Comparison of green solvents for the revalorization of orange by-products: Carotenoid extraction and in vitro antioxidant activity.

Orange peels contain a considerable number of bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, that can be used as ingredients in high-value products. The aim of this study was to compare orange peel extracts obtained with different green solvents (vegetable oils, fatty acids, and deep eutectic solvents (DES)). In addition, the chemical characterization of a new hydrophobic DES formed by octanoic acid and l-proline (C8:Pro) was performed. The extracts were compared in terms of carotenoid extraction, antioxidant activity by three methods, color, and environmental impact. The results confirmed that the mixture of C8:Pro is a DES and showed the highest carotenoid extraction (46.01 µg/g) compared to hexane (39.28 µg/g). The antioxidant activity was also the highest in C8:Pro (2438.8 µM TE/mL). Finally, two assessment models were used to evaluate the greenness and sustainability of the proposed extractions. These results demonstrated the potential use of orange peels in the circular economy and industry.

Nutritional assessment of the school menus offered in Spain's Mediterranean area.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to perform a nutritional assessment of the menus served in school canteens and to verify their effects on the nutrition of schoolchildren. METHODS: We selected three collective catering companies that offered ~53 500 menus/d in 369 schools in Spain's Mediterranean area (Valencian Community). The study included four public schools with different management models as well as different supply patterns. Considering the weight of the servings, the caloric contribution of the menus was estimated. RESULTS: Great diversity was seen both in the same school throughout the week and between the four schools (School 1: 298-946 kcal; School 2: 465-1185 kcal; School 3: 395-656 kcal; and School 4: 374-966 kcal). The energy intake from carbohydrates complied with the recommendations in three of the four schools, the energy provided from proteins was adequate in all of the schools, and the energy from lipids was higher than the recommended values in Schools 1 and 2, lower in School 3, and compliant in School 4. The most abundant fatty acids in the menus were oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids. The sodium content in the rated menus was 229 ± 72 mg/100 g. The highest salt content came from menus that included a precooked dish, processed meat, or both. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to review school menus and adjust the size of the servings to the age of the children. Correct nutritional education is essential for both kitchen staff and school canteen monitors.

Estudio de los hábitos y generación de desperdicios alimentarios de jóvenes estudiantes universitarios / A study of the habits and food waste production of young university students

INTRODUCCIÓN: la modernización de la sociedad ha supuesto una serie de cambios en los hábitos alimentarios y la práctica de actividad física de la población, así como una mayor generación de desperdicios alimentarios en los hogares. OBJETIVO: estudiar el desperdicio de alimentos en el hogar, valorando al mismo tiempo los hábitos alimentarios y estilos de vida de la población estudiante universitaria. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: los datos se recopilaron mediante una encuesta estructurada y autoadministrada online en la que se midieron los hábitos alimentarios (cuestionario de frecuencia) y el nivel de actividad física (IPAQ-Short) de los sujetos participantes, así como el desperdicio de alimentos de sus comidas principales mediante un registro fotográfico de tres días distintos según el método Comstock, estimación visual por cuartos. RESULTADOS: la mayor parte de los estudiantes no cumplen con las recomendaciones de frecuencia de consumo de cereales de grano entero, frutas, verduras, hortalizas, pescado y frutos secos, aunque la práctica de actividad física resultó ser alta. La media total del desperdicio, valorada en la escala de Comstock, se correspondió con un porcentaje del 14,5 %, desperdicio de tipo evitable principalmente. La carne fue el grupo de alimentos más consumido como fuente proteica, así como el de mayor desperdicio, junto con verduras y hortalizas. CONCLUSIONES: este estudio enfatiza aun más la necesidad de un mayor número de intervenciones en términos de adquisición e implementación de habilidades para mejorar los comportamientos alimentarios saludables, así como para reducir el desperdicio de alimentos por parte de la población universitaria

INTRODUCTION: the modernization of society has brought about a series of changes in the dietary habits and practice of physical exercise in the population, as well as a greater generation of food waste in homes. OBJECTIVE: to assess food waste at home and to evaluate the eating habits and lifestyles of university students. MATERIAL AND METHODS: data were collected through a structured, self-administered online survey in which the eating habits (frequency questionnaire) and level of physical activity (IPAQ-Short) of the participating subjects were measured, as well as the waste from main meals through a photographic record of three days according to the Comstock method, visual estimation. RESULTS: most of the students do not comply with the frequency recommendations for consumption of whole grain, fruits, vegetables, nuts and dried fruits, although the practice of physical activity is high, specifically moderate. The total average of waste as assessed with the Comstock scale corresponds to a percentage of 14.50 %, mainly avoidable waste. Meat was the most consumed food group as a source of protein, as well as the most wasteful along with vegetables. CONCLUSIONS: this study further emphasizes the need for a greater number of interventions in terms of acquisition and implementation of skills for improving healthy food behaviors, as well as for reducing food waste in university students

Green solvents and Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of bioactive orange (Citrus sinensis) peel compounds.

