Search Results (3)

Analysis of the oxidative stability of novel avocado chips with added natural extracts was carried out with the aim of reducing the chemical additive content in their formulation. Two different natural extracts were initially evaluated and characterized: one obtained from olive pomace (OE) and other from pomegranate seed waste. OE was selected due to its better antioxidant potential according to FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH assays as well as its higher total phenolic content. The formulations used were 0, 1.5 wt.%, and 3 wt.% of OE. A gradual disappearance of the band found around 3009 cm⁻¹ and related to unsaturated fatty acids was observed in the control sample in contrast to formulations with added OE. The band observed near 3299 cm⁻¹ widened and intensified with time due to the oxidation degree of samples, with this effect being higher in the control chips. The observed changes in fatty acid and hexanal content with storage time underlined the higher extent of oxidation in the control samples. This fact could suggest an antioxidant protectant action of OE in avocado chips during thermal treatment, which was attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds. The obtained chips incorporating OE represent a viable option for the development of a natural, healthy, and clean-label avocado snack at competitive cost and with low environmental impacts. Full article

The appropriate use of avocado seed waste after industrial processing could reduce the problem of overconsumption and food waste in accordance with the “zero waste” concept. The presented study evaluates the physicochemical and bioactive properties of avocado seed and its possible use in functional food design, for example, cereal snacks in the form of cookies. The profile of polyphenol and lutein content was determined by chromatographic methodology, and the phenolic compounds content and antioxidant properties of the avocado seed powder were determined using spectrophotometric methods. The chemical composition (content of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, fat) and physicochemical properties, i.e., water activity, water holding capacity, and solubility in water of avocado seed powder, were examined. According to the fiber content (21.6 g/100 g) and bioactive compounds present in the avocado seed powder (content of phenolic 62.1 mg GAE/1 g, antioxidant potential (122.4 mmol Trolox/100 g), and low solubility in water (16.2%), it could be considered a valuable additive to cereal snacks. Our designed cereal products with various amounts of added avocado seed powder (6%, 12%, and 18%) showed that 6% added powder promoted an almost five-fold increase in the polyphenol content and four-fold higher antioxidant potential of the snacks compared to the control samples. In addition, the lowest level addition of avocado seed powder increased the dietary fiber content of the product to 4%; hence, they adhered to the nutrition claim of “source of fiber” in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006. Full article

Folate, an important B-group vitamin, is considered a critical vitamin in many countries, with folate deficiency being associated with neural tube defects in newborns. Strawberries and avocados are considered a healthy, tasty snack by many consumers, and may potentially be an important dietary source of natural folates, depending on variety and growing environment. A selection of Australian-grown strawberry varieties and breeding lines, as well as commercial avocado cultivars, were screened for their folate content and vitamer profile by stable isotope dilution assay. Total folate content ranged from 69–170 μg/100 g fresh weight (fw) for strawberries and 76–196 μg/100 g fw for avocados, which was well above the values in the Australian Food Composition Database (39 μg/100 g fw for strawberries and 90 μg/100 g fw for avocados, respectively). Furthermore, folate concentration in the outer strawberry tissue was found to be 1.7-fold higher than the inner tissue of the fruit, whereas the inner avocado tissue had 1.4-fold higher folate than the outer green edible tissue. 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate, the biologically active form in humans, was the principal vitamer present. With these high folate concentrations, a punnet (250 g) of Australian-grown strawberries or 200 g of Australian-grown avocados would deliver the FSANZ recommended dietary intake (RDI) for folate (400 μg dietary folate equivalents/day/adult). Furthermore, the differences between outer and inner tissue could indicate that flatter, longer strawberries may have greater potential to accumulate folate than fruit with a more spherical shape, whereas more folate could be accumulated in a rounder-shaped avocado. Full article