Development of the dairy products incorporated with co-product bioactive compounds-rich as an alternative ingredient in the food industry.

The objective was to optimize the phenolic compounds extraction from cocoa shells using the simplex-centroid design with a mixture of solvents (water, methanol, and acetone) as its components, to prove the presence of these compounds and antioxidant activity. Also, the development of dairy products, such as milk beverages and dairy desserts, with bioactive compounds, through the replacement of cocoa powder by cocoa shell was studied and evaluated sensorially. The extraction optimization indicated that a solvent with 56.44% water, 23.77% methanol, and 19.80% acetone are ideal for maximizing the phenolic compounds. In addition, the cocoa shell showed a high antioxidant activity by the methods ß-carotene/linoleic acid, FRAP, and phosphomolybdenum complex. The Check-All-That-Apply, Cochran's Q test, contingency analysis, and hierarchical cluster analysis allowed description characteristics of the dairy products and showed sensory differences between formulations with 100% cocoa shell and others. Both dairy products had good sensory acceptance in all attributes evaluated (appearance, flavor, texture, and overall impression), and their scores did not differ statistically by Tukey's test (p > 0.05). Thus, the cocoa shell is shown as an alternative substitute ingredient to be used in the dairy industry.

Nutritional and functional potential of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) pulp and pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) peel flours.

The purpose of this paper was to develop and characterize pumpkin pulp flour (Cucurbita moschata) and pequi peel flour (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) in order to evaluate their nutritional and functional potential for the development of healthier products. The flours were developed and characterized by proximal composition, sodium, total sugars, phenolic compounds and carotenoids content, and in vitro antioxidant capacity by ABTS, FRAP and ß-carotene/linoleic acid system methods. The means and the standard deviations were calculated for all data. Pearson correlation analysis between phenolics and antioxidant activities results was carried out, using SPSS Statistics 17.0 software. The pumpkin pulp flour presented high levels of dietary fiber (21.95 g/100 g), total sugars (51.88 g/100 g), protein (11.08 g/100 g) and carotenoids (249.04 µg/g), low levels of sodium (27.28 mg/100 g), and high antioxidant capacity by the ß-carotene/linoleic acid system (73.00% protection). The pequi peel flour presented high levels of dietary fiber (42.09 g/100 g) and phenolic compounds (20,893.73 mg GAE/100 g), low levels of sodium (22.84 mg/100 g), and high antioxidant capacity by ABTS (2105.18 µM trolox/g), FRAP (6292.11 µM ferrous sulfate/g) and ß-carotene/linoleic acid system (92.94% protection) methods. Both flours can be used for the development of healthy foods.

Effect of pasteurisation and freezing method on bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of strawberry pulp.

This study evaluated the stability of strawberry pulp subjected to three factors, pasteurisation (pasteurised and unpasteurised), freezing method (static air and forced air) and storage time (0, 2, 4 and 6 months). Pasteurisation favoured vitamin C retention during storage but enhanced the total loss of phenolics without affecting anthocyanin levels. Freezing by forced air was more effective in retaining phenolics during the first 4 months of storage, although the freezing method did not affect the anthocyanin levels. Processing and storage reduced the levels of individual phenolics. Freezing by forced air was more effective than static air in retaining antioxidant activity of the pulp. Polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase enzyme levels were relatively stable and independent of pasteurisation, freezing and storage time. Even after 6 months of frozen storage, strawberry pulp is a significant source of nutrients and bioactive compounds and retains high antioxidant capacity independent of pasteurisation and freezing method.

Diet with different concentrations of lychee peel flour modulates oxidative stress parameters and antioxidant activity in zebrafish.

The agri-food industry generates substantial waste, leading to significant environmental impacts. Lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonnerat), which is rich in bioactive compounds in its peel, pulp, and seeds, offers an opportunity for waste use. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementing a high-carbohydrate diet with varying levels of lychee peel flour on lipid metabolism biomarkers and oxidative stress in a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model. A total of 225 zebrafish, approximately four months old, were divided into five groups: control, high-carbohydrate (HC), HC2%, HC4%, and HC6%. The study did not find significant differences in the growth performance of zebrafish in any group. However, the HC6% group exhibited a significant decrease in glucose and triglyceride levels compared with the HC group. Furthermore, this group showed enhanced activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), along with reduced levels of malondialdehyde (MDA). Increased antioxidant activity was also evidenced by DPPH-, ABTS+, and ß-carotene/Linoleic acid assays in the HC6% group. A positive correlation was identified between SOD/CAT activity and in vitro antioxidant assays. These findings suggest that dietary supplementation with 6% lychee peel flour can significantly modulate glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant activity in zebrafish.

Development of quaternary nanocomposites made up of cassava starch, cocoa butter, lemongrass essential oil nanoemulsion, and brewery spent grain fibers.

