Utilizing Xanthan Gum Coatings as Probiotic Bacteria Carriers to Enhance Postharvest Quality and Antioxidants in Fresh-Cut Cantaloupe and Honeydew ( L.) Melons.

Due to spoilage microflora and browning, minimally processed fresh-cut fruits have a short shelf life, and over the years, studies have shown the potential of using edible coatings to extend the shelf life and improve the safety of fresh-cut fruits. Recently, there has been a rise in research on the incorporation of probiotics in edible coatings due to the bespoke health and biopreservation benefits they impart. Therefore, in this study, lactobacillus strains ( 75 and ) were incorporated into a xanthan edible coating to enhance color retention, sensory properties, antioxidant retention (ascorbic acid, carotenoids, total phenols), and antioxidant activity (FRAP antioxidant power, ABTS scavenger activity) of fresh-cut cantaloupes and honeydew L.

In Vitro Release of Anthocyanins from Microencapsulated Natal Plum () Phenolic Extract in Alginate/Psyllium Mucilage Beads.

Natal plum () contains anthocyanins, cyanidin 3--β-sambubioside (Cy-3-Sa), and cyanidin 3--glucoside (Cy-3-G) that possess great bioactive properties. During in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, Cy-3-Sa and Cy-3-G are highly sensitive to pH changes and have low bioaccessibility rates of 7.9% and 22%, respectively.

Antioxidant Activities of Co-Encapsulated Natal Plum () Juice Inoculated with in Different Biopolymeric Matrices after In Vitro Digestion.

Biopolymeric systems that co-encapsulate probiotics and bioactive compounds ensure timely delivery in the gastrointestinal tract. Cyanidin 3-sambubioside is the dominant anthocyanin in Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa). This study aims at the co-encapsulation of Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa) juice inoculated with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 75 (Ltp.

Metabolomic and chemometric profiles of ten southern African indigenous fruits.

Using UPLC-QTOF/MS, metabolites were identified in 10 indigenous fruits from South Africa. Metabolomic-chemometric analysis showed chlorogenic acid scored highest for the discrimination of three different fruit clusters. Heat maps showed patterns and groupings based on the metabolite concentrations.

Co-Ingestion of Natal Plums () and Marula Nuts () in a Snack Bar and Its Effect on Phenolic Compounds and Bioactivities.

This study investigated the effect of co-ingesting Natal plums () and Marula nuts () on the bioaccessibility and uptake of anthocyanins, antioxidant capacity, and the ability to inhibit α-glucosidase. A Natal plum-Marula nut bar was made by mixing the raw nuts and the fruit pulp in a ratio 1:1 (/). The cyanidin-3--sambubioside (Cy-3-Sa) and cyanidin-3--glucoside content (Cy-3-G) were quantified using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS).

Cooking African Pumpkin Leaves ( L.) by Stir-Frying Improved Bioactivity and Bioaccessibility of Metabolites-Metabolomic and Chemometric Approaches.

The leaves of African pumpkins ( L.) are a commonly consumed traditional vegetable. They are a good source of polyphenolic antioxidants and carotenoids, which are, however, affected by cooking or digestion.

Influence of Different Types of Drying Methods on Color Properties, Phenolic Metabolites and Bioactivities of Pumpkin Leaves of var. Butternut squash ( Duchesne ex Poir).

Leaves of pumpkin species var. Butternut squash ( Duchesne ex Poir) is a popularly consumed leafy vegetable in the Southern African region. Traditional vegetables are commonly sun-dried as a method of postharvest preservation during the off-season.

Changes in antinutrients, phenolics, antioxidant activities and in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in pumpkin leaves () during different domestic cooking methods.

Unlabelled: Pumpkin leaves () were subjected to different household cooking methods (boiling, microwaving, steaming, and stir-frying) to evaluate their effect on antinutrients, phenolic compounds, antioxidant properties (ABTS, and DPPH) and in vitro α-glucosidase activity. All cooking methods studied significantly reduced the antinutrients and antioxidant activities, whilst phenolic compounds -coumaric and ferulic acids significantly increased. The cooking methods reduced the oxalates by more than 50%, tannins by 47% and phytates by 79.

Influence of Fermentation of Pasteurised Papaya Puree with Different Lactic Acid Bacterial Strains on Quality and Bioaccessibility of Phenolic Compounds during Digestion.

This study describes the impact of utilising different strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for the fermentation of papaya puree and their effect on the quality parameters and bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds during simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Papaya was processed into puree; pasteurised and fermented at 37 °C for 2 days; and stored for 7 days at 4 °C using LAB strains (; ), (; ) and (; ), respectively. Non-fermented samples at 0 (), 2 () and 7 days () served as controls.

Changes in Phenolic Metabolites and Biological Activities of Pumpkin Leaves ( Duchesne ex Poir.) During Blanching.

Pumpkin leaves ( Duchesne ex Poir.) are popularly consumed in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Blanching the leaves before drying is a method of preservation during off-season.

Phytochemical and Nutritional Quality Changes During Irrigation and Postharvest Processing of the Underutilized Vegetable African Nightshade.

Underutilized or traditional leafy vegetables are grown in the wild and cultivated. They are consumed as nutritional accompaniments to staples, either raw (fresh), cooked, or in a dried form, through custom, habit, and tradition. These traditional leafy vegetables are natural rich sources of phytochemicals and nutritional compounds.

An integrated approach for harvesting Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa) for quality and functional compounds related to maturity stages.

This study aims to link morphological and physico-chemical parameters with maturity stages of Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa), an edible southern African fruit. Harvesting via an integrative holistic approach is recommended for optimal quality and functional compounds. Fruits at dark green (M1), light green (M2), colour break or pink (M3), red (M4), dark red (M5) stages were harvested in 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Assessment of changes in photosystem II structure and function as affected by water deficit in Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. and Amaranthus hybridus L.

The present study describes the behaviour of photosystem II (PSII) in Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Amaranthus hybridus under water stress conditions, assessed by the analyses of the polyphasic rise in chlorophyll a fluorescence (O-J-I-P). We determined the adaptive behaviour in relation to the regulation of the different functional and structural parameters of PSII, which was a direct and rapid response due to changes in soil water status indicated by a decrease in leaf water potential and relative water content. It allows for the identification of specific key or limiting chlorophyll fluorescence parameters which could be used to identify traits conveying tolerance.