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In this study, the combined effects of various experimental parameters (solvent concentration, extraction temperature, pH, extraction time, and light conditions) on the recovery of phytochemical compounds from the jujube (Ziziphus jujuba var vulgaris) fruit were investigated in a batch system using a 25 full-factorial design. The independent variables were coded at two levels and their actual values were selected based on the results of single-factor experiments. Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Total Monomeric Anthocyanin Content (TMAC), and vitamin C content values were used for the determination of phytochemical compound content in jujube extract. The results showed that pH, extraction temperature, and solvent concentration were the most significant (P< 0.05) factors affecting the TPC, TMAC, and vitamin C content. The optimal extraction conditions of phytochemical compounds were found to be as follows: ethanol concentration of 60%, pH of 3, extraction time of 180 min, extraction temperature of 25°C, and absence of light. In the optimized conditions, the maximum experimental values for TPC, TMAC, and vitamin C content were 164.51 mg gallic-acid equivalents per gram of dry weight (mg GAE g-1 DW), 52.94 mg cy-3-glu 100 g-1 DW, and 137.12 mg LAA 100 g-1 DW, respectively. The high content of phytochemical compounds in the jujube extract indicates that jujube extract might be considered as a potential source of nutraceuticals in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One way to protect food and nutrients is to use gamma irradiation. Gamma rays are capable of influencing fatty acids, thus, this research was carried out to test the impact of using gamma rays on pistachio stored for six months and to determine the optimal effective dose of gamma with no negative impact on the amount of fatty acids in different types of pistachios. Three doses including 3, 5, and 9 kGy of gamma rays were used to protect and store different pistachios in Kerman. After being exposed to gamma rays, the pistachios were stored for six months in a storehouse at 5°C and (9-43%) RH. Every three months, the samples were analyzed. The greatest amount of oleic acid was found in Ahmad Aghaei pistachio type (62.08%) followed by Ohadi (61.03%), Kaleh Qouchi (59.83%), and Akbari (55.80%) types (P< 0.05). Over time, oleic acid and unsaturated fatty acids decreased in all of the control and test samples. After three months of storing, in Ahmad Aghaei pistachios irradiated with a 3 kGy dose of gamma, the amount of oleic acid fatty acid was 45.15%. With 5 kGy dose, after three months, oleic acid fatty acid was 66.65%, and with 9 kGy dose after three months, it was 59.90%. Therefore, it can be concluded that the use of irradiation doses of 5 and 9 kGy affects the increase of unsaturated and derived fatty acids, thus, the dose of 5 kGy irradiation is most appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to disadvantages of synthetic packaging materials such as migration into food, polluting of environment, difficulty of recovery, high costs of raw materials and production, also for development of properties of starch based edible film, in this study nanocomposite films from starch and montmorillonite (MMT) fabricated and their properties investigated. In this regard, nanocomposite films formulated by mixing starch and four levels of nanoclay (0, 1, 3 and 5%) and three different concentrations of glycerol (20, 30 and 40%), then the physical and mechanical properties of film measured and appropriate film selected. 5% nano-clay could improve tension resistance (38%) and moisture permeability (33%). The results from XRD showed that nanoclay s spread evenly in starch polymer. The effects of ultrasound waves on the optimum film were investigated. These waves improve mechanical properties and permeability of films remarkably. 30 minutes was the best time of ultrasounication processing. Results showed that optimum nanocomposite of starch-nanoclay could be used as a biodegradable suitable packaging for preserving food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]