Enhancing the physicochemical stability and antioxidant activity of cape gooseberry calyx extract through nanoencapsulation in soy lecithin liposomes.

The focus of this study was on the development, physicochemical characterisation and evaluation of the antioxidant activity of cape gooseberry calyx extract loaded into nanoliposomal systems. Various nanoliposomes were prepared and optimised using the ethanol injection method and characterised based on particle size, polydispersity and zeta potential measurements. Subsequently, the encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release profile of the natural antioxidant extract (NAE) were evaluated, and its antioxidant activity was assessed using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay. The results revealed that NAE-loaded nanoliposomes described desired quality features (e.g., particle size of < 200 nm, polydispersity index of < 0.3, zeta potential of > -40 mV and encapsulation efficiency of ∼70%). Furthermore, it was found that NAE release is controlled by various stages, and its antioxidant activity improves by around 30% when loaded into the nanoliposomes, suggesting that it could be a promising antioxidant functional raw material.

Rutin: Family Farming Products' Extraction Sources, Industrial Applications and Current Trends in Biological Activity Protection.

In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the bioactivity of rutin, a dietary flavonol naturally found in several plant species. Despite widespread knowledge of its numerous health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective and cardiovascular effects, industrial use of rutin is still limited due to its low solubility in aqueous media, the characteristic bitter and astringent taste of phenolic compounds and its susceptibility to degradation during processing. To expand its applications and preserve its biological activity, novel encapsulation systems have been developed. This review presents updated research on the extraction sources and methodologies of rutin from fruit and vegetable products commonly found in a regular diet and grown using family farming approaches. Additionally, this review covers quantitative analysis techniques, encapsulation methods utilizing nanoparticles, colloidal and heterodisperse systems, as well as industrial applications of rutin.

Cambios fisiológicos de dos variedades de arveja almacenada en diferentes tipos de empaque y temperatura / Physiological changes of two varieties of pea stored in different types of packing and temperature

RESUMEN La arveja, una fuente económica para pequeños y medianos agricultores de la zona andina, evidencia un incipiente manejo pos-cosecha y un nulo nivel de transformación. Tras la cosecha y debido a su naturaleza temporal y perecedera, la arveja acelera su metabolismo, disminuyendo su calidad y vida útil. Una opción económica y que esté disponible para los productores y LOS comercializadores para conservar sus características es el uso de empaques y la refrigeración. El objetivo fue evaluar tipos de empaques (bolsa de polietileno de baja densidad -PE-LD-, envase plástico termoformado perforado -PE-HD- y bandeja de poliestireno -PS-) y temperaturas de almacenamiento (0°C, 4°C y 18°C) en dos variedades de arveja, Sureña y Obonuco Andina. Se utilizó un diseño irrestrictamente al azar con arreglo factorial 3x3x2, teniendo como factores temperatura, empaque y variedad y como variables de estudio, las constantes cinéticas (K) de porcentaje de brotación, firmeza, pérdida de peso e índice de color. Los resultados mostraron que, para la brotación, se presentó el valor más bajo de K en Sureña, en PE-LD, a 0°C. La temperatura afectó la firmeza de los granos, conservándose a 0°C. La menor pérdida de peso se evidenció en PE-HD, a 0°C, independiente de la variedad. Para el índice de color, la K más baja se encontró en PS, a 0°C, en Obonuco Andina. Con la ecuación de Arrhenius en la variable índice de color, se estimó tiempos de vida útil de 13; 7; 5 y 2 días a temperaturas de 0°C, 6°C, 10°C y 24°C, respectivamente.

ABSTRACT The pea, an economic source for small and medium farmers in the Andes zone, evidences an incipient postharvest handling and a null level of transformation. After the harvest and due to its temporary and perishable nature, the pea accelerates its metabolism, decreasing its quality and shelf life. An economic option that is available to producers and marketers to preserve their characteristics is the use of packaging and refrigeration. The objective was to evaluate types of packaging (low density polyethylene bag (PE-LD), perforated thermoformed plastic container (PE-HD) and polystyrene tray (PS)) and storage temperatures (0°C, 4°C and 18°C) in two pea varieties (Sureña and Obonuco Andina). An unrestricted random design with a 3x3x2 factorial arrangement was used, taking as factors temperature, packing and variety; and as study variables the kinetic constants (K) of percentage of sprouting, firmness, weight loss and color index. The results showed that, for the sprouting, the lowest value of K was shown in Sureña, in PE-LD at 0°C. The temperature affected the firmness of the grains, remaining at 0°C. The lowest weight loss was evidenced in PE-HD at 0°C, regardless of the variety. For the color index, the lowest K was found in PS at 0°C, in Obonuco Andina. With the Arrhenius equation in the variable color index, useful life times of 13; 7; 5 and 2 days were estimated at temperatures of 0°C, 6°C, 10°C and 24°C respectively.

