physicochemical properties

As one of the most popular fried ready-to-eat foods in the world, chicken nuggets are deep fried. Due to the immersion of the product in this method, the oil content increases, thus causing obesity and related diseases. For this reason, reducing the fat of the product while maintaining the organoleptic properties has been given much attention and research. In this study, chicken nuggets with different batter formulations (wheat flour, rice flour, and quinoa flour) were fried by two methods (deep and hot air) in terms of moisture content, oil content, weight loss, batter absorption rate, and stickiness percentage, color, texture, viscosity, diameter and sensory evaluation were investigated. The oil content, moisture content and percentage of adhesion of the coating to the core were higher in deep frying than in hot air frying. Texture, deep fried chicken nuggets had less firmness and gumminess. The results also showed that the samples coated with quinoa flour had higher moisture content, batter pickup and oil content while they experienced lower cooking loss and coating adhesion to the core. In terms of color, the coating of quinoa dough showed lower L*, b*, and higher a*. The hardness of the nuggets coated with quinoa paste was lower than the other two samples. The results show that hot air frying is generally a healthy method for producing chicken nuggets and a valuable alternative for producing fried protein foods. As a gluten-free grain with high nutritional value, quinoa flour paste can be a good substitute for wheat in reducing the oil content of fried products.

Fenugreek with the scientific name (Trigonella foenum-graceum) is a hidden plant, and the fenugreek seed, which is the most important medicinal part of this plant, contains flavonoids, sesqui-terpenes, sterols, and mucilage fibers. In the present study, the aqueous-alcoholic extract of fenugreek seeds at four levels (zero, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%) on some physicochemical characteristics (pH, acidity, hydration and viscosity), the amount of phenolic compounds, The antioxidant activity and sensory properties (taste, texture, color and overall acceptance) of the enriched stirred yogurt were evaluated during 14 days of storage. The results of data analysis showed that the sample containing 0.6 percent has the lowest and highest pH and acidity indicators, respectively. Also, by increasing the storage time up to 14 days and decreasing the pH, the amount of water content of all the samples increased significantly (P<0.05). The results showed that with a significant decrease in the content of phenolic compounds during the storage period, adding fenugreek seed extract to the amount of 0.6% in a period of 1 and especially 7 days increased the antioxidant activity and then, up to the storage time of 14 days, the antioxidant activity was low in some samples and with a very slight change in some samples (P<0.05). Also, the highest and lowest values of viscosity were 3500 centipoise (the control sample on the first day) and 703 centipoise (the sample containing 0.6% on the fourteenth day) (P<0.05). Finally, by examining the results of sensory properties, the sample containing fenugreek seed extract was able to get an acceptable score from the sensory evaluators compared to the control sample. Among the types of enriched and control yogurt formulations, the sample containing 0.6% extract had the highest degree of desirability in terms of sensory properties when stored for 1 day.

Protein films have gained significant attention in the development of sustainable packaging materials due to their exceptional properties and versatility. These films offer superior gas barrier properties, specific mechanical characteristics, and enhanced intermolecular connection capabilities compared to other biopolymers. Researchers are exploring innovative methods to enhance the film-forming properties of proteins, improve their mechanical strength, and optimize their gas barrier performance. Various protein sources, such as gelatin, whey protein, soy protein, corn zein, wheat gluten, and casein, are being investigated for film fabrication. Techniques to modify protein films, including the incorporation of additives, crosslinking agents, and nanomaterials, are being explored to enhance their properties. The development of protein-based composite films, by blending proteins with other biopolymers or synthetic materials, is also being explored to achieve improved performance and functionality. Advancements in processing technologies, such as film casting, extrusion, and electrospinning, enable precise control over the thickness, morphology, and structural properties of protein films. These films not only offer enhanced barrier properties but also possess biodegradability and renewable characteristics, aligning with the increasing demand for eco-friendly packaging solutions. The preparation and improvement of protein films hold significant potential for revolutionizing the packaging industry and contributing to a greener and more environmentally friendly future. This review provides an overview of current research and advancements in the field, addressing various protein sources, film modification techniques, processing methods, challenges, and future prospects.

In this research, a type of cream was produced according to the standard method with different percentages of fat and different pressures of homogenization. Five treatments were prepared as follows: T1: 25% of fat and homogenization pressure was 100 bar, T2: 30% of fat and homogenization pressure was 100 bar, T3: 25% of fat and homogenization pressure was 200 bar, T4: 30% of fat and homogenization pressure was 200 bar and T5 as a control sample: 25% of fat and homogenization pressure was 150 bar. Completely randomized design was used as a design experiment and experiments were carried out at 3 replications. The results showed that treatments with higher fat% had higher acidity(dornic) and lower pH, and treatment with less fat and homogenization pressure had higher dry matter and treatments with higher homogenization pressure showed more syneresis%. The results obtained from rheological properties, showed that with the increase of fat percentage and decrease of homogenization pressure, the rheological indices of G´and G˝ increased and simultaneously with the increase of G´, the viscosity also increased, and the loss tanα decreased when G´ increased. The colorimetric test showed that samples with more fat have more yellowness than other treatments Sensory evaluation showed that samples with higher fat and higher homogenization pressure were more accepted by panelists. according to above mentioned, T4 with 30 percentages of fat and 200 bar of homogenization pressure was the best treatments among others.

