Relationship and correlation between antioxidant content and capacity,processing method and fruit colour of cactus pear fruit

Cactus pear fruit is a valuable source of antioxidants and could be an important functional ingredient in foods. Cultivars differ in fruit colour, which may indicate the presence of specific antioxidants. There is increased interest for cactus pear-derived products due to their potential nutraceutical effects, and determining antioxidant potential in processed foods is an important measure to ascertain the quality of a processed product. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship of fruit processing method and colour with antioxidant content and activity in fresh and processed cactus pear fruit. Antioxidant components (ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, carotenes and betalains) and antioxidant activity (radical scavenging activity towards 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and iron chelating capacity) were determined in fresh and processed (juiced, dried, preserved and chutney) fruits from four different coloured cultivars (purple, green, orange and pink). The highest antioxidant content and potential was found in purple (O. robusta cv Robusta) fruit products, attributed to the highest levels of betalains (1140.4 mg kg^?1). Orange fruit (O. ficus-indica) products had the second highest levels, attributed to ascorbic acid and phenolics. Betalains were highly retained in all processed products, while ascorbic acid was mostly retained in the processed products that involved minimal heat treatment. Carotene and phenolic compounds became more available for extraction during processing and showed higher levels after processing. Principal component analysis makes it possible to identify fruit colours of fresh and processed products, which were mostly associated with a specific antioxidant. In the PCA biplot, PC1 (47.93%) and PC2 (21.93%) explained 69.15% of the total variation: a processing method rather than colour-correlated products in terms of antioxidant content and potential. PCA indicated that fresh purple fruit was correlated with chelating activity and betalains, while orange fruit was clustered with phenolics, ascorbic acid, carotene and DPPH. For the processed fruit products, most were clustered together with chelating activity, DPPH and the antioxidants. Orange and pink dried products had high ascorbic acid, phenolics, carotene and DPPH values, while dried and fresh purple fruit had high betalain content and chelating activity.     

荔枝果实不同部位提取物的总黄酮含量及其稳定性、抗氧化、美白活性分析

目的 探究荔枝果实不同部位多酚提取物（果肉、鲜干果核、鲜干果壳）中总黄酮含量及其稳定性、抗氧化及美白活性。方法 通过亚硝酸钠显色法测定荔枝果实不同部位多酚提取物中的黄酮类物质含量,并以紫外分光光度法测定其对1,1-二苯基-2-苦基肼(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH)自由基的清除能力、稳定性（温度、pH及光照）及对酪氨酸酶的抑制活性。 结果 荔枝果实不同部位多酚提取物中均有较高的总黄酮含量,其中荔枝果肉多酚中黄酮占比最高为93.24%;其DPPH抗氧化活性顺序是荔枝果肉＞鲜荔枝核＞干荔枝核＞鲜荔枝壳＞干荔枝壳;对酪氨酸酶抑制能力分别是：荔枝果肉＞干荔枝核＞鲜荔枝核＞鲜荔枝壳＞干荔枝壳,其中荔枝果肉与干荔枝核的半抑制浓度(half maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50) 分别为0.197与0.241,均优于熊果苷(IC50为0.343)。在同等温度、pH、自然光条件下,荔枝果实总黄酮稳定性顺序分别是干荔枝壳＞干荔枝核＞鲜荔枝壳＞鲜荔枝核＞荔枝果肉;结论 荔枝果实不同部位多酚提取物均具有一定DPPH抗氧化活性、稳定性与酪氨酸酶抑制活性,且其DPPH抗氧化活性和酪氨酸酶抑制活性均与其总黄酮含量和成分相关。荔枝果肉和荔枝壳、荔枝核等废弃物均可成为天然抗氧化剂与美白成分的原料来源,为拓展荔枝果实在食品及日化行业的应用提供参考。     

Effects of Production and Processing Factors on Major Fruit and Vegetable Antioxidants

ABSTRACT: Public awareness of the purported health benefits of dietary antioxidants has increased the demand for fruit and vegetable products with recognized and improved antioxidant quality and has created new opportunities for the horticulture and food industry to improve fruit and vegetable quality by enhancing antioxidant content. This review describes the production and processing factors that influence the content of the major fruit and vegetable antioxidants, namely vitamin C, carotenoids, and phenolics. There is substantial genetic variation in the content of each of these antioxidant types among fruit and vegetable cultivars. Compared with vitamin C and carotenoids, the levels of phenolic antioxidants appear to be more sensitive to environmental conditions both before and after harvest. Although vitamin C can be readily lost during fresh storage, the content of certain carotenoids and phenolics can actually increase during suitable conditions of fresh storage. Vitamin C and phenolics are more susceptible to loss during processing, especially by leaching from plant tissues into processing water. The combination of cultivar variation and responsiveness to specific environmental conditions can create opportunities for the production and processing of fruits and vegetables with improved antioxidant properties.     

