Comparison of techniques for the isolation of volatiles from cashew apple juice

Chemometric analysis of the volatile profile in peduncles of cashew clones and its correlation with sensory attributes

Cashew apple, the hypertrophied peduncle of cashew nut, is a functional food with a high antioxidant activity and with good characteristics for juice industrialization and fresh consumption such as fleshy pulp, soft peel, without seeds, and exotic flavor. However, it is still poorly used or totally wasted. For this reason, the quality of cashew apples has received more attention from the Brazilian breeding program to maximize their uses. In this study, the volatile compound profiles of peduncles of seven cashew clones and their relation to the aroma and flavor differences were investigated. Nine trained panelists evaluated the cashew apples by descriptive analysis. After the standardization of headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) extraction and chromatographic conditions, the volatile organic compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 48 compounds were identified with esters being the major chemical class, both in number of compounds and chromatographic peak area. The targeted and untargeted principal component analysis (PCA) analyses showed complementary and corroborative results from the cashew apple volatile composition based on genotype. The partial least squares (PLS) modeling revealed the high correlation of the unpleasant sensory attributes with the PRO805 and CAPI17 clones; sweet taste and sweet odor with the CCP76 clone; and cashew aroma/cashew flavor with the EMBRAPA51, HAC276, PRO555, and SLC12.20 clones. The correlation between the most relevant volatile organic compounds (VOC) for cashew apples and the sensory descriptors showed that the compounds methyl butanoate, methyl 3-methylbutanoate, ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, methyl 2-butenoate, methyl 3-methylpentanoate, 3-carene, methyl (E)-2-methyl-2-butenoate, ethyl 4-methylpentanoate, 2-hexenal, butyl 3-methylbutanoate, butyl pentanoate, and 3-methyl butanoic acid were important to explain differences in the characteristic fruit aroma and flavor of cashew apples among the studied clones. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Cashew crops have been developed by using improved clones with increased nut productivity and resistance to diseases. The Brazilian genetic improvement program is also seeking to improve the quality of peduncles to maximize their use and prevent their destination as agricultural waste. In this study, the volatile profile of peduncles of seven cashew clones was determined and its correlation with the differences in their aroma and flavor attributes established. The results will provide important information about the potential of the new materials for fresh consumption and for the manufacturing of cashew juices, in addition to be used by breeders interested in improving the aroma of the fruit.

Monoterpenes: current knowledge on food source, metabolism, and health effects

Monoterpenes, volatile metabolites produced by plants, are involved in the taste and aroma perception of fruits and vegetables and have been used for centuries in gastronomy, as food preservatives and for therapeutic purposes. Biological activities such as antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory are well-established for some of these molecules. More recently, the ability of monoterpenes to regulate energy metabolism, and exert antidiabetic, anti-obesity and gut microbiota modulation activities have been described. Despite their promising health effects, the lack of reliable quantification of monoterpenes in food, hindered the investigation of their role as dietary bioactive compounds in epidemiological studies. Moreover, only few studies have documented the biotransformation of these compounds and identified the monoterpene metabolites with biological activity. This review presents up-to-date knowledge about the occurrence of monoterpenes in food, their bioavailability and potential role in the modulation of intermediate metabolism and inflammation, focusing on novel findings of molecular mechanisms, underlining research gaps and new avenues to be explored.

Anacardium Plants: Chemical,Nutritional Composition and Biotechnological Applications

Anacardium plants are native to the American tropical regions, and Anacardium occidentale L. (cashew tree) is the most recognized species of the genus. These species contain rich secondary metabolites in their leaf and shoot powder, fruits and other parts that have shown diverse applications. This review describes the habitat and cultivation of Anacardium species, phytochemical and nutritional composition, and their industrial food applications. Besides, we also discuss the secondary metabolites present in Anacardium plants which display great antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. These make the use of Anacardium species in the food industry an interesting approach to the development of green foods.

The power of odour volatiles from unifloral melipona honey evaluated by gas chromatography-olfactometry Osme techniques

BACKGROUND

The quality and power of each odorous volatile present in the headspace of unifloral honey velame branco (Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth) prepared by stingless uruçu (Melipona scutellaris Latrelle) were evaluated using the gas chromatography-olfactometry Osme technique. Five trained panellists evaluated the sensory chromatographic effluent in three replications, and the results were integrated by SCDTI software.

RESULTS

Of the 42 compounds identified in the chromatogram, 17 odorous stimuli were detected by the sensory panel. Among these compounds, the most odoriferous impacts were pentanoate acetate 'ripe fruit', safranal green, medicinal plant and methyl eugenol 'clove, tea'. The furaneol compounds, hotrienol and benzaldehyde showed aroma notes associated with honey.

CONCLUSION

These results are important since, in addition to revealing the presence of compounds that are not identified by other analytical methods, they can also assist in the verification of monofloral honeys compliance. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Volatile Composition of Sweet Passion Fruit (Passiflora alata Curtis)

Passiflora alata Curtis (sweet passion fruit) is a native species grown in South America, especially in Brazil. In addition to being aromatic, its pulp is sweeter and less acidic compared to traditional commercial passion fruits, and this makes it highly appreciated for fresh consumption. Its aroma is also very distinct from other passion fruit species but it has not been characterized so far. In the present study, for the first time, the volatile composition of sweet passion fruit was investigated. Two genotypes (BGM004 and BGM163) were evaluated and two SPME fibers were tested. Forty-five volatile compounds were properly identified and semiquantified. The carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane (CAR/PDMS) fiber presented better performance regarding both number and concentration of compounds. Esters and terpenes were the main volatile classes. Methyl butanoate, methyl (E)-2-butenoate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl (E)-2-butenoate, methyl 2-hexenoate, and ethyl-2-hexenoate were among major compounds. As complementary results, sugar content, titratable acidity, pH, and total soluble solids were evaluated.