Drift-FOOD Research Centre

Steam-distilled volatiles (JI' Ment/w piperlt(l L. grown in Jalisco was analyzC:'¡] h' CC/M S. AnlOng the 64 cOl1lpounds identif'¡ed, Illenthone (J ,'5.4%), menthof'uran (11).2%), menthol (.'3.'5.4%) ami menthyl ncetate (12.4%) were the major constituents.

In this work, it was evaluated the effect of microencapsulation using spray drying over natural colorants present in two varieties (red and purple) of prickly pear juice (Opuntia spp.), using three kinds of carrier agents (matrixes). The dried samples after microencapsulation retained a high total amount of the betalains and their antioxidant characteristics. However, some individual betalains were lost after microencapsulation. According to ANOVA results, matrix 3204 showed a more protective effect than matrix 4801 in both microencapsulated juices over color, individual betalains, and antioxidant capacity. Globally, the protective effect was better for purple juices than red juices no matter the matrix used. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) confirmed these results. Matrix 3204 resulted in the best carrier agent since it gave a less disperse PCA group for both color juices. The parameters that separated both PCA matrixes groups were L*, a*, b* and DPPH. 

Cheese whey, a byproduct of the cheese-making industry, is discarded in many countries in the environment, causing pollution. This byproduct contains high-quality proteins containing encrypted biologically active peptides. The objective of this work was to evaluate the suitability of using this waste to produce bioactive peptides by enzymatic hydrolysis with a digestive enzyme. Cheese whey from white cheese (Panela cheese) was concentrated to increase total protein and hydrolyzed with trypsin. A central composite design was used to find the best conditions of pH and temperature, giving the higher antioxidant capacity and Δ Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (Δ ACEI) activity. Higher biological activities were found when hydrolysis was performed at 52 °C and a pH of 8.2. The maximum value for the 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-scavenging activity was 26%, while the higher Δ ACE inhibition was 0.89. Significant correlations were found between these biological activities a...

Around the world, prickly pear fruits are valued as a source of dietary functional compounds and ingredients for innovative foods. Growth and physicochemical changes of Opuntia albicarpa S. fruits were recorded from 0 to 132 days-after-flowering (DAF) to identify non-destructive maturity-indices. Optimum-ripened fruits were freeze-dried to study physicochemical and functional characteristics of dried and rehydrated pulp. Principal component analysis confirmed growth turned into fruit ripening in DAF 99, and it lasted until DAF 132. Changes in color parameters of the peel correlated with fruit texture and pulp sugar content and taste index (P < 0.01). During freeze-drying, plate temperature had more significant effects than the thickness (P < 0.05). At 30°C, color ΔE between dried and fresh slices augmented, but, texture Δ´s (medium force) between rehydrated and fresh pulp was lower. Color tests could be used to harvest commercially-ripened fruits. Freeze-drying at 30°C improves the rehydrated slices texture regarding thickness maintaining rehydration coefficients.

In this work, the quality parameters of commercial agave syrups produced in five different Mexican states and with different production process were evaluated. Regulated parameters (pH, Moisture, Ashes, and 5-(hydroxymethyl) furfural), as well as color and aw, were measured on 25 agave syrups, including traditional samples as controls. Traditional and semi-industrial syrups were samples obtained by thermal hydrolysis. Additionally, the semi-industrial process included control of process variables such as pH, °Bx, and temperature. The industrial process is technified. The agave syrups ranged from 70-76 °Bx, pH ranged from 3.2-6.7, and moisture from 20.2-28.6%. The aw values shown a wide variation as well as L* a* and b* color parameters. Some of those parameters shown significant differences in ANOVA analysis; however, most of the samples complied with the norm. General Discriminant Analysis (GDA) made it possible to discriminate between production process by using pH, % Ash, b*, 5-(...

Biological, physicochemical and textural parameters of a Panela cheese with and without probiotics (LSB-c and C-c) were analyzed during 15 days of storage at 4 °C. Changes in cohesiveness, hardness, springiness, and chewiness were measured by texture profile analysis. Additionally, moisture, pH, nitrogenous fractions (nitrogen soluble in pH 4.6, non-protein nitrogen, 70% ethanol-soluble nitrogen, and water-soluble extract) were evaluated. The peptide profile of nitrogenous fractions was also analyzed. Finally, biological activity was evaluated by ABTS (2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), as well as the Inhibition of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme. Analysis of variance showed significant differences for most of the evaluated parameters. By principal component analysis (PCA), two groups were separated, one corresponding to LSB-c and the other corresponding to C-c. The separation was given mostly by hardness, ...