We report on production of novel quaternary nanocomposite films based on thermoplastic starch (TPS, 8% w/v) derived from cassava, cocoa butter, (CB, 30% wt.%), and lemongrass essential oil (LEO, 1:1) nanoemulsions reinforced with different concentrations of brewery spent grain (BSG, 5 or 10 wt.%) fibers, by continuous casting. The chemical composition, the morphological, thermal, mechanical properties, film barrier, biodegradability in the vegetable compound, in addition to the application in chocolates, have been widely studied. The addition of CB, LEO, and BSG caused relevant changes in the starch-based films, such as increased extensibility (from 2.4-BSG5 to 9.4%-BSG10) and improved barrier to moisture (2.9 and 2.4 g.mm.kPa-1 .h-1 .m-2 ). Contrastingly, the thermal stability of the starch film was slightly decreased. The biodegradability of the herein developed quaternary nanocomposite films was the same as that of TPS films, eliminating concerns on the supplementation with active ingredients that are expected to have some biocidal effect. Despite checking antimicrobial activity only by contact under the biocomposites, chocolates packed with the films were well accepted by consumers, especially the samples of white chocolate stored in the BSG5 biocomposite. Overall, this new approach towards quaternary active, biodegradable films produced in a pilot-scale lamination unit was successful in either improving or at least maintaining the essential properties of TPS-based films for food packaging applications, while providing them with unique features and functionalities. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This contribution relates to new approach toward quaternary films produced in a pilot-scale lamination unit. It relates to sustainability as it is both biodegradable and based on plant biomass, as well as produced via a clean, through high-yield process. The four components of the edible films we developed provide it with good in properties performance, as both a passive barrier (i.e. purely physical), and active, related to the sensory attributes of food, essential to be applied in food packaging. The valorization of a BSG also adds to the relevance of our contribution within the circular bioeconomy framework.

Study of morphological properties and rheological parameters of cellulose nanofibrils of cocoa shell (Theobroma cacao L.).

Cocoa shell was evaluated as a precursor for cellulose nanofibrils (NFCs) using mechanical defibrillation. Its morphology was analysed using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with field emission. Rheological and mechanical behaviour were evaluated through flow curves with a strain rate ranging from 0 to 300 s-1 at 25 °C and by means of oscillatory frequency sweeps (0.01 Hz-10 Hz) and shear stress (3 Pa). The thermal-mechanical behaviour was determined by a temperature sweep with a heating rate of 3 °C min-1 and a temperature range of 25 °C-100 °C. Micrographs identified the presence of protoxilem with a mean diameter of 23.34 nm. The flow curve showed the characteristic behaviour of a pseudoplastic fluid. The storage module (G') and the loss modulus (G″) were dependent on the frequency applied, indicating that the material exhibits a weak gel characteristic. The viscoelastic characteristics were influenced by temperature. Therefore, cocoa shell is a new alternative in the production of nanocellulose.

Influences of convective and vacuum drying on the quality attributes of osmo-dried pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) slices.

Pequi is a fruit from Brazilian Cerrado. Despite its ascorbic acid and carotenoid contents, consumption of pequi is restricted to its region of origin. The goal of this work was to study drying of pequi slices (convective or vacuum drying at 40°C and 60°C) preceded or not preceded by osmotic pretreatment (sucrose solution concentrations of 40% and 60%). It was found that osmotic dehydration pretreatment substantially decreased the moisture content, duration of the drying process, and the volumetric ratio of the dried product. However, it also promoted leaching of bioactive constituents, such as ascorbic acid and carotenoids. Vacuum and low temperature drying without osmotic pretreatment were preferable because the ascorbic acid and carotenoids were retained, rehydration coefficients were higher and there were minimal volume and color changes.

Estudo da estabilidade físico-química de suco de abacaxi 'pérola' / Study of the psycho-chemical stability of 'Pérola' pineapple juice

Neste trabalho foram avaliadas as mudanças físico-químicas provocadas pelo tipo de armazenamento do suco de abacaxi 'Pérola', durante de 48 horas após sua elaboração. Foram avaliadas 4 condições de armazenamento, em ambiente refrigerado (4 ±1º C) e em temperatura ambiente (22 ±1º C), ambas com e sem luminosidade. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com os tratamentos dispostos em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 x 6, sendo 2 ambientes de luminosidade (presença e ausência), 2 condições de temperatura (refrigeração e ambiente) e 6 tempos de amostragem (0, 6, 12, 24, 36 e 48 horas) com 3 repetições. Foram analisados, pH, acidez titulável, sólidos solúveis, vitamina C total e cor utilizando-se as variáveis claridade (L*), ângulo de cor (hº) e cromaticidade (C*). O tempo de armazenamento apresentou influência negativa na qualidade do suco provocando a diminuição dos teores de ácido ascórbico e ácido cítrico, alterações na cor, principalmente o escurecimento. Entretanto, quando armazenado em ambiente refrigerado e sem luz, o suco conservou suas características iniciais por mais tempo, sendo estas melhor preservadas pelas baixas temperaturas.

In this work, psycho-chemical changes caused by the storage of homemade 'Pérola' pineapple juice, over 48 hours after its preparation were evaluated. Four storage conditions were evaluated in a refrigerated environment (4 ±1º C) and in room temperature (22 ±1º C) both in the presence and abscence of light. The experiment was conducted with a totally random design, with treatments arranged in a factorial 2 x 2 x 6, with 2 light conditions (presence and absence), 2 temperature conditions (cooling and room temperature) and 6 sampling times (0, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours) with three replicates. pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, total vitamin C and color using the variables: luminosity (L*), hue angle (hº) and chromaticity (C*) were analyzed. The period of storage presented a negative influence on the pineapple juice, causing a reduction of ascorbic and citric acid contents and color changes, mainly darkening. However, when stored in refrigerated environment in the abscence of light, the juice conserved its initial features for a longer time, which were better preserved by low temperatures.