Composition and potential uses of mesquite pods (Prosopis pallida L): Comparison with carob pods (Ceratonia siliqua L)

The composition of mesquite pods (Prosopis pallida L) (PP), a legume cultivated in the large desert areas of Peru, was studied. These fruits have at the present time very little practical or commercial use. Taking into account the morphological and compositional similarities to Mediterranean carob pods (Ceratonia siliqua L) (CS), which are widely used in the food industry, some applications of PP are considered. PP shows better nutritional properties than CS, mainly owing to its lower polyphenolic content and higher protein digestibility.     

Processing, Nutritional Evaluation, and Utilization of Whole Mesquite Flour (Prosopis laevigata)

ABSTRACT:  Basic crops such as wheat and maize are not cultivated easily in the central highlands of Mexico, but pods of mesquite ( Prosopis laevigata ), a N₂−fixing plant that dominates the vegetation, could be used as an additional food source. The physicochemical and functional properties and nutritional value of whole mesquite pod flour dried at 60 °C and 70 °C and muffins prepared with the mesquite flour were investigated. Drying temperature did not change the true protein concentration of the whole mesquite pod flour, that is, 97%. The digestibility for pod toasted at 70 °C was 78% compared to 77% at 60 °C, tannin content was 58% and 48% while trypsin inhibitor was 347 and 495 unit of inhibition (UI)/g sample, respectively. Functional characteristics of whole mesquite pod flour were similar to those of bean flour (Phaseolus vulgaris) , and superior to those of whole wheat flour (Triticum sp ) . Mesquite proteins were high in tryptophan and histidine. Sensorial analysis scores for products made with whole mesquite flour were high. The results of this work suggested that whole mesquite pod flour could be used as a supplement for human consumption.     

Effect of processing method on vitamin profile,antioxidant properties and total phenolic content of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) sugar syrup

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) sugar is a more nutritious alternative sugar source as compared to sugar palm (Borassus flabellifer) and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). This work was aimed to investigate the browning index (BI), vitamin profile and antioxidant properties of coconut sap sugar syrups, which were produced by different processing methods: rotary evaporation (RE), microwave evaporation (ME) and open-heat evaporation (OHE). The results obtained showed that coconut sugar syrup produced by RE-60 contained high antioxidant activities [DPPH (36.71%) and ABTS (34.84%), TPC (299.87 mg per 100 g sample) and FRAP (3.74 mm )]. These values were slightly lower than those of ME and OHE. Coconut sugar syrup (RE-60) also contained higher amounts of vitamin C (1587.27 mg L⁻¹), vitamin B1 (97.44 mg L⁻¹) and vitamin B3 (19.84 mg L⁻¹) compared with those of ME and OHE coconut sugar syrups. RE-60 was the best method to produce coconut sugar syrup in a shorter time with lower browning index and higher vitamin contents.     

Composition and properties of seeds and pods of the tree legume Prosopis juliflora (DC)

Seeds and whole pods of Prosopis juliflora were analysed for proximate composition, fatty acids, minerals and soluble sugars. Crude protein constituted 35 % and 10 % of the seeds and whole pods, respectively. Nitrogen free extracts (NFE) comprised approximately 45 % of the seeds and whole pods. In the case of the pods, sucrose represented approximately 75 % of the soluble sugars. The lipid of both the seeds and whole pods contained a relatively large proportion of unsaturated fatty acids with linoleic acid as the predominant fatty acid. Levels of the macronutrients Ca, Mg, K and P were relatively low in comparison with cultivated legumes. Alkaline extraction of the seeds and whole pods showed that more than 70 % of the proteins were extractable. Maximum precipitation of the proteins was observed in the pH range 4.0-4.5. Amino acid analysis of the isolated proteins showed relatively high levels of lysine (312mg g^?l N for the seed and 438 mg g^?l N for the pod protein) and adequate levels of valine, leucine, tyrosine and phenylalanine. Methionine was the most limiting amino acid. The in vitro enzymic digestibility of the proteins of Prosopis seed was comparable to that of proteins of other legume seeds.     