Propolis as a by-product of bee activity has been known for its unique antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activity against broad range of microorganisms. In the present study, hydroalcoholic extract of propolis was prepared (the ratio of ethanol to the water was 80:20). After removing the solvent from the extract using a vacuum rotary evaporator, the dried powder of propolis was produced using a freeze dryer at -70 ºC after 40 h. Also, the nanoemulsion of propolis was synthesized using the powder. GC-MS analyses of samples showed numerous phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the produced powder. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activity of the produced nanoemulsion were 86.93, 34.21 (mg/ g gallic acid), and 97.68 %, respectively. The particle size, polydipersity index and zeta potential in the nanoemulsion were 86 nm, 0.299 and -23.34 mV, respectively. The results of this study showed that the hydroalcoholic extract and powder of propolis prepared by the freeze drying method had high phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant properties. However, these properties in the powder were higher than that was detected for the hydroalcoholic extract. According to the findings of this study, using a freeze dryer, it is possible to produce the powder of propolis hydroalcoholic extract with spherical and nano-sized particles, which can easily be applicable as a preservative in the food industry.

In recent years use of additives particularly hydrocolloids in bakery industries has become prevalent. This research was carried out to evaluate the effects of gel of xanthan on rheological properties of dough of flour of wheat and physicochemical properties (volume, specific volume, hardness, cooking loss and water activity) and sensory properties of Gholach bread. Hydrocolloid xanthan was added at 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% w/w (flour basis) to wheat flour in form of gel. The rheological measurement of the dough was investigated using farinograph instruments. Results of rheological evaluation of dough showed that addition of gel of xanthan, increased the water absorption capacity, arrival time, dough development time, dough stability, departure time and time to breakdown, while the dough degree of softening after 10 and 20 minutes and mixing tolerance index was decreased in comparison with the control sample. Results of evaluation of water activity showed that addition of gel of xanthan decreased water activity. Results of evaluation properties of technology of bread showed that addition of gel of xanthan in level 1% and 1.5% percent decreased volume and specific volume. Results of evaluation of texture and sensory analysis of bread samples, showed that addition of xanthan in level 0.5 % had the best quality on Gholach bread.

Propolis is rich in bioactive compounds, including antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds, therefore it is necessary to protect these sensitive compounds by high-performance methods such as encapsulation. The purpose of this research was to produce nanoparticles containing the propolis extract and to investigate its physicochemical characteristics. In this research, propolis was extracted with ethanol-water (70:30) solvents and protein nanoparticles containing it were prepared. Then, the dynamic light scattering characteristics, the encapsulation efficiency, the detection of crystalline and amorphous structure, and the interactions between the core and wall materials in nanoparticles were measured. To analyse the results, analysis of variance method was used, using SPSS software. The results of the dynamic test and encapsulation efficiency showed that with the increase in the amount of core and wall materials, the encapsulation efficiency, particle size and PDI increase. In the formulation with the same amounts of protein, with the increase in the concentration of propolis extract, the amount of negative charge of zeta potential also increased. The results of the XRD device showed that the treatments, 6 and 8, had the highest values of L and a, respectively. The graphs obtained from the FT-IR test showed that there were very minor changes in the form of peak displacement or symmetrical changes in the nanoparticles containing propolis extract compared to the control nanoparticles. This research showed that in the preparation of nanoparticles, the larger the amount of nuclear material, the larger the size of the resulting nanoparticles, the crystal intensity and the encapsulation efficiency.

Among the food products, yogurt is very popular due to its distinctive characteristics such as the presence of lactic acid bacteria and nutritional and therapeutic properties. In any case, consumption of high-fat yogurt can endanger health on the one hand, and on the other hand, reducing fat reduces the quality of the product. Therefore, this research was conducted with the aim of investigating the possibility of improving the characteristics of low-fat stirred yogurt using the treatment of microbial enzyme transglutaminase (MTG) and Persian gum (PG). Low-fat stirred yogurt samples were produced using levels of 0, 0.1 and 0.2% (w/v) of PG gum and levels of 0 and 0.015% (w/v) of MTG enzyme. The physicochemical characteristics and color values of the samples were evaluated during 14 days of storage in the refrigerator. Based on the results of this research, the addition of PG and MTG enzyme significantly reduced acidity and syneresis (p<0.05). Furthermore, the addition of gum increased lightness and redness and reduced yellowness. Although the enzyme treatment like PG increased the lightness and redness, it caused an increase in the yellowness of the yogurt. Storage time significantly decreased syneresis and lightness parameters and increased yogurt acidity and redness and yellowness indexes (p<0.001). In conclusion, the results of this research showed that by using transglutaminase enzyme treatment (0.015%) and adding Persian gum (especially 0.2%), low-fat stirred yogurt with acceptable physicochemical characteristics and color can be produced and the quality of low-fat stirred yogurt can be improved.

