Furosine: a suitable marker for assessing the freshness of royal jelly

Fifteen commercial samples of royal jelly, consisting of 10 imported samples, and 5 samples of known origin obtained freshly harvested from beekeepers, were analyzed for protein, lysine, and furosine content. In addition, a commercial sample of royal jelly, at the beginning of its commercial shelf life, was stored for 10 months both at 4 degrees C and at room temperature in order to assess the development of the Maillard reaction (furosine) and relative nutritional damage (blocked lysine). The commercial royal jelly products contained different amounts of furosine, ranging from 37.1 to 113.3 mg/100 g protein, evidence of different storage times and conditions. The average furosine content of the royal jelly samples of known origin and harvesting was significantly lower than that of the imported samples (41.7 versus 73.6 mg/100 g protein, respectively). With regard to shelf life, furosine content increased significantly from 72.0 mg/100 g protein to 500.8 mg/100 g protein after 10 months of storage at room temperature, while it increased to a much lower level (100.5 mg/100 g protein) when the royal jelly was stored at 4 degrees C. However, nutritional damage, expressed as blocked lysine (calculated indirectly from the furosine content), was minor or negligible, 11.9 and 2.3% of total lysine, in samples stored at room temperature and at 4 degrees C, respectively. Lysine was determined by an innovative procedure based on high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). The results showed that furosine is a suitable index for assessing the quality and freshness of royal jelly.     

Carotenoid changes of intact watermelons after storage

Watermelon contains lycopene, a red carotenoid pigment that has strong antioxidant properties. The lycopene content of watermelon is substantial, contributing 8-20 mg per 180 g serving. There are no reports on carotenoid changes in whole watermelon during storage. Three types of watermelon, open-pollinated seeded, hybrid seeded, and seedless types, were stored at 5, 13, and 21 degrees C for 14 days and flesh color, composition, and carotenoid content were compared to those of fruit not stored. Watermelons stored at 21 degrees C had increased pH, chroma, and carotenoid content compared to fresh fruit. Compared to fresh fruit, watermelons stored at 21 degrees C gained 11-40% in lycopene and 50-139% in beta-carotene, whereas fruit held at 13 degrees C changed little in carotenoid content. These results indicate that carotenoid biosynthesis in watermelons can be affected by temperature and storage.     

Effect of processing conditions, prestorage treatment, and storage conditions on the phenol content and antioxidant activity of olive mill waste

The impact of two- and three-phase processing systems and malaxation conditions on phenol content (both total and individual phenols) and antioxidant capacity of laboratory-generated olive mill waste (OMW) was assessed. Two-phase olive processing generated a waste with higher phenol content and antioxidant capacity. Using the two-phase system, both malaxation time and temperature affected the phenol content and antioxidant capacity. The effects of different prestorage drying treatments on phenol content and antioxidant capacity were also compared. Air drying and drying at 60 degrees C resulted in a substantial decrease in the phenol content and antioxidant capacity. Drying at 105 degrees C and freeze-drying produced less degradation. The phenol content and antioxidant capacity of OMW stored at 4 degrees C and of OMW preserved by 40% w/w ethanol and 1% w/w acetic acid and stored at 4 degrees C were monitored for 30 days and compared with those of OMW stored at room temperature. None of these storage conditions could prevent the rapid decrease in phenolic concentrations and antioxidant capacity, which happened within the first 24 h.     

Hydroxymethylfurfural and furosine reaction kinetics in tomato products

The reaction kinetics of two heat damage indices, HMF and furosine, were examined in four tomato products with different dry matter contents (10.2, 25.5, 28.6, and 34.5%) over a temperature-time range of 80-120 degrees C and 0-255 min. The reactions followed pseudo-zero order kinetics. E(a) and z-value were, respectively, 139. 9 kJ/mol and 19.2 degrees C for HMF, and 93.9 kJ/mol and 28.4 degrees C for furosine. The analyses of both indices in several samples of commercial and industrial tomato products showed very low levels of HMF (from 1 to 42 ppm) and a lack of correlation between HMF and furosine mainly because of the different evolution of the two indices during storage. The HMF level of a tomato paste sample stored at 25 degrees C decreased from 609 to 17 ppm after 98 days, while furosine increased from 458 to 550 mg/100 g of protein.     

