Cynara cardunculus as a potential source of milk coagulating protease: Effects on physical properties of cow's milk.

In the present research study, Cynara cardunculus (wild cardoon) flowers were blended and extracted using different types of buffers (phosphate buffer; citrate buffer and distilled water) for different maceration times. The most reliable, quick and efficient buffer was found to be phosphate (pH = 6.5) with a 6-h maceration time, which was used throughout this study. C. cardunculus extract (CE) was found to have high clotting and proteolytic activities. The extracted enzyme was found to be very stable against a wide range of pH values as well as of temperature. The formation of milk gels prepared in the presence of CE with different types of milk was evaluated using dynamic rheology and Turbiscan. The evolution of both elastic (G') and viscous (G″) moduli was monitored with time. The values of the whole milk enriched with milk powder gels were higher. Coagulum stability was evaluated using Turbiscan. The textural properties and the curd-firming rate of coagulum were also determined. In conclusion, the prepared CE could be an efficient milk-clotting agent in the production of dairy products.

Optimization of acorn (Quercus suber L.) muffin formulations: Effect of using hydrocolloids by a mixture design approach.

Acorn flour was used as a gluten-free ingredient to produce acorn muffins. Interaction effects between xanthan (X), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and κ-carrageenan (κ-C) (0-0.3%) on the height and textural parameters of the formulated acorn flour muffins were investigated using a mixture design approach. Each studied parameter was optimized individually. Then, an optimal formulation giving a product with characteristics as close as possible to those of a wheat flour muffin sample was determined. Results revealed that addition of each hydrocolloid separately, or their ternary combination improved the muffin height. Optimal height value was predicted to reach 3.96 cm when using 26.8% X, 50.5% CMC and 22.7% κ-C. As regard to textural parameters (firmness, cohesiveness, springiness and adhesiveness), presence of the three hydrocolloids had an antagonistic effect. The best hydrocolloids mixture giving optimal height (3.92 cm), firmness (3.19 N) and adhesiveness (0.66 N) was that containing 20.5% X and 79.5% CMC.

Effect of extraction methods on the physicochemical, structural, functional, and antioxidant properties of the dietary fiber concentrates from male date palm flowers.

The current study evaluates the effect of both aqueous and alkaline extraction methods on the physicochemical, structural, functional, and antioxidant properties of dietary fibers (DF) from male date palm flowers (MDPF). The DF extracted by the alkali treatment (ADF) display a higher DF content as well as lower protein and lipid content than the DF resulting from watery extraction (WDF). The scanning electron microscopy, the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and the X-ray diffraction show that the alkaline treatment contributes to a slight modification of the structural characteristics of ADF leading to better purity and functional properties. The oil holding capacity and the antioxidant activity of ADF have improved compared to the WDF, which makes this concentrate a promoting functional ingredient and a natural antioxidant. Therefore, these findings confirm the wealth of both concentrates in DF, especially ADF, as well as their potential of functional and antioxidant properties, which emphasize their suitability to be used in food applications as functional ingredients. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Nowadays, studies on the extraction of DF from vegetable waste are of considerable interest in the face of the rising global demand for dietetic food. The male date palm flowers (MDPF), an agricultural waste generated during the period of pollination, are valuable natural sources of DF and antioxidants. The insoluble DF of MDPF could be essential in a balanced diet as they could fight against obesity by creating a feeling of satiety. The presence of antioxidants, which are known for preventing or slowing cell damage caused by free radicals, could contribute to the improvement of the antioxidant properties of the formulated food. The functional properties of DF concentrates from MDPF are able to solve the technical problems of agri-food industries when used as food ingredients. The use of DF from MDPF, consequently, contributes to the minimization of waste and provides value addition to the by-product considered as waste in agricultural processing.

Physico-Chemical, antioxidant activities, textural, and sensory properties of yoghurt fortified with different states and rates of pomegranate seeds (Punica granatum L.).

This study examines the effects of incorporating fresh, frozen, osmodehydrated, and dried pomegranate seeds, at different concentrations (5, 10, and 20%) on the physicochemical, antioxidant, textural, and sensory properties of yoghurt. Antioxidant activity, pH, acidity, syneresis, and color of yoghurt were also evaluated during the storage (28 days) at 4°C. The principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to assess the correlations between different yoghurt formulation and their sensory attributes. Data showed that the addition of pomegranate seeds reduced pH and modified the chromatics coordinate (L*, a*, b*, C*, h°) and firmness of the yoghurt samples. In addition, acidity, °Brix, and syneresis increased compared to the control. Thanks to their high anthocyanin content, pomegranate seeds considerably improved the antioxidant activity essentially for yoghurt enriched with frozen seeds. In addition, the supplementation of 20% of frozen seeds into yoghurt was the most appreciated by panelists and improved the sensory properties in comparison to other formulation. According to PCA, taste and appearance were the main criteria for the overall acceptability of yoghurt. After 28 days of storage, the reddish color was reinforced; however, the antioxidant activity of yoghurts was reduced. Overall, it can be concluded that pomegranate seeds can be used as a natural ingredient to develop a novel yoghurt with high nutritional properties.

The addition effect of Tunisian date seed fibers on the quality of chocolate spreads.

Novel chocolate spreads were enriched by soluble and insoluble dietary fibers from Tunisian Deglet Nour date seeds at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5% levels in the conventional chocolate spread. Defatted Deglet Nour date seeds, date seed soluble fiber concentrate (DSSFC) and date seed insoluble fiber concentrate (DSIFC) were characterized by high levels of dietary fibers (80-90%). Chocolate spread enriched with 5% of DSSFC presented the highest oil binding capacity (304.62%) compared to the control (102%). Whatever the DSIFC and DSSFC incorporation levels, no significant difference was recorded between the firmness, chewiness, and adhesiveness of prepared chocolate spreads compared to the control (p < .05). Sensory evaluation revealed that all prepared chocolate spreads enriched by DSIFC and DSSFC were accepted by panelists. These results indicated the value of date seeds as new source of dietary fibers to develop chocolate spread and could also improve health benefits and functional properties. PARACTICAL APPLICATION: Tunisia is considered to be one of the dates-producing countries. The mean annual yield of date fruits is about 200,000 tons. From this, around 20,000 tons of date seeds could be collected. This by-product of date processing industries could be regarded as an excellent source of dietary fiber with interesting technological functionality and many beneficial effects on human health. Then, date seeds could present a value addition by extraction and use of date seed fiber concentrate in chocolate spread formulation.