In order to investigate the abiotic stress (drought) tolerance of oat (Avena sativa L.) with silicon and sulphur foliar fertilisation treatments, and monitor the effect of the treatments on the physiology, production, stress tolerance, plant, and grain quality of winter oat varieties, a field experiment was conducted in the growing season of 2020–2021. As a continuation of our article, published in another Special Issue of Plants, in this publication we evaluate the effect of silicon and sulphur treatments on the quality of winter oats. The whole grain sulphur content was significantly different between varieties. The foliar fertiliser treatments caused greater differences in both the carbon and nitrogen, and sulphur contents in the green plant samples, compared to the differences measured in the grain. Foliar treatments had a significant effect on the sulphur content of both plant samples and grains. Significant differences in the Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sr, and Zn contents of oat grains were measured, both between treatments and between varieties. Winter oat varieties did not respond equally to the foliar fertiliser treatments in terms of either macronutrient or micronutrient content. When P, K, Ca, Mg, and S were summarised, the highest values were in the control plots. Significant differences in protein content were identified between winter oat varieties in response to the treatments, but the varieties did not respond in the same way to different foliar fertiliser treatments. Based on our results, we recommend the use of foliar fertilisation in oats in drought-prone areas.

The utilization of food industry byproducts is one of today’s important environmental and economic tasks. Byproducts that form during food production are typically used for feed purposes, but in many cases these materials can also be used in the production of human foods. The brewer’s spent grain left behind after brewing beer is a byproduct with favorable nutrition parameters, with low sugar and high fiber and protein contents. The main objective of our experiments was the reintroduction of brewer’s spent grain into the food industry, with a focus on innovation and sustainable development, by utilizing it in commercially available bakery products (salty medallions / wafers) formulated and regulated in the Hungarian Food Codex. Brewer’s spent grain consists of vegetable proteins and fibers (inactive malt), which may improve the compositional characteristics when preparing bakery products. In the course of our research, medallions enriched with brewer’s spent grain were prepared, of the beneficial parameters of which its high dietary fiber content should be highlighted, which can contribute to the realization of a health-conscious diet for consumers. A diet rich in dietary fiber, combined with an adequate amount of exercise, can reduce the risk of developing certain diseases (e.g., cancer and cardiovascular diseases).

Malting is a sustainable, low-cost, and adaptable technique that enhances the nutritional and functional value of cereals while contributing to waste reduction, improved food safety, and the valorization of brewing by-products such as brewers’ spent grain. It was originally developed for barley but is now used with a wide range of cereals. Malting, in its simplest form, involves controlled germination and drying, which enhance enzyme activity and improve grain nutritional quality. Our review introduces a broader perspective by addressing how malting can enhance health benefits through malted forms of both common and less prominent cereals such as sorghum, teff, millet, triticale, quinoa, and buckwheat. Nutritional enhancement takes place by increasing nutrient bioavailability, changing chemical composition, and reducing antinutrients, while inducing the production of bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities. This review examines brewers’ spent grain (BSG), a nutrient-dense brewing by-product that is widely recognized as a sustainable ingredient for food and nutrition applications.

Az élelmiszeripari melléktermékek hasznosítása napjaink egyik fontos környezetvédelmi és gazdasági feladata. Az élelmiszeripari termelés során keletkező melléktermékeket jellemzően takarmányozási célokra hasznosítják, de ezek az anyagok számos esetben az emberi élelmiszerek gyártása során is hasznosíthatók lehetnek. A sörgyártás során visszamaradt törköly kedvező beltartalmi paraméterekkel rendelkező, alacsony cukor-, magas rost- és fehérjetartalmú melléktermék. Kísérleteink irányvonala a sörtörköly élelmiszeriparba történő visszavezetése, az innováció és fenntartható fejlődés szem előtt tartásával, a Magyar Élelmiszerkönyvben megfogalmazott és szabályozott, közforgalomban kapható sütőipari (sós tallér/ostya) termékekben való hasznosíthatósága volt. A sörtörköly növényi fehérjékből és rostokból áll (inaktív maláta), amely sütőipari termékek készítésénél az összetételi jellemzők javulását eredményezheti. Kutatásunk során sörtörköllyel dúsított tallérokat készítettünk, amelyek kedvező paraméterei közül kiemelendő a magas élelmirost-tartalom, amely hozzájárulhat a fogyasztók egészségtudatos táplálkozásának megvalósításához. Az élelmirostban gazdag táplálkozás, megfelelő mennyiségű testmozgással kombinálva csökkentheti egyes betegségek (pl. daganatos, szív- és érrendszeri megbetegedések) kialakulásának kockázatát.

With growing demand for functional foods, mushroom-based ingredients are gaining popularity. The typical white mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is particularly valued for its bioactive compounds and shows promise as a nutritional enhancer in widely consumed products, such as chocolate. This study examined the fortification of dark, milk, and white chocolates with freeze-dried, sous-vide processed A. bisporus powder at 4%, 6%, and 8% levels. Analyses focused on protein content, dietary fiber, essential minerals, texture, and sensory characteristics. Mushroom addition notably improved nutritional values. In white chocolate, protein increased from 6.04% to 8.92%, while dark chocolate with 8% fortification reached 13.25%, compared to 11.09% in the control. The magnesium content also increased significantly, from 2579 mg/kg to 3184 mg/kg. Total dietary fiber also showed a significant improvement. Texture analysis revealed a reduction in firmness, with the 8% A. bisporus powder fortified dark chocolate formulation softening from 24,685 g·s to 10,633 g·s. Despite these changes, sensory evaluation confirmed that taste and appearance remained acceptable. Overall, incorporating A. bisporus powder into chocolate improved its nutritional profile while introducing moderate changes to texture. These findings highlight its potential as a functional ingredient in the development of healthier confectionery products.