Cheese ripening causes intense proteolysis, particularly when the cheese contains starter cultures. Several studies have shown the presence of bioactive peptides in goat’s milk cheeses with antioxidant activity. Mexican goat cheeses’ peptide fractions were evaluated at different ripening stages. Additionally, they were correlated with their antioxidant activity. Proteolysis was measured in the acid-soluble nitrogen and non-protein nitrogen fractions using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. While the antioxidant activity in both nitrogenous fractions was determined using a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl solution. Analyzed cheeses showed peptides fraction in the retention time of 2.05, 18.36, and 50.11 min for acid-soluble fraction and non-protein protein nitrogen, and showed antioxidant activity from the first day of ripening to 73% discoloration in the DPPH solution at 55 ripening days. Obtained results suggested that ripened Mexican goat cheese had a DPPH radical ...

In this work was evaluated the suitability of infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in combination with chemometrical techniques to identify some authenticity parameters in milk and cheeses, considering this as the correct denomination of milk and similar products, as well as the age in cheeses. The discriminant models obtained for the MIR spectral profiles made it possible to classify the samples of milk and similar product according to their denomination, as well as, to predict the age in Camembert and Emmental cheeses and to predict some physicochemical parameters in Camembert cheese throughout ripening. The best discriminant models between adulterated milk samples in function of their authenticity and adulteration level were obtained for the FAMES profile. These results show that mid infrared (MIR) has a potential as a fast and direct method to differentiate milk from similar products and to predict the ripening time in Camembert and Emmental cheeses.

Penicillium camemberti plays a major role in the flavor and appearance of Camembert-type cheeses. However, little is known about its mycelium growth kinetics during ripening. We monitored the growth of P. camemberti mycelium in Camembert-type cheeses using real-time PCR in 4 ripening runs, performed at 2 temperatures (8 and 16°C) and 2 relative humidities (88 and 98%). These findings were compared with P. camemberti quantification by spore concentration. During the first phase, the mycelium grew but no spores were produced, regardless of the ripening conditions. During the second phase, which began when lactose was depleted, the concentration of spores increased, especially in the cheeses ripened at 16°C. Sporulation was associated with a large decrease in the mycelial concentration in the cheeses ripened at 16°C and 98% relative humidity. It was hypothesized that lactose is the main energy source for the growth of P. camemberti mycelium at the beginning of ripening and that its depletion would trigger stress, resulting in sporulation.

Penicillium camemberti plays a major role in the flavor and appearance of Camembert-type cheeses. However, little is known about its mycelium growth kinetics during ripening. We monitored the growth of P. camemberti mycelium in Camembert-type cheeses using real-time PCR in 4 ripening runs, performed at 2 temperatures (8 and 16°C) and 2 relative humidities (88 and 98%). These findings were compared with P. camemberti quantification by spore concentration. During the first phase, the mycelium grew but no spores were produced, regardless of the ripening conditions. During the second phase, which began when lactose was depleted, the concentration of spores increased, especially in the cheeses ripened at 16°C. Sporulation was associated with a large decrease in the mycelial concentration in the cheeses ripened at 16°C and 98% relative humidity. It was hypothesized that lactose is the main energy source for the growth of P. camemberti mycelium at the beginning of ripening and that its depletion would trigger stress, resulting in sporulation.

The fatty acids profile and lipids content of the Macadamia integrifolia and Macadamia tetraphylla varieties and interspecies hybrids, M. integrifolia and M. tetraphylla were analyzed. Total lipids content ranged from 70.9 to 79.7 g of oil per 100 g −1 dry-solids. Gas chromatography/mass spectrophotometry identified 20 fatty acids, the most abundant of which were oleic acid (40 to 51%), palmitoleic acid (24 to 36%), and palmitic acid (8.4 to 13.1%). Fatty acids concentration differed between varieties and hybrids (Multivariate analysis of variance, F = 13.89, p < 0.0001). A ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids:saturated fatty acid values ranged from 2.8 to 4.6. The Huatusco variety (M. integrifolia and M. tetraphylla) exhibited the highest percentage of lipids (79.7 g of oil per 100 g −1 DS) and the highest monounsaturated fatty acids:saturated fatty acid (4.6), thus highlighted its potential applications within the food industry. The Cate variety (M. integrifolia and M. tetraphylla) had the lowest monounsaturated fatty acids:saturated fatty acid, suggesting potential uses in the cosmetics industry.

Berrycactus is a cactus which does not require special agronomic attention, the berries are consumed locally and its commercialization is rather scarce because of the extremely short shelf-life. The significance of the application of any drying methods used to extend the shelf-life on the berrycacti is currently unknown. The aim of this work was to preserve berrycacti (Myrtillocactus geometrizans) and test the bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity using two distinctive drying methods, freeze-drying (FD) and Instant Controlled Pressure Drop (DIC). Ripe berrycacti was chosen for the drying procedures because the antioxidant capacity and levels of soluble phenols and betalains were at their peak. Colour, phenols, non-extractable polyphenols, tannins, betalains, and antioxidant capacity were considered as factors to determine drying efficacy. Only colour parameters could discriminate between FD and DIC, concluding that both methods are suitable and efficient for preservation of a...

