Retention of carotenoids in cassava roots submitted to different processing methods

Large genetic variation in carotenoid content has been reported after screening roots from thousands of cassava genotypes. Moreover, these pigments have to withstand different processing methods before cassava is consumed. True retention of β‐carotene from cassava roots that had been boiled, oven‐dried, sun‐dried, shadow‐dried, or used for gari preparation was measured. True retention was also measured after storing for 2 or 4 weeks some of the products of these processing methods. Oven‐drying, shadow drying and boiling retained the highest levels of β‐carotene (71.9, 59.2 and 55.7%, respectively) and gari the lowest (about 34.1%). Higher retention was observed when dried roots were kept as chips rather than as flour. Storage of flour packed in plastic bags under vacuum unexpectedly resulted in higher losses than storage of flour packed in plastic bags without the application of vacuum. Losses were higher during the first 2 weeks and tended to be considerably lower during the second 2 weeks of storage. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Carotenoid contents of extruded and non-extruded sweetpotato flours from Papua New Guinea and Australia

Carotenoid contents of extruded and non-extruded flours of Papua New Guinean and Australian sweetpotato cultivars were studied, using spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The cultivars differed (p < 0.05) in their total carotenoid and β-carotene contents, and the Original Beauregard cultivar had the highest total carotenoid and β-carotene contents among the cultivars. The spectrophotometry (84–1720 μg/g solids) method generally over-estimated the total carotenoid content compared to the more specific HPLC (23–355 μg/g solids) method. Extrusion significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the ΔL^∗ Hunter colour values, while the Δa^∗, Δb^∗, total colour change (ΔE), chroma (CR), and browning indices (BI) increased. With the extruder and screw configuration used, extrusion at 40% moisture and 300 rpm screw speed retained carotenoid maximally at more than 80%. This study reports, for the first time, carotenoids of flours from south Pacific sweetpotato cultivars, and carotenoid retention during extrusion.     

On‐farm evaluation of the impact of drying and storage on the carotenoid content of orange‐fleshed sweet potato (Ipomea batata Lam.)

Drying of orange‐fleshed sweet potato was evaluated under African rural conditions. Three locally built dryers (open‐air sun, tunnel and shade) were tested using Resisto and MGCL01 varieties in Mozambique. Total carotenoid losses were low in all dryers being 9.2% on average. After drying, sweet potato chips were stored in a traditional way (jute bags inside a mud house). Chip size (thin, thick chip or slice) had a significant effect on drying (P < 0.05) but not on storage and variety had an effect on both. Total carotenoid losses during storage were much higher being 83.7% on average, after 4 months, with main individual carotenoids fitting a first‐order kinetics degradation. Globally, carotenoid losses on‐farm or on‐research station were of similar level.     

Drying temperature,endogenous antioxidants and capsaicinoids affect carotenoid stability in paprika (red pepper spice)

The major carotenoids and carotenoid esters in Capsicum annuum L. during thermal dehydration of pepper and storage of the ground product (paprika) were examined with special focus on the role of endogenous antioxidants such as vitamins E and C and capsaicinoids, the pungent materials in hot spice red pepper. A high‐performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed to achieve excellent separation and accurate detection of different carotenoid classes including free xanthophylls, monoesters, carotenes and di‐esters. The newly developed method included gradient elution on a reversed‐phase column with increasing proportions of isopropanol. The results indicated that presence of capsaicinoids in pungent pepper had a favourable effect on the stability of carotenoids during thermal drying. Among various di‐esters those of lutein and zeaxanthine, as well as the mono‐ester of β‐cryptoxanthin were more stable than those of capsorubin and capsanthin, pointing to the possible role of epoxide and carbonyl groups in the susceptibility of carotenoids. An Arrhenius plot for degradation of carotenoids, tocopherols and ascorbic acid as a function of drying temperature showed linear relationships for all components, with ascorbic acid being the most sensitive. During storage in a refrigerator for 3 months the paprika showed high degradation of all the examined carotenoids particularly in samples prepared from pods dried at high temperatures (90 and 100 °C). An exception was for β‐cryptoxanthin mono‐ester and violaxanthin di‐esters in a non‐pungent variety. The amounts of these carotenoids lost during storage were slightly affected by the change in drying temperature. Strong correlation was found between retention of colour in stored paprika and the initial content of ascorbic acid, but not with that of tocopherols or capsaicinoids. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Stability of Cholesterol and Paprika Carotenoids in Egg Powders as Influenced by Dietary and Processing Treatments

