Functional lipid characteristics,oxidative stability,and antioxidant activity of macadamia nut (Macadamiaintegrifolia) cultivars

Phytochemical compounds (tocopherols, tocotrienols, and squalene) were measured in seven macadamia cultivars harvested from four locations on Hawaii island to establish whether these compounds enhance the oxidative stability of roasted kernels. Cultivars that had the greatest oxidative stability also had high total lipid-soluble antioxidant capacity. Tocopherols [delta (δ), gamma (γ), alpha (α)] were not detected in most macadamia nut samples, but macadamia kernels contained significant amounts of tocotrienols (31–92 μg/g oil) and squalene (72–171 μg/g oil) for all cultivars tested. This is the first report of variation for three tocotrienol homologs (δ-, γ-, α-T3) and total antioxidant capacity in macadamia nut cultivars. No statistical correlations were found between oxidative stability and tocopherol, tocotrienol, and squalene concentrations. However, two cultivars (HAES 294 and HAES 835) were identified with superior oxidative stability, suggesting that the kernel quality of these cultivars is more stable during storage.     

Maintaining the quality of sugarcane juice with blanching and ascorbic acid

The physicochemical changes in fresh sugarcane juice stored at 10 °C were studied by determining juice yield, color, reducing sugar, titratable acidity, viscosity, pH, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), sucrose neutral invertase (SNI) and total microbial count. Results showed that blanching of stems before squeezing effectively prevented degreening and/or browning, and reduced activities of PPO and SNI in fresh sugarcane juice. Added ascorbic acid delayed the increase of reducing sugar, titratable acidity, viscosity and total microbial count, and also prevented degreening and/or browning with reduced PPO and SNI activities in fresh sugarcane juice during storage. Addition of 0.1% ascorbic acid seemed to be more effective than blanching of sugarcane stems, and was able to maintain the quality of fresh sugarcane juice for up to 5 days at 10 °C. Deterioration of fresh sugarcane juice was demonstrated as a rapid increase of titratable acidity and viscosity with a obvious browning.     

How much reducing sugar may potatoes contain to avoid excessive acrylamide formation during roasting and baking?

For many consumers, potatoes fried or roasted in professional or private kitchens are the most important source of exposure to acrylamide. Acrylamide formation can be reduced by appropriate preparation techniques, but suitable potatoes are a prerequisite. The tendency of potato to form acrylamide can be approximated by the content of reducing sugar. Roast potatoes (hash browns, Rösti) and oven-fried potatoes (Bratkartoffeln) were prepared to optimum culinary quality regarding crispiness and then evaluated in terms of browning, roasting flavor and acrylamide content. Preparation procedures were optimized to produce a minimum of acrylamide. It is concluded that potatoes with less than 0.2 g/kg fresh weight fructose and glucose are not suitable for roasting (insufficient browning and flavor), while roasted products of minimum crispiness prepared from potatoes with more than 1 g/kg reducing sugar contain more than 500 µg/kg acrylamide. It is proposed that potatoes which may be used for roasting and frying should contain less than 1 g/kg fresh weight of reducing sugar. This can easily be fulfilled with the most important potato cultivars grown in Switzerland, but presupposes that potatoes are no longer stored at 4 °C.     

