Stability of spray-dried microencapsulated anthocyanins extracted from culinary banana bract

Molecular characterization of Red banana and its somaclonal variant: a comprehensive study

The prized Red banana, selected for superior qualities, demands strong genetic uniformity for successful clonal propagation and preservation. Ensuring this uniformity early in the growth of in vitro Red banana plants is essential, as gene mutations and chromosome rearrangements during tissue culture can jeopardize both cloning and germplasm conservation. In this situation, molecular markers play a pivotal role in confirming genetic stability. Thus the study aims to discover a marker that identifies tissue-cultured Red bananas from their virescent variants during initial sub-culturing. A marker linked to anthocyanin has been identified which effectively differentiated Red bananas from virescent variants and it was further validated in various banana cultivars, ornamental Musa species and their interspecific hybrids. The PCR-based marker showed remarkable specificity, discerning Red bananas from virescent variants during tissue culture. It also distinguished green and red offspring, cutting time and resource costs, and shortening the banana breeding cycle.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03868-6.

Natural Sources of Food Colorants as Potential Substitutes for Artificial Additives

In recent years, the demand of healthier food products and products made with natural ingredients has increased overwhelmingly, led by the awareness of human beings of the influence of food on their health, as well as by the evidence of side effects generated by different ingredients such as some additives. This is the case for several artificial colorants, especially azo colorants, which have been related to the development of allergic reactions, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. All the above has focused the attention of researchers on obtaining colorants from natural sources that do not present a risk for consumption and, on the contrary, show biological activity. The most representative compounds that present colorant capacity found in nature are anthocyanins, anthraquinones, betalains, carotenoids and chlorophylls. Therefore, the present review summarizes research published in the last 15 years (2008-2023) in different databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and ScienceDirect) encompassing various natural sources of these colorant compounds, referring to their obtention, identification, some of the efforts made for improvements in their stability and their incorporation in different food matrices. In this way, this review evidences the promising path of development of natural colorants for the replacement of their artificial counterparts.

Development of a food colorant from Syzygium cumini L. (Skeels) by spray drying

The objective of the present work was to develop a powder colorant for food use by spray drying from a hydroalcoholic extract of black cherry (Syzygium cumini [L.] Skeels). The content of total solids significantly affected the contents of anthocyanins and total polyphenols, while the air inlet temperature influenced (p ≤ 0.05) the spray drying performance. The optimal drying conditions were 165 °C as air inlet temperature and 25% of total solids, which allowed obtaining a powder colorant with total anthocyanin contents between 4273 and 5070 mg/1000 g, total polyphenols from 10,142 to 11,184 mg/1000 g, and a drying yield between 67.14 and 67.7%. The colorant presented 5.65% humidity, 25.2% hygroscopicity, poor fluidity, and high cohesiveness, with a dissolution time of 55 s. The degradation of anthocyanins, adjusted to zero-order kinetics, was directly proportional to the increase in temperature and time. The values of the component a* decreased with increasing temperature and time.

Chemosensor Strip from Kepok Banana Bracts Extract (Musa paradisiaca L.) for Detection of Tuna Freshness

Anthocyanins as chemosensory compounds for amines have been tested in this study. Because anthocyanins are sensitive to pH changes, while amines have an alkaline nature, they can cause structural changes in anthocyanins, resulting in changes in the color of anthocyanins. The source of anthocyanins was the Kepok banana bracts (Musa paradisiaca L.), which were extracted using a mixture of ethanol:HCl 0.15% (3:2). The types of anthocyanin compounds were characterized using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The anthocyanin content obtained varied from 1.26 mg/100 g to 5.08 mg/100 g. The type of anthocyanin in the Kepok banana bracts was found as a cyanidin-3-rutinoside with maximum absorption at 513 nm at pH 1. The color of anthocyanin extract varied with changes in pH; it turned red in acid and faded in neutral solutions. The green color in the alkaline solution changes to brownish-yellow was associated with anthocyanin degradation. The color change at different pH indicates that banana bracts are regarded as a potential chemosensory compound to detect tuna freshness. The chemosensor was applied to a cellulose-based strip and exhibited a color change that corresponded to the increase in pH and was comparable to the results of the pH meter measurement. The structural changes of anthocyanin before and after the tuna freshness test were identified by the FTIR-ATR, indicating a change in the anthocyanin structure. Tuna freshness began to diminish after being stored for 12 and 24 hours at room temperature, marked by a color change of the paper strip to colorless and blackish gray.