The effects of dietary α-tocopherol and/or oleoresin paprika (OP) on cholesterol and carotenoid stability in egg powders during spray drying and subsequent storage were investigated. Cholesterol oxidation and loss of carotenoids in eggs dried with a direct gas-fired spray dryer were greater ( P< 0·05) than in eggs dried using an indirect (electric) heating system. Dietary supplementation of α-tocopherol acetate (200 mg kg⁻¹ feed) significantly increased ( P< 0·01) the oxidative stability of cholesterol and carotenoids in eggs dried with the direct heating system. Supplementation of OP (7·5 μg g⁻¹ egg lipids) through diet or by direct addition to liquid eggs did not affect the formation of cholesterol oxidation products (COPS) during storage. However, increased concentrations of OP in liquid eggs (15 and 30 μg g⁻¹ lipids) suppressed the formation of COPS during processing and subsequent storage.     

Evaluating Sweet Potato as an Intervention Food to Prevent Vitamin A Deficiency

Abstract: Vitamin A (VA) deficiency causes over 600000 deaths per year, mostly of young children or pregnant women. Populations prone to VA deficiency obtain about 82% of their VA from plant sources that are rich in pro‐VA carotenoids such as beta‐carotene. Orange‐fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP) are an especially good source. We evaluated OFSP carotenoid concentrations, bioaccessibility, and cooking and storage, then used this to estimate the amount of OFSP needed to supply 100% of VA for people at risk for deficiency. The grams/day of OFSP needed to meet VA requirements varies with age and sex, and with the amount of beta‐carotene in the OFSP. Amounts ranged from 6 to 33 g/d (0.02 to 0.13 cups/d) for a 3‐y‐old child with marginal VA status; to 68 to 381 g/d, (0.27 to 1.49 cups/d) for a lactating woman with good status. These are amounts that can be eaten on a daily basis. The amount of OFSP needed to supply the VA requirement to all of the 208.1 million people most in danger of VA deficiency for 1 y is 2.1 to 11.7 million metric tons, or 2% to 11% of current world sweet potato production. The most important factor influencing the effectiveness of sweet potato for preventing VA deficiency, by far, is the variety of sweet potato used. Fat in the diet is also important. We conclude that OFSP could prevent VA deficiency in many food‐deficit countries—if OFSP were substituted for white, cream, yellow, or purple sweet potatoes.     

Degradation of carotenoids in pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima L.) slices as influenced by microwave vacuum drying

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of microwave vacuum drying on carotenoids in pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima L.) slices. Carotenoids were measured using the reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography technique. It was shown that compared with hot air drying, microwave vacuum drying inhibited color changes and significantly (p < 0.05) improved total carotenoid retention (89.1%) in pumpkin slices. During the microwave vacuum drying process, microwave power had an important effect on total carotenoid and all-trans carotenoids. As microwave power increased, the total carotenoid content significantly decreased (p < 0.05), and the levels of individual carotenoids, including all-trans-α-carotene, all-trans-β-carotene, and all-trans-lutein, generally decreased. However, there was an overall upward trend for the levels of 13-cis-β-carotene, 15-cis-β-carotene, 9-cis-β-carotene, and 9-cis-α-carotene. The trans carotenoid quality of the finished products was improved within a certain range of vacuum levels. In addition to the degradation induced by microwave energy, isomerization was considered to be responsible for the loss of all-trans carotenoids. These results indicated that inappropriate drying methods and conditions might result in high losses of all-trans carotenoids in pumpkins.     

干燥方式及碱液处理对鲜枸杞干燥特性和品质的影响

为了缩短鲜枸杞干燥时间,降低能耗,提高枸杞干制品品质,采用清水和不同质量分数（2%、4%和6%） 的Na2CO3溶液对枸杞进行前处理后,分别进行热风和热泵干燥,测定并分析了所获得枸杞干果的干燥速率、色 泽、复水率以及主要营养成分（多糖、总类胡萝卜素、黄酮）含量。结果表明：Na2CO3前处理能使枸杞表皮蜡质 层变薄、断裂,形成水分通道,进而缩短枸杞干燥时间,较为适宜的Na2CO3质量分数为2%。在干燥效率方面,热 泵和热风干燥没有显著性差异,但是在干燥产品品质上,热泵干燥要明显优于热风干燥。相对于恒温恒湿干燥, 分阶段变温干燥在保证干燥产品品质的同时,加快干燥速率,缩短干燥时间。因此枸杞干燥的最适工艺参数为 2% Na2CO3前处理,干燥温度40 ℃（2 h）-45 ℃（4 h）-50 ℃（6 h）-55 ℃（10 h）,干燥相对湿度40%的热泵干 燥。此工艺条件下枸杞干燥时间为22 h,干燥枸杞色差值为15.09,复水率为2.35 g/g,多糖含量为10.29 g/100 g,黄 酮含量为0.43 g/100 g,总类胡萝卜素含量为1 503.13 μg/g。     

