Marine microalgae and cyanobacteria are sources of diverse bioactive compounds with potential biotechnological applications in food, feed, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and biofuel ...industries. In this study, five microalgae,
sp. S5,
D1,
sp. D3,
sp. Z3 and
sp. C6, and the cyanobacterium
sp. C1 were isolated from the Adriatic Sea and characterized regarding their growth kinetics, biomass composition and specific products content (fatty acids, pigments, antioxidants, neutral and polar lipids). The strain
sp. D3, showing the highest specific growth rate (0.009 h
), had biomass productivity of 33.98 ± 0.02 mg L
day
. Proteins were the most abundant macromolecule in the biomass (32.83-57.94%, g g
).
D1 contained significant amounts of neutral lipids (68.36%), while the biomass of
sp. D3,
sp. Z3,
sp. C6 and
sp. C1 was rich in glycolipids and phospholipids (75%). The lipids of all studied microalgae predominantly contained unsaturated fatty acids. Carotenoids were the most abundant pigments with the highest content of lutein and neoxanthin in representatives of Chlorophyta and fucoxanthin in strains belonging to the Bacillariophyta. All microalgal extracts showed antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative
and
and Gram-positive
.
The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of cultivar and industrial processing on total polyphenols, anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acids and antioxidant activity in concentrated ...sour cherry (
L
cvs. Marasca and Oblačinska) juices. Samples were collected during four processing steps: from fresh fruit prior to processing, then from pressed, filtered and concentrated juices. The content of total phenols was the same in both cultivars, but antioxidant activity (Oblačinska>Marasca) and total monomeric anthocyanins (Marasca>Oblačinska) differed. All processing steps significantly influenced the content of total phenols, total monomeric anthocyanins and antioxidant activity. In all samples four major anthocyanins were identified by HPLC with UV/VIS PDA detector, listed in the descending order based on their abundance: cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, cyanidin-3-sophoroside and cyanidin-3-glucoside. Marasca cv. contained more total anthocyanins, and contents of cyanidin-3-sophoroside and cyanidin-3- -glucosylrutinoside. The content of total hydroxycinnamic acids was also higher in Marasca than Oblačinska cv. After processing, the concentration of all identified anthocyanins increased in both cultivars. Majority of the highest values of polyphenols were detected in the juice after pressing. The content of polyphenols and their antioxidant activity were considerably stable during industrial processing to concentrated juice. Although Marasca had higher polyphenolic content than Oblačinska, both cultivars showed promising industrial potential for processing to concentrated juice.
Certain changes in phenolics and sugars can occur during the storage of potatoes, where particularly amounts of sugars represent the critical factor as they are involved in potentially harmful ...acrylamide (AA) formation during frying. This research investigates the impact of cultivars (Birgit and Lady Claire), tuber's age (1, 5, and 9 months), and storage duration (1, 5, and 8 days at 10 °C) on the content of phenolics and sugars in raw, boiled, and fried fresh‐cut potato (FCP). The influence of these factors on the formation of AA in fried FCP was also assessed. Significant differences in phenolics and sugars were observed between cultivars (cv. Birgit contained 5.77 mg of phenolics 100 g–1 of dry weight (DW) and 1.75 g of sugars 100 g–1 DW, while cv. Lady Claire contained 10.13 mg of phenolics 100 g–1 DW and 0.65 g of sugars 100 g–1 DW). The content of phenolics significantly decreased, while sugars increased during tubers’ aging. FCP storage time had no significant influence on the content of phenolics and sugars. The phenolics and sugars were the highest in the raw samples and the lowest in the boiled ones. Although the AA level in fried samples was significantly influenced by cultivar (Birgit > Lady Claire) and it increased with FCP storage time, it was below European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) regulation's approved maximum value (750 µg kg–1 FW) in both cultivars. Therefore, cvs. Birgit and Lady Claire could be considered as promising FCP cultivars and for frying purposes.
Practical Application
The results of this research reveal that quantitative changes of chemical constituents occurring during storage and cooking of fresh‐cut slices of potato cultivars Birgit and Lady Claire are not a concern. This is of particular importance to fresh‐cut producers and customers. Phenolics were reduced during storage, but they were still present in all cooked samples independently of the cooking method. The analysis of sugars showed that tubers as old as 9 months could be used for fresh‐cut potato processing, providing safe frying without critical levels of acrylamide.
Research background. Potato tissue is damaged during fresh-cut production, which makes fresh-cut potato susceptible to the quality loss and microbiological spoilage. At the same time, such products ...are desirable due to their convenience; however, they are extremely sensitive and have short shelf life. The main challenge of the fresh-cut potato industry is to find possibilities to overcome these drawbacks. UV-C treatment, known for its antibacterial activity, is a promising technique and it shows a potential to improve shelf life of fresh-cut potato products.
