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The effect of pre-treatment (dipping and vacuum impregnation in lemon juice solution), freezing and frozen storage (FS) on single and total polyphenols (free and conjugated) content and antioxidant activity (AOA) of organic and conventional apples, was investigated. Fresh organic and conventional fruits showed different profiles of free and conjugated polyphenols while their total phenolic content and AOA were similar. Organic and conventional apple tissues showed different physiological responses to physical stresses described by changes in phenolic profiles. Vacuum impregnation in lemon juice affected the polyphenols extractability of both the organic and conventional apples and favored their enrichment with bioactive compounds (AOA = +11.5%). FS decreased the single and conjugated polyphenols content of the pre-treated apple samples and the effect was different between organic and conventional fruits. After FS, not pre-treated organic apples showed a lower AOA reduction than the conventional ones (-13% vs -25%), while no differences were found on pre-treated samples., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The effects of olive ripeness, areas of production and their interaction on the chemical and sensory characteristics of cv. Bosana oil were assessed. The study was carried out in three areas of the Sassari province, Sardinia (Italy), at three stages of maturation. The results indicated the independence of the two factors: ripeness influenced saturated fatty acids, pigment content and deacetoxy oleuropein aglycone (DAOA) content and didn't affect the sensory characteristics, while production area influenced unsaturated fatty acids, content of vanillic acid and some sensory characters. In order to verify the interdependency of the two factors, statistical analyses (two-way ANOVA) were performed. Our study showed that a thoughtful planning of harvest times and production area could allow to obtain Bosana virgin olive oil of the highest quality. Furthermore, utilizing cultivars that maintain the properties of their oils even at late dates of harvest, it would be possible to optimize harvest times., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The olive species (Olea europaea L.) is characterized by significant phenotypic and genetic variability the genetic matrix has a strong influence on several important extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) chemical components. Four clones from cultivars autochthonous of the Emilia Romagna region were selected for their notable performance in terms of agronomical characteristics, and the quality of the olive oil produced was studied in detail. In particular, we analyzed the fatty acid composition, the phenolic profile and the sensory analysis of the oils from these clones and compared them with the oils from the respective cultivars. Most of the new clones, all already provided with a genetic and sanitary certification, exhibited overall higher qualitative standards than the cultivars, producing monovarietal oils interesting both nutritionally and from a sensory point of view, and furthermore with a beneficial effect on health., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The effect of olive oil phenolic content and pattern on the physical properties and stability of olive oil mayonnaise-like emulsions has been investigated. Mayonnaises were formulated with either naturally phenolic-rich extra virgin olive oils or purified olive oil artificially enriched with a phenolic-rich olive extract and pure oleuropein. Mayonnaises were characterized by droplet size distribution, microstructure, textural properties and flow behaviour. The addition of phenolic extracts significantly affected the dispersion degree of the corresponding mayonnaise-like emulsions, their microstructure and physical stability especially in the systems prepared with purified olive oil treated with pure oleuropein and the highest olive phenolic extract concentration. The viscosity and back-extrusion analyses evidenced that the systems characterized by a relatively high content of phenolics, either natural or by addition, presented lower yield stress and viscosity indices and were easier to deform and to break. This study confirms the main role of olive phenolic compounds, and in particular that of oleuropein, in the dispersion state, and physical properties of emulsions with main effects on their quality and stability., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This work reports the effects of resistance inducers on wine aroma compounds and sensory attributes. Resistance inducers are a class of products able to elicit the plant defence mechanisms against pathogens, incurring lower toxicological risks than conventional agrochemicals. Among them, chitosan (CHT) and benzothiadiazole (BTH) are particularly effective in stimulating the biosynthesis of bioactive phytochemicals. They were used in a two-year survey conducted to assess experimental wines obtained from elicitor-treated grapes. Compared with conventional fungicides (penconazole and methyldinocap), in 2009, BTH increased total acetals and esters, while CHT raised the levels of total acetals and alcohols. Sensory analysis revealed that overall acceptance was higher in CHT than in BTH. In 2010, differences were not significant. Therefore, plant activators deserve attention beyond their efficacy in crop protection. In particular, in our experimental conditions, CHT improved the volatile profile, flavour and taste of Groppello wine., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The effect of water mobility on horseradish peroxidase (HRP) activity in solutions was investigated by measuring water activity (aw), freezable water content, (1)H proton transverse relaxation time and water self-diffusivity determined by nuclear magnetic resonance. The effect of system mobility as described by viscosity and glass transition temperature (T'g) was also studied. The aw and viscosity of aqueous solutions were modulated using ligands (glucose, sorbitol and trehalose) and a thickener (maltodextrin). The effectiveness of a solute in the inhibition of HRP activity was better related to its ability to reduce the mobility of the system than to its water mobility depleting effect. The relationship among viscosity and peroxidase activity was influenced by the type of enzyme but not by the substrate. Bovine lactoperoxidase activity was hindered by viscosity changes more than HRP activity (tested in the same system) due to the higher molecular weight of the former enzyme., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Raw carrots and carrots blanched in water and in 4% trehalose and maltose solutions at 75°C for 3 (A) and 10 min (C) and at 90°C for 3 (B) and 10 min (D) were frozen and stored at -18°C for eight months. The effects of heating conditions and exogenous added sugars on the mechanical properties and microstructure of the vegetable after blanching and during frozen storage were studied. By scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis no significant differences were observed among samples A and B water-blanched and raw carrot while a thermo-protective effect due to the sugars addition was evidenced in sample D, undergone to the most severe thermal treatment. Freezing and frozen storage determined several fractures on both raw and blanched carrots due to ice crystals formation and re-crystallisation. The cryo-protective effect of the sugars on the vegetable microstructure was observed only in the 'over-blanched' sample D. The mechanical properties of carrots were affected by blanching which caused a hardness decrease but after freezing and one month of frozen storage, all samples showed a further dramatic reduction of hardness. Only samples characterised by a pectinesterase residual activity showed a softening also after one month of frozen storage likely for a competitive effect of the thermo-protective ability of trehalose on this enzyme. The exogenous trehalose was able to limit the hardness loss of carrots undergone to B, C and D blanching pre-treatments., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)