Comparative studies of some properties of undehulled, mechanically dehulled and manually dehulled cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp. L.) flours

A comparative evaluation was made of some physico‐chemical and rheological characteristics of undehulled, manually dehulled and mechanically dehulled cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp. L.) flours from brown and white varieties of the legume. The flours were used to prepare steamed bean paste, ‘Moinmoin’, which was analysed for some sensory parameters. Dehulling and dehulling methods had no appreciable influence on the physical characteristics and proximate composition of the flours, except ash content, which was slightly higher in undehulled flour samples. Amylograph pasting characteristics of the flours showed varying trends because of dehulling method and/or presence of seed coats. ‘Moinmoin’ samples prepared from the flours received similar ratings for all sensory attributes, with no significant differences (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05), except for the low‐rated (poorer) colour of the undehulled brown product.     

Effects of pasteurisation and storage on quality characteristics of table olives preserved in olive oil

Two types of products obtained from the processing of Olea europaea cv ‘Taggiasca’ were monitored: pitted olives and olive paste preserved in monovarietal extra‐virgin olive oil of the same variety. The aim of this study was to follow the trends in the main physico‐chemical and sensory parameters related to the quality of these table olives and their covering oils, for simulation of the shelf‐life conditions. From all of the analyses carried out, it can be concluded that the optimum time of storage of these two products packaged in glass jars at room temperature (between 18 and 25 °C) and under artificial light and away from heat sources is approximately 9 months. After 9 months of storage, the covering oils were greatly affected by the contact with the broken fruit, which was accompanied by reductions in their antioxidant content due to the thermal treatment. The oxidative effects seen through physico‐chemical analyses are in agreement with the organoleptic analysis.     

1‐Methylcyclopropene effects on temporal changes of aroma volatiles and phytochemicals of fresh‐cut cantaloupe

BACKGROUND: Orange‐fleshed cantaloupe melons have intense aroma and flavor but are very perishable during storage life. Fresh‐cut processing enhances ethylene‐mediated quality losses. Post‐cutting 1‐methylcyclopene (1‐MCP) application to fresh‐cut cantaloupe was evaluated for its effects on quality attributes, phytochemical content and aroma volatiles. RESULTS: Fresh‐cut cantaloupe (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis ‘Fiesta’) cubes treated with 1.0 µL L^?1 of 1‐MCP for 24 h at 5 °C, packaged in vented plastic clamshells and stored under normal atmosphere at 5 °C for 9 days, preserved their soluble solids, total phenolics, total carotenoids and β‐carotene contents, but significant softening occurred. A significant increase of non‐acetate esters and a decrease of aldehydes occurred during storage. Most quality attributes of fresh‐cut cantaloupe were unaffected by the treatment with 1‐MCP. 1‐MCP‐treated fresh‐cut cantaloupe accumulated higher levels of propyl acetate, 2‐methylbutyl acetate, methyl butanoate, methyl 2‐methyl butanoate, methyl hexanoate, 2‐methylbutyl alcohol and phenethyl alcohol, and lower levels of benzyl alcohol and heptanal than untreated controls. CONCLUSION: Post‐cutting treatment with 1‐MCP affected nine of the flavor‐important volatiles, particularly those derived from the amino acids isoleucine and phenylalanine, but had no practical effect on phytochemicals or other quality attributes. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Multivariate analysis of maturity stages,including quality and aroma,in ‘Royal Glory’ peaches and ‘Big Top’ nectarines

Ethylene production, quality attributes and aroma compounds were analysed to determine the maturity evolution of ‘Big Top’ nectarines and ‘Royal Glory’ peaches at harvest dates ranging from 89 to 116 days after full bloom (DAFB) for nectarines and from 85 to 112 DAFB for peaches. These cultivars are highly coloured even in the early stages of maturity. However, the two cultivars had different patterns of ethylene production, this being slower in nectarines than in peaches. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to provide partial visualisation of the complete data set in a reduced dimension plot. Separation of the two cultivars can be shown by means of a two‐dimensional plot of the samples. Although only some aroma compounds are slightly correlated with quality parameters, when aroma volatiles were included in the PCA, the aroma compound set allowed both cultivars to be classified into three stages of maturity: immature, intermediate and fully mature. Compounds such as propanol, hexyl acetate, 2‐methylpropyl acetate, limonene, butanol, (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate, buthyl acetate, linalool, ethanol, propyl acetate and ethyl acetate are the most important volatiles for ‘Big Top’ nectarines. It is suggested that the presence of these compounds can be used to indicate when the fruit should be harvested. The presence of γ‐decalactone, δ‐octalactone, γ‐octalactone, ethyl butyrate, hexanal and (E)‐2‐hexenol can be used to indicate the harvesting maturity stage for ‘Royal Glory’ peaches. The optimum maturity date for harvest would be 105–107 DAFB for ‘Big Top’ nectarines and 93–95 DAFB for ‘Royal Glory’ peaches. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Anti-oxidant content of different coloured sweet peppers, white, green, yellow, orange and red (Capsicum annuum L.)