Experimental approach. The influence of the UV-C treatment on the safety and quality, as well as sensory traits of fresh-cut potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Birgit) during storage was examined. For this purpose, 0-, 3-, 5- and 10-min UV-C irradiation was applied on vacuum-packed potato slices pretreated with sodium ascorbate solution. During 23 days of storage at (6±1) °C, microbiological, physicochemical and sensory properties of raw samples were monitored, along with sensory properties of boiled and fried fresh-cut potatoes.
Results and conclusions. The 5- and 10-min UV-C treatments significantly reduced microbial growth, increased total solids and lightness (L*), and positively affected odour and firmness of raw potatoes. Cooked UV-C-treated samples were described with more pronounced characteristic potato odour and taste. Overall, UV-C-treated fresh-cut potato retained its good quality and sensory traits up to 15 days at (6±1) °C.
Novelty and scientific contribution. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first scientific article dealing with the effect of UV-C light on durability (safety, quality and sensory traits) of fresh-cut potato cv. Birgit and its suitability for boiling and frying. In general, UV-C treatment is a known antimicrobial technique, but its application on fresh-cut potato is poorly explored. Results confirmed that vacuum-packed fresh-cut potato treated only with UV-C and sodium ascorbate as anti-browning agent, without the addition of chemical preservatives, had twofold longer shelf-life at (6±1) °C than the fresh-cut potato not treated with UV-C. Fresh-cut potato treated with UV-C retained good overall quality and sensory properties either raw, boiled or fried. Results of this study could also be useful for producers in terms of potential UV-C application as a strategy for prolonging the shelf-life of fresh-cut potato.
Mastic tree (
L.) of the Anacardiaceae family is an evergreen shrub from Mediterranean countries where it is used in traditional medicine. Analysis of
leaf, stem, fruit and root extracts showed high ...concentrations of principal groups of secondary metabolites (flavonoids, phenolic acids and tannins), suggesting the plant possesses great biological potential. Therefore, the aim of this research is to evaluate the impact of environmental parameters and the extraction solvent type on the concentration of phenols in mastic tree leaf extracts grown at four different locations along the Adriatic coast (Barbariga, Lun, Hvar and Vela Luka) during three phenological stages (early flowering, early fruiting and late fruiting).
Since mastic tree plant has phenolic compounds with different structures and chemical properties, ethanolic and methanolic leaf extracts were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with UV/Vis PDA detector. Phenolic compounds were identified by comparing the retention times and spectral data with those of standards at 280 and 340 nm.
In all samples, phenolic acids and flavonol glycosides were quantified, while catechin was quantified only in methanolic extracts. The 5-
-galloylquinic acid was determined as a predominant phenolic compound in all samples followed by monogalloyl glucose, 3,5-di-
-galloylquinic acid, 3,4,5-tri-
-galloylquinic acid and gallic acid, respectively. Myricetin-3-
-rhamnoside was found to be the predominant flavonol glycoside followed by myricetin-3-
-glucoside, myricetin-3-
-glucuronide, quercetin-3-
-rhamnoside and derivative of flavonol glycoside. The mass concentration of these compounds significantly varied during different phenological stages, at different growing locations and used extraction solvents. The highest phenolic mass concentration was determined in the samples harvested at Hvar growing location and extracted in 80% methanol. The highest total phenolic acid mass concentration was obtained in the samples harvested during the flowering phenological stage and the highest total flavonoid mass concentration in the samples harvested during the early fruiting stage.
The obtained data provide a better understanding of the
species phenolic concentration, which can lead to further investigations regarding the valorisation of mastic tree leaves as pharmaceutical products or as food products with added value.
Fresh-cut potatoes (FCP), like other fresh-cut (minimally processed) vegetables, are a convenient but highly perishable product. Unlike most fresh-cut vegetables, which are “ready-to-eat”, FCP must ...be cooked before consumption. Therefore, in addition to the safety (chemical and microbiological), quality and sensory characteristics of raw FCP, the same requirements should be applied for cooked potatoes. It is known that many factors play a role in meeting all these requirements: (i) selection of cultivars less susceptible to browning; (ii) use of anti-browning and antimicrobial agents and/or certain physical methods against browning and microbial growth; (iii) packaging and cold storage conditions. In recent studies on FCP, scientists have attempted to deepen their knowledge of the mechanisms of browning prevention to better understand changes at the molecular level as well. The main objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of recent research, which aimed at deepening knowledge of the various changes that occur in potatoes during processing, and to develop new approaches that could help improve quality and extend FCP shelf life. It also discusses the effects of subsequent cooking of FCP on sensory and other properties, as well as on chemical constituents.