喷液包埋技术提高微波泡沫干燥后树莓浆果品质

为了在微波泡沫干燥浆果果浆后期喷施大豆分离蛋白和麦芽糊精混合液,使浆果干品表面形成可以降低活性成分降解的包埋层,研究了喷液包埋条件对果浆的干燥特性影响规律,分析了喷液包埋技术对浆果干品中活性成分的保护原因。选择树莓果浆为研究物料,采用微波泡沫干燥工艺,以微波强度、保护液成分质量比和起泡果浆与保护液质量比为影响因素,以物料含水率、干燥温度、活性成分降解率为目标因素,应用电镜对树莓果浆干品微观结构进行观察分析,应用高效液相色谱技术测定干品花青素成分。结果表明浆果微波泡沫干燥中的起泡剂与喷液包埋中保护液成分相近,工艺步骤衔接密切,不影响果浆干燥速度与温度;保护液可使干燥后干品表层形成致密包埋层,有效削弱氧气、光照对活性成分的降解作用,提高矢车菊色素与天竺葵色素2种花青素成分保存量(保存率75%);在微波强度14 W/g,大豆分离蛋白与麦芽糊精质量比3∶7,起泡果浆与保护液质量比4∶1的工艺条件下,可获得花青素和维生素C保留率高的树莓干品(提高20%)。在微波泡沫干燥过程中实施包埋技术可保护干燥后果浆中的活性物质,保证浆果制品营养价值。     

The effects of frozen storage conditions on lycopene stability in watermelon tissue

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the rate of deterioration of lycopene in watermelon tissue during frozen storage, because little is known about the stability of watermelon tissue lycopene under cold storage conditions. Heart tissue from each of nine individual watermelons was stored at -20 or -80 degrees C as either small chunks or puree and periodically sampled over a year's time. Initial freeze-thaw experiments indicated that a small percentage of lycopene, approximately 4-6%, degraded during an initial freeze-thaw. Analyses of the samples showed a loss of approximately 30-40% lycopene over a year's storage at -20 degrees C and a loss of approximately 5-10% over the same period at -80 degrees C. Lycopene was slightly more stable in pureed compared with diced watermelon tissue at -20 degrees C, but not at -80 degrees C. The kinetic data were best fitted by application of two simultaneous, first-order decay processes. HPLC analysis of the samples after a year's storage suggested that beta-carotene was more stable during storage at -20 degrees C than was lycopene.     

Phytochemical composition and antioxidant stability of fortified yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis)

Yellow passion fruit juice (PFJ, Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) is an important component of many tropical fruit beverages, but limited data exist on its antioxidant chemical composition and stability during processing and storage. PFJ fortified with ascorbic acid (450 mg/L) and sucrose (10%) was compared to a nonfortified control, and each was evaluated with and without vacuum deaeration to remove dissolved oxygen. Following pasteurization, juices were stored for 28 days at 37 degrees C to accentuate physicochemical changes. Pasteurization (85 degrees C for 30 min) resulted in minor changes to physicochemical attributes, but appreciable changes occurred during storage that resulted in termination of the study after 28 days. Oxygen control strategies proved to be ineffective for quality retention and indicated oxygen-independent reactions affecting juice color, phytochemical content, and antioxidant activity. Ascorbic acid and sucrose fortification had an overall preservation effect on total carotenoids, the former resulting in hyperchromic shifts in absorbance, indicating their chemoprotection. Pasteurization resulted in a 25% loss in l-ascorbic acid, which was completely destroyed after 14 days of storage; losses coincided with increased juice browning and formation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. Numerous polyphenolics were present in PFJ, and 16 of them were tentatively characterized on the basis of spectral similarities to known standards. Individually, polyphenolics increased during pasteurization, only to decline during storage at elevated temperatures. Antioxidant activity was measured in PFJ and in two subfractions (hydrophilic and lipophilic) after processing and storage, but antioxidant values were nonadditive. A significant chemical interaction affecting antioxidant capacity was found for hydrophilic juice components, but none was observed in the presence of lipophilic phytochemicals. Physicochemical attributes and overall quality of PFJ were retained following pasteurization but were significantly impacted by degradative reactions during accelerated storage.     