Five different coloured sweet peppers (Capsicum annuum cv. Signal), white, green, yellow, orange and red were analysed for total carotenoids, α‐tocopherol, sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose), organic acids (citric and ascorbic acids) and anti‐oxidant properties. The mature fruits, ‘Signal Red’, ‘Signal Orange’ and ‘Signal Yellow’ contained higher carotenoids, α‐tocopherol, sugars and organic acids than the immature fruits, ‘Signal Green’ and ‘Signal White’. Among the mature fruits, ‘Signal Red’ was the highest in total carotenoids [9.15 mg (100 g)^?1 of fresh weight] while ‘Signal Orange’ was the highest in α‐tocopherol [5.40 mg (100 g)^?1 of fresh weight]. ‘Signal Red’ and ‘Signal Orange’ contained the most sugars and organic acids. The suppression of 2,2′‐azobis (2,4‐dimethylvaleronitrile) (AMVN)‐induced oxidation of methyl linoleate by the acetone extracts from the coloured sweet peppers resulted as follows: ‘Signal Red’ > ‘Signal Orange’ ≈ ‘Signal Yellow’ > ‘Signal Green’ ≈ ‘Signal White’. The order of 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities of the acetone extracts was similar to that of suppression of methyl linoleate oxidation.     

Comparison of cell wall metabolism in the pulp of three cultivars of ‘Nanfeng’ tangerine differing in mastication trait

BACKGROUND: Like sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), tangerine (Citrus reticulata) is another citrus crop grown widely throughout the world. However, whether it shares a common mechanism with sweet orange in forming a given mastication trait is still unclear. In this study, three ‘Nanfeng’ tangerine cultivars, ‘Yangxiao‐26’ (‘YX‐26’) with inferior mastication trait, elite ‘YX‐26’ with moderate mastication trait and ‘Miguang’ (‘MG’) with superior mastication trait, were selected to investigate the formation mechanism of mastication trait. RESULTS: ‘MG’ had the lowest contents of total pectin, protopectin and lignin and the highest gene expression levels of citrus polygalacturonase (PG) and pectin methylesterase (PME) at the end of fruit ripening, whereas ‘YX‐26’ had the lowest water‐soluble pectin (WSP) content, the highest lignin content and the lowest PG and PME expression levels. The contents of cellulose and hemicellulose were similar among the three tangerines. CONCLUSION: The fruit mastication trait of C. reticulata was determined by the proportions of WSP and protopectin as well as lignin content, not by cellulose and hemicellulose contents. Pectin content could be a major contribution to the feeling of mastication trait, while PG and PME exhibited an important role in forming a given mastication trait according to the present results as well as previous results for C. sinensis. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

1-MCP suppresses ethylene biosynthesis and delays softening of 'Hami' melon during storage at ambient temperature

BACKGROUND: ‘Hami’ melon is susceptible to softening during postharvest storage at ambient temperature, which enhances postharvest deterioration and limits transportation and storage. To look for a method of softening control, the effect of 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) on regulating postharvest softening of ‘Hami’ melon fruit was investigated. RESULTS: 1‐MCP treatment at 1 µL L^?1 significantly reduced ethylene production and maintained higher levels of fruit firmness. It also markedly inhibited the accumulation of 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC) and maintained lower activities of ACC synthase and ACC oxidase. In addition, 1‐MCP treatment reduced the activities of fruit‐softening enzymes such as pectin methyl esterase, polygalacturonase, endo‐1,4‐β‐glucanase and β‐galactosidase. CONCLUSION: 1‐MCP was effective in suppressing ethylene production and delaying fruit softening in ‘Hami’ melon by decreasing the activities of ethylene biosynthesis enzymes and inhibiting fruit‐softening enzymes. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of colouring ability of main European elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) varieties as potential resources of natural food colourants

