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Roots, tubers and cooking bananas are bulky and highly perishable. In Africa, except for yams, their consumption is mainly after transport, peeling and cooking in the form of boiled pieces or dough, a few days after harvest. To stabilize and better preserve the products and, in the case of cassava, release toxic cyanogenic glucosides, a range of intermediate products have been developed, mainly for cassava, related to fermentation and drying after numerous processing operations. This review highlights, for the first time, the impact of genotypes on labour requirements, productivity and the associated drudgery in processing operations primarily carried out by women processors. Peeling, soaking/grinding/fermentation, dewatering, sieving and toasting steps were evaluated on a wide range of new hybrids and traditional landraces. The review highlights case studies of gari production from cassava. The results show that, depending on the genotypes used, women's required labour can be more than doubled and even the sum of the weights transported along the process can be up to four times higher for the same quantity of end product. Productivity and loads carried between each processing operation are highly influenced by root shape, ease of peeling, dry matter content and/or fiber content. Productivity and the often related experienced drudgery are key factors to be considered for a better acceptance of new genotypes by actors in the value-addition chain, leading to enhanced adoption and ultimately to improved livelihoods for women processors. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

BACKGROUND: Nigeria and Cameroon are multi-ethnic countries with diverse preferences for food characteristics. The present study aimed to inform cassava breeders on consumer-prioritized eba quality traits. Consumer testing was carried out using the triadic comparison of technologies (tricot). Diverse consumers in villages, towns and cities evaluated the overall acceptability of eba made from different cassava genotypes. Data from both countries were combined and linked to laboratory analyses of eba and the gari used to make it. RESULTS: There is a strong preference for eba with higher cohesiveness and eba from gari with higher brightness and especially in Cameroon, with lower redness and yellowness. Relatively higher eba hardness and springiness values are preferred in the Nigerian locations, whereas lower values are preferred in Cameroon. Trends for solubility and swelling power of the gari differ between the two countries. The study also reveals that the older improved cassava genotype TMS30572 is a benchmark genotype with superior eba characteristics across different regions in Nigeria, whereas the recently released variety Game changer performs very well in Cameroon. In both locations, the recently released genotypes Obansanjo-2 and improved variety TM14F1278P0003 have good stability and overall acceptability for eba characteristics. CONCLUSION: The wide acceptance of a single genotype across diverse geographical and cultural conditions in Nigeria, as well as three acceptable new improved varieties in both locations, indicates that consumers' preferences are surprisingly homogeneous for eba. This would enhance breeding efforts to develop varieties with wider acceptability and expand potential target areas for released varieties.

info:eu-repo/semantics/inPress

In the present article, we introduce a local hybrid RANS/LES turbulence model, the Flow-based Stress-Blended Eddy Simulation (Fb-SBES). The methodology is applied to urban flow simulations in atmospheric boundary layer. The blending from RANS to LES is performed on the fly with respect to a flow deviation parameter. This makes the model self-adaptive and requires no prior knowledge of the flow contrary to typical zonal LES models. The present methodology enables the RANS equations to be solved in the major part of the computational domain (e.g. on average 88% for a single building). The RANS zone is modelled with a comprehensive RANS turbulence model for ABL simulations that sustains the fully developed inlet conditions until the built environment. In general, Fb-SBES shows better agreement with experimental data on the building and in the wake compared to advanced RANS and DDES simulations., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

The use of intra-crop diversity (e.g. variety mixtures) in bread wheat cropping is getting popular in Europe, mostly for agronomic purposes. However, much less is known about the implications on baking quality.In this paper, we formalized and tested a framework based on two hypothetical mechanisms for mixture effects as a result of plant interactions within mixtures: (i) proportion shifts, relating to changes in grain weight proportion of the varieties at harvest and (ii) component alteration, relating to changes in the baking quality of the component varieties. To test this framework, we measured several baking quality indicators on twelve variety mixtures and their component varieties in pure stands. By recording varietal proportions at harvest, we could measure the relative importance of both mechanisms in explaining observed mixture effects.Our results showed that proportion shifts explained a large share of mixture effects on protein baking quality (Zélény sedimentation index and W baking strength) but failed to explain mixture effects on protein content in one year and Hagberg's falling number in both years. Our results also suggest component alteration on protein content resulting from altered nitrogen uptake in mixtures, and possibly on Hagberg's falling number resulting from lodging reduction in mixtures., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

The purpose of this study was to screen for the first time, Pinus halepensis seeds for their antinutritional factors (ANFs) and to reduce them through processing. Results of ANF screening showed that Aleppo pine seeds contained negligible amounts of tannins, saponins and alkaloids, and no amylase and trypsin inhibitory activities. However, they contained significant amounts of phytates and oxalates with values of 2.63 ± 0.21% and 1.07 ± 0.09% respectively. A dehulling operation to remove the adhering coat was implemented which contributed to a reduction of 25% of phytates and 46% of oxalates. Soaking seeds were studied and optimized using a Box Behnken experimental design, varying soaking time, temperature, and pH. The desirability study allowed the determination of optimal conditions of 10.6 h soaking time, 57.6 °C soaking temperature and 5.54 pH that decreased oxalate and phytate content by 72% and 61% respectively. Production of a plant-based beverage with these optimal process conditions markedly reduced the antinutrient content while maintaining expected dry matter, color, stability and pH.