Dropping macadamia nuts‐in‐shell reduces kernel roasting quality

BACKGROUND: Macadamia nuts (‘nuts‐in‐shell’) are subjected to many impacts from dropping during postharvest handling, resulting in damage to the raw kernel. The effect of dropping on roasted kernel quality is unknown. Macadamia nuts‐in‐shell were dropped in various combinations of moisture content, number of drops and receiving surface in three experiments. After dropping, samples from each treatment and undropped controls were dry oven‐roasted for 20 min at 130 °C, and kernels were assessed for colour, mottled colour and surface damage. RESULTS: Dropping nuts‐in‐shell onto a bed of nuts‐in‐shell at 3% moisture content or 20% moisture content increased the percentage of dark roasted kernels. Kernels from nuts dropped first at 20%, then 10% moisture content, onto a metal plate had increased mottled colour. Dropping nuts‐in‐shell at 3% moisture content onto nuts‐in‐shell significantly increased surface damage. Similarly, surface damage increased for kernels dropped onto a metal plate at 20%, then at 10% moisture content. CONCLUSION: Postharvest dropping of macadamia nuts‐in‐shell causes concealed cellular damage to kernels, the effects not evident until roasting. This damage provides the reagents needed for non‐enzymatic browning reactions. Improvements in handling, such as reducing the number of drops and improving handling equipment, will reduce cellular damage and after‐roast darkening. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Delayed harvest reduces quality of raw and roasted macadamia kernels

BACKGROUND: Macadamia integrifolia, M. tetraphylla and their hybrids are cultivated for their edible kernels. Abscised macadamia fruit is gathered from the ground, and harvest intervals vary due to management decisions or unavoidable delays. In this study, macadamia fruit from cultivar HAES 344 was harvested between May and August in three experiments in south‐east Queensland, Australia. Control fruit was dehusked, dried and evaluated immediately, while delayed harvest fruit remained on the ground under trees for periods of 3 and 5 weeks before processing. Whole kernel weight, shoulder damage and weight of pieces were assessed for raw kernels, and kernel colour mottled colour and surface damage were assessed after roasting. RESULTS: Delaying harvest for 3 weeks in experiment 1, and 3 or 5 weeks in experiment 2 reduced whole kernel and increased shoulder damage and weight of pieces. Experiment 3 raw kernel was not affected. After‐roast darkening increased in all experiments, and roasting produced severe mottled colour in one experiment, and severe surface damage in two of three experiments. CONCLUSION: Macadamia kernels may deteriorate rapidly when harvest is delayed, and both raw and roasted kernel quality may be affected. Shorter harvest intervals, preferably less than 3 weeks, will help maintain optimum kernel quality. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Antioxidant properties of roasted apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernel

The antioxidant properties of peeled, defatted and roasted apricot kernel flours were evaluated by determining radical scavenging power (RSP), anti-lipid peroxidative activity (ALPA), reducing power (RP), total phenolic content (TPC), assessed by DPPH test, β-carotene bleaching method, iron (III to II) reducing test and Folin method, respectively. Browning degree of the samples was also measured and found to increase almost linearly with the roasting time. Contrary to browning degree, RSP, RP and TPC did not increase linearly but showed a maximum for 10 min of roasting. Roasting reduced the ALPA values, thus unroasted sample showed the highest ALPA value. RSP, RP and TPC measurements of all samples, were in high correlation (at least, r = 0.92).     

Chemical compositions,functional properties,and microstructure of defatted macadamia flours

The objective of this research was to study the chemical compositions, functional properties, and microstructure of partially defatted flours (PDF, 12–15% fat, dry basis (db)) and totally defatted flours (TDF, 1% db fat) from three macadamia cultivars, PY 741, DS 344, and DS 800, grown in Northern Thailand. The defatted flours were high in protein (30.40–36.45% db) and carbohydrate (49.29–57.09% db). For each macadamia cultivar, while emulsion activities and emulsion stabilities of the TDF tended not to be different from those of the PDF (p > 0.05), TDF had significantly greater water absorption capacities (WAC), oil absorption capacities and foaming capacities (FC), but had significantly lower foaming stability (FS) than the PDF (p ? 0.05). The TDF from PY 741 cultivar possessed the highest WAC and FC but the lowest FS. The variation in the functional properties of the defatted flours could mainly arise from the difference in the quantity and characteristics of the proteins in the flours. Structure determination of macadamia flours showed that the proteins bodies and starch granules were embedded in kernel tissues. The starch granules were oval and approximately 10 μm in diameter.     

