Rheological and high gelling properties of mango (Mangifera indica) and ambarella (Spondias cytherea) peel pectins

Ambarella and mango peels are good sources of pectins (15–20%), with high degree of methylation (60–78%) and high molar masses. Ambarella and mango ( Améliorée and Mango varieties) peel pectins were extracted using HCl or oxalic acid/ammonium oxalate (OAAO). Purified pectins were analysed for their flow behaviour and phase diagrams were established at pH 3 as sucrose vs. pectin concentration. The gelation kinetics and mechanical spectra of these pectin gels were studied and compared to those of commercial citrus (lime) pectins. At a concentration of 1% (w/v), all pectic solutions had a shear thinning behaviour but at 0.6% (w/v), only OAAO-extracted pectins exhibited such behaviour. Phase diagrams showed that at pH 3, gelation of OAAO mango extracted pectins was possible at low polymer concentration (0.2%; w/w) for a sucrose concentration of 60% (w/w). OAAO-extracted pectins exhibited a higher gelling ability than HCl-extracted ones. Sucrose (45–50%) and pectin (0.2–0.6%) concentration had a deep impact on the gel strength. Our results enable to conclude that the OAAO extraction from mango and ambarella peels allowed the recovery of pectins that exhibit high gelling properties.     

Effect of extraction conditions on the quality characteristics of pectin from passion fruit peel (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa L.)

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa L.) yellow variety is composed of 50-55 g peel per 100 g of fresh fruit which is discarded as waste during processing. Utilization of passion fruit peel for pectin extraction was studied. Passion fruit peel obtained after juice extraction was blanched in boiling water for 5 min, dehydrated in a cross flow hot air drier at 60 ± 1 °C to a moisture content of 4 g/100 g of dried peel. The dehydrated passion fruit peel was used for extraction experiments of pectin. The effect of pH, peel to extractant ratio, and number of extractions, extraction time and temperature on the yield and quality characteristics of pectin were investigated. The optimized conditions for extraction of pectin from passion fruit peel yielded 14.8 g/100 g of dried peel. Pectin extracted from the dried peels had a methoxyl content of 9.6 g/100 g, galacturonic acid content of 88.2 g/100 g and jelly grade of 200. Extraction of pectin from dried peels of passion fruit may be considered for effective utilization of passion fruit processing waste.     

Characterisation of pectins extracted from banana peels (Musa AAA) under different conditions using an experimental design

An experimental design was used to study the influence of pH (1.5 and 2.0), temperature (80 and 90 °C) and time (1 and 4 h) on extraction of pectin from banana peels (Musa AAA). Yield of extracted pectins, their composition (neutral sugars, galacturonic acid, and degree of esterification) and some macromolecular characteristics (average molecular weight, intrinsic viscosity) were determined. It was found that extraction pH was the most important parameter influencing yield and pectin chemical composition. Lower pH values negatively affected the galacturonic acid content of pectin, but increased the pectin yield. The values of degree of methylation decreased significantly with increasing temperature and time of extraction. The average molecular weight ranged widely from 87 to 248 kDa and was mainly influenced by pH and extraction time.     

Quantification of main phenolic compounds in sweet and bitter orange peel using CE–MS/MS

The food and agricultural products processing industries generate substantial quantities of phenolics-rich subproducts, which could be valuable natural sources of polyphenols. In oranges, the peel represents roughly 30% of the fruit mass and the highest concentrations of flavonoids in citrus fruit occur in peel. In this work we have carried out the characterisation and quantification of citrus flavonoids in methanolic extracts of bitter and sweet orange peels using CE–ESI–IT–MS. Naringin (m/z 579.2) and neohesperidin (m/z 609.2) are the major polyphenols in bitter orange peels and narirutin (m/z 579.2) and hesperidin (m/z 609.2) in sweet orange peels. The proposed method allowed the unmistakable identification, using MS/MS experiments, and also the quantification of naringin (5.1 ± 0.4 mg/g), neohesperidin (7.9 ± 0.8 mg/g), narirutin (26.9 ± 2.1 mg/g) and hesperidin (35.2 ± 3.6 mg/g) in bitter and sweet orange peels. CE coupled to MS detection can provides structure-selective information about the analytes. In this work we have developed a CE–ESI–IT–MS method for the analysis and quantification of main phenolic compounds in orange peels.     