info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

To counter the proliferation of secondary waste streams generated on insect (black soldier fly) farms, the present study integrated green water technology and acid-catalyzed transesterification as a basis to assess further value extraction potentials. By valorizing the waste streams, a process was developed to promote the circular economy paradigm. In this regard, wastes generated from a local insect farm were initially subjected to subcritical water extraction (SWE) for lipid recovery. The SWE process was optimized such that an enhanced lipid yield of 13.31 wt% was obtained at temperature, time, and solid loading conditions of 236.8 °C, 10 min of extraction, and 1 g/ 100 mL respectively. The lipids recovered were then subjected to an acid-catalyzed transesterification reaction for the production of a fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) mixture. A preliminary economic assessment of the process was also undertaken. The results showed that the wastes had the potential to be economically employed in the production of biodiesel that satisfied fuel property standards. In addition, the potential of employing the side streams as an animal feed was also highlighted due to the determined dominance of oligopeptides, which are known for their favorable bioactive properties. The results indicated that insect farming waste is a promising renewable source for high-quality biodiesel and animal feed production through the environmentally friendly biorefinery., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Tomato waste (TW) is a plentiful lignocellulosic resource, mainly composed of seeds and skins, that can be converted into high-value compounds. This study explored the enhancement of TW enzymatic and fungal biovalorization using novel ecofriendly approaches, including advanced technology, pulsed electric fields (PEF). Crude laccase first produced on TW was used for enzymatic treatment, and the white rot fungus Trametes versicolor K1 was used in fungal treatment under SmF (submerged) or SSF (semi-solid) fermentation conditions. The physical PEF treatment had increased tenfold sugar extraction yield (83.4 mg/g) and twofold polyphenol extraction yield (4.43 g/g), with respect to the control. PEF–laccase innovative combination, reported for the first time, has enhanced significantly sugar extraction yield (100.6 mg/g), twofold higher than those released from TW after laccase treatment alone. However, the PEF treatment had no effect on polyphenol extraction yield when combined to laccase or fungal treatments. The treated TW was subjected to polysaccharide enzymatic hydrolysis. The combination of PEF with laccase or fungal treatment did not impact sugar yields; however, it allowed polyphenol liberation. During fungal treatment (i.e. T. versicolor K1 grown on TW), comparable maximal laccase activities of 2574.28 U/L and 2577.06 U/L were measured in the culture supernatants, in SmF and SSF conditions, respectively. The findings demonstrate the high potential of PEF for recovering phenols and sugars. When combined to fungal treatment, it offers high yields of valuable products, making it a potential cost-effective approach, providing new prospects for TW valorization., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

In the present work, the effect of the Flash Vacuum Expansion (FVE) process on the recovery of total phenolic content (TPC) from entire coffee peel was evaluated. The resulting extracts were microencapsulated by spray drying using maltodextrin (MD10) and arabic gum (GA). The FVE increased TPC by 20.97% in the ethanolic extracts. The use of MD10 allowed obtention of smaller, less hygroscopic particles, with better color and flow properties as well as a higher concentration of TPC. Both powders were considered microbiologically stable based on humidity and water activity.

Cirina forda and Rhyncophorus phoenicis are widely consumed insects in tropical Africa. Drying is one of themain conservation techniques to improve the availability of these insects, which are harvested seasonally in thewild. The main goal of this study was to investigate the sorption isotherms and to estimate the shelf-life of thesetwo dried insects. Sorption isotherms were determined at 25, 30, 40 and 50 °C by using dynamic vapor sorption.Amongst five isotherm sorption models that were selected to fit the experimental data, Peleg’s equation was foundto give the best fit for both insect species. It was observed that all insects exhibited type III sorption isotherms,indicating monolayer-multilayer behaviour with a progressively decreasing biding energy as the number of layersrises. Using the Heiss-Eichner model, dry base initial moisture contents of 8 and 7%, are proposed for C. fordaand R. phoenicis respectively. These conditions ensure a shelf-life of 12 months at 30 °C when insects are packagedin polyethylene films., info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Aims: Mold contamination of foods especially by mycotoxin producing fungi is not only a global food quality concern for food manufacturers, but it also constitutes a high risk for human and animal health resulting in massive economic losses globally. This study investigated the effect of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) on the growth of Aspergillus carbonarius strains and their production of ochratoxin A (OTA). Methodology: Seven fresh coffee cherry and 9 dry coffee cherry samples were collected from Man, Daloa and Akoupé 3 main coffee producing regions in Côte d'Ivoire. LAB were isolated from fresh coffee cherries while mold strains were from both fresh and dry coffee cherry. The inhibitory effect against mold growth and the ability for OTA removal of selected LAB strains were tested successively in vitro and then during coffee cherry primary postharvest processing before evaluating their influence on sensory quality of beverage. OTA production ability of molds strains are studied using both solid (CYA) and liquid (CYB) Cazapeck Yeast medium. Results: About 34 fungal isolates belonging to Aspergillus and Penicillium genus were studied for their OTA production using the agar plug technique and HPLC-FD. Five A. carbonarius strains were capable of OTA production between 15.9 and 83mg.kg-1.Out of seven isolates of Lactobacillus plantarum, two were successful in inhibition of mycelial growthproduced fungicidal activity; five were successful in retarding it produced fungistatical activity All of L. plantarum isolates exhibited OTA reduction ability at about 99 %. The inoculation of two highest anti-ochratoxigenic LAB to fermenting coffee cherries resulted in great inhibition of mold growth and OTA contents reduction varying from 63.2 to 82.2%. The addition of LAB to coffee cherries did not influence the sensory attributes of the beverages produced thereof. Conclusion: This study highlighted that LAB are very promising biological candidates for reduction of mold contamination a