Quantitation of bioactive compounds in citrus fruits cultivated in Taiwan

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of bioactive compounds in the edible portions of eight varieties of citrus fruits (Ponkan, Tonkan, Murcott, Wendun, Peiyou, Kumquat, Liucheng, and Lemon) cultivated in Taiwan. The amount of total polyphenol and flavonoid exceeded that of total carotenoid. Hesperidin was the major flavanone, which abounded in Liucheng and Tonkan (5.36 ± 0.145 and 4.13 ± 0.050 mg/g db, respectively). Naringin abounded in Peiyou and Wendun (1250 ± 0.82 and 2205 ± 11.1 μg/g db, respectively). Diosmin was the major flavone, and Kumquat (0.699 ± 0.021 mg/g db) and Lemon (0.323 ± 0.004 mg/g db) had the highest contents. Kaempferol was the most abundant flavanol except in Wendun, Peiyou, and Kumquat, and Murcott had the highest content (1.04 ± 0.007 mg/g db). Chlorogenic acid was the major phenolic acid, and Wendun and Lemon had the highest contents (103 ± 11.5 and 92.6 ± 8.90 μg/g db, respectively). β-Cryptoxanthin was the main carotenoid (0.764 ± 0.031–6.67 ± 0.329 μg/g db), followed by β-carotene (0.435 ± 0.016–3.77 ± 0.154 μg/g db), and these two compounds abounded in Murcott. Tonkan, Wendun, Peiyou, and Lemon had high levels of ascorbic acid. Total pectin levels ranged from 40.4 ± 1.65 to 87.3 ± 3.69 mg/g db.     

Sugars,organic acids,phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.)

Sugars, organic acids, phenolics and anthocyanins in fruits of 13 sweet cherry cultivars: Badascony, Burlat, Early Van Compact, Fercer, Fernier, Ferprime, Lala Star, Lapins, Noire de Meched, Sylvia, Vesseaux, Vigred (red-coloured) and Ferrador (bi-coloured) were quantified by HPLC. Sweet cherry cultivars of different pomological characteristics and different time of ripening were evaluated sensorily. Cultivars were evaluated for their total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The sum of sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose and sorbitol) ranged from 125 to 265 g/kg fresh weight (FW) and the sum of organic acids (malic, citric, shikimic and fumaric) ranged from 3.67 to 8.66 g/kg FW. Total phenolic content ranged from 44.3 to 87.9 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g FW and antioxidant activity ranged from 8.0 to 17.2 mg ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity mg/100 g FW. The correlation of antioxidant activity with total phenolics content and content of anthocyanins was cultivar dependent.     

Total phenolics,antioxidant activity,and functional properties of ‘Tommy Atkins’ mango peel and kernel as affected by drying methods

Mango processing produces significant amount of waste (peels and kernels) that can be utilized for the production of value-added ingredients for various food applications. Mango peel and kernel were dried using different techniques, such as freeze drying, hot air, vacuum and infrared. Freeze dried mango waste had higher antioxidant properties than those from other techniques. The ORAC values of peel and kernel varied from 418–776 and 1547–1819 μmol TE/g db. The solubility of freeze dried peel and kernel powder was the highest. The water and oil absorption index of mango waste powders ranged between 1.83–6.05 and 1.66–3.10, respectively. Freeze dried powders had the lowest bulk density values among different techniques tried. The cabinet dried waste powders can be potentially used in food products to enhance their nutritional and antioxidant properties.     

