Lycopene and beta carotene concentration in aril oil of gac (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng) as influenced by aril-drying process and solvents extraction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lycopene and beta carotene concentration in aril oil of gac as influenced by extracting solvents and drying methods. The solvent extractions namely chloroform:methanol (2:1 v/v), petroleum ether and hexane were evaluated for optimal extracting solvent of each carotenoid. Three different drying methods were used including hot-air (HA), low relative humidity air drying (LRH) and far-infrared radiation (FIR). The extracts of different solvents were exhibited to have different levels of lycopene and beta-carotene. Chloroform:methanol (2:1 v/v) showed higher lycopene and beta-carotene content in aril oil (0.49 and 1.18 mg/g) than that of fresh aril (0.045 and 0.009 mg/g). Among the different drying methods, HA was found to provide the highest amount of lycopene (0.82 mg/g DW) in the aril oil, followed by FIR (0.67 mg/g DW) and LRH (0.56 mg/g DW). Interestingly, HA dried aril oil had higher content of lycopene than that of control (fresh). However, processing methods are known to have variable effects on bioactive compounds of plant samples. Effects could vary from little or no change to significant losses, or even enhancement in antioxidant properties.     

Effects of Gac aril microwave processing conditions on oil extraction efficiency,and β-carotene and lycopene contents

The effects of Gac oil extraction conditions including microwave power, microwave time, steaming time and hydraulic pressure on extraction efficiency (EE), and β-carotene and lycopene contents were studied. It was found that the EE, and β-carotene and lycopene contents could be enhanced by suitable extraction conditions. Microwave drying was found to be better than air drying for pretreatment. Moisture content after drying and steaming between 8% and 11% (wt/wt) were best for pressing. Results showed that the most suitable conditions for Gac oil extraction from 900 g samples were microwave power of 630 W, microwave time of 65 min, steaming time of 20 min and hydraulic pressure of 170 kg/cm². Under these conditions, the highest EE of 93% was achieved while Gac oil contained the highest content of β-carotene and lycopene at 140 and 414 mg/100 mL, respectively.     

Ohmic heating treatment for Gac aril oil extraction: Effects on extraction efficiency,physical properties and some bioactive compounds

The effects of ohmic heating on Gac aril oil extraction in comparison with conventional heating were studied. The experiments were conducted using three extraction stages with the selected ratio of Gac aril powder to n-hexane (solvent) and time for each stage of 1:7 (7 h), 1:6 (6 h) and 1:5 (5 h), respectively. The aims were to (1) study the possibility of applying ohmic method in Gac aril oil extraction and (2) compare between oil extraction using ohmic and conventional treatments. It appeared that the electrical conductivities of fresh Gac aril, Gac aril powder with water and Gac aril powder with hexane ranged between 0.54 and 1.16, 0.50–1.46 and 0.18–0.31 S·m^− 1 respectively. The extraction efficiency, color characteristics and the contents of β-carotene and lycopene of Gac aril oil were enhanced by extraction with ohmic method. Three extraction stages with ohmic heating treatment at 50 °C in all stages resulted in the highest extraction efficiency (81.40%). The SEM micrographs proved that the cell wall of the Gac aril powder after extraction with ohmic heating was more ruptured than that of conventional heating. Physical properties of Gac aril powder and residues collected from different extraction methods were diverse due to their dissimilar compositions and structures.     

Phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of different fruit fractions (peel,pulp, aril and seed) of Thai gac (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng)

Three fractions (peel, pulp and aril) of gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng) were investigated for their phytochemicals (lycopene, beta-carotene, lutein and phenolic compounds) and their antioxidant activity. The results showed that the aril had the highest contents for both lycopene and beta-carotene, whilst peel (yellow) contained the highest amount of lutein. Two major phenolic acid groups: hydroxybenzoic acids and hydroxycinnamic were identified and quantified. Gallic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid were found in all fractions. Ferulic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid were most evident in pulp. Myricetin was the only flavonoid found in all fractions. Apigenin was the most predominant flavonoid in pulp (red), whereas rutin and luteolin gave the highest content in aril. The extracts of different fractions exhibited different levels of antioxidant activity in the systems tested. The aril extract showed the highest FRAP value. The greatest antioxidant activities of peel and pulp extracts were at immature stage, whereas those in the seed extracts increased from mature stage to ripe stage. The contents of total phenolic and total flavonoid in peel and pulp decreased during the fruit development stage (immature > ripe fruit) and subsequently displayed lower antioxidant capacity, except for the seed.     

