Prediction of dry matter content of recently harvested 'Hass' avocado fruits using hyperspectral imaging.

BACKGROUND: 'Hass' avocado consumption is increasing due to its organoleptic properties, so it is necessary to develop new technologies to guarantee export quality. Avocado fruits do not ripen on the tree, and the visual classification of its maturity is not accurate. The most commonly used fruit maturity indicator is the percentage of dry matter (DM). The aim of this research was to investigate a non-destructive method with hyperspectral images to predict the percentage of DM of fruits across the spectral range of 400-1000 nm. RESULTS: No correlation between fruit weight and color with the percentage of DM was found in the study area. Cross-validation efficiency of different data sources, including the spectrum extraction zone (the center, a line from the peduncle to the base, and the whole fruit) and the average of one or two fruit faces, was compared. Four linear regression models were compared. Data of the whole fruit and average of both sides per fruit using a support vector machine regression were selected for the prediction test. Following the cross-validation concept, five sets of calibration and test data were selected and optimized for calibration. The best test prediction set comprised an R2 = 0.9, a root-mean-square error of 2.6 g kg-1 DM, a Pearson correlation of 0.95, and a ratio of prediction to deviation of 3.2. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study indicate that hyperspectral images allow classifying export fruits and making harvesting decisions. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Microencapsulation of Theobroma cacao L polyphenols: A high-value approach with in vitro anti-Trypanosoma cruzi, immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities.

Chagas disease (CHD) is the highest economic burden parasitosis worldwide and the most important cardiac infection, without therapeutic alternatives to halt or reverse its progression. In CHD-experimental models, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds have demonstrated therapeutic potential in cardiac dysfunction. Theobroma cacao polyphenols are potent natural antioxidants with cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory action, which are susceptible to degradation, requiring technological approaches to guarantee their protection, stability, and controlled release. Here, 21 cocoa polyphenol-rich microencapsulates were produced by spray-drying and freeze-drying techniques using two wall materials (maltodextrin and gum arabic). Chemical (total and individual phenolic content and antioxidant activity), structural (morphology), and biological parameters (cytotoxicity, trypanocidal, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities) were assessed to determine the most efficient microencapsulation conditions on Trypanosoma cruzi-infected myocardioblast and macrophage cells. Significant antiproliferative properties against infected cells (superior to benznidazole) were found in two microencapsulates which also exhibited cardioprotective properties against oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death.

Chachafruto starch: Physicochemical characterization, film-forming properties, and 3D printability.

This work aimed to characterize the physicochemical, film-forming properties, and 3D printability of a nonconventional starch from chachafruto. The chachafruto native starch (CHS) presented an excellent extraction yield (10 % db) and purity (99 % db), along with an oval and round morphology, a smooth surface with few defects, and a mean diameter of 15.4 µm. The typical B-type diffraction pattern was observed in the CHS with a crystallinity of 17.4 %. The starch presented a paste temperature of 66.1 °C, an enthalpy of 11.5 J g-1, and a final viscosity of 596 Brabender Units. The thermal analysis demonstrated good thermal stability. The evaluated film presented a reduction in crystallinity (8.18 %) to the CHS, which generated a good elasticity in the material. Likewise, it presented a continuous structure without cracks, providing good barrier properties (2.3 × 10-9 g∙m-1∙s-1∙Pa-1) and high transparency. Meanwhile, 3D prints prepared with CHS showed good textural properties and high consistency. The morphological analysis showed that the prints generated organized cell structures. However, high concentrations of CHS were not efficient in obtaining 3D prints. The results of this work demonstrate the tremendous industrial potential of chachafruto as an unconventional source of starch and some alternative uses for adding value to the crop.

Effect of Essential Oils from Lemongrass and Tahiti Lime Residues on the Physicochemical Properties of Chitosan-Based Biodegradable Films.

This work aimed to evaluate the impact of adding two essential oils (EO) from lemongrass (LEO) and Tahiti lime (TLEO) on the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of chitosan-based biodegradable films. Six film formulations were prepared: two controls with chitosan concentrations of 1% and 1.5% v/w, two formulations combining the two chitosan concentrations with 1% LEO v/v, and two formulations combining the two chitosan concentrations with 1% TLEO v/v. The films' morphological, water affinity, barrier, mechanical, and thermal properties were evaluated. The films' surface showed a heterogeneous morphology without cracks, whereas the cross-section showed a porous-like structure. Adding EO to the films promoted a 35-50% decrease in crystallinity, which was associated with an increase in the elasticity (16-35%) and a decrease in the tensile strength (9.3-29.2 MPa) and Young's modulus (190-1555 MPa) on the films. Regarding the optical properties, the opacity of the films with TLEO increased up to 500% and 439% for chitosan concentrations of 1% and 1.5%, respectively. While the increase in opacity for the films prepared with LEO was 357% and 187%, the reduction in crystallinity also reduced the resistance of the films to thermal processes, which could be explained by the reduction in the enthalpy of fusion. The thermal degradation of the films using TLEO was higher than those where LEO was used. These results were indicative of the great potential of using TLEO and LEO in biodegradable films. Likewise, this work showed an alternative for adding value to the cultivation of Tahiti lime due to the use of its residues, which is in accordance with the circular economy model. However, it was necessary to deepen the study and the use of these essential oils in the preparation of biodegradable films.

Antioxidant activity, total polyphenol content and methylxantine ratio in four materials of Theobroma cacao L. from Tolima, Colombia.

