Effect of stevia supplementation of kale juice spheres on their quality changes during refrigerated shelf life

Kale is a vegetable with high contents of health–promoting compounds although its consumption as a beverage is highly limited due to its bitter flavour. Nonetheless, the bitter flavour of Brassicas may be masked by sweetening. Then, the effects of different stevia extracts (CTRL, S0.5 (g L–1), S1.25 and S2.5), added to an innovative kale beverage presentation, were studied on the kale juice spheres quality during 7 days at 5ºC. Kale juice spheres were produced with a double spherification technique, which allowed to obtain hydrogel spheres with high mechanical resistance.The authors express their gratitude to CNPq (Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Brazil) for a doctoral grant (232758/2014−0) made to Tâmmila Venzke Klug. The authorsare grateful to S.G. Hasa for her skillful technical assistance. The authors are also grateful to Sakata Seeds Ibérica SLU and to Sacoje SCL for providing the plant material

Fresh-Cut Fruit and Vegetables: Emerging Eco-friendly Techniques for Sanitation and Preserving Safety

The current high demand of minimally processed or fresh-cut fruit and vegetables results from the consumer’s desire for healthy, convenient, fresh, and ready-to-eat plant food-derived commodities. Fresh-cut fruits and vegetables are usually packaged under active- or passive-modified atmosphere packaging, while its shelf life must be under refrigerated conditions. The most important goal to preserve quality and safety focuses on releasing the microbial spoilage flora, since every unit operation involved will influence the final load. Sanitation in the washing step is the only unit operation able to reduce microbial load throughout the production chain. Chlorine is widely used as an efficient sanitation agent, but some disadvantages force to find eco-friendly emerging alternatives. It is necessary to deal with aspects related to sustainability because it could positively contribute to the net carbon balance besides reducing its use. Several innovative techniques seem to reach that target. However, industrial changes for replacing conventional techniques request a fine knowledge of the benefits and restrictions as well as a practical outlook. This chapter reviews the principles of emerging eco-friendly techniques for preserving quality and safety of fresh-cut products in order to meet the expected market’s demand

Combined effect of UV–C and passive modified atmosphere packaging to preserve the physicochemical and bioactive quality of fresh figs during storage

Figs are an important constituent of the Mediterranean diet, widely consumed fresh. Due to their very short shelf life, postharvest techniques to preserve quality and safety should be implemented. The current work aimed to study the combined effect of a postharvest UV–C treatment (5 or 10 kJ m−2) followed by packaging under passive modified atmosphere (MAP) on physicochemical and bioactive quality of fresh figs (cv. ‘Colar’) stored up to 12 d at 0 ºC (90–95% RH). As controls, UV–C untreated and air-stored (AIR) samples were used. The flesh firmness, skin colour, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), pH, total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity were monitored. The steady-state modified atmosphere reached since day 8 was 17 kPa CO2 and 4 kPa O2. UV-C treated samples did not show visual decay incidence, while mycelial growth was observed in untreated figs on day 12. Figs treated with 10 kJ m-2 UV–C and stored under MAP conditions showed the highest flesh firmness with values of 0.6 N, which is 50% higher than in AIR. Skin darkening observed among samples was higher in 10 kJ m-2 with Chroma decreases of 2.6 units on day 12 under MAP, although panellists preferred this treatment according to its visual appearance. Higher SSC and TA differences were found in UVC-treated samples during storage. Moreover, 10 kJ m-2 UV–C and MAP induced the highest total phenolic content accumulation, with 260% and 540% higher values from day 4 to day 12 for skin and flesh, respectively. In conclusion, a 10 kJ m−2 UV–C treatment after harvesting followed by packaging under MAP conditions may be considered a good tool to preserve the physicochemical and bioactive quality of fresh figs during 12 d at 0 ºC.The authors express their gratitude to CAPES (Higher Education Personnel Improvement Coordination) for a research grant (8578/11–7) made to Manoel Souza. The authors are grateful to the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for a predoctoral grant to Monia Jemni. The authors express want also to thank Pablo Melgarejo (Universidad Miguel Hernández) for providing the plant material used in this study

Effect of stevia extracts on total phenolics and antioxidant capacity of kale juice spheres

