Evaluation of Hydrophilic and Lipophilic Antioxidant Capacity in Spanish Tomato Paste: Usefulness of Front-Face Total Fluorescence Signal Combined with Parafac

The hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activities due to the main bioactive components present in Spanish tomato paste samples were studied, using standardized and fluorescent methods. After extraction, phenolic antioxidants (Folin-Ciocalteu method) and total antioxidant activity (TEAC assay) were evaluated, examining differences between hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts corresponding to different samples. Total fluorescence spectra of extracts (excitation-emission matrices, EEMs) were recorded in the front-face mode at two different ranges: 210–300 nm/310–390 nm, and 295–350 nm/380–480 nm, for excitation and emission, respectively, in the hydrophilic extracts. In the lipophilic extracts, the first range was 230–283 nm/290–340 nm, while the second range was 315–383 nm/390–500 nm for excitation and emission, respectively. EEMs from a set of 22 samples were analyzed by the second-order multivariate technique Parallel Factor Analysis (PARAFAC). Tentative assignation of the different components to the various fluorophores of tomato was tried, based on literature. Correlation between the antioxidant activity and score values retrieved for different components in PARAFAC model was obtained. The possibility of using EEMs-PARAFAC to evaluate antioxidant activity of hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds in these samples was examined, obtaining good results in accordance with the Folin-Ciocalteu and TEAC assays.

Application and Effects of Ohmic-Vacuum Combination Heating on the Quality Factors of Tomato Paste

Ohmic-vacuum combination heating is a common method used in the food industry as a concentration process. In the present study, an OH-VC combination heating system was developed for producing tomato paste at temperatures of 70, 80, and 90 °C and pressure of 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 bar and electric field of 1.82, 2.73, and 3.64 V/cm using a central composite design. The effects of heating conditions on the quality and sensory evaluation of tomato paste were also evaluated. Each combination of temperature, pressure, and the electric field was quantified for specific energy consumption, energy efficiency, and productivity. A decrease of 35.08% in the amount of acid ascorbic and lycopene content 19.01%, using conventional heating compared to ohmic-vacuum heating under optimized conditions, was attained. The results also highlighted an increase in the amount of HMF (69.79%) and PME (24.33%) using conventional heating compared to ohmic-vacuum heating under optimized conditions. Ascorbic acid, lycopene, titratable acidity, productivity, energy efficiency was higher than conventional heating; on the other hand, HMF, PME, pH, SEC were lower than conventional heating at the applied OH-VC process. No significant effects between OH-VC and conventional heating on the TSS were observed. In addition, OH-VC heating was highly efficient in the inhibition of bacterial growth. Further, a minor effect on the sensory properties of tomato paste with OH-VC heating compared to the conventional treatment. The obtained results indicate a strong potential for an OH-VC combination heating system as a rapid-heating, high-efficiency alternative for saving electrical energy consumption and preserving nutritional value.

Red Tomato Products as an Alternative to Reduce Synthetic Dyes in the Food Industry: A Review

Most dyes used in the food industry are synthetic and can be a health hazard. Red tomato may serve as a natural alternative dye to replace synthetic colorants. This study aimed to review the literature on the addition of red tomato products (powder tomato, paste, freeze-dried, tomato peel powder, tomato pomace) to reduce the usage of synthetic dyes in the food industry. Red tomato products have been used as coloring in pasta, bologna, sausages, cookies, crackers, macaroons, hamburgers, breads, muffins, cheeses, and nuggets. The trans-cis isomerization of lycopene by oxidative processes directly affects the color of the pigment. The lycopene contained in tomato has antioxidant activity and could reduce or eliminate other oxidants and/or synthetic preservatives in food. Moreover, tomatoes in foods have high sensory scores, nutritional appeal, and marketing potential. However, its use as a food colorant has been not extensively explored. Therefore, further studies are still required, especially on the stability of carotenoids in tomatoes used in processed foods.