Evaluation of radical scavenging activity of fresh and air-dried tomatoes by three model reactions.

The radical scavenging activity and the antioxidant content of fresh and air-dried tomatoes were investigated. Tomato halves were dried in a pilot-scale dryer under the following conditions: air temperature, 80 degrees C; air flow rate, 1.5 m/s; drying time, 400 min; final moisture, 25%. Carotenoid (lycopene, beta-carotene, lutein) and ascorbic acid were analyzed by HPLC with a spectrophotometric and an electrochemical detector, respectively. Total phenolics were determined by using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The radical scavenging activity was studied in three model systems: (a) the xanthine oxidase and xanthine system, which generates superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide; (b) the 3-morpholinosydnonimine system, which releases spontaneously superoxide radical and nitrogen monoxide, forming peroxynitrite; (c) the linoleic acid and CuSO(4) system, which promotes lipid peroxidation. These model systems allow the simulation of key reactions involved in the pathogenesis of certain chronic diseases and may be related to the in vivo activity of tomato antioxidants. Hence, these measurements can be used for optimizing tomato processing and storage. The drying process resulted in a decrease of ascorbic acid content, whereas phenol reagent reducing compounds increased. Carotenoid levels were substantially unchanged upon drying. Fresh and air-dried tomato extracts could act as radical scavengers both in the reactive oxygen species-mediated reactions and in lipid peroxidation. Drying affected the antioxidant effectiveness as measured in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system, which was found to be the most sensitive method for the measurement of tomato antioxidant activity (lower I(50)) but retained the antioxidant effectiveness in the other two systems.     

Effects of lipase, lipoxygenase, peroxidase, and rutin on quality deteriorations in buckwheat flour

To investigate the effects of changes in lipase, lipoxygenase, peroxidase (POX), and rutin concentrations on the quality of buckwheat flour, 14 buckwheat varieties were stored for 0, 4, 10, and 30 days at 5 or 20 degrees C. During the storage period, lipase activity correlated to pH (significantly negative) and water-soluble acid (WSA) (significantly positive). The lipoxygenase 1 protein concentration had a negative correlation to WSA (significant at 0 and 4 storage days at 5 degrees C and at 0 and 10 storage days at 20 degrees C). POX had significant correlation to pH and peroxide value (POV) at 5 degrees C, whereas it was not significant at 20 degrees C. The rutin concentration had negative correlations to WSA (significant at 30 days of storage at 5 degrees C and at 4 days of storage at 20 degrees C). Thus, lipase activity plays an important role that relates to lipid degradation in quality deterioration of buckwheat flour.     

Characterization of color fade during frozen storage of red grapefruit juice concentrates

