Recent research has primarily focused on strategies for modifying insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) to enhance its performance and functionality. IDF is obtained from various inexpensive sources and can be manipulated to alter its biological effects, making it possible to revolutionize food processing and nutrition. In this review, multiple IDF modification techniques are thoroughly examined and discussed, with particular emphasis on the resulting changes in the physicochemical properties, biological activities, and microstructure of the fiber. An extensive overview of the practical applications of modified IDF in food processing is provided. Our study aims to raise awareness about the vast possibilities presented by modified IDF and encourage further exploration and utilization of this field in the realm of food production.

China, being a major agricultural nation, employs aerobic composting as an efficient approach to handle agricultural solid waste. Nevertheless, the composting process is often accompanied by greenhouse gas emissions, which are known contributors to global warming. Therefore, it is urgent to control the formation and emission of greenhouse gases from composting. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms underlying the production of nitrous oxide, methane, and carbon dioxide during the composting process of agricultural wastes. Additionally, it proposes an overview of the variables that affect greenhouse gas emissions, including the types of agricultural wastes (straw, livestock manure), the specifications for compost (pile size, aeration). The key factors of greenhouse gas emissions during composting process like physicochemical parameters, additives, and specific composting techniques (reuse of mature compost products, ultra-high-temperature composting, and electric-field-assisted composting) are summarized. Finally, it suggests directions and perspectives for future research. This study establishes a theoretical foundation for achieving carbon neutrality and promoting environmentally-friendly composting practices.

With the development of society, the demand for cement-based composites is increasing day by day. Cement production significantly increases CO2 emissions. These emissions are reduced when high volumes of cement are replaced. The consideration of sustainable development has prompted people to search for new cement substitutes. The lignocellulosic biomass ash obtained from burning lignocellulosic biomass contains a large number of active oxides. If lignocellulosic biomass ash is used as a partial cement substitute, it can effectively solve the high emissions problem of cement-based composites. This review summarizes the physicochemical properties of lignocellulosic biomass ashes and discusses their effects on the workability, mechanical properties, and durability (water absorption, acid resistance, etc.) of cement-based composites. It is found that appropriate treatments on lignocellulosic biomass ashes are beneficial to their application in cement-based composites. Meanwhile, the issues with their application are also pointed out.

Collagen (Col) and gelatin are most extensively used in various fields, particularly in pharmaceuticals and therapeutics. Numerous researchers have proven that they are highly biocompatible to human tissues, exhibit low antigenicity and are easy to degrade. Despite their different sources both Col and gelatin have almost the same effects when it comes to wound healing mechanisms. Considering this, the bioactivity and biological effects of both Col and gelatin have been, and are being, constantly investigated through in vitro and in vivo assays to obtain maximum outcomes in the future. With regard to their proven nutritional values as sources of protein, Col and gelatin products exert various possible biological activities on cells in the extracellular matrix (ECM). In addition, a vast number of novel Col and gelatin applications have been discovered. This review compared Col and gelatin in terms of their structures, sources of derivatives, physicochemical properties, results of in vitro and in vivo studies, their roles in wound healing and the current challenges in wound healing. Thus, this review provides the current insights and the latest discoveries on both Col and gelatin in their wound healing mechanisms.

Food powders are ubiquitous in people\'s daily life and food industry production with numerous advantages. With the increasing use of food powder in the world, it is increasingly important to understand the processing methods of food powder and the changes in physicochemical properties after processing in order to control the processing conditions and the quality of final products. Among the many processing methods for food powders, superfine grinding technique is an emerging and useful tool for superfine powder manufacturing with some unique and promising properties, which has made the technique successfully applied in food processing over the recent decades. This review highlights the information of the main superfine grinding methods in the field of food processing and the changes in performance after superfine grinding treatment. Also, potential challenges, promising opportunities, and perspectives of this technology are covered in the review. This review will provide theoretical foundation and guideline for superfine food powder processing, which can provide new approaches and ideas for the high-value utilization of food raw materials as well as the food design.

In recent years, porous starch has attracted increasing attention due to its valuable functions and potential applications. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the recent advances of porous starch in different aspects, including the preparation and structural characterization methods, physicochemical properties, and potential applications. In general, different techniques including physical, chemical and enzymatic as well as their synergic methods have been extensively used to prepare porous starch. The prepared porous starch can be characterized by several instrumental methods including pore structure analyzer, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometer, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance. As compared to native starch, porous starch shows enhanced adsorption efficiency, solubility and swelling power. Moreover, porous starch can be used to adsorb, encapsulate and release different substances. This review will provide a guideline for the rational preparation and applications of porous starch in the future.

BACKGROUND: Previous trials have reported beneficial effects of isolated and complex fiber supplements in obesity treatment. However, recommending fiber supplements in obese subjects remains controversial. To the best of our knowledge, no systematic review has updated the data on the effects of fiber supplements on obesity since 2010 and the need exists for a systematic review on this topic. Accordingly, a systematic review was undertaken to summarize the efficacy of different types of fiber supplements as a complementary treatment for weight management.
METHODS: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar between January 2010 to August 2016 with no language restriction. Considering the inclusion/exclusion criteria and quality assessment score, finally 17 clinical trials met the eligibility criteria and were included.
RESULTS: The present study indicated that the efficacy of various fiber supplements on losing weight is variable. Several mechanisms related to physicochemical properties of fibers such as solubility, fermentability and viscosity rates can be involved in their anti-obesity effects. Dextrin, Mannan (gum Arabic) and pectin-rich fiber (lupin kernel) with no dietary interventions indicated a reduction in body weight and energy intake, while from clinical point of view, their effects were not considerable.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, findings indicated that the efficacy of fiber supplements on obesity management is dependent on their contents and physicochemical properties. It seems that fiber supplements with no weight-loss interventions did not have considerable antiobesity effects. However, due to limited studies on each type of fiber, findings should be declared by caution. Additional research is needed on comparison of different fiber supplements in similar conditions to clarify the best type and dosage of fiber supplement as a complementary therapy in obesity management.