Optimizing vacuum drying process of polyphenols, flavanols and DPPH radical scavenging assay in pod husk and bean shell cocoa.

The objective of this study was to optimize different vacuum drying conditions for cocoa pod husk and cocoa bean shell in order to enhance these by-products for commercial applications. To carry out the optimization, the response surface methodology was applied using a Box-Behnken experimental design with 15 experiments for which different conditions of temperature (X), drying time (X) and vacuum pressure (X) were established. The response variables were the content of total polyphenols, the content of flavanols and the radical scavenging activity evaluated in the extracts of the different experiments.

Microencapsulated betacyanin from colored organic quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.): optimization, physicochemical characterization and accelerated storage stability.

Background: Betalains are presently gaining popularity as pigments for use as natural colorants and/or bioactive compounds in functional foods. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) has been recognized as an extremely nutritious grain and has recently been found to be a novel and good betalain source.