Color changes in red grapefruit juice concentrates during storage at -23 degrees C for 12 months were studied. Concentrate (38 degrees Brix) was packed in both plastic (16 oz) and metal (6 oz) cans. Decrease in red intensity (CIE a) in juice color and slight increases in CIE L*, b*, and hue values from analysis of reconstituted juices were the characteristic color changes in concentrate during frozen storage. With respect to fresh concentrate, juice color in stored concentrate shifted toward the direction between negative DeltaC* and positive DeltaL*, indicating the color became slightly paler. A color difference seems to exist between the two containers, especially for the magnitude of DeltaE*; color changes were more pronounced in concentrates packed in plastic. There are significant changes (P < 0.05) in major carotenoid pigments (beta-carotene and lycopene) in the concentrates. More than 20% loss of lycopene and about 7% loss of beta-carotene occurred with plastic containers after a 12-month period. Regression analysis showed that the rate of decline was about 0.291 ppm per month (r = 0.990) for lycopene compared to 0.045 ppm (r = 0.817) for beta-carotene in concentrate stored in plastic. In the metal can, the same trends were observed but pigment losses were slightly smaller than those with plastic. An estimated shelf life for lycopene was 26.1 months in the metal can compared to 18 months in plastic. Shelf life for beta-carotene was more than 39 months, more than twice that of lycopene in plastic container.     

Stability and antioxidant activity of black currant anthocyanins in solution and encapsulated in glucan gel

The effects of ferric and ferrous ions, pH, and temperature on the stability and antioxidant activity of black currant anthocyanins (BCA) were studied, and the recovery of BCA from glucan gel [mixed linked (1-->3,1-->4)-beta-D-glucan] after using different encapsulating procedures was determined. The degradation of individual anthocyanins follows first-order kinetics and shows Arrhenius temperature dependence. The activation energies of individual anthocyanins, evaluated over the temperature range 60-100 degrees C, decrease with an increase in pH. While the antioxidant activity of BCA, measured by the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, decreased with the degradation of anthocyanins, the completely degraded products still exhibited approximately 30% of the initial antioxidant activity. Ferric ions have a detrimental effect on the stability of BCA, especially for delphinidins. Freeze drying of encapsulated BCA gives approximately 20% higher recovery of individual anthocyanins than infrared drying.     

Encapsulation of lycopene extract from tomato pulp waste with gelatin and poly(gamma-glutamic acid) as carrier

Tomato pulp waste, a byproduct obtained during the processing of tomato juice, has been shown to be a rich source of lycopene. The objectives of this study were to use gelatin and poly(gamma-glutamic acid) (gamma-PGA) as coating materials for the encapsulation of lycopene extract from tomato pulp waste. Initially, lycopene was extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide, followed by microencapsulation using an emulsion system consisting of 4.5% gelatin, 10% gamma-PGA, and 4.8% lycopene extract. Analysis of differential scanning calorimetry revealed that the thermal stability of the coating material could be up to 120 degrees C, with a mean particle size of 38.7 microm based on Coulter counter analysis. The total weight of microencapsulated powder was 617 microg with the yield of lycopene being 76.5%, indicating a 23.5% loss during freeze drying. During storage of microencapsulated powder, the concentrations of cis-, trans-, and total lycopene decreased along with increasing time and temperature. A fast release of lycopene in the powder occurred at pH 5.5 and 7.0, while no lycopene was released at pH 2.0 and 3.5.     

Apple pomace is a good matrix for phytochemical retention

Phytochemical content and color changes in dried apple pomace and pulp (mixture of Red Delicious and Golden Delicious varieties) were studied during 9 months storage in the water activity (a(w)) range 0.11-0.75 at 30 °C. Water mobility was measured at various a(w) levels by (1)H NMR. During storage, antioxidant degradation (including flavonols, flavanols, dihydrochalcones, anthocyanins, and hydroxycinnamic acids) followed first-order kinetics, whereas color changes followed zero-order kinetics. These changes were accelerated by increasing a(w). Phytochemical and color were more stable in the pomace than in the pulp over the entire a(w) range, having 2-6 times smaller degradation rates. These results were related to the lower water mobility found in apple pomace as compared to the pulp. The overall results show that apple pomace can be exploited as a food ingredient with good phytochemical retention, and may help in the development of new matrices with maximum phytochemical retention.     

