Journal of Food Quality最新文献

{"title":"Physicochemical Quality and Authenticity Assessment of Retail Honey From Tigray, Ethiopia","authors":"Teweldemedhn Hailu,&nbsp;Dana Böhm,&nbsp;Manuela Schenk,&nbsp;Raghdan Alkattea,&nbsp;Kirsten Traynor,&nbsp;Annette Schroeder","doi":"10.1155/jfq/1105598","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jfq/1105598","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Ensuring the quality and authenticity of honey is crucial for sustainable production, marketing, food safety, and public health. This study assessed the botanical origins and physicochemical properties of 13 honey samples collected from retailers in Aksum and Shire towns of Tigray in northern Ethiopia, in reference to national and international quality standards (Codex Alimentarius, EU Directive 2001/110/EC). Key quality parameters, including moisture content, pH, electrical conductivity, reducing sugars, and hydroxymethyl furfural composition, were analyzed. Most samples complied with international and national standards for moisture content (&lt; 20%), reducing sugars (&gt; 60 g/100 g), and sucrose (&lt; 5 g/100 g), indicating generally acceptable quality. However, deviations from international quality standards were also observed, including high HMF and low or absent diastase activity. These may indicate overheating, prolonged storage, or adulteration. Some sugar profile inconsistencies further suggest premature harvesting or dilution with sugar syrups. These findings highlight systemic challenges in the honey value chain, including inadequate postharvest handling, and weak regulatory oversight. Therefore, strengthened monitoring, improved vendor training, and investments in quality control infrastructure are required to protect consumers and ensure integrity.</p>","PeriodicalId":15951,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Food Quality","volume":"2026 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/jfq/1105598","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148324607","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phytochemical and Pharmacological Insights Into Ranunculus hirtellus Royle: An Animal’s Fodder Plant","authors":"Hadiqa Ishtiaq,&nbsp;Bashir Ahmad,&nbsp;Abduh Murshed,&nbsp;Nayab Zahid,&nbsp;Tayyaba Bibi,&nbsp;Jun Lu","doi":"10.1155/jfq/4396391","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jfq/4396391","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p><i>Ranunculus hirtellus</i> Royle, a perennial herb belonging to the Ranunculaceae family, is native to the Himalayan region and widely used in traditional medicine. The plant is valued for its diverse applications as an anthelmintic, cooling agent, wound healer, livestock feed, and for managing gout, reproductive disorders, and skin conditions. Despite its considerable ethnobotanical importance, a comprehensive review of its traditional uses and pharmacological properties is still lacking.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aim of the Study</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study aims to systematically review the available literature on the ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological properties of <i>R</i>. <i>hirtellus</i>, thereby providing a foundation for future pharmacological and experimental research.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed to identify studies related to the ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological aspects of <i>R</i>. <i>hirtellus</i>. The review focused on its traditional uses, bioactive compounds, and experimentally validated biological activities.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p><i>R</i>. <i>hirtellus</i> contains various phytochemicals, including flavonoids, steroids, glycosides, quinones, lactones, and lignified fibers. It exhibits diverse pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, antiaging, antigout, anti-irritant, and wound healing properties. In addition, it is used as livestock feed, a cooling agent, and for treating reproductive disorders. Preliminary evidence suggests its potential for anticancer, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antiasthmatic effects, which remain underexplored.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This review consolidates the traditional and pharmacological knowledge of <i>R</i>. <i>hirtellus</i>, highlighting its biomedical potential. Further computational and experimental studies are warranted to validate its therapeutic properties and explore its unexplored pharmacological activities.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":15951,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Food Quality","volume":"2026 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/jfq/4396391","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148324535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Comprehensive Review of the Microbiological Safety of Street Foods in Ethiopia: Prevalence, Risks, and Mitigation Strategies","authors":"Tesfaye Wolde,&nbsp;Mulugeta Belay,&nbsp;Almaz Teka,&nbsp;Emenashu Tesfaye,&nbsp;Tigistu Goa","doi":"10.1155/jfq/8095860","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jfq/8095860","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;Street foods constitute a vital component of Ethiopia’s urban food system, providing affordable meals and sustaining a large informal workforce. However, concerns regarding their microbiological safety remain substantial. This review aims to systematically integrate and critically appraise published evidence on the prevalence of microbial contamination in Ethiopian street-vended foods, associated health risks, determinants of contamination, and emerging antimicrobial resistance patterns. A structured narrative review approach was employed. Peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2025 were identified through searches of databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Studies were included if they reported microbiological analyses, quantitative risk assessments, or food handling practice evaluations related to street foods in Ethiopia. After screening for relevance and methodological clarity, eligible studies were analyzed and integrated qualitatively. Across the reviewed literature (&lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt; = 18 microbiological studies; cumulative sample size &gt; 1500 food samples), contamination levels were consistently high. One frequently cited cross-sectional study from Jigjiga City (&lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt; = 132 samples) reported that 72% of food samples contained at least one pathogenic bacterium, including &lt;i&gt;Staphylococcus aureus&lt;/i&gt; (64.4%), &lt;i&gt;Escherichia coli&lt;/i&gt; (51.5%), and &lt;i&gt;Salmonella&lt;/i&gt; spp. (19.7%). Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) studies (&lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt; = 2; &gt; 500 samples combined) estimated infection probabilities approaching 100% under high-exposure scenarios, particularly among frequent consumers of raw or minimally processed animal source foods. These estimates reflect worst-case exposure assumptions involving elevated contamination loads and repeated consumption patterns. Evidence from behavioral and observational studies (&lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt; = 6) indicates that only approximately 40% of vendors demonstrate satisfactory food handling practices. This estimate derives from aggregated findings across multiple regional surveys rather than from primary field data collected by the authors. Poor practices were significantly associated with lower educational attainment, limited income, and inadequate access to water and sanitation infrastructure. Emerging concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance were reported in five recent studies, which documented multidrug-resistant strains of &lt;i&gt;Salmonella&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;E. coli&lt;/i&gt; in street-vended foods. Although these studies represent a smaller proportion of the total literature, their findings signal an escalating public health threat requiring urgent surveillance and intervention. Overall, the evidence demonstrates widespread microbiological contamination driven by infrastructural deficits, hygiene limitations, regulatory gaps, and socioeconomic constraints. An integrated, multisectoral intervention framework is proposed, emphasizing vendor training, infrastructure improvement, risk","PeriodicalId":15951,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Food Quality","volume":"2026 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/jfq/8095860","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148324536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of Microorganisms and Physicochemical Factors on Consumer Preferences for Tchakpalo","authors":"Banfitebiyi Gambogou,&nbsp;Sirina Koukpere,&nbsp;Mazalo Monique Bakoumle,&nbsp;Essodolom Paka,&nbsp;Yaovi Ameyapoh","doi":"10.1155/jfq/4327211","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jfq/4327211","url":null,"abstract":"<p><i>Tchakpalo</i> is a fermented West African beverage with specific microbial and physicochemical features, with high variability, influencing its quality and consumer acceptance of this beverage. This study investigates sensory preferences to guide improvements and standardization in <i>Tchakpalo</i> production. Ten <i>Tchakpalo</i> samples from various producers were analyzed for physicochemical parameters (pH, alcohol content, and Brix); microbial composition (yeasts, lactic acid bacteria [LAB], and coliforms); and the presence of pathogens such as <i>Salmonella</i> spp. and <i>E. coli</i>. Sensory analysis was performed with 30 panelists using a 5-point scale to assess aroma, flavor, appearance, and texture attributes. Statistical analyses explored the relationships between microbial content, physicochemical traits, and sensory scores. Results indicated a high diversity among samples. Physicochemical ranges included pH (3.27–4.07), alcohol content (2.50%–5.10%), and Brix (6.53–9.50). No pathogens were detected. Yeast and LAB predominated, with counts of 6.84–9.29 log CFU/mL and 6.30 to 9.04 log CFU/mL, respectively. The diversity of yeasts ranged from 0.90 to 1.40, while LAB diversity ranged from 0.88 to 1.40. Samples 8 and 9 exhibited the highest overall diversity (1.38). Sensory analysis identified <i>Tchakpalo</i> sample 7 as the most preferred, scoring highest in flavor (4.6) and overall acceptability. Flavor positively correlated with LAB diversity (<i>r</i> = 0.489, <i>p</i> = 0.006), while pH negatively impacted acceptability (<i>r</i> = −0.373, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Specific microbes, such as <i>Lactobacillus fermentum</i>, enhanced aroma and flavor, while <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> correlated positively with Brix and alcohol content. These findings highlight the critical role of microbial diversity and physicochemical properties in shaping <i>Tchakpalo</i>’s sensory quality. By understanding these factors, producers can optimize fermentation processes to achieve consistent, high-quality products that meet consumer preferences. This study provides practical insights for improving <i>Tchakpalo</i> production, ensuring better quality and broader acceptance of this traditional beverage.