Sensorial evaluation of new developed biscuits enriched with organic apple and basil powders: preliminary study

Abstract The purpose of the study is to harness ingredients obtained from organic farming, in order to develop a new type of biscuits. Based on the original recipe, these were obtained from seeds and hemp flour and enriched with lyophilized organic apple (pieces and powder) and lyophilized organic basil powder. The organic powders were realized in the framework of the SusOrgPlus project at the Research Centre for Studies of Food Quality and Agricultural Products, and biscuits were obtained in the Bakery Pilot Station, both of University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest. The consumer acceptance testing was performed on 33 consumers and consists of the evaluation of general appearance, colour, taste, aroma, and consistency (Hedonic 5-point scale). The obtained results showed that the new biscuits enriched with lyophilized apple and basil powders were easily accepted by the consumers

Variation of bioactive compounds in organic Ocimum basilicum L. during freeze-drying processing

Abstract Common basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), one of the most important aromatic perennial herbs due to its essential oil composition, belongs to Lamiaceae (Labiatae) family. Basil is an economically important herb and it is considered one of the finest aromatic herbs, being widely used as flavor in food industry. Basil samples were characterized in terms of chlorophyll content, total polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and volatile oil content. The fresh harvested leaves and the processed powder from leaves were hydro-distilled for 3 h in a Clevenger-type apparatus. The volatile oil was measured and collected for further GC-MS analysis. As drying technology, freeze-drying was used until the samples reached a loss of 85% from the fresh weigh, with the final dry matter content of 95.86%. Variations for the main constituents of volatile oil: 1,8-cineole, linalool, methyl chavicol, eugenol, α-bergamotene, and α-epi-cadinol were observed after processing

Pervaporation of Aqueous Ethanol Solutions Through Pure and Composite Cellulose Membranes

A procedure for synthesis of pure and composite membranes based on cellulose dissolved in NaOH-urea/ thiourea solutions was developed. The phase inversion method was employed for cellulose solution conversion to supported and non-supported membranes. The use of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as precursor in synthesis of composite cellulose membranes produced significant changes in their structure and pervaporation behaviour. The obtained membranes were tested for the pervaporation of ethanol-water system. Pervaporation performances, which were evaluated in terms of total permeate flux, separation factor and pervaporation separation index, strongly depended on TEOS loading, ethanol concentration and operation temperature

Effects Of Processing Treatments In Carotenoids And Vitamin C ContentsFor Different Organic Tomato Varieties

This study investigates the effects of different processing treatments (hot air at 40 and 70 °C with and without blanching or milling) on the carotenoids and vitamin C contents of diverse organic tomato varieties: Citrina, Golden Jubileé, Tigrella, Red Cherry, Red Peach, and Roman Specled. Lycopene was identified in the highest amount, followed by β-carotene. Lutein showed a lower content, which was almost similar in all tomato powders. The high lycopene and β-carotene contents were determined in tomato powders obtained by milling before drying at 70 °C. In powders obtained from tomato dried at 70 °C after blanching and dried, both lycopene and β-carotene appear in lower concentrations than those blanched and dried at 40 °C. This study shows that there were variations in the content of carotenoids that depend on the drying method as well as the processed varieties

Chemical and Biological Profiling of Fish and Seaweed Residues to Be Applied for Plant Fertilization

Brown algae and fish waste contain high-value compounds with potentially beneficial effects on plant growth. Several commercial fertilizer products are currently available, but the characteristics of the materials are usually not well-described. Fish and seaweed residues originating from the Norwegian coast are available, after industrial processing, which may be combined into complete fertilizers exerting additional effects on crop plants (biostimulants). In this study, raw samples of fish and seaweed residues were investigated using ecofriendly technologies (drying, leaching), targeting search and isolation of potential biostimulants, followed by physicochemical characterization (elemental analysis, UV–visible, FT-IR, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, electrical conductivity, pH, etc.). Organic solvent extractions were employed to determine the available mineral content, micro- and macro-nutrients, antioxidant compounds, and amino acid content by chemical hydrolysis. The in vitro biotoxicity profile (cell viability, morphology, migration) of the generated extracts was also perused, employing Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) along with sensitive neuronal eukaryotic cell lines N2a58 and SH-SY5Y, to assess their time- and concentration-dependent efficacy as antimicrobials and agents counteracting oxidative stress. The analytical composition of all raw materials showed that they contain important nutrients (K, P, Ca, N) as well as organic compounds and amino acids (Gly, Asp, Glu, Leu, Phe) capable of acting as plant biostimulants. Concurrently, the inherently high conductivity values and salt content necessitated leaching processes, which result in Na+ and K+ decreasing by more than ~60% and justifying further their use in soil treatment formulations. The aforementioned results and assertions, combined with physical measurements (pH, electrical conductivity, etc.) on naturally occurring and dried samples as well as green solvent extracts, formulated a physicochemical profile reflecting well-defined inorganic–organic species that might function as biostimulants. The collective physicochemical and biological properties support the notion that appropriate mixtures of marine organism residues may be efficient fertilizers for crop plants and concurrently possess biostimulant characteristics

Latest Developments in Edible Coatings on Minimally Processed Fruits and Vegetables: A Review

