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Abstract: Black olives of Taggiasca (Ta) and Conservolea (Co) varieties were processed according to the Greek style method in order to investigate the effect of this type of table olive processing on cell wall composition. Naturally black processing involves the storage in brine of fully ripe olives for several months, allowing a spontaneous fermentation by a mixed flora followed by fermentation by the lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. The smaller fruits of Ta variety are richer in pectic polysaccharides, accounting for half of total cell wall polysaccharides (12mg/fruit), whereas in Co they accounted for one third (23mg/fruit). Fresh Co olives had higher proportion of glucuronoxylans and xyloglucans (33%), whereas these polysaccharides accounted for 22% in Ta. The processing did not cause significant variations in the cell wall polysaccharide composition of Ta fruits, although pectic polysaccharides became more soluble in aqueous solutions. Conversely, processed Co olives had slightly higher amounts of galacturonan-rich pectic polysaccharides than the unprocessed fruits, suggesting that the long stage in brine might have contributed to the stabilisation and/or the biosynthesis of new polysaccharides. The changes caused by processing on cell wall polysaccharides appear to be closely related to the activity and availability of cell wall degrading enzymes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The antioxidant activity of bee pollen (mainly composed by Cistus ladanifer pellets) was explored in the context of black pudding production. For this purpose, three black pudding formulations comprising varying antioxidant compounds (sodium ascorbate, bee pollen and bee pollen extract) were produced. Bee pollen was characterized according to the botanical origin, antioxidant activity, total phenol and flavonoid contents and phenolic profile. Black pudding was characterized by the microbiological safety, lipid oxidation, pH, water activity and humidity at 1, 10, 21, 30 and 37 days. Sensory acceptance was evaluated on the four first periods of storage. Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes were absent in all samples. Small variations on humidity and pH were observed during the black pudding's storage. Regarding lipid oxidation, it increased, on average, from 1.36 mg to 2.11 mg malondialdehyde/kg meat. Differences among the three formulations were only significant on the first days of storage. The sensory assessment did not differ between products. This study suggests that bee pollen may be used as a natural antioxidant in meat products, yet a careful labelling is essential to alert allergic consumers. • Bee pollen is a healthy product. • Chemical and sensory characterization of Black pudding with pollen. • The work suggest that bee pollen could be a natural alternative to prevent the lipid oxidation in black pudding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to obtain a betalain-rich extract (BRE) from Opuntia ficus-indica peels and protect them through a holistic approach involving microencapsulation via spray-drying. To enhance the stability of the microencapsulated betalains, an antioxidant-rich extract (ARE) obtained through hydrothermal extraction from the residual material remaining after the conventional extraction of betalains was used as a stabilizer during the spray-drying process. The antioxidant activity of the ARE was evaluated by measuring its IC 50 value for 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) of 65.8 μg/mL, its Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of 60.4 g Trolox eq. /100 g, and its reducing power of 16.6 g butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) eq./100 g. Spray-drying parameters were optimized using a Box-Behnken design to enhance the total betalain content and minimize by-product formation. The results demonstrated that the addition of the ARE significantly improved the stability of betalains during spray-drying, leading to the formation of microparticles with high betalain content and enhanced stability. The optimal conditions (0.72% starch, 1.50% BRE and 0.25% ARE) resulted in microparticles with a maximum concentration of 6.74 ± 0.09 mg Betalains /g. The predictive model exhibited high accuracy in estimating experimental values. This research provides a natural and sustainable solution for food coloring by effectively utilizing discarded Opuntia ficus-indica peel. Moreover, it offers new scientific understanding on the production of betalain-rich microparticles as a possible substitute for food coloring, with considerable benefits in terms of sustainability and high antioxidant capacity. • Holistic approach using O. ficus indica peels for stable, natural colorant. • Antioxidant-rich extract enhances betalain stability, yielding stable microparticles. • Box-Behnken design optimizes spray-drying, maximizing betalain concentration accurately. • Opuntia peels offers sustainable source for betalain-rich microparticles, reducing waste. • Microparticles as alternative for synthetic coloring, with high antioxidant capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]