Diseño de un alimento infantil listo para consumir fortificado con hierro a base de arveja (Pisum sativum) / Design of a ready-to-eat child food fortified with pea-based iron (Pisum sativum)

Resumen Introducción: La deficiencia de hierro es uno de los problemas nutricionales más prevalentes a nivel mundial y afecta principalmente a la población vulnerable como niños menores de 5 años. Los alimentos fortificados de consumo infantil hacen parte de las estrategias de intervención y se elaboran a partir de la mezcla ingredientes como cereales, frutas, leguminosas, entre otros. La arveja, es una leguminosa que puede ser empleada con el fin de aprovechar sus propiedades nutricionales. Objetivo: Diseñar un alimento infantil con arveja (Pisum sativum) listo para consumir, fortificado con hierro e higienizado por pasteurización. Materiales y métodos: Se seleccionó el porcentaje de arveja adecuado en el alimento mediante análisis sensorial. La selección de la sal de hierro se realizó mediante análisis fisicoquímico y sensorial empleando sulfato ferroso y hierro aminoquelado. Posteriormente se evaluó el crecimiento de microorganismos mesófilos con el fin de seleccionar el tratamiento térmico de pasteurización. La evaluación de vida útil se llevó a cabo a través de pruebas sensoriales. Finalmente se realizó la evaluación fisicoquímica, composicional y microbiológica del alimento higienizado. Resultados: La adición de arveja en porcentajes no mayores al 6,5% dentro de la formulación del alimento resultó aceptable para los padres de niños menores de 5 años. Por otra parte la sal seleccionada por generar menos cambios sobre el color y la acidez del alimento durante el almacenamiento fue hierro aminoquelado. Los resultados de tratamiento térmico mostraron que para reducir la concentración inicial de mesófilos y obtener un alimento de buena calidad de acuerdo con la normativa colombiana vigente fue necesario someter el alimento a 85°C durante 13 minutos (0,45 D), con lo que se consiguió mantener la calidad inicial del alimento durante 12 días bajo refrigeración. Conclusiones: El alimento desarrollado cumple con los criterios sensoriales y microbiológicos exigidos en la normativa colombiana vigente y es apto para el consumo, además se puede catalogar como alto en hierro y buena fuente de proteína, aportando el 25% y el 15% de la recomendación diaria en Colombia respectivamente.

Abstract Introduction: Iron deficiency is one of the most prevalent nutritional problems at the global level which mainly affects the vulnerable population as children under 5 years of age. Fortified foods of child consumption are part of the intervention strategies, which are made from the mixture of ingredients such as cereals, fruits, legumes, among others. Pea is a legume that can be used in order to take advantage of its nutritional properties. Objective: To design a ready-to-eat child food with peas (Pisum sativum), fortified with iron and sanitized by pasteurization. Materials and methods: The appropriate percentage of peas in the food was selected by sensory analysis. The selection of iron salt was made by physicochemical and sensory analysis using ferrous sulphate and chelate iron. Subsequently, the growth of mesophilic microorganisms was evaluated in order to select the pasteurization heat treatment. The useful life evaluation was carried out through sensory tests. Finally, the physico-chemical, compositional and microbiological evaluation of the sanitized food was implemented. Results: The addition of peas in percentages not greater than 6.5% within the food formulation was acceptable for parents of children under 5. On the other hand, the selected salt to generate less changes on the color and acidity of the food during storage was chelate iron. The results of heat treatment showed that for reducing the initial concentration of mesophiles and obtaining a good quality food according to the Colombian regulations in force, it was necessary to submit the food to 85 °C for 13 minutes (0.45 D), which managed to maintain the initial quality of the food for 12 days under refrigeration. Conclusions: The developed food complies with the sensory and microbiological criteria demanded in the Colombian regulations in force and is suitable for consumption. Besides, it can be catalogued as high in iron and a good source of protein, contributing with 25% and 15% of the daily recommendation in Colombia, respectively.