Cocoa shell is a by-product of the chocolate industry that is rich in dietary fiber and bioactive components. In this research, the influence of high voltage electric discharge (HVED) treatment on chemical and physical characteristics of the cocoa shell, i.e., the effects of applied time and frequencies on grinding ability, water binding capacity (WBC), dietary fibers and tannin content was investigated. HVED had a significant influence on the chemical and physical properties of cocoa shell, all of which could be linked to changes in fiber properties. Along with the fiber content, grinding ability and water binding capacity were increased. These properties have already been linked to fiber content and soluble/insoluble fiber ratio. However, this research implies that change in fiber properties could be linked to tannin formation via complexation of other polyphenolic components. Additional research is needed to verify this effect and to establish mechanisms of tannin formation induced by HVED and its influence on fiber quantification.

The aim of this research was to evaluate bee pollen load samples collected in Tuzla Canton regarding physicochemical composition and antioxidant properties, with relation to collecting area and time of collection. Bee pollen load samples were collected in two periods: March/April and May/June at 13 locations, dried and analysed for protein, free fat, ash, moisture, total polyphenol and total flavonoid content, and antioxidant properties. The results showed that bee pollen collected in March/April had lower content of proteins, but higher content of total polyphenols and higher antioxidant activity, while total flavonoid content was not influenced by collection period. The location had significant influence on bee pollen properties.

The apple is a fruit that has beneficial health effects due to the presence of biologically active components and is considered as a functional food. But today's production of apples cannot be imagined without chemical treatment. In addition to its favorable health effects, it may also have adverse effects on human health due to the presence of pesticides that are considered as contaminants. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the fungicide residues in fruit/apples. The fungicide residues were extracted from apple cultivar Idared with QuEChERS method and analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (UPLC-TQ/MS). The analyses have shown that the apples contain pesticides penconazole (10 μg/kg), boscalide (60 μg/kg), tebuconazole (11-40 μg/kg), myclobutanil (20-70 μg/kg), fenbuconazole (70 μg/kg), pyrimethanil (12-60 μg/kg) and carbendazime (azole) with range of 100-200 μg/kg. After comparing the concentration of detected pesticides with MRLs, it can be concluded that apples are safe for consumption.

Chocolate is a complex product that has a specific texture. This complexity is due to the interactions between the ingredients used in production: cocoa butter, cocoa mass and sugar. Sugar gives bulk to chocolate and any change in the recipe changes the textural properties of the chocolate. Recently, there has been considerable production of low-sugar chocolates using other bulking agents and sweeteners. Some of the most common are isomalt, maltitol, lactitol, polydextrose etc. Emulsifiers that have been used in chocolate production almost from the beginning are also responsible for its texture and rheological properties. They reduce the interaction between the solid particles and increase the lipophilicity of the sugar particles. Lecithin and polyglycerol polyricinoleate are most commonly used, but some other emulsifiers have also been reported in production.

Jam (traditionally called pekmez) is a product produced by concentrating of fresh thick apple juice. In this study, 20 jam samples, from different apple cultivars, were analyzed, including: ‘Samoniklica’, ‘Paradija’, ‘Habikusa’, ‘Zuja’, ‘Srebrenicka’ and mixed cultivars. The aim of this study was to determine physicochemical properties of jam from different apple cultivars and mixed jam. The analyses have shown that the average value of the dry matter was 77.38%, the ash 1.26%, pH value 4.25, electrical conductivity 2.90 mS/cm. The nitrogen content was 685.10 mg/100 g. The relative density was 1.36 g/mL. The potassium content (K) was 430.70 mg/100 g, sodium (Na) 99.31 mg/100 g, calcium (Ca) 43.65 mg/100 g, magnesium (Mg) 30.80 mg/100 g, iron (Fe) 5.61 mg/100 g, zinc (Zn) 1.07 mg/100 g, copper (Cu) 0.41 mg/100 g, manganese (Mn) 0.26 mg/100 g. The total polyphenols were 0.78 g/kg. Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) was 162.02 mg/kg. Apple jam is recommended in recovery from many diseases because of its special nutritional value, especially for people who suffer from anaemia sidropenica and similar diseases, and for the athletes as well.

Propolis is a natural resinous substance collected by honey bees from buds and exudates of plant species, mixed with bee enzymes, pollen and wax. It has a complex composition with a wide range of effects, including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiflogistic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, carcinostatic and immunomodulatory properties. It is often applied in the treatment of diseases involving the oral cavity and gums. The aim of this paper is to describe the therapeutic properties of propolis, chemical composition and its application in the oral cavity. Literature and systematic information on the composition and the effects of propolis on health were collected, with particular reference to the use in the treatment of oral cavity diseases. The chemical composition of propolis is very complex. The health impact depends on the biologically active components it contains. A particularly important application is in the treatment of diseases of the oral cavity. Studies show that propolis can help prevent dental caries and control gingivitis and plaque. It reduces halithosis (bad breath) and symptoms of periodontosis. It is also effective in fighting viruses. It can have significant application in orthodontics and restorative dentistry. A wide range of effects allows the multiple uses of propolis-based products. Recent research has been increasingly focused on diseases of the oral cavity. The development of novel propolis-based pharmaceutical forms could significantly reduce the use of antibiotics in conventional treatment of diseases of the oral cavity.

Salvia officinalis L., also known as the “Salvation Plant”, has been long used and well-documented in traditional medicine around the globe. Its bioactive compounds, and especially its polyphenol profile, have been extensively researched and reviewed. However, sage’s beneficial effects reach much further, and nowadays, with a range of new extraction techniques, we are discovering new components with new therapeutic effects, especially in the context of neurodegenerative diseases and various carcinomas. This review describes the bioactive profile of various sage preparations depending on the extraction techniques and extraction parameters, and this review lists the newest research findings on its health effects.

Background: Oral dietary supplementation is becoming increasingly popular as an addition to classical approaches for the prevention and treatment of hemorrhoidal disease. Aim: To examine the effect of orally administrated alpha lipoic acid (ALA), known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, in the treatment of patients with permanent symptoms of hemorrhoidal disease. Methods: Patients with second- and third-degree hemorrhoids (n = 100) were enrolled into a randomized, open label, single-center trial. The study group (n = 50) was treated with 200 mg of orally administered ALA once a day during the 12-week period, the control group (n = 50) did not receive any treatment. Results: There were no significant differences in demographics, diagnosis, or exposure to major risk factors between the study and placebo group at baseline. ALA significantly improved subjective efficacy variables, such as pain and discomfort (p < 0.01) as well as objective signs of the disease, such as bleeding (p < 0.01), in comparison to the control group. Furthermore, the 3-month treatment significantly reduced the number of patients with positive C-reactive protein (CRP) value (serum CRP > 5 mg/L) from 18% before to only 2% after the treatment (χ2 = 4.65; p < 0.01). Average leukocyte count has also been significantly reduced in the treatment group (p < 0.01) from 7.29 × 109/L before to 6.18 × 109/L after treatment. Conclusions: The obtained results indicate that ALA is effective in the treatment of second- and third-degree hemorrhoids. Larger, double-blind controlled trials are needed to confirm the results and to investigate optimal treatment regimens.