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Broccoli is a highly consumed vegetable due to its content of bioactive nutrients and non-nutrients, including glucosinolates and isothiocyanates. Also, the consumption of craft beer has been boosted by the seek for enhanced sensory and functional properties. In this frame, broccoli have been proven as an ingredient to develop healthy beverages. The objective of the work was to evaluate alternative broccoli materials (sprouts and by products powder) to go further from previous results, in a way contributing to the sustainability and circu larity of the agro-food chain using underexploited material to supplement beers, which could be a sustainable dietary source of bioactive sulforaphane (SFN). The results showed high concentrations of SFN in beers sup plemented with broccoli sprouts and powder (5.00 and 2.54 mg/L, respectively, previous to bottling). These concentrations remained stable until bottling, where they were reduced by >50%. After 150 storage days, the concentrations of SFN were 1.08 and 0.30 mg/L in beers supplemented with sprouts and powder, respectively. The sensory analysis revealed the positive attributes (colour, floral, fruity, and aftertaste as a result of the profile of volatile compounds) of beers developed using sprouts, and significant values of cooked vegetables, alcoholic, and earthy leather, which could be considered negative in beer. The latter negative tips are the ones offering sensory traits associated to ITC to broccoli-based beer. Therefore, the addition of broccoli in the format of fresh sprouts is more appropriate according to the SFN content and sensory features, providing a functional alternative that could be appreciated by consumers

Fresh-cut broccoli is a highly demanded product due to its convenience and high content of bioactive compounds. Unfortunately, this product shows rapid senescence and anoxia generation problems, especially when storage temperature varies. Therefore, perforation-mediated modified atmosphere packaging (PM-MAP) of broccoli florets, in different temperature scenarios, was studied. Polypropylene films with different levels of laser perforation were evaluated. After packaging, florets were stored at two temperatures: 2 °C, and 2 °C + 7 °C (during 2 d before sampling). PM-MAP slightly modified the internal composition of O2 (14–20 kPa) and CO2 (0.9–5 kPa) and allowed us to preserve the external quality and bioactive compounds of broccoli florets throughout 21 d, even at 7 °C. The generation of anoxia was avoided at both temperatures. PM-MAP kept broccoli mass loss below 0.5% and preserved its sensory quality. The perforation level affected evolution of firmness and glucosinolate content, especially with increasing temperature. Broccolis packaged in the film with fewer perforations showed higher firmness (0.73 ± 0.09 N/mm) and total glucosinolate content (10 ± 0.3 mg/g) compared to broccolis packaged in films with higher perforations (0.59 ± 0.05 N/mm and 8.60 ± 0.2 mg/g). Therefore, the perforation level should be taken into account in the design of packaging for fresh-cut products.

The amino acid tryptophan and its derived molecules serotonin and melatonin are involved in a wide range of physiological functions that contribute significantly to human health, namely antioxidant, immune-active, and neurological properties. Grapes and wine are a source of these compounds, but their presence in wine by-products remains underexplored. Therefore, the aim of this work was the identification and quantification of tryptophan, serotonin, and melatonin in winery by-products (grape stems, grape pomace, and wine lees) by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization and mass spectrometer with triple-quadrupole technology (UHPLC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS), as well as the evaluation of the extracts obtained (by applying specific extraction conditions for each of them) for their antioxidant and reducing capacity (by three different and complementary methods: FRAP, ABTS•+, and ORAC). Furthermore, correlation analyses were developed to establish the contribution of the different analytes to the total antioxidant activity. The main results obtained pointed out grape stems as the by-product with the highest tryptophan content (96.28 mg/kg dw) and antioxidant capacity (142.86, 166.72, and 363.24 mmol TE/kg dw, FRAP, ABTS•+, and ORAC, respectively), while serotonin and melatonin were the predominant derivatives in grape pomace (0.086 and 0.902 µg/kg dw, respectively). The antioxidant capacity of the standards was also analysed at the concentrations found in the matrices studied. A significant correlation was found between the concentration of the pure tryptophan standard and the antioxidant capacity (ABTS•+, r2 = 0.891 at p < 0.001 (***); FRAP, r2 = 0.885 at p < 0.01 (**); and ORAC, r2 = 0.854 at p < 0.01 (**)). According to these results, winery by-products can be highlighted as valuable materials to be used as novel ingredients containing tryptophan, serotonin, and melatonin, while tryptophan was identified as the most relevant contributor (o

[SPA] Los subproductos generados en la elaboración del vino constituyen un problema medioambiental y de gestión para las empresas. Este trabajo busca conseguir las condiciones idóneas, para conservar los compuestos bioactivos de dichos subproductos, con el fin de convertirlos en ingredientes funcionales. Así, se ha conseguido preservar el perfil fitoquímico de los subproductos, en estas matrices desecadas, conservando los compuestos (poli)fenólicos totales en un porcentaje aproximado del 79% en raspón, 83% en lías y 94% en bagazo tras 12 meses de almacenamiento. De este modo, los subproductos estabilizados se podrían emplear como fuente de compuestos fitoquímicos a lo largo de una anualidad. [ENG] The by-products generated in winemaking constitute an environmental problem, as well as a management problem for companies. This work seeks to achieve the ideal conditions to preserve the bioactive compounds of these by-products in order to convert them into functional ingredients. Thus, it has been possible to preserve the phytochemical profile of the by-products in these dried matrices, conserving the total (poly)phenolic compounds in an approximate percentage of 79% in the stalks, 83% in the lees and 94% in the grape pomace after 12 months storage. Thereby, the by-products stabilized could be used as sources of phytochemical compounds throughout an annuity.