Bananas are tropical fruits that are perishable and susceptible to fungal diseases, mainly caused by Colletotrichum musae. Antimicrobial emulsion-based coating materials have been used extensively to inhibit the growth of these fungi and extend the shelf life of bananas. Targeted emulsion-based film functionalities offer excellent mechanical, physicochemical and barrier properties and limit fungal growth kinetics. Antifungal compounds, such as essential oils or phenolic compounds, are added to emulsion-based (wax/biopolymer) coatings to enhance their antimicrobial properties. This study set out to formulate a beeswax-based emulsion for banana coatings using high-pressure homogenisation (HPH) and hydrophilic food-grade/organic coating materials. The particle size distribution, stability and mechanical properties of the film-forming emulsions, water vapour and the oxygen permeabilities of the resulting coating were investigated. The most promising sucrose emulsions were tested as coatings on banana fruits to assess their efficacy against moisture and firmness loss during storage. Adding thymol (0.5% w/w) to the sucrose emulsions further enhanced the inhibition of Colletotrichum musae growth to its barest minimum of <20%. Emulsion stability was clearly enhanced using HPH while the best inhibition was obtained with a 20% diluted sucrose emulsion containing 0.5% thymol, with or without HPH.

This work aimed at characterizing the viscoelastic behavior and the fouling propensity of orange juice matrices composed of concentrated suspended particles (CSP) with defined size distributions. Small-, medium- and large-CSP (respectively colloids, supra-colloids and large particles) were first isolated and then mixed together according to a mixture design. The shear moduli, the specific resistance to filtration and the compressibility factor of isolated CSP and CSP mixtures were quantified. Small-, medium- and large-CSP were characterized by viscoelastic properties with a predominant solid-like behavior. The deposit layer of large-CSP had the highest shear moduli, while small-CSP presented the highest specific resistance to filtration. Small-, medium- and large-CSP deposit layers were considered as compressible matrices. The rheological behavior and the fouling propensity of mixtures of small-, medium- and large-CSP were analyzed using ternary diagrams. These diagrams revealed that the small-, medium- and large-CSP proportions modulated differently the shear moduli and the fouling propensity of CSP mixtures. Indeed, the solid-like behavior was strongly influenced by large-CSP proportions, the specific resistance to filtration depended mainly on the CSP size polydispersity, while small- or medium-CSP proportions had a major influence on the compressibility factor.

Mangifera indica species presents a wide varietal diversity in terms of fruit size and morphology and also of physicochemical and organoleptic properties of the pulp. In Senegal, in addition to the well-known export varieties, such as 'Kent', local varieties have been little studied particularly during ripening. This study aims to propose prediction models integrating variables deduced from varietal characteristics. Five mango varieties ('Diourou', 'Papaye', 'Sierraleone', 'Boukodiekhal' and 'Sewe') endemic to Senegal were characterized at harvest and followed during ripening storage. Caliber parameters were determined at green-mature stage as well as storage (25 °C) weight losses. Considering the 'ripening storage time' (RST) variable as ripeness level index, intra-varietal prediction models were built by multi-linear regression (R2 = 0.98) using pulp pH, soluble solid content (SSC) and Hue angle. In addition to these physicochemical parameters, variety-specific size, shape and weight loss parameters, were additional variables in multi-linear models (R2 = 0.97) for multi-varietal prediction of RST. Results showed that storage time, which was the most influential factor on the pH, SSC and Hue, can be used as a response for varietal prediction of mango ripening. As a decision support tool, theses statistical models, validated on two seasons, will contribute to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance mango value chain through a better ripening process monitoring.

info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Bread is one of the most consumed and one of the most wasted food product in our society. In this talk, we will first briefly discuss how the corresponding loss can be evaluated. Then, we’ll discuss the various way of limiting the waste: not producing it, or if produced, ho< the valorize it. The various possibilities of processing and uses of unsold bread will then be shortly presented and discussed based on Moerman scale. This will highlight two main challenges :one in the logistics and in the conservation and storage. We’ll finish with a focus on the least expensive conservation technique: drying., info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Cirina forda (Cf) and Rhyncophorus ferrugineus (Rf) are widely consumed insects in tropical Africa. Drying is one of the main conservation techniques to improve their availability for distant markets and outside their harvest seasons. The main goal of this study was to investigate thee sorption isotherms of these insects and estimate their shelf-life. Sorption isotherms of these two insects were determined at 25, 30, 40 and 50°C using a Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS) device. Five isothermal sorption models were fitted to the experimental data, and Peleg equation was found to give the best fit for both insects. Both insects exhibited sorption isotherm of type III indicating monolayer-multilayer behavior with limited hysteresis. Amplitude of hysteresis was higher for Rf than for Cf. According to the sorption isotherms to ensure a safe storage at 25 and 30°C the Rf larvae must be dried at 8.8 % and 8 % respectively. Cf caterpillars must be dried to 9.5 and 9.4 % for respective storage at 25 and 30°C. Based on Kinshasa climate data when these two insects are left in contact with ambient air, their equilibrium moisture content can evolve to values higher than values guaranteeing a safe storage. This suggests that for better preservation the dried insects should be packed in airtight packages. Using Heiss-Eichner model, dry base moisture contents of 6.9 % and 8.5 % respectively for Rf and Cf were predicted to ensure the expected shelf-life of 12 months at 30°C when insects are packaged in polyethylene films., info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