采前水杨酸处理对红肉脐橙采收时和贮藏期抗氧化活性的影响

以红肉脐橙果实为材料,研究不同浓度水杨酸(SA)采前处理对其贮藏期果肉抗氧化活性的影响。结果表明：不同浓度SA处理增加了果实采收时抗氧化成分(番茄红素、β-胡萝卜素、总酚和类黄酮)含量和体外抗氧化活性(FRAP值),且在实验浓度范围内处理浓度越高效果越明显。果实贮藏以后,番茄红素、β-胡萝卜素含量持续下降,而总酚和类黄酮含量呈上升变化趋势,采前SA处理能显著增加果实贮藏期间上述抗氧化成分的含量,且以2.0mmol/L SA处理的效果最好;此外,体外抗氧化活性先增加后降低,最大值出现在贮藏45d,贮藏结束时(105d),0.5、1.0、2.0mmol/L SA处理的果实体外抗氧化活性显著高于对照。     

真空冷冻干燥过程中鲜食枣营养品质的变化研究

本文研究了真空冷冻干燥过程中鲜食枣营养品质及抗氧化活性的变化规律,为实际生产加工产品选择合适的干燥时间提供理论依据。结果表明:冷冻干燥过程中,鲜食枣还原糖含量存在显著性差异,且干燥结束时显著升高(p0.05);冻干产品维生素C保留率高达99.58%;有机酸是产品中重要的风味营养物质,其中,草酸、柠檬酸含量在冻干过程中均存在显著性差异(p0.05),且在干燥结束时,草酸、酒石酸、柠檬酸含量分别是鲜样的1.64倍、1.32倍、3.83倍;冻干过程鲜食枣ABTS+·清除能力、抗氧化力均存在显著性差异(p0.05),且冻干后ABTS+·清除能力提高6.91%,抗氧化力保留率达92.01%。由此可见,冻干过程中冻干时间对营养物质含量及活性有重要影响。冻干6~9 h有利于保持贮藏的水分和较高的营养品质,同时有助于降低能耗,并保持其功能价值。     

Bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential in fresh and dried Jaffa® sweeties,a new kind of citrus fruit

Bioactive compounds in the edible parts of fresh and dried Jaffa^® sweeties, a new kind of citrus fruit, were analysed and their antioxidant capacities were assessed. Antioxidant‐rich fractions were extracted from fresh and dried sweeties with 1.2 M HCl in methanol/water (1:1 v/v), and the antioxidant activities of these extracts were evaluated. Using the β‐carotene/linoleate model system, the extracts from equivalent quantities of fresh and dried sweeties showed 89 and 87% antioxidant activity respectively. Similarly, using the DPPH radical‐scavenging method, the extracts showed 87 and 85% antioxidant activity respectively. The best correlations were between caffeic acid content and β‐carotene and DPPH antioxidant activity values (r = 0.9849 and 0.9798 respectively, p = 0.005). Both fresh and dried sweeties are bioactive natural products; when fresh fruits are not available, properly dried sweeties could be used as a substitute. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effect of trehalose, sucrose and maltodextrin addition on physicochemical and sensory aspects of freeze - dried strawberry puree

Use of trehalose as a novel drying aid to produce freeze-dried strawberry puree was studied and compared with conventional drying aids for fruit purees, namely sucrose and maltodextrin (MD). Glass transition temperature ( T _g), colour, sensory profile and consumer preference were determined. Purees dried with MD and/or trehalose presented higher T _g values as compared to sucrose. Sensory evaluation indicated that samples dried with trehalose retained fresh strawberry aroma and flavour, keeping a good sweetness/sourness balance, while puree dried with sucrose was mostly sweet. Addition of MD caused an increase in products visual viscosity and sourness, attributes which were negatively correlated to preference. Trehalose presented several advantages for increasing the quality of freeze dried fruit purees. It raised T _g, gave an adequate sweetness/sourness balance, and allowed a better perception of fresh strawberry flavour.     