Byproducts such as orange peel have potential uses because of their bioactive compounds, which are important for their potential to reduce the risk factors of diseases caused by aging. The lack of effective techniques and the high levels of pollution produced by the conventional extraction of bioactive compounds using organic solvents have highlighted the need to enhance the 'green chemistry' trend. This study evaluates the use of ultrasound to extract bioactive compounds from orange peel. The antioxidant capacity, phenolic content, ascorbic acid, total carotenoids, and HPLC profile of phenolic compounds from orange peel extracts were obtained by a physicochemical evaluation. The results demonstrate that the optimal conditions for the ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive orange peel compounds were a power of 400 W, a time of 30 min, and 50% ethanol in water. These conditions were used to obtain a total carotenoid concentration of 0.63 mg ß-carotene/100 g, vitamin C concentration of 53.78 mg AA/100 g, phenolic concentration of 105.96 mg GAE/100 g, and antioxidant capacity of ORAC = 27.08 mM TE and TEAC = 3.97 mM TE. The major phenolic compound identified in all orange peel extracts was hesperidin, with a maximum concentration of 113.03 ± 0.08 mg/100 g.

Liberation and Micellarization of Carotenoids from Different Smoothies after Thermal and Ultrasound Treatments.

The consumption of a varied diet rich in fruit and vegetables helps prevent and treat certain chronic diseases. The development of smoothies based on derivatives from fruit and vegetables rich in bioactive compounds can help increase the consumption of these foods, and therefore, contribute to the prevention of various health problems. However, during the processing of the fruit and vegetable smoothies, these properties may change. The elaboration of smoothies is based on fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids: Carrot juice-papaya-mango (smoothie A) and carrot juice-pumpkin-mango (smoothie B). The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the application of different thermal technologies (mild and intensive heat treatment) and non-conventional technologies (ultrasound) on carotenoids (α-carotene, ß-carotene, lutein and ß-cryptoxantin) and determine the physiochemical parameters of derivatives from fruit and vegetable smoothies. In addition, the bioaccessibility of carotenoids is also evaluated through a process of in vitro simulated digestion. With regard to the bioaccessibility of the fruit and vegetable smoothies analyzed, a positive effect of temperature on liberation and micellarization was observed.

Bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds after non-thermal processing of an exotic fruit juice blend sweetened with Stevia rebaudiana.

A comparative study of the bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity in a fruit juice-Stevia rebaudiana mixture processed by pulsed electric fields (PEF), high voltage electrical discharges (HVED) and ultrasound (USN) technology at two equivalent energy inputs (32-256kJ/kg) was made using an in vitro model. Ascorbic acid was not detected following intestinal digestion, while HVED, PEF and USN treatments increased total carotenoid bioaccessibility. HVED at an energy input of 32kJ/kg improved bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds (34.2%), anthocyanins (31.0%) and antioxidant capacity (35.8%, 29.1%, 31.9%, for TEAC, ORAC and DPPH assay, respectively) compared to untreated sample. This was also observed for PEF treated samples at an energy input of 256kJ/kg (37.0%, 15.6%, 29.4%, 26.5%, 23.5% for phenolics, anthocyanins, and antioxidant capacity using TEAC, ORAC and DPPH method, respectively). Consequently, pulsed electric technologies (HVED and PEF) show good prospects for enhanced bioaccessibility of compounds with putative health benefit.

Effect of Stevia rebaudiana addition on bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of beverages based on exotic fruits mixed with oat following simulated human digestion.

In order to determine the impact of Stevia rebaudiana (SR) addition on bioactive compounds bioaccessibility of a new developed functional beverage based on exotic fruits (mango juice, papaya juice and açaí) mixed with orange juice and oat, an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion was performed. Ascorbic acid, total carotenoids, total phenolics, total anthocyanins, total antioxidant capacity and steviol glycosides were evaluated before and after a simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Salivary and gastric digestion had no substantial effect on any of the major phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, total antioxidant capacity and steviol glycosides, whereas carotenoids and anthocyanins diminished significantly during the gastric step. All analysed compounds were significantly altered during the pancreatic-bile digestion and this effect was more marked for carotenoids and total anthocyanins. However, phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, total antioxidant capacity and steviol glycosides bioaccessibility increased as did SR concentration. Ascorbic acid bioaccessibility was negatively affected by the SR addition.

