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Some physicochemical parameters (density and surface tension) of three basil and two walnut oils of different origin were determined at six different temperatures (6, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40℃). Mixtures of vegetablee and essential oils (concentration 0.1 and 0.2%) were prepared, and the same physicochemical parameters were determined. The oxidant stability of walnut oils and their mixtures with basil essential oils (concentration 0.1 and 0.2%) was investigated, and their antioxidant effect was also determined. The antioxidant effect of basil essential oils on the stability of walnut oils was found to be low. The calculated physicochemical parameters of basil essential oil, vegetable walnut oil and their mixtures are important for their storage and subsequent use in various food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensory analysis and instrumental analytical methods are used in determining the maturity and quality monitoring of avocado fruits, which are labor-intensive and do not allow the determination of fruit quality in real time. The use of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) methods in the range of 400–1,000 nm and of the multivariate analysis was demonstrated for a non-destructive grading of Hass avocado fruits into quality classes according to the number of hidden defects. Using the sensory analysis, avocado fruits were separated into quality classes according to the number of defects after being stored for 10 days. Development of a classification model included several steps: image recording and analysis using the ANOVA and PCA method, image segmentation (selection of ROI), pre-processing (SNV-correction, centering), selection of a multivariate classification method (PLS-DA, SIMCA) and a spectral range, model verification. The analysis of hyperspectral images of avocado fruits has detected spectral regions with the maximal variance responsible for the change of the content of pigments and moisture within the avocado fruit exocarp. Comparison of PLS-DA and SIMCA models on the basis of best accuracy and test-validation results was carried out. Comparison of models showed SIMCA model as the most efficient model for fruit classification into quality classes depending on the number of hidden defects. The implementation of the developed approach as a digital avocado fruit sorting system at different stages of the product life cycle is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unrefined sunflower oil is obtained by pressing of the sunflower seeds and subsequent fine filtration. It contains more biologically active substances compared to the refined one, it is more stable to oxidation processes, for that reason it is widely used in the composition of the various food products. The main acids in the oil are oleic (56.5%), linoleic (31.7%), palmitic (6.4%), and stearic acid (3.2%). Total sterol content is 0.7%, with ß-sitosterol as a main component (84.0%). The quantity of tocopherol is 188 mg/kg and it consists of one compound α-tocopherol (100%). Different physicochemical parameters were obtained at temperature ranges (from 20 to 80°C). The values of these parameters decrease with an increase in temperature, density (from 0.938 to 0.901 g/ml), surface tension (from 44.124 to 31.787 mN/m), dynamic viscosity (from 29.195 to 14.913 mPa.s), and kinematic viscosity (from 31.125 to 16.552 mm2/s). All these changes are in confirmation of the data from the literature and are relevant in our next studies.

The genus Amsonia, a member of the Apocynaceae family, comprises plants with notable medicinal benefits. In 2022 and 2023, Amsonia tabernaemontana Walt. seeds introduced to Bulgaria were collected and analyzed. Given the limited information available on the chemical composition of A. tabernaemontana , this study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profile of the plant seeds collected over two consecutive years. Although members of the genus Amsonia are not conventional oilseed crops, the glyceride oil content was 7.8% and 11.1% in the respective samples. The chemical composition was meticulously analyzed, revealing carbohydrates in the largest amounts (60.4% and 61.3%), with crude fibers at 18.3% and 24.8%, and protein content at 19.5% and 13.0%. The amounts of ash and moisture content were also quantified. Additionally, the fatty acids, sterols, tocopherols, and phospholipids of the seed oil were examined. β-Sitosterol emerged as the main component in both harvests. The total tocopherol content was relatively low (52.7 mg/kg vs. 20.0 mg/kg), with α-tocopherol being predominant. Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylethanolamine were identified as the principal components of the phospholipid fraction. The fatty acid composition primarily included linoleic (61.0 and 61.2%) and oleic acids (28.7 and 28.6%).

