The purpose of this research is to produce and characterize bacterial cellulose (BC) films coated with chitosan (BC-CH). BC films were produced in a fermentation medium based on Camellia sinensis tea and dextrose (12 days at 25 °C) and subsequently treated with coating-forming solutions (CFSs) based on chitosan (BC-CH 0.5%, BC-CH 1.0%, and BC-CH 1.5%). As a result, the FTIR spectra of BC and BC-CH 1.5% showed the main characteristic bands of cellulose and chitosan. In the physicochemical characterization of the films, it was found that the incorporation of the chitosan coatings did not affect the thickness; however, it decreased the luminosity (L*) and increased redness (a*), yellowness (b*), and opacity (75.24%). Additionally, the light absorption properties in the UV-Vis range were improved. Furthermore, the application of the CFSs increased: the solubility (64.91%), the antimicrobial activity against S. aureus (6.55 mm) and E. coli (8.25 mm), as well as the antioxidant activity (57.71% and 24.57% free radical scavenging activity), and the content of total phenols (2.45 mg GAE/g). Finally, our results suggest that the BC-CH films developed in the present study show a potential application as active packaging material for food.

Oleogelation is an alternative process to improve the nutritional properties of food by creating soft-matter structures with the same functionality as commercial fats (shortenings). In this study, oleogels were produced by adding organic candelilla wax at 3% (OC03), 6% (OC06), and 9% (OC09) to extra-virgin linseed oil, and then characterized by their physicochemical properties. Furthermore, the physicochemical and sensorial properties of five cookie formulations were evaluated. Organic candelilla wax influenced the oleogel formulations, giving higher values of color (L* and b*), texture, acidity index, and melting point. In the cookie formulations, the luminosity values decreased when the percentage of oleogel was increased; reddish trends were obtained (a* values) for the cookie where 70% of the fat was replaced by the oleogel (C70), and more yellow trends were obtained (b* values) for C100. The moisture content was higher in cookies with oleogels, but it was within quality limits. The percentage of fat migration was lower in cookies with a mixture of fats and oleogels. In terms of hardness, the substitution of oleogels resulted in softer cookies. In terms of the sensory evaluation, the most accepted cookie was C70. Therefore, this study demonstrates the possibility of using organic-candelilla-wax-based oleogels in a real food model rich in unsaturated fats.

Honey is considered one of the last untreated natural food substances, with a complex composition. It is produced by bees (Apis mellifera) from nectar. The glycemic index (GI) is a physiological assessment of a food’s carbohydrate content via its effect on postprandial blood glucose concentrations. This study evaluated the GI and the satiety response to three Mexican types of honey administered to 26 healthy volunteers. The fructose values ranged from 272.40 g/kg to 395.10 g/kg, while the glucose value ranged from 232.20 g/kg to 355.50 g/kg. The fructose/glucose (F/G) ratio of honey was 1.45, 1.00, and 1.17 for highland, multifloral, and avocado honey, respectively. Highland and avocado honey were classified as medium-GI (69.20 ± 4.07 and 66.36 ± 5.74, respectively), while multifloral honey was classified as high-GI (74.24 ± 5.98). Highland honey presented a higher satiety values response than glucose. The difference in GI values and the satiety response effect of highland honey could be explained by its different carbohydrate composition and the possible presence of other honey components such as phytochemicals. Honey, especially avocado, could therefore be used as a sweetener without altering significantly the blood glucose concentration.

The monofloral avocado honey (AH), characterized by its dark amber color, contains a higher level of bioactive compounds than the multi-floral honey; these characteristics qualify it as a possible sweetener alternative for domestic use. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of the consumption of avocado honey (25 g/day) on anthropometric and biochemical parameters in healthy subjects for 4-weeks. Thirteen healthy subjects (control group: n = 7 or honey group n: 6) aged 25–50 years, with BMI (body mass index): <25 kg/m2 completed the study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04572607). There was no significant difference in BMI and body fat percentage. Likewise, no effects on fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were detected. These data suggest that AH might be as effective as a functional food or natural sweeter without negatively influencing anthropometric and biochemical parameters.

The preference for the consumption of red wine in Mexico is increasing because its components derived from the grape are attributed to health benefits. The quality of wine depends mostly on the vineyard conditions. The objective of this study was able to differentiate the physicochemical composition in the harvest stage of four varieties of red grapes that are used in the production of wine to relate their maturation with those of their hyperspectral signatures. Various parameters including pH, total soluble solids, color, weight, and morphology were determined from the bunches of grapes. Concerning the maturity index, it was observed that the grapes with the highest degree of maturity were Shiraz and Merlot at harvest time. The pH of grape juice is a measure of active acidity; the texture is considered a quick and inexpensive technique. The hyperspectral signatures reflectances versus color, total soluble solids, morphology, weight, texture, and pH for each grape variety was best fitted with Gaussian curves of order 8 to Cabernet sauvignon and Merlot, 7 to Malbec, and 5 to Shiraz with R2 above 0.99.