Effects of Food Processing on Blueberry Antiproliferation and Antioxidant Activity

Cultivated highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) and wild lowbush (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) blueberries are excellent sources of phytochemicals that are believed to have significant biological activity. The objective of this study was to determine whether incorporation of blueberries into food products affects their phenolic content or antioxidant and antiproliferation activity. Several blueberry fruit‐containing products including fresh, individually quick frozen (IQF), freeze‐dried, spray‐dried, heat‐dried, cooked, juice concentrate, pie filling, and jam were fractionated to remove sugars and isolate groups of phytochemicals based on solubility. The fractions were analyzed for total phenolics and assayed for ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) antioxidant activity, 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and hepa‐1c1c7 antiproliferative activities. For both cultivated and wild berries, fresh and IQF berries had the highest total phenols, antioxidant activity, and antiproliferation activity. Whole freeze‐dried wild blueberries also retained significant antiproliferative activity in 2 fractions eluted with acetone (fraction 4, 4% of control cell growth at 20 (μg/mL) and 50% aqueous acetone (fraction 5, 69% of control cell growth at 20 (μg/mL) and ranked close to the activities recorded for fresh (30% of control cell growth at 20 (μg/mL for fraction 5) and IQF whole fruit (27% of control cell growth at 20 (μg/mL for fraction 5). Products that were heat‐processed retained most of the antioxidant activity and total phenolics found in unprocessed whole fruit. However, the heat‐treated products lacked or had diminished antiproliferation activity, suggesting that although products may be high in phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity, some forms of bioactivity may be compromised by harsh processing methods.     

Impact of minimal processing on orange bioactive compounds during refrigerated storage

The effect of minimal processing on the health-related attributes of orange fruit was investigated. Oranges were prepared as whole fruits, hand-peeled fruits and manually separated segments, packed under air atmosphere and stored at 4 °C for 12 days. The stability of main bioactive compounds (carotenoids, flavanones and vitamin C) and antioxidant activity was evaluated. The total carotenoid content showed a significant increase for the whole samples during refrigerated storage, whereas no significant changes were observed for segments or peeled samples. A similar trend was found for vitamin A. With regard to vitamin C, at the end of refrigerated storage, some losses were observed although no significant differences were found among the different processed samples. The flavanone content showed a significant increase throughout refrigerated storage as response to cold stress. In general, the antioxidant activity remained stable in relation to the initial values. Hence, the health-related characteristics of minimally processed oranges were retained during refrigerated storage.     

Fruit Quality, Antioxidant Contents and Activity, and Antiproliferative Activity of Strawberry Fruit Stored in Elevated CO2 Atmospheres

ABSTRACT:  The effects of CO₂ in the storage atmosphere on color, firmness, ascorbic acid (AA), anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolics, total antioxidant activity, and antiproliferative activity of strawberry fruit have been investigated. "Northeaster" and "Earliglow" strawberries were stored in air or in 20% CO₂ (in air) at 3 °C for 20 d. Color changes in Northeaster were delayed more by CO₂ treatment than in Earliglow. Firmness of CO₂-stored fruit increased slightly compared with those stored in air. The increases in total and reduced AA concentrations during air storage were usually prevented by CO₂ storage in both cultivars. Dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) concentrations increased during CO₂ storage. Anthocyanins and flavonoids, and total antioxidant activity of both cultivars were higher in air-stored fruit than in CO₂-stored fruit. The total phenolic concentration was lower in CO₂-stored Earliglow fruit than in air, but storage treatment did not affect that of Northeaster. A 40 mg/mL concentration of Northeaster strawberry extract inhibited about 80% of HepG₂ human liver cancer cell proliferation. CO₂ treatment did not affect the antiproliferative activity of strawberry fruits, but antiproliferative activity was greater at harvest than after storage.     

Total Phenolics,Carotenoids, Ascorbic Acid,and Antioxidant Properties of Fresh‐cut Mango (Mangifera indica L., cv. Tommy Atkin) as Affected by Infrared Heat Treatment

