Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) and peonidin-3-glucoside (P3G) in black rice grain (BRG) demonstrate many beneficial health effects, including antioxidant and anti-aging properties. This research aimed to study on pulsed electric field assisted water extraction (PEF-AWE) on BRG using pre-treatment technique, which was determined for enhanced yields of C3G and P3G, antioxidant and sirtuin1 enzyme stimulation activities. The effects of operating parameters for PEF-AWE (intensity of electric field, X1: 3–5 kV/cm, number of pulse, X2: 1000–3000 pulse and BRG/water ratio, X3: 0.1–0.5 g/mL) were determined using regression analysis and optimized PEF-AWE condition using the response surface methodology. Regression models showed the intensity of electric field and BRG/water ratio were the strong influence parameters significantly on C3G (p < 0.01). The results highlighted optimized conditions of PEF-AWE followed by 5 kV/cm, 3000 pulse and 0.5 g/mL leading to achieve higher C3G (92.59 ± 4.79 mg/g) and P3G (4.59 ± 0.27 mg/g) than no pre-treatment by PEF process, approximately 60%. Additionally, PEF extracts of BRG can modulate the ability of surtuin1 enzyme to deacetylate substrate proteins (26.78 ± 0.50 FIR). Thus, PEF-AWE can be applied to produce BRG extract as natural antioxidant compound and functional ingredient.

Black pepper powder (BPP) and cinnamon powder (CP) are traditionally used as food ingredients and can apply related to developing a functional product. In this study, BPP and CP were used as an ingredient in mixed-spice ice cream (MSIC). The physicochemical properties, textural properties, and sensory qualities were investigated as key points. BPP (0.51–17.49 g) and CP (8.79–51.21 g) were combined using a central composite design (CCD) with 2 centerpoints. The optimized BPP and CP for the MSIC were 15.00 g and 34.00 g, which exhibited firmness and overrun at 3210.65 ± 105.74 g.force and 61.63 ± 0.60%. The MSIC with optimized BPP and CP also provides high bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities with cinnamaldehyde and piperine as flavor characteristics. The findings indicated that BPP and CP can enhance the functional properties and provide alternative flavors in the food product, providing an innovative approach to deliver health-beneficial combinations for consumer satisfaction.

Summary This study aimed to determine the influence of Spirulina platensis and edible polymer coating on the physicochemical and texture properties, and sensory acceptance of coated instant rice: glutinous white rice (GWR), glutinous black rice (GBR), non‐glutinous white rice (NWR) and non‐glutinous black rice (NBR). Instant rice was cooked and dried, and then coated by a pan‐coating process. Black rice varieties (GBR and NBR) showed higher amounts of protein, fibre, ash and bioactive compounds than white rice varieties (GWR and NWR). The Spirulina‐coated rice had significantly improved texture properties, especially black rice cultivars. The hedonic rating of the coated instant rice ranged from 5 (neither like nor dislike) to 6 (slightly liked), and GBR obtained a higher acceptability score (6.93). Principal component analysis models allowed sample classification. Therefore, fortification with Spirulina as a coating on instant rice could be an alternative way to produce functional instant rice with extra health benefits.

Coating is an effective and economic strategy to increase the functional property of food products. This study investigated the technical feasibility of adding Spirulina platensis to edible polymers, namely carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and maltodextrin (MD), in the coating of instant jasmine rice, using a central composite design (CCD). A total of 10 edible coating formulations comprising CMC (10–30% w/v) and MD (1–5% w/v) were evaluated to optimize the most suitable combination of physicochemical properties, textural attributes, and sensory acceptance. The resulting rice fortified with S. platensis and hydrocolloids showed improved textural and functional properties favourable for consumer acceptance. Among these, the optimum (20.0% MD, 1.0% CMC, and 2.0% S. platensis powder) increased the physicochemical properties and decreased textural properties compared with those of uncoated rice. This condition showed phycocyanin content of 1.4 mg/g, chlorophyll a of 181.5 µg/g, total phenolic compound (TPC) of 137.3 µg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of 3.8 mg ferrous (Fe2+)/g with overall acceptability of 7.1 (like moderately). It can be stated that masking the colour and flavour of Spirulina with an edible coating could be a healthy alternative to commercial rice and used to fortify cereal products with algae.

This study uses an experimental vignette methodology to investigate and compare, for the first time, consumer food waste decisions in the United Kingdom and Thailand. Specifically, we examine consumers’ decisions to discard leftovers during meal scenarios affected by varying economic, and contextual factors. Different consumer segments are identified and characterised, and our results suggest that consumers in the United Kingdom and Thailand are more likely to save leftovers when dining at home, when meals are expensive, and when a whole meal is left over. We discuss these findings and provide recommendations for practitioners and policymakers aiming to reduce food waste.