Development and study of the functional properties of marshmallow enriched with bee (Apis mellifera) honey and encapsulated probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus).

Consumer demand for healthier confectionery products has prompted the confectionery industry to create products that are reduced in sugar content and supplemented with vitamins, antioxidants or biological elements beneficial to health. The aim of this study was to develop marshmallows enriched with Apis mellifera honey and Lactobacillus rhamnosus and to evaluate the effect of honey concentration and gelatin bloom degrees on marshmallow properties. A completely randomized design with a factorial structure was applied with different honey concentrations (0, 50 and 75%) and at different gelatin bloom degrees (265, 300 and 315 bloom degrees); moreover, the physicochemical properties, total phenol content and antioxidant activity of the marshmallow were studied, as well as the viability of the probiotic. The physicochemical properties of the marshmallows were found to be adequate and showed good stability over time. The concentration of honey and gelatin bloom degrees did not significantly affect probiotic viability. The density of the marshmallows decreased as the percentage of honey increased. Additionally, the pH was lower at higher honey concentrations. The marshmallow with 75% honey and 265 bloom degrees had a higher °Brix value. The honey treatments exhibited higher levels of total antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds than the sugar-only marshmallows. However, the bloom degrees did not have a significant impact on the antioxidant activity and total phenolic compound content. Although the probiotics did not reach the minimum viability needed, their use as paraprobiotics can be considered.

Plant Extracts Control In Vitro Growth of Disease-Causing Fungi in Chayote.

The use of agrochemicals has caused environmental problems and toxicity to humans, so natural alternatives for disease control during harvest and postharvest have been evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate cinnamon essential oil, neem oil, and black sapote fruit extract for in vitro inhibition of fungi isolated from chayote fruit. The extracts were applied at 300, 350, and 400 ppm in Petri dishes and the mycelial growth of Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Goetrichum sp., and Phytophthora capsici was evaluated for 7 days, and the percentage of mycelial growth inhibition per day was calculated. Cinnamon oil showed a fungicidal effect at all concentrations. Neem oil at 400 ppm showed a 42.3% reduction in the growth of F. solani and 27.8% reduction in the growth of F. oxysporum, while at 350 ppm it inhibited the mycelial growth of Phytophthora capsici by 53.3% and of Goetrichum sp. by 20.9%; finally, the black sapote extract at 400 ppm inhibited 21.9-28.6% of the growth of all fungi. The growth of postharvest fungi on chayote fruit could be prevented or reduced by applying the plant extracts evaluated at adequate concentrations.