Profiling and quantitative analysis of anthocyanins in five elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) varieties, namely ‘Haschberg’, ‘Samocco’, ‘Samyl’, ‘Samident’ and ‘Sampo’, were performed in six different maturity stages from two consecutive years (2012 and 2013) and from two growing areas in Hungary. Cyanidin‐3‐O‐sambubioside‐5‐O‐glucoside, cyanidin‐3‐O‐sambubioside and cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside were found and identified by HPLC‐Q/TOF‐MS as major anthocyanins and were quantified by HPLC‐UV/Vis. In optimum maturity stage, ‘Samocco’ showed the highest anthocyanin content with an average of 1237 mg per 100 g dry weight in both growing areas and vintages. The dominant anthocyanin component of Samocco variety was cyanidin‐3‐O‐sambubioside, which is according to literature more stable against technology processing than cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside found in the other four investigated elderberry varieties in the highest concentration. ‘Samocco’, if grown under the climatic conditions of the Carpathian basin, might be a promising alternative variety for growing as raw material for natural food colourant processing industry.     

Influence of cultivation parameters on the composition of volatile compounds and physico‐chemical characteristics of kiwi fruit

BACKGROUND: The effect of four cultivation parameters (post‐maturity harvest date, storage period at 0 °C and input of nitrogen or potassium fertilisers) on the physico‐chemical characteristics and composition of volatile compounds in kiwi fruit (Actinidia deliciosa) were evaluated. Five physico‐chemical parameters were selected, namely, pH, total acidity, dry matter, conductivity and refractive index. To our knowledge, no published data are available concerning the influence of nitrogen or potassium fertilisers on the volatile compounds and physico‐chemical parameters in kiwi fruit. RESULTS: Except for total acidity, these parameters were only weakly influenced by cultivation parameters. The concentrations of five main volatile compounds [hexanal, (E)‐hex‐2‐enal, hexan‐2‐ol, ethyl butyrate and hexanol] were also measured using gas chromatography and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. This work showed that the total content of volatile compounds decreased with post‐maturity harvest date and storage period of 3 months. In contrast, the input levels of nitrogen and potassium had little effect on the concentrations of volatile components CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a high degree of difference in the physiochemical parameters and volatile composition of kiwi fruit, depending on the harvest date, the time of storage and the input of fertilisers. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Sensory evaluation of black pigmented rice (Oryza sativa cv. Poireton) wine fortified with probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 and Lactobacillus sakei ATCC 15521 using fuzzy logic

Rice wine was prepared in the laboratory from a black pigmented rice (cv. Poireton) using standardized methodology. The wine was fortified with the probiotic strains Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 and Lactobacillus sakei ATCC 15521 and allowed to undergo a storage period of 28 days at 4°C. These rice wines were compared with a commercial wine used as a standard reference wine. A panel consisting of 30 judges performed the sensory evaluation. The scores obtained were based on the quality attributes of colour, taste, aroma and alcoholic strength. Analysis of the sensory scores and ranking of the different samples were performed using fuzzy analysis. The quality attributes were also ranked according to their importance in the overall acceptability. Colour and alcoholic strength were accorded the highest importance, compared with aroma and taste, as quality attributes. The rice wines were rated as ‘not satisfactory’, ‘fair’, ‘medium’, ‘good’ and ‘excellent’ on the sensory scale. Out of the wines prepared, black pigmented rice wine fortified with L. acidophilus was the most acceptable and was ranked as ‘good’, which was also at par with the commercial wine. On the other hand, black pigmented rice wine fortified with L. sakei and black pigmented rice wine fortified with L. acidophilus and L. sakei were ranked in the ‘satisfactory’ category followed by the unfortified wine ranked in the ‘fair’ category. Copyright © 2015 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Evaluation of physico‐chemical properties,trace metal content and antioxidant activity of Indian honeys

In this study, effect of plant sources viz. Gossypium hirsutum, Coriander sativum, Murraya koenigii and Dalbergia sisso on twelve physico‐chemical properties, phenolic content, flavonoids content as well as on trace mineral (Fe, Cu, Ni, Mn, Cd and Pb) contents of honey were investigated and compared. All the physico‐chemical values were in the range of approved limits of European Commission Regulation and the source of honey had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on physico‐chemical properties, phenol content, flavonoid content and trace mineral content. The results of positive correlations between physico‐chemical properties (colour and antioxidant properties) and compositional components (phenols and flavonoids content) established that antioxidant properties were dependent on source of honey rather than on colour of honey. Pattern recognition methods such as principal component analysis and linear discriminate analysis were performed to classify honey on the basis of physico‐chemical properties, phenolic content, flavonoids content and trace metal content. The variables proline and lead exhibited higher discrimination power.     

