•Compare internal preference mapping through hedonic scaling and preference ranking.•Preference ranking linked to open comments proved as very good alternative.•The alternative approach gave similar ...preference maps than traditional ones.•Elicit drivers of liking and disliking directly from consumers with their own words.
In classic consumer science, liking has generally been measured with the 9-point hedonic scale. In recent years, signal detection procedures where consumers rank products in terms of preference have been used, together with an R-index that measures the distance in preference. Ranking has been found to be friendlier for consumers, being a more “natural” exercise than scaling. However, scaling has the advantage of quantifying liking, resulting in data sets that can be treated further, for example through preference mapping, together with sensory data from a trained panel or from consumers. Preference mapping is very useful for product development and as a communication tool.
This study compared two preference mapping approaches, one using a data set from hedonic scaling plus intensity questions and the other using preference ranking data coupled with open comments.
Preference ranking tests plus open comments by consumers proved a very promising method as it produced very similar internal preference map results to “traditional” preference mapping from liking scales. This quicker and easier method in terms of practical implementation has the added advantage of eliciting drivers of liking and disliking directly from consumers, as these cannot be obtained through attribute intensity assessment or by using a trained panel.
Nowadays it is common to find dietary supplements on the market with the same health promoting compounds as certain functional food products. However, there is a lack of research comparing these two ...categories of carriers (food and supplements) for the same functional ingredient. This work focuses on konjac glucomannan (KGM) due to its recognized body weight reduction-related effect: when it swells in the stomach in the presence of sufficient water, it produces a sensation of fullness. In this context, the objectives of the present work were to gain knowledge about consumer perception of KGM and its different carriers or forms of presentation (in a food item or in capsules). In addition, the relative importance of the carrier, front-of-package images and weight loss-related information were studied by different sensory techniques, such as word association, projective mapping and conjoint analysis. The results showed that consumers formed negative perceptions when the information was not sufficiently complete and that they considered a food product containing KGM better than KGM capsules. Regarding the front of the package, health benefit-related images were more attractive than verbal information.
•Negative perceptions of an unknown weight reduction-related compound were found.•When information was given to consumers a positive shift was detected.•Food items were considered better carriers for the compound than pill supplements.•Organic shapes and explicit images evoked direct associations with slimming concept.•“Appetite control” obtained higher trustworthy ratings than “Helps to lose weight”.
A more plant-based diet will contribute to food sustainability. Achieving this change requires collaboration across disciplines which is not easy to achieve. This article illustrates how ...interdisciplinary collaboration in a large research project can be facilitated through a design-led innovation process juxtaposing approaches from design and science. Consumer insights were used in creative workshops to ideate and develop packaging and product concepts for plant-based food focusing on ‘environment’, ‘health’ and ‘Norwegian’ design imperatives. Learning loops of alignment – creation – feedback were applied to design and test six packaging prototypes of two product categories (Pea Porridge, Faba Bean Drink). Qualitative feedback was collected from 147 consumers and a quantitative survey with 1102 Norwegian consumers tested product expected liking and product-concept match. Younger consumers and users of plant-based products exhibited a higher expected liking vs. non-users and older respondents. Packaging design adopted for specific consumer segments can positively contribute to a shift to more plant-based diets. We show how a dynamic interdisciplinary innovation approach can be powerful to creating new product ideas, getting consumers’ input and fostering collaboration and learning among disciplines. We offer other researchers and the food industry actionable opportunity areas and design imperatives for their innovation activities around plant-based food.
Gut microbiota exerts a fundamental role in human health and increased evidence supports the beneficial role of probiotic microorganisms in the maintenance of intestinal health. Enterococcus durans ...LAB18S was previously isolated from soft cheese and showed some desirable in vitro probiotic properties, for that reason its genome was sequenced and evaluated for genes that can be relevant for probiotic activity and are involved in selenium metabolism. Genome sequencing was performed using the Illumina MiSeq System. A variety of genes potentially associated with probiotic properties, including adhesion capability, viability at low pH, bile salt resistance, antimicrobial activity, and utilization of prebiotic fructooligosaccharides (FOS) were identified. The strain showed tolerance to acid pH and bile salts, exhibited antimicrobial activity and thrived on prebiotic oligosaccharides. Six genes involved in selenium metabolism were predicted. Analysis of the SECIS element showed twelve known selenoprotein candidates. E. durans LAB18S was the only food isolate showing absence of plasmids, virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes, when compared with other 30 E. durans genomes. The results of this study provide evidence supporting the potential of E. durans LAB18S as alternative for probiotic formulations.
The ageing processes occur slowly over time and are often not detectable by the individual. Thus, preparing for dietary needs in later years should start at an earlier age than most people realise.
...This study aims at better understanding what characterises food-related practices in active, home-living older adults, in order to identify food-related factors that act as barriers and those that promote healthy ageing.
Three experiments were conducted: First, a web-based quantitative survey to collect information about home-living older adults' food-related behaviours (67+ years,
= 1,005). Second, two focus groups with respondents 67-74 years (
= 7) and 75-84 years (
= 6) to elicit aspects not adequately covered in the survey. Third, 10 individual interviews to provide in-depth insights.
