Reduction in the Cocoa Spontaneous and Starter Culture Fermentation Time Based on the Antioxidant Profile Characterization.

In current systems, the fermentation spontaneous process produces fermented beans of heterogeneous quality due to the fermentation time. This study demonstrated that the fermentation time should be reduced. For this purpose, the physicochemical parameters, antioxidant profile, and volatile compounds were characterized in two types of fermentation (spontaneous and starter culture) for 168 h in cocoa from three altitude levels. Multivariate analysis (cluster and PCA) was used to discriminate the fermentation stages. We found three stages in all fermentations, where the first two stages (0 h to 96 h) were characterized by a higher antioxidant potential of the cocoa bean and the presence of desirable volatile compounds such as acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and esters, which are precursors of cocoa aroma; however, prolonged fermentation times affected the antioxidant profile of the bean. In addition, the use of a starter culture facilitates the release of compounds in a shorter time (especially alcohols and esters). It is concluded that it is necessary to reduce the fermentation time under these conditions in the region of Amazonas.

Food Technology forecasting: A based bibliometric update in functional chocolates.

Technology forecasting (TF) based on bibliometric tools allows knowing the technological trends of developed topics based on experience and current knowledge, thus anticipating future changes. To reduce hunger and improve nutrition, the food-based topic is of central concern, especially functional food. Among these, various studies on chocolates have been performed. On a global scale, these products are at the level of patents, with China leading it, vastly outperforming the cocoa-producing countries. Though no known functional chocolates are sold under that specific name, chocolates on the market serve as "carriers" of bioactive compounds. Unfortunately, they cannot be attributed to health properties since these properties have to be evaluated with in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. Launching functional chocolate on the market is possible; however, it would be a long-term process involving previous stages such as studying its ingredients' bioactive properties, laboratory-level product development, functional properties, and quality and acceptance parameters. For research purposes, it is possible to speak of functional chocolates, potentially functional chocolates, or chocolates enriched with bioactive compounds since the development of research does not necessarily involve launching the product on the market.

Antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content and phenolic compounds of pulp and bagasse of four Peruvian berries.

Revaluing agri-food waste to offer consumers bioactive compounds for a healthy diet is an important issue. In the present work, the antioxidant capacity (AC), total phenolic content (TPC) and phenolic compounds of pulp and bagasse of four Peruvian berries with UHPLC-DAD was determined. Elderberry (Sambucus peruviana Kunth) bagasse had a greater amount of TPC (4.87 ± 0.02 mg GAE/100 gfw) and AC (7.66 ± 0.04 and 7.51 ± 0.24 µmol TE/gfw in DPPH and ABTS, respectively) than the bagasse of the other berries, with a strong positive correlation between TPC and AC. Blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth) bagasse contains the highest amount of gallic acid (103.26 ± 1.59 µg/gfw), chlorogenic acid (1276.55 ± 1.86 µg/gfw), caffeic acid (144.46 ± 1.78 µg/gfw), epicatechin (1113.88 ± 1.82 µg/gfw) and p-coumaric acid (77.82 ± 1.92 µg/gfw). Elderberry (Sambucus peruviana Kunth) bagasse contains the highest amount of catechin (153.32 ± 0.79 µg/gfw). No significant differences were found in the content of chlorogenic acid and epicatechin of blackberry (Rubus roseus Poir). It was shown that the wastes of the four Amazonian berries have higher values of bioactive properties than their pulp, being the elderberry bagasse the one with the best properties.

Kinetics Drying of Blackberry Bagasse and Degradation of Anthocyanins and Bioactive Properties.

The process of drying food is necessary to preserve it; however, some bioactive compounds can be degraded during drying process. In this work, the convective drying process of Peruvian blackberry bagasse and the degradation of anthocyanins, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant capacity (AC) were studied. The logarithmic model fitted well to the data and could predict the process, showing that 6 h of drying at 90 °C is enough to reach equilibrium moisture. Anthocyanin degradation followed a first-order kinetic model with reaction rate constant between 5.45 × 10-2 ± 4.68 × 10-3 and 1.21 × 10-1 ± 2.31 × 10-2 h-1, and activation energy of 25.11 kJ/mol. The highest retention (84.38%) of anthocyanins was obtained in 1 h at 50 °C and the highest degradation (68.54%) in 6 h at 90 °C. The TPC and AC increased with the drying time and temperature due to the increased water evaporation.