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Currently, there are some examples of natural colourants with commercial use. However, these colourants are usually under-exploited, besides being obtained from a reduced number of plant or algal species. Accordingly, we propose using betalains obtained from an alternative plant species, Gomphrena globosa , which have a powerful colouring activity besides being strong antioxidants, as a novel ice-cream colourant. For comparison purposes, other ice-cream formulations were prepared, namely without colourants, added with commercial betalain or with Beta vulgaris extract. Besides evaluating the colour parameters L *, a * and b *, the nutritional parameters, individual sugars and fatty acids profiles were also studied. These parameters were evaluated throughout time, up to a maximum of 60 days of freeze (−22 °C) storage. Betacyanin quantification of each formulation was also performed to determine its maintenance along storage. In general, ice-creams prepared with G. globosa were similar (considering nutritional, colour, individual sugars and fatty acids profiles) to those including B. vulgaris extract, thereby validating the suitability of this alternative plant as a source of food colourants, particularly as ice-cream colourants. Furthermore, the positive effects induced by the addition of this natural colourant were maintained throughout storage time, as indicated by the markers distribution in the linear discriminant analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gomphrena globosa L. is a source of betacyanins, molecules with high colorant power. In order to replace conventional extraction techniques, microwave (MAE) and ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) processes were optimized by the response surface methodology (RSM) to maximize the recovery of betacyanins from G. globosa . A five-level full factorial design of 24 combinations and 4 replicates was implemented for MAE and UAE. The optimum processing conditions for MAE ( t = 8 min; T = 60 °C; Et = 0%; and S/L = 5 g/L) conducted to an extraction yield of 39.6 ± 1.8 mg/g dry weight, while for UAE ( t = 22 min; P = 500%; Et = 0%; and S/L = 5 g/L) a value of 46.9 ± 4.8 mg/g was achieved, validating the UAE more suitable to obtain the target compounds. This technique can provide extracts rich in betacyanins and with high potential to be used as natural colorants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Worldwide consumers seek most delightful and appealing foodstuffs, at the same time they require safer, more nutritious and healthier products. Color is one of the most important organoleptic attributes that directly affects consumers' acceptance and food selection. Scope and approach The present report aims to provide an extensive approach to the field of food (natural/synthetic) colorants, namely those who are currently allowed with established acceptable daily intake (ADI). It also describes the biotechnological and industrial techniques that have been used to optimize food attractiveness, shelf life and color stability, as well as the general trends and future perspectives of food science and technology in the topic of food colorants. Key findings and conclusions Synthetic food colorants were largely used, but have been progressively substituted by those obtained from natural origins. Numerous side effects and toxicity, at both medium and long-terms, allergic reactions, behavioral and neurocognitive effects have been related with their use. Otherwise, naturally-derived food colorants seem to provide high quality, efficiency and organoleptic properties, and also play a contributive role as health promoters. Anthocyanins, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, beet derivatives, annatto and some curcuminoids are among the most commonly used, while strict regulatory practices have been applied looking for food quality assurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pterospartum tridentatum (L.) Willk., Gomphrena globosa L. and Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf. are examples of medicinal plants that demand a more detailed characterization. Therefore, phenolic composition (e.g., phenolic acids and flavonoids) was analyzed by chromatographic and mass spectrometry techniques and the antioxidant activity was also accessed through free radicals scavenging activity, reducing power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in brain homogenates. C. citratus revealed the highest β-carotene bleaching and lipid peroxidation inhibitions, being luteolin 2″-O-rhamnosyl-6-C-glucoside the main compound. P. tridentatum presented the highest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and reducing power and mainly dihydroflavonol and isoflavone derivatives were detected. Otherwise, G. globosa presented kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside as the most abundant phenolic compound and betacyanins were only present in this sample. It is very interesting to study the phytochemical composition of these plants, given the importance of their consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pterospartumtridentatum(L.)Willk, Gomphrena globosa L., and Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf aremedicinal plants that require a more detailed chemical characterization, given the importance of their consumption as infusions. Therefore, the individual profiles in tocopherols, free sugars, and organic acids were obtained by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to different detectors (fluorescence, refraction index, and photodiode array, resp.). C. citratus revealed the highest content of μ-, and total tocopherols, glucose, sucrose, succinic, and ascorbic acids. P. tridentatum presented the highest fructose and total sugars content. Otherwise, G. globosa showed the highest organic acids concentration. As far as we know, this is the first study reporting the mentioned chemical compounds in G. globosa and C. citratus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vibrant colours of many plants are due to secondary metabolites, such as nitrogen-containing compounds, where betacyanins are included. These compounds can be found in plants such as Amaranthus caudatus L. that, due to their high nutritional