The Asteraceae family is a large plant family, with over 1600 genera and 25,000 species, most of which are generally herbaceous plants. This family's members are widely used in the human diet and medicine. One of the most popular representatives is Centaurea benedicta L., known as 'Blessed Thistle'. It is a famous plant in the herbal world with some medical benefits, such as strong antioxidant and antidepressant effects, with antibacterial and antiseptic properties, a stimulant of appetite, with a good effect on the liver and the secretion of bile juices, etc. Therefore, this work aimed to fully characterize the chemical composition of the seeds of C. benedicta introduced in Bulgaria, some of the physicochemical characteristics, as well as the biologically active compounds. The main nutrient in the chemical composition was carbohydrates (68.5%), and half of their quantity was occupied by fibers (32.2%). Total proteins accounted for 16.4%, and the glyceride oil content was rather low-about 11.0%. The main fatty acids identified in the seed oil were linoleic (72.1%) and oleic acids (18.1%), and the amount of the polyunsaturated ones predominated (73.0%). The main lipid-soluble bioactive components were sterols (0.9%), phospholipids (1.9%), and tocopherols (492 mg/kg). β-Sitosterol (59.5%) and stigmasterol (19.4%) were the main sterols, and α-tocopherol (472 mg/kg) predominated in the tocopherol fraction. The major phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine (45.4%), followed by phosphatidylinositol (37.1%) and phosphatidylcholine (6.1%).

Sweet buttermilk, a by-product of butter production, remains highly underutilized despite containing some relevant components (i.e., phospholipids) that may have a high biological value and may exert some positive technological functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using ultrafiltered (UF) sweet buttermilk at different volume reduction ratios (3 and 5) to replace emulsifiers and/or stabilizers in the production of a novel clean-label ice cream formulation made with sweet buttermilk-based mixtures. The functional, thermo-rheological, and sensory profile of four types of ice creams was investigated. Increasing the degree of sweet buttermilk concentration positively influenced the overrun values and at the same time improved the ice cream's resistance to melting. Also, the thermo-rheological profile during melting was influenced by the presence of UF buttermilk. These differences in techno-functional properties were probably partly caused by the different total phospholipids content caused by UF buttermilk. Some sensory properties (i.e., structure, consistency) were positively related to the utilization of UF buttermilk, while aroma and taste were negatively influenced. This study demonstrated that UF buttermilk can be used as an additive replacer in ice cream production because it enhances the structural and rheological properties of the final product.

The impact of thermal treatment for roasting on pine nuts from two geographical regions in Russia (Vladivostok and Baikal) was studied. They were roasted at 180 °C for 20 min in an oven. The aim was to establish the changes that occurred in the chemical (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, ash, fibers), lipid composition (fatty acids, tocopherols, sterols, phospholipids), and physicochemical characteristics (peroxide value, acid value, iodine value, conjugated dienes and trienes) after roasting of the pine nuts. The results showed that the composition of the raw and roasted nuts differed (p < 0.05). Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the oxidative stability of raw and roasted nuts from Baikal and, the content of unsaponifiable substances and sterols in the nut oil from Vladivostok. The roasting process influences the isolated oils from pine nuts as the chemical and lipid composition changes of oils from Baikal are significant (p < 0.05). Both raw and roasted pine nuts have high energy value, protein content, and good health benefits and can be consumed either way. Overall, it was established that the roasting of pine nuts had little impact on their lipid composition; the nuts could also be a source of lipid-soluble bioactive components and might have health-promoting effects., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Centaurea thracica (Janka) Hayek is a plant common in southern Bulgaria. The inflorescences were collected during June and September 2021, while their seeds were obtained in September 2021. The chemical and lipid composition of the inflorescences during the vegetation process of the plant were established. A significant decrease in total proteins (from 8.7 to 7.4%), glyceride oils (2.0-1.7%), and ash (4.5-4.2%) content was observed, while the amount of carbohydrates (72.3-77.2%) and fibers (28.7-35.8%) increased. During the vegetation of the plant, the content of oleic and linoleic acids increased up to 2-3 times, while the level of palmitic acid decreased. The lipids from the seeds were rich in oleic (53.0%) and palmitic (36.2%) acids. The tocopherol content in the oils of the inflorescences during vegetation increased from 58 to 110 mg/kg, and the content in the oil from the seeds was 260 mg/kg. The phospholipid content decreased during vegetation, and differences were observed in the composition between the inflorescences and the seeds. The high content of oleic acid, linoleic acid, tocopherols, and phospholipids determine the nutritional and biological value of the oils isolated from Centaurea thracica , and contribute to their potential use in various directions.