Effect of preheated milk proteins and bioactive compounds on the stability of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside

Native and preheated whey protein isolates (WPI) and casein (at 55 °C-90 °C) were used as protective carriers. Three bioactive compounds, including (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallte (EGCG), gallic acid, and vitamin C, were added to enhance the stability of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G). Under acidic (pH 3.6) and neutral (pH 6.3) conditions, both native and preheated milk proteins showed significant protective effect on C3G. WPI preheated at 85 °C presented the best protective effect on C3G under neutral condition by reducing its thermal, oxidation, and photo degradation rates 25.0%, 38.0%, and 41.1%, respectively. The addition of vitamin C into the protein-anthocyanin solutions accelerated the color loss of C3G, whereas EGCG and gallic acid improved its thermal stability. Among the bioactive compounds, gallic acid provided the most significant protective effect on C3G by further decreasing the thermal degradation rate of C3G 44.6% as a result of the formation of 85 °C preheated WPI-gallic acid-C3G complexes.

Comparison of bioactive compounds and nutrient contents in whey protein concentrate admixture of turmeric extract produced by spray drying and foam mat drying

We developed a whey protein admixture of turmeric extract by spray drying (TWPC-SD) and by foam mat drying (TWPC-FMD) and compared its bioactive compounds and nutrients contents. TWPC samples were evaluated for preference and acceptability. Vitamins and carotenoids were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Total phenolics, curcumin and antioxidant capacity were determined by spectrophotometry. Centesimal composition was performed according to the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Chemical elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. TWPC containing 3.6 mg of curcumin showed good acceptability. Carotenoids and riboflavin were not detected in either TWPC. Vitamin C content was maintained, and antioxidant capacity was increased in both products (p < 0.05). TWPC-SD showed higher total phenolic and curcumin contents compared to TWPC-FMD (p < 0.05). Thus, the TWPC-SD is a good alternative for human consumption since it showed good sensory acceptability and its nutrients and bioactive compounds can contribute to human health.

Ultrasound-assisted extracted dietary fibre from culinary banana bract as matrices for anthocyanin: its preparation, characterization and storage stability

Dietary fibre (DF) functionalized with polyphenols is a functional ingredients as it provides the health benefits associated with consumption of both DF and polyphenols. The present study endeavoured to prepare DF-anthocyanin formulation with different ratio of pigment-matrix where DF and anthocyanin were extracted from culinary banana bracts. The formulated powders were studied for its antioxidant, structural properties and fluorescent properties. DF-anthocyanin formulation exhibited enhancement in anthocyanin content with increase in antioxidant content and it was highest for DF-A3 with better color values (L*, a*, C*) compared to other formulations. The structure of the formulation was mainly attributed to the structure of DF and anthocyanin as evidenced by FT-IR. Moreover, changes in the degree of crystallinity were found after addition of anthocyanin in fibre matrix. The morphology study by SEM confirmed the entrapment of particles (1.97-3.88 µm) on the network structure and surface of DF. Additionally, Akin fluorescence emission spectra of DF-A3 with anthocyanin extract further confirmed the formation of DF-anthocyanin complex. Storage stability study showed DF-A3 with lowest degradation rate (k = 0.0002 day^-1) and half-life period of 87 days.

Chemical profiling and functional properties of dietary fibre rich inner and outer bracts of culinary banana flower

The present study endeavoured to evaluate the nutritional, phytochemical and functional properties of outer and inner bracts of culinary banana flower which is a by-product of banana production. Both outer and inner bracts were found to be rich in dietary fibre (61.13 and 66.22%, respectively) along with other chemical compositions including proximate, minerals, and antioxidant-rich phenolics both free and bound. In addition, the functional properties including glucose dialysis retardation index (GDRI) of outer and inner bracts were also studied. The outer and inner bracts exhibited total polyphenols 7.56 and 9.44 mg phenols/g dry sample, respectively. The polyphenol profile by HPLC, revealed the presence of significant amount of free and bound phenolics in both outer and inner bracts. Functional properties of these dietary fibres-rich fractions of culinary banana flower exhibited lower bulk density, higher water-holding capacity, oil-holding capacity, and water-swelling capacity in outer and inner bracts than cellulose. The outer and inner bracts showed relatively higher GDRI compared to control and cellulose. The results revealed that both the outer and inner bracts of culinary banana flower are rich source of dietary fibre along with high antioxidant activity and could be one of the promising functional ingredients for low-calorie and high-fibre food product.