Quality parameters, bioactive compounds and their correlation with antioxidant capacity of commercial fruit-based baby foods

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different drying methods: convective (at 50, 60, 70 °C), vacuum-microwave (at 120, 240, 360, 480 W and 360 W with reduction to 120 W) and hybrid (convective pre-drying at 50, 60, 70 °C followed by vacuum-microwave drying at 120 W) on the quality parameters of novel red-fleshed apple fruit snacks (RFAs), such as phenolics, on-line antioxidant capacity, water activity and color. Drying kinetics, including a temperature profile of dried material, and modified Page model were determined. Freeze-drying was used as a control method. The highest content of bioactive compounds in the samples was retained following freeze-drying, then hybrid, vacuum-microwave and finally convection drying. The antioxidant capacity measured by on-line 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), identified anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols and phenolic acid as the main compounds responsible for this activity. Unfavorable changes in color, formation of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and degradation of polyphenolics were noted along with increasing drying temperature and magnetron power. The red-fleshed apple snacks are a promising high-quality dehydrated food product belonging to functional foods category.

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Effect of Ultrasound and Enzymatic Mash Treatment on Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Black, Red and White Currant Juices

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules27010318 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 318

Author(s):

Marcin Kidoń ◽

Guruprasath Narasimhan

Keyword(s):

Ascorbic Acid ◽

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Control Sample ◽

Ascorbic Acid Content ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Ultrasound Treatment ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Total Phenolic

Ultrasound treatment is recognized as a potential technique for improvement in the nutritional values of fruit juices. This study was initiated with the objective of evaluating bioactive compounds and some important quality parameters of black (BC), red (RC) and white (WC) currant juices obtained from fruit mash preliminarily treated by enzymes combined with ultrasound. Individual and total phenolic content (TPC), anthocyanins, color parameters, ascorbic acid, antioxidant capacity (TEAC), juice yield, pH, titratable acidity, and soluble solids were investigated. Significant increases in the levels of TPC and antioxidant capacity of sonicated samples were observed. However, ultrasound treatment had no effect on individual phenolic compounds of juices. Sonication of mash before juice pressing did not cause any noticeable changes in ascorbic acid content. Only in the case of WC was an increase in content of vitamin C noticed. The color of juices obtained after treatment was similar to the control sample. It was demonstrated that enzymatic combined with ultrasound treatment of mash for different colored currant fruit did not have any dismissive effect and could even improve some parameters of the juice obtained.

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Post-Harvest Use of Ultraviolet Light (UV) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) to Enhance Bioactive Compounds in Refrigerated Tomatoes

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26071847 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (7) ◽

pp. 1847

Author(s):

Nieves Baenas ◽

Celia Iniesta ◽

Rocío González-Barrio ◽

Vanesa Nuñez-Gómez ◽

María Jesús Periago ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Ultraviolet Light ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Carotenoid Content ◽

Light Emitting ◽

Led Light ◽

Post Harvest ◽

Lipophilic Antioxidant ◽

The Impact

Different strategies have been developed to increase the concentration of bioactive compounds in tomatoes during post-harvest, with ultraviolet light (UV) and light emitting diodes (LEDs) being interesting tools. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ultraviolet (UVA at 366 nm and UVC at 254 nm) pre-treatment (1 kJ/m2) and red–blue LED light (25.4 µmol/m2/s) on the concentration of carotenoids, (poly)phenols and hydrophilic/lipophilic antioxidant capacity during 7 days of refrigeration storage of green tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivar “Raf”. In addition, special attention was paid to quality parameters (weight loss, colour, acidity, soluble solids and ripening index). Tomatoes exposed to LED light at 6 °C for 7 days increased up to three times the total carotenoids content (mainly β-carotene and E-lycopene) compared to tomatoes refrigerated in the dark, while UV treatments alone did not significantly affect the carotenoid content. Besides, exposure to LEDs increased the hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant capacity of tomatoes by 30%, without affecting phenolic contents. Thus, LED treatments alone during refrigerated storage fostered ripening and improved the nutritional value of tomatoes, without compromising quality parameters. Further studies must be carried out to evaluate the impact on sensory attributes and consumer acceptance.

