Quality Evaluation of Bergamot Juice Produced in Different Areas of Calabria Region.

Citrus fruits are extensively cultivated worldwide, with Italy and Spain being major producers. In Southern Italy, particularly in Reggio Calabria, a typical citrus fruit is produced, namely, bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau), known for its mysterious origins and exceptional quality essential oil protected by the EU's PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) designation. Despite historical challenges, bergamot has regained prominence for its nutraceutical potential, especially its flavonoid-rich juice, offering significant health benefits. However, little attention has been paid to understanding the qualitative and quantitative differences of bergamot juice in Calabrian production areas. For this reason, this work aims to investigate the quality characteristics of bergamot juice produced in different areas of Calabria sites. The results showed the best quality attributes of bergamot fruits harvested in the PDO area. In particular, higher levels of total soluble solids, stable acidity, and higher juice were found. In addition, higher contents of ascorbic and citric acids, which are nutritionally valuable and tasteful, were found. The phenolic profile, characterized by the key compounds of bergamot, highlighted the better nutraceutical potential of the fruit grown in the PDO area.

Effect of Edible Coating Enriched with Natural Antioxidant Extract and Bergamot Essential Oil on the Shelf Life of Strawberries.

In this study, the effects of the application of edible coatings on the shelf life of the strawberry were evaluated, with the aim of extending the fruit's availability and shelf life while preserving its qualitative characteristics. In particular, the application of edible coatings enriched with a natural antioxidant to strawberries was evaluated for their physicochemical, microbial, and structural properties, during a storage period (up to 14 days) at refrigerated temperature. The experimental plan provided the formulation for edible coatings enriched with different concentrations of a natural antioxidant extract obtained from bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso) pomace (1, 2.5, and 5%), bergamot essential oil (0.1% v/v and 0.2% v/v), and a synthetic antioxidant, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, 100 ppm). Moreover, a control test with untreated strawberries was considered. The enriched gum Arabic coatings provided good results related to the preservation of the qualitative parameters of the strawberries. The samples coated with the antioxidant extract (2.5%, sample D) and bergamot essential oil (0.1%, sample F) showed the best maintenance of the qualitative parameters after 14 days, showing lower decay rates (36% D and 27% F), good acceptability by consumers (between 5 and 6), and good retention of ascorbic acid (>30 mg 100 g-1).

Technological, Nutritional, and Sensory Characteristics of Gnocchi Enriched with Hemp Seed Flour.

Hemp seed flour (HSF) is a by-product of the hemp oil production process and is a valuable source of protein, dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins. In line with sustainable food production and a circular economy, this research aimed to utilize HSF as fortifying ingredient in the production of gnocchi, a typical Italian potato-based fresh pasta, and to investigate the effects of the addition on the quality and consumers' acceptability of the enriched products. Three formulations have been developed using 5-20% HSF in substitution of soft wheat flour. Nutritional value, cooking quality, color, texture and sensory profile, and the consumers' acceptability of gnocchi samples were evaluated, as well as the functional properties of pure and composite flours and the HSF aroma compounds. HSF addition allowed to enhance the nutritional value of gnocchi, gaining the nutritional claim of "source of fiber" in case of formulations with ≥10% of HSF. Moreover, the fortified gnocchi had a high technological quality in terms of cooking loss, cooking resistance and textural properties, and average sensory quality; however, the vegetable and hemp odor and the bitter taste make them not well appreciated by consumers highlighting the need for improving the HSF sensory quality for consumers' satisfaction.

Functionalized Biscuits with Bioactive Ingredients Obtained by Citrus Lemon Pomace.

In this study, functionalized biscuits were prepared through the enrichment of dough with lemon peel and natural antioxidants extracted from lemon pomace. Lemon pomace extract (LPE) was analyzed for total phenolic content before addition, and then a known concentration of 50 mg kg-1 was used for the formulation of enriched biscuits. Three different biscuit samples were compared to a control biscuit, without the addition of functional ingredients. The main physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory aspects of doughs and biscuits enriched with LPE were investigated. The enriched biscuits showed higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity than the control one and a longer induction period (IP), which means that the enriched products had a higher intrinsic resistance to lipid oxidation, thanks to the antioxidant effect exerted by the added fresh lemon peel and the LPE. Furthermore, from a sensorial point of view, they showed suitable acceptability, in terms of appearance, flavor, and aromatic attributes. Thus, results indicated that the incorporation of lemon processing by-products allowed the production of functional enriched biscuits with improved antioxidant properties.

Functionalization of a Vegan Mayonnaise with High Value Ingredient Derived from the Agro-Industrial Sector.

This work aimed to evaluate the antioxidant effect determined by the addition of phenolic extract on the oxidative stability and quality of vegan mayonnaise. Two different antioxidant extracts containing 100 mg L-1 of hydroxytyrosol and obtained by olive mill wastewater were used in the preparation. After preliminary studies, already evaluated in other works, on hydrophilic and lipophilic food matrices, the results of this study could contribute to understanding the effects of the enrichment on emulsified food systems with phenolic extracts. The functionalized mayonnaise samples were monitored up to 45 days of storage at 10 °C in comparison with a control sample for microbiological, physicochemical, antioxidant, sensory properties and for oxidative stability. The results achieved through this work showed the efficacy of the use of phenolic extract as ingredients for its positive effect on chemical properties of mayonnaise. The adding extracts lead to the increase of oxidative stability with an induction period higher (about 24 h) than the control sample (about 12 h).