Search Results (9)

Gummy candies can be improved with some beneficial health properties by adding healthier ingredients such as fruit extracts rich in bioactive compounds. In this study, gummy candies were fortified with orange peel extract at 7.5% (GC7.5) and 15% (GC15), obtained using ultrasonic-assisted extraction. Hesperidin (53.83 and 122.80 µg/g) and narirutin (9.32 and 20.98 µg/g) were found in higher concentration in gummy candies. After in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (GID), the bioaccessibility of hesperidin was 100.3% and 83.4% for GC7.5 and GC15, respectively, while for narirutin it was 99.15% and 80.58% for GC7.5 and GC15, respectively. In reference to antioxidant activity measure with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenger assay, the GID increased this capacity by 29.90% and 6.1% for GC7.5 and GC15, respectively, whilst for ferric reducing activity power assay, the GID reduced the antioxidant capacity by 6.46% and 9.97% for GC7.5 and GC15, respectively. With regard to chemical composition, GC7.5 and GC15 reduce the moisture (2.49% and 5.74%) and protein content (5.84% and 10.23%) compared to control. The extract acts as a coloring agent, while the pH and water activity were not affected by orange peel addition in both GC7.5 and GC15. Consequently, these findings suggest that orange peel is a valuable source of bioactive compounds, making it a promising ingredient for developing natural food ingredients with antioxidant benefits. Full article

Xylitol candies offer numerous health benefits such as preventing cavities and obesity. However, a preference for them tends to be low due to their distinctive flavor. In this study, we developed xylitol candies containing mature yuja peel (MYP-C), immature yuja peel (IYP-C), and yuja pulp (YP-C). To determine the optimal yuja added to xylitol candy, we compared and analyzed its physicochemical properties, sensory characteristics, and antioxidant activities. IYP-C and MYP-C significantly increased the naringin and hesperidin contents compared to the control and the YP-C. In particular, the IYP-C exhibited the highest content of flavonoids and polyphenols, which contributed to enhancing antioxidant activity such as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2′-azino-di-2 ethyl-benzothiazoline sulfonate (ABTS+) radical scavenging activities. The IYP-C had the highest crude ash content. The L*, a*, and b* values of MYP-C and IYP-C showed dark red and yellow colors compared to the CON and YP-C groups. The sensory analysis conducted using electronic tongue equipment revealed that IYP-C exhibited high levels of umami, sweetness, and bitterness, while YP-C showed the highest intensity of sourness. In conclusion, these results suggest that IYP-C rather than MYP-C and YP-C provide xylitol candy with good qualities in terms of antioxidant activities and physicochemical characteristics. Full article

Citron (Citrus medica L. cv. Liscia-diamante), cultivated in the “Riviera dei Cedri” (southern Italy), is mainly utilized in the production of candied fruit and essential oils (EOs). Up to now, no information regarding the effect of storage temperatures on citron has been reported. Here, citron samples, after harvesting, were stored at different temperatures (5, 10 and 20 °C at 70% relative humidity) for two weeks, and the main postharvest quality parameters were evaluated. Moreover, EOs extracted from the stored samples were chemically characterized to reveal changes in the volatiles profile and antimicrobial activity. The EOs presented monoterpene hydrocarbons (87.1 to 96.3% of the total oil profile) as the most abundant compounds, followed by oxygenated metabolites ranging from 9.7 to 3.1% of the total pattern. Postharvest quality traits showed a good retention of green peel color during storage at 5 °C, while EOs from samples stored for 7 and 14 days at 10 and 20 °C, respectively, showed the highest antimicrobial activity against most assayed strains. The results indicated storage at 10 °C for 7 days as the most suitable for the preservation of the postharvest quality of the fruit and the antimicrobial activity of the extracted EOs. Full article

