Enrichment of rice-based extrudates with Cactus Opuntia dillenii seed powder: a novel source of fiber and antioxidants

Recent Research on Different Parts and Extracts of Opuntia dillenii and Its Bioactive Components, Functional Properties, and Applications

Opuntia dillenii (O. dillenii) is a plant belonging to the Cactaceae family that is abundant in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. O. dillenii is consumed as a local delicacy and has no other current use. To understand the nutritional value of O. dillenii in human health and its application in the food, cosmetic, and drug industries, this review summarizes information on the chemical compounds (pure α-pyrone compounds, flavonoids, phenolic acids, polysaccharides, minerals, fatty acids, and betalains) and biological properties (anti-diabetic, anti-hyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-spermatogenic, anticancer, antilarval, anti-angiogenic, and antioxidant) of extracts from each part of the plant (fruit juice, fruit peel, cladode, and seeds) (aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic), and seed oil. In addition, data related to the recent applications of O. dillenii in various industries (e.g., edible coatings, food supplements, cosmetics, nanoparticles, and wastewater treatment) are provided.

Development of a Novel Rice-Based Snack Enriched with Chicory Root: Physicochemical and Sensory Properties

A novel rice-based snack enriched with chicory root flour (CRF) was developed by twin-screw extrusion. Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is one of the promising medicinal plants for the development of innovative food and may be considered a functional food ingredient. Central composite design (CCD) was employed to generate snack formulations by varying feed moisture (M, 16.3–22.5%), screw speed (SS, 500–900 rpm) and CRF content (20–40%). The optimization according to artificial neural network modeling and a genetic algorithm was applied to define optimal process conditions (17.6% moisture, 820 rpm and 24.1% of CRF) for obtaining the product with the highest expansion (3.34), crispiness (3.22 × 10−3), volume (2040 m3), degree of gelatinization (69.70%) and good color properties. Bulk density (110.33 g/L), density (250 kg/m3), and hardness (98.74 N) resulted in low values for the optimal sample. The descriptive sensory analysis evaluated low hardness and bitterness, with high crispiness for the optimal extrudate. This study points to the possibility of a novel chicory enriched extrudate production with desirable physicochemical and sensory properties.

Chemical Characterization of Different Products from the Tunisian Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill

Various dried (by-)products from the Tunisian O. ficus-indica were elucidated for their proximate composition, fatty acid (FA) composition, inorganic elements, sugars, and polyphenols. Nopal and prickly pear peel and seeds were abundant in fiber (respectively, 28.39, 12.54, and 16.28%). Seeds had also high protein (17.34%) and may be source of an edible oil, due to lipids (9.65%) poor in saturated FAs (14.12%) and rich in linoleic acid (61.11%). Nopal and peel showed the highest levels of Mg (493.57 and 345.19 mg/100 g), K (6949.57 and 1820.83 mg/100 g), Mn (59.73 and 46.86 mg/Kg) and Fe (23.15 and 15.23 mg/Kg), while the fruit pulp predominantly constituted of sugars, glucose and arabinose being predominant (42.57 and 13.56 g/100 g). Total polyphenols widely varied among the Opuntia products (108.36-4785.36 mg GAE/100 g), being mainly represented by hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids, and flavonoids as well. In particular, peel may be revalorized for these valuable bioactives, including 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (484.95 mg/100 g), cinnamic acid (318.95 mg/100 g), rutin (818.94 mg/100 g), quercetin (605.28 mg/100 g), and several isorhamnetin and kaempferol glycosides. Overall, the Tunisian prickly pear cactus could encourage a sustainable production, an effective waste management, and may provide several benefits for human health, in accordance with the model of the Mediterranean diet.

Technological characteristics of inulin enriched gluten-free bread: Effect of acorn flour replacement and fermentation type

Textural, physicochemical, and sensory characteristics of rice-based gluten-free bread in the presence of acorn flour; inulin and different fermentation type (yeast starter fermentation [Y] or mixed fermentation based on sourdough [MF-SD]) were investigated. Acorn flour was added to replace rice flour at a proportion of 10, 30, and 50% W/W. Furthermore, the mixture flour was replaced by inulin as a functional prebiotic ingredient at 10% W/W. Considering results obtained at this study, using mixed fermentation based on sourdough and inulin at 10% W/W provide the structure able to restore gases through baking process at formulations containing acorn flour at 30% W/W (A30R70SL). The highest specific volume (1.47 ± 0.04 cm3 g-1) and the lowest hardness (40.97 ± 0.87 N) are observed in A30R70SL which seems to be induced by its potential to form gel. Acorn flour substitution level at 50% W/W adversely influenced the technological characteristics of final product and its perception by the consumer. Acorn flour substitution up to 30% W/W is preferred by the consumer which is attributed to its potential role to improve the unpleasant pale color of rice-based gluten-free products. A negatively significant correlation has been observed between the color perception by the consumer and crumb lightness (r = -.493, p ≤ .05).

Optimization of the extrusion process for preparation of soluble dietary fiber-enriched calamondin pomace and its influence on the properties of bread

Calamondin pomace is a by-product obtained after calamondin juice extraction. The effects of extrusion variables on the soluble dietary fiber (SDF) of calamondin pomace were investigated by response surface methodology. Bread samples with different contents of extruded calamondin pomace (ECP) additive were produced and their textural and sensory properties evaluated. The optimal conditions for the extrusion of calamondin pomace were found to be a barrel temperature of 129 °C, feed moisture of 16%, and a screw speed of 298 rpm. The results revealed that extrusion increased the SDF of the calamondin pomace because the redistribution of insoluble dietary fiber formed SDF. A monosaccharide profile indicated that total dietary fiber in calamondin pomace processed by extrusion contained a high content of uronic acid and arabinose and a low amount of glucose, suggesting the presence of pectic polysaccharide and trace amounts of cellulose and hemicellulose. Increasing the ECP content decreased the specific volume and altered the textural properties, such as the hardness, gumminess and chewiness of the bread, and the bread became darker and redder in appearance. Sensory evaluation indicated that bread with 5% ECP content had good overall acceptability. Thus, extrusion of calamondin pomace can effectively increase the SDF content and resulting ECP can be used to produce SDF-enriched breads with sensory acceptability.