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Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) has been recognized for multiple health benefits due to bioactive compounds. Dehydration is usually the most widely used method to preserve and concentrate these elements. However, it can also affect and totally or partially degrade the quality of the product under incorrect processing conditions. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of drying parameters on Melissa’s physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory properties. In total, four treatments were analyzed according to the experimental design (T1: 25 °C and 1.5 m s-1, T2: 25 °C and 3.0 m s-1, T3: 45 °C and 1.5 m s-1, and T4: 45 °C and 3.0 m s-1). Drying kinetics were determined using a vertical airflow dryer and a continuous weighing system. The results were compared with fresh leaves. The findings obtained show that increasing temperature and varying drying speed reduces moisture content and aw but increases enzymatic activity and essential oil content. In the drying process, temperature has a greater effect in the initial stages of the process, while drying speed on the internal structure of the raw material. By optimizing the drying conditions, it is possible to reduce the drying time by 44%. Page’s model showed excellent ability to predict drying kinetics under various drying conditions (RMSE <0.04 and R2 >0.98). In terms of color, lightness decreased because of temperature, while a* and b* values were affected by non-enzymatic browning. Treatment T4 was the product with the highest acceptability. The findings obtained provide a theoretical basis to optimize the lemon balm drying process. Drying Melissa at 45 °C and 3.0 m s-1 can improve the quality and composition of the final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cocoa pod-husk is a by-product of cocoa processing, underutilized despite its phenolic compounds that can be an alternative to preserve the microbiological quality of food. The aim of this work was to evaluate the in vitro inhibitory activity of phenolic compounds from the cocoa pod-husk against Salmonella spp, which is commonly found in fresh cheese produced in Manabí, Ecuador; as well as the effect on the sensory characteristics of cheese after immersion in a solution of phenolic compounds. In vitro microbiological analyzes of the inhibitory activity of phenolic compounds, showed that the concentrations 1 and 1.5% had the highest zone of inhibition against Salmonella spp., with mean diameters of 10.67 and 11.8 mm, respectively. On the other hand, the growth curve of Salmonella spp. indicated that 2 h were required for complete inhibition of bacteria by phenolic compounds at concentrations of 1 and 1.5%. For the sensory analyzes of cheese treated with phenolic compounds, 56.3% of the panelists accredited the firmness and odor with "I like it", while 37.5% of the panelists qualified the color of the cheese with "I neither like nor dislike". Firmness and odor had higher values of acceptance than color. For 25 and 12.5% of the panelists, firmness and odor were rated as "I like it a lot", respectively, and 56.3% of the panelists conferred the label of "I like it" to both attributes. Cheese color was the lowest rated attribute, given that 12.5% of the panelists chose "I like it a lot" and 25% for "I like it". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fresh cheese produced in the province of Manabí is an Ecuadorian artisan cheese. The processing conditions commonly do not comply Ecuadorian regulations, resulting in the presence of pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella. The high number of cases of Salmonellosis in the province of Manabí justifies the need to identify and control the possible sources of this pathogenic microorganism. In the present work, the effect of the addition of Lactobacillus acidophilus to fresh cheese was studied, by immersing it in a starch solution with 1x108 CFU mL-1 of L. acidophilus with further storage for 30 days at 4 °C. The pH, acidity, weight loss, instrumental firmness, number of CFU of mesophilic aerobic bacteria and acceptability of fresh cheese were analyzed. At the same time, a duo-trio analysis was carried out, followed by a satisfaction analysis with the participation of semi-trained panelists. The presence of L. acidophilus reduced the pH and acidity in the fresh cheese in relation to the control sample. Satisfaction results, on a five-point hedonic scale, which ranged from 1 (I dislike it very much) to 5 (I like it very much), showed that the cheese treated with L. acidophilus and the control sample received a rating between "I neither like nor dislike" and "I like it moderately", with values of 3.63 for the treated sample and 3.50 for the control. The application of L. acidophilus did not affect the organoleptic acceptability of cheese and produced less changes in pH, acidity and weight loss during storage for 30 days at 4 °C in relation to the control sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almojábana is a kind of food that varies in its composition depending on the geographical place where it is baked. In Ecuador, almojábana is based on cheese, wheat flour and Canna edulis starch. C. edulis planting has diminished, leading to a high cost of the starch and less availability on the market. The present work studied C. edulis starch substitution by a mixture of potato and cassava starches on the elaboration of almojábanas. Specific volume, crumb structure, textural properties and sensory analyses were used to find the best starch substitution. Mixtures of cassava and potato starch (25/75, 35/65, and 45/55) and starch dough resting time (10, 15, and 20 h) were investigated. Hardness, elasticity, chewiness, specific volume, average size cell, the number of cells per area and the total area of cells of almojábanas were determined. Results showed that a mixture of 25% potato, 75% cassava and 20 h resting time could substitute C. edulis starch in almojábana baking. The obtained almojábanas had different flavor compared to a control sample (based on C. edulis starch). Starch substitution reduced the cost of raw materials (starch) by 60%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whey is a dairy industry by-product with an adverse environmental impact; therefore, obtaining sweeteners from it promote a circular economy and is an alternative to mitigate the environmental problems. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of different inclusions (10%, 20%, and 30%) of Glucose-Galactose syrup (GGS), obtained from whey, on the physicochemical, sensory, and stability properties of a milk caramel spread. Results showed that the syrup has a significant effect on the techno-functional properties of the final product since it turns into a darker color when the concentrations of syrup increased. Besides, the yield of the product was higher (41.4%), providing a higher volume. In a replacement of 30% GGS, the milk caramel spread at a lower amount of soluble solids achieved a texture similar to the other inclusions. At a sensory level, consumers accepted all formulations with an acceptance higher than 90%. During the storage time (60 d), different evaluated parameters increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Con el propósito de hallar algunas características fisicoquímicas del fruto del agraz, del cual existen pocos conocimientos sobre su calidad, se recolectaron frutos provenientes de Chiquinquirá (Boyacá) los cuales fueron empacados en cajas plásticas de 125 g y almacenados durante 9 días en un cuarto frío a una temperatura de 2ºC, con una humedad relativa del 90 %. Cada 3 días fueron medidas las variables sólidos solubles totales (SST), pH, acidez total titulable (ATT), ácidos cítrico, málico y ascórbico, diámetro del fruto y pérdida de peso. La mayoría de los cambios fisicoquímicos fueron de muy poca magnitud, las siguientes mediciones presentaron una tendencia permanente a la disminución: el peso fresco (de 0,58 a 0,55 g), el diámetro del fruto (de 0,99 a 0,93 cm) y el pH (de 3,12 a 3,05), mientras que aumentaron la ATT (de 1,44 a 1,52 %) y los SST (de 14,13 a 14,73 ºBrix). Los análisis con HPLC arrojaron que el ácido predominante fue el acido cítrico, seguido por el acido málico (1.899 mg y 1.396 mg/100 g fruto, respectivamente) los cuales aumentaron a partir del día 6 de almacenamiento. El ácido ascórbico (8 mg/100 g) presentó una leve disminución durante los días 3 a 6 del almacenamiento. Es posible que el aumento de los SST, la ATT y los ácidos orgánicos hacía el día 9 del almacenamiento haya sido debido a un efecto de concentración. En el análisis sensorial, se identificó que los frutos frescos obtuvieron una buena aceptación tanto en apariencia, aroma, sabor y en textura, mientras que los almacenados durante 9 días aún calificaron en aroma y sabor.With the purpose to find out some physiochemical characteristics of Andean blueberry fruits from which exist few knowledge about its quality, fruits were collected from Chiquinquirá (Boyacá), and packed in plastic boxes of 125 g and stored during 9 days (at 2ºC and 90% relative humidity). Each 3 days variables as total soluble solids (TSS), pH, total titratable acidity (TTA), citric, malic and ascorbic acids, fruit diameter and its weight loss were measured. The majority of physiochemical changes in fruits were lowest. A permanent decreasing tendency presented: fresh weight (from 0,58 to 0,55 g), diameter (from 0,.99 to 0,93 cm), and the pH (from 3,12 to 3,05, with a peak at 6 days up to 3.16), while TTA increased slightly (from 1,44 to 1,52%, with a peak at 3 days up to 1,64) and TSS from 14,13 to 14,73 ºBrix. The HPLC analysis showed that citric acid was the predominant organic acid in fruits, followed by the malic acid (1.899 mg and 1.396 mg/100 g respectively), which increased from the 6th day of storage. The ascorbic acid (8 mg/100 g) presented a slowly decrease between day 3 and 6 of storage. It is supposed that the TSS, TTA and organic acids increased up to the ninth day of storage due to a concentration effect. In the sensorial analysis it was found that fresh fruits had a good acceptation in all evaluated parameters (appearance, aroma, flavor and texture) while the 9 days stored fruits only presented good qualifications in aroma and flavor.

The effect of pasteurization and starter cultures on physicochemical, microbiological and sensorial characteristics of costeño cheese was determined. A completely randomized design was conducted, three treatments (T) and three replicates: Treatment 1 (T1): cheese manufactured with pasteurized milk without starter cultures, Treatment 2 (T2): cheese manufactured with pasteurized milk with Lactococcus lactis and Lactococcus cremoris (1:1) and Treatment 3 (T3): cheesemanufactured with pasteurized milk with Lactococcus lactis, Lactococcus cremoris and Streptococcus thermophillus (0.5:0.5:1). Treatments were compared to a control sample that was prepared with raw milk without starter cultures. Concentration of 1.5% (v/v) of culture was used in relation to the amount of used milk in each treatment. Moisture content was higher in all treatments compared to the control and protein and fat content were significantly lower. Acidity was significantly higher in samples from T2 y T3 compared to T1 and control, due to the metabolism of starter cultures. Total coliforms, yeast and mold counts showed a significant reduction due to pasteurization process in all treatments. Regarding sensorial analysis, hedonic test showed a greater preference in cheese manufactured with T2 (P<0.05). There were no significant preferences between T1, T3 and control. Additionally, yield was significantly higher with T1 (22%) and T3 (23%) compared to control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]