2024 7+8

Cacao, the chocolate tree, is one of the world’s most important economic crops, generating hundreds of billions of dollars annually. However, cocoa is affected by a range of pests and diseases, with some estimates putting losses as high as 30% to 40% of global production. Now, a team led by researchers at Penn State has created a genetic information resource to help plant breeders develop resistant strains of cacao that can be grown sustainably in its native Amazon and elsewhere, such as the tropical latitudes of Central and South America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia.

Function leads the charge in the top four non-alcoholic European consumer drinks trends in a market that's riper than ever for innovation.

A unique fermentation method being piloted in Japan transforms edible leftovers and scraps into sustainable feed for pigs.

Researchers have compiled a new list of foods and drinks that many people may not know are contributing to unhealthy diets among Americans.

Per the American Heart Association, the average American consumes nearly 2 to 3 times the daily recommended amount of added sugar.

In recent years, the worldwide increase in lifestyle diseases and metabolic disorders has been ascribed to the excessive consumption of sucrose and added sugars. For this reason, many approaches ha...

European Food Research and Technology - Cinnamomum verum (Cinnamomum zeylanicum or Ceylon cinnamon) is an aromatic medicinal plant, popularly used as a culinary spice and in various herbal...

The correlations and differences of the key odorants were systematically conducted among three sweetness of goji wines by the sensomics approach. Afte…

Autumn is right around the corner, and a new survey is revealing a seismic shift in America's taste buds this year.

The waste food going to landfills is an invisible but important part of greenhouse gas emissions. Could discarded scraps be turned into new food instead?

Researchers led by Cranfield University have developed new ways to detect sugar syrup adulteration in honey, paving the way for fast and accurate tests to discover fake products.

Like a computer system with built-in redundancies, a study has revealed that brains use three different sets of neurons to store a single memory. The finding could one day help soften painful memories in people who've suffered trauma.

Meat alternatives can regain the growth seen earlier this century only if the category replicates the taste, texture and aroma of real meat, the boss of a food-tech upstart suggests.

As you sip a gin and tonic, you’re indulging in a symphony of fragrant botanicals that elevate this spirit above all other alcoholic beverages. Distillers meticulously craft their creations by selecting unique botanical ingredients, with juniper berries traditionally taking centre-stage. However, it’s the additional fragrant notes that often steal the spotlight…   Recently, a fragrant...

An experimental archaeology park lets visitors get a whiff of the island's aromatic past.

The demand for natural Vanilla has increased rapidly, creating the need for more potential sources of high-quality Vanilla essence. Understanding the geographical influences on the aroma profile of Vanilla is essential. This study demonstrates the first comparative analysis of odorant compositions in the three most important Vanilla varieties: Vanilla planifolia, Vanilla pompona, and Vanilla tahitensis from different origins. Following the screening for odor-active molecules through gas chromatography-olfactometry and aroma extract dilution analysis (GC-O and AEDA), selected compounds were quantified using stable isotope dilution assays (SIDA) and their dose over threshold values (DoTs) were calculated. Vanillin was confirmed as the most important odor-active compound due to its highest DoT value, especially in the V. planifolia sample. Meanwhile, 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol and 4-methoxybenzaldehyde showed higher DoT factors than vanillin in V. pompona and partially in V. tahitensis samples. This indicates their role as discriminative odorants for these varieties. The heightened DoT values of 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone in Uganda Vanilla samples unveil geographical influences on the odorant profile within V. planifolia species. Additionally, 2-methyl-3-(methyldithio)furan was identified for the first time in Vanilla samples with diverse DoT values from different species and origins.

The discovery of molecular mechanisms used by the banana-destroying microbe brings hope to the breakfast table.

A recently published study by UF researchers provides insight into how beer yeast might behave when fermented in outer space.

Creativity is the art of combining diverse ideas, making meaningful connections between concepts, and remaining focused to produce innovative ideas and useful solutions. Expansive and remote associations ...

Today’s AI largely lives in computers, but acting and reacting in the real world — that’s the realm of robots. In this week’s episode, co-host Steven Strogatz talks with pioneering roboticist Daniela Rus about creativity, collaboration, and the unusual forms robots of the future might take.

Feynman was not only one of the most accomplished physicists in history. He was an amazing teacher.

Rainbow eucalyptus tree. Image via Wiki Commons. At first glance, this tree almost seems like it fell victim to graffiti vandalism. But if you look closer, you'll see that it hasn't been spray painted --

The characteristic aroma compounds of five-fold sweet orange oil were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry combined with the odor aroma…

Mankind has been craving pleasant smells and therefore working on perfumes since ancient times—fine scents have always been considered a source of inspiration, and a good fragrance has always been a ...

But this is no long-term solution for storing carbon.

A disease known as Huanglongbing (HLB) is devastating citrus orchards in many countries, causing huge losses in citrus production.

Identifying the PKZILLAs, used by algae to make toxins, stretched the capabilities of current analytical methods - and the limits of our preconceptions

Are aliens among us? The answer is yes, and they can be green too.

A new generation of coffee concoctions on social media is putting the spotlight back on the drink’s possible weight-loss effects

In Ancient Babylonia, soups and stews reigned supreme. Food historians are now using taste-tests to recover their forgotten flavours.