Cuantificación de compuestos con potencial bioactivo en Citrullus lanatus, Luffa cylindrica y Sicana odorifera

La sandía vanessa, la luffa y la cassabanana son cucurbitáceas que poseen compuestos con potencial bioactivo, esto es, presencia de compuestos que ejercen efectos benéficos para la salud. En Colombia, estas frutas son desaprovechadas, debido a su escasa popularidad; dar a conocer la información de sus compuestos nutricionales incentiva su aprovechamiento y consumo. El objetivo del presente estudio fue realizar la caracterización fisicoquímica y evaluar el efecto de la liofilización y la extracción asistida por ultrasonido sobre el contenido de vitamina C, polifenoles totales y capacidad antioxidante de las partes de cada fruto. Los desechos generados entre cortezas y semillas son de 28,3 % (sandía), 68,76 % (luffa) y 25,39 % (cassabanana); estos, a su vez, presentaron contenidos de polifenoles totales y capacidad antioxidante mayores que en la pulpa. El tratamiento de liofilización mejoró la extracción % en capacidad antioxidante, vitamina C y polifenoles totales, comparado con las muestras frescas. Por otro lado, tanto la corteza como la pulpa de luffa son una buena fuente de compuestos con capacidad antioxidante, mientras que la sandía y la cassabanana alcanzaron una buena aceptación sensorial, lo cual, se atribuye al contenido de sólidos solubles y el alto contenido de agua, que las hace frutas dulces y refrescantes.

Vanessa watermelon, luffa and cassabanana are cucurbits that have compounds with bioactive potential, that is, compounds that have beneficial effects on health. In Colombia, these fruits are underutilized due to their low popularity; making known the information on their nutritional compounds encourages their use and consumption. The objective of this study was to perform the physicochemical characterization and evaluate the effect of freeze-drying and ultrasound-assisted extraction on the vitamin C content, total polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of the parts of each fruit. The wastes generated between rinds and seeds are 28.3 % (watermelon), 68.76 % (luffa) and 25.39 % (cassabanana), these in turn presented higher total polyphenol contents and antioxidant capacity than in the pulp. The freeze-drying treatment improved the extraction % in antioxidant capacity, vitamin C and total polyphenols compared to fresh samples. On the other hand, both rind and pulp of luffa are a good source of compounds with antioxidant capacity, while watermelon and cassabanana reached a good sensory acceptance, which is attributed to the soluble solids content and the high-water content, which makes them sweet and refreshing fruits.

Formulation of a Tropical Beverage by Applying Heat Treatment and High Hydrostatic Pressure.

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: Passion fruit and carrot have a good antioxidant capacity, however, their consumption is low. There is no information on their use in beverages or in processes such as high hydrostatic pressure, which provides the safety of the drink without affecting its quality. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: In this study the effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP; 500 MPa for 250 s at 25 °C) and thermal processing (at 65 °C for 10 min, 75 °C for 2 min and 95 °C for 1 min) were evaluated in the formulation of a cold-pressed beverage from purple passion fruit, green passion fruit and carrot juice, taking into account antioxidant capacity, vitamin C concentration, sensorial evaluation and microbiological growth at 8 °C. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The formulation containing 67% purple passion fruit, 17% green passion fruit and 17% carrot was the one that stood out with its antioxidant capacity, high vitamin C concentration and sensorial evaluation. The HHP treatment preserved the antioxidant capacity and vitamin C concentration, and resulted in the best scent. Juices stored at 8 °C did not show microbial growth. NOVELTY AND SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTION: In this study, we used tropical raw materials with good sensory acceptance and antioxidant capacity that could be used in the production of high value-added foods. Additionally, the research demonstrated that HHP is a conservation method that maintains the antioxidant capacity, vitamin C and aroma of the beverage to a greater extent compared to thermal treatments; the latter is of interest for its use in minimally processed products and functional food.