Influence of critical storage temperatures on degradative pathways of pigments in green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris cvs. Perona and boby)

In this work a study of critical storage temperatures on pigment degradation of green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, cvs. Perona and Boby) was conducted. In this way, green beans kept better quality at 4 degrees C than either 8 or 12 degrees C, maintaining a bright green color and good texture. Nevertheless, temperatures of 4 degrees C induced chilling injury (CI) after eight days of storage, which became evident when the pods were transferred to 20 degrees C. Cold storage temperatures, 12, 8, and 4 degrees C, produced different changes on the green beans chlorophyll profile. Green beans of both cultivars, Perona and Boby, stored at 4 and 12 degrees C showed a continuous degradation of chlorophyll pigments during storage, while samples stored at 8 degrees C showed an increase of chlorophyll content at the first 15 days. Carotenoid pigments also suffered different changes during cold storage. Perona was the green beans cultivar which maintained the higher level of lutein, mainly when samples were stored at the most suitable temperature (8 degrees C).     

Characterization of a tomato polyphenol oxidase and its role in browning and lycopene content

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was extracted from five Sicilian varieties of tomato fruit [Pizzutello, Naomi (Hazera), F1 PS212 (Peto seed), Rosa Maletto, and PO228] and assayed with a method using 3-methylbenzothyazolinone hydrazone (MBTH) as chromophore coupling agent. 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid was chosen for tomato PPO activity determination. The tomato PPO had maximum activity at pH 4.8. The pH of juice in ripe fruits is between 4.1 and 4.4, a range in which PPO relative activity is between 74 and 87%. The optimum temperature of activity for tomato PPO was 40 degrees C; the enzyme showed a good relative activity (55% of the maximum) at cold-storage temperature (4 degrees C). PPO retained 82% relative activity at an NaCl concentration of 0.1 M; at higher concentrations the PPO became gradually inactivated. The commercial variety Naomi is more susceptible to enzymatic browning than the local varieties Pizzutello, Rosa Maletto and PO228, due to higher PPO activity levels. This result confirms the suitability of these local tomato varieties to national markets. Results from storage tests seem to relate PPO activity with color changes associated with browning and lycopene degradation, because lycopene is an antioxidant agent that reconstitutes the polyphenols oxidized by the action of PPO.     

Bioactive compounds of grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Cv. Rio Red) respond differently to postharvest irradiation, storage, and freeze drying

In the present study, the effect of irradiation, storage, and freeze drying on grapefruit bioactive compounds was investigated. Grapefruits were exposed to one of two irradiation doses: 0 (control) or 300 Gy (137Cs, a proposed treatment against fruit flies) and then stored for up to 6 days. At the last storage time point (6 days after harvest), grapefruit pulp from control and irradiated fruits was freeze-dried. Bioactive compounds were extracted from Rio Red grapefruit pulp and analyzed with reverse phase liquid chromatography while volatile compounds were analyzed using gas chromatography. Freeze-dried pulp from irradiated fruits had a higher (P < or = 0.05) flavonoid content (naringin and narirutin) as compared to the freeze-dried pulp from the control fruits. Freeze-drying treatment reduced (P < or = 0.05) the lycopene content, but the reduction (P < or = 0.05) in beta-carotene content occurred only in the control fruit. Reduction in d-limonene and myrcene was observed in the irradiated fruits at 6 days after harvest and in the freeze-dried samples. These results warrant testing of the effect of postharvest treatments and processing on bioactive compounds in functional systems as they have varied effects on different bioactive compounds of grapefruit.     

How does tomato quality (sugar, acid, and nutritional quality) vary with ripening stage, temperature, and irradiance?

