Changes in Compositional Properties during Fruit Development and On-Tree Ripening of Two Common Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Cultivars.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the variations in some major primary (sugars and organic acids) and secondary (phenolics, ß-carotene) metabolite contents during fruit development and ripening in two important apricot cultivars (Hacihaliloglu and Kabaasi). The changes in the compositional properties of two apricot cultivars were monitored during fruit development with one-week intervals from 56 to 119 days after blossom. During fruit development, the contents of organic acids and phenolics decreased whereas that of sucrose and sorbitol increased. p-Coumaric acid was the only phenolic compound which increased in concentration during fruit development regardless of the cultivar. The content of the other phenolic compounds decreased in a cultivar-dependent manner. The ß-carotene content of the cultivars showed distinct patterns of change such that 3 fold increase in ß-carotene content of Kabaasi cultivar was observed whereas the ß-carotene content of the Hacihaliloglu cultivar did not show any significant change during fruit development.

In vitro digestion of edible nanostructured lipid carriers: Impact of a Candelilla wax gelator on performance.

In this study, food-grade nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were used as delivery systems to overcome some of the limitations of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and liquid lipid nanoparticles (LLNs). Organogel NLCs were prepared using an oil phase consisting of a hydrophobic gelator (Candelilla wax) dispersed in liquid corn oil. The oil phase undergoes a gel-to-sol transition when heated, which means that oil-in-water nanoemulsions can be used as templates to form the NLCs. The impact of lipid phase composition on the gastrointestinal fate of the NLCs was determined using a simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The particle size, ζ-potential, and microstructure of the LLNs, NLCs and SLNs were characterized when they were exposed to model oral, gastric, and small intestine conditions. The oil phase in the LLNs and SLNs consisted of pure corn oil and pure Candelilla wax, respectively. Initially, all samples contained small lipid particles (d43 = 150-202 nm) with negative surface potentials (ζ = -26 to -47 mV). The LLNs, SLNs and NLCs behaved similarly in the simulated GIT in terms of their particle properties: there was a large increase in particle size and decrease in charge magnitude in the mouth, stomach, and intestine. The Candelilla wax in the SLNs and NLCs was not digested by lipase, but the corn oil in the LLNs and NLCs was fully digested. This phenomenon may be used to create colloidal delivery systems that can control the release of encapsulated bioactive agents within the GIT.

Effect of fruit maturity level on quality, sensory properties and volatile composition of two common apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) varieties.

The effect of maturity level on fruit quality properties, volatile composition and sensory attributes was investigated in two important apricot varieties (Hacihaliloglu and Kabaasi). The soluble solid content was used as the maturity index for the classification of apricots according to their maturity levels as immature (14-20 °Brix), mature (20-24 °Brix) and over-mature (> 24°Brix). Changes in the volatile composition of samples at different maturity levels were characterized using headspace solid phase micro-extraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed that the quality attributes of the Kabaasi were affected to a lesser extent by the maturity level than Hacihaliloglu. From the immature to over-mature, fruit weight, dry matter and pH increased while firmness and titratable acidity decreased (p < 0.05) in both varieties. Volatile composition was affected by both apricot variety and maturation levels. The main volatiles were aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, esters, terpenes and hydrocarbons. Compared to Kabaasi, the concentrations of the volatile compounds were higher in Hacihaliloglu regardless of the maturity levels. Among the samples, Hacihaliloglu at over-mature level received the highest "overall liking" score. The principal component analysis made on the measured quality attributes allowed the discrimination of apricot varieties and their maturity levels.

Changes in volatile compounds and some physicochemical properties of European cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus L.) during ripening through traditional fermentation.

The changes in volatile compounds and some physicochemical properties of European Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus L.) were investigated during traditional fermentation. Using the principal component analysis (PCA), relations between volatile compounds and fermentation were associated with dynamics of these compounds. In total, 58 volatile compounds were identified, 3-methylbutanoic acid (25.4% to 66.4% of identified volatile compounds) being the major constituent in raw, 2-, 3-, and 4-mo fermented European Cranberrybush fruits, while 2-octanone was dominant in 1-mo fermented sample with a 30% of the total identified volatiles. The amount of total volatile compounds was increased in the 1st month of fermentation and then decreased gradually in the following months. Acids were the dominant volatile compounds in raw and 3- to 4-mo fermented European Cranberrybush. Ketones and alcohols had the highest percentage in total volatile compounds in the 2nd and 3rd months of fermentation, respectively.