Obtención de un colorante a partir de corteza de maracuyá con el uso de técnicas convencionales de extracción / Obtaining a dye from passion fruit cortex with the use of conventional extraction techniques

RESUMEN El maracuyá es un fruto tropical que se cultiva primordialmente para la obtención de pulpa, siendo la corteza su principal subproducto que carece, en la actualidad, de interés industrial; sin embargo, con el fin de diversificar los derivados provenientes de la producción de maracuyá, se ha demostrado que la corteza contiene carotenoides, dentro de los que se destaca el β-caroteno y la luteína, que podrían ser utilizados en alimentos, debido a su poder antioxidante e, incluso, como colorante natural alternativo. Por lo anterior, el objetivo de este trabajo fue obtener un extracto rico en carotenoides a partir de su corteza; para ello, se evaluó la extracción con etanol, mediante tres técnicas: inmersión, baño termostático y soxhlet. El mayor rendimiento, se obtuvo con el método soxhlet; para esta técnica, se estudió el efecto de la concentración de etanol (entre 80% y 90% v/v), la proporción solvente-materia prima (con relaciones entre 40:1 y 50:1) y el tiempo (definido entre 90 y 150 minutos). Los resultados, se analizaron mediante modelo de superficie de respuesta, obteniendo el mayor rendimiento con etanol al 90%, utilizando 50mL/g corteza y 150 minutos de operación. A estas condiciones, el rendimiento de extracción fue de 2208,53µg β-caroteno/100g muestra. Por último, se determinó la diferencia de color entre el extracto óptimo y una solución de tartrazina, evidenciando una diferencia de color de 3,07 unidades cieLAB, lo cual, muestra que el producto de lixiviación de la corteza de maracuyá tiene potencial para su uso como aditivo alimentario, reemplazando colorantes sintéticos, como la tartrazina.

ABSTRACT Passion fruit is a tropical fruit that is usually cultivated to obtain pulp, being the cortex its main not exploited by-product, because of the actual absence of industrial interest. However, with the aim of diversifying the derivates from the production of passion fruit products, it has been demonstrated that the cortex contains carotenoids, such as β-carotene and lutein; which could be used in food due to its antioxidant capacity, or even like a food colorant. Therefore, the objective of this work was to obtain a carotenoid-rich extract from its cortex; for this, three techniques of extraction with ethanol were evaluated, by immersion, thermostatic bath and Soxhlet. Being the last technique that one with which the best yield was obtained. With the highest yield technique, the following factors were evaluated: ethanol concentration on 80% and 90% v/v, solvent-raw material ratio on 40:1 and 50:1 and time on 90 and 150min. The best yield was obtaining to 90% ethanol, 50mL solvent/g raw material and 150min, for an extraction yield of 2208.53µg β-caroten/100 g sample. Finally, the color difference between the optimal extract and a tartrazine solution was determined, evidencing a color difference of 3.07cieLAB units; this shows that the passion fruit leaching product has the potential to be used as a food additive, replacing synthetic dyes such as tartrazine.

Caracterización y estabilidad de un extracto rico en antocianinas a partir de corteza de gulupa / Characterization and stability of an extract rich in anthocyanins from passion purple fruit peel / Caracterização e estabilidade de um extrato rico em antocianinas de cortez de fruta roxa da paixão

Resumen La gulupa es una fruta originaria de la región amazónica, cuyo epicarpio es un subproducto con alto potencial en antioxidantes como las antocianinas. Por lo anterior, los objetivos de este estudio fueron realizar una extracción por solvente, a partir del epicarpio, para obtener un extracto rico en antocianinas; caracterizar su capacidad antioxidante y realizar la cinética de degradación de antocianinas monoméricas durante el almacenamiento a tres temperaturas (-14 ± 2 °C, 5 ± 1 °C y 21 ± 0,7 °C). En consecuencia, se obtuvo un extracto con un contenido de antocianinas de 165 ±9 mg cianidina-3-O-glucosido/L. La capacidad antioxidante fue de 464 ± 19 y 366 ± 7 μmol Trolox/100 g de extracto, según los ensayos FRAP y DPPH respectivamente, y un contenido de vitamina C de 2,07 ± 0,04 mg ácido ascórbico/100 g de extracto. La cinética de degradación se definió por el orden uno con las siguientes constantes: 2, 1·10-3, 8, 6·10-3 y 2,7·10-2 días-1 para -14 ± 2 °C, 5 ± 1 °C y 21 ± 0,7 °C respectivamente, generando una energía de activación de 46, 0·103 J/mo'l. Por consiguiente, se concluyó que es posible obtener, a partir del epicarpio de gulupa, extractos ricos en compuestos de alto valor como las antocianinas, los cuales son afectados por la temperatura de almacenamiento, siendo este un factor para considerar durante su aplicación en matrices alimentarias.