Optimisation of microwave‐assisted extraction of Gac oil at different hydraulic pressure,microwave and steaming conditions

The study aimed to optimise Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng) oil extraction conditions, including microwave time, steaming time and hydraulic pressure, for maximising extraction efficiency (EE), and β‐carotene and lycopene contents, using response surface methodology. Results indicated that the data were adequately fitted into three second‐order polynomial models for EE, β‐carotene and lycopene with R² values of 0.93, 0.85 and 0.86, respectively. It was predicted that the optimum extraction conditions within the experimental ranges would be the microwaving time of 62 min, steaming time of 22 min and hydraulic pressure of 175 kg cm^?2. Under such parameters, the maximum EE of 86%, β‐carotene content of 186 mg per 100 mL oil and lycopene content of 518 mg per 100 mL oil were achieved as predicted.     

Composition and availability of soluble and insoluble oxalates in raw and cooked taro (Colocasia esculenta var. Schott) leaves

Taro (Colocasia esculenta var. Schott) is a major staple food crop in parts of Asia and the Pacific Islands and is grown as a minor crop in New Zealand. Soluble, insoluble and total oxalate content of young and older leaves were determined by HPLC following hot water (80 °C) and hot (80 °C) acid (0.2 mol/L HCL) extractions. Young taro leaves contained 589 ± 35.8 mg total oxalates/100 g fresh weight (FW) while older taro leaves contained (443 ± 15.0 mg total oxalates/100 g FW). Soluble oxalates were 74% of the total oxalate content of the young and old leaves.     

Extraction of β-carotenes from palm oil mesocarp using sub-critical R134a

Sub-critical extraction of palm oil from palm mesocarp using R134a solvent was conducted via the dynamic mode to investigate the ability of R134a to extract β-carotene. The yield of palm oil and the solubility of β-carotene were investigated at 40, 60 and 80 °C and pressure range from 45–100 bar. The extracted oil was analysed for β-carotene content using UV–Vis spectrophotometry. The results showed that palm oil yield increased with pressure and temperature. The maximum solubility of β-carotene was obtained at 100 bar and 60 °C while the lowest solubility occurred at 80 bar and 40 °C. The higher concentration of extracted β-carotene ranging from 330–780 ppm as compared to that achieved through conventional palm oil processing indicates that extraction of β-carotene using R134a is viable.     

Effects of spray drying conditions on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of the Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis) fruit aril powder

Gac fruit aril has an attractive orange red colour and very high level of carotenoids, giving it exceptional antioxidant properties. However, spray drying of this material has not been successful and malto dextrin is considered as a suitable drying aid to preserve its colour and antioxidant properties. This paper reports the effects of inlet drying air temperature (120, 140, 160, 180 and 200 °C) and maltodextrin addition (10%, 20% and 30%) on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of the Gac aril powder. Moisture content and bulk density, colour characteristics, total carotenoid content (TCC), encapsulation efficiency and total antioxidant activity (TAA) were significantly affected by maltodextrin concentration and the inlet air temperatures. However, pH, a_w and water solubility index were not significantly influenced by the spray drying conditions. Overall, a good quality Gac powder in terms of colour, TCC and TAA can be produced by spray-drying at inlet temperature of 120 °C and adding maltodextrin concentration at 10% w/v.     