Sustainable production of pectin from lime peel by high hydrostatic pressure treatment

The application of high hydrostatic pressure technology for enzymatic extraction of pectin was evaluated. Cellulase and xylanase under five different combinations (cellulase/xylanase: 50/0, 50/25, 50/50, 25/50, and 0/50 U/g lime peel) at ambient pressure, 100 and 200 MPa were used to extract pectin from dried lime peel. Extraction yield, galacturonic acid (GalA) content, average molecular weight (M_w,ave), intrinsic viscosity [η]_w, and degree of esterification (DE) were compared to those parameters obtained for pectins extracted using acid and aqueous processes. Pressure level, type and concentration of enzyme significantly (p < 0.05) influenced yield and DE of pectin. Enzyme and high pressure extraction resulted in yields which were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those using acid and aqueous extraction. Although pressure-induced enzymatic treatment improves pectin yield, it does not have any significant effect on M_w,ave and [η]_w of pectin extracts indicating the potential of high pressure treatment for enzymatic pectin production as a novel and sustainable process.     

Effect of extraction conditions on the yield and chemical properties of pectin from cocoa husks

Different extraction conditions were applied to investigate the effect of temperature, extraction time and substrate–extractant ratio on pectin extraction from cocoa husks. Pectin was extracted from cocoa husks using water, citric acid at pH 2.5 or 4.0, or hydrochloric acid at pH 2.5 or 4.0. Temperature, extraction time and substrate–extractant ratio affected the yields, uronic acid contents, degrees of methylation (DM) and degrees of acetylation (DA) of the extracted pectins using the five extractants differently. The yields and uronic acid contents of the extracted pectins ranged from 3.38–7.62% to 31.19–65.20%, respectively. The DM and DA of the extracted pectins ranged from 7.17–57.86% to 1.01–3.48%, respectively. The highest yield of pectin (7.62%) was obtained using citric acid at pH 2.5 [1:25 (w/v)] at 95 °C for 3.0 h. The highest uronic acid content (65.20%) in the pectin was obtained using water [1:25 (w/v)] at 95 °C for 3.0 h.     

A study of the recovery of the dietary fibres from olive mill wastewater and the gelling ability of the soluble fibre fraction

A novel method of the recovery of a dietary fibre containing material from olive mill wastewater (OMW) was developed. Extraction was based on thermal treatment with mixtures of ethanol and acids, prior to the isolation of the alcohol insoluble residue (AIR). Different mixtures were tested and the extracted residues were characterized. The maximum AIR recovery accounted 64.8 g/100 g OMW dry matter, while the corresponding total fibre content was 5.1 g/100 g of the AIR. Despite the high potassium (8.4 g/100 g) and the low galacturonic acid content (3.3 g/100 g), AIR was able to form gels after a simple isolation and concentration of the soluble fraction. The soluble fibres were exclusively composed of pectin (93.9 and 6.1 mol/100 mol galacturonic acid and arabinose, respectively) with 59 mol/100 mol GalA degree of methylation. The viscoelastic properties of the gels were evaluated as a function of galacturonic acid content, where the gel rigidity and elasticity was found to increase exponentially with this parameter. A further treatment of the pectin material with citric acid during its concentration, allowed the formation of more rigid, but less elastic gels.     

Phytochemicals and antioxidant properties of solvent extracts from Japonica rice bran

The yield, major phytochemicals (oryzanols, tocopherols (T), and tocotrienols (T3)) and antioxidant properties of Japonica rice bran extracts were investigated, for illustrating the major effects from solvent property. Generally, the extract yield varied with the solvent used in the order of methanol (MeOH) > ethyl acetate (EtOAc) > hexane. In contrast to hexane extracts, both MeOH and EtOAc extracts exhibited a higher total content in phenolic compounds (∼2.5 g gallic acid equivalent/kg bran), oryzanols (1.6–1.8 g/kg bran), or tocols (126–130 mg/kg bran), and a higher T3% in tocols (24–26%). The MeOH extract (at 1 mg/ml) showed the greatest capability in inhibiting linoleic acid peroxidation (57%), scavenging DPPH radicals (93%), reducing power (78%), and Fe²⁺ chelating activity (∼1300 μg EDTA equivalent/g) than the other two extracts, partly attributed to its high antioxidant contents. It is newly found that the yield, total content in phenolic compounds, oryzanols, and tocols, and T3% in tocols of the extracts increased with increasing Synder’s polarity value in a quite good linear manner (R² = 0.923–1.000), associated with an increased solvent viscosity. This clearly suggests the potential of using Synder’s polarity value as an index in isolation of desired rice bran phytochemical extracts.     

