Amaranthus sp. represents a promising pseudocereal due to its resilience to adverse environmental conditions and extensive nutritional benefits. This study evaluated amaranth samples from Peru, Slovakia, and Poland to compare their proximate composition, mineral content, amino acid profiles, antioxidant potential, and specific lipid fractions (phytosterols, squalene, and tocopherols). Results revealed significant regional variability: Polish cultivars generally exhibited the highest ( p < 0.05) protein and squalene concentrations, while certain Peruvian kiwicha varieties excelled ( p < 0.05) in total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. Mineral analyses confirmed diverse calcium, magnesium, and iron levels, underscoring environmental and genetic influences. Amino acid profiling highlighted consistently high ( p < 0.05) lysine and leucine, particularly in high‐protein samples, reinforcing amaranth's potential as a complementary protein source. Lipid analysis revealed substantial ( p < 0.05) phytosterols (dominated by β ‐sitosterol) and varying tocopherol isomers, with certain cultivars displaying notably high δ ‐tocopherol. Correlation and principal component analyses further demonstrated trait clustering (e.g., protein, squalene, and essential amino acids), suggesting targeted breeding opportunities to optimize nutritional density and bioactive composition. These findings reaffirm amaranth's application in functional food development, particularly in gluten‐free applications, and emphasize its role as a strategic crop in addressing nutritional deficiencies and promoting dietary diversity.

Cashew nut production and fruit processing generate significant by‐products, particularly cashew apple and cashew apple pomace (CAP), which are often treated as waste. However, CAP is a valuable source of nutrients and bioactive compounds that can be repurposed to develop functional food products. Valorizing this by‐product represents a pivotal advancement toward achieving sustainability and circularity in the food industry. This review aimed to highlight the chemical composition and potential applications of CAP in functional food development. The review shows that CAP is enriched with bioactive compounds, including phenolic acids, carotenoids, and flavonoids, alongside essential nutrients such as fiber, minerals, carbohydrates, and proteins. The incorporation of CAP into food products may confer a myriad of health benefits, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiobesity, and gastroprotective properties. This review elucidates approaches to effectively integrate CAP into food formulations while preserving their sensory attributes. Utilizing CAP in food products can significantly reduce food waste and enhance the overall nutritional and functional profile of food, contributing to a more sustainable and circular food system.

The cashew apple pomace (CAP) is a by‐product of the cashew fruit, rich in fiber, minerals, and bioactive compounds. The study is aimed at preparing biscuits incorporated with 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% cashew apple pomace powder (CAPP) and evaluating the nutritional, oxidative stability, color, antioxidant, and organoleptic properties. CAPP showed higher ash (2.15 ± 0.14 g/100 g), protein (10.31 ± 0.11 g/100 g), fiber (14.80 ± 0.10 g/100 g), fat (5.58 ± 0.02 g/100 g), total phenolic content (640 ± 0.04 mg GAE/100 g), and DPPH antioxidant activity (485.36 ± 0.05 mg TEAC/100 g) than the wheat flour. The ash, fat, protein, and total energy content of the enriched biscuits increased significantly ( p < 0.05), while total carbohydrates, moisture, reducing sugar, and L ∗ markedly reduced with increasing incorporation of CAPP. Aside from cobalt, mineral levels, including copper, zinc, manganese, and iron, were significantly higher than in the control, with cadmium and lead remaining within safe limits as CAPP increasingly replaced wheat flour. The oxidative stability of the enriched biscuits improved 1.5–2.79 times than that of the control biscuits as CAPP incorporation increased ( p < 0.05). The enriched biscuit had significantly higher total phenolics, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and DPPH antioxidant activity than the control biscuits. Substituting wheat flour with up to 10% CAPP resulted in the highest scores for color, taste, appearance, and overall acceptability. Thus, CAPP‐enriched biscuits can be produced with enhanced nutrients, antioxidant properties, and high consumer acceptance.

Coconut oil is highly regarded for its nutritional and functional attributes, making it an attractive candidate for diverse food and health applications. This study evaluates the fatty acid profile, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, oxidative stability, and sensory properties of selected coconut oils (Coco24, Health, Kospa, Smetol, and Vita) from the Slovak republic market. Acid values (0.09 ± 0.060–0.42 ± 0.060 mg KOH/g) and peroxide values (0.51 ± 0.058–1.20 ± 0.010 mmol O₂/kg) were within recommended safety limits. Oxidative stability varied significantly (p ˂ 0.05), with Smetol showing the highest induction time (124.5 ± 0.98 h) and Coco24 the lowest (25.8 ± 0.22 h). DPPH antioxidant activity was highest in health (469.2 ± 2.01 mg TEAC/kg) and Coco24 (369.3 ± 1.99 mg TEAC/kg) (TEAC—Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity). Coco24, Health, and Kospa exhibited the most potent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (2.01 ± 0.001 mm, 1.37 ± 0.021 mm, 1.15 ± 0.010 mm, respectively), Candida glabrata (1.17 ± 0.015 mm, 1.17 ± 0.015 mm, 0.45 ± 0.025 mm, respectively), Candida tropicalis (2.12 ± 0.017 mm, 2.13 ± 0.017 mm, 1.52 ± 0.006 mm, respectively), and Bacillus subtilis (1.29 ± 0.055 mm, 1.35 ± 0.006 mm, 0.31 ± 0.020 mm, respectively). FAME analysis revealed that saturated fatty acids dominated, especially in Smetol (97.6 ± 0.067%), while Coco24 had the highest levels of unsaturated fatty acids. Vita and Kospa received the highest panel ratings for smell, taste, and overall acceptability, indicating superior sensory appeal, whereas Smetol scored the lowest. Correlation analysis showed strong positive relationships between MUFA and PUFA (r = 0.986) and taste and acceptability (r = 0.993), as well as between antioxidant activity and Candida albicans inhibition (r = 0.859). Oxidative stability was negatively correlated with PUFA (r = –0.924). PCA grouped oils high in MUFA/PUFA (Kospa, Vita) with superior sensory scores, while PC2 reflected microbial safety. These differences suggest that Coco24, Health, Vita, and Kospa offer enhanced functional and sensory benefits, whereas Smetol is better suited for applications that prioritize oxidative stability.

Jerusalem artichoke tuber extracts (JAE) bioactivity including anticancer, antimicrobial, and digestion-inhibiting properties were investigated. The findings showed that the extracts were able to inhibit cancer growth in the HT-29 colon cancer cell line (HT-29 cc cell line) in a dose-dependent form. The suppression of cell proliferation rose to about 78.05 ± 3.9 percent at a dose of 250 μg mL⁻¹. The Annexin V assay showed dose-dependent DNA fragmentation and detected late apoptotic induction in the HT-29 cc cell line. Depending on the concentration, the extract was able to stop the cell cycle in the HT-29 cc cell line at the G1 phase. Also, JAE prevented the HT-29 cc cell line growth, which resulted in programmed cell death. Additionally, the extracts are potential antibacterial agents and may inhibit lipase and α-amylase.