A method of preserving and testing the acceptability of gac fruit oil,a good source of beta-carotene and essential fatty acids

Gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng) is indigenous to Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia. Its seed pulp contains high concentrations of carotenoids, especially the provitamin A, beta-carotene. In northern Vietnam, gac fruits are seasonal and are mainly used in making a rice dish called xoi gac. The purpose of this study was to develop a method to collect and preserve gac fruit oil, to evaluate the nutritional composition of the oil, and to assess the acceptability of the gac oil by typical Vietnamese homemakers. One hundred women participated in training to learn how to prepare the fruits and operate the oil press. The women also participated in a survey of gac fruit use and their habitual use of animal fat and vegetable oil. Among all the participants in the training and surveys, 35 women actually produced oil from gac fruits grown in the village, using manual oil presses and locally available materials. The total carotene concentration in gac fruit oil was 5,700 micrograms/ml. The concentration of beta-carotene was 2,710 micrograms/ml. Sixty-nine percent of total fat was unsaturated, and 35% of that was polyunsaturated. The average daily consumption of gac fruit oil was estimated at 2 ml per person. The daily beta-carotene intake (from gac fruit oil) averaged approximately 5 mg per person. It was found that gac oil can be produced locally by village women using manual presses and locally available materials. The oil is a rich source of beta-carotene, vitamin E, and essential fatty acids. Although the beta-carotene concentration declines with time without a preservative or proper storage, it was still high after three months. The oil was readily accepted by the women and their children, and consumption of the oil increased the intake of beta-carotene and reduced the intake of lard.     

Stability of carotenoid extracts of g?c (Momordica cochinchinensis) towards cooxidation — Protective effect of lycopene on ��-carotene

Momordica cochinchinensis, so-called g?c in Vietnam, is considered as a fruit with high nutritional potential. Its antioxidant property, due to a high concentration of carotenes (??-carotene and lycopene), is particularly estimated. In this study, we have investigated the degradation of carotene extracts obtained from g?c aril. These extracts were dispersed in the aqueous phase in Tween 80 micelles or were encapsulated into polylactic acid (PLA) particles. In both cases, carotenes were far less degraded than synthetic ??-carotene. However, the degradation of lycopene was still rapid (around 1 mM lycopene degraded per hour), whereas ??-carotene was almost not bleached. Moreover, in g?c, the cleavage of the ??-carotene's molecule was situated nearer the extremity of the cycle than for pure ??-carotene. It gave rise essentially to ??-cyclocitral. For encapsulated ??-carotene, the presence of PLA modified this site to the C9-10 bond which is the favoured cleavage site of pure ??-carotene.We conclude that the presence of lycopene in g?c has a protective role on the molecule of ??-carotene and modifies the cleavage site. However, the supramolecular structure is still very important in the orientation of cleavage as the encapsulation in PLA particles increases degradation and modifies the cleavage site.     

Changes in bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of fresh-cut cashew apple

In this study, ascorbic acid, total polyphenols and proanthocyanidins of fresh-cut cashew apple were quantified. Antioxidant capacity was determined in whole juice and in polyphenols extracts by three methods: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and ??-carotene bleaching. Effect of cutting and storage for 24 h at 2 °C, 27 °C and 40 °C on these compounds were also evaluated. Cashew apple presented 163 mg of ascorbic acid per 100 g of fresh weight (FW). Soluble and hydrolysable polyphenols contents were 12.79 mg GAE/100 g FW and 18.53 mg GAE/100 g FW and proanthocyanidins were 9.27 mg/100 g FW. Antioxidant capacity of juice and polyphenols extract was high for DPPH method. Storage temperatures affected bioactive compounds on cut cashew apple. The content of ascorbic acid decreased in all temperatures. Proanthocyanidins were more sensitive to 40 °C than to other temperatures. The content of polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of juice by DPPH assay did not change. However, the reducing power was lower in samples kept at high temperatures. A strong positive correlation between ascorbic acid and FRAP (r = 0.99) and a negative correlation between DPPH and FRAP (r = − 0.79) were observed. No correlations were found between polyphenols and antioxidant capacity indicating the importance of phenolic composition in the extracts. The results confirm the importance of temperature and injury on the quality of cashew apple.     