SCOPUS: ch.b, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Camel milk is a newcomer to domestic markets and especially to the international milk market. This recent emergence has been accompanied by a diversification of processed products, based on the technologies developed for milk from other dairy species. However, technical innovations had to be adapted to a product with specific behavior and composition. The transformation of camel milk into pasteurized milk, fermented milk, cheese, powder, or other products was supported, under the pressure of commercial development, by technological innovations made possible by a basic and applied research set. Some of these innovations regarding one of the less studied milk sources are presented here, as well as their limitations. Technical investigations for an optimal pasteurization, development of controlled fermentation at industrial scale, control of cheese technology suitable for standardized production, and improvements in processes for the supply of a high-quality milk powder are among the challenges of research regarding camel milk.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the harvest stage, ripening conditions and maturity on color changes of cv. 'Cogshall' and cv. 'Kent' variety mangoes during drying. A total of four harvests were undertaken, and the fruits were ripened at 20 and 35 °C for five different ripening times at each temperature. At each ripening time, mangoes were dried at 60 °C/30% RH/1.5 m/s for 5 h. A wide physico-chemical and color variability of fresh and dry pulp was created. The relationships according to the L*, H* and C* coordinates were established using mixed covariance regression models in relation to the above pre- and postharvest (preprocess) parameters. According to the L* coordinate results, browning during drying was not affected by the preprocess parameters. However, dried slices from mangoes ripened at 35 °C exhibited better retention of the initial chroma, and had a greater decrease in hue than dried slices from mangoes ripened at 20 °C. However, fresh mango color, successfully managed by the pre- and postharvest conditions, had more impact on dried mango color than the studied parameters. The preprocess parameters were effective levers for improving fresh mango color, and consequently dried mango color.

The aromatic quality of chocolate requires the use of cocoa with high aromatic potential, this being acquired during the fermentation of cocoa beans. Traditional fermentation is still often carried out on a small scale with wild strains of yeasts and acetic bacteria and under poorly controlled conditions leading to cocoa quality ranging from best to worst. This study is the first part of a project aiming to control quality of cocoa to produce high aromatic quality chocolate by using a mixed starter of selected strains of yeast and acetic bacteria and by controlling the conditions of fermentation. To achieve this objective, a mathematical model of the alcoholic fermentation of cocoa beans has been developed. The growth, glucose consumption and ethanol production of Saccharomyces cerevisiae LM strain in synthetic broth were modeled for the most important intrinsic (pH, glucose, ethanol, free nitrogen and oxygen levels) and extrinsic (temperature, oxygen level) fermentation parameters. The model was developed by combining the effects of individual conditions in a multiplicative way using the gamma concept. The model was validated in liquid synthetic medium at two different inoculation levels 104 and 106 CFU/mL with an increase in temperature that recorded during spontaneous fermentations. The model clearly shows that the level of inoculation and the speed of the increase in temperature clearly drive yeast growth, while other factors including pH and ethanol, free nitrogen and oxygen levels have no significant impact on yeast growth.

La mangue est un fruit tropical caractérisé par une production saisonnière abondante entraînant chaque année d'importantes pertes post-récolte. Ainsi, la transformation de la mangue en purée ou produit séché pourrait constituer une alternative pour réduire ces pertes et améliorer l'économie locale des pays producteurs (Afrique de l'Ouest, Brésil, etc.). Cependant, le manque de connaissances et d'outils instrumentaux utiles au choix du type de transformation à privilégier selon la nature du fruit, constitue un verrou pour la maîtrise de l'itinéraire de transformation et de la qualité des produits transformés. Dans ce contexte, le travail proposé repose, d'une part, sur l'étude de nouveaux marqueurs de qualité de la mangue fraîche qui permettraient de prédire la qualité de purées de mangues, et, d'autre part, sur la pertinence et l'optimisation d'un procédé innovant de texturation (IVDV pour Intensification de la Vaporisation par Détente vers le Vide) afin d'améliorer la qualité des produits séchés. La première partie du travail avait ainsi pour objectif (i) d'étudier l'impact de la maturation sur les propriétés physiques et biochimiques des mangues et des purées de mangues, (ii) d'identifier les relations entre les propriétés des mangues fraîches et celles des purées pour choisir les indicateurs pertinents permettant d'anticiper les propriétés de ces dernières et (iii) de proposer un test simple, rapide et non-destructif qui pourrait être utilisé comme outil de tri des mangues fraîches dans des unités de transformation. L'effet du mûrissement sur les propriétés physiques des purées de mangues a été étudié au travers de mesures physiques, physico-chimiques, rhéologiques et spectrales. L'intérêt du couplage rhéologie/moyen-IR, méthodologie innovante, permettant d'obtenir simultanément des informations rhéologiques et biochimiques combinées et ne nécessitant qu'un échantillon de taille réduite, a été souligné. Les résultats ont montré que la maturation régit les proprié

The effect of the presence of surfactant micelles and of the mode of incorporation (pre-homogenization or post-homogenization) on the antioxidant efficiency of a homologous series of n-alkyl gallates phenolipids (G0, G3, G8, G12 or G16) was investigated in oil-in-water nanoemulsions. In both absence and presence of surfactant micelles, G12 and G16 were the best antioxidants. The effect of the mode of incorporation was modulated by the presence of surfactant micelles. In absence of surfactant micelles, G8 and G16 had higher efficiency when incorporated pre-homogenization, suggesting that the mode of incorporation promoted a distinct initial distribution of these compounds. In contrast, in presence of surfactant micelles, the antioxidants could be incorporated in any phases without efficiency loss. These results demonstrate the important role of surfactant micelles in modulating the antioxidant efficiency and could be used by the food industry to optimize emulsion formulations.

