Almond cold-pressed oil by-product as ingredient for cookies with potential health benefits: Chemical and sensory evaluation

Cold-Pressed Okra Seed Oil Byproduct as an Ingredient for Muffins to Decrease Glycemic Index, Maillard Reaction, and Oxidation

This study aimed to investigate the effects of adding cold-pressed okra seed oil byproduct (OSB) to the muffin formulation, as a partial substitute for wheat flour, on the nutritional, physicochemical, rheological, textural, and sensory properties of muffins. The carbohydrate, protein, oil, moisture, and ash contents of OSB were 44.96, 32.34, 10.21, 7.51, and, 4.98%, respectively, indicating that OSB was rich in protein and carbohydrate. All muffin samples showed a shear thinning behavior, indicating that the viscosity of all samples decreased with increasing shear rate. The frequency sweep test showed that all samples showed viscoelastic solid-like structure [G' (storage modulus)> G″ (loss modulus)]. The K' values (between 66.45 and 139.14) were higher than the K″ values (between 36.62 and 80.42) for all samples. The result was another indication of the viscoelastic solid characteristic of the samples. In our study, it was found that the fluorescence of advanced Maillard products and soluble tryptophan index decreased with increasing amount of OSB, indicating that OSB addition led to a decrease in the amount of fluorescent Maillard reaction (MR) products. The fortified muffins with more than 10% OSB had a reduced estimated glycemic index (GI) significantly in comparison with control muffin samples (p < 0.05). The induction period (IP) values of the muffin samples containing OSB (between 11:57 and 15:15 h/min) were higher than the IP value of the control sample (10:50 h/min), indicating that OSB improved the oxidative stability of the muffin samples. The addition of OSB has shown no negative effect on sensory attributes considering texture, mouth fell, odor, and taste. This study suggested that the addition of OSB in muffins could improve rheological properties and oxidative stability and decrease GI and the amount of MR products without negative impact on sensory properties.

Faveleira (Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl) seed press cake flour: production, characterization and application for use in cookies

BACKGROUND

Food processing produces large volumes of waste that can be transformed into useful and relevant ingredients. The by-product of oil extraction from faveleira seeds is a potentially low-cost raw material that can be used for obtaining functional foods. This study aimed to analyze the physicochemical properties, chemical composition, and antioxidant activity of faveleira (Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl) seed press cake flour (FSPCF). Additionally, the chemical composition, antioxidant activity, and physical, microbiological, and sensory aspects of cookies with 0, 25%, or 50% substitution of refined wheat flour (RWF) with FSPCF (0-FSPCF, 25-FSPCF, and 50-FSPCF cookies, respectively) were evaluated.

RESULTS

FSPCF exhibited good physicochemical properties, high antioxidant activity (0.45 ± 0.00 and 42.83 ± 1.30 g TE g^-1 for the DPPH and ABTS methods, respectively), and high polyphenol content (particularly gallic acid at 21015.85 ± 4981.76 g kg^-1 ) and is also rich in minerals and fiber (359.40 ± 1.10 g kg^-1 ). Replacement of RWF with FSPCF increased the activity of antioxidants and the levels of polyphenols, ash, lipids, proteins, and fibers. The 50-FSPCF cookie possessed the highest linoleic acid content (97.50 ± 8.47 g kg^-1 ). Flour replacement influenced the weight of the cookies without affecting the other physical characteristics. The cookies yielded good sensory acceptance and purchase intentions. Contamination was not detected.

CONCLUSION

Faveleira flour possesses high nutritional and bioactive value and can be used as a functional ingredient in cookies and possibly in other bakery products such as bread, cakes, and pastas. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Critical overview of biorefinery approaches for valorization of protein rich tree nut oil industry by-product

This review explores reutilization opportunities of protein-rich bio-waste derived from the major tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, and cashew nuts) oil processing industries through biorefinery strategies. The mechanically pressed out oil cakes of these nuts have high protein (45-55%), carbohydrate (30-35%), and fiber that could be utilized to produce bioactive peptides, biofuels, and dietary fiber, respectively; all of which can fetch substantially greater value than its current utilization as a cattle feed. Specific attention has been given to the production, characterization, and application of nut-based de-oiled cake hydrolysates for therapeutic benefits including antioxidant, antihypertensive and neuroprotective properties. The often-neglected safety/toxicological evaluation of the hydrolysates/peptide sequences has also been described. Based on the available data, it is concluded that enzymatic hydrolysis is a preferred method than microbial fermentation for the value addition of de-oiled tree nut cakes. Further, critical insights on the existing literature as well as potential research ideas have also been proposed.

Elaboration of Cookies Using Oils and Flours from Seeds and Nuts: Effects on Technological, Nutritional and Consumer Aspects

The consumption of cookies is widely extended throughout the world, although their formulas contain ingredients such as saturated fats or refined flours that are considered harmful to health. In addition, cookies are generally made from wheat flour, and nowadays there is a growing concern about gluten intolerance, thus the demand for gluten-free products is increasing. In this regard, the aim of the present study is to reformulate traditional cookies by replacing wheat flour and butter by flours and oils from nuts and seeds. Within these seeds, poppy or chia are not commonly consumed ingredients as they can cause rejection by consumers. Thus, a study was performed to evaluate the neophobia level of consumers and the consumer acceptance for the inclusion of these novel ingredients in cookies. The results have been obtained by measuring physical parameters, proximate composition and consumer evaluation of five batches of cookies. By replacing butter and wheat flour with maize flour, almond, walnut, chia or poppy seed flours and oils, an increase of protein, fat and fiber has been observed as well as a decrease in carbohydrate content; thus, the resultant cookies would be a good source of vegetal protein as well as a source of oleic and linoleic acid with potential benefits on health. The cookies in general have similar physical properties and a positive consumer acceptance in texture, taste and external aspect. The Food Neophobia Scale results suggest that non-neophobic consumers gave higher scores than neophobic consumers in all the parameters. The resultant product would be a functional product able to substitute traditional ones not only directed to celiac people but all type of consumers because of their beneficial composition.