Isfahan province is considered to be one of the top ten producing provinces of apple orchards with an area of 17,274 hectares and a production of 120,000 tons of apple. Determining the quality parameters of agricultural products requires the use of various methods, which are different according to the nature and characteristics of each product. The two main categories for dividing these methods include analytical (objective) methods and sensory (intrinsic) methods. Both qualitative assessment methods can be used in destructive and non-destructive ways. Apple is one of the fruits that can be stored for a relatively long time. Physiological changes during the storage period are inevitable and cause  change to some quality characteristics of the fruit, such as firmness, moisture content, density, pH, and soluble solids. Using the methods of determining and extracting the quality characteristics of fruit during storage and monitoring the changes created, provides a suitable criterion for selecting and preparing the necessary conditions for storage and storage at the disposal of users and producers. X-ray imaging technique is among the methods used and computed tomography, which is now well-known in evaluation of various agricultural commodities and food quality. X-rays are electromagnetic waves with a short wavelength (0.01 to 10 nm) and high energy (from 120 electron volts to 120 kilo electron volts) that can penetrate many materials.

In order to determine the relationship between the physicochemical properties and the CT number of Golden Delicious apples, 280 Golden Delicious apples were collected from an orchard located in Semirom city of Isfahan province and stored in a cold room at 0 and 4 ºC and a humidity of 85±5%. These apples were harvested and collected from several trees after the fruit ripened completely. The weight and volume of apples were randomly selected based on the apples on the trees. The samples of stored apples were examined in 4 stages and based on the duration of storage on zero (the beginning of storage), 45, 90 and 135 days.. These tests included non-destructive tests of CT scan imaging and destructive tests to extract the physicochemical properties of apples, including CT number, pH, firmness, moisture, density, and soluble solids. In order to prepare CT scan images of apple samples (non-destructive X-ray test), a GE Healthcare multi-slice CT scan machine model 5122080-12 with 80 kV and 10 mA was used in the CT scan center of Al-Zahra Hospital in Isfahan. Moisture content was determined by weighing the samples and recording their moisture changes before and after drying in the oven at 105 ºC s for 24 hours. Total soluble solids were measured by refractometer device and reported as Brix degree. In order to measure the density of fruits, the weight and volume of each fruit was recorded. A digital pH meter was used to measure the pH of fruit. Penetrometer device was used to measure the firmness of apples. At the end, with the specified values, Pearson correlation coefficients between CT number and other physicochemical properties were determined. Also, by plotting the mentioned values, the most suitable regression equations with the highest coefficients of determination were obtained.

Based on the results, the average value of CT number, pH, firmness, moisture, density and total soluble solid of apple at two temperatures of zero and 4 ºC were -115.02 and -166.86, 3.85 and 3.86, 76 37.36 and 33.36 N, 0.82 and 0.80%, 0.76 and 0.72 g/cm3  and 15.30 and 15.79% Brix, respectively. The results showed that the CT number has a negative linear correlation with pH and total soluble solid and a positive linear correlation with the properties of apple firmness, moisture and fruit density. Based on the results, at two storage temperatures of 0 and 4 ºC, the coefficients of determination (R2) obtained from the linear regression model of CT number with pH levels of 0.75 and 0.55, apple firmness 0.32 and 0.57, moisture content 0.78 and 0.85, fruit density 0.82 and 0.84 and total soluble solid 0.85 and 0.62 were obtained.

These results shown that the non-destructive test of X-ray imaging can be used with a suitable approximation to determine some quality properties of apple products.

In order to reduce the use of antibiotics, additives and chemical preservatives, natural antimicrobial substances can be used in the composition of packaging. In recent years, the use of various extracts and essential oils for microbial protection, postponing food spoilage and reducing food waste have gained significant attention in the research related to the production and evaluation of edible films. Films containing gelatin and carboxymethylcellulose have good mechanical resistance, and gelatin can be used in the production of edible film due to its gel-forming properties (the presence of proline and hydroxyproline amino acids). Considering the abundance and availability of Portulaca oleracea extract in our country and the cheap price of gelatin and carboxymethylcellulose, this type of film composition can be a model for its use in the food industry.

In this research, the effect of different concentrations of Portulaca oleracea extract on the properties of gelatin-carboxymethylcellulose-based edible film was investigated. The independent variable according to the statistical design includes different concentrations of Portulaca oleracea extract (0%, 0.75%, 1.5% and 3.25%) and the dependent variables include physicochemical tests (turbidity, thickness, solubility and vapor permeability), Mechanical experiments (elongation to breaking point, tensile strength and Young's modulus), antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity were considered. Experiments with three replications were analyzed with a completely randomized design and one-way analysis of variance with SPSS26 software at a probability level of 0.05.