The cocoa bean shell (CBS), a byproduct from the cocoa industry, was recently proposedas a functional and low-cost ingredient, mainly because of its content in polyphenols. However,vegetal food products could significantly differ in their chemical composition depending on differentfactors such as their geographical provenience. This work is aimed to determine the polyphenolicand methylxanthine profile of different CBS samples and utilize it for achieving theirdifferentiation according to their geographical origin and variety. RP-HPLC-PDA was used todetermine the CBS polyphenolic profile. Spectrophotometric assays were used to obtain the totalphenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents, as well as to evaluate their radical scavenging activity.The results obtained from both methods were then compared and used for the CBS differentiationaccording to their origin and varieties through chemometric analysis. RP-HPLC-PDA allowed todetermine 25 polyphenolic compounds, as well as the methylxanthines theobromine and caffeine.Polyphenolic profile results highlighted significant differences among the analyzed samples, allowingfor their differentiation based on their geographical provenience. Similar results wereachieved with the results of the spectrophotometric assays, considered as screening methods.Differentiation based on CBS variety was instead obtained based on the HPLC-determinedmethylxanthine profile., info:eu-repo/semantics/published

The cocoa bean shell (CBS) is one of the main cocoa byproducts with a prospective to beused as a functional food ingredient due to its nutritional and sensory properties. This study aims todefine the chemical fingerprint of CBSs obtained from cocoa beans of diverse cultivars and collectedin different geographical areas of Venezuela assessed using high-performance liquid chromatographycoupled to photodiodes array and mass spectrometry (HPLC-PDA-MS/MS) and spectrophotometricassays combined with multivariate analysis for classification purposes. The study provides a comprehensive fingerprint and quantitative data for 39 compounds, including methylxanthines and severalpolyphenols, such as flavan-3-ols, procyanidins, and N-phenylpropenoyl amino acids. Several keycocoa markers, such as theobromine, epicatechin, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, procyanidin_A pentoside_3, and N-coumaroyl-L-aspartate_2, were found suitable for the classification of CBS accordingto their cultivar and origin. Despite the screening methods required a previous purification of thesample, both methodologies appear to be suitable for the classification of CBS with a high correlationbetween datasets. Finally, preliminary findings on the identification of potential contributors forthe radical scavenging activity of CBS were also accomplished to support the valorization of thisbyproduct as a bioactive ingredient in the production of functional foods., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

De-oiled canola meals are sources of protein-containing flavor-active phenolic compounds. Conventional canola oil processing utilizes an excess amount of solvents and is associated with the release of high-intensity bitter flavor-active phenolic compounds, limiting the use of the canola meal. Recent advances in the extraction and isolation of the bitter favor-active phenolic compounds from canola by-products produce protein isolates, however, would benefit the industry by producing a side-stream ingredient rich in phenolics. High temperature and pressure-aided processing, namely the accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) was investigated to extract the flavor-active bitter molecules from the canola meal. The extractability of flavor-active phenolic compounds including the major sinapates, kaempferol derivatives, and other thermo-generative compounds including thomasidioc acid (TA) was evaluated. The effects of temperature, solvent extractant and concentration, and the particle size of the meal were examined on the extraction efficiency of these phenolic compounds. Extraction temperature (180°C) was the primary determinant (p < 0.05) for the attenuation of major sinapates including sinapine and sinapic acid. Both ethanol and methanol extractants at a concentration of 70% (v/v) significantly (p < 0.05) extracted the flavor-active phenolic compounds. The pressurized high temperature through optimized ASE conditions attenuated the bitter undesirable flavor-active phenolic molecules from canola meal, thereby facilitating a potential value-added phenolic-rich by-product., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Cocoa bean shell (CBS) is one of the main by-products of chocolate manufacturing and possesses several compounds with biofunctionalities. It can function as an antibacterial agent, and its action is mostly reported against Streptococcus mutans. However, only a few studies have investigated the CBS compounds responsible for this activity. This study aimed to evaluate several extracts of CBSs from different geographical origins and cocoa varieties and estimate their antimicrobial properties against different fungal and bacterial strains by determining their minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The results demonstrated antimicrobial activity of CBS against one of the tested strains, S. mutans. CBS extracts were further analysed via liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) for untargeted metabolomic analysis. LC-HRMS data were analysed (pre-processing and statistical analyses) using the Workflow4Metabolomics platform. The latter enabled us to identify possible compounds responsible for the detected antimicrobial activity by comparing the more and less active extracts. Active extracts were not the most abundant in polyphenols but contained higher concentrations of two metabolites. After tentative annotation of these metabolites, one of them was identified and confirmed to be 7-methylxanthine. When tested alone, 7-methylxanthine did not display antibacterial activity. However, a possible cocktail effect due to the synergistic activity of this molecule along with other compounds in the CBS extracts cannot be neglected. In conclusion, CBS could be a functional ingredient with benefits for human health as it exhibited antibacterial activity against S. mutans. However, the antimicrobial mechanisms still need to be confirmed., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

