Dried grape pomace with lactic acid bacteria as a potential source for probiotic and antidiabetic value-added powders.

Two drying methods (convective (CD) and infrared (IR)) on grape pomace with probiotics were analysed, based on kinetic models and survival rate. The moisture ratio decreases linearly with drying time. The IR drying time reduced up to 14.3% at 50 °C. The Page model allowed to calculate the drying constant (0.188-0.404 s-1), whereas the effective moisture diffusivity ranged from 6.64 × 10-9 to 9.38 × 10-9 m2/s for CD and from 8.83 × 10-9 to 11.16 × 10-9 m2/s for IR, respectively. Chromatographic analysis highlighted the presence of 28 anthocyanins, with cyanidin-3-O-monoglucoside as a main bioactive in both powder. The probiotic survivale rate reached 7.0 log CFU/g dry weight after 14 days of storage at 4 °C. The extracts affected conformation of α-amylase, with binding constants lower for IR extract (15.94 ± 1.61 × 10-2 Mol/L) when compared with CD (25.09 ± 2.14 × 10-2 Mol/L). The IC50 values were significant higher for the IR (6.92 ± 0.09 µMol C3G/mL) when compared with CD extract (10.70 ± 0.12 µMol C3G/mL).

Effects of Heat Treatments on Various Characteristics of Ready-to-Eat Zucchini Purees Enriched with Anise or Fennel.

Galactagogue herbs, also known as natural lactation adjuvants, are frequently used to stimulate breast milk production. Due to their antioxidant activity and phenolic content, anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.) were chosen to increase the added value of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) purees. At the same time, this work aimed to determine the influence of heat treatment on various characteristics of the final product. The phytochemical content, color parameters, and rheological and textural parameters of zucchini purees enriched with herbal aqueous extracts were determined after processing and after one week of storage (4 °C). In the case of antioxidant activity, samples registered a variation between 6.62 ± 1.71 and 38.32 ± 3.85 µM Trolox/g DW for the samples processed by steam convection. The total difference color parameter (ΔE) increased seven times after one week of storage compared to samples at T0. Fennel and anise aqueous extracts helped improve the rheological behavior of zucchini samples both by steam and hot air convection. This study may serve as a springboard for future investigations and clinical trials into the scientific validity and safety of ready-to-eat foods with special destinations.

Different Types of Meatballs Enriched with Wild Thyme/Lemon Balm Aqueous Extract-Complex Characterization.

In the context of the increasing lactation problems among breastfeeding women, the development of a healthy lifestyle is needed. Different variants of pork, turkey, and beef meatballs, with added lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) and wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) aqueous extract (6%), were obtained. These herbs were selected and used due to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and lactogenic potential. Two thermal treatments, hot air convection (180 °C) and steam convection (94 °C), were applied for meatballs processing. The obtained meatballs were further subjected to a complex characterization. The functionality of the plant extracts was proved by the values of total content of polyphenols (2.69 ± 0.02 mg AG/g dw) and flavonoids (3.03 ± 0.24 mg EQ/g dw). FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of trans-anethole and estragole at 1507-1508 cm-1 and 1635-1638 cm-1, respectively. Costumers' overall acceptance had a score above 5.5 for all samples, on a scale of 1 to 9. Further analysis and human trials should be considered regarding the use of lactogenic herbs, given their health benefits and availability.

The Effect of Sodium Total Substitution on the Quality Characteristics of Green Pickled Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.).

Green pickled tomatoes are a traditional fermented product in Romania. This study was focused on the effect of total substitution of NaCl with KCl and MgCl2 on physicochemical and microbiological quality; bioactive compounds; and microstructural, textural, and sensorial properties of fresh and pickled green tomatoes during 28 days of fermentation. By the means of physicochemical composition, the NaCl addition induced the most stable characteristics for the pickles compared to the other two types of salts. The content of total flavonoids in green pickled tomatoes with NaCl (34.72 ± 0.43 mg CE/g DW) was significantly lower compared with the control sample (63.80 ± 0.55 mg CE/g DW). The total number of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) at the final stage of fermentation varied between 4.11 and 4.63 log CFU for all variants. The textural analysis revealed that the NaCl has the lowest influence on the textural parameters. Finally, the overall acceptance of green pickled tomatoes containing KCl and MgCl2 was found to be proper to be consumed as a substitute for pickles with NaCl.

Tailoring the Functional Potential of Red Beet Purées by Inoculation with Lactic Acid Bacteria and Drying.

This study was focused on a comparative analysis of two drying methods, such as convective and infrared drying, on the red beetroot purées with lactic acid bacteria, as a strategy for tailoring the health benefits of the selected plant. For both varieties, the total betalain contents varied from 13.95 ± 0.14 mg/g dry weight in Beta vulgaris var. cylindra when compared with 11.09 ± 0.03 mg/g dry weight in Beta vulgaris var. vulgaris, whereas significant differences were found in total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Significant drying induced changes were found in selected bioactives, in terms of total betalains, flavonoids, and polyphenols, which influenced the antioxidant activities of the purées, structure, and color parameters. In general, infrared technology was more protective, leading to an increase of 20% in flavonoids content. One logarithmic decrease in cell viability was observed in all powders samples. After the in vitro digestion, the betalains decreased, in both gastric and intestinal simulated juices, with a more pronounced profile in infrared processed purées. Textural and rheological analysis of the dried purées highlighted that the infrared drying is milder compared to the conventional one, allowing us to obtain powders with enhanced functional properties, in terms of bioactives content, cell viability, color, and structural and rheological behavior.

Three Types of Red Beetroot and Sour Cherry Based Marmalades with Enhanced Functional Properties.

The importance of bioactive compounds such as betalains and anthocyanins was highlighted in the present study by the valorization of red beetroot and sour cherry as an attempt to develop healthy products. The aim of the study was to obtain and characterize three types of marmalade based on red beetroot, sour cherry and both in 1:1 combination, obtained by heating at 95 °C for 30 min. Changes in total phenolic content, total flavonoids, betalains, anthocyanins and antioxidant activity were evaluated before and after the thermal treatment. Several other analyses such as color, rheological and textural analyses and confocal laser microscopy were performed to provide further information about the quality of the added-value food products. A significant decrease of 34% in betalains content was registered in the red beetroot marmalade due to the chemical changes in bioactives induced by the temperature. A satisfactory ABTS radical scavenging activity of 8.12 ± 0.38 mMol Trolox/g dry weight (dw) was obtained for the red beetroot and sour cherry based marmalade. The gelled structure was validated by the rheological and textural characteristics. The results highlighted the potential use of red beetroot and sour cherry as food raw materials, due to their particular profile of bioactive compounds.