The food industry offers innovative approaches in accordance with the changing demands of consumers. Developing functional formulations that may have positive effects on human health in addition to the nutritional feature of food has become a very popular approach. Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) has many ways of being consumed, and one of them is candied chestnuts. Candied chestnuts, which are one of the gastronomic products, is offered on the market as whole or broken. Broken candied chestnuts, which have less economic value than whole candied chestnuts, are consumed directly or with a chocolate coating. There are no examples of fruit-coated candied chestnut production. The objective of this research was to produce an alternative and functional new food product by coating broken chestnut candies with pomegranate juice concentrate. Within the scope of the research, four different formulations of fruit-coated candied chestnuts were produced: candied chestnuts coated with solely pomegranate juice concentrate (I), pomegranate juice concentrate coated candied chestnuts with copigment agent (II), riboflavin fortified pomegranate juice concentrate coated candied chestnuts (III), and candied chestnuts coated with riboflavin-fortified and copigment agent added pomegranate juice concentrate (IV). Pomegranate peel phenolic extract as a copigment agent was obtained via microwave-assisted extraction followed by evaporation. The added amount of copigment agent was decided by determining the total phenolic content of the obtained extract (23.1 mg GAE/g) and the total monomeric anthocyanin content of the pomegranate juice (62.7 mg cyn-3-glu/kg). Riboflavin was added to the coating material at a ratio of 50 mg/product to meet the daily intake of individuals. The products were finally packed via aluminum polyethylene (ALPE) packages and stored for two months at 4 °C. Texture, color, total phenolic content, anthocyanin content and antioxidant capacity analyses were performed each 15 days of the 60-day storage period. This study was financially supported with a fund from The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TUBITAK-BIDEB 2209-A). Full article

Kiwi fruit is a member of the “Actinidiaceae” family, with over 76 species and cultivars with a wide range of sensory attributes. The kiwi fruit is one of the most popular fruits in the world, and it is high in nutrients such as vitamins, phytochemicals, and minerals. Candies have a low nutritional value because of their principal constituents, which include gelling agents and sugar. In comparison to conventional candy, the goal of this project is to make a natural and healthy dehydrated candy utilizing fresh kiwi fruit. The fruits were obtained from the local market of Faisalabad. Two types of dehydrated kiwi candies were prepared (T1: peeled; T2: unpeeled). In the last step, the sweets were kept in a dehydrator at 50 degrees Celsius for 24 h. Candy’s physiochemical, color measurements, and sensory characteristics were assessed. In all physio-chemical and sensory evaluations, the unpeeled candy produced the best results. The unpeeled candy’s TSS value, titratable acidity, pH, and vitamin C content was 77.9°, 0.36%, 4.5, and 37 mg, respectively. Unpeeled candy has a slightly darker color as compared to peeled candy, and color values L*, a*, and b* were 43.89, 0.43, and 11.34, respectively. Candy’s sensory study employing a nine-point hedonic scale reveals the highest consumer acceptability in terms of flavor, scent, mouthfeel, and texture. Full article

The yellow pitahaya peels generated as by-products during the consumption and processing of the fresh fruit are a rich and underutilized source of betaxanthins (natural yellow-orange pigment with antioxidant activity) and mucilage (structuring material used in the spray-drying process), molecules of high interest for the food industry. In this work, the betaxanthin-rich extract (BRE) obtained from this by-product was microencapsulated by spray drying (SD) using pitahaya peel mucilage (MPP) and maltodextrin (MD) as wall materials. Both types of microencapsulates (i.e., SD-MPP and SD-MD) retained high betaxanthin content (as measured by UV-vis) and antioxidant activity (ORAC). These microencapsulates were characterized structurally (FTIR and zeta potential), morphologically (SEM and particle size/polydispersity index), and thermally (DSC/TGA). The powdered microencapsulates were incorporated into the formulation of candy gummies as a food model, which were subjected to an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion process. The characterization study (FTIR and antioxidant activity) of the microcapsules showed that the fruit peel mucilage favors the retention of betaxanthins, while the SEM analysis revealed a particle size of multimodal distribution and heterogeneous morphology. The addition of SD-MPP microcapsules in the candy gummy formulation favored the total dietary fiber content as well as the gumminess and chewiness of the food matrix; however, the inhibition of AAPH^• (%) was affected. The stability of the yellow color in the gummies after 30 days of storage indicates its suitability for storage. Consequently, the microencapsulation of betaxanthins with pitahaya peel mucilage can be used as a food additive colorant in the food industry, replacing synthetic colorants, to develop products with beneficial qualities for health that can satisfy the growing demand of consumers. Full article