</p>","PeriodicalId":15951,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Food Quality","volume":"2026 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/jfq/4327211","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148282506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Detection of Sudan Dye Adulteration in Palm Oil and Assessment of Vendors’ Knowledge and Perceptions in the Eastern Region of Ghana","authors":"Regina Ofori Asante,&nbsp;Enoch Asante,&nbsp;Patricia Ghann","doi":"10.1155/jfq/7180106","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jfq/7180106","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Sudan dye adulteration in palm oil is a major public health concern in Ghana due to the genotoxic and carcinogenic nature of these industrial azo colorants. This study assessed the prevalence of Sudan I–IV dyes in palm oil from six districts in the Eastern Region and evaluated vendors’ knowledge, perceptions, and practices. Palm oil samples (<i>n</i> = 18; three replicates per district) were analyzed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Overall, 33% of the samples tested positive for Sudan dyes, with the highest prevalence in Jumapo and Kade districts. Vendor surveys (<i>n</i> = 200) indicated that 67.5% recognized palm oil adulteration, 42.5% had heard of Sudan dyes, and 7% admitted using them, mainly for profit or consumer preference. Significant differences were observed among districts (ANOVA, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.005). Samples from Jumapo (<i>Rf</i> = 0.94 ± 0.02; spot distance = 3.56 ± 0.07 cm) and Kade (<i>Rf</i> = 0.95 ± 0.01; 3.61 ± 0.05 cm) exhibited the highest mobility, indicative of Sudan dye adulteration. Samples from Achiase (<i>Rf</i> = 0.92 ± 0.01; 3.42 ± 0.08 cm) and Asuom (<i>Rf</i> = 0.91 ± 0.01; 3.40 ± 0.06 cm) showed the lowest mobility, suggesting minimal or no contamination, while Akim Oda (<i>Rf</i> = 0.93 ± 0.02; 3.48 ± 0.09 cm) and Ofoase (<i>Rf</i> = 0.93 ± 0.02; 3.51 ± 0.08 cm) displayed intermediate patterns. The findings demonstrate that Sudan dye adulteration is localized, affects one-third of palm oil samples, and is economically motivated, highlighting the need for strengthened regulatory monitoring, targeted vendor education, and consumer sensitization to mitigate associated public health risks.</p>","PeriodicalId":15951,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Food Quality","volume":"2026 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/jfq/7180106","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148282249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Causal Associations Between Dried Fruit Intake and Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: A Mendelian Randomization and Network Pharmacology Study","authors":"Jiaqi Xie,&nbsp;Jing Zhang,&nbsp;Youxing Wang,&nbsp;Shiqi Chen,&nbsp;Ye Zhu,&nbsp;Dehui Yin","doi":"10.1155/jfq/9705067","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jfq/9705067","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study of two samples to deeply explore the potential causal relationship between dried fruit intake and metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease and conduct corresponding network pharmacology analysis. IVW analysis results showed that dried fruit intake could prevent the risk of MASLD. The results of network pharmacology showed that the active components of dried fruit prevented and alleviated MASLD through the action of target genes, such as TNF, AKT1, and EGFR, on metabolism-related signaling pathways. It was found that dried fruit can prevent and delay the progression of MASLD by improving the human body’s insulin resistance, lipid metabolism disorders, and other pathological mechanisms through a series of effective chemical components acting on metabolism-related signaling pathways and core target genes in the human body.</p>","PeriodicalId":15951,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Food Quality","volume":"2026 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/jfq/9705067","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148282498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Calcium Chloride and Putrescine Applied at Three Fruit Development Stages Improve the Quality of “Spring Crest” Peaches","authors":"Tajdar Ilahi,&nbsp;Irfan Ali,&nbsp;Izhar Elahi,&nbsp;Amjad Iqbal","doi":"10.1155/jfq/8067207","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jfq/8067207","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Peach is a widely cultivated and consumed fruit; however, its yield improvement remains limited, and its shelf life is short due to its climacteric nature. Preharvest applications of putrescine (PUT) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂) are not widely practiced for improving fruit quality. The study aimed to assess the individual and combined effects of PUT and CaCl₂ sprays on “Spring Crest” peach quality to improve fruit development and reduce postharvest losses. Foliar applications of PUT (2 mM) and CaCl₂ (1%), applied alone or in combination, were tested at key stages of fruit development on eight-year-old peach trees in Swat, Pakistan. After harvest, peach fruits were stored under ambient conditions, and their physical and biochemical quality was evaluated over 12 days. Results demonstrated that the combined treatment (PUT + CaCl₂) significantly enhanced fruit weight, size, and pulp-to-stone ratio at harvest compared to the control. During storage, the combined treatment markedly reduced weight loss, maintained superior firmness, and suppressed ethylene biosynthesis. Additionally, fruits receiving the combined application retained higher titratable acidity and ascorbic acid content, while exhibiting slower sugar accumulation and more stable color parameters. These findings suggest that the combined preharvest application of CaCl₂ and PUT represents a promising, safe, and practical strategy to mitigate postharvest losses.