African Journal of
Food Science

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Food Sci.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0794
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJFS
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 984

Full Length Research Paper

Functional foods and bee products used during Covid-19 Pandemic and some post-pandemic economic impacts on the food security

Fernanda Geny Calheiros Silva
  • Fernanda Geny Calheiros Silva
  • College of Nutrition, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus AC Simões, University City, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Arthur Luy T. F. Borges
  • Arthur Luy T. F. Borges
  • Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus AC Simões, University City, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
João Victor L. de Oliveira
  • João Victor L. de Oliveira
  • Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus AC Simões, University City, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Emanoel Guilhermino da Silva Júnior
  • Emanoel Guilhermino da Silva Júnior
  • Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus AC Simões, University City, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Erisson Lima Silva
  • Erisson Lima Silva
  • Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus AC Simões, University City, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Shyrlei Vidal Amorim
  • Shyrlei Vidal Amorim
  • Post-Graduate Program in Material Sciences, Technology Centre, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus AC Simões, University City, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Lailson César Andrade Gomes
  • Lailson César Andrade Gomes
  • Agricultural Sciences and Engineering Campus, Federal Institute of Alagoas, Rio Largo, Alagoas, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Isabel Cristina C. Moraes Porto
  • Isabel Cristina C. Moraes Porto
  • Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus AC Simões, University City, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Luciano Aparecido Meireles Grillo
  • Luciano Aparecido Meireles Grillo
  • Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus AC Simões, University City, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Jonatas Oliveira Costa
  • Jonatas Oliveira Costa
  • Agricultural Sciences and Engineering Campus, Federal Institute of Alagoas, Rio Largo, Alagoas, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Nataly Christine Soares Gama
  • Nataly Christine Soares Gama
  • Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus AC Simões, University City, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Kathylen Vitória F. dos Santos
  • Kathylen Vitória F. dos Santos
  • Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus AC Simões, University City, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Ana Paula do Nascimento Prata
  • Ana Paula do Nascimento Prata
  • Post-Graduate Program in Material Sciences, Technology Centre, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus AC Simões, University City, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Salvana Priscylla Manso Costa
  • Salvana Priscylla Manso Costa
  • Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus AC Simões, University City, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Camila Braga Dornelas
  • Camila Braga Dornelas
  • Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus AC Simões, University City, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Giselda Macena Lira
  • Giselda Macena Lira
  • College of Nutrition, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus AC Simões, University City, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Ticiano Gomes do Nascimento
  • Ticiano Gomes do Nascimento
  • College of Nutrition, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus AC Simões, University City, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 18 February 2024
  •  Accepted: 22 November 2024
  •  Published: 31 January 2025

Abstract

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the low availability of medicines and vaccines with proven efficacy, there was a growing impact on public health, followed by inconsistencies from both an economic and social perspective, due to the declaration of the "State of Emergency" and the adoption of strict sanitary control measures, which also contributed to the progression of food insecurity. In this context, the search for natural methods for the prevention and control of symptoms gained prominence, with functional foods and bee products being highlighted due to their bioactive compounds, which are capable of modulating metabolic processes and acting as antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, anti-infectives, and antivirals. The aim of this study was to review natural strategies with antiviral and anti-COVID properties across various databases. A comprehensive review of functional foods, bee products, and biotechnology was conducted in scientific article and patent databases, with no time constraints. Among the findings, several functional foods, natural products, and bee products exhibited significant antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities against coronaviruses, highlighting the critical role of food in human health. Additionally, these findings represent a promising strategy for the food industry in the development of biopreservatives, functional foods, and organic products for both human and animal health.

Key words: Functional foods, anti-Covid activity, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, economic impacts, post-pandemic.

Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

Back to Vol. 19 No. 1
Back to articles
SUBSCRIBE TO RSS
SUBMIT MANUSCRIPT
CONFERENCES