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Mayten Tree Seed Oil: Nutritional Value Evaluation According to Antioxidant Capacity and Bioactive Properties

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10040729 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 729

Author(s):

Rosanna Ginocchio ◽

Eduardo Muñoz-Carvajal ◽

Patricia Velásquez ◽

Ady Giordano ◽

Gloria Montenegro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Seed Oil ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Antioxidant Compounds ◽

Native Plant ◽

Potential Health ◽

North Central ◽

Central Chile ◽

Value Evaluation ◽

Tree Seed

The Mayten tree (Maytenus boaria Mol.), a native plant of Chile that grows under environmentally limiting conditions, was historically harvested to extract an edible oil, and may represent an opportunity to expand current vegetable oil production. Seeds were collected from Mayten trees in north-central Chile, and seed oil was extracted by solvent extraction. The seed oil showed a reddish coloration, with quality parameters similar to those of other vegetable oils. The fatty acid composition revealed high levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Oleic and linoleic acids, which are relevant to the human diet, were well represented in the extracted Mayten tree seed oil. The oil displayed an antioxidant capacity due to the high contents of antioxidant compounds (polyphenols and carotenoids) and may have potential health benefits for diseases associated with oxidative stress.

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Comparative assessment of bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity and nutritional quality of red seaweeds and water spinach

Regional Studies in Marine Science ◽

10.1016/j.rsma.2021.101878 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 101878

Author(s):

Md. Solaiman Hossain ◽

Saad Al-din Sifat ◽

M. Afzal Hossain ◽

Sazlina Salleh ◽

Mofazzal Hossain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Nutritional Quality ◽

Comparative Assessment ◽

Water Spinach ◽

Red Seaweeds

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The Effects of Bioactive Compounds from Blueberry and Blackcurrant Powder on Oat Bran Pastes: Enhancing In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Reducing Reactive Oxygen Species in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Raw264.7 Macrophages

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10030388 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 388

Author(s):

Xiao Dan Hui ◽

Gang Wu ◽

Duo Han ◽

Xi Gong ◽

Xi Yang Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reactive Oxygen Species ◽

Antioxidant Activity ◽

Phenolic Compounds ◽

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Reactive Oxygen ◽

Oxygen Species ◽

Raw264.7 Macrophages ◽

Oat Bran

In this study, blueberry and blackcurrant powder were chosen as the phenolic-rich enrichments for oat bran. A Rapid Visco Analyser was used to form blueberry and blackcurrant enriched oat pastes. An in vitro digestion process evaluated the changes of phenolic compounds and the in vitro antioxidant potential of extracts of pastes. The anthocyanidin profiles in the extracts were characterised by the pH differential method. The results showed that blueberry and blackcurrant powder significantly increased the content of phenolic compounds and the in vitro antioxidant capacity of pastes, while the total flavonoid content decreased after digestion compared to the undigested samples. Strong correlations between these bioactive compounds and antioxidant values were observed. Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages were used to investigate the intracellular antioxidant activity of the extracts from the digested oat bran paste with 25% enrichment of blueberry or blackcurrant powder. The results indicated that the extracts of digested pastes prevented the macrophages from experiencing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation, mainly by the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signalling pathway. These findings suggest that the bioactive ingredients from blueberry and blackcurrant powder enhanced the in vitro and intracellular antioxidant capacity of oat bran pastes, and these enriched pastes have the potential to be utilised in the development of the functional foods.

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Colour, fatty acids, bioactive compounds, and total antioxidant capacity in commercial cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao L.)

LWT ◽

10.1016/j.lwt.2021.111629 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 111629

Author(s):

Fernando Ramos-Escudero ◽

Sandra Casimiro-Gonzales ◽

África Fernández-Prior ◽

Keidy Cancino Chávez ◽

José Gómez-Mendoza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Total Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Theobroma Cacao ◽

Cocoa Beans ◽

Total Antioxidant ◽

Theobroma Cacao L

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Effect of Fertilisation on the Quality of Dried Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and Lovage (Levisticum officinale)

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11050386 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 386

Author(s):

Natalia Matłok ◽

Józef Gorzelany ◽

Adam Figiel ◽

Maciej Balawejder

Keyword(s):