Lycopene-rich fractions derived from pink guava by-product and their potential activity towards hydrogen peroxide-induced cellular and DNA damage

Effects of solvent and supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) extraction on antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of lycopene-rich fractions of decanted pink guava by-product (decanter) were determined with lycopene-equivalent antioxidant capacity, β-carotene bleaching and MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assays. Extraction with SC-CO₂ gave a higher yield than solvent extraction (3.15 vs. 0.68 mg/100 g dried decanter, corresponding to 42.99 and 33.63 mg of lycopene). No cytotoxicity was found in Chang liver cells supplemented with either extracts (6.25–200 μg/ml). Solvent extract at 25 μg/ml (2.32 μM lycopene) and SC-CO₂ extract at 200 μg/ml (5.09 μM lycopene) had protective effect against hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity. However, only high concentrations of solvent extract (200 μg/ml; lycopene = 18.65 μM) or lycopene standard (10 μM) protected cells against DNA damage. Supercritical fluid extraction demonstrated a higher yield in lycopene-rich fraction from decanter. These fractions have the potential to be developed as a functional ingredient to prevent oxidative stress and other related diseases.     

Fermentative behavior of Saccharomyces strains during microvinification of raspberry juice (Rubus idaeus L.)

Sixteen different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces bayanus were evaluated in the production of raspberry fruit wine. Raspberry juice sugar concentrations were adjusted to 16°Brix with a sucrose solution, and batch fermentations were performed at 22 °C. Various kinetic parameters, such as the conversion factors of the substrates into ethanol (Y_p/s), biomass (Y_x/s), glycerol (Y_g/s) and acetic acid (Y_ac/s), the volumetric productivity of ethanol (Q_p), the biomass productivity (P_x), and the fermentation efficiency (E_f) were calculated. Volatile compounds (alcohols, ethyl esters, acetates of higher alcohols and volatile fatty acids) were determined by gas chromatography (GC-FID). The highest values for the E_f, Y_p/s, Y_g/s, and Y_x/s parameters were obtained when strains commonly used in the fuel ethanol industry (S. cerevisiae PE-2, BG, SA, CAT-1, and VR-1) were used to ferment raspberry juice. S. cerevisiae strain UFLA FW 15, isolated from fruit, displayed similar results. Twenty-one volatile compounds were identified in raspberry wines. The highest concentrations of total volatile compounds were found in wines produced with S. cerevisiae strains UFLA FW 15 (87,435 μg/L), CAT-1 (80,317.01 μg/L), VR-1 (67,573.99 μg/L) and S. bayanus CBS 1505 (71,660.32 μg/L). The highest concentrations of ethyl esters were 454.33 μg/L, 440.33 μg/L and 438 μg/L for S. cerevisiae strains UFLA FW 15, VR-1 and BG, respectively. Similar to concentrations of ethyl esters, the highest concentrations of acetates (1927.67 μg/L) and higher alcohols (83,996.33 μg/L) were produced in raspberry wine from S. cerevisiae UFLA FW 15. The maximum concentration of volatile fatty acids was found in raspberry wine produced by S. cerevisiae strain VR-1. We conclude that S. cerevisiae strain UFLA FW 15 fermented raspberry juice and produced a fruit wine with low concentrations of acids and high concentrations of acetates, higher alcohols and ethyl esters.     

Anthocyanin and glucosinolate occurrences in the roots of Chinese red radish (Raphanus sativus L.), and their stability to heat and pH