This study uncovered the impacts of microwave (MW) treatments compared to conventional pasteurization (TP) on the quality of functional citrus–maqui beverages, with added sucrose or stevia. The influence of these thermal treatments on the microbiological burden and phytochemical composition was determined by processing under two MW power levels (600 W and 800 W) and TP at 85 °C for 15 s for 60 days at room temperature (20 °C). The results indicated that, beyond the microbiological quality achieved in the juices treated by both MW and TP technology, there were no differences among the treatments regarding the stability of vitamin C, anthocyanin, and flavanone concentrations. However, anthocyanins were more stable in those beverages with sucrose added, rendering a better red color. Besides, all treatments ensured microbiological stability throughout the entire storage time. In conclusion, MW treatment could be considered as an alternative to TP, which ensures microbial safety, protecting functional compounds associated with health effects.

[SPA] En las últimas décadas, el consumo de bebidas azucaradas se ha asociado con un mayor riesgo de enfermedades crónicas. Consecuentemente, las industrias alimentarias están desarrollando nuevas formulaciones con bajo contenido de azúcar y alto contenido en compuestos bioactivos. Así, este trabajo tiene como objetivo desarrollar nuevas bebidas funcionales, que constituyan una fuente dietética de compuestos fenólicos suplementadas con estevia, sucralosa o sacarosa, con el fin de estudiar la influencia del edulcorante durante su procesamiento y almacenamiento. El impacto de las tecnologías de procesamiento sobre el perfil fitoquímico y microbiológico se evaluó aplicando dos tratamientos térmicos a 60 y 80 °C durante 15 s. Se monitorizó el almacenamiento a 5 y 25 °C durante 60 días. Ambos tratamientos de pasteurización aseguraron la estabilidad microbiológica a lo largo de la vida útil. Además, el perfil fisicoquímico no mostró diferencias significativas entre las bebidas durante el período de almacenamiento de 60 días. [ENG] In recent decades, the consumption of sugary drinks has been associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases. Consequently, food industries are developing new formulations of beverages with low sugar and high bioactive compound contents. In this regard, this work aims to develop new functional beverages, which constitute a dietary source of phenolic compounds and supplemented with stevia, sucralose or sucrose, in order to study the influence of the sweetener during processing and storage. The impact of the processing technologies on phytochemical and the microbiological profile was evaluated by applying two heat treatments at 60 and 80 °C for 15 s. The storage at 5 and 25 °C was monitored for 60 days. Both pasteurization treatments ensured microbiological stability throughout shelf life. Moreover, the physicochemical profile did not display significant differences between beverages over a 60-day storage period.

Metabolic diseases have been related to the overdrinking of high-sugar content beverages. As a result, the demand for alternative formulations based on plant-based ingredients with health-promoting properties has increased during the last few years. Nonetheless, the design and production of effective formulations requires understanding the bioavailability of these compounds. For this purpose, a two-month longitudinal trial with 140 volunteers was conducted to measure the beneficial effects of a maqui–citrus beverage, rich in (poly)phenols. From data obtained by quantifying metabolites present in urine samples, biostatistical and machine learning (data imputation, feature selection, and clustering) methods were applied to assess whether a volunteer’s sex and the sweetener added to the beverage (sucrose, sucralose, or stevia) affected the bioavailability of (poly)phenol metabolites. Several metabolites have been described as being differentially influenced: 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and naringenin with its derivatives were positively influenced by stevia and men, while eriodictyol sulfate and homoeridictyol glucunoride concentrations were enhanced with stevia and women. By examining groups of volunteers created by clustering analysis, patterns in metabolites’ bioavailability distribution as a function of sex and/or sweeteners (or even due to an uncontrolled factor) were also discovered. These results underline the potential of stevia as a (poly)phenol bioavailability enhancer. Furthermore, they also evidence sex affects the bioavailability of (poly)phenols, pointing at a sex-dependent metabolic pathway regulation.

In the last decade, most of the evidence on the clinical benefits of including cruciferous foods in the diet has been focused on the content of glucosinolates (GSL) and their corresponding isothiocyanates (ITC), and mercapturic acid pathway metabolites, based on their capacity to modulate clinical, biochemical, and molecular parameters. The present systematic review summarizes findings of human studies regarding the metabolism and bioavailability of GSL and ITC, providing a comprehensive analysis that will help guide future research studies and facilitate the consultation of the latest advances in this booming and less profusely researched area of GSL for food and health. The literature search was carried out in Scopus, PubMed and the Web of Science, under the criteria of including publications centered on human subjects and the use of Brassicaceae foods in different formulations (including extracts, beverages, and tablets), as significant sources of bioactive compounds, in different types of subjects, and against certain diseases. Twenty-eight human intervention studies met inclusion criteria, which were classified into three groups depending on the dietary source. This review summarizes recent studies that provided interesting contributions, but also uncovered the many potential venues for future research on the benefits of consuming cruciferous foods in our health and well-being. The research will continue to support the inclusion of GSL-rich foods and products for multiple preventive and active programs in nutrition and well-being.

This study uncovered the impacts of microwave (MW) treatments compared to conventional pasteurization (TP) on the quality of functional citrus–maqui beverages, with added sucrose or stevia. The influence of these thermal treatments on the microbiological burden and phytochemical composition was determined by processing under two MW power levels (600 W and 800 W) and TP at 85 °C for 15 s for 60 days at room temperature (20 °C). The results indicated that, beyond the microbiological quality achieved in the juices treated by both MW and TP technology, there were no differences among the treatments regarding the stability of vitamin C, anthocyanin, and flavanone concentrations. However, anthocyanins were more stable in those beverages with sucrose added, rendering a better red color. Besides, all treatments ensured microbiological stability throughout the entire storage time. In conclusion, MW treatment could be considered as an alternative to TP, which ensures microbial safety, protecting functional compounds associated with health effects.