effects, such as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities etc. in humans and animals. Watermelon is also a good source of the amino acid citrulline, which is involved in production of arginine. Pre- and postharvest factors, including fruit sampling area, application of fertilizer, climatic factors, and genetic variability, are known to affect its bioactive compounds and nutrient concentrations. This review summarizes our current understanding of the watermelon phytochemical profile and the factors affecting its bioactivities and therapeutic effects.

Among the dietary lipids, milk fat is most complicated as it contains more than one hundred types of fatty acids and several triglycerides. Huge versatility in triglyceride and fatty composition makes it possible to convert milk fat into various fractions on the basis of melting characteristics. Functional properties of milk fat can be increased by converting it into different fractions. After cow milk, buffalo milk is the second largest source of milk and chemical characteristics of buffalo milk fat has been studied in a limited fashion. The main mandate was determination of triglyceride, fatty acid profile and antioxidant characteristics of low melting point fractions of buffalo milk fat for increased industrial applications. Buffalo milk fat (cream) was fractionated at three different temperatures i.e. 25, 15 and 10 °C by dry fractionation technique and packaged in 250 ml amber glass bottles and stored at ambient temperature for 90 days. The fraction of milk fat harvested at 25, 15 and 10 °C were declared as LMPF-25, LMPF-15 and LMPF-10. Unmodified milk fat was used as control (PBMF). Low melting point fractions were analyzed for triglyceride composition, fatty acid profile, total phenolic contents, DPPH free radicals scavenging activity, reducing power, free fatty acids, peroxide value, iodine value and conjugated dienes at 0, 45 and 90 days of storage. In LMPF-10, concentrations of C36, C38, C40, and C42 were 2.58, 3.68, 6.49 and 3.85% lower than PBMF. In LMPF-25, concentrations of C44, C46, C48, C50, C52 and C54 were 0.71, 1.15, 2.53, 4.8, 0.39 and 2.39% higher than PBMF. In LMPF-15, concentrations of C44, C46, C48, C50, C52 and C54 were 2.45, 4.2, 3.47, 5.92, 2.38 and 3.16% higher than PBMF. In LMPF-10, concentrations of C44, C46, C48, C50, C52 and C54 were 2.8, 5.6, 5.37, 7.81, 3.81 and 4.45% higher than PBMF. LMPF-25, LMPF-15 and LMPF-10 had higher concentration of unsaturated fatty acids as compared PBMF. Total phenolic contents of buffalo milk fat and its fractions were in the order of LMPF-10 > LMPF-15, LMPF-25 > PBMF. Storage period of 45 days had a non-significant effect on total flavonoid content. 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity of LMP-25, LMPF-15 and LMPF-10 were 4.8, 13.11 and 25.79% higher than PBMF. Reducing power of PBMF, LMPF-25, LMPF-15 and LMPF-10 were 22.81, 28.47, 37.51 and 48.14, respectively. Estimation of free fatty acids after the 90 days of storage duration, no significant difference was found in content of free fatty acids in unmodified milk fat and low melting point fractions. Testing of peroxide value in 90 days old samples showed that peroxide value of PBMF, LMPF-25, LMPF-15 and LMPF-10 was 0.54, 0.98, 1.46 and 2.22 (MeqO2/kg), respectively. Storage period up to 45 days had a non-significant effect on anisidine value, iodine value and conjugated dienes. Low melting point fractions of buffalo milk fat had higher concentration of unsaturated fatty acids and more antioxidant capacity than unmodified milk fat with reasonable storage stability.

Plant‐based beverages (PBBs) have attracted considerable attention from the global dairy industry as a viable substitute to the milk industry due to their sustainability, nutritional value, and economics. An emerging trend is PBBs, which can be an affordable option for low‐income populations in developing nations and in areas where there is a limited supply of cow's milk. The PBB market is projected to reach a value of $7.3 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3% from 2023 to $2.8 billion in 2022. The increase of vegans around the world is the main factor propelling the PBB market's expansion. Cereals, legumes, nuts, and seeds are the sources that may be utilized for manufacturing vegetal beverages. The present possibilities and obstacles related to PBB development are explored in this review. This review summarizes novel insights on PBB, the use of novel ingredients, traditional and technologically advanced methods, health benefits, and risks related to consuming these beverages. This comprehensive review also briefly describes the production processes utilized for producing PBBs, the bioavailability of nutrients, their impact on gut microbiota, and the sustainability of PBBs for the circular economy. These insights are intended to assist scientists and food producers in choosing and refining appropriate processing techniques to enhance the nutritional attributes, shelf life, and consumer acceptability of PBBs.

Fruits provide abundant vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and natural antioxidants. Falsa ( Grewia asiatica ), a lesser‐known berry fruit, is gaining attention owing to its diverse bioactive compounds and potential health‐promoting properties. This study aimed to evaluate the polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of processed products made from natural and organic Falsa. Natural Falsa fruit leather had the highest total polyphenolic content (6.04 ± 0.31 mg gallic acid equivalents [GAE]/g), followed by organic Falsa fruit leather (3.67 ± 0.13 mg GAE/g), with natural Falsa generally having a greater polyphenolic content. Antioxidant activity, assessed using 2,2 ^′ ‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferrous ion chelating activity (FICA), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2 ^′ ‐azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and total antioxidant capacity assays, was strongest in natural Falsa fruit leather. Liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS/MS) analysis enabled the tentative identification of 88 polyphenolic compounds across the analyzed samples. These compounds were classified into major groups, including phenolic acids (32), flavonoids (36), lignans (6), stilbenes (2), and other polyphenols (12). HPLC analysis demonstrated a greater concentration of epicatechin and p ‐hydroxybenzoic acid in natural Falsa pulp compared to other Falsa products. In conclusion, our findings suggest that both fruit types (natural or organic) and the processing method have a significant impact on the polyphenolic composition and antioxidant activity of Falsa‐based products.