Influence of postharvest processing and storage on the content of phenolic acids and flavonoids in foods.

The review is based on the evaluation of electronically collated data published between 2002 to June 2006. It is based on 325 references dealing with the following subclasses of phenolic compounds: hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids, chalcones, flavanones, flavones, flavonols, monomeric flavanols and anthocyanins. Only publications dealing directly with the effects of storage and postharvest processing on the phenolic acid and flavonoid contents of foods were considered.

Pectin does not inhibit intestinal carcinogenesis in APC-deficient Min/+ mice.

APC-germline mutation creates predisposition for intestinal tumorigenesis. APCMin/+ mice, developing tumors preferentially in the small intestine and only minimally in the colon, were fed pectin-enriched diets (10% galacturonan; degree of methoxylation=37.0 and 70.

Increased acylated plasma ghrelin, but improved lipid profiles 24-h after consumption of carob pulp preparation rich in dietary fibre and polyphenols.

We have recently shown that a polyphenol-rich insoluble dietary fibre preparation from carob pulp (Ceratonia siliqua L; carob fibre) decreased postprandial acylated ghrelin, TAG and NEFA during an acute liquid meal challenge test. However, delayed effects of carob fibre consumption are unknown. Therefore, a randomized controlled crossover study in nineteen healthy volunteers consuming foods with or without 50 g carob fibre was conducted.

Physiological effects of extraction juices from apple, grape, and red beet pomaces in rats.

In comparison to classical fruit juice processing, polyphenols and dietary fiber can be extracted from pomace by means of pectinases and cellulases. In the present study, rats were fed with such produced extraction juices from apples, grapes, and red beets as drinking fluids instead of water for 4 weeks to evaluate their physiological effects. In all test groups, the intake of extraction juices was greater as compared to control (water intake), resulting in a higher urine excretion.

Hydrothermal treatment of Novelose 330 results in high yield of resistant starch type 3 with beneficial prebiotic properties and decreased secondary bile acid formation in rats.

Annealing and heat-moisture treatment (HMT) are shown to be suitable methods to increase the yield of resistant starch type 3 (RS3) from Novelose 330 by up to 75%. Peak temperatures of approximately 121 degrees C were used to produce to a sufficiently high thermal stability of the hydrothermal modified RS3 products for a wide range of applications. HMT significantly increased the crystallinity up to 40%.