真空微波干燥对南瓜片主要类胡萝卜素的影响

利用C30柱及高效液相色谱-二极管阵列检测-大气压化学电离串联质谱方法,对南瓜片中主要类胡萝卜素进行了定性、定量检测,研究了真空微波干燥条件对南瓜片中类胡萝卜素组成及含量的影响。结果表明：真空微波干燥南瓜片总类胡萝卜素含量显著高于热风干燥（P＜0.05）。微波强度对南瓜片中类胡萝卜素的影响最大,其次是真空度和切片厚度。随着微波强度的增加,南瓜片总类胡萝卜素含量显著减少（P＜0.05）,增大真空度和切片厚度在一定程度上提高了干样总类胡萝卜素的含量。与此同时南瓜片中类胡萝卜素主要组分α-、β-胡萝卜素和叶黄素含量随微波强度增加而减少,随真空度和切片厚度增加而增加;而β-胡萝卜素各顺式异构体随真空度增加而减少,但随切片厚度增加含量变化不明显。由此可见,增大真空度和切片厚度有利于提高类胡萝卜素保留率,而高微波强度使类胡萝卜素含量下降。     

Effect of Drying on the Nutraceutical Quality of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L. ssp. sinensis) Leaves

ABSTRACT: The concentrations of total phenolics, carotenoids, and chlorophylls of fresh and dried sea buckthorn leaves were determined. Overall, drying of leaves resulted in a decrease in the concentrations of these phytochemicals. The degree of reduction depended on the drying time, temperature, or specific component type. For the phenolics, a greater reduction in concentration was observed in the leaves dried at higher temperatures (80 °C or 100 °C) for longer times (to equilibrium moisture contents of 1% to 3%) compared with those dried at lower temperatures (50 °C or 60 °C). For the leaves dried to higher final moisture (5% to 8%), all drying temperatures resulted in a similar final phenolic concentration. The carotenoid and chlorophyll concentrations in the leaves decreased with the increasing temperatures. However, higher temperatures such as 80 °C or 100 °C resulted in similar carotenoid and chlorophyll concentrations in the leaves. Nonetheless, dried sea buckthorn leaves were of a high nutraceutical quality comparable to those of frequently consumed vegetables.     

Quantitative changes in carotenoids during the storage of dried red pepper and red pepper powder

The quantitative changes in the main carotenoids (capsorubin, capsanthin, β + χ-carotene, zeaxanthin + lutein) of red pepper powder and dried red pepper during the storage have been investigated. Four drying temperature conditions such as 60, 70, 80 and 90 °C have been used. The total pigment of the dried red pepper was found to be slightly affected by the drying temperature. During the storage, the stability of the main carotenoids was dependent on the drying conditions of the product. The rate constants of degradation and the half-life period of the main pigments have been calculated under these 4 temperature conditions, too.     

Processing of pimento waste to provide a pigment source for poultry feed

Fresh pimento pulp waste was dehydrated in a pilot Arnold dehydrator to give meals rich in the red xanthophylls, primarily capsanthin. Xanthophyll content of the dehydrated meal ranged from 896 to 1114 mg/kg. Dejuicing of the pimento pulp prior to dehydration decreased charring during drying as well as the quantity of water to be evaporated. Carotenoid losses during dehydration ranged from 17 to 22% for xanthophyll and 0 to 10% for carotene. Although the unprotected pimento carotenoids were rapidly lost during storage either alone or in admixture with dehydrated lucerne, addition of the antioxidant ethoxyquin proved to be very effective in preventing carotenoid storage losses. Levels of 1% pimento meal should be adequate in poultry diets when fed in combination with lucerne meal.     

Effects of water activity on pigments in dried laver (Porphyra) during storage

Degradation of chlorophyll, carotenoids, and phycobilins in dried laver (Porphyra) was studied during storage at water activities (Aw) of 0.112, 0.316, 0.484, 0.747, or 0.890 in the dark at 40°C for 15 days. The chlorophyll, carotenoid, and phycobilin contents were determined using HPLC and spectrophotometry. The chorophyll a, carotenoid, and phycobilin contents in dried laver decreased with storage time in the dark, and degradation was increased and accelerated as the Aw value increased. Among pigments, chlorophyll a was degraded at the highest rate, and differences in degradation rates among pigments became greater as the Aw value increased. Phycoerythrin was more stable than phycocyanin. Changes in the Aw value affected degradation of phycocyanin and chlorophyll more than phycoerythrin or carotenoids. Control of the Aw value can improve the color stability of dried laver in the dark.     

