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New lifestyles, higher incomes and better consumer awareness are increasing the demand for a year-round supply of innovative food products. In past decades, important developments have been achieved in areas related to food and the food industry. This review shows that factors influencing performance in new product development (NPD) are dynamic and continuously guiding project development. The data obtained by direct involvement of consumers can impact positively successful product development and enhance the company’s financial performance. The study of consumer behaviour and attitudes towards new foods encompasses multiple aspects, such as preference, choice, desire to eat certain foods, buying intentions and frequency of consumption. Additionally, both the consumers’ willingness to purchase and the willingness to pay a premium are important in NPD, launching and success.

Bananas (cv. Musa nana and Musa cavendishii) fresh and dried by hot air at 50 and 70°C and lyophilisation were analysed for phenolic contents and antioxidant activity. All samples were subject to six extractions (three with methanol followed by three with acetone/water solution). The experimental data served to train a neural network adequate to describe the experimental observations for both output variables studied: total phenols and antioxidant activity. The results show that both bananas are similar and air drying decreased total phenols and antioxidant activity for both temperatures, whereas lyophilisation decreased the phenolic content in a lesser extent. Neural network experiments showed that antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds can be predicted accurately from the input variables: banana variety, dryness state and type and order of extract. Drying state and extract order were found to have larger impact in the values of antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds.

The aim of this work was to determine the mass transfer properties of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) exposed to air drying. The drying temperatures tested ranged between 30°C and 70°C, and the kinetic behavior was studied in this temperature band. The samples were analyzed in terms of moisture content, acidity, proteins, lipids, and crude fiber, both in the fresh state and after drying. From the chemical analyses made, it was possible to conclude that drying induces some reductions in acidity, lipids, fibers, and proteins. As to the influence of the drying temperature on the process, it was observed that a temperature rise from 30°C to 70°C led to a 70% saving in drying time. The results obtained by fitting the experimental data to the kinetic models tested allowed concluding that the best model for the present case is Henderson-Pabis, and the worst is Vega-Lemus. Furthermore, in this work, it was possible to determine the values of the diffusion coefficient at an infinite temperature, D e 0 , and activation energy for moisture diffusion, E d , which were, respectively, 0.0039 m 2 /s and 32.26 kJ/mol. Similarly, the values of the Arrhenius constant and the activation energy for convective mass transfer, respectively, h m 0 and E c , were also calculated, the first being 3.798×10 8 m/s and the latter 86.25 kJ/mol. These results indicate that the activation energy for convective mass transfer is higher than that for mass diffusion.

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Background: Intangible cultural heritage includes knowledge and skills transmitted throughout times, and this also applies to the food sector. Traditional knowledge assumes important social and economic value, which is relevant both for sectorial clusters as well as for majority social groups.Scope and approach: The objective of this review was to analyse the constraints and motivations for development in the sector of traditional foods, from the point of view of marketing and consumer trends. This review was based on published works searched for in scientific databases, such as ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus and web of Science. Key findings and conclusions:This review showed that the value of tradition, recognized in many sectors of society, is also important in the food sector, which is particularly rich in ethnical elements, local ingredients, traditional formulations and social aspects, linked not only to the food itself but also to the act of eating and sharing. However, the food industry seeks development of new products that follow modern trends and are able to conquer today's consumers, while at the same time maintaining the identity of specific products, valued as traditional.