benefits, have been overproduced, which leads to the accumulation of large amounts of bio-residues. Among these bio-residues, the flowers which have a very intense pink colour and present no economic value or subsequent destination can be exploited as sources of natural colouring agents (betacyanins). This work aimed at characterising the flower's extract in terms of bioactive molecules such as tocopherols, organic acids, but essentially in terms of betacyanins, in order to obtain a natural colouring agent. For the extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) ideal conditions were obtained using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM), allowing the attainment of an enriched extract of betacyanins in high yields and purity. The obtained extracts were analysed for their bioactive potential, namely antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties. From the obtained results, three isoforms of tocopherols were detected, β-tocopherol (0.884 ± 0.003 mg/100 g dry weight (dw)) being the most abundant one. Regarding the organic acids, oxalic (2.48 ± 0.05 mg/100 g dw), shikimic (0.170 ± 0.003 mg/100 g dw) and traces of fumaric acid were found. Four betacyanins were identified and quantified, namely: amaranthine (171 ± 1 mg/g extract), isoamaranthine (38 ± 1 mg/g extract), betanin (1.6 ± 0.1 mg/g), and isobetanin (1.3 ± 0.1 mg/g extract). The obtained extract also presented antioxidant activity with inhibition concentration (IC50 values) of 29.0 ± 0.4 μg/mL and 114 ± 4 μg/mL for Δt of 60 min and 120 min, respectively in the oxidative haemolysis inhibition assay (OxHLIA) assay. The obtained extract also presented an interesting antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 5 to 20 mg/mL against pathogenic bacteria and revealed no toxicity for normal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Grape and mulberry seed bioresidues were fully characterized. • Grape seeds were richer in organic acids and phenolic compounds, mainly catechins. • Mulberry seeds are richer sources of tocopherols and ellagic acid derivatives. • Hydroethanolic extracts had strong bioactivity and no cytotoxicity on PLP2 cells. • Grape and mulberry seed are candidates to act as preservatives in food industry. Grape (Vitis vinifera L. var. Albariño) and mulberry (Morus nigra L.) seeds pomace were characterized in terms of tocopherols, organic acids, phenolic compounds and bioactive properties. Higher contents of tocopherols (28 ± 1 mg/100 g fw) were obtained in mulberry, whilst grape seeds were richer in organic acids (79 ± 4 mg/100 g fw). The phenolic analysis of hydroethanolic extracts characterised grape seeds by catechin oligomers (36.0 ± 0.3 mg/g) and mulberry seeds by ellagic acid derivatives (3.14 ± 0.02 mg/g). Both exhibited high antimicrobial activity against multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus MIC = 5 mg/mL) and no cytotoxicity against carcinogenic and non-tumour primary liver (PLP) cells. Mulberry seeds revealed the strongest inhibition (p < 0.05) against thiobarbituric reactive substances (IC 50 = 23 ± 2 µg/mL) and oxidative haemolysis (IC 50 at 60 min = 46.0 ± 0.8 µg/mL). Both seed by-products could be exploited for the developing of antioxidant-rich ingredients with health benefits for industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Flowers of Gomphrena globosa L. were analyzed for their coloring capacity. • The extracts were lyophilized or spray dried for stability analysis. • Lyophilized and spray dried samples revealed high contents in betacyanins. • Spray dried sample showed higher stability after incorporation in cookies. • Incorporation maintained nutritional, physical and microbial profile of the cookies. A betacyanin rich extract was obtained from the flowers of Gomphrena globosa L. by ultrasound-assisted extraction and dried either by lyophilization or spray-drying, was tested as a natural colourant in cookies and compared to a commercial colourant. The extracts were characterized in terms of betacyanin content and antioxidant potential. The effects of the colourants incorporation in the cookies were assessed through proximate composition, soluble sugars, fatty acids, color, texture and microbial load, over a shelf life of 30 days. Considering all the assays and analyzing the results through a 2-way analysis of variance, the cookies incorporated with spray-dried colourant showed the most intense pink coloration while cookies incorporated with lyophilized extract lost less color intensity over time. Thus, betacyanin extracts have potential as pink natural alternatives to synthetic colourants in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The flowers and non-edible lower part of the cornflower capitula were characterized. • Flowers were richer in tocopherols, organic acids, and apigenin and cyanidin derivatives. • The lower part had high syringic acid levels and better cell-based antioxidant activity. • Hydromethanolic extracts had antibacterial activity and no cytotoxicity on PLP2 cells. • Cornflower capitulum-based colorants and functional ingredients can be exploited. Abstract Cornflower is a flowering weed and ornamental plant whose blue flowers have been used for food, decorative and colouring purposes. In this study, the upper (edible flowers) and lower (non-edible receptacle and involucre) parts of the capitulum were studied and compared for their chemical composition and bioactive properties. The flowers were richer in tocopherols, organic acids, and apigenin derivatives (mainly apigenin-7- O -glucuronide-4′- O -(6- O -malonylglucoside)) than the non-edible bristly part (where syringic acid predominated). Four cyanidin derivatives were identified in the flowers. The extract of the non-edible part was more efficient in inhibiting the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), the bleaching of β-carotene, and the haemolysis of the erythrocytes membrane. In general, the extracts were more active against Gram-positive bacteria and had no cytotoxicity against non-tumour liver PLP2 cells. Therefore, while flowers are a potential source of natural cyanidin-based colorants, the lower part of the capitulum has bioactive properties to be exploited in different food or pharmaceutical formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]