Optimization of harvest date according to the volatile composition of Mediterranean aromatic herbs at different vegetative stages

Most of the studies concerning the optimal harvest date of aromatic herbs have dealt with different parts of plant such as flowers, leaves, stems, roots and seeds, but none have evaluated the effect of different harvest date at different vegetative stages on shoots (leaves and stems). Therefore, the main objective was to investigate the effects of harvest date of two consecutive seasons on the volatile composition of shoots of 4 aromatic herbs (dill, parsley, coriander and mint) widely cultivated worldwide. The impact of harvest date during the evolution of vegetative part of four aromatic herbs (parsley, dill, coriander and mint) was investigated. Volatile compounds of shoots of the four herbs were identified by GC–MS. The main compounds were 1,3,8-p-menthatriene, betaphellandrene, myristicin and myrcene for parsley, alpha-phellandrene, dillether and beta-phellandrene for dill, decanal, E-2-dodecenal, 1-decanol and dodecanal for coriander, and carvone and limonene in case of mint. There was a significant effect of harvest date on the content of volatile compounds of the four species. The results showed that highest total concentration of volatiles and therefore the optimal harvest date of parsley was found 9 weeks after planting date with a total concentration of 2543 mg kg−1, for dill was 2619 mg kg−1 14 weeks after planting date, for coriander was 2191 mg kg−1 3 weeks after planting date, and 23329 mg kg−1 for mint 6 weeks after planting dat

Saving irrigation water as a tool to increase pomegranate fruit price and enhance the bioactive compound content

The non-climateric character of pomegranate (P. granatum) fruit underlines the importance of determining the optimum harvest time to improve fruit quality. The effect of irrigation withholding during 6, 15, 25 and 36 d before harvest was evaluated in order to clarify whether fruit ripening is critical or non-critical from the yield, fruit characteristics and composition point of view. The results indicated that this phenological period is critical because irrigation is essential during most of this phenological period to achieve maximum yield. However, a 6 d of irrigation restriction at the end of ripening period can be used as a tool to come early harvest time, saves irrigation water, enhances the bioactive compounds (anthocyanins, phenolic compounds, punicalagin and ellagic acid) and increases the price of the fruit without affecting marketable yield and fruit size

Application of new drying technologies to aromatic herbs and vegetables: effects on physico-chemical, sensory and functional properties.

La calidad de las frutas, hortalizas y hierbas aromáticas deshidratadas es un punto clave en la innovación futura de la tecnología de la deshidratación, la cual está estrechamente ligada al desarrollo de nuevas técnicas de deshidratación y optimización del proceso. Este fue el objetivo general de la presente tesis doctoral. El principal objetivo de la presente tesis doctoral fue el de evaluar la aplicación de (i) deshidratación convectiva, (ii) liofilización, (iii) deshidratación con microondas, (iv) deshidratación con microondas a vacío y una (v) combinación de pre-deshidratación convectiva seguida de una deshidratación final con microondas a vacío durante el procesado de (i) romero, (ii) albahaca, (iii) tomillo, (iv) ajo y (v) granada deshidratados. Los parámetros estudiados estuvieron relacionados con la cinética de deshidratación y el consumo energético así como con parámetros de calidad tales como, la composición química, propiedades funcionales y calidad organoléptica

Flavor and Aroma Analysis as a Tool for Quality Control of Foods

The aroma composition of foods has been the subject of considerable research in recent years [...

Comparison of Fresh and Commercial Pomegranate Juices from Mollar de Elche Cultivar Grown under Conventional or Organic Farming Practices

Pomegranate juice has gained a high reputation for its health properties and consequently is now a highly demanded product. However, there is an interest in knowing if there are differences between conventional and organic agricultural practices. For that reason, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, punicalagin isomers and sensory analysis of pomegranate juices from Mollar de Elche cultivar were studied. A comparison between fresh and commercial pomegranate juice obtained by conventional and organic agricultural practices was conducted. The total phenolic content values ranged from 2285 to 2457 mg GAE L−1; however, there was no significant difference among conventional and organic juices. The antioxidant capacity evaluated by DPPH and ABTS methods showed significant differences (p < 0.05) among conventional and organic juices. The antioxidant capacity values ranged from 17.7 to 35.9 mmol Trolox L−1 for DPPH and from 5.09 to 27.9 mmol Trolox L-1 for ABTS. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among conventional and organic juices in punicalagin isomer, with the highest value found in conventional fresh pomegranate juice (0.48 g L−1). Descriptive sensory analysis showed that fresh pomegranate, fresh rind, earthy, vegetal, bitter, and astringent notes were higher in conventional fresh pomegranate juice. Cooked and mushroom notes predominated in conventional commercial pomegranate juice; while the organic juice was characterized by fresh pomegranate, fresh rind, earthy and sweet notes