Enzymatic treatment of peanut kernels to reduce allergen levels

This study investigated the use of enzymatic treatment to reduce peanut allergens in peanut kernels as affected by processing conditions. Two major peanut allergens, Ara h 1 and Ara h 2, were used as indicators of process effectiveness. Enzymatic treatment effectively reduced Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 in roasted peanut kernels by up to 100% under optimal conditions. For instance, treatment of roasted peanut kernels with α-chymotrypsin and trypsin for 1–3 h significantly increased the solubility of peanut protein while reducing Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 in peanut kernel extracts by 100% and 98%, respectively, based on ELISA readings. Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 levels in peanut protein extracts were inversely correlated with protein solubility in roasted peanut. Blanching of kernels enhanced the effectiveness of enzyme treatment in roasted peanuts but not in raw peanuts. The optimal concentration of enzyme was determined by response surface to be in the range of 0.1–0.2%. No consistent results were obtained for raw peanut kernels since Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 increased in peanut protein extracts under some treatment conditions and decreased in others.     

Non-enzymatic browning and estimated acrylamide in roots,tubers and plantain products

Acrylamide has been discovered in foods, especially high carbohydrate foods that are dry-cooked (baked, fried or roasted) at high temperatures which also create the conditions for non-enzymatic browning. Baking, frying and roasting are common food preparation methods in Ghana. Fifteen different high carbohydrate foods in Ghana, that undergo dry-cooking, have been investigated for non-enzymatic browning and acrylamide production. The products that showed notable non-enzymatic browning and acrylamide levels include fried sweet potato, plantain chips from the fresh produce, with their respective non-enzymatic browning and acrylamide values as 0.095 ± 0.006 optical density (OD), 1043 ± 47.6 parts per billion (ppb); 0.034 ± 0.03 OD, 568 ± 22.9 ppb. Roots and tuber products had relatively high non-enzymatic browning and acrylamide levels while plantain products showed low levels of non-enzymatic browning and acrylamide.     

Comparison of the effects of sucrose and hexose on furfural formation and browning in cookies baked at different temperatures

The influence of the type of sugar and baking temperature on sugar degradation, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) formation and browning was studied in model cookies. The baking process was characterised by the temperature in the cookie and the water content and activity. A reference browning was selected to compare the differently processed cookies. The accumulation of HMF was modelled at three temperatures for three formulas (sucrose (S-CK), glucose (G-CK) or fructose (F-CK)). HMF started to accumulate at a_w between 0.5 and 0.7 depending on the temperature and followed a first order kinetic, highly dependent on the baking temperature and type of sugar. Cookies baked at 200 °C accumulated 10–100 times less HMF than those baked at higher temperatures. Below 250 °C, S-CK produced less HMF than G- or F-CK, but the inverse was observed at 300 °C.     

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.     

Temperature- and Moisture-Dependent Dielectric Properties of Macadamia Nut Kernels

Conventional hot air drying for macadamia nuts takes several weeks, generating great interest in developing advanced drying technologies. Radio frequency (RF) and microwave (MW) heating hold potential for providing fast and uniform drying with acceptable product quality. To clearly understand the interaction between electromagnetic energy and macadamia nuts, information on dielectric properties of the kernels is needed for designing a practical and effective drying process. In this study, dielectric properties of the macadamia nut kernels were measured between 10 and 1,800 MHz using an open-ended coaxial-line probe technique at temperatures between 25 and 100 °C and moisture contents between 3 % and 24 % on a wet basis (w.b.). The results showed that both dielectric constant and loss factor of the kernels decreased sharply with increasing frequency over the RF range (10 to 300 MHz), but gradually over the measured MW range (300–1,800 MHz), which were largely enhanced by increasing moisture content and temperature. Penetration depth decreased with increasing frequency, moisture content, and temperature. Based on this study, uniform drying of macadamia nut kernels in thick layers could be effectively developed using RF energy.     