Abstract Purple passion fruit is a fruit from the Amazon region whose epicarp is a by-product with high potential as a source of anthocyanins. The objective of this investigation was to do a solvent extraction from the epicarp to obtain an extract rich in anthocyanins, and then, to characterize its antioxidant capacity, and evaluate the anthocyanin kinetic degradation during storage at three temperatures (-14 ± 2 °C, 5 ± 1 °C and 21 ± 0,7 °C). In consequence, an extract was obtained with an anthocyanin content of 165 ± 9 mg cyanidin-3-O-glucoside/L, an antioxidant capacity of 464 ± 19 and 366 ± 7 μmol Trolox/100 g extract according to FRAP and DPPH assays respectively, and a vitamin C content of 2.07 ± 0.04 mg ascorbic acid/100 g extract. The degradation kinetics was defined by order one with the following degradation constants: 2,1·10-3, 8,6·10-3 and 2,7·10-2 days-1 for -14 ± 2 °C, 5 ± 1 °C and 21 ± 0,7 °C, respectively, which corresponds to an activation energy of 46.0·10-3 J/mol. Therefore, it is concluded that is possible to obtain, from purple passion fruit epicarp, high-value compounds extract rich, such as anthocyanin, that is affected by storage temperature, which is an important factor during its use in food matrices.

Resumo O maracujá roxo é uma fruta nativa da região amazónica cujo epicarpo é um subproduto com alto potencial em antioxidantes como as antocianinas. Por conseguinte, o objectivo deste estudo foi a extracção por solventes a partir de epicarpo para se obter um extracto rico em antocianinas, caracterizar a sua capacidade antioxidante e executar a cinética de degradação de antocianinas monoméricas durante o armazenamento a três temperaturas (-14 ± 2 °C, 5 ± 1 °C e 21 ± 0,7 °C). Portanto, obteve-se um extracto contendo antocianina 165 ± 9 mg de cianidina-3-glucósido ou/L, a capacidade antioxidante de 464 ± 19 e 366 ± 7 micromol Trolox/100 g de extrato de acordo com o ensaio de FRAP e DPPH, e vitamina C de 2,07 ± 0,04 mg de ácido ascórbico/100 g de extrato. A cinética de degradação foi definida por ordem um com as seguintes constantes: 2,1·10-3, 8,6·10-3 e 2,7·10-2 dias-1 para -14 ± 2 °C, 5 ± 1 °C e 21 ± 0,7 °C respectivamente, gerando uma energia de ativação de 46,0·103 J/mol. Portanto, conclui-se que é possível obter, a partir de gulupa epicarpo, extrai rico em compostos de alto valor, tais como as antocianinas, as quais são afectadas por temperatura de armazenamento, sendo este um factor para ter em conta a sua aplicação em matrizes alimentares.

Study of the physical and chemical changes during the maturation of three cocoa clones, EET8, CCN51, and ICS60.

BACKGROUND: Colombia is known for its production of fine and aromatic cocoa; however, the lack of homogeneity in the ripeness stage of cocoa fruit affects the final quality of cocoa beans. Therefore, the aim of this work was to identify parameters that can be use as indicators of ripeness in cocoa fruit in order to homogenize the characteristics of raw cocoa used in the production of cocoa-products industry. The parameters evaluated were fruit, seed and pod weight, firmness, color, polar and equatorial diameters of the fruit, seed moisture content, total titratable acidity, pH, and total soluble solids of pulp. RESULTS: Factors such as seed weight, firmness, diameters, total soluble solids, pH, and acidity were affected by the clone factor, whereas seed weight, pH, and total titratable acidity were affected by ripeness stage. CONCLUSION: Identification of indicators of ripeness for cocoa fruit is a complex task due to the influence of the clone on the evolution of the physicochemical characteristics of cocoa fruit during its maturation process. Thus, indicators must be developed for each clone, and at least two parameters among color, pH, and total titratable acidity should be used to determine the ripeness stage of cocoa fruit. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Efecto del tratamiento y tiempo de almacenamiento sobre los compuestos funcionales de subproductos de mora y fresa / Effect of treatment and storage time on the functional compounds of blackberry and strawberry by-products

