This study was carried out in order to compare the biochemical characteristics from three edible parts of the multipurpose tree Moringa oleifera such as the leaves, flowers, and immature pods. On average, the three most abundant amino acids were glutamic acid, arginine, and aspartic acid. The fatty acids present at the highest content were linolenic acid (C18:3ω3), palmitic acid (C16:0), linoleic acid (C18:2ω6), and oleic acid (C18:1ω9). The chemical composition (of dry weight) ranged from 19.34% to 22.42% for protein, 1.28% to 4.96% for lipids, 7.62% to 14.60% for ash, and 30.97% to 46.78% for dietary fiber. M. oleifera is a nonconventional plant with substantial nutritional value.

Micro- and nanotechnology are tools being used strongly in the area of food technology. The electrospray technique is booming because of its importance in developing micro- and nanoparticles containing an active ingredient as bioactive compounds, enhancing molecules of flavors, odors, and packaging coatings, and developing polymers that are obtained from food (proteins, carbohydrates), as chitosan, alginate, gelatin, agar, starch, or gluten. The electrospray technique compared to conventional techniques such as nanoprecipitation, emulsion-diffusion, double-emulsification, and layer by layer provides greater advantages to develop micro- and nanoparticles because it is simple, low cost, uses a low amount of solvents, and products are obtained in one step. This technique could also be applied in the agrifood sector for the preparation of controlled and/or prolonged release systems of fertilizer or agrochemicals, for which more research must be conducted.

At present, more than 70 million tons per year of technical lignins are obtained from cellulose pulping and lignocellulosic refineries (e.g., kraft, lignosulfonates, soda, and organosolv lignin). These lignins are commonly incinerated to produce steam and energy, and only a small part is used as an additive in various low volume and niche applications, such as dispersant, in concrete admixtures, as an adhesive and as a binder. Furthermore, the potential of technical lignins is considered to be beyond that of an inexpensive fuel or raw material to produce low added value products. The technical lignins consist of complex polyphenolic polymers that contain numerous chemical functional groups, such as phenolic hydroxyl, carboxylic, carbonyl, and methoxyl groups. The phenolic hydroxyl and methoxyl groups present in lignin reportedly possess various biological activities. The amount of data describing the biological activities of technical lignins has increased in the last 10 years. This review presents the most relevant research concerning the various biological activities (antioxidant, antimicrobial, antimutagenic, and others) of technical lignins. Additionally, the most promising and relevant applications are highlighted.

Whole white corn was ground, and lime, water and xanthan gum (XG, 0.5% w/w), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC, 0.5% w/w), guar gum (GG, 0.5% w/w) or a gums mix (XG, 0.25% w/w; CMC, 0.15% w/w; GG, 0.10% w/w) were added. Blends were extruded, dried and ground to obtain nixtamalized corn flour (ENCF), and they were used to make tortillas. The particle size distribution, particle size index, water absorption capacity (WAC) and water absorption index (WAI) were determined in flour; moisture content and viscoelastic characteristics (G′, G′′, tan δ) were determined in corn masa; tortillas were made, and texture (cutting force and rollability) and sensory evaluation were carried out. ENCF with XG and gums mix had the highest WAC, and tortillas were softer (33%) than tortillas from ENCF without gums. Corn masa viscoelasticity (tan δ) correlated negatively with tortilla firmness (r = −0.84). Corn tortillas made with XG and gums mix had acceptable organoleptic characteristics. PRACTICAL APPLICATION The extrusion process allows the using of the whole corn to make tortillas and reduce processing costs and the contaminant effluents (cooking liquor). The addition of a mix of gums during extrusion makes the corn masa retain more water and modify its rheological properties, improving masa handling characteristics and tortilla textural quality. The evaluation of masa viscoelasticity with the dynamic method makes it possible to differentiate corn masas and to select the best treatments.

Homogeneous and thin porous membranes composed of oriented fibers were obtained from wheat gluten (WG) using the electrospinning technique. SEM micrographs showed an asymmetric structure and some porosity, which, in addition to a small thickness of 40 μm, are desirable characteristics for the membranes’ potential application in release systems. The membranes were loaded with urea to obtain pastilles. FT-IR and DSC studies confirmed the existence of interactions via hydrogen bonding between urea and WG proteins. The pastilles were studied as prolonged-released systems of urea in water. The release of urea during the first 10 min was very fast; then, the rate of release decreased as it reached equilibrium at 300 min, with a total of ≈98% urea released. TGA analysis showed that the release system obtained is thermally stable up to a temperature of 117 °C. It was concluded that a prolonged-release system of urea could be satisfactorily produced using WG fibers obtained by electrospinning for potential application in agricultural crops.

The physiochemical changes of starch in maize tortillas and their intermediate products commercially processed by the traditional way have been determined. Samples of maize, nixtamal, dough or masa, tortilla and nejayote (steep liquor) were analyzed. The samples were assayed for water absorption index (WAI), resistant starch (RS), X‐ray diffraction patterns, viscosity and with Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Enthalpy of fusion (ΔH), initial temperature (To) and transition temperature (Tp) of gelatinization were obtained from DSC curves. Resistant starch contents increased as the products advanced in the process. Significant differences (p > 0.05) in the fusion enthalpy values of maize, nixtamal and masa could not be found. X‐ray diffraction patterns of maize, nixtamal and masa did not show significant changes; however, when masa was transformed into tortillas there was a large loss in crystallinity. The viscoamylograph peak viscosities increased from maize to masa and decreased drastically in tortillas. The data showed that the tortilla baking stage caused the most pronounced changes in starch.

The nanoprecipitation method has been investigated to obtain particles in a nanometric and micrometric scale. The particles obtained by this method have been applied in recent years in the food and agricultural industries. Variations of the method as flash nanoprecipitation (FNP) and two-step nanoprecipitation are explained in this article, besides its relation with the ouzo effect.This work presents an overview of the nanoprecipitation method, its advantages, and the potential applications in the food and agricultural industries for improving the quality of food products.

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