The optimisation of extraction of antioxidants from potato peel by pressurised liquids

Response Surface Methodology was used to optimise the solid–liquid extraction and Pressurised Liquid Extraction of polyphenols from industrially generated potato peel. Efficiency of extraction was optimised by measuring antioxidant activity, phenol content and the level of caffeic acid. Conditions for optimal antioxidant activity as measured by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay were 75% ethanol, 80 °C and 22 min with solid–liquid extraction, resulting in an optimum activity of 352 mg Trolox Equivalents/100 g DW potato peel. In comparison, the use of Pressurised Liquid Extraction resulted in an optimum activity of 339 mg Trolox Equivalents/100 g DW potato peel at 70% ethanol and 125 °C. Therefore the use of Pressurised Liquid Extraction did not enhance extraction in comparison to solid–liquid extracts, but using aqueous ethanol as extraction solvent recovered a higher level of polyphenols than when using 100% methanol.     

Isolation and characterisation of pectic substances from murta (Ugni molinae Turcz) fruits

Cell walls polysaccharides from murta fruit (Ugni molinae Turcz), an endemic Chilean species with relevant food uses, were fractionated by water, ammonium oxalate, hot diluted HCl and cold diluted NaOH extractions. The polysaccharide fractions were analysed for monosaccharide composition and physicochemical properties. Pectic substances were found in all extracts, but mainly in the oxalate and acid soluble fractions, in which they appear as homogalacturonan polymers. Murta pectin was further extracted by hot diluted acid treatment using industrial conditions, yielding 30% by weight of dry fruit. The polymer showed similar composition and physicochemical properties to those of commercial citrus pectin, presenting a galacturonic acid content of 70.9% (w/w), a molecular weight of 597 kDa, and a methoxylation degree of 57%. The FT-IR spectrum of murta pectin suggests the presence of ferulic acid residues on its structure and the NMR analysis confirmed the structure of this polysaccharide. It is concluded that murta fruit can be considered as a valuable source of high quality pectin.     

Physiological and biochemical response of harvested plum fruit to oxalic acid during ripening or shelf-life

The effect of oxalic acid application on plum fruit (Prunus salicina cv. ‘Damili’) ripening properties during storage or shelf-life was determined. The fruits were dipped for 3 min in solutions containing 5 mmol/L oxalic acid and then were packed into polyethylene bags and stored at 25 °C for 12 days, or at 2 °C for 20 days and subsequently at 25 °C for 12 days. Ethylene production, fruit firmness, contents of pectin and anthocyanin, specific activities of polygalacturonase (PG), pectin methylesterase (PME) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) were measured. The application of oxalic acid reduced ethylene production and delayed softening of plum fruit. The inhibition of softening was associated with decreased PG and PME activities; that is, the retardation of pectin solubilization/degradation. During storage or shelf-life, flesh reddening and anthocyanin synthesis were significantly inhibited in oxalic acid-treated plum fruit, accompanied with decreased PAL activity. Furthermore, it was found that variable:maximalchlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), an indicator of ripening, senescence or stress injury of fruit and vegetable, decreased much more slowly in oxalic-treated plum fruits than in control fruits. Thus, oxalic acid treatment can be an effective means to extend the shelf life of plum fruit.     

The flavonoid,carotenoid and pectin content in peels of citrus cultivated in Taiwan

