Prospects of cowpea protein as an alternative and natural emulsifier for food applications: Effect of pH and oil concentration.

In response to the growing need to expand the knowledge base on novel, more sustainable protein sources, this study investigated the effectiveness of cowpea protein concentrate (CPC) as a natural emulsifying agent, examining the relationships between pH (3-11), oil concentration (2-10 %), and emulsion stability. pH and oil concentration significantly impacted droplet size distribution, with uniformity decreasing in the order of pH 9 > pH 11 > pH 7, which was attributed to droplet coalescence and flocculation. As evidenced by circular dichroism, alkalinity induced a slight increase in the beta-sheet content of CPC, while simultaneously reducing the alpha-helix content.

Effect of temperature and relative humidity on the stability of betalains encapsulated in cryogels from protein and polysaccharide.

The stability of betalains (Bet) encapsulated in cryogels made with a mixture of albumin (ALB) and albumin-pectin (ALB-PEC) as wall materials were evaluated during storage at 32% and 83% relative humidity (RH) at several different temperature conditions (4 °C, 30 °C and 40 °C). The retention of betalains (betanin + isobetanin) and phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, the Folin-Ciocalteu method and radical ABTS capture methodology. The color parameters and images of the encapsulated betalains were obtained.

Effect of the pre-treatment and the drying process on the phenolic composition of raisins produced with a seedless Brazilian grape cultivar.

The grape is an important fruit regarding economic and health benefit parameters, because of its large consumption around the world and their bioactive phenolic compounds. The drying process of BRS Morena grapes, whether pre-treated or not with olive oil for producing raisins, resulted in qualitative and quantitative changes in their phenolic composition (anthocyanins, flavonols, stilbenes, hydroxycinammic acid derivatives, flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins). The raisins with the pre-treatment preserved more anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins than the raisins not pre-treated.

Effects of temperature and pectin edible coatings with guava by-products on the drying kinetics and quality of dried red guava.

With the objective of utilizing agro-industrial by-products and enhancing the quality attributes of dehydrated fruits, this study evaluated the effects of edible pectin-based coatings containing disintegrated guava by-products (up to 50% concentration) and drying temperatures (46-74 °C) on the drying kinetics and nutritional properties of dried red guava. Coatings were applied to guava slices prior to hot-air drying. A central composite rotatable design was used to optimize carotenoid and phenolic compound retention.

Edible coating with probiotic as a quality factor for minimally processed carrots.

The objectives of this study were to elaborate an edible coating based on sodium alginate with probiotic potential and to evaluate the coating's performance with respect to microbial viability and the characteristics of safety and freshness of minimally processed carrots stored at 8 ± 2 °C. Carrot slices were submerged in a sodium alginate solution with and without the addition of La-14 (7.36 log CFU/g), and gelling was activated by subsequent immersion in a calcium chloride solution.

Calcium and ascorbic acid affect cellular structure and water mobility in apple tissue during osmotic dehydration in sucrose solutions.

The effects of the addition of calcium lactate and ascorbic acid to sucrose osmotic solutions on cell viability and microstructure of apple tissue were studied. In addition, water distribution and mobility modification of the different cellular compartments were observed. Fluorescence microscopy, light microscopy and time domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) were respectively used to evaluate cell viability and microstructural changes during osmotic dehydration.