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Ellagic acid (EA) is a bioactive polyphenol compound with numerous biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antiestrogenic, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. In this research, we investigated the effect of postharvest tomato fruits with EA treatment. Our results showed that at 25°C for 20 days, compared to a control group, the weight loss rate, titratable acidity, and soluble solid concentration of tomato fruits treated with 50 μM EA were lower. The content of soluble protein in the EA-treated group was approximately 1.65 times higher than in the control group, and EA treatment greatly inhibited the changes in lycopene and vitamin C content. Moreover, EA treatment reduced malondialdehyde content, electrolyte leakage, and the production of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, EA treatment upregulated the expression of antioxidant-related genes and induced the activities of the antioxidant enzyme. In summary, our results showed that EA could retard senescence and preserve the quality characteristics of harvested tomato fruits via enhancing the antioxidant responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. is well adapted to arid and semiarid regions and has great potential for industrialisation. One- to four-year-old cladodes of this species harvested in Drâa-Tafilalet region in the southeast of Morocco, were characterised by examining physical and physicochemical parameters. Their bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity were also investigated. The cladode age had a significant impact on all the studied characteristics except some morphological parameters. Cladodes of different ages have a nutritional value comparable to a wide range of vegetables, particularly in terms of calcium, potassium, betalain, total polyphenol, and vitamin C contents. They are very rich in calcium (37.8–42.5 g/kg of dry matter (DM)) and have high betalain content. The content of phenolic compounds (133.9–165.0 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g DM) is especially noteworthy. These cladodes also contain very high amounts of vitamin C, especially the one-year-old cladodes (8.1–18.5 mg GAE/100 g DM). The recorded flavonoid contents vary from 3.8 to 7.6 mg of quercetin equivalent per 100 mL of cladodes mash. Condensed tannin contents range from 10.9 to 21.8 µg/100 mL of cladodes mash. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents also vary from 5.55 to 23.76 and from 1.9 to 6.0 mg/100 g DM, respectively. One- and two-year-old cladodes are rich in total soluble solids (TSS) and ash with high total titratable acidity (TTA), compared to three- and four-year-old cladodes. Four-year-old cladodes have the highest TSS/TTA ratio, while two-year-old cladodes are the wealthiest in betalains with a dominance of indicaxanthins (yellow pigments). The oldest cladodes have the lowest inhibitory concentration (IC50) for antioxidant activity. Three-year-old cladodes have some traits significantly different, which may have resulted from physiological changes related to their great buds emission at this age. This study highlights the nutritional and functional potential of Opuntia stricta cladodes and the importance of their valorisation, particularly in agri-food and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasound treatment under vacuum for 40 min led to an increase in the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of flesh. However, phenolic and flavonoid contents of mango peel were close to their initial values under the same conditions. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid amounts of peel were obtained after 30 min of sonication under atmospheric condition. Similarly, carotenoid contents of peel and flesh reached their maximum values after 30 min of sonication under atmospheric condition. DPPH free radical scavenging activity of peel and flesh increased as the duration of ultrasound treatment under vacuum prolonged, especially for 40 min. Phenolic acids and flavonoids in peel and flesh were determined as 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid (9.05–18.51 g/100 g and 0.78–1.16 g/100 g, respectively) and catechin (24.28–66.82 mg/100 g and 3.16–6.61 mg/100 g, respectively). The use of ultrasound during the extraction process improved the bioactive properties of flesh, so the application of sonication in combination with vacuum can be used as an alternative. Practical applications: Mango draws attention thanks to its Vitamin C, carotenoid, and phenolic compound content. One of the alternative extraction methods is ultrasound‐assisted extraction. Ultrasound‐assisted extraction increases yields and eliminates the disadvantages of conventional technologies. The components damaged by heat treatment, especially bioactive components, are effectively extracted at low temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit mixed pulp has the objective of improving the nutritional and sensorial characteristics, as well as the development of new flavours and aromas. Different methods of drying (e.g., spray-drying, spouted bed drying, and freeze-drying) can influence the quality of the final product. The objective of this study was to select the drying method that enables the production of acerola-ceriguela mixed pulp (ACMP) with higher