Anthocyanins and fruit colour in plums (Prunus domestica L.) during ripening

The accumulation of anthocyanins and the evolution of fruit colour were investigated during ripening of Prunus domestica L. Using HPLC, the fruit of the ‘Jojo’, ‘Valor’, ‘?a?anska rodna’ and ‘?a?anska najbolja’ cultivars were quantified for anthocyanins during a 25-day period of ripening (a 33-day period in the case of ‘Jojo’). The major anthocyanin was cyanidin 3-rutinoside which, in ripe fruits, ranged from 4.1 to 23.4 mg/100 g FW (from 52.6% to 73.0%). It was followed by peonidin 3-rutinoside (from 6.5% to 37.9%), cyanidin 3-glucoside (from 1.8% to 18.4%), cyanidin 3-xyloside (from 4.7% to 7.8%) and peonidin 3-glucoside (from 0.0% to 0.4%). The ripening process resulted in a concentration increase of total anthocyanins and changed the ratios amongst the anthocyanins. The colour parameters, L^∗, a^∗, b^∗, chroma and hue angle, of partially ripe plums were higher than those in the ripe fruit, but the CIRG index of partially ripe fruit was always lower than that of ripe fruit. The total anthocyanins were weakly correlated with each of the colour parameters; their relationships varied between cultivars and ripening stage. Correlation coefficients between individual anthocyanins and colour parameters in ripe plums were cultivar-dependent.     

Optimisation of conditions for glucose syrup production from banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) pulp using response surface methodology

A central composite design was applied to assess some basic factors that affect profoundly the production of dextrose equivalent from banana pulp. Optimal conditions for the conversion of starch banana pulp to glucose were found to be a banana pulp concentration of 8.5%, reaction time of 90 min, and α‐amylase concentration of 0.04% for liquefaction and reaction time of 24 h with a glucoamylase concentration of 0.05% for saccharification. Only 16 and 12 experiments, respectively, were needed to assess these conditions. The adequacy of model was highly satisfactory, because the coefficients of determination (R²) were 0.93 and 0.91, respectively. The glucose syrup (GS) obtained was slightly yellowish with a hint of brown and slightly sweet. The syrup had a protein of 0.63% and an ash content of 0.60%, with a pH of 4.8. The characteristics of the GS produced met all the recommended standards, except for that of colour.     

Changes in pigment profile and surface colour of fig (Ficus carica L.) during drying

In this study, anthocyanins in three fresh fig varieties (Ficus carica L.) cultivated in Turkey were characterised and quantified by HPLC/DAD and HPLC/MS. In addition, the carotenoid composition of Sar?lop and Sar?zeybek, yellow fig varieties, was determined, and then the ripening‐ and drying‐related changes in carotenoids and surface colour of figs were monitored during conventional sun‐drying. Four different anthocyanins, cyanidin‐3‐glucoside, cyanidin‐3,5‐diglucoside, cyanidin‐3‐rutinoside (major anthocyanin) and pelargonidin‐3‐glucoside, were identified in samples. Lutein, zeaxanthin, β‐cryptoxanthin and β‐carotene were carotenoids in yellow fig varieties. Approximately 80% of carotenoid compounds in yellow fig varieties degraded at the end of drying (i.e. seventh day). L (lightness), a (redness and greenness) and b (yellowness and blueness) colour parameters were measured by Hunter Lab system. Great changes in carotenoid composition and surface colour were observed at ripening stage on tree. A significant reduction in L and b values that refers to browning in figs was made in the first 3 days of drying process.     

