Bioactive and Sensory Properties of Herbal Spirit Enriched with Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Polyphenolics

Traceability of polyphenols in cocoa during the postharvest and industrialization processes and their biological antioxidant potential

Noncommunicable diseases, the leading cause of mortality around the world, are responsible for approximately 75% of premature adult deaths (ages 30-69). To tackle this issue, a healthy diet based on functional foods, including cocoa and its derivatives, has been increasingly promoted. The polyphenols present in cocoa have been of interest due to their antioxidant potential and their possible protective role in the context of noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. However, during cocoa postharvest and industrialization, the concentration of these bioactive compounds is reduced, possibly affecting their health-promoting properties. Therefore, this paper reviews in the literature in this field to find the total polyphenol content in cocoa during the postharvest and industrialization processes in order to define concentration ranges as a reference point for future research. In addition, it discusses in vitro and in vivo studies into the biological antioxidant potential of cocoa and its derivatives. This review covers publications in indexed databases from 2010 to 2020, their data were processed and presented here using box plots. As a result, we identified the concentration ranges of polyphenols depending on the type of matrix, treatment and country, as well as their relationship with the main bioactive compounds present in cocoa that are associated with their possible antioxidant biological potential and health-related benefits.

Sensory evaluation of dark origin and non-origin chocolates applying Temporal Dominance of Sensations (TDS)

Dark chocolates are rich sources of polyphenols, widely acknowledged for eliciting several beneficial health effects. However, these compounds are key inducers of bitter taste and astringency, potentially limiting consumers' acceptance of chocolates with higher cocoa contents. In order to gain better insight in consumers' choices, the present study investigated the temporal profile of bitterness and astringency as well as sweet taste as covering agent, during the testing period in 5 dark origin (OR) (66.8-80.1% cocoa) and 6 non-origin (N-OR) (54.5-80.0% cocoa) chocolates with different cocoa contents, applying Temporal Dominance of Sensations (TDS). The temporal profile of the evaluated OR chocolates was characterized by the dominance of bitterness independent of cocoa contents (%cc), reaching maximum dominance rates (DR%) between 60.0 and 80.0% over approximately 75.0% of the testing period, i.e. prior to swallowing. After swallowing, astringency dominated, mostly not significantly. DR (%) of sweetness reached the level of significance only in one sample (OR 67.4%cc). N-OR chocolates with 54.5-60.0%cc were characterized by significant dominances of sweet taste along the entire evaluation period, reaching maximum DR% between 90 and 95%. The increase of cocoa contents was combined with higher DR% of bitter taste. Astringency dominated in N-OR samples at the end of the evaluation period presumably after swallowing. Finally, in N-OR chocolates, cc% highly affected the dominance of the evaluated attributes. This impact was found to be rather minor or absent in OR chocolates. Thus, the TDS-parameters showed variations in attribute's dominance in OR and N-OR chocolates indicating a strong influence of cocoa bean variety and local conditions (environmental and farming conditions as well as post-harvest treatment practices) in addition to cocoa contents.

From Cocoa to Chocolate: The Impact of Processing on In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and the Effects of Chocolate on Antioxidant Markers In Vivo

Chocolate is a product processed from cocoa rich in flavonoids, antioxidant compounds, and bioactive ingredients that have been associated with both its healthy and sensory properties. Chocolate production consists of a multistep process which, starting from cocoa beans, involves fermentation, drying, roasting, nib grinding and refining, conching, and tempering. During cocoa processing, the naturally occurring antioxidants (flavonoids) are lost, while others, such as Maillard reaction products, are formed. The final content of antioxidant compounds and the antioxidant activity of chocolate is a function of several variables, some related to the raw material and others related to processing and formulation. The aim of this mini-review is to revise the literature on the impact of full processing on the in vitro antioxidant activity of chocolate, providing a critical analysis of the implications of processing on the evaluation of the antioxidant effect of chocolate in in vivo studies in humans.

Quality Attributes of Fresh-Cut Coconut after Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Pasteurization

The impact of supercritical CO2(SC-CO2) process on the quality attributes of fresh-cut coconut has been investigated to establish the acceptability of SC-CO2treated products by the consumers. Two process conditions, previously identified as optimal to reduce the microbial content of the product, were studied: 12 MPa, 40°C, 30 min and 12 MPa, 45°C, 15 min. The results highlighted that both conditions induced some effects on product attributes. After 30 min of treatment at 12 MPa and 40°C a decrease of lightness (8%), pH (13%), fat content (24%), total phenol content (29%), flavonoid compounds (49%), antioxidant capacity (30%) and an increase of dry matter (11%) and titratable acidity (51.1%) were observed while polyphenol oxidase (PPO) exhibited 35% and 98.5% inactivation. Peroxidase enzyme activity increased by 77.8% and 30.4% at 12 MPa, 40°C, 30 min and 12 MPa, 45°C, 15 min, respectively. Sensory evaluations revealed no significant differences in appearance, texture, taste, and aroma of treated fresh-cut coconut compared to the untreated. The study confirms the feasibility of SC-CO2process for the pasteurization of fresh fruits with a firm structure and opens the door to the possibility of exploiting such a technology at industrial level.