Saponin profile of green asparagus genotypes.

The main goal of this study was to determine the saponin profiles of different "triguero" asparagus genotypes and to compare them to green asparagus commercial hybrids. The samples consisted of 31 commercial hybrids and 58 genotypes from the Huétor-Tájar (HT) population variety ("triguero"). The saponin analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry allowed for the determination of 12 saponins derived from a furostan-type steroidal genin, 4 of which had never been described in the edible part of asparagus.

Optimization of a method for the profiling and quantification of saponins in different green asparagus genotypes.

The main goal of this study was the optimization of a HPLC-MS method for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of asparagus saponins. The method includes extraction with aqueous ethanol, cleanup by solid phase extraction, separation by reverse phase chromatography, electrospray ionization, and detection in a single quadrupole mass analyzer. The method was used for the comparison of selected genotypes of Huétor-Tájar asparagus landrace and selected varieties of commercial diploid hybrids of green asparagus.

"Wetting enhancer" pullulan coating for antifog packaging applications.

A new antifog coating made of pullulan is described in this work. The antifog properties are discussed in terms of wettability, surface chemistry/morphology, and by quantitative assessment of the optical properties (haze and transparency) before and after fog formation. The work also presents the results of antifog tests simulating the typical storage conditions of fresh foods.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG): an important phenolic compound present in natural table olives.

The presence of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) was studied in 32 samples and 10 different cultivars of natural table olives, using an accurate method to avoid wrong quantification. Hydroxytyrosol (HT), tyrosol, and verbascoside were also quantified, as these four compounds comprise the majority of the chromatographic profile. Analyses were carried out by HPLC-DAD-UV after extraction of all phenolics, and hydroxytyrosol was the major component in nearly all samples.