The food industry nowadays is facing new challenges in terms of sustainability and health implications of packaging and processing techniques. Due to their desire for new and natural products coupled with changes in lifestyle, consumers are looking for food products that have been less processed but possess longer shelf life and maintain nutritional and sensorial proprieties during storage. These requirements represent real challenges when dealing with highly perishable food products, such as fruits and vegetables. Thus, in recent years, edible coatings have been intensively developed and studied because of their capacity to improve the quality, shelf life, safety, and functionality of the treated products. Edible coatings can be applied through different techniques, like dipping, spraying, or coating, in order to control moisture transfer, gas exchange, or oxidative processes. Furthermore, some functional ingredients can be incorporated into an edible matrix and applied on the surface of foods, thus enhancing safety or even nutritional and sensory attributes. In the case of coated fruits and vegetables, their quality parameters, such as color, firmness, microbial load, decay ratio, weight loss, sensorial attributes, and nutritional parameters, which are very specific to the type of products and their storage conditions, should be carefully monitored. This review attempts to summarize recent studies of different edible coatings (polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and composites) as carriers of functional ingredients (antimicrobials, texture enhancers, and nutraceuticals) applied on different minimally processed fruits and vegetables, highlighting the coating ingredients, the application methods and the effects on food shelf life and quality

Valorization of Vine Prunings by Slow Pyrolysis in a Fixed-Bed Reactor

The paper aimed at studying the slow pyrolysis of vine pruning waste in a fixed bed reactor and characterizing the pyrolysis products. Pyrolysis experiments were conducted for 60 min, using CO2 as a carrier gas and oxidizing agent. The distribution of biochar and bio-oil was dependent on variations in heat flux (4244–5777 W/m2), CO2 superficial velocity (0.004–0.008 m/s), and mean size of vegetal material (0.007–0.011 m). Relationships among these factors and process performances in terms of yields of biochar (0.286–0.328) and bio-oil (0.260–0.350), expressed as ratio between the final mass of pyrolysis product and initial mass of vegetal material, and final value of fixed bed temperature (401.1–486.5 °C) were established using a 23 factorial design. Proximate and ultimate analyses, FT-IR and SEM analyses, measurements of bulk density (0.112 ± 0.001 g/cm3), electrical conductivity (0.55 ± 0.03 dS/m), pH (10.35 ± 0.06), and water holding capacity (58.99 ± 14.51%) were performed for biochar. Water content (33.2 ± 1.27%), density (1.027 ± 0.014 g/cm3), pH (3.34 ± 0.02), refractive index (1.3553 ± 0.0027), and iodine value (87.98 ± 4.38 g I2/100 g bio-oil) were measured for bio-oil. Moreover, chemical composition of bio-oil was evaluated using GC-MS analysis, with 27 organic compounds being identified

Effects of Biochar on Soil Properties and Tomato Growth

The paper aimed at evaluating the effects of biochar (BC) produced by slow pyrolysis of vine pruning residue on soil physicochemical properties and tomato plant growth. A greenhouse experiment was conducted for 66 days, applying different treatments for 3 soil types, i.e., foliar fertilizer, BC (at a volumetric ratio between BC and soil of 20/80), BC + foliar fertilizer, and no treatments. Strongly alkaline BC (pH = 9.89 ± 0.01) had a significant beneficial effect on the growth performance of tomato plants sown in a strongly acidic soil (pH = 5.40 ± 0.02). The mean values of height, number of leaves, and collar diameter of plants grown in BC-amended soil without foliar treatment were up to 50% higher than those of plants grown in soil with the other treatments. This positive effect of BC on plant growth is due to the changes in the soil properties. The addition of BC led to increased values of electrical conductivity, pH, soluble and available nutrient concentration. Moreover, BC reduced soil bulk density by about 50%, resulting in improved plant root development and thus enhanced water and nutrient uptake. Accordingly, BC derived from vine pruning residues can improve soil quality and tomato plant growth, as well as reduce biomass residues

Vine Pruning-Derived Biochar for Agronomic Benefits

The agronomic benefits of biochar (BC) prepared by slow pyrolysis of vine pruning residues, which are produced in large quantities in Romania, were evaluated. Three soil types, i.e., slightly alkaline fluvisol (S1), slightly acidic chernozem (S2), and strongly acidic luvisol (S3), with mean values of pH of 7.99, 6.26, and 5.40, were amended with BC at a volumetric ratio between BC and soil of 20/80. A greenhouse experiment was performed for 109 days to assess the effects of BC amendment on bell pepper growth. The following treatments were applied: foliar fertilizer, BC, BC + foliar fertilizer (using two concentrations of foliar fertilizer solution), and a control. Strongly alkaline BC (pH of 9.89 ± 0.01) had a significant positive effect on the growth performance of bell pepper plants sown in the strongly acidic soil S3. The mean values of height, collar diameter, number of leaves, and root volume of plants grown in BC-amended soil S3 without foliar treatment were significantly higher (13–72% and 14–33%, respectively) than those of plants grown in non-amended soil S3 without and with foliar treatment. This beneficial effect of BC on bell pepper plant growth was due to the changes in the soil properties. BC significantly increased (up to eight times) electrical conductivity, pH, soluble phosphorus, potassium, and ammonium nitrogen concentrations of soil S3, and decreased its bulk density by 51%, resulting in improved water/nutrient uptake and plant growth performance. BC had no favourable effect on the growth parameters of bell pepper plants sown in slightly alkaline soil S1, and slightly acidic soil S2