quality. For this selection, the powder pulps were evaluated for their physicochemical characteristics (water activity, moisture, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), SS/TA, and instrumental colour), retention of the bioactive compounds (ascorbic acid, total carotenoids, and phenolic compounds), and sensory evaluation (acceptance, check-all-that-apply (CATA), and intent to purchase). The physicochemical characteristics of the freeze-dried and spray-dried ACMP were nonsignificant p > 0.05 but differed significantly p > 0.05 from spouted bed powder. ACMP freeze-drying powder resulted in higher retention of ascorbic acid, total carotenoids, and phenolic compounds. The powder obtained by spray-drying showed higher retention of bioactive compounds compared to the spouted bed drying. Therefore, this study suggests that powder obtained by freeze-drying resulted in greater sensorial acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to concentrate orange juice using the microwave vacuum evaporation (MVE) and the rotary evaporation (RE) at different absolute pressures (20, 31, and 47 kPa) and investigate the effects of two different concentration techniques on the degradation kinetics of vitamin C, total phenolic content (TPC), total carotenoid content (TCC), and color values. The MVE significantly raised the evaporation rate compared to the RE (p <.05). It was determined that the MVE and the RE at 80℃ required concentration‐time 21 and 42 min, respectively. Total soluble solid changes during the MVE and the RE processes were fitted to six different empirical models with an R2 range between 0.915 and 0.998. The results showed that degradation rate constants for vitamin C, TPC, and TCC of orange juices concentrated using the RE were higher significantly than the MVE (p <.05). It was determined that the degradation rate constants of the L*, a*, b*, and ΔE orange juices concentrated using MVE were lower than the RE (p <.05). Novelty impact statement: Orange juices were concentrated using MVE and RE.The MVE significantly increased the evaporation rate compared to the RE.The MVE protected bioactive compounds (values vitamin C, TPC, and TCC) and color values (L*, a*, b*, and ∆E) in comparison with the RE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the effects of 1‐MCP combined with TPC treatment on bioactive compounds, odor, and ultrastructure of cherry tomatoes during postharvest storage. The results showed that the three treatments could all maintain the firmness, soluble solids, and titratable acidity content. It was noteworthy that TPC applied to cherry tomatoes had positive effects on removing off‐flavors and reducing accumulation of malondialdehyde, and it can better retain the lycopene content compared with 1‐MCP in the later storage period. In addition, the combined treatment was more effective than the control check, single 1‐MCP and single TPC, which can inhibit the respiration and ethylene production of cherry tomatoes, maintain the ascorbic acid content, and sustain the integrity of peel and pulp cell structure during postharvest storage. Our study concluded that 1‐MCP + TPC was a feasible technology that can enhance the effect of single 1‐MCP treatment and make up for the limitations of single treatment. Practical applications: The moisture content of cherry tomatoes is higher than 90% so that cherry tomatoes are prone to softening, rot, and quality deterioration after harvest. They are typical climacteric fruits with obvious respiratory peaks. In the process of postharvest transportation and storage, intricate physiological and biochemical reactions occur in cells. A growing number of studies had shown that 1‐Methylcyclopropene had certain limitations. We used combined treatment, in order to enhance the effect of single 1‐Methylcyclopropene treatment and better guarantee the edible value and commodity value of postharvest cherry tomatoes. Our research showed that 1‐Methylcyclopropene combined with titanium dioxide photocatalytic treatment may become an advanced preservation technology, and can provide a new idea for improving the storage quality of postharvest cherry tomatoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioactive compounds are secondary metabolites synthesized by plants for maintaining homeostasis; however, they also modulate metabolic processes and demonstrate valuable effects in the human body. The fig was cherished as food and for its pharmaceutical properties. The presence of a wide range of biologically active compounds such as carotenoids, flavonoids, phenols, and vitamin C is obligated for their functional properties as well as their technological capability as a dietary supplement is responsible for most health impacts. Owing to the rich and diversified composition of biologically active compounds these compounds possess different biological properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective activity that implies those bioactive substances might be used in the creation of novel culinary and medicinal products. Fig fruit should be widely recognized as a natural functional product. This systematic and comprehensive review gives the notion of developing figs species as a viable and innovative component for its varied food and nonfood applications as a remarkable and primitive source of medication and nourishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of mango peel and pulp on oxidative damage in a naproxen‐induced gastric injury rat model. The extracts were assessed for antioxidant activity (ABTS and FRAP methods), and the phenolic profile was investigated with UPLC‐QToF‐MSE. Gastric damage was evaluated in vivo by assessing the membrane lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde (MDA) content), myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity, and glutathione (GSH) content. Mango peel and pulp contained high contents of bioactive compounds, particularly phenolics (69.50–5.287.70 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g), carotenoids (651.30–665.50 μg/100 g), and vitamin C (21.59–108.19 mg/100 g). UPLC‐QToF‐MSE analysis identified 17 phenol compounds, including gallotannins, glycosylated flavonoids, and xanthone. The hydroalcoholic extracts of mango peel and pulp (LPe and LPu, respectively) significantly reduced the MPO activity and MDA content. In addition to preventing naproxen‐induced GSH decline, LPe (30 mg/kg) and LPu (10 mg/kg) restored its content to normal levels. LPe and LPu neutralized the oxidizing agents triggered by naproxen and reduced the severity of gastric lesions owing to their antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of processing (pre‐treatments and drying temperatures) on yellow sweet pepper was evaluated in terms of drying kinetics, physico‐chemical (non‐enzymatic browning index and color), and bioactive (carotenoids, ascorbic acid, phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity) components. Drying at 60°C results in a significant increase in drying rate (540 min) and decrease in the moisture (6.36%) of the final product. All the pre‐treatments enhanced the drying kinetics relative to the control sample. The Page model was found to be the best appropriate model for explaining the slices drying behavior. Drying temperature at 60°C showed the highest retention of phenolics (706.59 mg/100 g), flavonoids (363.41 mg/100 g) and antioxidant activity (178.13 nmol/L). Sample treated with combined pre‐treatment retained maximum bioactive compounds. These results were also clearly justified by Principal Component Analysis. This study revealed that combined pre‐treatment at 60°C lowered the drying time, better bioactive retention and best preservation of color. Practical applications: Yellow sweet peppers are abundant in bioactive compounds, which have nutritional and medicinal importance. However, sweet pepper is highly perishable and not easy to store for long time. Drying is most preferable and economical method to improve shelf life of peppers. This study showed that higher drying rate, lower drying time, combined pre‐treatment resulted in the good product quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of vacuum impregnation (VI) times on quality and healthy potential attributes of fresh‐cut apples was modeled, determining optimal processing times. Mild VI treatments (67.7 mbar vacuum pressure, 30 oBrix sucrose osmotic solution containing citric and ascorbic acids) were applied with vacuum (tv) and relaxation (tr) times of 1.14 to 14 min through a central composite design. After VI, respiration rate decreased as tv increased but increased with tr. Bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity increased with both processing times. Optimal tv and tr obtained for minimizing respiration rate and maximizing the attributes related to sensory quality were 6.18 and 1.14 min. Otherwise, optimal tv and tr for minimizing the respiration rate, maximizing the related sensory properties, and the health potential of fresh‐cut apples were longer (10.18 and 6.21 min). Mild VI, with an antioxidant solution at appropriate VI times, is an adequate technology for obtaining fresh‐cut apples with improved fresh‐like quality and healthy characteristics. Novelty impact statement: This study showed that mild vacuum impregnation treatment with an antioxidant solution is an adequate technology for processing fresh‐cut apples with improved healthy potential. The optimal vacuum and relaxation times improve the fresh‐cut apple qualities and its health potential after 7 days of storage at 1.5°C if both are suitably selected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to characterize bananas in their different stages of ripeness, to determine the variables that demonstrate higher levels at each moment. The fruits were analyzed according to physical parameters: weight, texture, and diameter of the fruits; as well as physicochemical parameters: pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, and Ratio; and also biochemical parameters: total sugars, phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, pigments, antioxidant activity by DPPH and FRAP methods. The used samples were collected at the following maturation stages: 2, 4, 6, and 7 and determined according to the Von Loesecke Maturation Scale. In relation to the behavior of the parameters evaluated, the fruits showed significant reductions in relation to the physical parameters, while there were increases in relation to pH, titratable acidity, and soluble solids. The antioxidant and phenolic activities also showed reductions, which shows that the degradative process caused by ripening also causes reductions in these compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]