Volatile Composition of Essential Oils from Different Aromatic Herbs Grown in Mediterranean Regions of Spain

Volatile composition of essential oils from dill, parsley, coriander, and mint were investigated at different harvest dates to determine the most suitable harvest time for each these herbs. Hydrodistillation (HD), using a Deryng system, was used for isolating the essential oils. Isolation and identification of the volatile compounds were performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) instrument. The results of gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) analysis (quantification) showed that the main components in the essential oil of dill shoots were α-phellandrene, dill ether, and β-phellandrene, and the optimal harvest date was D2 (second harvest, fourth week of February 2015). For parsley shoots, the main compounds were 1,3,8-p-menthatriene, β-phellandrene, and P1 (first harvest, third week of November 2014) was the sample with the highest essential oil. For coriander, the main compounds were E-2-dodecenal, dodecanal, and octane and the highest contents were found at C2 (second harvest, 5 February 2015); while, the main two components of mint essential oil were carvone and limonene, and the highest contents were found at M1 (first harvest, second week of December 2014). The present study was the first one reporting data on descriptive sensory analysis of aromatic herbs at this optimal harvest date according to the content of volatile compounds of their essential oils

Quality Parameters and Consumer Acceptance of Jelly Candies Based on Pomegranate Juice “Mollar de Elche”

There is an upward trend towards reducing or suppressing additives in foods, as well as reducing the use of E-numbers in labels providing clean label foods. Therefore, the development of confectionary products based exclusively on natural ingredients with antioxidant properties may offer valuable solutions to the confectionery industry. Fruit juices and purées may provide functional and organoleptic properties in jelly candies in a natural way. The consumption of pomegranate fruit and derivative products has increased due to their association with health benefits. The aim of this study was to determine consumer insights about pomegranate-based jellies, cultivar “Mollar de Elche”, as affected by formulation (100% pomegranate juice or 50%–50% pomegranate juice–apple purée) and type of sweetener (sugar or honey), and to link affective and descriptive data from sensory studies. The most valued quality parameter of pomegranate products, red color (measured by the green–red coordinate, a*), was not negatively affected by jelly preparation. It was determined that the main liking drivers for pomegranate jellies were intense red color and high brightness. The results might be used by pomegranate processing companies to improve their manufacturing protocols and to develop successful products meeting consumer demands and needs. The formulation containing 20% gelatin, pure “Mollar de Elche” pomegranate juice, 1% citric acid, and sucrose as sweetener provided the best quality of jellies in terms of color, texture, antioxidant capacity, and sensory attributes

Physicochemical, Volatile, and Sensory Characterization of Promising Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Cultivars: Fresh Market Aptitudes of Pear and Round Fruits

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a well-known plant that belongs to the Solanaceae family. It is a widely consumed vegetable, either fresh or industrially processed. The aim of this study was to characterize and compare the morphology, main physicochemical parameters, volatile composition, and sensory quality of 8 cherry tomato cultivars: 4 pear cherry tomatoes (Angelle, Seychelles, Santyplum, and Dolcetini) and 4 round cherry tomatoes (Katalina, Sweet star, C-95, and Karelya) to be able to replace the most popular ones in markets (Angelle and Katalina). Morphological parameters had significant differences among cultivars, while in terms of total soluble solids and titratable acidity, Dolcetini could be an interesting substitute of Angelle in pear cherry cultivars, while in round ones C-95 would be the closest one. Regarding sugars, Santyplum was probably the cultivar which could be placed into a similar place to Angelle, while in round ones, C-95 was probably the cultivar closest to Katalina. Santyplum, Seychelles (pear type), and C-95 (round type) are likely to be the most interesting cherry cultivars in providing a real alternative to the most cultivated ones, in terms of volatile profile and concentration of the main volatile compounds. Descriptive sensory analysis revealed that Seychelles cultivar in 9 of the 15 attributes under study could be considered as the most similar cultivar to replace Angelle, while in round types no clear and direct relationship was found with any cultivar. Finally, consumers reported similar values for Angelle and Seychelles pear type cultivars, while round ones did not show significant differences. In summary, it can be stated that Seychelles and C-95 are the best alternatives of pear and round cherry cultivars, respectively, as compared to the reference cultivars, Angelle and Katalina