The objective of this study was to understand the respective impact of ripening stage, temperature, and irradiance on seasonal variations of tomato fruit quality. During ripening, concentrations in reducing sugars, carotenes, ascorbate, rutin, and caffeic acid derivates increased, whereas those in titratable acidity, chlorophylls, and chlorogenic acid content decreased. Fruit temperature and irradiance affected final fruit composition. Sugars and acids (linked to fruit gustative quality) were not considerably modified, but secondary metabolites with antioxidant properties were very sensitive to fruit environment. Increased fruit irradiance enhanced ascorbate, lycopene, beta-carotene, rutin, and caffeic acid derivate concentrations and the disappearance of oxidized ascorbate and chlorophylls. Increasing the temperature from 21 to 26 degrees C reduced total carotene content without affecting lycopene content. A further temperature increase from 27 to 32 degrees C reduced ascorbate, lycopene, and its precursor's content, but enhanced rutin, caffeic acid derivates, and glucoside contents. The regulation by light and temperature of the biosynthesis pathways of secondary metabolites is discussed.     

Antioxidant composition in cherry and high-pigment tomato cultivars

Fourteen cultivars of cherry tomatoes and four cultivars of high-pigment tomato hybrids were cultivated in southern Italy, and the red-ripe fruits were analyzed for their content in different classes of antioxidants and for their antioxidant activity. Among the different cultivars, significant differences were found between lycopene, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, vitamin C (ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid), and total phenolic and flavonoid contents. LS203 and Corbus appear to be the cultivars with the highest content of lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidants among cherry tomatoes, respectively. All cultivars of high-pigment tomato hybrids showed an expected exceptionally high lycopene content. Among them, the highest content of lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidants was found in cv. HLY 13. Hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activities were both significantly influenced by genotype. Such results highlight an existing unexploited variability in tomato germplasm and stress the need to evaluate the biodiversity and to support conventional breeding programs to improve tomato nutritional value.     

红肉火龙果粉的发泡微波冷冻干燥制备与质量评价

制备浆果粉末产品是延长其货架期的有效手段。为降低干燥过程能耗和保留产品营养成分,该研究以平均含水率(87.03±1.26)%的新鲜红肉火龙果果浆为原料,采用冷冻干燥和喷雾干燥两种方法制备了火龙果粉末。以残余湿含量、色泽和典型生物活性成分甜菜红素、芦丁和总酚保留率为指标对产品质量进行了评价。用质量比为3%(w/w)的分离乳清蛋白和2.5%(w/w)的果胶为添加剂制备了未发泡和发泡2种样品,进行了传统和微波冷冻干燥试验。结果表明,使用石英底盘,在30℃、20 Pa下,发泡样品比未发泡样品冷冻干燥时间缩短了39.06%;施加1 W微波功率时,未发泡和发泡样品微波冷冻干燥时间比无微波时分别缩短了18.75%和12.82%。用碳化硅底盘替代石英底盘,在30℃、20 Pa和1 W下,发泡样品微波冷冻干燥时间比未发泡和发泡样品传统无微波冷冻干燥分别缩短了65.62%和43.59%。分别以5.5%(w/w)的分离乳清蛋白和15.6%(w/w)的麦芽糊精为添加剂,进行了喷雾干燥试验。工艺参数为进风温度150℃、出风温度85℃、进料速度28 mL/min。冷冻干燥产品的甜菜红素、芦丁和总酚保留率分别在72...     

Effects of processing conditions on the physical and chemical properties of buckwheat grit cakes

Buckwheat grit cakes were prepared with a rice cake machine using the following independent variables: tempering moisture contents (15, 17, and 19%, wb), heating temperatures (240, 246, 252, and 258 degrees C), and heating times (5, 6, 7, and 8 s). Higher moisture, higher heating temperature, or longer heating time produced cakes with a higher cake specific volume. Cakes became lighter in color at a lower heating temperature or a shorter heating time. The hardest cake was produced at 252 degrees C for 5 s at 19% moisture content. The percent weight loss after tumbling decreased with increasing heating times and heating temperatures. Increased heating time resulted in more expanded products. The average rutin content decreased as the heating temperature or heating time increased. These results suggest that processing conditions, including tempering moisture, heating temperature, and heating time, significantly influenced physical and chemical qualities of buckwheat grit cakes such as specific volume, hardness, integrity, color, internal structure, and rutin content.