ABSTRACT
The present study investigated the potential utilization of pomegranate and black grape seed by-products of the food industry in yogurt production. Specifically, we examined the effect of polyphenols on antioxidants in yogurts produced using two different starter cultures: classical yogurt culture (Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus + Streptococcus thermophilus) and yogurt culture supplemented with L. casei. Various parameters, including pH, acidity, viscosity, fat content, protein content, dry matter content, color, microbiological properties, and sensory attributes, were analyzed in the yogurt products. The present findings indicate that incorporating pomegranate and grape seed powder and using different starter cultures significantly affected the yogurt's phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Furthermore, we observed decreased phenolic content and antioxidant activity during the 21-day storage period. Interestingly, yogurts produced with pomegranate seed powder and L. casei culture exhibited higher antioxidant activity than the other samples. Importantly, none of the yogurts containing pomegranate and grape seed powders had microbial counts below 107 cfu/g for L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, S. thermophilus, and L. casei, indicating no adverse effects on probiotic properties. Sensory evaluation revealed that the yogurt product prepared with grape seed powder and a combination of yogurt culture (L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus + Streptococcus thermophilus) and L. casei was particularly well-received. In conclusion, the functional properties of grape seed powder and pomegranate seed powder make them suitable natural ingredients for enhancing the antioxidant activity of yogurt. The study highlights the potential of utilizing these by-products to develop yogurt products with added health benefits.
ABSTRACT
Effects of microwave assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) and conventional hydrodistillation (HD) methods on yield, composition, specific gravity, refractive index, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis L were studied. The main aroma compounds of rosemary essential oil were found as 1,8-cineole and camphor. Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) values for essential oils extracted by MAHD and HD were 1.52 mM/ml oil and 1.95 mM/ml oil, respectively. DPPH radical scavenging activity of the oils obtained by MAHD and HD were found as 60.55% and 51.04% respectively. Inhibitory effects of essential oils obtained by two methods on linoleic acid peroxidation were almost the same. Essential oils obtained by two methods inhibited growth of Esherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium NRRLE 4463 and Listeria monocytogenes Scott A with the same degree. However, inhibitory activity of essential oil obtained by MAHD on Staphylococcus aureus 6538P was stronger than that of obtained by HD (p < 0.05).
ABSTRACT
In this study, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of essential oils obtained from oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum) were determined by using solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME), supercritical fluid extraction, and conventional hydrodistillation (CH) methods. The inhibitory effects on the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical of essential oils obtained from oregano by using SFME and CH were similar. However, essential oil extracted by CH showed greater (2.69 µmol/µL of oil) Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) than oregano oils obtained by SFME (P < .05). The difference between percentage inhibition and TEAC values most probably is due to the fact that undiluted and diluted samples are used in the percentage inhibition assay and the TEAC assay, respectively. TEAC values of oregano essential oils obtained by SFME at different microwave power levels were found to be similar and ranged from 0.72 to 0.84 µmol/µL of oil. Essential oils obtained by CH and SFME at different microwave powers inhibited the survival of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, and Escherichia coli O157:H7, whereas survival of Staphylococcus aureus was not influenced. In addition, oregano oil obtained by SFME at 40% power level did not show any inhibitory effect on E. coli O157:H7.