The present investigation tested the in vivo antioxidant efficacy (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; glutathione peroxidase; Gpx), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and anti-inflammatory properties ...(cyclooxygenase-2; COX-2) of sour cherry juices obtained from an autochthonous cultivar (Prunus cerasus cv. Maraska) that is grown in coastal parts of Croatia. Antioxidant potential was tested in mouse tissue (blood, liver, and brain), LPO (liver, brain) and anti-inflammatory properties in glycogen elicited macrophages. Additionally, the concentration of cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, pelargonidin-3-glucoside, pelargonidin-3-rutinoside and total anthocyanins present in Prunus cerasus cv. Maraska cherry juice was determined. Mice were randomly divided into a control group (fed with commercial food pellets) and 2 experimental groups (fed with commercial food pellets with 10% or 50% of cherry juice added). Among the anthocyanins, the cyanidin-3-glucoside was present in the highest concentration. These results show antioxidant action of cherry juice through increased SOD (liver, blood) and Gpx (liver) activity and decreased LPO concentration. The study highlights cherry juice as a potent COX-2 inhibitor and antioxidant in the liver and blood of mice, but not in the brain. Thus, according to our study, Prunus cerasus cv. Maraska cherry juice might potentially be used as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory product with beneficial health-promoting properties.
UV-C irradiation successfully reduces the growth of microorganisms, but it can also affect the content of phenolics and sugars of fresh-cut potatoes (FCP). This could consequently alter antioxidant ...capacity of FCP or its potential for acrylamide formation. Therefore, this paper investigates the influence of UV-C irradiation on the content of phenolics chlorogenic acid (CA) and individual sugars during storage of FCP as well as after cooking. Acrylamide was also monitored in FCP after frying. Potato slices pre-treated with sodium ascorbate solution and vacuum-packaged were UV-C irradiated for 0, 3, 5, and 10 min in order to obtain irradiation doses of 0, 1.62, 2.70, and 5.40 kJ m−2, respectively, stored for 23 days (+6 °C), and subsequently boiled and fried. As the applied dose and storage duration increased, the CA content in raw FCP decreased (it retained for 75.53–88.34%), while the content of sugars as well as acrylamide in fried FCP increased. Although the increase was the most noticeable at the applied dose of 2.70 kJ m−2, the acrylamide content was always below proposed limit. Boiling and frying reduced the content of CA and sugars. In spite of certain alterations, applied doses of irradiation can ensure acceptable product in regard to phenolics and sugars, and acrylamide content particularly.
Fenolni spojevi su poželjan sastojak vina zbog njihovog dobro poznatog pozitivnog učinka na zdravlje ljudi, međutim zbog podložnosti oksidaciji, mogu negativno utjecati na boju, stabilnost te ukupnu ...kvalitetu bijelih vina. Sumporni dioksid, učinkovit antioksidans koji se koristi za stabilizaciju i sprječavanje posmeđivanja, izbjegava se zbog mogućeg štetnog utjecaja na zdravlje ljudi i kvalitetu vina. Stoga se koriste i istražuju druga sredstva kao npr. polivinilpolipirolidon (PVPP) i lakaza. PVPP je sintetski polimer koji veže fenolne spojeve i time sprječava njihovu oksidaciju. Nasuprot tome, enzim lakaza katalizira oksidaciju fenolnih spojeva te ubrzava nastajanje visokomolekularnih smeđe obojenih polimera koji se uklanjaju odgovarajućim postupcima filtracije vina. Na taj način se sprječava naknadna oksidacija fenolnih spojeva te posmeđivanje i zamućenje vina. S tim u vezi cilj istraživanja bio je ispitati utjecaj tretmana PVPP-om ili lakazom na fizikalno-kemijska svojstva (udjeli etanola, ukupnog ekstrakta, hlapljivih i nehlapljivih kiselina, pH-vrijednost, intenzitet boje), senzorsku kvalitetu i koncentraciju pojedinih skupina fenolnih spojeva (flavonoidi, neflavonoidi, kondenzirani tanini, leukoantocijani) bijelog vina Laški rizling. Finalizacija netretiranog (kontrolnog) vina i vina tretiranih PVPP-om odnosno lakazom provedena je ultrafiltracijom. Odabrani uvjeti tretmana, provjereni su brzim testiranjem u laboratorijskim uvjetima: aroma je u vinu ostala nepromijenjena, a masena koncentracija koloida je smanjena. Stoga su isti uvjeti tretmana primijenjeni u industrijskom mjerilu te uglavnom nisu značajno utjecali na fizikalno-kemijska svojstva, a poboljšali su senzorsku kvalitetu tretiranih vina. Smanjili su koncentracije svih skupina fenolnih spojeva i rezultirali manjim intenzitetom boje tj. svjetlijom bojom tretiranih od kontrolnog vina. Dobiveni rezultati ukazuju na prikladnost PVPP-a i lakaze u postupcima očuvanja boje i kvalitete bijelog vina Laški rizling.