Passion fruit by-products (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) as a potential fat replacer in ice cream.

In recent years, people have become interested in consuming low-fat foods as this reduces the risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease. For this reason, this study optimized the incorporation of passion fruit epicarp (PFE) as a partial fat substitute in dairy ice cream. For this purpose, a central composite rotational design 22 was performed and 5 response variables were optimized, of which 4 variables were maximized (percentage overrun, hardness, adhesiveness, and color coordinates L*, a*, b*), while the melting rate was minimized as a function of two factors (% PFE and % fat). The stability of three types of ice cream was then evaluated: experimental ice cream (3% milk fat and 0.97% PFE), commercial ice cream (4% milk fat and 2% vegetable fat) and control ice cream (3% milk fat without PFE added), according to their physicochemical and sensory properties during 57 days of storage (-22 °C, 85% relative humidity). The results showed that it was possible to reduce the milk fat by up to 25% by adding PFE (0.97%), which significantly reduced the melting rate and resulted in higher hardness (N), adhesiveness and increased yellowness compared to the commercial samples. The optical microscopy analysis also showed that PFE keeps the air bubbles immobile due to the increased viscosity in the serum phase during the 57-day storage.

Pancake ready mix enriched with dehydrated squash pulp (Cucurbita moschata): formulation and shelf life.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical, sensory and texture characteristics of pancakes which contained dehydrated squash pulp (10 and 30 g/100 g of ready mix pancake). For this, first the physicochemical characteristics as well as the thermal and functional properties of dehydrated squash pulp (DSP) were determined. Then, the stability of the pancake ready mix was evaluated, through its physical-chemical and microbiological properties, during a storage period of 3 weeks, at 25, 40 and 50 °C. Finally, shelf life was estimated by means of two predictive methods (reaction kinetics and microbiological method). Results showed that DSP presented a high dietary fiber content (30.02 g/100 g), total carotenoids (452.04 µg/g), and phenolic compounds (415 ± 9.19 mg GAE/100 g), high swelling power, low solubility and emulsifying capacity. The formulation with the highest acceptance was that containing 10% dehydrated squash pulp (DSP-10), which obtained a shelf life of 5.39 weeks (28 °C) (reaction kinetics) and 33.51 weeks (microbiological method).

Evaluación del potencial de uso de epicarpio de maracuyá deshidratado ( Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa O. Deg.) en la formulación de yogurt / Evaluation of the potential use of passion fruit dehydrated epicarp ( Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa O. Deg.) in the formulation of yogurt

RESUMEN La fibra dietética ayuda a reducir el riesgo de padecer algunas enfermedades crónicas, a pesar de esto, su ingesta mundial es menor que los niveles recomendados. Este hecho motiva a la industria alimentaria a incorporar fibra dietética, obtenida de fuentes vegetales en productos alimenticios, como el yogurt. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar las principales características de calidad de diferentes formulaciones de yogurt, en función de la incorporación de epicarpio de maracuyá deshidratado (EMD), con alto contenido de fibra dietaria (71,4 ± 0,04%), en concentración de 0 y 0,5% y el efecto que ejerce la grasa láctea presente en la leche cruda de vaca, en concentración de 0, 0,5 y 3,0%. Algunas propiedades fisicoquímicas, tales como pH, acidez titulable (%), viscosidad (cP) y parámetros de color por método CIELab fueron evaluadas en seis formulaciones diferentes. De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos, se realizó un análisis sensorial y se evaluó la estabilidad de dos formulaciones de yogurt, durante un periodo de almacenamiento de 29 días, a 4°C. La incorporación de EMD contribuyó significativamente al incremento de acidez y la viscosidad en el producto. El EMD favoreció la estabilidad del gel y permitió obtener resultados aceptables en atributos sensoriales hasta el día 15 de almacenamiento. La incorporación de EMD en la elaboración de yogurt permitió enriquecer el valor, debido al aporte de fibra dietaria, la cual, puede actuar como sustituto funcional de la grasa láctea.