ACTIVITIES OF β-GALACTOSIDASE AND α-L-ARABINOFURANOSIDASE, ETHYLENE BIOSYNTHETIC ENZYMES DURING PEACH RIPENING AND SOFTENING

A study was conducted to determine changes in firmness, ethylene and ethylene biosynthetic enzymes, and the activities of β‐galactosidase (β‐GAL) and α‐L‐arabinofuranosidase (α‐AF) during peach ripening and softening. The activities of 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase, ACC oxidase and polygalacturonase increased in parallel with ethylene production and declined in firmness during peach ripening, and they appeared at maximum simultaneously at maturity IV. β‐GAL activity was high in unripe peach fruit and it experienced an overall decline during peach ripening. While α‐AF activity changed placidly at the initial stage (maturity I–III), after that it experienced a rapid increasing stage. The preliminary result indicated that β‐GAL and α‐AF, as well as ethylene biosynthetic enzymes, may be involved in the ripening and softening of peach fruit.     

Modelling the enzymatic softening of apples in relation to cultivar, growing system, picking date and season

The postharvest softening of four apple cultivars cv. Idared, Liberty, Pilot and Pinova coming from an organic and an integrated experimental orchard was studied to compare the effects of cultivar, growing system, picking date and season. The stiffness of apples was examined monthly by acoustic impulse‐response technique. The activity of β‐galactosidase (β‐Gal) and polygalacturonase (PG) causing cell wall breakdown was investigated at harvest and during storage. A mechanistic model approach was developed to interpret the integral set of data on softening as a function of the measured enzyme activities. No consistent differences were observed in β‐Gal or PG activity during storage of apples coming from either organic or integrated orchards, whereas their stiffness behaved comparably. In general, the effect of cultivar and season was higher than the effect of production system. Using the developed model, postharvest stiffness changes were described in relation to the observed changes in β‐Gal and PG activity during storage.     

The effect of cooking on the location and concentration of oxalate in three cultivars of New Zealand‐grown oca (Oxalis tuberosa Mol)

Oca (Oxalis tuberosa Mol) originates from South America but is now also grown commercially in New Zealand. It contains moderate amounts of oxalate, which is only present in its soluble form. The skin of the oca tuber is thought to contain more oxalate than the flesh. In this study the concentration of soluble oxalate was measured in the skin and outer and inner flesh and in the whole tuber of raw, boiled, baked and steamed oca. The analysis was carried out on the traditionally pinkish‐red New Zealand cultivar and on the newly introduced cultivars ‘Mellow Yellow’ and ‘Apricot Delight’. In the raw oca tuber the oxalate concentration in the skin is significantly higher than in the flesh (mean value 7.3 g kg^?1 fresh weight (FW) compared to 1.7 and 1.4 g kg^?1 FW in the outer and inner flesh respectively). The highest concentration was found in the skin of the pinkish‐red cultivar (10.9 ± 1.0 g kg^?1 FW). All cooking methods seemed to cause a migration of oxalate from the skin to the underlying flesh. On a fresh weight basis, baking significantly increased the oxalate concentration in the whole tuber, whereas boiling decreased the concentration and steaming had no significant effect (p < 0.001). Boiling might therefore be a better way of cooking oca than baking when a low intake of oxalate is desired. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Sucrose‐free chocolate sweetened with Stevia rebaudiana extract and containing different bulking agents – effects on physicochemical and sensory properties

Sucrose‐free milk chocolates sweetened with Stevia and containing different types of commercial inulin or polydextrose as bulking agents, were examined in relation to their physico‐chemical, rheological and sensory properties. Compared with chocolate sweetened with sucrose, noticeable differences in lightness (L* values) were observed for sucrose‐free chocolates and attributed to changes in surface roughness. Chocolate containing inulin with a higher degree of polymerisation (DP) had higher melting points, greater plastic viscosity and an increased flow behaviour index. The Herschel‐Bulkley mathematical model most closely fitted to the rheological data. Chocolate containing the highest DP inulin was found to be very similar to control in tested sensory attributes (appearance, firmness, smoothness, mouth feel, flavour/taste and overall acceptance) when assessed by a consumer panel. These data indicate that it is possible to manufacture sucrose‐free chocolate using high DP inulin without adversely affecting its important physico‐chemical properties and sensory acceptance.     