Changes in the processing quality of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) during long-term storage under controlled conditions

Long-term storage of sugar beet is an option to extend the processing campaign of the sugar factories in Europe. In the present study, changes in the processing quality of sugar beet were quantified during 110 days of storage at 7 and 20 °C. During storage, the concentration of sucrose decreased whereas K, Na, amino N, betaine, invert sugar and raffinose accumulated in the beets, i.e. quality was impaired markedly. At 7 °C, the changes in sucrose concentration were relatively small but the formation of invert sugar and raffinose caused considerable losses in beet quality. Thus, long-term storage at low temperature is appropriate to prolong the campaign but processing costs will increase. Quality assessment with two formulae showed that measurements of K, Na and amino N are insufficient to evaluate stored sugar beets for recoverable sugar. Due to its increase in storage, the concentration of invert sugar should also be taken into account.     

Anthocyanin and colour changes during processing of pomegranate (Punica granatum L., cv. Hicaznar) juice from sacs and whole fruit

The effects of clarification and pasteurisation on anthocyanins (ACNs) and the colour of pomegranate juice (PJ) produced from sacs and whole fruits were investigated. Clarification caused a loss of 4% of ACNs in juice from sacs (JFS) and a loss of 19% in juice from whole fruit (JFWF). After pasteurisation, there was an 8–14% and 13–9% loss of ACNs from unclarified and clarified JFS and JFWF samples, respectively. Polymeric colour was very high even in unclarified samples (25–29%). Compared to JFS, higher polymeric colour was formed in JFWF. HPLC analyses of PJ revealed that cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside was the major ACN, followed by cyanidin-3-glucoside and delphinidin-3-glucoside. Cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside showed higher stability to clarification and pasteurisation than cyanidin-3-glucoside in both PJ samples. Cold clarification with only gelatin is recommended for PJ. To prevent excessive ACN loss and the formation of brown colouring, PJ should be subjected to minimal heating.     

Application of tristimulus colorimetry to evaluate colour changes during the ripening of Colombian guava (Psidium guajava L.) varieties with different carotenoid pattern

The pigment composition of three Colombian guava varieties, Regional roja, Regional blanca, and Palmira ICA‐1, in unripe, turning and full ripe maturity stages was studied. Lycopene was identified as the major carotenoid of Regional roja and Palmira ICA‐1 (18.25 and 28.07 mg kg^?1 fruit, respectively in full ripe fruits) although a small amount of lutein was also found in the two varieties. β‐Carotene was only found in Palmira ICA‐1, whilst no detectable levels of carotenoids were found in the white‐fleshed guava (Regional blanca). A good correlation between the total carotenoid content and the colour parameters of guava peel was found, such that the Regional roja and Regional blanca varieties could be discerned by colour coordinates. The most remarkable differences were found when comparing the pulp colour.     

食品中还原糖含量测量的不确定度评估

根据JJF1059-999《测定不确定度的评定与表示》和GB／T5009．7——2003食品中还原糖含量的测定原理，建立不确定度的数学模型。系统分析并计算食品中还原糖测量全过程的不确定度各分量、结果标准不确定度及扩展不确定度．此方法适用于评估食品中还原糖含量的不确定度。     

Changes of anthocyanins and hydroxycinnamic acids affecting the skin colour during maturation of sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.)

The content and relative amounts of anthocyanins and hydroxycinnamic acids (HCA) were determined in local sweet cherries (cultivar Petrovka) at 7 stages of maturity, by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and compared to instrumentally assessed skin colour of the same sweet cherries. Skin colour of harvested samples was measured using the CIE L^*,a^*,b^* system. The contents of neochlorogenic and 3′-p-coumarylquinnic acids decreased with no significant change in ratio during ripening, except for the first 4 days of maturation, when the ratio changed due to increased content of neochlorogenic acid. The linear increase of total anthocyanins during maturation was observed without the trend of stabilization in the final stages of maturity. The colour change of Petrovka during maturation was influenced by the increase of total anthocyanins, consisting mostly of cyanidin-3-rutinoside and cyanidin-3-glucoside (97-98% of the total). The chroma and L^* values appeared to be optimal indicators of anthocyanin accumulation during maturation, and better than the a^* value and hue angle. The accumulation of anthocyanins from 507.1 to 1150.9 mg of cyanidin-3-rutinoside/kg of fresh weight (FW) during the second half of maturation caused the formation of a new colour cast of Petrovka, which influenced the decrease of redness and colour intensity, as recognized by CIE L^*,a^*,b^* colour space.     