Nutritional and rheological characterization of spray dried sweetpotato powder

Spray drying feasibility of sweetpotato puree is enhanced using alpha-amylase treatment to reduce puree viscosity and maltodextrin (MD) addition to facilitate drying. To better determine potential applications of powders produced with various levels of amylase and MD, nutrient composition and rheological properties of the hydrated spray dried sweetpotato powders were examined and compared with sweetpotato puree. Proximate composition, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and mineral analyses were performed. Steady shear rheology of reconstituted powder solutions was also evaluated at different temperatures and shear rates. Spray drying significantly reduced the β-carotene and ascorbic acid contents. Additionally, the all-trans form of beta-carotene was further transformed to the cis-isomers during dehydration. The viscosity of the reconstituted solutions was much lower than that of the puree at the same solid concentration. Rheologically, the reconstituted sweetpotato slurries behaved similarly to pregelatinized starch solutions. Thus, spray dried sweetpotato powders have a potential to enhance food systems as a thickener despite the need for increased nutrient retention.     

Antioxidant activity of fresh and dry herbs of some Lamiaceae species

The herbs of lemon balm, oregano, and peppermint were analysed immediately after harvest and after drying to determine their antioxidant activity and content of total phenolics, l-ascorbic acid, and carotenoids. The strongest inhibition of linoleic acid (LA) peroxidation was found for fresh and dried oregano. For peppermint and lemon balm it was significantly lower and decreased after drying. The ability to scavenge the free radical DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) was very high in almost all tested samples, exceeding 90%. The three species tested had a very high content of total phenolics and drying of oregano and peppermint resulted in their considerable increase. The highest content of ascorbic acid was determined in fresh peppermint and lemon balm and carotenoid content was at a similar level in all the species tested. Drying caused great losses of these compounds.     

脉冲强光预处理联合控湿干燥提升香菇的贮藏品质

该研究探讨了脉冲强光（IPL）预处理联合控湿干燥对香菇储藏品质的影响。研究发现,脉冲强光预处理可以降低贮藏期间新鲜和干香菇的呼吸速率,分别为对照的76.69%和84.65%;脉冲强光预处理提高了还原糖的保留率。新鲜和干香菇在贮藏期间对照的多酚氧化酶（PPO）活性分别是IPL预处理样品的1.73倍和1.39倍,酶促褐变反应受到抑制,也因此提高了总酚的保留率。IPL可以提高鲜、干香菇在贮藏期间的品质、多糖保留率和抗氧化能力,延缓软化。IPL处理降低了新鲜香菇在贮藏期间的菌落总数（从6.43～8.02 log CFU/g减少至3.29～4.66 log CFU/g）,但是对干香菇在贮藏期间菌落总数影响较小。与热烫处理相比,脉冲强光处理提升香菇贮藏品质更佳。因此脉冲强光可以作为一种稳定的预处理手段用于香菇干燥和保鲜中。     

Quality Retention in Strawberry and Carrot Purees Dried with Refractance WindowTM System

ABSTRACT: The quality retention characteristics of strawberry and carrot purees dried using the Refractance Window^TM (RW) drying method were evaluated against freeze drying, drum drying, and spray drying methods. Ascorbic acid retention of the strawberry purees (94.0%) after RW drying was comparable to 93.6% in freeze-drying. The carotene losses for RW drying were 8.7% (total carotene), 7.4% (α-carotene), and 9.9% (β-carotene), which were comparable to losses of 4.0% (total carotene), 2.4% (α-carotene), and 5.4% (β-carotene) for freeze-dried carrot purees. The color of the RW-dried carrot purees was comparable to fresh puree. For RW-dried strawberry purees, the color retention was comparable to freeze-dried products. RW drying altered the overall perception of aroma in strawberries.     

Effect of processing and oil type on carotene bioaccessibility in traditional foods prepared with flour and puree from orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes

Consumption of Orange-Fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) and products as source of provitamin A is being promoted to tackle vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in sub-Saharan Africa. However, limited information is available on β-carotene retention in foods and delivery after digestion. The study assessed carotene retention and bioaccessibility following in vitro digestion on traditional foods having OFSP among the ingredients. Sunflower oil, margarine and beef fat were evaluated on their effect on β-carotene bioaccessibility. Porridge and chapatis were prepared with either OFSP puree or flours in the formulations. Carotene retention was highest in chapatis (83%) as compared to porridge (65%). Micerallisation efficiency of all-trans β-carotene was comparable between similar products but greater in chapatis (62%) than porridge (11%). Sunflower oil had the highest all-trans β-carotene bioaccessibility compared to margarine and beef fat. The results support the promotion of consumption of OFSP-based products as good source of provitamin A to fight VAD.