Potato snacks added with active components: effects of the vacuum impregnation and drying processes.

Potato snacks can be used as an ideal strategy for nutrient delivery, since they are one of the most widely consumed products in the world. Due to fried snacks are known to be a significant source of fat intake, consumption is changing towards healthier alternatives. The aim of this research is to evaluate the effect of vacuum impregnation and three dehydration techniques: heated air drying, freeze drying, and microwave vacuum drying of the potato snack that has been fortified with active components: calcium and vitamins C and E. Vacuum impregnation was evaluated using the response surface methodology that had a central composite experimental design with the following independent variables: vacuum pressure, vacuum stage time, and atmospheric stage time. The following were the dependent variables: fraction and volumetric deformation in the vacuum stage and at the end of the process and effective porosity. Finally, a sensorial analysis was carried out on the dehydrated potatoes. The results of the optimal vacuum impregnation process conditions were: a vacuum pressure of 77.3 kPa for 3.0 min followed by 4.0 min at atmospheric pressure. The content of calcium, vitamin C, and vitamin E in the impregnated potato were 956, 472, and 35 mg 100 g-1 dry solids, respectively. The highest retention of the active components in snacks was obtained by the combination of vacuum impregnation and the dehydration techniques in the following order: freeze drying, microwave vacuum drying, and then heated air drying. It can be concluded that the integration processes give an added value to potato snacks due to the increased content of the active components; additionally, the vacuum impregnation process together with microwave vacuum drying was the alternative that had the highest sensorial acceptability.

Characterization of a polyhydroxyalkanoate obtained from pineapple peel waste using Ralsthonia eutropha.

Agro-industrial waste can be the production source of biopolymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoates. The aim of this study was to produce and characterize Polyhydroxyalkanoates produced from pineapple peel waste fermentation processes. The methodology includes different pineapple peel waste fermentation conditions. The produced biopolymer was characterized using FTIR, GC-MS and NMR. The best fermentation condition for biopolymer production was obtained using pH 9, Carbon/Nitrogen 11, carbon/phosphorus 6 and fermentation time of 60h. FTIR analyzes showed PHB group characteristics, such as OH, CH and CO. In addition, GC-MS showed two monomers with 4 and 8 carbons, referred to PHB and PHBHV. H(1) NMR analysis showed 0.88-0.97 and 5.27ppm signals, corresponding to CH3 and CH, respectively. In conclusion, polyhydroxyalkanoate production from pineapple peels waste is an alternative for the treatment of waste generated in Colombia's fruit industry.

Evaluation of antioxidant capacity in coffees marketed in Colombia: Relationship with the extent of non-enzymatic browning.

Fifty-eight samples of commercial Colombian coffee with different characteristics (soluble, ground, decaffeinated, etc) were evaluated for antioxidant capacity (AC) (ABTS and FRAP), total soluble phenolics (TP), browning index (BI), color parameters (L(∗), a(∗), b(∗), c(∗) and h(∗)), HMF and furfural. The AC in Colombian coffees was very varied (164-1000, 100.8-885.9µmol of Trolox equiv/g and 12.5-127mg gallic acid equiv/g, respectively for ABTS, FRAP and TP). AC, TP, BI, color, HMF and furfural values were higher (p<0.05) in soluble coffees than in ground ones, showing the lyophilized samples which showed the highest average values. Significant lineal correlations (p<0.05) were found between AC and color parameters, BI, HMF. No significant (p<0.05) differences in the AC between the different types of coffee were found. This work confirms the direct relationship between the rate of non-enzymatic browning and antioxidant capacity.

Alimentos típicos de Boyacá, Colombia / Typical food from Boyacá, Colombia

En el presente trabajo se presenta una muestra de las comidas típicas del departamento de Boyacá-Colombia, además de la descripción y origen de algunos alimentos y la importancia de éstos para las comunidades ancestrales. El propósito es compilar la memoria de algunas tradiciones culinarias colombianas, con énfasis en Boyacá. El documento incluye un reporte de los alimentos de mayor producción y una aproximación a los platos más representativos de la dieta boyacense en el desayuno, almuerzo y cena, así como algunas bebidas y pasabocas; finalmente se presenta un mapa gastronómico de la región y un cuadro con las diferentes ocasiones en que se consumen ciertos platos. Se concluye que la cocina de Boyacá es muy variada, sin embargo se ve amenazada por las nuevas influencias culturales y ritmos de vida; de ahí la importancia de retornar nuestras raíces para no perder el horizonte y en consecuencia la identidad.

The present work presents a sample of typical meals of Boyacá-Colombia. It also describes some foods, their origin and the importance of them for indigenous communities. The purpose was to compile the memory of some Colombian culinary traditions specifically those in Boyacá. The manuscript includes a report of the most produced foods and an approximation to the most representative dishes of the diet of this region, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, beverages and snacks. Finally, we present a gastronomic map of the region and a chart with the different occasions where certain dishes are consumed. We concluded that Boyaca's cuisine is diverse. However, it is threatened for new cultural influences and lifestyles. Therefore, it is important to return to our roots to avoid losing the horizon and the identity.