Measuring consumer acceptability of fruits and vegetables

Among the main features treasured by blueberry consumers, flavor is the most important. Human perception of food flavors can primarily be divided into two main sensory inputs, taste and aroma. Through retronasal olfaction, a group of metabolites called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the fruit are able to produce the sensation of aroma, creating the myriad of flavors experienced during our life. In blueberry, breeders have noticed some genotypes with unique floral and sweet flavor notes that, ultimately, enhance human aroma perception. Despite the importance, both the understanding of which chemicals are mediating this variation across phenotypes and the potential impact on consumer acceptability remains largely unknown. In this study we dissected the main components underlying blueberry aroma and associated it with consumer predilections by paring metabolomics with sensory analysis. Our contribution in this study is four-fold: (i) first, based on a representative blueberry germplasm cultivated at the University of Florida, we differentiated genotypes with floral and sweet aromatic notes and confirmed that such unique characteristics are preferred by consumers; (ii) at the chemical level, we showed that a group of eight terpene volatiles constitute the primary metabolic group associated with aroma sensation; (iii) we demonstrated that aromatic genotypes can be classified using information from a group of a few key volatiles; and finally, (iv) we combined pedigree and metabolomic information in a single predictive framework and showed the importance of metabolomic data for flavor-assisted selection. For the blueberry community, our findings open new venues to explore flavor. Broadly, we present an emerging view about flavor and provide a detailed blueprint of how this target could be addressed in fruits and vegetables.

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Flavonoids in adipose tissue inflammation and atherosclerosis: one arrow, two targets

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs20200356 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 134 (12) ◽

pp. 1403-1432 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Manal Muin Fardoun ◽

Dina Maaliki ◽

Nabil Halabi ◽

Rabah Iratni ◽

Alessandra Bitto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adipose Tissue ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Metabolic Diseases ◽

Therapeutic Agents ◽

Adipose Tissue Inflammation ◽

Cellular Mechanisms ◽

Tissue Inflammation ◽

Cholesterol Levels ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Abstract Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds naturally occurring in fruits and vegetables, in addition to beverages such as tea and coffee. Flavonoids are emerging as potent therapeutic agents for cardiovascular as well as metabolic diseases. Several studies corroborated an inverse relationship between flavonoid consumption and cardiovascular disease (CVD) or adipose tissue inflammation (ATI). Flavonoids exert their anti-atherogenic effects by increasing nitric oxide (NO), reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS), and decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, flavonoids alleviate ATI by decreasing triglyceride and cholesterol levels, as well as by attenuating inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, flavonoids inhibit synthesis of fatty acids and promote their oxidation. In this review, we discuss the effect of the main classes of flavonoids, namely flavones, flavonols, flavanols, flavanones, anthocyanins, and isoflavones, on atherosclerosis and ATI. In addition, we dissect the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of action for these flavonoids. We conclude by supporting the potential benefit for flavonoids in the management or treatment of CVD; yet, we call for more robust clinical studies for safety and pharmacokinetic values.

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The effect of drying methods on viscoelastic behaviour of dehydrated fruits and vegetables

International Journal of Food Science & Technology ◽

10.1046/j.1365-2621.2000.00396.x ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 391 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Magdalini K. Krokida

Keyword(s):

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Viscoelastic Behaviour ◽

Drying Methods

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Homocysteine Levels Show Significant Differences among Mediterranean Dietary Quality Index Variables Compared to Folate and Vitamin B12 Status in Women

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000237 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 85 (3-4) ◽

pp. 202-210 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ivona Višekruna ◽

Ivana Rumbak ◽

Ivana Rumora Samarin ◽

Irena Keser ◽

Jasmina Ranilović

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Quality Index ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Dietary Quality ◽

Vitamin B ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Poor Diet ◽

The Mediterranean

Abstract. Results of epidemiologic studies and clinical trials have shown that subjects following the Mediterranean diet had lower inflammatory markers such as homocysteine (Hcy). Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess female diet quality with the Mediterranean diet quality index (MDQI) and to determine the correlation between MDQI, homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 levels in the blood. The study participants were 237 apparently healthy women (96 of reproductive age and 141 postmenopausal) between 25 and 93 years. For each participant, 24-hour dietary recalls for 3 days were collected, MDQI was calculated, and plasma Hcy, serum and erythrocyte folate and vitamin B12 levels were analysed. Total MDQI ranged from 8 to 10 points, which represented a medium-poor diet for the subjects. The strength of correlation using biomarkers, regardless of group type, age, gender and other measured parameters, was ranked from best (0.11) to worst (0.52) for olive oil, fish, fruits and vegetables, grains, and meat, in this order. Hcy levels showed the best response among all markers across all groups and food types. Our study shows significant differences between variables of the MDQI and Hcy levels compared to levels of folate and vitamin B12 in participants with medium-poor diet quality, as evaluated according to MDQI scores.

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