Influence of spontaneous fermentation of manipueira on bioactive amine and carotenoid profiles during tucupi production.

Tucupi is a kind of broth that is common to the Amazonian region of Brazil, which is produced after the spontaneous fermentation and boiling of manipueira, a liquid by-product extracted from cassava roots during cassava flour production. The bioactive amines formation and their alterations during tucupi processing were investigated for the first time. In addition, the physicochemical changes, instrumental color parameters and carotenoid profile were monitored during tucupi production. Regarding the changes on the profile of carotenoids, all-trans-ß-carotene was the major carotenoid, followed by its 9- and 13-cis isomers, and this profile was not altered throughout the process. Spermidine (polyamine), putrescine, tyramine and histamine (biogenic amines) were the bioactive amines identified during the tucupi production process, but at low levels (0.76-7.24 mg/L). Principal Component Analysis suggested three distinct stages during tucupi production: the first stage was characterized by the manipueira up to 12 h of fermentation with the highest values of pH, total and reducing sugars, and total starch; the second stage refers to the end of the fermentation process (16 to 24 h), in which biogenic amines (histamine and tyramine) were produced; and the third stage was characterized by the final product (tucupi), with the highest values of total acidity, soluble solids, polyamines and tyramine. Therefore, the results suggest the need of an accurate control of the fermentation of the manipueira to avoid or minimize the formation of biogenic amines.

Anthocyanins of Jambolão (Syzygium cumini): Extraction and pH-Dependent Color Changes.

Jambolão fruits are promising sources of anthocyanins, and in this study, the jambolão fruit from the Brazilian Amazonian region was characterized and the efficiency of six ethanol-based solutions to extract anthocyanins was determined. Moreover, the color changes of anthocyanin extracts, as influenced by different pH conditions (pH from 1.0 to 8.0), were evaluated. The fruits exhibited high contents of total anthocyanins (296 mg/100 g) and the CIELAB parameters characterized jambolão as a purple-red colored fruit (a* = 20.30, b* = -4.17, and hab∘= 348.39). Among the six different ethanol-based solutions, ethanol 95% with 1% of HCl (v/v) was the most efficient solution to extract anthocyanins from jambolão fruits. Furthermore, the CIELAB parameters were characterized as useful tool to monitor the color changes of anthocyanins of jambolão over the tested pH range. Therefore, jambolão fruits from Amazonian region have technological potential for the application by food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Jambolão fruits are great source of anthocyanins and the incorporation of these natural pigments as food colorants is not only valuable to improve overall appearance, but it is also beneficial to human health. The production of natural extracts with high levels of anthocyanins from jambolão can be considered a very useful approach to the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Bioactive amines and phenolic compounds in cocoa beans are affected by fermentation.

Cocoa is the target of increased scientific research as it is one of the richest source of bioactive compounds. The formation of bioactive amines and their changes in cocoa beans during seven days of traditional fermentation was investigated for the first time. In addition, total phenolic compounds, anthocyanins contents and the scavenging capacity against ABTS radical were determined to monitor the fermentation process. Only two biogenic amines (tryptamine and tyramine) and two polyamines (spermidine and spermine) were detected in cocoa beans during fermentation. Fermentation was characterized by three stages: i) high levels of tryptamine, phenolics, and scavenging capacity; ii) high contents of spermine, total biogenic amines and total polyamines; and iii) the highest spermidine levels and total acidity, but the lowest total phenolic compounds and anthocyanins contents. The scavenging capacity of cocoa beans during fermentation correlated with total phenolic compounds and anthocyanins contents.