Comparative study on effect of pomegranate peel powder as natural preservative and chemical preservatives on quality and shelf life of muffins.

This research aims to investigate the potential of utilizing pomegranate peel powder (PPP) as a natural preservative in muffin preparation. Pomegranate peel is a rich source of bioactive compounds, including phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins, which possess high antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The In-Vitro antifungal activity of pomegranate peel powder (8% PPP), potassium sorbate (0.1% PS) and calcium propionate (0.5% CP) was assessed against Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. using poison food technique. The PPP showed the anti-fungal activity by delaying the growth of microorganism on media plate similar to the PS and CP. The effect of utilization of PPP on quality characteristics of muffins were compared with the muffins with chemical preservatives (0.1% PS and 0.5% CP). The viscosity and specific gravity of batter significantly increased from 7.98 to 11.87 Pa s and 1.089-1.398 respectively on addition of 8% PPP. The optical microscopic structure of PPP added batter revealed the decrease in the number of air cells from 24 to 12 with radius range of 6.42-72.72 µm and area range of 511.03-15,383.17 µm2. The functional properties of flour with PPP had higher water absorption capacity, foaming stability, emulsification activity and emulsion stability than others. The addition of PPP significantly increase the weight (32.83 g), and decrease the height (31.3 mm), volume (61.43 cm3), specific volume (1.67 cm3/g) and baking loss (10.19%). The 418.36% increase in fibre content, 14.46% and 18.46% decrease in carbohydrates and energy value was observed in muffin with 8% PPP as compared to control respectively. The total phenols was increased from 0.92 to 12.5 mg GAE/100 g, total tannin from 0.2 to 8.27 mg GAE/100 g, In-vitro antioxidant activity by DPPH from 6.97 to 29.34% and In-vitro antioxidant activity by FRAP from 0.497 to 2.934 mg AAE/100 g in muffins added with 8% PPP. The muffin with PPP was softer than control and muffin with 0.1% PS. The addition of PPP resulted to improve in muffin texture but taste slightly bitter. During the storage of muffins at room temperature (27-30 °C), the moisture content of muffin with PPP was reduced from 17.04 to 13.23% which was higher than the rest of the treatments. Similarly, the hardness of sample with PPP was higher than the sample with 0.5% CP, but lowers than control and sample with 0.1% PS throughout the storage period. The results suggest that pomegranate peel powder can be successfully used as a natural preservative in place of chemical preservatives in muffins, to extend the shelf life. This study provides the opportunity to use PPP as functional ingredient and natural preservative in different bakery products.

Development of fiber-enriched muffins using pomegranate peel powder and its effect on physico-chemical properties and shelf life of the muffins.

BACKGROUND: Pomegranate peel is a by-product from the pomegranate processing industries and is a rich source of dietary fibers and bioactive compounds. It has good antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. In the present study, the effects of substitution of refined wheat flour with pomegranate peel powder (PPP) at a rate of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% on the physico-chemical and sensorial properties as well as on the oxidative and microbial stability of muffins were investigated. RESULTS: A significant reduction in specific volume (1.99 to 1.57 cm3 g-1 ), weight loss (11.73 to 10.14 g 100 g-1 ) and an increase in crumb hardness (633.06 to 2311.5 g) of muffins were observed on addition of PPP. Moreover, the nutritional value was improved by a significant increase in the fiber content (4.39 to 10.66%), total phenols (0.443 to 48.53 mg GAE 100 g-1 ), antioxidant activity (75.94% to 99.36%), calcium (200.33 to 294.33 mg 100 g-1 ), potassium (227.33 to 425.33 mg 100 g-1 ) and magnesium (96.33 to 288.33 mg 100 g-1 ). The pasting and rheological properties of muffin batter showed a significant decrease in the final and peak viscosity, as well as increase in storage, loss and complex modulus. The muffin samples were organoleptically acceptable up to a level of 8% PPP. Free fatty acid content, peroxide value and microbial count of the muffin with 8% PPP were significantly lower compared to the control sample and more oxidatively and microbially stable for a storage period of 21 and 28 days at ambient and refrigerated temperatures, respectively. CONCLUSION: The present study provides the opportunity to use PPP as functional ingredients and natural preservative in the preparation of muffins. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Exploring the Potential of Pomegranate Peel Extract as a Natural Food Additive: A Review.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: Pomegranate is one of the super fruit and a storehouse of several antioxidants and health-promoting compounds which can act as a natural food additive. The pomegranate processing industry generates huge quantities of by-products, particularly peels (50% of fresh fruit weight), that cause environmental pollution due to improper disposal. In this perspective, the present review article focuses on the chemical composition of pomegranate peel and its application as a natural food additive in different food products such as bakery, dairy, meat/meat products, fish/fish products, edible oils, and packaging materials. RECENT FINDINGS: There is a continuous demand for processed foods exhibiting natural food additives over foods containing synthetic additives/colorants, which can cause serious health implications such as cancer with regular consumption. The food industry is looking for an alternative to synthetic/artificial food additives. To overcome these problems, pomegranate peel or its extract can be used as a natural biopreservative in food products that are prone to fat oxidation and microbial growth. Pomegranate peel contains bioactive compounds, especially tannins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids, which have nutraceutical value and possess higher antioxidant activity and antimicrobial properties. Due to these properties, pomegranate peel prevents lipid oxidation in fatty foods and can also retard the microbial growth.

Development of low-fat and anthocyanin-rich purple sweet potato vacuum fried chips.

Vacuum frying technology has proven to be one of the best methods to produce snack products with higher retention of health-promoting/protecting nutraceuticals with reduced-fat content. In this work, application and optimization of vacuum frying process for purple sweet potato have used response surface methodology-based Box-Behnken design to produce low-fat and anthocyanin-rich purple sweet potato vacuum fried chips. The study showed the significant impact of frying temperature, vacuum pressure, and frying time on the chip's moisture and oil content, level of anthocyanin, visual impressions like color and texture. The selection of optimized frying parameters was carried out using a numerical optimizer and found to be 105°C for 7.08 min at a reduced pressure of 14.79 kPa. Compared to the atmospheric deep-fried chips, the vacuum fried chips showed 86% retention of anthocyanin content and a 35.6% decline in oil content with a lower breaking force of 0.69 N. Overall, the study confirmed that vacuum fried purple sweet potato chips could be a viable option to produce snacks with high functional value to meet the current consumer demands. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Purple sweet potatoes have the potential to produce healthy snack chips with lower fat content and higher functional characteristics when vacuum frying technology is used with optimized processing variables.

Effect of protein enrichment on quality characteristics and glycemic index of gluten free sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) spaghetti.

The aim of present investigation was justifying the suitability of sweet potato flour for development of gluten free spaghetti with reduced starch digestibility and to enhance protein content by fortification of whey protein concentrate (WPC) and chickpea flour (CPF) at the rate of 5%, 10%, and 15% respectively along with control. The effect of fortification in spaghetti was assessed for its glycemic index, physical, nutritional, and sensory properties. The data revealed that increase in the level of fortification of WPC and CPF resulted with increase in optimum cooking time, weight and volume without affecting cooking loss as compared to control sample. The percent increase in protein content of spaghetti fortified with WPC and CPF found as 192.20% and 150.08% respectively in comparison with control. However, spaghetti fortified with 15% CPF and 15% WPC showed lowest starch digestibility with reduced glycemic index to 59.43 and 58.73 respectively. The spaghetti fortified with 10% WPC and 10% CPF was found overall acceptable by panelists. Moreover, the fortification of spaghetti with WPC and CPF could significantly increase the protein content along with overall acceptability and functional characteristics.