Among the treatments, the difference in the amount of turbidity of the resulting films was not significant (p > 0.05), although it was highest at the highest extract concentration. The greatest thickness was obtained at a concentration of 1.5% Portulaca oleracea extract, which was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Among the treatments, the lowest solubility was observed at a concentration of 3.25% Portulaca oleracea extract, and the lowest vapor permeability was found at the low extract concentration in the treatments. In this research, the highest elongation at the break point (28%), tensile strength (17 MPa), and Young's modulus (134 MPa) were recorded at the concentration of 1.5% Portulaca oleracea extract. In edible film treatments, the antioxidant activity using DPPH radicals at concentrations of 1.5% and 3.25% was significant (p < 0.05). The evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the film was conducted using the diffusion disc method. In this test, the largest diameter of inhibition at the concentration of 3.25% extract was related to Staphylococcus aureus, with an average diameter of 15.23 mm. At the same concentration, the average diameters for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli were reported as 8.16 mm and 4.5 mm, respectively.

The results of this research showed that adding a high concentration of Portulaca oleracea extract (3.25%) to the gelatin-carboxymethylcellulose film produced films with sufficient strength, which exhibited the highest efficiency and desirable characteristics, and can delay the oxidation of lipids. The mechanical properties and favorable physicochemical changes make it a suitable coating for food protection.

The importance of functional foods, Except for their nutritional role, is due to providing physiological benefits or reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Cake is a popular product among consumer meals. Therefore, reducing the amount of sucrose in the cake by making it functional with citrus fiber and essential oils is an effective step in the grain industry. The breakfast cakes containing isomalt, orange fiber and cinnamon essential oil were prepared in 8 groups. The physicochemical, color and sensory properties of breakfast cakes were investigated. The results showed that the pH of the prepared cakes was not significantly different from the control group (p>0.05). While the variables of orange fiber, isomalt, and cinnamon essential oil were effective in maintaining the moisture content of cakes (p<0.05). As expected, the fiber content of breakfast cakes increased with the addition of orange fiber (p<0.05). The fat and protein content of the treatments was lower than the control sample. The protein of the treatments did not have a significant difference(p>0.05); however, they showed a significant difference with the control treatment(p<0.05), but their ash was significantly higher than these groups (p<0.05). A significant decrease in sucrose content was reported by replacing part of it by isomalt (p<0.05). Improvement in baking volume and weight loss of breakfast cakes containing orange fiber, isomalt, and cinnamon essence was also reported (p<0.05). Examining the color index of breakfast cakes showed an increase in the L* and b* values while the a* value decreased (p<0.05). Sensory evaluation showed an increase in the acceptability of cakes containing orange fiber, isomalt, and cinnamon essential oil compared to the control sample. Considering the total results, the breakfast cake containing 2% orange fiber, 2% isomalt, and 0.1% cinnamon essence was introduced as the best treatment in this research.

 Cheese is the general name of a group of fermented dairy products that are produced all over the world in a variety of flavors, textures, and shapes. This product considered a source of protein, minerals, and vitamins, all of which add to its high nutritional value. White-brined cheeses are soft cheeses that ripen in brine. Brined ultrafiltered cheese, as a popular product, has attracted a broad consumer market in our country. The use of thermal processes to prolong the shelf life of foods has long been considered, but these methods lead to a decrease in nutritional value and product quality. Emerging non-thermal technologies, including ultrasound, pulsed electric field, high hydrostatic pressure, cold plasma and ozone have revolutionized the food processing sector. These processes can improve the safety and quality of food products and increase their shelf life by reducing food spoilage. In addition to expanding food shelf life, these technologies are experiencing more orogress  in the industry due to reduced energy consumption. Ozone is one of the most effective disinfectants known that does not leave any dangerous residue on food or other surfaces in contact. Ozone treatment does not require heat and therefore saves energy. Ozonation, as a novel technology, is widely used in preserving meat, processing oysters, inhibiting microbial growth, and oxidizing phenolic compounds. Ozone has been mainly used in the dairy industry to reduce or inhibit the growth of pathogenic or spoilage microorganisms. However, its effect on the non-microbial properties of dairy products has not been studied much. 

 Cheese production was carried out by ultrafiltration technology in the Hamedan Pegah dairy complex (Hamedan, Iran). The starter culture used in cheese production was R708 (containing Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis), which was obtained from Christian Hansen, Denmark. Microbial renin enzyme (Proteria, Handry Company, Belgium) was also used for coagulation. Analytical grade chemicals were also purchased from Merck, Darmstadt, Germany. Ozone gas at concentrations of 2 and 5 ppm was used in different stages of brined ultrafiltered cheese production and then the samples were subjected to physicochemical (total solids (TS), ash, pH, salt, protein, fat, acid degree value (ADV)), microbiological and organoleptic (based on the 5-point hedonic scale) analyses at 35-day intervals during a ripening period of 105 days. The studied treatments were: Ozonization of retentate simultaneously with starter inoculation (OA), Ozonization of retentate before starter inoculation (OB), Ozonization of retentate (before starter inoculation) and brine (OC), Ozonization of brine (OD) and control (C). Statistical analysis (One-way ANOVA and Duncan) was performed at a significance level of 95% by the SPSS package program (v. 20.0, Chicago, IL, USA).