Effect of sea water on biochemical properties of fruit of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) genotypes differing for ethylene production

BACKGROUND: Three near‐isogenic lines of cv. Gimar differing in ethylene production were used to evaluate the influence of salinity on fruit quality. Plants were grown in rockwool culture and were irrigated with nutrient solution with electrical conductivities (ECs) of 3 and 8 mS cm^?1, which corresponded to 0 and 10% of sea water. For fruits picked at ‘red‐turning’ and ‘red‐ripe’ stages physico‐chemical parameters, ethylene, ascorbate and organic acid content, and cell reductive power were analysed. RESULTS: The same response was observed in all genotypes: the higher salinity growth solution increased dry matter content, total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acidity but reduced crop yield. Ascorbic acid and also organic acid contents showed a greater accumulation with ripening in the mutant genotypes: this might be due to a slowing of ripening. Our data confirm the lack of any relationship between the larger accumulation of TSS and ethylene production in the fruits of salt‐treated plants. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that although salinity (10% sea water) reduces fruit yield, it does not have a negative effect on quality. So, it seems possible that controlled use of diluted sea water, combined with suitable tomato genotypes might represent a valid alternative to fresh irrigation water. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of sorghum grain type on wort physico‐chemical and sensory quality in a whole‐grain and commercial enzyme mashing process

To determine the most suitable types of sorghum for whole‐grain adjunct in lager beer brewing, 14 cultivars of five different types: white tan‐plant, white non‐tan‐plant, red non‐tannin, white tannin (type II) and red tannin (type III) were evaluated. The effects of grain type on wort physico‐chemical and sensory quality with raw grain and malt plus commercial enzyme mashing were assessed. Tannin content correlated significantly and negatively with wort extract and fermentable sugars (p < 0.001) and free amino nitrogen (FAN; p < 0.1). This is attributable to inactivation of the exogenous enzymes by the tannins during the mashing process. However, the type II tannin sorghums had wort quality attributes closer to the non‐tannin sorghum types, probably owing to their relatively low tannin content (≤1%). Malting gave a great improvement in wort extract, fermentable sugars and FAN, but substantially influenced wort sensory properties in terms of higher sourness, bitterness and astringency, as well as the expected more malty flavour. Worts from raw red non‐tannin sorghums were similar to those of white tan‐plant sorghums in both physico‐chemical and sensory quality. Thus, red non‐tannin sorghums, in view of their better agronomic quality, have considerable potential as a whole‐grain adjunct in lager beer brewing. Copyright © 2013 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Antioxidant activity of essential oil of oregano species from Argentina in relation to their chemical composition

The purpose of this work was to determine chemical composition and antioxidant activity of essential oil of different oregano species from Argentina: ‘Cordobes’, ‘Criollo’, ‘Mendocino’ and ‘Compacto’. The essential oil composition was determined by gas–liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Scavenging activity was analysed by DPPH test. The antioxidant activity of the essential oils was determined by an accelerated oxidation test in canola oil. Thirty‐nine compounds were identified in the oregano essential oils. The oregano species showed differences in their chemical composition, radical scavenging activity and antioxidant activity. The main compounds in the studied oregano species were thymol and trans‐sabinene hydrate followed by γ‐terpinene, terpinen‐4‐ol and α‐terpinene. The oregano, ‘Criollo’, was rich in γ‐terpinene and had lower thymol and trans‐sabinene hydrate and higher α‐terpinene and carvacrol contents than the other oregano species. ‘Mendocino’ had higher trans‐sabinene hydrate and limonene than the other oregano species. ‘Cordobes’ and ‘Compacto’ had higher thymol content, radical scavenging activity and antioxidant activity in canola oil.     

Effect of grafting and modified atmosphere packaging on eggplant quality parameters during storage

The physico‐chemical parameters (pH, mechanical firmness and vitamin C) and sensory parameters of grafted and ungrafted eggplant plants were studied in relation to storage time (up to 17 days at 10 °C). Eggplant plants of cultivar ‘Tsakoniki’ were grafted on Solanum torvum and S. sisymbriifolium rootstocks in order to avoid the soil borne disease caused by Verticillium dahliae. The fruits were stored under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Vitamin C was negatively affected by grafting it storage, while MAP prolonged the shelf life. Although pH was not affected by grafting but was positively affected by MAP. Flesh firmness was negatively affected by grafting and reduced over storage, but positively affected by MAP. Sensory analysis showed higher ratings of fruits from ungrafted plants for sweetness, acceptance and hardness whereas no difference was detected for overall acceptance. Fruits stored under MAP were better maintained compared with those stored in air.