Antioxidant Compounds Recovery from Juçara Residue by Thermal Assisted Extraction.

This study aimed to recover bioactive compounds by solid-liquid extraction from the agro-industrial residue obtained during juçara fruits processing into pulp. A preliminary study using different solvents (methanol, ethanol and water) indicated ethanol in aqueous solution as the best solvent for antioxidants recovery. Then, a Box-Behnken design was applied considering as independent variables the solvent composition (30-70% ethanol in water), temperature (30-70 °C) and time (30-60 min), in order to evaluate the effects of these factors on antioxidant activity in juçara extract. Results showed that the extracts with higher antioxidant activity were obtained using 30% ethanol at 70 °C for 60 min; measurements included ABTS and DPPH assays, determination of total phenolic content and total monomeric anthocyanins. Furthermore, the effect of pH in antioxidants recovery was evaluated. For this purpose, the 30% ethanol solution was acidified to pH 1 and 2 with HCl. Principal component analysis showed the formation of three distinct groups: one characterized by high bioactive compounds content (pH 1.0), another with superior antioxidant activity (pH 5.75, non-acidified), and finally the group at pH 2 presenting the worst concentrations in the evaluated responses. HPLC analysis showed the presence of cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside in the extracts. Therefore, the conventional solid-liquid extraction using renewable solvent can be successfully applied to recover bioactive compounds from juçara residue, which can be used by different food industries.

Effect of enzymatic treatment on the rheological behavior and vitamin C content of Spondias tuberosa (umbu) pulp.

Umbu is a native fruit of the semi-arid Northeastern region of Brazil, which presents an exotic and differentiated flavor. Containing vitamin C and presenting a high potential of consumption, no appropriated technology has been developed to process this fruit and expand its commercialization to other markets. The enzymatic treatment of fruit pulps leads to viscosity reduction, which makes possible an efficient processing for obtaining high quality umbu juices. In order to contribute to the valorization of this underexploited culture, two commercial pectinolytic enzymes, Pectinex Ultra SP-L® and Rapidase TF®, were used to promote viscosity reduction of umbu pulp. The effect of reaction temperature (35, 45 and 55 °C) and enzyme concentration (100, 200 and 300 ppm) on the rheological properties of the fruit pulp was evaluated. In relation to the viscosity of the original pulp (84.8 mPa s at 100 s-1 shear rate), a significant, four times lower, viscosity reduction of 18.9 mPa s was observed. Under optimum process condition (35 °C and Rapidase at 100 ppm concentration), the lowest viscosity was achieved after 40 min of reaction. Under these reaction conditions, no significant change was found in the vitamin C content, indicating the preservation of functional and nutritional properties of umbu pulp.

Consumer liking of fruit juices with different açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) concentrations.

Overall liking, flavor, and perceived healthiness of one newly developed fruit juice with high açaí content (40% açaí) and 5 commercially available fruit juices with lower (4% to 20%) açaí concentrations were evaluated by consumers in Belgium. General trends for the overall sample were examined by means of analysis of variance, whereas individual consumer preferences were evaluated using internal preference mapping and hierarchical cluster analysis. The relative contribution of flavor and perceived health benefits as predictors of consumers' overall liking of the 6 açaí-based fruit juices was estimated through linear regression analysis. The results showed a negative relationship between the juices' overall liking and their açaí concentrations. Although the vast majority of consumers preferred the juices having a low açaí content (4% to 5% açaí), a small consumer segment liked the juice with 40% açaí. Flavor or taste experience superseded consumers' perceived health benefits as the primary determinant of the fruit juices' overall liking. The impact of perceived health benefits on the overall liking of the açaí juices decreased with higher taste dissatisfaction.