 Based on the results, the amounts of total solids, ash, salt, ADV and syneresis of cheeses increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05), while the protein and fat contents of the samples decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) during the ripening period. The pH of the samples decreased from day 0 to 35 and then increased in most samples until the end of the ripening period. The total counts in the samples increased initially until day 70 but then decreased until the end of the ripening period. In general, during the ripening, cheeses treated with 5 ppm ozone had lower microbial load and higher lipolysis compared to samples treated with 2 ppm ozone. In addition, in most treatments, the sensory scores of cheese samples at the end of the ripening period were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than those at the beginning of the ripening period. The application of ozone treatment was able to improve some of the sensory properties of the cheeses. In general, this improvement was not statistically significant compared to the control, especially at the end of the ripening period.The positive microbial and physicochemical effects of ozone treatment on cheese samples leading to increase the shelf life of brine cheese up to 105 days (30 days more than usual) without having a negative effect on its sensory properties. Therefore, ozone can be used as a non-thermal treatment to extend shelf life and improve some physicochemical characteristics of cheese.

In this research, mantle flour and elderberry kernel were used to increase the nutritional properties and fiber of ice cream. Elderberry mantle and core were separately converted into flour, added to ice cream at levels (2, 1, and 3%) and its physicochemical properties such as: viscosity, aurran, colorimetry were investigated and the best treatment was determined during the sensory evaluation. The physicochemical results of ice cream containing elderberry flour (shell and core) showed: increasing the percentage of elderberry core and mantle caused a decrease in pH. The lowest pH value was related to the sample containing 3% kernel flour and the highest pH value was related to the control sample. The highest amount of viscosity (1327.5 centipoise) was related to the treatment of 3% elderberry mantle flour and the lowest amount was related to the control sample. The highest specific weight (1.15) was related to the treatment of 2% and 3% of elderberry mantle flour and the lowest amount was related to the control sample. Also, the highest coefficient of volume increase was observed in the control sample (38.97%) and the lowest overrun was observed in the sample containing 3% of Sanjad mantle flour. With the sensory evaluation, the treatment containing 2% elderberry kernel flour was more acceptable than other treatments.

Vegetable oils play an important role in food preparation and food formulation and play a significant role in diet and health. Identification and cultivation of new oilseeds is an important step in the direction of supplying the required oil in the country. Milk thistle plant with the scientific name of Silybum marianum is a one-year or two-year herb that has many medical, medicinal and industrial uses since ancient times. Due to its biological characteristics, this plant requires very little fertilizer and is particularly resistant to dry conditions and weak soils, and it is compatible with the climate conditions of most regions of Iran. Milk thistle seed contains a significant percentage of oil (20-30%) with high nutritional value due to the presence of essential fatty acids such as linoleic acid (40-60%), oleic acid (20-32%) and antioxidant and bioactive compounds such as tocopherols, carotenoids and sterols. Therefore, the oil obtained from milk thistle seed can be considered as a new edible oil due to its long-term consumption in different societies and its bioactive compounds. In this review article, a brief look at milk thistle plant, oil percentage and its composition in different regions has been discussed. According to scientific reports and articles, the cultivation and development of this new and valuable oil seed with good economic value is recommended as a new source of edible oil.

Due to the damages caused by additives, artificials and chemical flavors, replacing them with medicinal plants is a good solution to improve quality properties and physicochemical characteristics. Despite the nutritional properties and high caloric value of ice cream, the amounts of its antioxidant compounds are very low, which can be added by adding plant and vegetable extracts. The aim of conducting this research was to investigate the effect of using Hymenocrater platystegius Rech.f. plant extract (0.1, 0.5 and 0.9%) on physicochemical (pH, overrun, melt resistance and color indexes), textural (hardness and adhesiveness), rheological (viscosity, consistency coefficient and flow behavior index), and sensorial properties of ice cream in comparison with the control sample. According to the results, with increasing Hymenocrater platystegius Rech.f. extract amount, pH of ice cream samples decreased and overrun and resistance to melting increased significantly. In the texture analyzing test, adding the Hymenocrater platystegius Rech.f. extract to the formulation of ice cream, Hardness and adhesiveness of samples increased significantly (P<0.05). The results showed that all samples exhibited non-Newtonian and shear-thinning behavior and the power law model was highly effective in describing their rheological behavior. In the colorimetric test, increasing the Hymenocrater platystegius Rech.f. extract in ice cream formulation caused a decrease in L* and b* index and an increase in a* index. Also, the sensory evaluation results showed that samples with 0.5% of Hymenocrater platystegius Rech.f. extract, received the highest scores in the case of overall acceptance. Overall, Hymenocrater platystegius Rech.f. extract could be used for producing functional ice cream at the levels of 0.5% that had no negative effect on physicochemical and sensory properties.