RESUMEN Cerca de un tercio de las partes comestibles de los alimentos para el consumo humano se pierden, siendo mermas asociadas a factores de toda la cadena de abastecimiento. Dentro de dichos alimentos, se destacan la fresa (Fragaria ananassa) y la mora (Rubus glaucus Benth), frutas que han demostrado alto poder antioxidante, siendo relacionado con la prevención o el tratamiento de enfermedades. Por consiguiente, con el propósito de evidenciar el potencial para la obtención de compuestos de interés en los subproductos del procesamiento de dichas frutas, el presente estudio, se enfocó en la caracterización de los parámetros fisicoquímicos, color, poder antioxidante y vitamina C, en cuatro condiciones de conservación, durante cuatro semanas; estas fueron: coproducto fresco, refrigerado, secado convencional y liofilización, siendo caracterizadas también por su contenido de minerales. A partir de los resultados, se evidenció baja concentración de sólidos solubles, pH variable, entre 3,2 y 6,4, así como parámetros de color estables, durante el almacenamiento. Adicionalmente, los coproductos con mayor poder antioxidante fueron la semilla de mora liofilizada y el lodo de mora por secado convencional, superando al residuo de fresa en cualquier condición, según los ensayos FRAP y DPPH, respectivamente; no obstante, todas las muestras presentaron bajos contenidos en vitamina C, mientras que se caracterizaron por su alto contenido en potasio y hierro. Por consiguiente, lo anterior, muestra el interés por la obtención de compuestos, como minerales y antioxidantes, a partir de los desechos de mora y de fresa, así como su uso en productos con alto valor agregado.

ABSTRACT Near of one third of the edible food that human being cultivate are loses, which are due to factors from the supply chain. Within these was highlighted strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) and blackberry (Rubus glaucus Benth), fruits that have demonstrated high antioxidant potential to which is related with prevention of some diseases. Therefore, with the aim to show the processing by-products' potential in the obtaining of interesting compounds, this study was focused on the characterization of their physicochemical parameters, color, antioxidant power and vitamin C in four preservation conditions for four weeks; these were: fresh by-product, refrigerated, conventional drying and lyophilization; also, mineral description was made for each sample. According to the results, it was proved that the samples had a lower solid soluble concentration, pH between 3.2 and 6.4, and stable color parameters during the storage. In addition, by-products with greater antioxidant power were lyophilizate blackberry seed and conventional drying blackberry sludge, which surpassed the strawberry's results in all the conditions conforming to FRAP and DPPH essays. However, all the samples presented low content of vitamin C, while they exhibited high content of potassium and iron. To sum up, above mentioned woke the interest on the minerals or antioxidant obtention from blackberry and strawberry by-products to which can be used in products with high value added.

Effect of high-pressure homogenization on different matrices of food supplements.

There is a growing demand for food supplements containing high amounts of vitamins, phenolic compounds and mineral content that provide health benefits. Those functional compounds have different solubility properties, and the maintenance of their compounds and the guarantee of their homogenic properties need the application of novel technologies. The quality of different drinkable functional foods after thermal processing (0.1 MPa) or high-pressure homogenization under two different conditions (80 MPa, 33 ℃ and 120 MPa, 43 ℃) was studied. Physicochemical characteristics and sensory qualities were evaluated throughout the six months of accelerated storage at 40 ℃ and 75% relative humidity (RH). Aroma and color were better maintained in high-pressure homogenization-treated samples than the thermally treated ones, which contributed significantly to extending their shelf life. The small particle size obtained after high-pressure homogenization treatments caused differences in turbidity and viscosity with respect to heat-treated samples. The use of high-pressure homogenization, more specifically, 120 MPa, provided active ingredient homogeneity to ensure uniform content in functional food supplements. Although the effect of high-pressure homogenization can be affected by the food matrix, high-pressure homogenization can be implemented as an alternative to conventional heat treatments in a commercial setting within the functional food supplement or pharmaceutical industry.