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Crop Production ◽

Solid Phase ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Raw Material ◽

Vacuum Microwave ◽

Dpph Method ◽

Total Antioxidant ◽

Total Antioxidant Potential

The study presents the effects of fertilisation on selected quality parameters of the dried material obtained from plants of lovage and coriander. During the crop production process, the plants were treated with two fertilisers containing substances potentially acting as elicitors. The dried material was obtained in course of a drying process carried out in optimum conditions and based on the CD-VMFD method which combines convective pre-drying (CD) at a low temperature (40 °C) with vacuum-microwave finish drying with the use of 240 W microwaves (VMFD). The quality of the dried material was evaluated through measurement of the total contents of polyphenols, total antioxidant potential (ABTS and DPPH method), and the profile of volatile compounds (headspace-solid phase microextractio-HS-SPME) as well as assessment of the colour. It was found that by applying first fertilisation (with organic components) it is possible to significantly increase the contents of both bioactive compounds and volatile substances responsible for the aroma. It was determined that the higher content of bioactive compounds was related to the composition of the first fertiliser, presumably the extract from common nettle. The study showed that the application of the first fertiliser contributed to enhanced quality parameters of the raw material obtained.

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The Effect of Mechanical Vibration during Transport under Model Conditions on the Shelf-Life, Quality and Physico-Chemical Parameters of Four Apple Cultivars

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11010081 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 81

Author(s):

Dorota Walkowiak-Tomczak ◽

Natalia Idaszewska ◽

Grzegorz P. Łysiak ◽

Krzysztof Bieńczak

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Mechanical Vibration ◽

Life Quality ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Chemical Parameters ◽

Polyphenol Content ◽

Flesh Colour

The study assessed the changes in the quality and physical and chemical parameters of apples of four cultivars (‘Gala’, ‘Idared’, ‘Topaz’, ‘Red Prince’) subjected to mechanical vibration during transport under model conditions and after storage (shelf-life). Quality changes in apples were evaluated based on skin and flesh colour, total soluble solids, dry matter, firmness, titratable acidity, pH value, total polyphenol content, and antioxidant capacity. The vibration applied at a frequency of 28 Hz caused changes in the above parameters, which were visible also after storage and depended on the cultivar, but often did not show any clear trend or direction or were not statistically significant. The values of the total colour difference factor ΔE showed considerable variations in the skin colour but only small variations in the flesh colour of individual cultivars. Vibration resulted in a decrease in firmness. Variations in dry matter, total soluble solids, pH, and titratable acidity were small, often insignificant. Mechanical vibration and storage led to an increase in the polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of all studied cultivars. The greatest stability of quality parameters, relatively high content of bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacity were observed for ‘Red Prince’. The lowest quality parameters were noted for ‘Gala’. The analysed cultivars continued to show a high level of antioxidant capacity after treatment, which allows the conclusion that they remain a good source of bioactive compounds after transport and short-term storage.

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In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion Impact on the Bioaccessibility and Antioxidant Capacity of Bioactive Compounds from Tomato Flours Obtained after Conventional and Ohmic Heating Extraction

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10030554 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 554

Author(s):

Marta C. Coelho ◽

Tânia B. Ribeiro ◽

Carla Oliveira ◽

Patricia Batista ◽

Pedro Castro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gastrointestinal Tract ◽

Phenolic Compounds ◽

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Solid Fraction ◽

Ohmic Heating ◽

Coumaric Acid ◽

Insoluble Dietary Fiber ◽

The Impact

In times of pandemic and when sustainability is in vogue, the use of byproducts, such as fiber-rich tomato byproducts, can be an asset. There are still no studies on the impact of extraction methodologies and the gastrointestinal tract action on bioactive properties. Thus, this study used a solid fraction obtained after the conventional method (SFCONV) and a solid fraction after the ohmic method (SFOH) to analyze the effect of the gastrointestinal tract on bioactive compounds (BC) and bioactivities. Results showed that the SFOH presents higher total fiber than SFCONV samples, 62.47 ± 1.24–59.06 ± 0.67 g/100 g DW, respectively. Both flours present high amounts of resistant protein, representing between 11 and 16% of insoluble dietary fiber. Furthermore, concerning the total and bound phenolic compounds, the related antioxidant activity measured by 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical cation decolorization assay presented significantly higher values for SFCONV than SFOH samples (p < 0.05). The main phenolic compounds identified in the two flours were gallic acid, rutin, and p-coumaric acid, and carotenoids were lycopene, phytofluene, and lutein, all known as health promoters. Despite the higher initial values of SFCONV polyphenols and carotenoids, these BCs’ OH flours were more bioaccessible and presented more antioxidant capacity than SFCONV flours, throughout the simulated gastrointestinal tract. These results confirm the potential of ohmic heating to modify the bioaccessibility of tomato BC, enhancing their concentrations and improving their antioxidant capacity.

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