Considering the sensitivity of fish meat to rapid spoilage, storage conditions and type of packaging are very effective factors in maintaining its quality and nutritional value after catching. In this research, rainbow trout fillets packed with aluminum and polystyrene as treatment and polyethylene bag as control were kept at 4°C for 12 days. Physical, chemical and microbial factors of fillets by recording changes in moisture, total protein, fat, total ash, free fatty acids, peroxide (PV), pH, Thiobarbituric acid (TBA), Total Volatile Basic Nitrogen (TVB-N) and also total microbial load It was measured. The results showed that with the passage of time, moisture and fat decreased significantly. Total protein, total ash, free fatty acids, PV, TBA, TVB-N and total microbial load increased significantly during storage. Also, pH had an increasing trend, but this increase was not significant. The highest amount of TVB-N on the twelfth day was related to the control package with a value of 24.52 mg/g. The lowest amount of total microbial load on the twelfth day was related to aluminum packaging with a log value of 6.86 cfu/g. According to the results, the priority of using packaging to increase shelf life and maintain the nutritional value of fillets was first with aluminum packaging and then with polystyrene. The polyethylene bag was declared unrecommended for consumption due to the lack of nutritional value and reduced product quality. Aluminum packaging worked significantly in maintaining the physicochemical and microbial properties of the product and according to the declared permissible limits of TVB-N and total microbial load, which are important indicators of spoilage, only fillets packed with aluminum containers could be consumed until the end of the storage period.

To minimize the use of antibiotics, additives, and chemical preservatives , it is possible to incorporate natural antimicrobial substances into packaging. Recent studies focusing on developing and evaluating edible films have highlighted the effectiveness of essential oils like clove, cinnamon, ginger, and basil in protecting against microbial growth, preventing food spoilage (both chemical and microbial), and reducing food waste. Films containing gelatin display impressive mechanical strength, making them suitable for edible film production due to their ability to form a gel-like structure, which is attributed to the presence of certain amino acids like proline and hydroxyproline. Taking into account the plentiful availability and affordability of thyme, oregano, and sage essential oils in our country, as well as the low cost of gelatin, this particular composition of film has yet to be extensively researched and could serve as a model for widespread implementation in the food industry.

In this study, we investigated the impact of various concentrations of thyme, oregano, and sage essential oils on thr properties of the resulting gelatin-based films. The study examined different concentrations of essential oil ranging from minimum 0% to highest 4% as the independent variable. The dependent variables included a range of physicochemical tests such as solubility, water permeability, thickness, opacity, and color parameters, as well as mechanical tests including elongation to breaking point, tensile strength, and Young's model. The study utilized a mixed experimental design known as simplex lattice and employed Design Expert13 software for experimental design, analysis of variance, diagram creation, and examining the interactions between variables.

In this research, the highest tensile strength (12 MPa), elongation at break point (26%) and Young's modulus (80 MPa) were found in high concentrations of oregano essential oil (4%). Among the treatments, the lowest solubility was in the high concentration of oregano essential oil in the mixture (4% area) and the lowest vapor permeability was in the area of low concentration of oregano essential oil in the mixture. The difference in the amount of turbidity of the resulting films was not significant, although it was the highest in the lowest concentration of oregano essential oil. The highest amount of thickness was obtained in the concentration of oregano essential oil in the region of 4%, which was statistically significant. By increasing the concentration of essential oil thyme in the mixture, the hue angle, whiteness index and saturation decrease, and its highest amount is in the area of 4% oregano and sage. The changes of a* and b* parameters have a trend similar to color indicators, but in relation to L*, the concentration of essential oils has no effect on the changes of this parameter.

The results of this research showed that adding a high concentration of oregano essential oil to the gelatin film compared to thyme and sage essential oils produced films with sufficient strength that have the highest efficiency and desirable characteristics compared to thyme and sage essential oils. It has a flower and can be used as a suitable coating for food protection by delaying the oxidation of lipids, mechanical properties and favorable color changes.