[SPA] Kale es una verdura con un alto contenido en compuestos beneficiosos para la salud, pero su consumo como bebida está muy limitado por su sabor amargo. Se estudió el efecto de diferentes extractos de stevia (S10, S25 y S50) sobre el contenido de compuestos fenólicos totales (TPC) y capacidad antioxidante total (TAC) mediante DPPH y FRAP de esferas de zumo de kale durante 7 días a 5 °C. Las esferas se produjeron con una técnica de doble esferificación que permitió obtener esferas de hidrogel con alta resistencia mecánica. El TPC de las muestras S25 mostró el valor más bajo en el día 0, con diferencias en relación a las otras muestras. La mayor TAC se observó en las muestras evaluadas por FRAP. Tras 3 días de almacenamiento, se observó una disminución del TAC (por DPPH y FRAP). Estos resultados determinaron que se pueden producir esferas de zumo de kale con diferentes extractos de stevia y con altos niveles de antioxidantes. [ENG] Kale is a vegetable with high contents of health-promoting compounds, but its consumption as a beverage is highly limited by its bitter flavour. So, the effects of different stevia extracts (S10, S25 and S50) on the total phenolic contents (TPC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) by DPPH and FRAP of kale juice spheres was studied during 7 days at 5 °C. Spheres were produced with a double spherification technique which allowed to obtain hydrogel spheres with high mechanical resistance. The TPC of S25 samples showed the lowest value at day 0, with differences between other samples. The higher antioxidant capacity was observed in samples evaluated by FRAP, without differences between samples. After 3 days of storage, a decrease in TAC evaluated in both assays studied (DPPH and FRAP) was observed. These results determined that kale juice spheres with different stevia extracts and with high antioxidants levels can be produced.Gratitude is expressed to the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) of Brazil for a grant support to Tâmmila Venzke Klug. Authors are grateful to Sakata Seeds Ibérica S.L.U. for financial support and to Sacoje SCL for providing the plant material

Red fresh vegetables smoothies with extended shelf life as an innovative source of health-promoting compounds

Two fresh red vegetables smoothies based on tomato, carrots, pepper and broccoli and rich in health promoting compounds were developed. The smoothies showed a viscoelastic behaviour. According to sensory analyses, a shelf life of 28 days at 5 °C for fresh blended smoothies was established while thermally-treated ones (3 min, 80 °C) reached up to 40 days at 20 °C and 58 days at 5 °C. For those mild heat treated smoothies, total vitamin C degradation was 2-fold reduced during storage at 5 °C compared to samples stored at 20 °C while the initial total carotenoids, lycopene and total chlorophylls contents were not greatly affected. A 250-g portion of such smoothies covers in a great extend the established recommended daily nutrient intakes for dietary fibre, minerals and vitamin C of different population groups. As main conclusion, a mild thermal treatment and low temperature storage greatly increased the shelf life of red fresh vegetables smoothies and reduced total vitamin C degradation

Ninus romance: Analysis of metric clauses, Pap. Berol. 6926, PSI 1305

En los papiros conservados de la novela de Nino puede observarse, a pesar de su carácter, en ocasiones, fragmentario, un uso sistemático de determinados tipos de cláusula métrica. En el presente trabajo efectuamos un estudio exhaustivo basado en criterios sistemáticos con el fin de extraer conclusiones sobre los paralelismos y diferencias respecto a otros autores literarios, fundamentalmente novelistas griegos.In the preserved papyri of Ninus romance, despite its sometimes fragmentary state, we can observe a systematic use of certain types of metric clause. In the present work we carry out an exhaustive study based on systematic criteria in order to draw conclusions about the parallels and differences with respect to other literary authors, mainly the Greek novelists

Abiotic stress combination to improve healthiness of fresh vegetables smoothies

Several epidemiological studies have revealed the potential benefits of an appropriate and equilibrated diet rich in fruit and vegetables to prevent several diseases in those people with genetic predisposition. Phytochemicals of vegetables, such as phenolic compounds, carotenoids and vitamins offer health-promoting benefits. Orange vegetables, such as carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, etc., are very popular in the Mediterranean diet. These vegetables are important contributors of antioxidants in the diet as polyphenols, carotenoids and vitamins (A, C, E, etc). Accordingly, these vegetables could be used as a functional food if the content of such phytochemicals is enhanced. Abiotic stresses, such as UV-C, superatmospheric oxygen, wounding, etc., applied during postharvest can be used as a tool to enhance phytochemicals. Hence, these stressed vegetables with high health-promoting properties can be consumed as a functional food, with high added value, or as a natural nutraceutical to be included in other functional foods like beverages like smoothies.We acknowledge Spanish Ministry of Economy and competitiveness MINECO (AGL2013-48830-C2-1-R) and FEDER for financial support

Enhancement of bioactive compounds of sprouts during self-life by combined abiotic stresses

