Formulation of New Baking (+)-Catechin Based Leavening Agents: Effects on Rheology, Sensory and Antioxidant Features during Muffin Preparation

Comparison of Aroma and Taste Profiles of Kiwi Wine Fermented with/without Peel by Combining Intelligent Sensory, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Kiwi wine (KW) is tipically made by fermenting juice from peeled kiwifruit, resulting in the disposal of peel and pomace as by-products. However, the peel contains various beneficial compounds, like phenols and flavonoids. Since the peel is edible and rich in these compounds, incorporating it into the fermentation process of KW presents a potential solution to minimize by-product waste. This study compared the aroma and taste profiles of KW from peeled (PKW) and unpeeled (UKW) kiwifruits by combining intelligent sensory technology, GC-MS, and 1H-NMR. Focusing on aroma profiles, 75 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified in KW fermented with peel, and 73 VOCs in KW without peel, with 62 VOCs common to both. Among these compounds, rose oxide, D-citronellol, and bornylene were more abundant in UKW, while hexyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, and 2,4,5-trichlorobenzene were significantly higher in PKW. For taste profiles, E-tongue analysis revealed differences in the taste profiles of KW from the two sources. A total of 74 molecules were characterized using 1H-NMR. UKW exhibited significantly higher levels of tartrate, galactarate, N-acetylserotonin, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymandelate, fumarate, and N-acetylglycine, along with a significantly lower level of oxypurinol compared to PKW. This study seeks to develop the theoretical understanding of the fermentation of kiwifruit with peel in sight of the utilization of the whole fruit for KW production, to increase the economic value of kiwifruit production.

Formulation of Antioxidant Gummies Based on Gelatin Enriched with Citrus Fruit Peels Extract

In this work, the peels of red and blonde oranges as well as lemons were efficiently (5.75-9.65% yield) extracted by hydroalcoholic solution with ultrasound assistance and employed as active molecule sources in the preparation of functional gummies. Antioxidant performances of the hydroalcoholic extracts were characterized by colorimetric assays, whereas LC-HRMS analyses identified the main bioactive compounds (phenolic acids and flavonoids). The highest scavenging activity was recorded for lemon extract in an aqueous environment (IC50 = 0.081 mg mL-1). An ecofriendly grafting procedure was performed to anchor polyphenols to gelatin chains, providing macromolecular systems characterized by thermal analysis and antioxidant properties. Scavenger abilities (IC50 = 0.201-0.454 mg mL-1) allowed the employment of the conjugates as functional ingredients in the preparation of gummies with remarkable antioxidant and rheological properties over time (14 days). These findings confirmed the possible employment of highly polluting wastes as valuable sources of bioactive compounds for functional gummies preparation.

Synthesis and Characterization of a Biopolymer Pectin/Ethanolic Extract from Olive Mill Wastewater: In Vitro Safety and Efficacy Tests on Skin Wound Healing

Wound-healing delay is one of the major problems of type 2 diabetes, representing also a clinical emergency in non-healing chronic wounds. Natural antioxidants show interesting wound-healing properties, including those extracted from waste derived from olive oil production. Olive mill wastewater is one of the main by-products of the olive oil-making process, and it is rich in high-value secondary metabolites, mainly hydroxytyrosol. We proposed an eco-friendly extraction method, employing both ultrasound-assisted and Soxhlet techniques and ethanol as a solvent, to recover valuable molecules from Roggianella cv (Olea europea L.) olive mill wastewater, which was further entrapped in a pectin polymer via an enzymatic reaction using porcine pancreatic lipase. Pectin, in combination with other substances, promoted and accelerated wound healing and demonstrated good potential to produce a biomedical conjugate for wound treatment. The antioxidant activity of the extracts and conjugate were evaluated against lipophilic (IC50 equal to 0.152 mg mL-1) and hydrophilic (IC50 equal to 0.0371 mg mL-1) radical species as well as the in vitro cytotoxicity via NRU, h-CLAT, and a wound-healing scratch assay and assessment. The pectin conjugate did not exert hemolytic effects on the peripheral blood, demonstrating interesting wound-healing properties due to its ability to stimulate cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner.

An Innovative Approach in the Baking of Bread with CO2 Gas Hydrates as Leavening Agents

Gas (guest) molecules are trapped in hydrogen-bonded water molecules to form gas hydrates (GH), non-stoichiometric solids that resemble ice. High pressure and low temperature are typical conditions for their development, with van der Waals forces joining the host and guest molecules. This article study investigates the application of CO₂ gas hydrates (CO₂ GH) as a leavening agent in baking, with particular reference to the production of wheat bread. The main intention of this study is to better understand the complex bread dough formed by CO₂ GH and its impact on product quality. This may enable the adaptation of CO₂ GH in baking applications, such as those that can specifically influence wheat bread properties, and so the final bread quality. The present research further examines the comparative evaluation of yeast bread with the GH bread's impact on bread quality parameters. The amount of GH was varied from 10 to 60%/amount of flour for the GH breads. The GH breads were compared with the standard yeast bread for different quality parameters such as volume, texture, and pore analysis. The results show that the bread with 20% and 40% GH obtained the best results in terms of volume and pore size. Moreover, this article also sheds some light on the future applications of the use of CO₂ GH as leavening agents in foods. This knowledge could help to create new procedures and criteria for improved GH selection for applications in bread making and other bakery or food products.