Effect of storage time and temperature on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of commercial apricot jam.

Storage conditions are important factors for jam quality. The objective of this study was to monitor the physicochemical stability and sensorial profile of apricot jam during storage for 60 days at 5 °C, 25 °C and 37 °C. For that purpose, special attention was paid to total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), colour, free amino acids (FAA), total sugars (TS) and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). The decreasing parameter for jam at the end of storage under 5 °C, 25 °C and 37 °C, respectively, were 16.81%, 34.30% and 56.01% for FAA, and 5.52%, 9.02% and 7.46% for TS; likewise, the increasing were 19.81%, 22.94% and 25.07% for TA, 3.15%, 4.08% and 4.47% for TSS, 15.96%, 112.76% and 150% for HMF. Jam stability was better at 5 °C than 25 °C and 37 °C. The interaction time-temperature factor had significant effects on pH, TS, FAA and HMF, unlike TA, TSS and sensorial profile.

Influence of acidification, pasteurization, centrifugation and storage time and temperature on watermelon juice quality.

BACKGROUND: Watermelon juice has gained increasing popularity among consumers as a rich natural source of functional compounds such as lycopene and citrulline. However, the final quality of the juice depends significantly on its acidification, pasteurization, centrifugation and storage time and temperature. In this study, these characteristics were assessed in watermelon juice pasteurized at 87.7 °C for 20 s and stored for up to 30 days at 4 or 8 °C. RESULTS: The acidifier citric acid provided an adequate sensory quality, similar to natural watermelon juice. Centrifugation and pasteurization significantly reduced the red color, bioactive compounds (lycopene, antioxidant capacity and total polyphenols) and sensory quality of the juice, particularly when the storage time was extended and a temperature of 8 °C was used (P ≤ 0.05). All treated juices were microbiologically safe for up to 30 days when stored at 4 or 8 °C. In terms of sensory acceptability, only non-centrifuged juices stored for up to 20 days at 4 °C remained above the commercial limit. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that using a non-centrifugation process and a storage temperature of 4 °C yields a watermelon juice that better retains its sensory and functional qualities.

Watermelon juice: potential functional drink for sore muscle relief in athletes.

l-Citrulline is an excellent candidate to reduce muscle soreness, and watermelon is a fruit rich in this amino acid. This study investigated the potential of watermelon juice as a functional drink for athletes. An in vitro study of intestinal absorption of l-citrulline in Caco-2 cells was performed using unpasteurized (NW), pasteurized (80 °C for 40 s) watermelon juice (PW) and, as control, a standard of l-citrulline. l-citrulline bioavailability was greater when it was contained in a matrix of watermelon and when no heat treatment was applied. In the in vivo experiment (maximum effort test in a cycloergometer), seven athletes were supplied with 500 mL of natural watermelon juice (1.17 g of l-citrulline), enriched watermelon juice (4.83 g of l-citrulline plus 1.17 g from watermelon), and placebo. Both watermelon juices helped to reduce the recovery heart rate and muscle soreness after 24 h.

Bioactive compounds from flesh and by-product of fresh-cut watermelon cultivars.

BACKGROUND: The fresh-cut industry produces thousands of tons of waste in non-edible portions that present an environmental and management problem. These by-products could be reused, in particular, to obtain bioactive compounds. In this study, five different fresh-cut watermelon cultivars were assessed for their flesh and by-product bioactive contents. RESULTS: The amount of by-product varied between 31.27 and 40.61% of initial fresh weight (f.w.) depending on the cultivar. Watermelon cultivars were poor sources of total antioxidant, and the content was similar between rind and flesh samples (46.96 vs 43.46 mg ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity kg(-1) f.w.). However, the rind had a moderate total phenolic content higher than that of the flesh (458 vs 389 mg chlorogenic acid equivalent kg(-1) f.w.) and a much higher content of the amino acid citrulline (3.34 vs 2.33 g kg(-1) f.w.), which has potential bioactive properties. CONCLUSION: Watermelon rind offers quantitative interest as a natural source of citrulline, particularly Fashion, a dark-skinned, seedless cultivar. More research is required on the efficient extraction of citrulline from watermelon rind and its suitability as an additive to drinks, juices or others products to produce new functional food products with valid health claims.