Adding value to hard date (Phoenix dactylifera L.): Compositional,functional and sensory characteristics of date jam

Second-grade dates (with a hard texture) from three potential Tunisian cultivars (Deglet Nour, Allig and Kentichi) showed the same sugar (∼73.30–89.55 g/100 g dry matter), fibre (∼7.95–18.83 g/100 g dry matter) and total phenolics (∼280.6–681.8 mg of GAE/100 g) content as dates of high quality. Deglet Nour and Kentichi varieties were characterised by a high content of sucrose and low reducing sugar content; contrary to Allig and the majority of other date varieties tested. This work intended to add value to these raw materials by using them in jam production. The corresponding jams were characterised in terms of chemical composition, physical (texture and water retention capacities) and sensory properties. Results showed a significant effect of the date variety on the composition and physical characteristics of date jams. Indeed, Allig jam was richer in reducing sugars and was characterised by its higher firmness and water retention capacity. To test the acceptability of these new products, we compared them with quince jam (the most consumed in Tunisia). Results showed that Allig and Kentichi jams presented a higher overall acceptability. However, quince and Deglet Nour jams did not show any significant differences (P > 0.05). Results from this work revealed essential information that could promote the commercialization of dzate jam.     

Preliminary characterisation of cornelian cherry (Cornusmas L.) genotypes for their physico-chemical properties

Fruit weight, antioxidant capacity, total anthocyanins, total phenolics, ascorbic acid, soluble solid content (SSC), reducing sugar and acidity of a number of selected cornelian cherry (Cornusmas L.) genotypes of varied pigmentation were investigated. Two methods, namely β-carotene bleaching and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were used to determine total antioxidant capacity, while Folin–Ciocalteu reagent was used to determine total phenols. Fruit weight, SSC and ascorbic acid content of genotypes were 2.09–9.17; 12.53–21.17% and 29–112 mg/100 g, respectively. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content varied among genotypes and 44-18 genotype had the highest antioxidant capacity using both methods. This genotype also had the highest total phenolic (74.8 mg GAE/g DW) and total anthocyanin (115 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents /100 g FW) content. There are linear relationships between antioxidant capacities and total phenols. The present study demonstrates the potential of certain cornelian cherry genotypes, notably 44-18, for improvement of nutritional value through germplasm enhancement programmes.     

Effects of dough formula and baking conditions on acrylamide and hydroxymethylfurfural formation in cookies

The effects of dough formula and baking conditions on the formations of acrylamide and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) were studied in a cookie model system. Increasing the sugar concentration in the dough formula increased acrylamide formation during baking at 205 °C for 11 min. The effect of sugar on acrylamide formation was more pronounced for glucose than for sucrose, expectedly. Addition of citric acid into dough formula comprising sucrose increased the susceptibility of acrylamide formation, while it decreased acrylamide formation in the dough formula comprising glucose. Decreasing the pH of dough formula increased the tendency to surface browning and the formation of hydroxymethylfurfural in cookies during baking. The results suggest that a cookie with acceptable texture and colour, but having less than 150 ng/g of acrylamide, can be manufactured by lowering the baking temperature and avoiding reducing sugars in the recipe.     

Changes in physiochemical quality and browning related enzyme activity of longkong fruit during four different weeks of on-tree maturation

The optimum harvesting period of longkong from 13 to 16 weeks of maturation were used to analyse the changes in physiochemical and browning related enzymes. The colour, such as lightness (L^∗) and yellowness (b^∗) decreased and conversely redness (a^∗) increased. The fruit weight was significantly increased from 21.21 to 24.93 g and the diameter was also increased (p > 0.05). Chemical qualities, such as total soluble solids, pH, total sugar and reducing sugar increased while titratable acidity decreased at the end of maturation period (p < 0.05). The antioxidant activity, such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (from 4.73 to 8.97 mg/100 g), ferric reducing antioxidant power (from 5.06 to 6.83 mg/100 g) and total phenolic content increased (from 42.65 to 58.71 mg/100 g) (p < 0.05). The polyphenol oxidase activity significantly increased throughout the maturation; peroxidase and phenyl alanine ammonia lyase enzymes increased at the beginning but after that they decreased at the end of the maturation period. Peel epidermal trichomes losses on the surface and parenchyma cell changes in the cross section were found during these stages.