Abstract: Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a major tropical fruit that has not been exploited for fresh‐cut or minimally processed products on a scale similar to apples, pineapples, or melons. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of infrared (IR) treatment on total phenolics, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant properties of fresh‐cut cubes from ‘Tommy Atkin’ mangoes. Mango cubes were IR treated (5, 10, 15 min) and evaluated at 4‐d intervals during 16‐d storage at 4 ± 1 °C. Total phenolics, carotenoids, and ascorbic acid content in fresh‐cut control mango cubes were 43.33, 1.37, and 15.97 mg/100 g FW, respectively. IR treatments increased total phenolics (59.23 to 71.16 mg/100 g FW) and decreased ascorbic acid (12.14 to 15.38 mg/100 g, FW). Total carotenoids showed a mixed trend (1.13 to 1.66 mg/100 g, FW). The IR treatment showed a significant positive impact on antioxidant properties (μM TE/100 g, FW) of mango cubes, as assayed by ABTS (261.5 compared with 338.0 to 416.4), DPPH (270.5 compared with 289.4 to 360.5), and ORAC (6686 compared with 8450 to 12230). Total phenolics, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant capacity decreased over 16‐d storage. However, IR treated samples had consistently higher ABTS, DPPH, and total phenolics during storage. It was demonstrated that IR treatment can be effectively used in improving antioxidant properties of fresh‐cut mangoes with minimal effect on the visual appearance. Practical Application: Various methods/treatments are in use for extending the quality of fresh‐cut fruits, including mild heat treatment. This study explored the application of infrared (IR) heat for processing fresh‐cut mango cubes and evaluated its effect on vitamin C and antioxidant capacity during 16‐d storage. This is the first study reporting on the use of IR heat in fresh‐cut fruits. IR treatment was shown to be effective in retaining antioxidant properties of fresh‐cut mango cubes with minimal effect on the visual appearance.     

Processed Tart Cherry Products—Comparative Phytochemical Content,in vitro Antioxidant Capacity and in vitro Anti‐inflammatory Activity

Abstract: Processing of fruits and vegetables affects their phytochemical and nutrient content. Tart cherries are commercially promoted to possess antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activity. However, processing affects their phytochemical content and may affect their related health benefits. The current study compares the in vitro antioxidant capacity and anti‐inflammatory cyclooxygenase activity of processed tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) products—cherry juice concentrate, individually quick‐frozen cherries, canned cherries, and dried cherries. Cherry products were analyzed for total anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin content and profile. On a per serving basis, total anthocyanins were highest in frozen cherries and total proanthocyanidins were highest in juice concentrate. Total phenolics were highest in juice concentrate. Juice concentrate had the highest oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and peroxynitrite radical averting capacity (NORAC). Dried cherries had the highest hydroxyl radical averting capacity (HORAC) and superoxide radical averting capacity (SORAC). Processed tart cherry products compared very favorably to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture‐reported ORAC of other fresh and processed fruits. Inhibition of in vitro inflammatory COX‐1 activity was greatest in juice concentrate. In summary, all processed tart cherry products possessed antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activity, but processing differentially affected phytochemical content and in vitro bioactivity. On a per serving basis, juice concentrate was superior to other tart cherry products. Practical Application: Processing of fruits and vegetables affects their chemical and nutrient content and perhaps their related health benefits. Comparative studies are valuable to ascertain the effects of processing on fruit and vegetable chemical content and bioactivity. Here we present tart cherries as a model for this type of detailed comparison.     

Effect of Storage on the Physico‐Chemical and Antioxidant Properties of Strawberry and Kiwi Leathers

Strawberry and kiwi leathers were used to develop a new healthy and preservative‐free fruit snack for new markets. Fruit puree was dehydrated at 60 °C for 20 h and subjected to accelerated storage. Soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, water activity (a_w), total phenolic (TP), antioxidant activity (AOA) and capacity (ORAC), and color change (browning index) were measured in leathers, cooked, and fresh purees. An untrained panel was used to evaluate consumer acceptability. Soluble solids of fresh purees were 11.24 to 13.04 °Brix, whereas pH was 3.46 to 3.39. Leathers presented an a_w of 0.59 to 0.67, and a moisture content of 21 kg water/100 kg. BI decreased in both leathers over accelerated storage period. TP and AOA were higher (P ≤ 0.05) in strawberry formulations. ORAC decreased 57% in strawberry and 65% in kiwi leathers when compared to fruit puree. TP and AOA increased in strawberries during storage. Strawberry and Kiwi leathers may be a feasible new, natural, high antioxidant, and healthy snack for the Chilean and other world markets, such as Europe, particularly the strawberry leather, which was preferred by untrained panelists.     