The flavonoid, carotenoid and pectin composition in peels of eight varieties of citrus {Ponkan (Citrus reticulata Blanco), Tonkan (C. tankan Hayata), Murcott (C. reticulate × C. sinensis), Wendun (C. grandis Osbeck), Peiyou (C. grandis Osbeck CV), Kumquat (C. microcarpa), Liucheng [C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck], and Lemon [C. limon (L.) Bur]} cultivated in Taiwan was determined. The total flavonoid content exceeded the total carotenoid content. Ponkan (C. reticulata Blanco) peel had the highest total carotenoid content (2.04 ± 0.036 mg/g db) and Wendun (C. grandis Osbeck) and Peiyou (C. grandis Osbeck CV) peels, the lowest (0.036 ± 0.0006 and 0.021 ± 0.0004 mg/g db, respectively). Naringin was abundant in Peiyou (C. grandis Osbeck CV) and Wendun (C. grandis Osbeck) peels (29.8 ± 0.20 and 23.9 ± 0.32 mg/g db, respectively) and hesperidin was aboundant in Ponkan (C. reticulata Blanco), Tonkan (C. tankan Hayata), and Liucheng [C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck] peels (29.5 ± 0.32, 23.4 ± 0.25, 20.7 ± 0.38 mg/g db, respectively). Kumquat (C. microcarpa) peel contained the most diosmin (1.12 ± 0.03 mg/g db) and quercetin (0.78 ± 0.003 mg/g db). Levels of caffeic acid (3.06 ± 0.03–80.8 ± 3.72 μg/g db) were much lower than that of chlorgenic acid, ferulic acid, sinapic acid and ρ-coumaric acid. Ponkan (C. reticulata Blanco), Kumquat (C. microcarpa) and Liucheng [C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck] peels contained the most total amounts of lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, and β-carotene (114, 113, and 108 mg/g db, respectively). The total pectin content ranged from 36.0 ± 1.46 to 86.4 ± 3.36 mg/g db.     

Effects of phytate and minerals on the bioavailability of oxalate from food

Phytate and mineral cations are both considered as important dietary factors for inhibiting the crystallisation of calcium oxalate kidney stones in susceptible individuals. In this paper, the phytate and mineral composition of whole bran cereals (wheat, barley and oat) and legumes were determined together with their soluble and insoluble oxalate concentrations in order to investigate the effects on oxalate solubility. The oat bran sample had the highest soluble oxalate concentration at 79 ± 1.3 mg/100 g, while total and soluble oxalate concentrations in the food samples studied range from 33 to 199 mg/100 g and 14 to 79 mg/100 g, respectively. The phytate concentration was in the range from 227 to 4393 mg/100 g and the concentrations of cations were in the range 54–70 mg/100 g for calcium, 75–398 mg/100 g for magnesium, 244–1529 mg/100 g for potassium and 4–11 mg/100 g for iron. Soluble oxalate concentration did not increase in proportion to total oxalate, and the phytate concentration in all foods was sufficient to contribute to an increase in soluble oxalate concentration by binding calcium.     

Physicochemical Properties of Dietary Fibres Prepared from Ambarella (Spondias cytherea) and Mango (Mangifera indica) Peels

The preparation of fibres from mango and ambarella peels can offer a way to upgrade by-products. Comparatively to lime, ambarella and mango fibres were prepared from their corresponding peels using ethanolic treatment (85% at 70 °C/5 min). The peels were characterised for their dry matter content, pH and apparent viscosity. The soluble dietary fibre (SDF) and insoluble dietary fibre (IDF) contents of the samples were determined. Hydration capacity of these fibres was evaluated. Results showed that the ethanolic treatment of the peels (85% at 70 °C/5 min) had significant (p?<?0.05) effects on the contents of neutral sugars and uronic acid (from 105 to even 203 mg/g in case of mango fibre). For ambarella fibres, the proportion of IDF (51%) was highest and that of SDF (34%) was lowest. Mango and lime fibres exhibited similar values of IDF (40–43%) and SDF (50–57%). Mango peel fibres had higher hydration capacities than ambarella and lime fibres. The best dietary fibres content and the high hydration capacities of mango peel fibres favour their exploitation in dietary fibre-rich foods preparation.     

Modification of hemicellulose polysaccharides during ripening of postharvest banana fruit

Alcohol-insoluble residues (AIRs) from postharvest banana fruits at five ripening stages were extracted and isolated. The AIR was fractionated with 1 M KOH or 4 M KOH to obtain hemicellulose polysaccharides 1 (HC1) and 2 (HC2), respectively, and their content, molecular-mass, monosaccharide composition and glycosidic linkages were evaluated. HC1 yield decreased significantly from 126.95 to 21.14 mg/g on fresh weight basis during fruit ripening, but HC2 yield increased and then decreased. Concomitantly, the molecular-mass of HC1 and HC2 decreased obviously, indicating that depolymerization occurred. Moreover, the major monosaccharide compositions were identified as glucose and xylose. The GC–MS analysis further revealed that HC1 and HC2 had a 1,4-linked glucose backbone. During fruit ripening, the molar percentage of 1,4-linked Glcp residues increased in HC1, but decreased slightly in HC2. Overall, this study indicated that the modification and depolymerization of hemicellulose polysaccharides were responsible for banana fruit softening.     