Snacks de patatas fritas y productos derivados, estudio de mercado. Aceptación en una alimentación saludable / Snacks of chips and derived product, study market. Acceptance in a healthy diet

Introducción: Ante el creciente consumo de productos de aperitivo «snacks» en España, en particular de patatas fritas, sobre todo entre la población juvenil, es necesario un estudio acerca de su valoración nutricional y la repercusión que implica su inclusión en una dieta equilibrada que contribuya al mantenimiento de la salud. Método: Se ha analizado el aporte energético y nutricional y tamaño de ración de 34 muestras de patatas fritas y productos derivados comercializados en España a través de la información recogida en su etiqueta, así como el precio. Resultados: El alto contenido de hidratos de carbono y grasa convierte a estos snacks en productos muy energéticos (472-558 kcal/100 g), destacando los productos que emplean harina o fécula de patata en lugar de rodajas de patata por su menor aporte calórico. Ninguno de los productos light analizados debería calificarse de tal modo, dado que no reúnen el requisito de reducir al menos el 30% del valor energético respecto al alimento de referencia. Conclusiones: Es necesario prestar atención antes de comprar un producto de aperitivo a la información que se indica en el etiquetado nutricional, en particular al perfil de ácidos grasos y al contenido en sal. Asimismo, es importante considerar el tamaño de ración que se aconseja y el que indica el fabricante a la hora de consumirlos. El tamaño de ración es especialmente relevante en niños y adolescentes, por ser ésta una población susceptible a un elevado consumo así como la alta prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad infantil en la población española (AU)

Background: Given the increasing consumption of snack food, particularly of chips, mainly among young people, a study of their nutritional assessment and the impact that their inclusion implies in a balanced diet with health benefits is necessary. Methods: Energy, nutritional value and serving size of 34 samples of chips and their derived products sold in Spain were analysed through the information collected in the labeling, along with the price. Results: The high content of carbohydrates and fat make these products very energetic (472-558 kcal/100 g), although products with flour or potato starch instead of potato slices show lower caloric values. None of the light products analyzed should be described in such a way as they do not meet the requirement of reducing at least 30% of the total energy compared to the reference product. Conclusions: Before buying a snack product, it is important to pay attention to the information contained in the nutritional labelling, particularly the fatty acid profile along with the salt content. Serving size advised and indicated by the manufacturer must also be considered (25-30 g) when consuming snack food. Serving size is especially relevant in children and adolescents, as a result of their high consumption of snack food and the high prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity (AU)

Quality parameters, bioactive compounds and their correlation with antioxidant capacity of commercial fruit-based baby foods.

Comprehensive research is required to achieve the optimization of the antioxidant protection through baby foods, in particular, the commercially available fruit-based baby foods. This study investigated the physicochemical properties, ascorbic acid (AA), total carotenoids (TC), total phenolic content (TPC), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of 23 different commercially available fruit-based baby foods. The main contribution to the total antioxidant capacity (trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity) was provided by ascorbic acid, followed by phenolic compounds, in accordance with a mathematical equation obtained from the data: TEAC = 245.906 + 7.727 × (AA) + 1.988 × (TPC) - 0.008 × (TC) and ORAC = 318.662 + 2.775 × (AA) - 0.531 × (TPC) - 0.073 × (TC). Moreover, a positive correlation (r = 0.346, p < 0.05) was found for oxygen radical absorbance capacity and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity methods. Baby foods with different kind of fruits used as ingredients showed higher antioxidant capacity. Among the commercial baby foods analysed in this work, that treated by gentle steam cooking process had high levels of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity.

Analytical Methods for Determining Bioavailability and Bioaccessibility of Bioactive Compounds from Fruits and Vegetables: A Review.

Determination of bioactive compounds content directly from foodstuff is not enough for the prediction of potential in vivo effects, as metabolites reaching the blood system may be different from the original compounds found in food, as a result of an intensive metabolism that takes place during absorption. Nutritional efficacy of food products may be ensured by the determination of bioaccessibility, which provides valuable information in order to select the appropriate dosage and source of food matrices. However, between all the methods available, there is a need to establish the best approach for the assessment of specific compounds. Comparison between in vivo and in vitro procedures used to determine bioaccessibility and bioavailability is carried out, taking into account the strengths and limitations of each experimental technique, along with an intensive description of actual approaches applied to assess bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds. Applications of these methods for specific bioactive compound's bioaccessibility or bioavailability are also discussed, considering studies regarding the bioavailability of carotenoids, polyphenolic compounds, glucosinolates, vitamin E, and phytosterols.

Impact of high-pressure processing on vitamin E (α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol), vitamin D (cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol), and fatty acid profiles in liquid foods.