Seasonal patterns of sucrose concentration in relation to other quality parameters of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

The chemical composition of sugar beet is the most important parameter affecting its processing. Sugar factories require beet with high concentrations of sucrose and low concentrations of melassigenic substances to maximise the amount of extractable sugar. In order to plan the processing campaign, forecasts of root and sugar yield by prediction models are possible but there are no means to predict the technical quality of the beet. In the present study, the seasonal development and physiological relationships of different parameters of sugar beet quality were analysed. In order to estimate possibilities for quality forecasts, the concentrations of beet quality variables in October were correlated with corresponding quality measurements in late summer and to weather variables during the growing season by linear regressions. In 2000 and 2001, 27 field trials were conducted on commercial farm fields in all sugar beet growing areas in Germany. From June to October, sequential samples were taken every 4 weeks and the concentrations of sucrose, potassium, sodium, total soluble nitrogen, α‐amino nitrogen, nitrate, betaine, reducing sugars and marc in the beet were determined. The sucrose concentration increased progressively until the final harvest date in autumn, whereas the concentrations of the melassigenic substances decreased markedly until late summer and remained fairly constant as the season progressed. Marc concentration was the most stable of the parameters analysed. The sucrose concentration was positively correlated with the concentrations of dry matter, betaine and marc, but negatively with nitrate concentration and leaf yield throughout the season. The correlation between the concentrations of sucrose and nitrogenous compounds measured in summer and their final concentrations in autumn was rather weak. However, it was close for potassium, sodium and marc and a satisfactory prediction of their final concentrations was possible by the end of August. Based on weather data, beet quality was not predictable. Therefore, it seems to be difficult to integrate beet quality parameters into prediction models. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of ethanol fermentation parameters for bioethanol production from sugar beet pulp and juice

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficient utilization of sugar beet pulp, as well as raw, concentrated raw and thick sugar beet juice, for bioethanol production. Different fermentation conditions were examined. The influence of raw material pre‐treatment (pasteurization or sterilization), type of batch culture process (stationary or shaken) as well as the type of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast preparation on the yields of the process were studied. Moreover, the fermentation process effectiveness was examined in connection with the quality of the obtained distillates. Sterilization, stationary batch culture and Safdistil C‐70 yeast preparation were identified as the most profitable factors for sugar beet pulp fermentation, providing a high fermentation efficiency and ethanol yield (87.7% of theoretical ethanol yield). Concentrated raw beet juice resulted in a value of 94.2% of theoretical yield, and thick juice a 92.6% yield. The results suggest that bioethanol production from sugar beet pulp and sugar beet juice has promise as an alternative fuel. The raw spirits obtained from the sugar beet juice were characterized as having the lowest quantity of volatile by‐products. Copyright © 2014 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Time course of the colour of young red wines from Vitis vinifera L. during ageing in bottle

The colour characteristics of red wines from Vitis vinifera L. cv Tempranillo, Graciano and Cabernet Sauvignon (vintage 2000) from Navarra (Spain), was studied during 26 months of ageing in bottle through the evaluation of the wine visible spectrum and of several colorimetric indices (colour intensity, %red, %yellow, %blue, %dA and tint) and CIELAB variables (L*, C*, h, a* and b*). During ageing in bottle, the spectrum of Tempranillo wine (pH 4.3) mainly changed in the absorbance range between 420 and 500 nm, whereas Graciano (pH 3.5) and Cabernet Sauvignon (pH 3.6) wines registered a decrease in absorbance in the interval between 500 and 560 nm. The time course of the different wine colour parameters was found to fit either a second‐order polynomium or a linear model, depending on the grape variety employed. CIELAB variables could be described in terms of their colorimetric index counterparts, showing b* and h relative greater errors. Although the wine total chromatic changes in CIELAB units registered after 26 months of ageing in bottle indicated changes perceivable by the human eye (ΔE* ≥ 2.7) for the three varieties studied, Graciano and Cabernet Sauvignon wines showed a more balanced colour evolution than Tempranillo wine.     

