Identification and quantification of fatty acids and lipid-soluble phytochemicals using GC-MS, HPLC-MS, and FTIR and their association with quality parameters during avocado ripening.

Consumer demand for the avocado fruit has increased considerably, but accelerated fruit ripening, lack of fruit ripening uniformity, and lack of proper quality characteristics and indices generate considerable problems during fruit handling and trade. Physicochemical parameters are used to determine avocado fruit ripening. These parameters together with lipid-soluble phytochemicals (LSP) and fatty acids (FAs) highlight the health and economic importance of this fruit. Analysis of LSP and FAs in avocado fruit has been reported, but combining the use of analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) to determine qualitative and quantitative changes during fruit ripening, and their association with physicochemical parameters, has not been conducted. Physicochemical parameters (fruit firmness, color, oil and dry matter contents) were determined, and the changes of FAs and LSP (carotenoids, chlorophylls, and tocopherols) during "Hass" avocado ripening, based on dry matter (DM) content, were analyzed using FTIR, GC-MS, and HPLC-MS. The association between them was also determined using principal component analysis. Fruit with 19% and 25% DM exhibited high LSP and FAs levels. Carotenoids, chlorophylls, and tocopherols were associated with firmness, color, and DM of 19% and 22%, while FAs were associated with fruit weight and DM of 25%. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: There is a major global increase in avocado cultivation and consumer demand. However, a major problem facing the handling and trade of avocado fruit is related to lack of fruit ripening uniformity and quality characteristics and indices. Therefore, a proper association between simple measures of fruit physicochemical properties and bioactive components can establish an excellent, simple, and practical index that can eventually be used for quality evaluation by the industry and the consumers.

Sustainable xanthophylls-containing poly(ε-caprolactone)s: synthesis, characterization, and use in green lubricants.

Three xanthophylls [(3R,3'R,6'R)-lutein (1), (3R,3'S)-zeaxanthin (2), and (3R,3'S)-astaxanthin (3)] were used for the first time as initiators in the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (CL) catalyzed by tin(ii) 2-ethylhexanoate [Sn(Oct)2] for the synthesis of novel sustainable xanthophyll-containing poly(ε-caprolactone)s (xanthophylls-PCL). The obtained polyesters were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, FT-IR, DSC, SEC, and MALDI-TOF MS, and their use as additives in green lubricants was evaluated using a sliding friction test under boundary conditions. Xanthophylls-PCL were obtained with good conversions and with molecular weights determined by SEC to be between 2500 and 10 500 Da. The thermal properties of xanthophyll-polyesters showed a crystalline domain, detected by DSC. Lastly, the green lubricant activity of these polymers was evaluated and the results showed that xanthophylls-PCL could be employed as additives for biodegradable lubricant applications since they have better tribological behavior than current additives, which demonstrates their potential as future commercial materials with interesting eco-friendly properties for diverse applications.