Roots of three unique Chinese radish cultivars were evaluated as potential sources for anthocyanin-type colourants or value-added products. These cultivars showed high variation in anthocyanins (63.77–160.74 mg/100 g FW). Seventeen pigments were tentatively identified by mass spectroscopy as pelargonidin-3-sophoroside-5-glucoside derivatives with multiple acylation of hydroxycinnamic acids. A bright colour (CIELab) of radish anthocyanins has been shown at a wide pH range, comparably stable at pH < 4.2. Those anthocyanins also showed a remarkable thermal stability, following a zero-order kinetics at pH 2.5 with half-lives of 14.5 or 8.7 h at 90 or 100 °C, respectively. Additionally, those cultivars varied in glucosinolate contents (59.69–163.91 mg/100 g FW), whereas their degradation was sensitive to pH and followed a first-order kinetics at pH 5.8 with half-lives of 11.44 or 7.05 h at 90 or100 °C, respectively. However, the stable pH ranges for anthocyanins and glucosinolates were different: pH < 4.2 and pH > 3.6, respectively. In a radish juice model (pH 5.8/2.5), thermal degradation of anthocyanins or glucosinolates was associated closely with media pH values. In conclusion, cultivar selection, and thermal and pH conditions during processing or storage should be taken into account for quality, stability, and health benefits of radish derived natural colourants or nutraceutical products.     

Organic acids,antioxidant capacity,phenolic content and lipid characterisation of Georgia-grown underutilized fruit crops

Four underutilized Georgia-grown fruit crops, namely loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), mayhaw (Crataegus sp.), fig (Ficus carica), and pawpaw (Asimina triloba), and their leaves were analysed for total polyphenols by Folin–Ciocalteau method, and antioxidant capacity by ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. Organic acids and phenolic compounds were identified by RP-HPLC. For lipid profile, fruits were separated into two fractions – seed and fruit (i.e., without seed); lipid was extracted using the Folch method and analysed for fatty acids, phytosterols, tocopherols, and phospholipids. The major organic acid identified in all samples was malic acid (177–1918 mg/100 g FW). The predominant phenolic acids in all the fruits were gallic (1.5–6.4 mg/100 g FW) and ellagic (0.2–33.8 mg/100 g FW), and the most abundant flavonoid was catechin (12.2–37.8 mg/100 g FW). Total lipid content varied from 0.1% in mayhaw fruit to 21.5% in pawpaw seed. Linoleic acid was the predominant fatty acid in all of the samples (28.2–55.7%).     

Chemical characterization and antioxidant capacity of berries from Clidemia rubra (Aubl.) Mart. (Melastomataceae)

The flora of Latin America attracts gaining interest as it provides a plethora of still unexplored or under-utilized fruits that can contribute to human well-being due to their nutritional value and their content of bioactive compounds. Clidemia rubra (Aubl.) Mart. is a shrub belonging to the family of the Melastomataceae that grows preferably in a tropical climate. This paper comprises a nutritional characterization of the berries from Clidemia rubra and provides data on the phenolic compounds as well as the antioxidant capacity of the fruit. Findings in macronutrients like protein, carbohydrates, and fat were comparable to that of common berry fruits. Clidemia rubra berries seemed to be a good source for dietary fibers and some minerals (Ca, Mn, and Zn). In contrast, contents of titratable acids and ascorbic acid were low. The polyphenolic profile was determined by using HPLC-MS/MS in comparison to standard compounds. Noteworthy amounts of cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside (39.43 ± 1.66 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW)), delphinidin 3-O-rutinoside (23.74 ± 1.18 mg/100 g FW), cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (11.68 ± 0.56 mg/100 g FW), and delphinidin 3-O-glucoside (6.08 ± 0.35 mg/100 g FW) were found. Non-anthocyanin phenolic constituents were phenolic acids (gallic, protocatechuic, p-hydroxy-benzoic, vanillic, and caffeic acid), flavan-3-ols (epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, and epicatechin gallate), and 11 different myricetin and quercetin derivatives of which quercetin 3-O-arabinoside (5.26 ± 0.16 mg/100 g FW) and quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside (5.06 ± 0.08 mg/100 g FW) were dominating. Anthocyanins and ascorbic acid were mainly responsible for the antioxidant capacity of Clidemia rubra berries assessed with the total oxidant scavenging capacity (TOSC) assay.     