Two distinct groups were identified in the survey; 67-79 years and 80+ years. The older age group experienced more barriers and restrictions in food intake and food-related behaviours compared to the younger group. Good taste, routines and social settings were important for appetite and food intake.
Using a mixed-methods approach proved valuable for extracting information and a better understanding of what impacts on food-related aspects amongst older adults. Strategies for upholding a healthy food intake involve establishing daily routines and meeting arenas where older adults can socialise and eat food together.
This study confirmed that knowledge of older adults' physical needs, barriers and abilities must be a part in preparation for a healthy diet.
Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most common types of brain tumor in adults. Despite the availability of treatments for this disease, GBM remains one of the most lethal and difficult types of tumors ...to treat, and thus, a majority of patients die within 2 years of diagnosis. Infection with Zika virus (ZIKV) inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis, particularly in developing neuronal cells, and thus could potentially be considered an alternative for GBM treatment. In the present study, two GBM cell lines (U-138 and U-251) were infected with ZIKV at different multiplicities of infection (0.1, 0.01 and 0.001), and cell viability, migration, adhesion, induction of apoptosis, interleukin levels and CD14/CD73 cell surface marker expression were analyzed. The present study demonstrated that ZIKV infection promoted loss of cell viability and increased apoptosis in U-138 cells, as measured by MTT and triplex assay, respectively. Changes in cell migration, as determined by wound healing assay, were not observed; however, the GBM cell lines exhibited an increase in cell adhesion when compared with non-tumoral cells (Vero). The Luminex immunoassay showed a significant increase in the expression levels of IL-4 specifically in U-251 cells (MOI 0.001) following exposure to ZIKV. There was no significant change in the expression levels of IFN-gamma upon ZIKV infection in the cell lines tested. Furthermore, a marked increase in the percentage of cells expressing the CD14 surface marker was observed in both GBM cell lines compared with in Vero cells; and significantly increased CD73 expression was observed particularly in U-251 cells, when compared with uninfected cells. These findings indicate that ZIKV infection could lead to reduced cell viability, elevated CD73 expression, improved cellular adherence, and higher rates of apoptosis in glioblastoma cells. Further studies are required to explore the potential use of ZIKV in the treatment of GBM. Key words: Zika virus, apoptosis, cell adhesion, glioblastoma, viral therapy
Circoviruses are highly prevalent porcine and avian pathogens. In recent years, novel circular ssDNA genomes have recently been detected in a variety of fecal and environmental samples using deep ...sequencing approaches. In this study the identification of genomes of novel circoviruses and cycloviruses in feces of insectivorous bats is reported. Pan-reactive primers were used targeting the conserved rep region of circoviruses and cycloviruses to screen DNA bat fecal samples. Using this approach, partial rep sequences were detected which formed five phylogenetic groups distributed among the Circovirus and the recently proposed Cyclovirus genera of the Circoviridae. Further analysis using inverse PCR and Sanger sequencing led to the characterization of four new putative members of the family Circoviridae with genome size ranging from 1,608 to 1,790 nt, two inversely arranged ORFs, and canonical nonamer sequences atop a stem loop.
The purpose of this study was to compare the composition and stability of bacteria and fungi communities during the propagation of sourdoughs prepared with organic or conventional whole wheat ...(Triticum aestivum) flours from South Brazil. Sourdoughs were prepared and samples were collected during different fermentation times (0 to 216 h). Total DNA of sourdough samples were extracted and the 16S rRNA gene and Internal Transcribed Spacer region were sequenced by MiSeq-Illumina. A total of 43 and 56 OTUs were identified and defined as core taxa in the bacterial and fungal communities, respectively. The analysis revealed increases in the relative abundances of the lactic acid (Pediococcus pentosaceus, Weissella hellenica and Limosilactobacillus pontis) and acetic acid bacteria (Gluconobacter frateurii and Acetobacter tropicalis) during the sourdough propagation. The filaments fungi, Alternaria tenuissima, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium petersiae and Microdochium seminicola remained more stable in organic than conventional during propagation cycles. After 216 h of fermentation, both sourdoughs were dominated by acid- and salt-tolerant yeast Issatchenkia orientalis (syn Pichia kudriavzevii, and Candida glycerinogenes). In conclusion, there were no significant differences in microbial communities among the sourdough samples. This study revealed that both flours contain autochthonous LAB, AAB, and yeasts with biotechnological applications in sourdough bread-making.
In the Neotropical region, the white-winged vampire bat (
Diaemus youngi
) is the rarest of the three species of vampire bats. This bat species feeds preferentially on bird blood, and there is ...limited information on the viruses infecting
D. youngi
. Hence, this study aimed to expand the knowledge about the viral diversity associated with
D. youngi
by sampling and pooling the lungs, liver, kidneys, heart, and intestines of all animals using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) on the Illumina MiSeq platform. A total of three complete and 10 nearly complete circular virus genomes were closely related to gemykrogvirus (
Genomoviridae
family), smacovirus (
Smacoviridae
family), and torque teno viruses (TTVs) (
Anelloviridae
family). In addition, three sequences of bat paramyxovirus were detected and found to be closely related to viruses reported in Pomona roundleaf bats and rodents. The present study provides a snapshot of the viral diversity associated with white-winged vampire bats and provides a baseline for comparison to viruses detected in future outbreaks.
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