[SPA] Los brotes de semillas germinadas suelen tener un alto contenido de nutrientes y son una buena fuente de antioxidantes, aminoácidos y fibra dietética. La germinación puede eliminar los anti-nutrientes tóxicos presentes en las semillas y aumentar la actividad enzimática. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es estudiar diferentes tratamientos pre y postcosecha para mejorar la biosíntesis de compuestos bioactivos en semillas germinadas. Para ello, se abordará la aplicación de tensiones abióticas combinadas, como luces LED o UV y la aplicación de aceites esenciales. Esperamos mejorar la calidad nutricional de estos productos para aumentar su consumo global aumentando la salud de los consumidores. [ENG] Sprouts (germinated seeds) usually have a high content of nutrients and are a good source of antioxidants, amino acids, and dietary fiber. Germination can eliminate the toxic anti-nutrients present in the seeds and increase the enzymatic activity. The main objective of this work is to study different pre and postharvest treatments to improve biosynthesis of bioactive compounds in germinated seeds. For this purpose, the application of combined abiotic stresses will be addressed, such as LED or UV lights and the application of essential oils. We expect to enhance the nutritional quality of these products to increase their global consumption increasing healthiness of consumers.The project was financed by the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia (no. 20 849/PI/18) through the grant call for projects for the development of scientific and technical research by competitive groups, included in the Regional Programme for the Promotion of Scientific and Technical Research (Action Plan 2018) of the Seneca Foundation – Science and Technology Agency of the Region of Murcia (Spain)

Natural vitamin B12 and fucose supplementation of green smoothies with edible algae and related quality changes during their shelf life

Background. Some algae are an excellent sources of vitamin B12, of special interest for vegetarian/vegan consumers, and of fucose to supplement fruit and vegetable beverages such as smoothies. Nevertheless, supplementation of smoothies with algae may lead to possible quality changes during smoothie shelf life that need to be studied. Therefore, the quality changes in fresh green smoothies supplemented (2.2%) with nine edible algae (sea lettuce, kombu, wakame, thongweed, dulse, Irish moss, nori, Spirulina and Chlorella) were studied throughout 24 days at 5 °C. Results. The initial vitamin C content – 238.7–326.0 mg kg−1 fresh weight (FW) – of a 200 g portion of any of the smoothies ensured full coverage of its recommended daily intake, and still supplying 50–60% of the recommended intake after 7 days. Chlorella and Spirulina smoothies showed the highest vitamin B12 content (33.3 and 15.3 µg kg−1 FW, respectively), while brown algae showed fucose content of 141.1–571.3 mg kg−1 FW. These vitamin B12 and fucose contents were highly maintained during shelf life. Conclusion. The Spirulina supplementation of a 200 g smoothie portion ensured full coverage of the recommended vitamin B12 intake, with lower vitamin C degradation, during a shelf life of 17 days. Furthermore, thongweed and kombu are also considered as excellent fucose sources with similar shelf life.The authors are grateful to Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Project AGL2013−48830−C2−1−R and FEDER for financial support. We would also like to thank SAKATA SEED IBERICA S.L. for providing Bimi® samples

Establecimiento de la vida comercial en uva "Crimson Seedless" mínimamente procesada con distintos lavados

Se ha estudiado, por primera vez hasta donde conocemos, la evolución de la calidad organoléptica y microbiológica en uva apirena ‘Crimson seedless’ tras su procesado mínimo en fresco y envasado en atmósfera modificada, para establecer su vida comercial bajo esta nueva forma de presentación. El lavado-desinfección se realizó a 5ºC como habitualmente se efectúa en los productos mínimamente procesados en fresco, con 100 ppm de NaClO, Como alternativa se aplicó una ducha con agua ozonizada (0,6 ppm O3) durante 2 min a 5ºC. El testigo se lavó en agua de la red a 5ºC. Se ha estudiado igualmente el comportamiento de las bayas desgranadas con y sin pedúnculo, no encontrándose diferencias apreciables. Los recuentos microbiológicos fueron muy reducidos bajo los distintos tipos de lavado, preservándose holgadamente la seguridad alimentaria de estos nuevos elaborados. La atmósfera de equilibrio obtenida fue de 3-5 kPa CO2 y 18-21 kPa O2. La calidad organoléptica se preservó hasta 23 días de conservación a 5ºC.Se agradece a M. Otón la asistencia técnica. A Frutas El Ciruelo S.L. y a Plásticos del Segura S.L. el aporte de material vegetal y el polímero respectivamente. A Cosemar Ozono S.L. y al Instituto de Biotecnología Vegetal de la UPCT el uso de equipamiento