The aim of this study was to investigate the physicochemical and antioxidant activity of carob pod powder and its use in preparing of functional drinks, and some confectionery products. The raw and heated (at 110˚C and 130˚C/20 min) carob powder was used in preparing of drinks. The concentrate carob drink was used in preparing of some confectionery products. The drying process significantly decreased the moisture and total sugars values in carob powder. The antioxidant activity (was measured by two different assays, which are DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP) of heated carob powder drinks was lower than the raw carob powder drink, while total phenolic not affected. The best sensory acceptability was observed with raw carob powder drink at ratio 1:2 (carob powder: water). The concentration process caused significant increase in total phenolic and antioxidant activity of carob drink. According to the sensory evaluation results, the carob concentrate was used in preparation of Toffee, Jelly candy and Turkish delight by 5%, 20% and 10%, respectively. The carob concentrate increased the antioxidant activity of the previous confectionery products. From these results the carob concentrate could be used in preparation of functional and healthy foods.

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Aluminum is a ubiquitous toxic metal that mainly affects brain, bone, spleen, liver, kidney, hepatic hematopoietic system. This study investigated the effect of Curcumin and Curcumin Nanoparticles on reduced the toxicity of aluminum chloride in treated rats. Six groups of rats were used: (1) control; (2) curcumin-treated rats (15 mg curcumin /Kg BW; (3) Nano-curcumin -treated rats (15 mg Nano-curcumin /Kg BW); (4) aluminum chloride-treated rats (100 mg/kg BW); (5) AlCl 3curcumin-treated rats (100 mg AlCl 3 and 15 mg curcumin/kg BW); (6) AlCl 3 -Nano-curcumin -treated rats (100 mg AlCl 3 and 15 mg Nano-curcumin /kg BW). The treatment with AlCl 3 alone caused significant (P≤ 0.05) increased in liver and kidney functions of rats, while the oral intake of curcumin and Nano-curcumin eliminate the harmful effect of AlCl 3 . On the same side, the treatment with AlCl 3 alone significantly (P≤ 0.05) increase the free radical level and decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes in plasma, while the treatment with curcumin and Nano-curcumin reduced this increased in free radicals and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes. These results confirmed that the curcumin and Nano-curcumin reduced the toxicity effect of AlCl 3 in rats; moreover, Nano-curcumin has a best biological and antioxidant activity than curcumin in healthy and AlCl 3 -treated rats.

This study investigated the effect of supplementation with cantaloupe peel (CP) and seeds (CS) (3, 6, 9, and 12%) powder on the quality and antioxidant activity of raw and cooked chicken patties during storage (-20°C/3 months). The addition of CP and CS powder increased protein, fat, ash, and fiber values of chicken patties compared with control, while carbohydrate, pH, and TBA were decreased at zero time and after 3 months of storage. The WHC, cooking yield, fat retention, and moisture retention were increased by increasing CP and CS powder addition ratios, while cooking loss and shrinkage were decreased. Also, CP and CS powder improved antioxidant activity, microbiological quality, and overall acceptability of chicken patties. The hardness of raw and cooked chicken patties was decreased with increasing CP and CS addition ratios. It is recommended to use CP and CS powder as functional ingredients in the preparation of functional foods.

Vitamin D plays a vital role in synthesizing calcium-carrying proteins in the small intestine and helps the absorption of calcium in the body, thus reducing the risk of rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults, especially in women. So, the objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional value and quality characteristics of some food products such as waffles, breadsticks and salad cream fortified with dried mushroom powder (DMP) after exposure to sunlight for 60 min as a source of vitamin D. The exposure of mushroom to sunlight for 60 min before drying increased its content of vitamin D by 158% more than fresh mushroom (not exposed to sunlight). The DMP was added to the product’s formula by a ratio of 1, 2, and 3%. The addition of DMP increased protein, ash, fat, and vitamin D2 and D3 contents in all products, while carbohydrates and moisture contents were decreased in both waffles, and breadsticks. The hardness of both waffles and breadsticks was decreased with increasing the levels of DMP added, while the addition of DMP led to enhance bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in all products. The sensory evaluation of waffles, breadsticks, and salad cream containing DMP was not changed than control sample. The results found that the intake of 100 g of salad cream, waffles, and breadstick (containing 3% DMP) could by providing more than the recommended daily allowances (RDA) of vitamin D. Therefore, this study recommended the use of DMP (by a ratio of 3%) in fortifying food products in order to meet the RDA of vitamin D.