Antioxidants, Microbial Load and Heavy Metal Contents of Some Sachet Tomato Paste Obtained in Lagos State, Nigeria

Tomato paste is fast becoming first choice for many homes in cooking while meeting up with their busy schedules in a cosmopolitan city like Lagos State, Nigeria. The study was aimed at evaluating the antioxidant contents, microbial load and heavy metal contents of both unprocessed and processed tomato products. β-carotene, lycopene and vitamin C contents were analysed accordingly on selected sachet tomato paste. Microbial colony counts were done using both nutrient agar and potatoes dextrose agar. Heavy metals from sampled tomato products were done using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The study observed β-carotene ranged between 0.02 – 0.52 mg/g, lycopene ranged between 0.12 – 0.56 mg/g and vitamin C contents of ranged between 12.50 – 75.0 mg/mL. These were more than WHO/FAO and FEPA recommendations. All tomatoes samples showed microbial load higher than limits allowable. Bacillus sp., Salmonella sp., Aspergillus sp. were predominantly isolated from sampled processed tomato products. Cadmium contents were above the permissive limit in some of the tomato paste products. Copper, zinc, lead, nickel, chromium and iron were not detected in all samples evaluated. The study showed few processed tomato products were safe for consumption. Hence, monitoring by regulatory agencies for consumer safety regulations is highly recommended on processed tomato producers.

Effects of Breaking Methods on the Viscosity, Rheological Properties and Nutritional Value of Tomato Paste

Ultrasound-assisted processing has potential application advantages as an emerging technology for preparing tomato paste. This work explored the influence of ultrasound break at 22 °C (US-Break-22) and 65 °C (US-Break-65) on the viscosity, rheological properties and nutritional values of newly prepared tomato paste, compared with traditional thermal break at 65 °C (Break-65) and 90 °C (Break-90). Results showed that the US-Break-65 paste had the largest apparent viscosity, yield stress, consistency coefficient, solid-like nature, and large amplitude oscillatory shear behavior, followed by the US-Break-22 paste, Break-90 paste, and Break-65 paste. Based on the results of the pectin-related enzymes, particle size, and serum pectin of the pastes, it was revealed that the above-mentioned properties were mainly determined by the particle size and pectin content in their serum. The level of ascorbic acid followed the order of US-Break-22 paste > US-Break-65 paste > Break-65 paste > Break-90 paste. The level of total carotenoids followed the order of US-Break-22 paste ≈ US-Break-65 paste > Break-90 paste ≈ Break-65 paste. The level of total cis-carotenoids followed the order of US-Break-65 paste > US-Break-22 paste > Break-90 paste > Break-65 paste. The level of phenolics and antioxidant activities followed the same order of US-Break-22 paste > US-Break-65 paste > Break-90 paste > Break-65 paste. Overall, the viscosity, rheological properties and nutritional values of the tomato pastes prepared by US-Break-65 and US-Break-22 were significantly higher than those prepared by Break-65 and Break-90. Therefore, ultrasound assisted processing can prepare high quality tomato paste and can be widely implemented in the tomato paste processing industry.

Tarhana Üretiminde Kullanılan Buğday Unu Alternatifleri

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibilities of using various flour substitutes instead of wheat flour in the production of tarhana, which is a fermented food. In the studies examined for this purpose, various legume and cereal flours (oats, quinoa, lupine, wheat germ, chickpeas, beans, corn, rice, buckwheat and lentil flours), tomato paste production waste (tomato seed, tomato pulp, pepper seed, pepper pulp), potato starch, chestnut flour, carob flour, hazelnut pulp, almond pulp, and fish meat were substituted for wheat flour. With these substitutions used instead of wheat flour in the production of tarhana, it was aimed to increase the nutritional properties of the tarhana, improve its sensory properties and quality features. Alternative flours used in the production of tarhana were investigated in this study. According to the results obtained from the compiled studies, tarhana produced with the use of substitute flour will be an alternative to demand of consumers with high functional, natural and nutritional quality.

The Link between Sustainable Destination Image, Brand Globalness and Consumers’ Purchase Intention: A Moderated Mediation Model

The present study investigates the effect of a tourism destination’s perceived sustainable image on the globalness of brands named after the destination and attests the mediating role of brand globalness on the relationship between destination image and purchase intention. A model that incorporates identification with local and global consumer culture as moderators of the relationship between brand globalness and purchase intention is proposed. A 2 (Destination: Santorini vs. Serres) × 2 (Product: tomato paste, yogurt) online experiment was designed through Prolific Academic for the purposes of the study. As Greece is a top destination among British tourists, a British audience was addressed, resulting in 425 participants. Britons with high identification with global consumer culture indicated higher purchase intentions for brands named after a sustainable destination. It also appears that a sustainable destination image is a critical factor in creating brand globalness and purchase intention for a brand named after this destination. Hence, destinations with a sustainable image can be used as a basis for the development of exports. An in-depth understanding of the international image of popular destinations will help indigenous companies create and maintain strong global brands. Significant implications for exporting companies are highlighted.