Effect of drying technologies on bioactive compounds maintenance in pumpkin by-products

ArticleDuring the pumpkin processing large amounts of waste material as a combination of pumpkin peel, seeds and the flesh between seeds has produced. Therefore it is important to investigate the possibilities for using the pumpkin residues. The aim of this resea rch was to investigate the effect of different drying technologies on maintenance of bioactive compounds in pumpkin by - products. Two pumpkin residue products of Hubard group pumpkins were used to obtain pumpkin powder: residue products formed in the proces s of extracting industrial pumpkin purée by heating it in a heat exchanger and treating through a sieve of pulpier; residues resulting from pumpkin juice extraction process mechanically pressed from fresh, chopped pumpkins. In order to be able to choose th e most suitable drying technology pumpkin by - products were dried in the microwave - vacuum, convective (at 40, 50, 70 and 80 °C ) and freeze - drying type dryers. For all samples total carotenes, the ascorbic acid, total phenols content (TPC) and antiradical ac tivity (DPPH ̇, ABTS ̇+ ) were determined by using standard methods. The highest total carotenes content was retained in freeze - dried pumpkin powders. The most suitable drying method for obtaining pumpkin powder with the highest ascorbic acid, total phenolic content and antiradical activity is drying in convective type drying at 80 °C temperature

Changes in the nutritional value of breakfast cereals containing germinated spring grain flakes during storage

ArticleTh e aim of current research was to assess the nutritional value of breakfast cereals containing germinated spring grain flakes and its changes after 6 month storage. Three types of breakfast cereals were prepared and packaged in two types of Standup pouches – Pap50g/Alu7/Pe60 (AL), Pap40g/PELD20/PE40 (PE). For the accelerated shelf life test the samples were stored at 35 ± 2 °C and dietary fibre, protein, fat, B - group vitamins, sugars, total phenol content and DPPH, ABTS+ radical scavenging activity were dete rmined. Developed breakfast cereals have high nutritional value and all are high in fibre and thiamine. Additionally, sample S2 is source of protein, riboflavin, niacin, and S3 – is source of riboflavin and high in niacin. Comparing total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of tested samples S3 showed the highest values. Storage and selected packaging influenced stability of nutrients, and for S1 and S2 AL showed bett er results whereas for S3 – PE

The Relationship of Anthocyanins with Color of Organically and Conventionally Cultivated Potatoes

Many of the compounds present in potato are important because of their beneficial effects on health, therefore, are highly desirable in the human diet. Potato tubers contain significant amounts of anthocyanins. The aim of this research was to determine the content of anthocyanins and its relationship with the colour of organically and conventionally cultivated potato varieties. In the research eight potato samples of three potato varieties were analysed on anthocyanins, dry matter content and colour. Obtained results show that there was no significant influence on amount of anthocyanins between different cultivation environments (p>0.05) while between varieties-significant difference (p<0.05). Strong correlation between the amount of anthocyanins and colour was determined

Comparison of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of fresh and freeze-dried potatoes

ArticlePotatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) contain a wide range of compounds with health benefits, and different techniques have been developed for the determination of these compounds. Freeze-drying is a common method for the preservation and preparation of samples for the analyses of bioactive compounds, but it is well known that drying influences the composition of food products. The aim of the current study was to compare phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of fresh and freeze-dried potatoes. In the experiment 11 cultivar potatoes grown in experimental fields of the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics in 2016 were analysed. Potatoes were freeze-dried. Homogenized fresh and freeze-dried samples were extracted with an ethanol/water (80/20 w/w) solution. Total phenolic content (TPC) was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, and the antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH˙) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) assays. The highest TPC and radical scavenging activity were determined in cultivars ‘Peru Purple’ and ‘Blue Congo’ potatoes. Freeze-drying influenced all the tested parameters but more significantly the TPC, and for certain cultivars a reduction of more than 30% was observed. A strong correlation between TPC, DPPH and ABTS in fresh and freeze-dried samples was observed, r = 0.81, r=0.93, r = 0.92, respectively. It could be concluded that the effect of freeze-drying on TPC and antioxidant activity is cultivar dependent

Changes in Home and Health over Nine Years among very Old People in Latvia – Results from the ENABLE-AGE Project

To meet the needs of an increasing, heterogeneous, ageing population it is imperative to understand links between home and health. In Latvia, only limited research targeting the health and home situation of very old people is available. Consequently, the aim of this study was to describe how the home environment and aspects of health have changed over nine years between 2002 and 2011 for very old people in Latvia, living in their home environment. This study is based on the Latvian part of the cross-national European ENABLE-AGE Project comprising data on objective, as well as perceived, aspects of home and health. Longitudinal data from those involved on both data collection occasions (N = 59) was used. At the nine-year follow-up, participants were between 86 and 90 years of age, still living in their own homes. The results show that not only health aspects varied along the ageing process, objective and perceived aspects of home also changed. The physical as well as the cognitive and emotional bonding to the home significantly increased i.e. aspects of meaning such as familiarity and feeling safe in your home, privacy and independence became more important for the very old participants over time. Life satisfaction increased over the years even though objective health factors decreased. Since aspects of home as well as health can be assumed to impact on the outcome of ageing, the situation for this age group in Latvia must be further studied in order to develop suitable and appropriate social and health services, policies and living conditions