Kefir Enriched with Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Leaves Extract as a New Ingredient during a Gluten-Free Bread-Making Process

This work is focused on the preparation of an innovative gluten-free (GF) bread with remarkable softness and antioxidant features over time. To overcome the technological inconveniences related to the removal of gluten from bread, the kefir beverage fortified with antioxidant vegetable extracts is employed as a functional ingredient in the bread-making process. In this context, carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) leaves represent an outstanding source of active molecules and are proposed to enrich milk-based beverages. Different extraction strategies were evaluated, and the process was improved to select a solvent (water, ethanol, or hydroalcoholic solution) and methodology (Soxhlet or ultrasound-assisted extraction) able to guarantee the best performances in terms of yield and antioxidant capacity. For kefir addition, two varieties of carob leaves (Selvatica and Amele) are employed. Functional GF bread, obtained by partially replacing the water with the enriched kefir, is prepared, and the final product is characterized in terms of its antioxidant and rheological properties. The final product shows improved compositional and technological parameters over time.

Clean-label techno-functional ingredients for baking products - a review

The increased awareness of consumers regarding unfamiliar labels speeded up the ongoing clean label trend. As baking products are widely consumed worldwide, the reduction of non-natural baking aids and improvers is of great interest for consumer's health but also representing a big challenge for food industries. Thus, this paper aims at describing new techno-functional clean label ingredients for baked products and their production processes conditions. Firstly, it includes ingredients such as sustainable protein sources, fat replacers and leavening alternatives. Then, it addresses new process alternatives for producing baking ingredients with natural claim as well as current concepts as the natural fermentation. In particular, molecular and functional modifications of the flour are discussed regarding malting and dry heat treatments. By being considered as green and emerging technologies that improve flour functionality, the resulting ingredients can replace additives. Changes in quality and technological attributes of breads and cakes will be discussed as a consequence of the partial to total replacement of conventional ingredients. This paper provides new alternatives for the baking industry to meet the demand of a growing health-concerned population. In addition, it focused on opening up new possibilities for the food industry to go in line with the consumers' expectations.

A Tara Gum/Olive Mill Wastewaters Phytochemicals Conjugate as a New Ingredient for the Formulation of an Antioxidant-Enriched Pudding

Olive mill wastewater, a high polyphenols agro-food by-product, was successfully exploited in an eco-friendly radical process to synthesize an antioxidant macromolecule, usefully engaged as a functional ingredient to prepare functional puddings. The chemical composition of lyophilized olive mill wastewaters (LOMW) was investigated by HPLC-MS/MS and ¹H-NMR analyses, while antioxidant profile was in vitro evaluated by colorimetric assays. Oleuropein aglycone (5.8 μg mL^-1) appeared as the main compound, although relevant amounts of an isomer of the 3-hydroxytyrosol glucoside (4.3 μg mL^-1) and quinic acid (4.1 μg mL^-1) were also detected. LOMW was able to greatly inhibit ABTS radical (IC₅₀ equal to 0.019 mg mL^-1), displaying, in the aqueous medium, an increase in its scavenger properties by almost one order of magnitude compared to the organic one. LOMW reactive species and tara gum chains were involved in an eco-friendly grafting reaction to synthesize a polymeric conjugate that was characterized by spectroscopic, calorimetric and toxicity studies. In vitro acute oral toxicity was tested against 3T3 fibroblasts and Caco-2 cells, confirming that the polymers do not have any effect on cell viability at the dietary use concentrations. Antioxidant properties of the polymeric conjugate were also evaluated, suggesting its employment as a thickening agent, in the preparation of pear puree-based pudding. High performance of consistency and relevant antioxidants features over time (28 days) were detected in the milk-based foodstuff, in comparison with its non-functional counterparts, confirming LOWM as an attractive source to achieve high performing functional foods.

Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activity in Oat-Buckwheat Dough and Cookies with Added Spices or Herbs

The aim of this study was to determine the phytochemicals and antioxidant activity in oat-buckwheat doughs and cookies with the addition of ten selected spices or herbs (2 g/100 g flours weight basis). The used spices and herbs, as was expected, showed a wide range of bioactive molecules, namely phenolic acids and flavonoids, and they are a rich source of components with antioxidant potential. All analysed oat-buckwheat dough showed higher antioxidant activity potential and higher total phenolic content (TPC) compared to cookies. The highest TPC was found in clove, both dough and cookies, with its addition showing the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power. Generally, cookies with the addition of spice/herbs showed higher phytochemical contents and antioxidant activity compared to oat-buckwheat cookies without the condiment. The technology of obtaining confectionery products, like oat-buckwheat cookies, that will favor the protection of bioactive compounds should still be improved.