Effects of short‐term N2 treatment on quality and antioxidant ability of loquat fruit during cold storage

BACKGROUND: Loquat fruit is susceptible to microbial decay and quality deterioration during postharvest distribution. In this study, in a search for effective alternatives to methods currently used for quality maintenance, the effects of short‐term pre‐storage N₂ treatment on the quality and antioxidant ability of loquat fruit were investigated. RESULTS: Loquat fruits were exposed to 100% N₂ for 6 h at 20 °C and then stored at 5 °C for 35 days. Short‐term N₂ treatment significantly delayed the increase in fruit decay rate and decreases in total soluble solid and titratable acidity contents, thereby maintaining better eating quality and extending the storage life of fruits. It also markedly delayed increases in membrane permeability, malondialdehyde content and superoxide anion production rate. In addition, N₂‐treated fruits exhibited significantly higher superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and lower lipoxygenase activity than control fruits. CONCLUSION: Short‐term pre‐storage N₂ treatment effectively reduced fruit decay and maintained quality in loquat fruits during cold storage. The reduction in fruit decay and quality deterioration by the treatment was correlated with enhanced antioxidant ability and reduced lipid peroxidation. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

中短波红外干燥对桑葚干燥特性、营养品质及抗氧化活性的影响

为探究中短波红外干燥对桑葚干燥特性、能耗、营养品质及抗氧化活性的影响,将新鲜桑葚在不同干燥温度条件下（50、60、70 ℃）进行中短波红外干制,以相同干燥温度条件下（50、60、70 ℃）的热风干燥为对照,探究不同干燥条件下桑葚的干燥特性、能耗、单体酚类物质、总酚、总黄酮、维生素C、总花色苷的含量及抗氧化活性,并建立桑果中短波红外干燥数学模型。结果表明,中短波红外干燥能够显著（P<0.05）提高桑果的干制效率（50 ℃下干燥效率提高55.7%,60 ℃下干燥效率提高46.1%,70 ℃干燥效率提高33.3%）,Weibull分布模型能够较好地模拟桑果在不同干燥温度下的中短波红外干燥过程,且桑果经中短波红外干燥后能耗较低。干制后桑果共检测出12种酚类物质,其中绿原酸、芦丁、儿茶素为主要的酚类物质。相比传统的热风干燥,中短波红外干燥效率高,且干燥后桑葚的总酚、总黄酮、维生素C、总花色苷含量较高,总酚含量为463.1～568.8 mg/100 g;总黄酮含量为312.6～402.6 mg/100 g;维生素C含量为30.1～37.8 mg/100 g;总花色苷含量为153.6～195.6 mg/100 g。且与热风干燥相比桑果经中短波红外干燥后抗氧化活性显著增强（P<0.05）（DPPH自由基清除能力较热风干燥提高了32.8%～42.6%;铁离子还原能力较热风干燥提高21.1%～34.1%）。中短波红外干燥桑果干燥效率较高,能耗较低,干制品品质较好,故中短波红外干燥是一种优良的桑果干燥方式,可为桑果干制加工提供理论参考。     

Fruit juice-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations in isolated porcine coronary arteries: evaluation of different fruit juices and purees and optimization of a red fruit juice blend

Numerous studies have indicated that several polyphenol-rich sources such as red wine and green tea are potent inducers of endothelium-dependent relaxations in isolated arteries. As various fruits and berries are known to contain high levels of polyphenols, the aim of the present study was to assess the ability of selected pure fruit juices and purees as well as blends to cause endothelium-dependent relaxations in isolated arteries. Vascular reactivity was assessed using porcine coronary artery rings, and fruit juices, purees and blends were characterized for their content in vitamin C, total phenolic, sugar and antioxidant activity. Fruit juices and purees caused variable concentration-dependent relaxations, with blackcurrant, aronia, cranberry, blueberry, lingonberry, and grape being the most effective fruits. Several blends of red fruits caused endothelium-dependent relaxations. Relaxations to blend D involved both a NO- and an EDHF-mediated components. The present findings indicate that some berries and blends of red fruit juices are potent inducers of endothelium-dependent relaxations in the porcine coronary artery. This effect involves both endothelium-derived NO and EDHF, and appears to be dependent on their polyphenolic composition rather than on the polyphenolic content.     