This doctoral thesis was conducted in the framework of a co-supervised PhD between the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Sciences of the University of Turin and the Unit of Pharmacognosy, Bioanalysis and Drug Discovery of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Université libre de Bruxelles. The present manuscript was conceived as a thesis of articles and is composed of 9 different scientific publications. The general introduction of the work was issued from a published narrative review, while the result and discussion part is composed by eight chapters based on different scientific articles issued from the PhD project. The cocoa bean shell (CBS) is the external tegument that covers the cocoa bean, and is one of the major by-products in cocoa industry. It is normally discarded or underutilized, which could result in economical and environmental issues. However, CBS represents a notable source of polyphenols and methylxanthines (theobromine and caffeine) which can give it different biofunctionalities such as antioxidant and antidiabetic properties, among others. It also contains high amounts of dietary fiber (about 50% w/w), minerals, vitamins, and proteins. CBS has low-fat content, and interesting cocoa-aroma compounds. All this could make CBS useful as a food ingredient, and source of biofunctional compounds. The first part of the experimental work of this thesis is devoted to the chemical characterization of CBS and the establishment of its polyphenolic and volatile organic compound (aroma) profiles. The utilization of such profiles, determined by both complete characterization methods and screening methods, was also proposed for authentication purposes of CBS depending on its geographical origin and variety. In a second step, the utilization of CBS as a low-cost food ingredient for functional food production was envisaged. CBS-based beverages and biscuits were proposed as model foods. The influence of the CBS addition to the model foods was evaluated from both, Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques (Pharmacie), info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

The encapsulation β-carotene in whey protein concentrate (WPC) capsules through the emulsion electrospraying technique was studied, using deep eutectic solvents (DES) as solvents. These novel solvents are characterized by negligible volatility, a liquid state far below 0 °C, a broad range of polarity, high solubilization power strength for a wide range of compounds, especially poorly water-soluble compounds, high extraction ability, and high stabilization ability for some natural products. Four DES formulations were used, based on mixtures of choline chloride with water, propanediol, glucose, glycerol, or butanediol. β-Carotene was successfully encapsulated in a solubilized form within WPC capsules; as a DES formulation with choline chloride and butanediol, the formulation produced capsules with the highest carotenoid loading capacity. SEM micrographs demonstrated that round and smooth capsules with sizes around 2 µm were obtained. ATR-FTIR results showed the presence of DES in the WPC capsules, which indirectly anticipated the presence of β-carotene in the WPC capsules. Stability against photo-oxidation studies confirmed the expected presence of the bioactive and revealed that solubilized β-carotene loaded WPC capsules presented excellent photo-oxidation stability compared with free β-carotene. The capsules developed here clearly show the significant potential of the combination of DES and electrospraying for the encapsulation and stabilization of highly insoluble bioactive compounds.

The objective of this work is to provide new insights into the mechanisms taking place during the drying of the mature grains of Kampot pepper, a cultivar of pepper (Piper nigrum L.), which is produced in the Kampot Province, Cambodia. Indeed, even if the Kampot pepper is recognized for its organoleptic qualities, no research works were dedicated to the drying of its mature grains, in order to yield red pepper. Experiments with different pretreatment and drying conditions were performed. The results of these experiments were analyzed, regarding the drying kinetics, the color of the dry product, and the degradation of the bioactive compounds during the drying. Regarding these bioactive compounds, several parameters were considered: the total phenolic content, the total flavonoid content, and the piperine content. The results show that the Kampot mature pepper is prone to alterations when dried at a temperature of 55 ◦C or 65 ◦C: the color, the total phenolic content, and the flavonoid content are significantly altered, while the piperine content, important for the pungency of this spice, seems unaltered. Raising the temperature leads to more important degradations. However, performing a pretreatment by dipping the pepper grains into boiling water appears to significantly reduce these alterations and, concomitantly, to accelerate the drying. As a conclusion of the analysis of the results, it can be stated that, to increase the product quality, it is recommended to pretreat the pepper by dipping it into boiling water during 5 min. before drying at 55 ◦C., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

La non maîtrise ou l'ignorance des bonnes pratiques de stockage ou de conservation conduit souvent à des pertes des récoltes en Afrique. Ces dernières peuvent entrainer l'insécurité alimentaire qui est toujours une réalité en Afrique. Ceci illustre que les pratiques culturales et surtout la conservation post-récolte des céréales principaux aliments de base des populations, demeurent un problème majeur en Afrique. Une enquête a été réalisée au Sénégal dans les régions de Tambacounda et de Thiès pour étudier les pratiques culturales des producteurs de sorgho et caractériser la gestion post-récolte dans les zones de production. L'étude a été réalisée auprès de 384 producteurs de sorgho issus de 44 villages. Les zones ont été choisies suivant leur niveau de production et de pluviométrie. La taille de l'échantillon a été déterminée en utilisant l'approximation normale de la loi binomiale. Les résultats ont montré que dans chacune des régions, la proportion d'agriculteur masculin est de 97% et les ethnies dominantes sont les sérères (86%) à Thiès, les peuls et les wolofs (47% et 21%) à Tambacounda. Les semences provenaient principalement de la récolte précédente (10 à 76%) des cas et des distributeurs d'intrants agricoles (2 à 65%). Ces taux diffèrent suivant la région. Les variétés certifiées sont cultivées par 70% des producteurs à Thiès. Les variétés traditionnelles sont utilisées par 98% de ceux de Tambacounda. Cette étude a aussi révélé que les paysans utilisent différents types de séchage à la maison ou aux champs. Parmi eux 79% stockent leur récolte dans des cases, 14% dans des magasins communautaires ,7% dans des greniers sous forme de panicules ou de grains représentant respectivement 22 et 75%. Ces méthodes de prise en charge post-récolte du sorgho diffèrent selon la zone et sont dans certains cas inadéquates. Elles peuvent favoriser la déperdition post-récolte du sorgho et sa contamination par les moisissures, d'où l'intérêt de bien former les acteurs de cette

