Supercritical Fluid Extraction from Aguaje (Mauritia Flexuosa) Pulp: Overall Yield, Kinetic, Fatty Acid Profile, and Qualitative Phytochemical Profile

Aims: This work aims to understand the effects of processing variables on supercritical fluid extraction from Mauritia flexuosa (Aguaje). This is not a cultivar because the plants used are indigenous. Background: The production of Mauritia flexuosa (Aguaje) is an economically significant activity in Madre de Dios, Peru, which has rarely been studied from a nutritional point of view. Objective: The present study evaluated the supercritical extraction of dry aguaje pulp (DAP). Methods: The supercritical extraction was evaluated at 200, 250, 300, 350, and 400 bar and temperatures of 40 and 60°C, and its effect on the global yield, fatty acid profile (FAP), and qualitative phytochemical profile (QPP). The kinetics data were fitted to the Spline model. The FAP was determined by gas chromatography, and the QPP was determined by thin-layer chromatography. Results: The highest yield (51.5 g extract/100 g DAP) was observed at 400 bar and 60°C in 79 min of extraction and 8.6 g CO2/min. The spline model showed that it is possible to extract 87.8% (45.2 g extract/100 g DAP) of the total extract in the tFER (falling rate period) period (38.99 min). The fatty acid and bioactive compound profiles were not affected qualitatively by the different extraction conditions. Research perspectives: The extracts obtained in this work were further studied with respect to the formation of emulsions, the development of cosmetics, and food supplements. Conclusion: DAP's supercritical extraction was carried out successfully, obtaining a high-quality phytochemical extract with potential applications in functional foods, drugs, and cosmetics.

Physical, Proximate and Sensory Properties of Cake Produced using Shea Butter as Shortening

Background: Shea butter is the under-consumed vegetable fat and oil. Making shea butter a part of food components in confectionaries would increase its utilization. Objective: In this study, the cake was produced by incorporating shea butter as shortening. Methods: Shea butter to margarine ratio was 100: 0, 50:50, 40:60, 30:70, and 0:100%, and additional cake samples were produced using flashed shea butter. Standard methods determined the physical and proximate properties of the cake samples, while 25-member panelists did the sensory evaluation. Statistical significance was done at p<0.05. The height, weight, and volume of the cake samples ranged from 3.2 to 3.9 cm, 39 to 50 g, and 625 cm3 to 1026 cm3, respectively. The ranges of moisture, fat, protein, carbohydrate, crude fiber, and the ash content of cakes were 13.7-17.3, 24.3- 30.7, 4.4-8.6, 43-50, 0.10-1.10, and 2.9-3.9%, respectively. The energy value of cake samples in kcal ranged from 440 to 471. Results: There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the height and volume of the cakes produced from 100% shea butter and 100% margarine. The fat, crude fiber, and ash content increase with the increase in Shea butter substitution. There was no significant difference in the taste and appearance of cake samples from 100%, 70%, 60%, and 50% margarine. Conclusion: Cake samples produced with 60% margarine and 40% shea butter were the most liked by the consumers. Acceptable cakes can be produced by the inclusion of up to 50% shea butter as part of the shortening.

A Comparative Study on Cultivars of Capsicum: Critical Assessment based on Colour Values, Pungency and total Capsaicinoids Content