Optimization of oven drying conditions for lycopene content and lipophilic antioxidant capacity in a by-product of the pink guava puree industry using response surface methodology

Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the oven drying conditions for lycopene content (Y₁) and lipophilic antioxidant capacity (Y₂) in decanter, a by-product of the pink guava puree industry. Two-factor central composite design was employed to determine the effects of two independent variables, namely temperature (X₁: 50-80 °C) and drying time (X₂: 4-6 h). Lycopene content and lipophilic antioxidant capacity were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the ABTS radicals scavenging assay, respectively. A β-carotene bleaching assay was also applied to measure the antioxidant activity. Response surface plots showed that an increase in temperature and time significantly reduced the response variables. The optimum oven conditions for drying of decanter with minimum lycopene degradation were 43.8 °C for 6.4 h, with a predicted lycopene content of 14 mg/100 g and antioxidant capacity of 21 μmol LE/100 g. To validate the optimized model, the experimental values were compared with the predicted values to check the adequacy of the model. The experimental values were found to be in agreement with those predicted, indicating the suitability of the model for optimizing the oven drying conditions for decanter.     

Stability of lipids and fatty acids in frozen and gamma irradiated Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) from the Southwestern Atlantic

Patagonian toothfish were captured in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (FAO Zone N° 41). The fatty acid profile of total lipids and the triacylglycerol and phospholipid content of control and irradiated samples (1 and 5 kGy) stored at −18 °C were analyzed at 0 and 293 days post irradiation. The fatty acids are mainly monounsaturated acids (47 g/100 g total fatty acids), the most abundant one being oleic acid (18:1 n-9). This is followed in order of abundance by saturated fatty acids (26 g/100 g total fatty acids), consisting mainly of palmitic acid (16:0). Polyunsaturated fatty acids were less abundant (17 g/100 g total fatty acids) and consisted mainly of eicosapentaeonic (20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic (22:6 n-3) acids. Triacylglycerol content was 563.07 mg/mL oil, whereas phospholipids were 11.21 mg/mL oil. Gamma irradiation did not significantly affect the fatty acid profile or triacylglycerol and phospholipid content of P. toothfish stored for 293 days at −18 °C. The results suggest that the species exhibits a marked stability when subjected to irradiation and prolonged storage in the frozen state.     

Optimisation of antioxidants extraction from soybeans fermented by Aspergillus oryzae

The extraction of antioxidant compounds from soybeans fermented with Aspergillusoryzae was optimised using a factorial design. A kinetic study of the total phenolic production and DPPH radical scavenging activity was first performed at the points selected in the factorial design. In both cases, the experimental profiles were fitted to a modified first-order kinetic model. To investigate the combined effects of temperature and solvent concentration on the extraction, the parameters obtained from the fitted kinetic models were used as response variables in a rotatable second-order design with quintuple replications in the centre of the experimental domain. The results obtained indicate that temperature had the most significant effect. The response surfaces show a maximum in the experimental domain studied. The optimum conditions for the extraction of total phenolic content were 65.3 °C and 73.1% ethanol, in which 56.2 mg of GAE/g were predicted. A scavenging activity of 81.6% DPPH radical was predicted at the optimum conditions of 61.6 °C and 60% ethanol.     

Major anthocyanins and antioxidant activity of Nasturtium flowers (Tropaeolum majus)

Major anthocyanins, ascorbic acid content, total phenolic content, and the radical scavenging activity against ABTS and DPPH radicals in petals of orange Nasturtium flowers (Tropaeolum majus), were investigated. Anthocyanin (ACN) content in the petals was 72 mg/100 g FW and pelargonidin 3-sophoroside represented 91% of the total ACN content. The ascorbic acid content was 71.5 mg/100 g and the total phenolic content as determined by the Folin–Ciocalteau method was 406 mg GAE/100 g FW. The radical scavenging activities against ABTS and DPPH radicals were 458 and 91.87 μm trolox eq/g FW, respectively. The excellent free radical scavenging activities along with high phenolic and ascorbic acid content of Nasturtium flowers suggest that they could be source of natural pigments and antioxidants for applications in functional foods.