Clarification and pasteurisation effects on monomeric anthocyanins and percent polymeric colour of black carrot (Daucus carota L.) juice

Black carrots (BCs) are a rich source of stable anthocyanins (ACNs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of clarification and pasteurisation on ACNs of black carrot juice (BCJ). Monomeric ACNs, ACN profile and percent polymeric colour were determined during processing of BCJ. While depectinisation and bentonite treatments resulted in 7% and 20% increases in monomeric ACN content of BCJ, respectively, gelatine–kieselsol treatment and pasteurisation resulted in 10% and 3–16% reduction. Percent polymeric colour decreased after clarification, but substantially increased in samples subjected to heat. ACNs of BCJ samples were identified by HPLC–MS. Unclarified BCJ contained cyanidin-3-galactoside-xyloside-glucoside-ferulic acid as the major ACN, followed by cyanidin-3-galactoside-xyloside-glucoside-coumaric acid, and cyanidin-3-galactoside-xyloside-glucoside. After depectinisation, two more ACNs (cyanidin-3-galactoside-xyloside and cyanidin-3-galactoside-xyloside-glucoside-sinapic acid) were also identified. These results indicated that depectinisation and bentonite treatment had positive effect on the colour of BCJ, while gelatin–kieselsol treatment and pasteurisation had negative effect.     

外源赤霉素对紫香无核葡萄果实糖代谢及相关酶活性的影响

以紫香无核葡萄为试材,采用不同浓度外源赤霉素在葡萄花前、盛花期、花后3个时期对果穗进行喷施,研究不同浓度外源赤霉素时紫香无核葡萄果实中糖、酸含量的影响及蔗糖合成酶(SucroseSynthase,SS)、酸性转化酶(Acid Invertase,AI)、a-淀粉酶和β-淀粉酶的调控.结果表明,外源赤霉素时紫香无核果实糖积累有一定的负面影响,所有处理的果实糖含量均比对照低;4个处理酸含量差别不大;酸性转化酶活性以处理4最低,蔗糖合成酶和β-淀粉酶活性均以处理1最高,a-淀粉酶活性以处理3最高.总体来看,4个处理中以处理1的效果最好,即在花前、盛花期、花后分别对果穗喷施50mg/L、100mg/L和150mg/L的外源赤霉素可促使果粒膨大且果实含糖量能保持在较高水平.     

Characteristics of pigment composition and colour value by the difference of harvesting times in Korean red pepper varieties (Capsicum annuum, L.)

The main pigments of Capsicum annuum cv. Hanbando and Dabotop in dried red fruits were capsanthin, zeaxanthin, beta‐cryptoxanthin and beta‐carotene. Total carotenoid contents were twice as high at the fourth harvest compared with the second harvest in both varieties. The ratios of capsanthin to yellow fraction were above 1.0 in Hanbando and below 1.0 in Dabotop. Zeaxanthin content at the third harvest was about three times higher than at the second harvest in Dabotop. ASTA colour values harvested in the second, third and fourth weeks were 114, 152 and 178 in Hanbando and 115, 137 and 140 in Dabotop. Hue value of Hanbando was below 1.0 at all harvests and that of Dabotop was above 1.0 at the second and fourth harvests. The comparison of the C* values of two varieties revealed that Hanbando had the most vivid redness at the fourth harvest, whereas Dabotop was most vivid at the second harvest.