</p>","PeriodicalId":15951,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Food Quality","volume":"2026 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/jfq/8067207","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148281908","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using Abscisic Acid and Leaf Removal to Alter the Sensory Properties of Pinot Noir Wine Made From Grapevines With Grapevine Red Blotch Disease","authors":"Samuel Hoffman,&nbsp;Robert Martin,&nbsp;Patricia A. Skinkis,&nbsp;James Osborne,&nbsp;Elizabeth Tomasino","doi":"10.1155/jfq/4965213","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jfq/4965213","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Grapevine red blotch disease (GRBD) poses economic concerns for the US wine industry due to impacts on fruit and wine quality. This study investigated the impact of two vineyard management techniques, cluster-zone leaf removal and abscisic acid (ABA) application, to alter the sensory characteristics of Pinot Noir wines made from GRBD-positive vines. Treatments were applied to vineyards during the 2018 and 2019 growing seasons. Grapes were hand-harvested and made into wine using standard red winemaking procedures and stored in a bottle for 1 year prior to sensory analysis. Sensory analysis consisted of overall liking, aroma check-all-that-apply (CATA), color intensity, and mouthfeel just-about-right (JAR). Panelists were regular wine consumers. Overall liking was not affected by vineyard treatments in either vintage. There were no differences between the treatments for mouthfeel attributes in either year. Aroma was not affected by treatment in both years, but correspondence analysis indicated potential trends. Finally, color was different for both ABA and leaf removal treatments in 2019, but not in 2018. Basic wine chemical analysis showed minor differences, mainly in color, but they were not consistent with sensory results. Overall, neither vineyard ABA nor leaf removal treatments had a consistent impact on wine sensory characteristics from GRBD-positive vines. Despite the fact that vines had GRBD, all wines were described using positive quality descriptors.</p>","PeriodicalId":15951,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Food Quality","volume":"2026 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/jfq/4965213","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148238086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of Volatile Components and Quality Evaluation of Green Mandarin Tea From Different Sources Based on GC-MS","authors":"Xiaoyan Zhou,&nbsp;Xiaoli Liu,&nbsp;Qinwei Guo,&nbsp;Qun Wu,&nbsp;Jiajun Wang","doi":"10.1155/jfq/7307900","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jfq/7307900","url":null,"abstract":"<p>To evaluate the suitability of different citrus varieties for making green mandarin tea and thus expand its raw-material base, immature fruits of Chachiensis (Citrus reticulata blanco cv. Chachiensis), Ponkan (Citrus reticulata blanco cv. Ponkan), Quju (Citrus reticulata “Quju”), Yuzu (Citrus junos Sieb. ex Tanaka), and Unshiu (Citrus reticulata “Unshiu”) were used as peels and coprocessed with black tea via a sun-drying plus hot-air protocol. We systematically compared their volatile profiles, sensory attributes, and nutritional quality. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed that products based on Chachiensis, Quzhou Ponkan, and seedless Ponkan shared similar aroma compositions dominated by D-limonene and γ-terpinene. In contrast, the Yuzu-based product uniquely contained spathulenol and α-copaene, yielding a characteristic aroma spectrum. Sensory evaluation indicated that the Yuzu-based product achieved the highest overall score (75.28/100), with well-balanced flavor and a lasting sweet aftertaste; Ponkan-based products also performed well. In the nutritional assessment, the Yuzu-based product had the highest water extract, whereas Ponkan-based products exhibited significantly higher total flavonoid and total phenol contents than the other groups. Collectively, Ponkan and Yuzu emerge as favorable source materials for green mandarin tea, excelling in nutritional value and distinctive flavor, respectively.</p>","PeriodicalId":15951,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Food Quality","volume":"2026 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/jfq/7307900","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148237679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Focus on Consumer Understanding of Food Safety and on the Role of the Social Media","authors":"Mario Terlizzi,&nbsp;Alessandro De Santis,&nbsp;Barbara Speranza,&nbsp;Angela Racioppo,&nbsp;Maria Rosaria Corbo,&nbsp;Milena Sinigaglia,&nbsp;Antonio Bevilacqua","doi":"10.1155/jfq/6288785","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jfq/6288785","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This research examines how consumers perceive food safety, particularly emphasizing how social media are associated with perceptions and behaviors. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of Italian participants (<i>n</i> = 505), evaluating, among others, sociodemographic factors, the frequency, and trust in social media usage. Logistic regression analyses were utilized to pinpoint predictors. As a second step, a focus group was done to analyze food safety items with a restricted number of participants. The findings indicated that younger individuals, those with lower educational levels and higher trust in social media, were associated with a higher likelihood of relying on influencers for food safety information. Gender disparities were noted, with women displaying greater susceptibility. In addition, qualitative responses indicated widespread confusion regarding food safety versus other notions like food security or healthy eating, underscoring ongoing gaps in consumer awareness. These results highlight the growing role of digital channels in shaping public comprehension of food safety and point out the necessity for more effective, focused communication strategies. Health organizations and institutions should consider engaging trustworthy online figures while promoting critical evaluation of food-related content, particularly among vulnerable demographic groups.</p>","PeriodicalId":15951,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Food Quality","volume":"2026 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/jfq/6288785","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148237680","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}