Recently agave plants are being used in the production of syrups that are consumed by diabetic people in order to control their blood glucose levels; unfortunately a deep characterization of this kind of products has not been made. In this study the juice obtained from Agave atrovirens leaves (CE) was filtered and cooked (FE) and evaporated until it has a solid content of 20 oBx (TE), and the effect of the process in some parameters like pH, acidity, solid content, 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and compounds with biological properties like saponins and phenolic compounds as well as antioxidant activity were evaluated. Once FE was concentrated, a dark brown liquid with a pH of 5.32 was obtained; the content of phenolics and saponins undergoes slightly modifications trough the complete process. 5-HMF was only detected in CE but not in FE and TE. Filtering decrease acidity, total phenolics, saponins, 5-HMF and the antiradical activity (ARA); and evaporation increase the content of re...

Cotija cheese is an artisanal Mexican cheese produced with raw cow´s milk. Our objective was to measure the antioxidant and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities of the peptides released during its ripening. For that, Cotija cheeses were ripened 6 months in a chamber at 25 ºC without humidity control. Weekly samples were taken to determine acid soluble nitrogen (ASN), non-protein nitrogen (NPN) and ethanol soluble nitrogen (EtOH-SN) indexes, by Kjeldahl method. Antioxidant and ACE inhibitory activities were measured by spectrophotometry and HPLC methods, respectively. Peptides in each nitrogen fraction were determined by HPLC. Our results showed that during ripening of Cotija cheeses peptides with antioxidant and ACE inhibitory activities were released and increased through ripening time reaching a maximum of 79.8 % of 2,2diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) discoloration and 100 % of ACE inhibition at the end of ripening. Both activities were highly correlated with the types of peptides present in each fraction.

Extraction of squalene, a potent natural antioxidant, from puffed A. hypochondriacus seeds was performed by supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE); besides, to have a blank for comparison, extraction was performed also by Soxhlet method using organic solvents (hexane). Chemical proximal composition and seed morphology were determined in raw, puffed, and SCFE-extracted seeds. Extracts were obtained with a 500 mL capacity commercial supercritical extractor and performed between 10 and 30 MPa at 313, 323, and 333 K under constant CO2 flow of 0.18 kg CO2/h during 8 h. The squalene content was determined and the fatty acids present in the extracts were identified by GC-MS. The extract obtained by SCFE from puffed amaranth seeds reached 460 ± 28.1 g/kg squalene in oily extract at 313 K/20 MPa.

High Intensity Ultrasound (HIUS) can induce modification of the protein structure. The combination of enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrasound is an interesting strategy to improve the release of the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides. In this study, whey proteins were pretreated with HIUS at two levels of amplitude (30 and 50%) for 10 min, followed by hydrolysis using the vegetable protease bromelain. The hydrolysates obtained were ultrafiltrated and their fractions were submitted to a simulated gastrointestinal digestion. The conformational changes induced by HIUS on whey proteins were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy by attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) and intrinsic spectroscopy. It was found that both levels of ultrasound pretreatment significantly decreased the IC50 value (50% Inhibitory Concentration) of the hydrolysates in comparison with the control (α = 0.05). After this treatment, HIUS-treated fractions were shown as smaller in ...

Avocado virgin oil (AVO) was used during eggplant deep-frying, boil, and boil in a water-oil mixture (W/O). There were measured the contents of moisture, dry matter, fat, total (TPC) and ten individual phenols, antioxidant activity (ABTS and DPPH), and total sterols; as well as the profiles of eight fatty acids and fourteen sterols/stanols. The values of raw and processed foods were compared and studied with multivariate analysis. The antioxidant capacity of AVO lowered after deep frying but augmented in eggplant and water after all treatments. The TPC was steady in AVO and raised in fried eggplant. Thermal treatments added to the initial profiles of the AVO, eggplant and water, nine, eight, and four phenols, respectively. Percentages of the main fatty acids (oleic, palmitic and linoleic), and sterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol, and Δ5-avenasterol), remained unchanged between the raw and treated AVO; and the lipidic fractions from processed eggplant. Cooking leads to the movement of...

Mould-ripened soft cheeses like Camembert produced at pilot scale were analyzed in order to evaluate the potential of mid-infrared spectroscopy to follow the ripening phenomena. Two cheese zones (core and under-rind) were analyzed directly and were then fractionated by selective precipitation to obtain more specific parts. Cheese slices and their fractions were analyzed by attenuated total reflectance. Analysis of variance showed the significant absorbance changes on spectra sets, mainly in the regions assigned to the vibrations of alcohol and amide groups. By principal component analysis of spectral data, two different steps of ripening can be described. The spectral studies of other fractions than whole cheese provided no additional information. Using partial least-square regressions-based spectral sets, made it possible to determine ripening day with an error of 1 day.