About this Research Topic
Oils and fats play a crucial role in supporting human health, as they provide essential nutrients in our daily diet. However, increasing concerns due to the global food crisis trigger an urgent demand for alternative and nutritious oils and fats. To ensure long-term food security, it is, therefore, noteworthy to address the challenges associated with the sustainable development of oils and fats.
Traditional oil sources are depleting rapidly, their production can also cause environmental problems. For example, forests in tropical regions are cleared to make way for oil palm or other oil crops. Deforestation may lead to a loss of plant biodiversity. In addition, spills or improper disposal of organic solvents during oil extraction can cause water contamination. The toxic organic solvents, such as hexane, also have detrimental effects on aquatic life as well as our ecosystems. Thus, exploring alternative environmental-friendly resources will contribute to alleviating the pressures from traditional oils.
To achieve such a sustainable goal, research is being conducted to explore viable substitutes, such as algae or single-cell-based oils. These alternative sources not only offer potential solutions to the global food crisis but also present opportunities to address safety and nutritional concerns. For example, sustainable cultivation and efficient extractions have been developed in terms of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) single-cell oils produced by microorganisms.
In this topic, we aim to pave the way towards a food-secure future, especially for edible oils and fats, where the nutritional needs of all individuals are met, as well as the resources are managed responsibly to ensure the well-being of present and future generations.
This topic will present a thorough collection of advancements in the development of edible oils and fats, with a particular focus on recent innovative research findings and comprehensive review papers that explore new sustainable oil and fat resources. Additionally, this topic also includes studies of novel technologies that address oil nutrition and safety, contributing to a broader goal of achieving a more sustainable and secure food future.
Research articles and review papers submitted to this topic should contribute an understanding towards:
• Sustainable and alternative oils and fats resources
• Fats waste management solutions
• Safety considerations, such as proper handling, processing, and testing methods to mitigate risks.
• Nutritional aspects, emphasizing healthier edible oils and their benefits for human health.
• Case studies, innovative technologies, and evidence-based practices that contribute to the overall goal of sustainability, safety, and nutrition in oils and fats.
Traditional oil sources are depleting rapidly, their production can also cause environmental problems. For example, forests in tropical regions are cleared to make way for oil palm or other oil crops. Deforestation may lead to a loss of plant biodiversity. In addition, spills or improper disposal of organic solvents during oil extraction can cause water contamination. The toxic organic solvents, such as hexane, also have detrimental effects on aquatic life as well as our ecosystems. Thus, exploring alternative environmental-friendly resources will contribute to alleviating the pressures from traditional oils.
To achieve such a sustainable goal, research is being conducted to explore viable substitutes, such as algae or single-cell-based oils. These alternative sources not only offer potential solutions to the global food crisis but also present opportunities to address safety and nutritional concerns. For example, sustainable cultivation and efficient extractions have been developed in terms of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) single-cell oils produced by microorganisms.
In this topic, we aim to pave the way towards a food-secure future, especially for edible oils and fats, where the nutritional needs of all individuals are met, as well as the resources are managed responsibly to ensure the well-being of present and future generations.
This topic will present a thorough collection of advancements in the development of edible oils and fats, with a particular focus on recent innovative research findings and comprehensive review papers that explore new sustainable oil and fat resources. Additionally, this topic also includes studies of novel technologies that address oil nutrition and safety, contributing to a broader goal of achieving a more sustainable and secure food future.
Research articles and review papers submitted to this topic should contribute an understanding towards:
• Sustainable and alternative oils and fats resources
• Fats waste management solutions
• Safety considerations, such as proper handling, processing, and testing methods to mitigate risks.
• Nutritional aspects, emphasizing healthier edible oils and their benefits for human health.
• Case studies, innovative technologies, and evidence-based practices that contribute to the overall goal of sustainability, safety, and nutrition in oils and fats.
Keywords: Oils and Fats, Sustainability, Resources, Nutrition, Deforesation, Contamination, Alternative Oil Resources, Fat Waste Management, Safety And Risks, Beneficial Components In Oil
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