The calamondin (Citrofortunella microcarpa) is a hybrid citrus fruit resulting from the crossing of a mandarin orange with a kumquat. It is a small, round-shaped fruit with thin, smooth skin ranging from orange to dark red. The aroma of the fruit is distinctive and unique. Calamondin is an excellent source of Vitamin C, D-Limonene, and essential oils, providing benefits to the immune system, as well as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-angiogenic, and anti-cancer properties, and it exhibits various therapeutic effects. It also contains a good amount of dietary fiber from pectin. Its distinctive flavor and high juice content make calamondin juice a popular ingredient in many international cuisines. The juice also contains bioactive compounds, such as phenolics and flavonoids, which are a potential source of antioxidant properties. All parts of the calamondin fruit, including the juice, pulp, seeds, and peel, can be used in various applications, from food products like juices, powders, and candies to non-food uses in herbal medicine and cosmetics, showcasing their versatility and unique properties. This review will examine various bioactive components of calamondin and their related medicinal effects, and provide guidelines for their utilization, processing, and value addition on a commercial scale. Full article

Bio-based film is an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based packaging film. The effects of biocomposite wrapping film enhanced with dragon fruit peel extract (0, 2% w/v, respectively) and currently used commercial packaging film (polypropylene; PP) on coconut milk caramels during storage (30 °C, 75% RH, nine days) were studied. Both 0% and 2% DPE-enriched biocomposite films were thicker and had higher water vapor permeability and solubility than the PP film but poorer mechanical characteristics. In addition, the 2% film possessed antioxidants and antioxidant ability. A FESEM micrograph revealed the rough surface and porous path of the biocomposite films. Over the storage time, the moisture content, water activity, and springiness of the coconut milk caramel candy wrapped in the PP and all DPE-enriched biocomposite films were not significantly altered. However, the lipid oxidation as the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and hardness of all coconut caramels were significantly (p < 0.05) increased during storage. Furthermore, the hardness of coconut candy covered in the control (0% DPE) biocomposite film was more pronounced on day nine of storage. However, the changes in quality characteristics of the coconut candy wrapped in each film type need to be better established. The investigating factors influencing the quality deterioration of coconut milk candy should be further identified to mitigate their effects and extend the shelf-life of the coconut candy. Full article

Bacuri (Platonia insignis Mart) is a species from the Clusiaceae genus. Its fruit pulp is commonly used in South America in several food products, such as beverages, ice cream and candies. Only the pulp of the fruit is used, and the peels and seeds are considered waste from these industries. As a trioxygenated xanthone source, this species is of high interest for bioproduct development. This work evaluated the mesocarp and epicarp of bacuri fruits through different extraction methods and experimental conditions (pH, temperature and solvent) in order to determine the most effective method for converting this agro-industrial waste in a value-added bioproduct. Open-column procedures and HPLC and NMR experiments were performed to evaluate the chemical composition of the extracts, along with total phenols, total flavonoids and antioxidant activities (sequestration of the DPPH and ABTS radicals). A factorial design and response surface methodology were used. The best extraction conditions of substances with antioxidant properties were maceration at 50 °C with 100% ethanol as solvent for mesocarp extracts, and acidic sonication in 100% ethanol for epicarp extracts, with an excellent phenolic profile and antioxidant capacities. The main compounds isolated were the prenylated benzophenones garcinielliptone FC (epicarp) and 30-epi-cambogin (mesocarp). This is the first study analysing the performance of extraction methods within bacuri agro-industrial waste. Results demonstrated that shells and seeds of bacuri can be used as phenolic-rich bioproducts obtained by a simple extraction method, increasing the value chain of this fruit. Full article