Introduction: Chillies or red peppers are consumed globally as a spice, condiment, culinary and as folk medicine because of their pungent taste, spicy flavour and therapeutic values. Colour, pungency and capsaicinoids are the potential characteristic attributes for assessing the quality of the dried chilli and are accountable for market price, trade and standardisation of the oleoresins. Objective: The present study was designed to prepare crude oleoresins from nineteen varieties of chilli and to enrich carotenoids contents in oleoresin paprika and capsaicinoids extractives in oleoresin capsicum separately for the evaluation and standardisation of colour, pungency and total capsaicinoids content. Methods: Crude oleoresins from dried fruits of chilli were prepared using conventional solvent extraction method, which were further enriched for the carotenoid and capsaicinoids extractives by fractionation techniques, and yielded oleoresin paprika and oleoresin capsicum separately. Oleoresins and their derivatives were subjected to analytical estimation of colour values, pungency and capsaicinoids content. The colour content was quantified using a UV Vis Spectrophotometer, whereas pungency was determined using HPLC and quantified as Million Scoville Heat Units. Total capsaicinoids contents were also quantified. Results: The highest extraction yield was found in the variety Teja (S-17) that is 8.82%, whereas enriched versions of oleoresin paprika and oleoresin capsicum were calculated higher in the varieties 273 and Teja (S-17) with the values 6.04 and 2.62%, respectively. The colour value of crude extract was the highest (3085.2 CU) in the variety 5531-IPM, whereas paprika was enriched high in the variety Lolly Chilli (3400.5 CU). The highest pungency (1.59 MSHU) was noted in the variety 5531-HPH. In the case of oleoresin capsicum, the pungency was highly enriched in the two varieties 4884 and Teja (S-17), with the MSHU values 6.11 and 5.5, respectively. Total capsaicinoids contents in the crude oleoresin were found maximum in the variety 5531-HPH (10.60%), whereas after purification (oleoresin capsicum), the maximum capsaicinoids contents were enriched in the varieties 4884 and Teja (S-17) with the values 40.73 and 36.67%, respectively. Conclusion: The outcome of our elaborated studies elucidates that Teja (S-17) 5531-HPH, 5531-IPM and 4884 varieties are better for extractive yield, pungency, and total capsaicinoids content, whereas 5531-IPM and Lolly Chilli varieties are better for colour extraction compared to all other varieties.

Antioxidant Activity Profiling of Acetonic Extract of Jamun (Syzygium cumini L.) Seeds in Different In-Vitro Models

Background: Syzygium cumini L., commonly known as Jamun, black-plum, and Indian blackberry, is one of the most widely distributed trees in India with booming medical benefits and possesses antioxidant, anticancer and anti-diabetic properties. It belongs to the family Myrtaceae. Despite countless phytochemicals, seeds are not consumed and are the waste part of Jamun fruit. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of phenolics from Jamun seeds against a bundle of oxidant moieties. Methods: The 50% acetone extract of Jamun seeds was investigated for in-vitro antioxidant profiling. Assays include free radical scavenging activity, metal chelation activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, total antioxidant activity, total reducing power, nitric oxide scavenging activity, and lipid peroxidation inhibition activity. Results: The extract depicted maximum DPPH radical scavenging activity followed by ABTS radical scavenging activity. Hefty metal chelation and nitric oxide scavenging activity were recorded while lipid peroxidation, H2O2, and OH- scavenging activity was intermediate. Conclusion: Jamun seed showed ample antioxidant activity and certifies that it is the right candidate for exploitation as a source of natural antioxidants to counteract autoxidation-induced pathologies or diseases.

COVID-19 from Food Safety and Biosecurity Perspective

Most recently emerged pneumonia of unknown cause named COVID-19 has a devastating impact on public health and economy surpassing its counterparts in morbidity and mortality. Asymptomatic spread appears to be prevalent in China from where it is originated, lacking a clear and precise understanding of the transmission dynamics. Precautionary approach on certain ethnic food from mammalian sources like bats and its possible transmission source has been presented. Biosecurity measures should also be considered. The application of accurate predictive modeling in the alleviation of infectious diseases has also been discussed. The COVID-19 outbreak seems to be an alarming lesson to the global community to start preparing for an open, transparent, and coordinated action by all relevant stakeholders.

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Buriti (Mauritia Flexuosa) Pulp Extracts

Background: Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) is a palm tree typical of the Amazon region. This plant belongs to the Arecaceae family and is economically important because it contains substances important for the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. It has, in its fruits, compounds with antimicrobial potential. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the minimal inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of the Buriti extracts against the four bacteria: Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium ATCC 14028, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. Methods: 15 extracts from buriti pulp were obtained varying in temperature, mass of buriti and ethanol content. The antimicrobial activity of these extracts was evaluated. To determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), the methodology recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute was followed. Results: The results showed which buriti pulp extracts had strong inhibitory activity. Gram-positive results ranged from 21 to 78 μg.mL-1. For Gram-negative, they ranged from 30 to 111 μg.mL-1. Conclusion: The buriti extracts significantly slowed the growth of the tested bacteria.