Cocoa bean shell (CBS), a by-product with considerable concentrations of bioactive compounds and proven biofunctional potential, has been demonstrated to be a suitable ingredient for high-fiber functional biscuits adapted to diabetic consumers. In this work, the in vitro bioaccessibility and intestinal absorption of polyphenols and methylxanthines contained in these biscuits were evaluated, and the effect of the food matrix was studied. Biscuits containing CBS and the CBS alone underwent in vitro digestion followed by an intestinal permeability study. The results confirmed that compounds were less bioavailable in the presence of a food matrix, although the digestion contributed to their release from this matrix, increasing the concentrations available at the intestinal level and making them capable of promoting antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. After digestion, CBS biscuits were shown to possess a-glucosidase inhibition capacity comparable to that of acarbose. Moreover, the presence of the food matrix improved the stability of polyphenols throughout the digestion process. Intestinal absorption of flavan-3-ols seemed to be limited to a maximum threshold and was therefore independent of the sample, while procyanidin was not absorbed. Methylxanthine absorption was high and was boosted by the presence of the food matrix. The results confirmed the biofunctional potential of CBS-based biscuits., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Cocoa bean fermentation is an essential but spontaneous fermentation process to obtain the necessary raw material for the production of cocoa-derived products, among which chocolate. Successful cocoa bean fermentation processes are typically dominated by three microbial groups, namely yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, and acetic acid bacteria. The use of functional starter cultures may allow to gain a better control over the fermentation process. Previously, a number of candidate functional starter cultures have been proposed for the lactic acid bacteria, namely Lactobacillus fermentum 222 and Lactobacillus plantarum 80, and for the acetic acid bacteria, namely Acetobacter pasteurianus 386B, Acetobacter ghanensis LMG 23848T, and Acetobacter senegalensis 108B. The metabolism of bacteria determines an important part of their physiology, and this is recently being investigated by using computational models. The aim of this PhD thesis was to develop such models for the candidate functional starter cultures for the cocoa bean fermentation process and to perform the related computational analysis. The computational models developed were genome-scale metabolic models, which constitute a comprehensive repertoire of metabolic enzymes with their concomitant reactions, and this at genome-scale. The reconstruction of such models requires a combination of high-quality genome re-annotation, comparative genomics, manual curation, and experimental validation. Genome-scale metabolic modeling together with the use of previously published experimental data under cocoa fermentation conditions allowed to contextualize the experimental data and to gain new insights into the metabolic properties of the candidate functional starter cultures. Simulations with the A. pasteurianus 386B genome-scale metabolic model revealed the metabolic roles of lactate and ethanol, the energetic properties of the strains’ aerobic respiratory chain, and the possible functional role of an NAD(P)+ transhydrogenase., La fermentation du cacao est un processus essentiel pour obtenir la matière première nécessaire pour la production de produits dérivés du cacao, comme par exemple le chocolat. Une fermentation de cacao favorable est caractérisée par la domination de trois groupes de microorganismes :les levures, les bactéries lactiques, et les bactéries acétiques. L'utilisation de cultures de départ fonctionnelles permet un meilleur contrôle sur le processus de fermentation. En ce qui concerne les bactéries, de nombreuses cultures "starter" ont été proposées, à savoir Lactobacillus fermentum 222 et Lactobacillus plantarum 80 pour les bactéries lactiques et Acetobacter pasteurianus 386B, Acetobacter ghanensis LMG 23848T, et Acetobacter senegalensis 108B pour les bactéries acétiques. Le métabolisme des bactéries constitue une partie importante de leur physiologie et la recherche actuelle se concentre de plus en plus sur la modélisation du métabolisme et la simulation des flux métaboliques par ordinateur. Cette thèse de doctorat a été consacrée au développement et à l'analyse de tels modèles computationnels pour des cultures fonctionnelles "starter" proposés pour la fermentation du cacao.Les modèles qui ont été développés dans cette thèse sont des modèles métaboliques à l’échelle du génome. La reconstruction du réseau métabolique a entraîné la ré-annotation du génome, une étude de génomique comparative, la curation manuelle des annotations et la validation du modèle par des expériences in vitro. La modélisation nous a permis de contextualiser des données expérimentales déjà publiées pour en obtenir de nouvelles informations concernant les propriétés métaboliques des cultures starter. Des simulations utilisant le modèle métabolique de A. pasteurianus 386B ont clarifié les rôles métaboliques de l’acide lactique et de l’éthanol, les propriétés énergétiques de sa chaîne respiratoire, et ont permis d'assigner un rôle possible à une NAD(P)+ transhydrogénase. La modélisation de la dynamique d, Het cacaoboonfermentatieproces is een essentieel maar spontaan proces dat nodig is om de noodzakelijke grondstof, met name de gefermenteerde cacaobonen, voor de productie van cacao-afgeleide producten, waaronder chocolade, te bekomen. Succesvolle cacaoboonfermentatieprocessen worden typisch gedomineerd door drie microbiële groepen, met name gisten, melkzuurbacteriën en azijnzuurbacteriën. Om meer controle te verkrijgen over het fermentatieproces is het gebruik van functionele starterculturen aangewezen. In vorige studies werd reeds een reeks kandidaat-functionele starterculturen voorgesteld. Voor de melkzuurbacteriën zijn dit Lactobacillus fermentum 222 en Lactobacillus plantarum 80 en voor de azijnzuurbacteriën zijn dit Acetobacter pasteurianus 386B, Acetobacter ghanensis LMG 23848T en Acetobacter senegalensis 108B. Het metabolisme van bacteriën bepaalt in grote mate hun fysiologie, en dit wordt recent onderzocht door middel van computationele modellen. Het ontwikkelen en analyseren van zulke modellen voor de voorgestelde kandidaat-functionele starterculturen vormde het onderwerp van deze doctoraatsthesis.De computationele modellen waarvan sprake waren genoomwijde metabole modellen (GEMs), dewelke het repertoire aan metabole enzymen en de biochemische reacties die zij katalyseren in de bacteriële cellen omvat. De reconstructie van het metabole netwerk op genoomschaal vraagt om een gecombineerde aanpak van hoge-kwaliteit genoomherannotatie, comparatieve genomica en experimentele validatie. De GEMs werden gebruikt om reeds gepubliceerde experimentele data onder cacaofermentatiecondities te contextualiseren en nieuwe inzichten te verkrijgen in de metabole karakteristieken van de kandidaat-functionele starterculturen. Door middel van simulaties met het A. pasteurianus 386B GEM kon de metabole rol van melkzuur en ethanol, en de energetische karakteristieken van de aerobe respiratieketen van deze stam aangetoond worden, alsook de mogelijke metabole functie van een NAD(P), Doctorat en Sciences, info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

