ABSTRACT
This study aimed to evaluate the influence of potential functional ingredients-green banana starch, green banana pulp flour or whole green banana flour-on the composition, physicochemical and sensory properties of plant-based fermented beverages made of baru nuts. The incorporation of green banana-derived ingredients, especially the whole flour, increased protein (2.44-2.81 g/100 g), fibre (1.53-2.32 g/100 g), resistant starch (0.15-0.33 g/100 g) and ash (0.36-0.61 g/100 g) content in fermented beverages. The total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were higher in beverages added with pulp or whole flour. The main polyphenols identified were catechin (0.75-4.97 mg/100 g), gallic acid (0.29-0.52 mg/100 g) and ferulic acid (0.17-0.64 mg/100 g). All beverages showed to be rich in unsaturated fatty acids (68%) as omega-3, omega-6, and conjugated linoleic acid. The incorporation of green banana in beverages enhanced the probiotic bacteria growth indicating the potential prebiotic effect of the unripe fruit. The sensory acceptance of fermented beverages was also improved after adding green banana. Overall, whole green banana flour stood out as the main factor that increased the nutritional value of baru nut fermented beverage. Green banana was used for the first time as a potential prebiotic ingredient in a plant-based beverage. This novel product represents a potential symbiotic non-dairy alternative that could offer health benefits to consumers. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-023-05781-5.
ABSTRACT
Postharvest technologies, such as the application of coatings, could contribute to the extension of the shelf life of avocado fruit. The objective of the present research was to evaluate the effects of coating, based on agro-industrial co-products (citrus pectin, broken rice grain flour, and cellulosic rice skin nanofiber), sorbitol and potassium sorbate, on the quality of avocado (cultivar 'Quintal') stored under refrigeration. The coating contributed to a longer conservation of the green color of avocado, both peel and pulp, and significantly reducing the respiration rate of the coated fruit, which was 35% lower than that of the control fruit. The coated fruit was firmer and, possibly, the addition of cellulosic nanofiber contributed to the maintenance of this firmness. Regarding the bioactive compounds, there was no difference (p > 0.05) among the coated and control fruit. During refrigerated storage, total phenolic compounds content increased (p < 0.05) from 311.44 ± 25.89 to 800.25 ± 160.74 mg kg-1 gallic acid equivalents (GAE) in the control fruit, and from 242.86 ± 52.33 to 584.75 ± 125.57 mg kg-1 GAE in the coated fruit. It was concluded that the shelf life of avocado (cultivar 'Quintal') could be extended and ripening delayed by a minimum of 8 days, by applying a coating formulated with rice flour, pectin, sorbitol, potassium sorbate, and cellulosic rice skin nanofiber.