Lipid Class and Fatty Acid Compositions of Dried Sea Cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

Introduction: Sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus, is becoming popular around the world due to its nutritional and medicinal properties. There are still no detailed chemical studies of the lipid class, glycolipids compositions of sea cucumber. Methods: This study was conducted to determine the lipid class and glycolipid compositions of dried sea cucumber, A. japonicus, and analyze fatty acid compositions of Monogalactosyl Diglycerides (MGDG), Steryl Glycosides (SG) and Sulfoquinovosyl Diglycerides (SQDG). Total lipids of sea cucumber were extracted by Bligh and Dyer method and Sep-Pak Silica plus long cartridge, and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) silica gel G-60 F254 was used for the separation of different lipid classes and glycolipid compositions. The composition of fatty acids was analyzed by GC. Results & Conclusion: The level of total lipids in the dried sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus, was 4 ± 1% of dry weight (w/w) and the amount of neutral lipids, glycolipids and phospholipids was 31 ± 1%, 29 ± 1% and 40 ± 1% of the total lipids (w/w), respectively. MGDG, SG and SQDG were the major glycolipids, and the contents were 37.5 ± 0.3%, 33.8 ± 0.5% and 23.6 ± 0.7% of the total glycolipids (w/w), respectively and significantly higher than other glycolipids (p < 0.05). SQDG contained much higher Arachidonic Acid (AA), Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and MGDG contained higher Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) compared with SG (p < 0.05). Further investigation is required to understand the positional distribution of fatty acids and molecular species in MGDG, SG and SQDG in detail.

Optimization of Head Space Pressure Using Liquid Nitrogen in Hot-packed BBQ Sauce

Introduction: BBQ sauce was hot-filled at 54°C (130°F) in plastic PET, 567 g (20 oz) bottles. The PET bottles paneled, due to the temperature and pressure of the hot-fill process. Liquid nitrogen was used as a processing aid to optimize the headspace pressure to prevent paneling. Objective: The objective of the research was to eliminate paneling of the PET bottles due to hot-filling. Methods: A micro dosing system was used to inject nitrogen into the container just after filling and immediately prior to capping. Headspace pressure was measured using a custom-designed pressure sensor. Nitrogen dosage time was plotted against headspace pressure. The relationship between nitrogen dosage time and headspace pressure was linear, with a coefficient of determination of 0.84, and slope of 1.36 kPa/ms, with an intercept of -12.21 kPa. Results & Conclusion: Results were analyzed using analysis of variance. Visual inspection of the bottles for defects resulted in the determination of the optimum headspace pressure of 30 kPa (4.4 psi).

Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Content of Campomanesia Phaea Extracts Obtained by Pressurized Liquid Extraction

Objective: This research used the Pressurized Liquid Extraction process (PLE) to obtain cambuci extracts rich in phenolic compounds and, consequently, with high antioxidant activity. Methods: We determined the centesimal composition and the mean particle size of the dried and crushed sample for characterization of the fixed bed extractor. Extractions with pressurized ethanol were performed following a Central Composite Design (CCD) with temperature (60 °C at the center point with ± 10 °C amplitude) and the contact time between the solvent and the matrix (6 min at the center point with ± 2 min amplitude) as independent variables in the process. The Total Phenolic Content (TPC) of compounds and antioxidant activity were determined. Results: The mean particle size of the cambuci in the PLE was 263.4 μm with apparent and real densities of 32.42 g/cm3 and 1.62 g/cm3, respectively, resulting in a fixed bed porosity of 0.43. The centesimal composition of the comminuted and dried sample was 12.5 ± 0.1% moisture, 3.2 ± 0.2% ash, 3.35 ± 0.07% crude protein, 10.32 ± 0.08% crude fiber and 0.35 ± 0.04% ethereal extract. The highest extraction yield (41.7%) was obtained by using the binomial 70 ºC with 8 min of solvent contact in three batches. Extracts with the highest TPC (6501.10 mg AGE/100 g sample) were obtained by the binomial 74 °C with 6 min of contact; the binomial 50 °C with 4 min of contact gave rise to the extract with the highest antioxidant activity. The CCD showed high yield extracts with high antioxidant activity and a high total phenolic compound content. Conclusion: With the use of the proposed experimental design, it was possible to optimize the extraction of total phenolic compounds from the sample.