The International Cocoa Organization recognized Colombian cocoa as "fine aroma," but in recent years, clone CCN 51 has grown in popularity, widely due to its high yield. The Tolima department is the fourth producer of cacao in Colombia, but there is a lack of knowledge of the chemical properties of regional cocoa genotypes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological, antioxidant activity, total polyphenol content and the methylxanthines ratio of four regional genotypes (UTLP02, UTVE01, UTGC01 and UTLM02) of Theobroma cacao L. from Tolima, Colombia. The universal clone of CCN51 was used as control. The highest values for the qualitative descriptors were obtained by the variants UTVE01 and CCN51 with FRAP and TPC ranging from 44.51 ± 0.90 to 106.77 ± 5.21 mg GAE/g and 27.13 ± 0.14 to 52.12 ± 4.71 mmol TE/g respectively. The genotypes with the highest values for FRAP and TPC were UTGC01 and CCN51. According to the methylxanthine ratio, UTVE01 was classified as Criollo, while UTLM02, UTGC01 and UTLP02, CCN51 are Trinitario and Forastero, respectively. Although CCN51 is considered a remarkable material in terms of productivity, the genotypes evaluated present good yields and interesting values of TPC and antioxidant activity, making them promising trees in local breeding programs.

Theobroma cacao L. compounds: Theoretical study and molecular modeling as inhibitors of main SARS-CoV-2 protease.

Cocoa beans contain antioxidant molecules with the potential to inhibit type 2 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which causes a severe acute respiratory syndrome (COVID-19). In particular, protease. Therefore, using in silico tests, 30 molecules obtained from cocoa were evaluated. Using molecular docking and quantum mechanics calculations, the chemical properties and binding efficiency of each ligand was evaluated, which allowed the selection of 5 compounds of this series. The ability of amentoflavone, isorhoifolin, nicotiflorin, naringin and rutin to bind to the main viral protease was studied by means of free energy calculations and structural analysis performed from molecular dynamics simulations of the enzyme/inhibitor complex. Isorhoifolin and rutin stand out, presenting a more negative binding ΔG than the reference inhibitor N-[(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)carbonyl]alanyl-l-valyl-N~1~-((1R,2Z)-4-(benzyloxy)-4-oxo-1-{[(3R)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl]methyl}but-2-enyl)-L-leucinamide (N3). These results are consistent with high affinities of these molecules for the major SARS-CoV-2. The results presented in this paper are a solid starting point for future in vitro and in vivo experiments aiming to validate these molecules and /or test similar substances as inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 protease.

Evaluación de l retrogradación del almidón en harina de yuca precocdda / Evaluatin of staarch retrogradation in cassava flour from precooked parenchyma / Avaliação a retrrogradação do amido em farinha de mandioca precozida

Las modificaciones del almidón, que ocurren durante el proceso de elaboración de harina de yuca precocida, se evaluaron utilizando técnicas como calorimetría diferencial de barrido (CDB), difracción de rayos X, comportamiento al empastamiento y capacidad de formación de complejo con yodo. La harina precocida se obtuvo a partir de trozos de parénquima de yuca cocinados en vapor o en agua a ebullición, los cuales fueron posteriormente almacenados a 5 ºC o a -20 ºC por 24 h. La temperatura utilizada durante el periodo de almacenamiento del parénquima cocinado no es un factor significativo en los resulta dos de retrogradación del almidón. La entalpía de fusión y cristalinidad del almidón retrogradado de la harina proveniente del parénquima cocinado en vapor fue ligeramente mayor, comparado con la elaborada a partir de parénquima cocinado en agua a ebullición para el periodo de almacenamiento a 5 ºC. Por otra parte, en el periodo de almacenamiento a -20ºC, el método de cocción no tuvo efecto significativo sobre la entalpía de fusión del almidón retrogradado, la cristalinidad y el índice del valor azul.

Starch modifications during the processing of precooked cassava flour was monitored using techniques as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), pasting behaviour, wide angle X-ray diffraction and iodine binding capacity. Cassava flour was obtained from parenchyma pieces cooked either in steam or in boiling water and then stored either at 5 ºC or at -20 ºC for 24 h. The temperature during the rest period of the cooked parenchyma was not a significant factor in the starch retrogradation results. For a rest period at 5 ºC, flour from parenchyma cooked in steam presented a slightly higher melting enthalpy of retrograded starch and crystallinity as compared to that from parenchyma cooked in boiling water. Whereas for conditioning period at -20 ºC, the cooking method had no significant effect on the enthalpy of retrogradation, crystallinity and blue value index.

As modificações do amido durante o processo de elaboração de farinha de mandioca precozida, foram avaliadas utilizando as técnicas de calorimetria diferencial de varredura (CDV), difração de raios X, comportamento no empastamento e capacidade de formação de complexo de iodo. A farinha precozida obteve-se de troços do parênquima da mandioca cozidos com vapor o em água em ebulição, os quais foram armazenados depois a 5 ºC ou -20 ºC por 24 h . A temperatura do armazenamento do parênquima cozido no foi um factor significativo nos resulta dos de retrogradação do amido. A entalpia de fusão e cristalinidade do amido retrogradado da farinha proveniente do parênquima cozido no vapor foi levemente maior, do que aquela elaborada do parênquima cozido em água em ebulição e armazenada a 5 ºC. Além disso, o método de cozimento não teve efeito significativo na entalpia de fusão do amido retrogradado, na cristalinidade o no índice de valor azul (IVA).