Quantitative determination of Zn protoporphyrin IX,heme and protoporphyrin IX in Parma ham by HPLC

We measured the contents of Zn protoporphyrin IX (ZPP), heme and protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) in Parma ham by simultaneous analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Extraction with ethyl acetate–acetic acid (4:1) was suitable for the quantitative analysis of ZPP. The contents of heme, ZPP and PPIX in Parma ham were 15.0–29.9, 27.7–47.0 and 0.4–1.1 μg/g, respectively, and total content of porphyrin was 43.7–76.6 μg/g. The amount of ZPP in Parma ham was larger than that of heme, and ZPP accounted for 60–70% of all porphyrins.     

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.     

Pressurised water extraction of polyphenols from pomegranate peels

Pomegranate peels are one of the most valuable by-products of the food industry in terms of polyphenols which are conventionally extracted from plant materials by organic solvents, especially with methanol. Pressurised water extraction was investigated for the extraction of polyphenols from pomegranate peels. The most important factors affecting the extraction results were found to be particle size, temperature, and static time. The results indicated that pressurised water extraction was as effective as conventional methanol extraction for the recovery of polyphenols from pomegranate peels. Total phenolic contents of pomegranate peels obtained by pressurised water extraction at optimised conditions and conventional solid–liquid methanol extraction were determined as 264.3 and 258.2 mg/g tannic acid equivalents, respectively. Hydrolyzable tannins were the predominant polyphenols of pomegranate peels corresponding to 262.7 mg/g tannic acid equivalents. Punicalagin content of pomegranate peels by pressurised water extraction was found to be 116.6 mg/g on dry matter basis.     

Development and validation of an HPLC-method for determination of free and bound phenolic acids in cereals after solid-phase extraction

Whole cereal grains are a good source of phenolic acids associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases. This paper reports the development and validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (HPLC–DAD) method for the determination of phenolic acids in cereals in either free or bound form. Extraction of free phenolic acids and clean-up was performed by an optimised solid-phase extraction (SPE) protocol on Oasis HLB cartridges using aqueous methanol as eluant. The mean recovery of analytes ranged between 84% and 106%. Bound phenolic acids were extracted using alkaline hydrolysis with mean recoveries of 80–95%, except for gallic acid, caffeic acid and protocatechuic acid. Both free and bound phenolic extracts were separated on a Nucleosil 100 C₁₈ column, 5 μm (250 mm × 4.6 mm) thermostated at 30 °C, using a linear gradient elution system consisting of 1% (v/v) acetic acid in methanol. Method validation was performed by means of linearity, accuracy, intra-day and inter-day precision and sensitivity. Detection limits ranged between 0.13 and 0.18 μg/g. The method was applied to the analysis of free and bound phenolic acids contents in durum wheat, bread wheat, barley, oat, rice, rye, corn and triticale.     

Response surface optimisation for the extraction of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities of underutilised Mangifera pajang Kosterm. peels

The optimum extraction conditions for highest recovery of total phenolics content (TPC) and antioxidant capacities (AC) were analysed for Mangifera pajang peels (MPP), using response surface methodology. The effects of ethanol concentration (X₁: 20–80%), extraction temperature (X₂: 30–65 °C) and liquid-to-solid ratio (X₃: 20–50 mL/g) on the recovery of total phenolics (Y₁) and antioxidant capacity (Y₂) were investigated. A second order polynomial model produced a satisfactory fitting of the experimental data with regard to total phenolic content (R² = 0.9966, p < 0.0001) and antioxidant capacity (R² = 0.9953, p < 0.0001). The optimum extraction conditions for TPC were 68%, 55 °C and 32.7 mL/g, and for AC were 68%, 56 °C and 31.8 mL/g, respectively. Predicted values for extraction of TPC and AC agreed well with the experimental values. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry of the optimally obtained extracts from MPP revealed the major phytochemicals as mangiferin, gallic acid, catechin and epicatechin.