Agave fructans: a review of their technological functionality and extraction processes.

Fructans are a polydisperse mixture of fructose polymers generally bound to a glucose molecule, in recent years, interest in their use has grown, either as a potential ingredient in functional foods or for their technological properties. The diversity of its applications lies in its structure and origin. Until now, the scientific approach has been more focused on inulin-type fructans and not so much on the effect of those of mixed branched structure as agave fructans.

Comparative study of four extraction methods of fructans (agavins) from Agave durangensis: Heat treatment, ultrasound, microwave and simultaneous ultrasound-microwave.

Agavins (fructans from the agave plant) are used for their technological and prebiotic properties in developing functional foods. In this study, four extraction methods were evaluated: ultrasound (U), microwave (M), simultaneous ultrasound-microwave (UM), and heat treatment (HT). Isomers with a degree of polymerization (DP) > 10, as well as a significant concentration of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) were identified.

Natural pigments of plant origin: Classification, extraction and application in foods.

Color is the first attribute that influences the acceptance of foods as they become more attractive to consumers when they are more intense and uniform. In recent years, the interest of producers and consumers in purchasing products containing natural ingredients have constantly increased. Natural pigments are commonly extracted from fruits and vegetables, and have been proven to provide health benefits to reduce the risk of diseases such as type-1 diabetes, obesity, and coronary diseases.

Synbiotics: a technological approach in food applications.

The purpose of the present review is to explore the research about synbiotic food diversity, as well as the probiotics and prebiotics concentration used there in, and the different tests that this type of food is subjected to. The interaction probiotic-prebiotic-food is complex. The role of probiotics is clear, but the role of prebiotics is variable, as they are used for different purposes.

Whole-cell bioconversion of naringenin to high added value hydroxylated compounds using Yarrowia lipolytica 2.2ab in surface and liquid cultures.

The bioconversion process of bioactive naringenin by whole-cells of Yarrowia lipolytica 2.2ab for the production of increased value-added compounds is successfully achieved in surface and liquid cultures. This approach is an alternative to the commercial production of these bioactive compounds from vegetable sources, which are limited due to their low concentrations and the complexity of the purification processes.

Changes in the microstructural, textural, thermal and sensory properties of apple leathers containing added agavins and inulin.

In this study the effect of agavin and inulin addition on the microstructural, textural, thermal and sensory properties of apple leathers was investigated. Agavins and inulin were added to leathers at two concentration levels (6 and 4%) individually and as a mixture. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed more compact and less porous matrices in the 6% concentration with respect to the control, influencing leather texture.