The cocoa bean shell (CBS), a cocoa by-product, contains a significant amount of bioactive compounds with functional properties, such as polyphenols and methylxanthines, and is used as an ingredient in beverages and foods. In this work, the bioaccessibility of polyphenols and methylxanthines after in vitro digestion was evaluated in new flavoured beverages for at-home consumption (capsules and tea bags). In addition, the polyphenolic composition, functional properties (antiradical and -glucosidase inhibition capacities) and consumer acceptability of these beverages were evaluated. In both capsule and tea bag beverages, the bioaccessibility of methylxanthines was 100% while that of total polyphenols exceeded 50%. The main polyphenols determined using reverse-phase liquid chromatography were type B procyanidins and epicatechin. The antiradical activity in capsule and tea bag beverages was 1.75 and 1.88 mM of Trolox equivalents, respectively, of which 59.50% and 57.09% were recovered after simulated digestion. The percentage of -glucosidase inhibition before in vitro digestion (51.64% and 53.82% for capsules and tea bags, respectively) was comparable to that of acarbose at 0.5 mM. All the beverages obtained a high consumer acceptability. Therefore, these results highlight that CBSs can be used as a valid source of bioactive compounds in the preparation of beverages with homemade techniques., info:eu-repo/semantics/published

The cocoa bean shell (CBS), a by-product of the cocoa industry, has been reported to be rich in fiber and polyphenols, which could contribute to reducing the metabolism of sugars and glucose adsorption. The production of CBS-based biscuits in which sucrose is replaced with tagatose (a low-glycemic sugar with prebiotic properties), benefiting diabetic consumers, is proposed. Six prototype biscuits were produced using sucrose, tagatose, and CBS powder at 0%, 10%, and 20% as a wheat flour replacement. Biscuits were studied in terms of fiber content, and those with 10% and 20% CBS showed to contain 5.66% and 8.70–8.71% of total dietary fiber, respectively. Moreover, the physicochemical and structural properties of the biscuits were studied to evaluate their differences due to the use of sucrose and tagatose combined with CBS. Significant effects mainly caused by the reducing nature and lower solubility of tagatose with respect to sugar, and the water retention capacities of CBS were observed. Finally, the biscuits were evaluated by performing a consumer acceptance evaluation, and their perceptible sensorial differences were studied by performing a Napping® sensory characterization. CBS-based biscuits represent an interesting possibility for cocoa by-product revalorization, although an optimized recipe is recommended, especially when employing tagatose., info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Cocoa bean shells (CBS) are one of the main by-products from the transformation of cocoa beans, representing 10%‒17% of the total cocoa bean weight. Hence, their disposal could lead to environmental and economic issues. As CBS could be a source of nutrients and interesting compounds, such as fiber (around 50% w/w), cocoa volatile compounds, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and a large spectrum of polyphenols, CBS may be a valuable ingredient/additive for innovative and functional foods. In fact, the valorization of food by-products within the frame of a circular economy is becoming crucial due to economic and environmental reasons. The aim of this review is to look over the chemical and nutritional composition of CBS and to revise the several uses that have been proposed in order to valorize this by-product for food, livestock feed, or industrial usages, but also for different medical applications. A special focus will be directed to studies that have reported the biofunctional potential of CBS for human health, such as antibacterial, antiviral, anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic, or neuroprotective activities, benefits for the cardiovascular system, or an anti-inflammatory capacity., SCOPUS: re.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published