两种贮藏温度下“黑琥珀”李果实品质及不同部位抗氧化活性的变化规律

研究不同贮藏温度下李果实品质以及近果皮与近果核部位果肉抗氧化能力的变化。结果表明,在20℃贮藏时,李果实硬度、超氧阴离子自由基、羟自由基和DPPH 自由基清除能力不同程度降低,而pH 值、总抗氧化能力、总酚和总黄酮含量升高,2℃贮藏可显著延缓李果实硬度、超氧阴离子自由基、羟自由基和DPPH 自由 基清除能力的降低,以及pH 值、总抗氧化能力、总酚和总黄酮含量的升高;相关性分析的结果表明,李果实中酚类、黄酮类物质含量与总抗氧化能力具有极显著相关性(P ＜ 0.01);李果实近果皮及近果核处果肉的总抗氧化能力、羟自由基清除能力、总酚及总黄酮含量均存在显著性差异;李果实SSC 与近果皮果肉总抗氧化能力、清除超氧阴离子自由基及DPPH 自由基能力、总酚含量的相关系数大于近果核,而pH 值与近果核处总抗氧化能力、清除超氧阴离子自由基及羟自由基能力、总酚及总黄酮含量的相关系数大于近果皮果肉。李果采后品质劣变可能与清除超氧阴离子自由基、羟自由基及DPPH 自由基能力的降低有关。     

Effect of chitosan/nano-silica coating on the physicochemical characteristics of longan fruit under ambient temperature

A novel chitosan/nano-silica hybrid film was prepared using tetraethoxysilane as precursor by in situ sol–gel process, and characterized by transmission electron microscopy. Its effect on preservation quality of longan fruits (Dimocarpus longan Lour. cv Shijia) was investigated under ambient temperature. The present study revealed that the excellent semi-permeable film of chitosan/nano-silica markedly extended shelf life, reduced browning index, retarded weight loss and inhibited the increase of malondialdehyde amount and polyphenoloxidase activity in fresh longan fruit. In addition, the peroxidase activity of longan fruit coated with hybrid film was lower than that in other treatment fruits. Decreases in the contents of total soluble solids, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid were also significantly inhibited by hybrid films. These data indicated that the chitosan/nano-silica coating might provide an attractive alternative to improve preservation quality of fresh longan fruits during extended storage.     

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND NUTRACEUTICAL ANALYSIS TO ENHANCE THE VALUE OF DRIED FRUIT

ABSTRACT

Value‐added fruit products suitable for production by small‐scale farmers and processors were developed and evaluated. Apples, blueberries, peaches and strawberries from local growers were processed into a dried fruit product. The total phenolics, total anthocyanins and oxygen radical absorbing capacity (ORAC) were determined. Drying the fruit concentrated total phenolics, total anthocyanins and ORAC levels as compared to fresh fruit. The nutraceutical components of the blueberries, peaches and strawberries of the local dried fruit were higher than those of commercial dried fruit purchased at a natural food store. The dried fruit from both the local and commercial fruits was used to create a fruit pie filling for consumer evaluation. Consumer acceptance of fruit pie filling from dried fruit grown locally and dried commercial fruits was evaluated using a 9‐point verbal hedonic scale and a 5‐point Just About Right scale. In terms of consumer evaluation, the pie fillings made from local dried fruits were either better or at parity with those from commercial products. In addition to the nutraceutical benefits, the pie fillings were consumer acceptable products that could represent an avenue for small‐scale farmers to add value to surplus fruit.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Complete utilization of fruit crops is a key component to the success of small farm operations. Excess fruit crops can be dried (or processed in other manners) and used to create many value‐added products. Increased consumer awareness of healthy food products provides a niche market for these fruit products. In this research, the nutraceutical benefits of fresh and dried apples, blueberries, peaches and strawberries were investigated and the consumer overall acceptance of a pie filling produced from these dried fruit was shown.

     

臭氧处理对黄花梨果实褐变的影响

为研究臭氧处理对梨果实褐变的影响,采用5.0、2.5mg/L 臭氧水和蒸馏水浸泡黄花梨整果和鲜切果,5min后晾干,分别贮于20℃和5℃条件下,对贮藏过程中果实和切片的褐变指数、总酚(TP)含量及与酶促褐变相关的多酚氧化酶(PPO)、过氧化物酶(POD)和苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)活性变化进行研究。结果表明：臭氧处理的黄花梨整果与鲜切果各项指标均优于对照组;臭氧处理显著降低贮藏5d 后黄花梨整果果心和整个贮藏期鲜切片的褐变指数,维持梨整果与鲜切果较高的总酚含量,对二者PPO、POD 活性均有一定的抑制作用;可增加梨整果较高的PAL 活性,抑制鲜切梨果PAL 活性。抑制黄花梨整果和鲜切果褐变以2.5mg/L 臭氧水处理为好。