ABSTRACT Dietary fiber helps to reduce the risk of suffering from some chronic diseases. Despite this, the global average intake of this component is still lower compared to the recommended levels. This fact has motivated to the food industry to incorporate dietary fiber obtained from vegetable sources in food products. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the main quality characteristics of different yogurt formulations, as the function of the incorporation of dehydrated passion fruit epicarp with a high dietary fiber content (71,4 ± 0,04%), and concentrations of 0 - 0,5% and the effect of dairy fat present in raw cow milk in concentrations of 0, 0,5 and 3,0%. Some physical-chemical properties such as pH, acidity (% of lactic acid), viscosity (cP) and color parameters by use of CIELab system method were evaluated in 6 different formulations. According to the results, a sensorial analysis was conducted and the stability of two yogurt formulations was determined during a storage period of 29 days at 4°C.The incorporation of EMD significantly contributed to the increase of the acidity and viscosity of the product. EMD favored the stability of yogurt gel and allowed to obtain acceptable results in sensorial attributes until day 15 of storage. The incorporation of EMD in the elaboration of yogurt, allowed the enrichment of the nutritional value due to the contribution of dietary fiber, which can act as a functional substitute of dairy fat.

Modelamiento matemático de la cinética de secado de espagueti enriquecido con pulpa de zapallo deshidratada ( Cucurbita moschata ) / Mathematical modeling of spaghetti drying kinetics enriched with dehydrated squash pulp ( Cucurbita moschata )

RESUMEN A pesar que diversos estudios se han llevado a cabo sobre modelamiento matemático de las cinéticas de secado de espagueti, no se han desarrollado para espaguetis con sustitución de sémola de trigo Triticum durum por pulpa de zapallo deshidratada (PZD), por lo tanto, el objetivo de esta investigación fue modelar las cinéticas de secado de espagueti sustituido parcialmente con PZD (5 y 10g/100g harina), evaluar el efecto de la sustitución y la temperatura (50 y 60°C), sobre el tiempo de secado (contenido de humedad final = 0,13g/g b.s.), la difusividad efectiva (De) y algunas características que definen la calidad del producto (contenido de humedad, calidad de cocción y contenido de carotenoides totales). Para ello, se emplearon modelos matemáticos reportados en la literatura, como también la segunda ley de Fick, para un cilindro infinito. Los resultados mostraron que los modelos Henderson & Pabis y el Logarítmico presentaron mayor ajuste (R2 ≥ 0,90) a las cinéticas de secado experimentales; por el contrario, el modelo de Lewis presentó el menor ajuste. Se obtuvieron tiempos de secado de 5,00-4,10h, para las cinéticas realizadas a 50°C y tiempos de secado de 3,40-2,80h (aproximadamente), para las cinéticas a 60°C. De varió desde 1,50 hasta 2,50 x 10-7 cm2s-1, la cual, aumentó con la temperatura. En definitiva, la calidad del espagueti se afectó negativamente con el aumento de PZD y positivamente con el aumento de la temperatura de secado.

ABSTRACT Although several studies have been carried out on mathematical modeling of the spaghetti drying kinetics, they have not been developed for spaghetti with an incorporation of Triticum durum wheat semolina by dehydrated squash pulp (DSP). Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to model the kinetics of spaghetti drying partially substituted with DSP (5 and 10g/100g flour), to evaluate the effect of substitution and temperature (50 and 60°C), on the time of drying (final moisture content = 0.13g/g d.b.), the effective diffusivity (De) and some characteristics that define the quality of the product (moisture content, cooking quality and total carotenoid content). For this, mathematical models reported in the literature were used, as well as the second law of Fick for an infinite cylinder. The results showed that the Henderson & Pabis and the Logarithmic models presented greater adjustment (R2 ≥ 0.90) to the experimental drying kinetics. On the contrary, the Lewis model presented the smallest adjustment. Drying times of 5.00-4.10h were obtained for the kinetics carried out at 50°C and drying times of 3.40-2.80h (approximately) for the kinetics at 60°C. It varied from 1.50 to 2.50 x 10-7cm2s-1, which increased with temperature. Finally, the spaghetti quality was negatively affected with the increase in PZD and positively with the increase in the drying temperature.

