Fatty acids, sterols, and antioxidant activity in minimally processed avocados during refrigerated storage.

J Agric Food Chem

Department of Plant Foods Science and Technology, Instituto del Frío, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain.

Published: April 2009

AI Article Synopsis

  • Avocados are rich in healthy compounds like monounsaturated fatty acids and sterols, specifically high in oleic acid (57%) and beta-sitosterol (89%).
  • A study tested the effects of minimal processing on the nutrient stability of avocados stored in different conditions (nitrogen, air, vacuum) at 8°C for 13 days, revealing that vacuum-packed halves and air-packed slices retained fatty acid content better.
  • Overall, while fatty acid content decreased during storage, phytosterols remained stable, and antioxidant activity showed a slight increase in vacuum-packaged samples, indicating that minimal processing can help maintain the health benefits of avocados.

Article Abstract

Avocado ( Persea americana Mill.) is a good source of bioactive compounds such as monounsaturated fatty acids and sterols. The impact of minimal processing on its health-promoting attributes was investigated. Avocados cut into slices or halves were packaged in plastic bags under nitrogen, air, or vacuum and stored at 8 degrees C for 13 days. The stabilities of fatty acids and sterols as well as the effect on antioxidant activity were evaluated. The main fatty acid identified and quantified in avocado was oleic acid (about 57% of total content), whereas beta-sitosterol was found to be the major sterol (about 89% of total content). In general, after refrigerated storage, a significant decrease in fatty acid content was observed. Vacuum/halves and air/slices were the samples that maintained better this content. With regard to phytosterols, there were no significant changes during storage. Antioxidant activity showed a slight positive correlation against stearic acid content. At the end of refrigerated storage, a significant increase in antiradical efficiency (AE) was found for vacuum samples. AE values were quite similar among treatments. Hence, minimal processing can be a useful tool to preserve health-related properties of avocado fruit.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf900541rDOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

fatty acids
12
acids sterols
12
antioxidant activity
12
refrigerated storage
12
minimal processing
8
fatty acid
8
total content
8
acid content
8
fatty
5
content
5

Similar Publications

Evaluation of the anti-cholelithiasis activity of vinegar-soaked Ficus carica fruit in adults: A randomized controlled trial.

Pak J Pharm Sci

January 2025

Department of Pathobiology and Biomedical Sciences, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan/Ali-Ul-Murtaza Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Muhammad Institute of Medical and Allied Sciences, Multan, Pakistan.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of vinegar-soaked Ficus carica fruits (VSFCF) for managing cholelithiasis in adults. A parallel-group, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial at Noreen Nishat Welfare Hospital, Khanewal, Pakistan, was conducted from December 2023 to February 2024. Fifty adults with ultrasound-confirmed cholelithiasis were randomly assigned to receive either VSFCF (1 g/kg/day) or ursodiol (600 mg/day).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Wild game meat has over the years gained popularity across the globe as it is considered a food source with high protein content, low fat content, and a balanced composition of fatty acids and minerals, which are requirements for a healthy diet. Despite this popularity, there is a concern over its safety as many species of wildlife are reservoirs of zoonotic diseases including those of bacterial origin, more so antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Methods: This study aimed to describe the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in mammalian wild game, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Genomic analysis and potential polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production from Bacillus strains isolated from extreme environments in Mexico.

BMC Microbiol

January 2025

Unidad de Manipulación Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México.

Background: Plastic pollution is a significant environmental problem caused by its high resistance to degradation. One potential solution is polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a microbial biodegradable polymer. Mexico has great uncovered microbial diversity with high potential for biotechnological applications.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The red king crab, Paralithodes camtschaticus, and the Japanese mitten crab, Eriocheir japonica, are the major commercially valuable species. In addition to their high nutritional value, these crabs are used as objects of ecological research. To extend our knowledge of crustacean biochemistry and provide a more comprehensive model of lipidomic patterns during embryonic and larval development of these crab species, we studied the dynamics of molecular species profiles of reserve lipids such as triacylglycerols (TG) and membrane lipids such as glycerophospholipids (PL).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A pilot study on the effects of olfactory stimulation with white musk aromatic oil on psychophysiological activity: a crossover study.

Sci Rep

January 2025

Department of Agro‑Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi‑ku, Fukuoka, 8190395, Japan.

Studies on the compounds of aromatic oils and their effects on psychophysiological changes in humans are often conducted separately. To obtain better validation, a suitable protocol is needed that can be extrapolated to large-scale olfactory stimulation experiments. Unfortunately, this type of study is still rarely performed.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!