In This study the qualitative properties of fortified yogurt produced with a sweet almond and sesame oil nanoemulsion (0.25-0.5% Span 80 and Tween 80) and homogenization time(5 and 10 min) by ultrasounic waves was investigated. In order to homogenize the emulsion particles, ultrasonic waves were used and the effect of homogenization time, oil concentration and emulsifier concentration on The pH, acidity, rheological properties,Apparent viscosity and textural properties of the fortified yogurt were studied for 10 days of storage at 4 °C. Fitting rheological models, the Herschel Bulkly model was the best model to study the fluid behavior of our samples. The flow behavior index in all treatments at 25 °C was less than 1. All of them had non-Newtonian (pseudoplastic) behavior, which was confirmed by increasing the shear rate, viscosity was reduced and weak gel behavior in all samples was confirmed. The results showed pH was reduced by incorporating sweet almond and sesame oil nanoemulsion, while the acidity was increased. The yogurt sample amplified in the absence of emulsifier has smaller casein micelles and more voids, which increases the product's leaching. It makes it more fragile. Also, by increasing pH, due to the dominance of hydrophobic bonds over the electrostatic force of the sample, it has shorter protrusions and a smoother and softer surface, so yogurt fortified with sesame oil with a concentration of 2% has more roughness than yogurt fortified with sweet almond oil. Overall, sesame oil with 0.25% of the emulsifier and 10 min of ultrasound is suggested for the production of fortified yogurt.

 The consumption of milk and its products is considered as a main indicators of development of human societies. In order to promote the health of children and provide the sufficient amount of calcium and nutrients and make the consumption of these products attractive. Necessary measures should be taken to increase milk consumption in society and increase the diversity of these products (Keshtkaran et al., 2013). Gelatin as one of the gelling agents used in dairy desserts is a hydrocolloid with unique functional properties and has been used in various industries for a long time (Karim & Bhat, 2008). Gelatin is extracted from the partial hydrolysis of skin collagen, white connective tissue, and animal bones. One of the problems with using gelatin in dairy desserts is the instability at ambient temperature. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the characteristics of other native hydrocolloids as an alternative. Tragacanth is a dried gum secreted from several plant species and Iran is the largest exporter in the world. Structurally, the material is regular, odorless and hard. It can be used in various food products. The simultaneous utilization of hydrocolloid mixtures is used to create a synergistic property and to improve these products. Starch originated from a variety of sources , including corn, rice, wheat, potatoes, cassava, bananas, and sorghum (Murphy, 2000) is used in the food industry. Among the sources of starch production, wheat is cultivated in large quantities in Iran.

 In this study, pasteurized milk was purchased from Salamat Dairy Products Company, gelatin made in Pakistan, tragacanth gum and Gonabad wheat starch were purchased from Kian Shimi Company and sugar and vanilla were purchased from confectionery stores located in Mashhad. Ingredients for dessert production include 80% milk, 10% sugar, 0.1% vanilla, tragacanth gum at concentrations of 1.3%, 1%, and 0.7% and starch at concentrations of 3% , 2%, and 1% by weight (powder selection) according to the method of Tarrega et al. 2004 with a slight modification. A sample containing 1.5% gelatin was considered as a control sample. The mixture was heated to 90 ° C for 20 minutes, stirring at medium speed. The samples were then placed in special containers and cooled to ambient temperature. Prior to testing, the samples were refrigerated (4-5 ° C) for 24 hours. The samples were coded based on the concentration of gum and starch (: T% of tragacanth gum and: S% of wheat starch).

 The flow behavior in all dairy dessert samples was similar to the control  and was pseudoplastic type. The Power model was selected as the best model (R <98, RMSE> 1.6). As the concentrations of tragacanth gum and wheat starch increased, the parameters of hardness, consistency, adhesion and adhesion strength increased significantly, and the samples 0.7T2S, 0.7T3S and 1T, 1S had the same value in terms of all textural parameters. At constant concentration of starch, with increasing tragacanth gum from 0.7% to 1.3%, the rate of syneresis of samples decreased from 0.34% to 0.06% and at constant concentration of gum, with increasing concentration of wheat starch, Syneresis decreased significantly from 0.34 to 0.24%. Increasing the shelf life of the samples naturally led to an increase in syneresis. In the samples 0.7T3S, 1T3S, 1T2S, and 1.3T3S, the increase of syneresis occurred to a lesser extent.. According to the results of analysis of variance, the effect of gum on zeta potential was very significant (p <0.05). Increasing the concentration of hydrocolloids in most samples led to an increase in the amount of negative charge and zeta potential. In most samples, at a constant concentration of tragacanth gum, with increasing the concentration of wheat starch from 1% to 3%, the span decreased, while at a constant concentration of starch, the increase in tragacanth gum from 0.7% 0 to 1.3% led to increase the span. Among the dairy dessert samples, 5 dairy dessert samples include: 0.7T2S, 0.7T3S, 0.7T1S, 1T2S and 1.3T1S, were selected the best in terms of physical and rheological characteristics to the control sample. They were more similar, selected and used for sensory evaluation. The results of comparing the mean of the data showed that different concentrations of tragacanth gum and wheat starch had a significant effect on the sensory characteristics of the samples including: color, flavor, sweetness, adhesion, gum state and overall acceptance (P> 0.05) and increasing the concentration of tragacanth gum and wheat starch had no significant effect on other sensory properties (p> 0.05).

 In general, due to the similarities of the physical, rheological and sensory properties of the treatment samples with the control, 1S1T sample  was selected as the most suitable sample to replace the sample containing gelatin.