In the present study, four high-pressure (HP) treatments (100, 200, 300, and 400 MPa) of 9 min duration were evaluated to assess their effect on the lipid fraction (fat-soluble vitamins and fatty acid profile) of an orange juice-milk and a vegetable beverage. After HP treatment, nonsignificant changes in vitamin D(2) and D(3) contents were observed for both beverages. An increase in vitamin E activity was observed in HP beverages when pressures >100 MPa were applied, mainly due to an increase in α-tocopherol content. Only a small reduction in fat content was found for the orange juice-milk beverage, but no changes were observed for the vegetable beverage. A significant decrease in SFA levels was observed in HP-treated (300-400 MPa) orange juice-milk. With regard to MUFA, a significant increase in oleic acid (C(18:1)) was found in both liquid foods. Nonsignificant differences in the PUFA profiles were observed after HP processing.

Ascorbic acid is the only bioactive that is better preserved by high hydrostatic pressure than by thermal treatment of a vegetable beverage.

Variations in levels of antioxidant compounds (ascorbic acid, total phenolics, and total carotenoids), total antioxidant capacity, and color changes in a vegetable (tomato, green pepper, green celery, onion, carrot, lemon, and olive oil) beverage treated by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) were evaluated in this work. The effects of HHP treatment, four different pressures (100, 200, 300, and 400 MPa) and four treatment times for each pressure (from 120 to 540 s) were compared with those of thermal treatment (90-98 °C for 15 and 21 s). High pressure treatment retained significantly more ascorbic acid in the vegetable beverage than thermal treatment. However, no significant changes in total phenolics were observed between HHP treated and thermally processed vegetable beverage and unprocessed beverage. Color changes (a*, b*, L, chroma, h°, and ΔE) were less for pressurized beverage than thermally treated samples compared with unprocessed beverage.

Carotenoid profile modification during refrigerated storage in untreated and pasteurized orange juice and orange juice treated with high-intensity pulsed electric fields.

A comparative study was made of the evolution and modification of various carotenoids and vitamin A in untreated orange juice, pasteurized orange juice (90 degrees C, 20 s), and orange juice processed with high-intensity pulsed electric fields (HIPEF) (30 kV/cm, 100 micros), during 7 weeks of storage at 2 and 10 degrees C. The concentration of total carotenoids in the untreated juice decreased by 12.6% when the juice was pasteurized, whereas the decrease was only 6.7% when the juice was treated with HIPEF. Vitamin A was greatest in the untreated orange juice, followed by orange juice treated with HIPEF (decrease of 7.52%) and, last, pasteurized orange juice (decrease of 15.62%). The decrease in the concentrations of total carotenoids and vitamin A during storage in refrigeration was greater in the untreated orange juice and the pasteurized juice than in the juice treated with HIPEF. During storage at 10 degrees C, auroxanthin formed in the untreated juice and in the juice treated with HIPEF. This carotenoid is a degradation product of violaxanthin. The concentration of antheraxanthin decreased during storage, and it was converted into mutatoxanthin, except in the untreated and pasteurized orange juices stored at 2 degrees C.

Effect of high-intensity pulsed electric fields processing and conventional heat treatment on orange-carrot juice carotenoids.

Liquid chromatography (LC) was the method of choice for quantification of carotenoids (including geometrical isomers) to evaluate the effects of high-intensity pulsed electric field (HIPEF), a nonthermal preservation method, with different parameters (electric field intensities and treatment times), on an orange-carrot juice mixture (80:20, v/v). In parallel, a conventional heat treatment (98 degrees C, 21 s) was applied to the juice. HIPEF processing generally caused a significant increase in the concentrations of the carotenoids identified as treatment time increased. HIPEF treatment at 25 and 30 kV/cm provided a vitamin A concentration higher than that found in the pasteurized juice.

Identification and quantification of carotenoids including geometrical isomers in fruit and vegetable juices by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet-diode array detection.

A method was established for the identification and quantification of carotenoids including geometrical isomers in fruit and vegetable juices by liquid chromatography with an ultraviolet-diode array detector, using a C(18) Vydac 201TP54 column. The mobile phase used was the ternary methanol mixture (0.1 M ammonium acetate), tert-butyl methyl ether and water, in a concentration gradient, and a temperature gradient was applied. Retinol palmitate was added as an internal standard. An extraction process (ethanol/hexane, 4:3, v/v) was performed, followed by saponification with diethyl ether/methanolic KOH (0.1%, w/v, BHT) (1:1, v/v) for 0.5 h at room temperature. Seventeen different (cis and trans) carotenoids were identified by UV-vis spectra and retention times in HPLC in the juices analyzed. The analytic parameters show that the method proposed is sensitive, reliable, accurate, and reproducible.