The present study is focused on the chemical and lipid composition of seed oil of the European ornamental and invasive wood plant Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae). Total lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, ash, and moisture in the seeds were determined. A high yield of glyceride oil (30.7%) was found, as well as a high content of fibers (29.6%) and proteins (18.7%). Physicochemical properties of the oil define it as semi-dry (129.4 g I 2 /100 g Iodine value) with oxidative stability, refractive index, saponification value, and relative density similar to widely used oils with nutritional value and health benefits. The composition of the seed oil was determined chromatographically. Unsaturated fatty acids (95.3%) predominated in the seed oil, of which linoleic acid (48.6%) and oleic acid (44.8%) were the major ones. The main lipid-soluble bioactive components were β -sitosterol (72.6%), γ -tocopherol (74.6%), phosphatidylinositol (29.5%), and phosphatidic acids (25.7%). The proven in vitro DNA-protective ability of seed oil is reported for the first time. The seed oil exhibited a weak antiproliferative effect on HT-29 and PC3 tumor cell lines and showed no cytotoxicity on the BALB/c 3T3 cell line. In brief, the present study reveals that A. altissima seed oil can be used as a healthy food.

Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. is the main species for Moss surveys (ICP Vegetation programme) in Southeastern Europe and is widely distributed in the region. In addition to their biomonitoring role, mosses are applied in some countries as a traditional medicine for the treatment of eczema, cuts, burns, eye diseases, etc. Therefore, the chemical and lipid composition of the moss H. cupressiforme is of interest to establish their possible application in different fields. The chemical composition of the moss was examined regarding total lipids, proteins, carbohydrates (i.e., fibres), ash, and moisture content. The main lipid-soluble bioactive components were determined as sterols, tocopherols, phospholipids and fatty acids. The major fatty acids were linoleic (14.9%), oleic (13.8%), palmitic (12.5%) and α-linolenic (11.3%) acids. Unsaturated fatty acids (56.4%) prevailed in the glyceride oil, in which the polyunsaturated ones constituted 32.5%. The lipid indices (atherogenicity, thrombogenicity, hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio, peroxidability, and oxidation stability index) were also theoretically calculated based on the fatty acid composition of the moss lipids to establish their health benefits and the rate of oxidation. The primary results of this study revealed H. cupressiforme to be a promising alternative source of bioactive compounds that could be implemented in supplements with health-promoting effects.

The present work is focused on the physicochemical characteristics, chemical composition, and some biological activities of Koelreuteria paniculata seed oil. The glyceride oil, obtained with a Soxhlet apparatus by extraction with hexane, was characterized by a relatively high oil content (over 20%), and it is defined as a non-drying oil (iodine value-44 gI 2 /100 g) with good oxidative stability (over 50 h). There were identified 11 fatty acids, 6 sterols, 3 tocopherols, and 6 phospholipids, as the last group was reported for the first time. The major components among them were-monounsaturated eicosenoic and oleic acids, β -sitosterol, β -tocopherol, and phosphatidylcholine. The in vitro tests demonstrated DNA protective activity and a lack of cytotoxicity of the oil, data that has been reported for the first time. The in vitro MTT test of the oil on HT-29 and PC3 cell lines did not indicate antitumor activity. The seed oil studied contains valuable bio-components, which have proven benefits for human health, and that is why it could be used in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products.

Electrooxidation of ascorbyl palmitate (AP) over gold screen-printed electrode (AuSPE) and gold nanoparticles modified graphite (AuNPs/gr) was examined in mixed water-alcohol medium. Voltammetric and amperometric studies showed that: (i) AP oxidation on the AuSPE proceeds at higher potential than on AuNPs/gr; (ii) the current density on AuNPs/gr was 2.4 times higher than on AuSPE; (iii) the linear dynamic range for AuNPs/gr doubled that for AuSPE. At the optimal for AuNPs/gr operating potential (250 mV) the following operational parameters were determined: sensitivity 1.627 ± 0.138 μA mM(-1) mm(-2); linearity up to 500 μM; LOD=5.8 μM. Quantification of the AP content in a real sample - stabilised flaxseed oil, was performed., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)