Cakes are one of the most consumed foods in the world, and their health-oriented product is of great importance. Due to the high amount of sugar and fat in these products, efforts have always been made to produce these products with less fat and sugar (Lebesi and Tzia 2011). Due to the undesirable side effects of synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT), natural antioxidant have recently received attention as a source of bioactive compounds such as anti-cancer and anti-mutagenic. Consumers are gradually becoming more aware of natural ingredients (Kallel et al., 2014), which has critical implications for the food industry. Many types of aromatic plants as suitable alternatives are used in food products (Kordsardouei et al., 2013). In addition to the health benefits, it has been shown that the unique functional properties of these materials can lead to improved texture, consistency, and stability in food production and storage (Jahanbakhshi and Ansari 2020). Therefore, researchers are always looking to identify, extract and purify plant compounds for their use in the food industry (Ashfaq et al., 2021). One of these medicinal plants, which is used as a spice in food worldwide, is cinnamon. It is a valuable substance with high therapeutic potential and various medicinal and industrial applications (Jumbo et al., 2014). Many studies have shown the therapeutic effects of cinnamon including its antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, anti-lipemic, gastroprotective, and immune modulators effects) Hajimonfarednejad et al., 2019; Singletary 2019). In different types of food products, cinnamon is used as a flavoring agent, coloring agent, and food preservative (Saleem et al., 2015). It seems that its bioactive compounds can be suitable for use in food products, such as oil cakes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicochemical and sensory properties of oil cake enriched with different percentages of cinnamon extract for applications in the food industry.

Numerous researches have been done to identify suitable extraction methods with high efficiency and environment friendly. Aqueous extraction is a cheap, non-toxic, green extraction technique and a highly acceptable method for consumers (Kallel et al., 2014; González-Centeno et al., 2015). Therefore, an aqueous extraction method was used in this study. The cake samples were prepared with the sugar-dough according to the Peyghambardoust method (2010). The drying of samples was done in an oven at 45ºC for 12 hours. Then, the dried cake samples were powdered and pH, protein, fat, and carbohydrate were measured for each sample. The pH of the dried cake samples was measured by Benchtop pH Meter. The moisture content of fresh cake samples was measured by the weight method. The water activity of the cake samples was measured at 25°C using a Water Activity Meter. Protein, fat, and carbohydrate contents were determined using the Kjeldahl method, the Soxhlet extraction method, and the Lane-Eynon method, respectively. The total ash content was determined by burning the samples in a furnace at 550º C. The content of acid-insoluble was also obtained by adding 25 ml of hydrochloric acid 5N to the raw ash. Sensory evaluation of food products is necessary to test the acceptability of foods (Nakov et al., 2020). Due to the high importance of sensory evaluation in the food industry, the sensory properties of oil cake enriched with different concentrations of cinnamon extract were also investigated in this research. In the current study, a completely random design was used with five different concentrations of extract cinnamon (0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, and 0.25 % W/V) and the control sample, each with three replications. SPSS 21.0 software was used for statistical analysis, and the one-way ANOVA and Fisher's LSD post hoc test were applied to compare samples. The data were reported as mean ± standard deviation, and the significance level of the tests was p<0.05.

According to the measured variables, there was no significant difference in the pH of different samples, and this value varied from 7.41 to 7.49. The measured moisture content of the cake samples was higher than the control sample, and the results showed a significant difference between the control samples with 0.15 % and 0.25 % (p<0.05). The obtained water activity values showed that with the increase in the extract concentration, the water activity value decreased compared to the control sample. So that the highest amount of water activity belonged to the control sample. The sample containing 0.25% of the extract showed a significant difference in protein values compared to the control samples, 0.05 and 0.01 % (p<0.05). The fat percentage has decreased compared to the control sample for all samples, except for the 0.05% sample. So, this value was obtained at 13.46% and 13.03% for the control sample and the sample 0.25% extract, respectively. Also, carbohydrates decreased from 42.65 % in the control sample to 39.82 % in the 0.25 % sample. No significant difference was found in the total ash content of the samples. On the other hand, the extract percentage was directly related to the increase of acid-insoluble ash in the cake; this value increased from 0.16% for the control sample to 1.18% for the sample containing 0.25% extract. The results of the sensory evaluation showed that the color of the samples improved with the increase in the extract percentage. There was a significant difference between the control and other samples in the odor score. The highest and lowest taste scores were observed in samples containing 0.20% and 0.05% of the extract, respectively. All of the samples, compared to the control cake, had higher scores in the texture. The overall acceptability for the control sample showed a significant difference (p<0.05) compared to the 0.15, 0.20, and 0.25 % samples, so the best scores were related to the samples of 0.20%, and 0.25% extracts. In general, adding cinnamon extract improved the sensory characteristics of the oil cake.

Based on the investigated physicochemical and sensory properties, it seems that there is a possibility of enriching aqueous cinnamon extract into oil cake as a functional food ingredient in the food industry.