Antibacterial and Barrier Properties of Gelatin Coated by Electrospun Polycaprolactone Ultrathin Fibers Containing Black Pepper Oleoresin of Interest in Active Food Biopackaging Applications.

The present study evaluated the effect of using electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) as a barrier coating and black pepper oleoresin (OR) as a natural extract on the morphology, thermal, mechanical, antimicrobial, oxygen, and water vapor barrier properties of solvent cast gelatin (GEL). The antimicrobial activity of the developed multilayer system obtained by the so-called electrospinning coating technique was also evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus strains for 10 days. The results showed that the multilayer system containing PCL and OR increased the thermal resistance, elongated the GEL film, and significantly diminished its permeance to water vapor. Active multilayer systems stored in hermetically closed bottles increased their antimicrobial activity after 10 days by inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. This study demonstrates that addition of electrospun PCL ultrathin fibers and OR improved the properties of GEL films, which promoted its potential use in active food packaging applications.

Development of Antimicrobial Biocomposite Films to Preserve the Quality of Bread.

This study focused on the development of gelatin-based films with incorporation of microcrystalline cellulose as reinforcement material. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), and black pepper (Piper nigrum) oleoresins containing antimicrobial compounds of natural origin were incorporated into the films. The mechanical, thermal, optical, and structural properties, as well as color, seal strength and permeability to water vapor, light, and oil of the films were determined. Adding oleoresins to the gelatin matrix increased the elongation of the material and significantly diminished its permeability to water vapor and oil. Evaluation of the potential use of films containing different oleoresins as bread packaging material was influenced by the film properties. The biocomposite film containing oleoresin from black pepper was the most effective packaging material for maintaining bread's quality characteristics.

Nanocomposites based on banana starch reinforced with cellulose nanofibers isolated from banana peels.

Cellulose nanofibers were isolated from banana peel using a combination of chemical and mechanical treatments with different number of passages through the high-pressure homogenizer (0, 3, 5, and 7 passages). New nanocomposites were then prepared from a mixed suspension of banana starch and cellulose nanofibers using the casting method and the effect of the addition of these nanofibers on the properties of the resulting nanocomposites was investigated. The cellulose nanofibers homogeneously dispersed in the starch matrix increased the glass transition temperature, due to the strong intermolecular interactions occurring between the starch and cellulose. The nanocomposites exhibited significantly increased the tensile strength, Young's modulus, water-resistance, opacity, and crystallinity as the number of passages through the homogenizer augmented. However, a more drastic mechanical treatment (seven passages) caused defects in nanofibers, deteriorating the nanocomposite properties. The most suitable mechanical treatment condition for the preparation of cellulose nanofibers and the corresponding nanocomposite was five passages through the high-pressure homogenizer. In general, the cellulose nanofibers improved the features of the starch-based material and are potentially applicable as reinforcing elements in a variety of polymer composites.

Achira as a source of biodegradable materials: Isolation and characterization of nanofibers.

In this study, variations in the delignification and bleaching stages, acid hydrolysis and high-pressure homogenization, led to the development of 12 different treatments applied for obtaining nanofibers using fibrous residues arising from the starch extraction process from the achira rhizomes. The treatments were evaluated based on some properties and characteristics of nanofibers such as: morphology and size (by means of transmission electron microscopy), surface charge (by means of zeta potential measurements), crystallinity index (by means of X-ray diffraction analysis) and functional groups (by means of infrared spectroscopy). In general, the nanofibers showed particle diameters between 13.8 and 37.2nm, length between 832.8 and 2223.8nm and high crystallinity index (57.5% and 69.8%) compared with achira fibrous residue (17.3%). The results evidenced that fibrous residue from achira rhizomes can be used as a source of biodegradable materials of commercial interest.