Influence of Fresh Palm Fruit Sterilization in the Production of Carotenoid-Rich Virgin Palm Oil

Palm oil is known to be rich in carotenoids and other phytonutrients. However, the carotenoids and phytonutrients degrade due to high heat sterilization of oil palm fruits. The present study was conducted to produce carotenoid-rich virgin palm oil (VPO) using cold-press extraction. Herein, the influence of sterilization of oil palm fresh fruits in the production of cold-pressed VPO was determined with varying sterilization temperatures, times, and amounts of palm fruits in sterilization. The experimental sterilization conditions were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) based on the maximum VPO yield and minimum FFAs in cold-pressed VPO. The optimal sterilization experimental conditions of oil palm fruits were determined to be a sterilization temperature of 62 °C, a time of 90 min, and an amount of oil palm fruits of 8 kg. Under these experimental conditions, the maximum cold-pressed VPO yield and the minimal content of free fatty acids (FFAs) obtained were 27.94 wt.% and 1.32 wt.%, respectively. Several analytic methods were employed to determine cold-pressed VPO quality and fatty acids compositions and compared with the crude palm oil. It was found that cold-pressed VPO contains higher carotenoids (708 mg/g) and unsaturated fatty acids compared with the carotenoid (343 mg/g) and fatty acid compositions in CPO. The findings of the present study reveal that the sterilization temperature potentially influences the carotenoid and nutrient contents in VPO; therefore, the optimization of the sterilization conditions is crucial to producing carotenoid- and phytonutrient-rich VPO.

Almond By-Products: Valorization for Sustainability and Competitiveness of the Industry

The search for waste minimization and the valorization of by-products are key practices for good management and improved sustainability in the food industry. The production of almonds generates a large amount of waste, most of which is not used. Until now, almonds have been used for their high nutritional value as food, especially almond meat. The other remaining parts (skin, shell, hulls, etc.) are still little explored, even though they have been used as fuel by burning or as livestock feed. However, interest in these by-products has been increasing as they possess beneficial properties (caused mainly by polyphenols and unsaturated fatty acids) and can be used as new ingredients for the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, it is important to explore almond’s valorization of by-products for the development of new added-value products that would contribute to the reduction of environmental impact and an improvement in the sustainability and competitiveness of the almond industry.

Improving the Shelf Life of Peeled Fresh Almond Kernels by Edible Coating with Mastic Gum

Coating, as a process in which fruits, vegetables, kernels, and nuts are covered with an edible layer, is an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic wrapping, which has been considered the most effective way to preserve them over the long term. On the other hand, prolonging the shelf life results in a reduction of spoilage and therefore achieving a goal that is very important nowadays—the reduction of food waste. The quality of preserved almonds kernels depends on factors such as grain moisture, storage temperature, relative humidity, oxygen level, packaging, and the shape of the stored nuts (along with being peeled, unpeeled, roasted, etc.). The commercial importance of the almond fruit is related to its kernel. Almonds that are peeled (without the thin brown skin) and stored have a shorter shelf life than unpeeled almonds since the reddish-brown skin, rich in antioxidants, may protect the kernels against oxidation. In this study, a bioactive edible coating has been tested, which may provide an effective barrier against oxygen permeation and moisture, thus preserving the quality of peeled fresh almonds by extending their shelf life. Mastic gum, as a natural coating agent, was used to coat the peeled fresh almond kernels in four different concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% w/v). The effect of mastic gum coating on the quality parameters of the peeled fresh almonds (moisture uptake, oil oxidation, total yeast and mold growth, and Aspergillus species development) was studied during four months of storage. The results showed that mastic gum, as a coating agent, significantly (p < 0.05) reduced moisture absorption, peroxide and thiobarbituric acid indices, total yeast and mold growth, and Aspergillus species development in the peeled and coated fresh almonds, compared to the control, i.e., uncoated fresh almonds, during 4 months of storage, packed at room temperature (25–27 °C) inside a cabinet at 90% humidity. Therefore, mastic gum can be used as a great natural preservative coating candidate with antioxidant and antimicrobial effects.

Review about Non-Lipid Components and Minor Fat-Soluble Bioactive Compounds of Almond Kernel

This work presents a bibliographic review about almond kernel non-lipid components, in particular about the protein fraction, the carbohydrates and the mineral fraction. In addition, other fat-soluble phytochemicals which are present in minor concentrations but show important antioxidant activities are reviewed. Almond kernel is a rich protein food (8.4-35.1%), in which the globulin-albumin fraction dominates, followed by glutelins and prolamins. Within the almond kernel protein profile, amandine dominates. Free amino acids represent a small amount of the total nitrogen quantity, highlighting the presence of glutamic acid and aspartic acid, followed by arginine. Carbohydrates that appear in almond kernels (14-28%) are soluble sugars (mainly sucrose), starch and other polysaccharides such as cellulose and non-digestible hemicelluloses. Regarding the mineral elements, potassium is the most common, followed by phosphorus; both macronutrients represent more than 70% of the total mineral fraction, without taking into account nitrogen. Microminerals include sodium, iron, copper, manganese and zinc. Within the phytochemical compounds, tocopherols, squalene, phytosterols, stanols, sphingolipids, phospholipids, chlorophylls, carotenoids, phenols and volatile compounds can be found.