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Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is one of the most important forest fruits, considered as a valuable horticultural resource of bioactives, such as anthocyanins - cyanidin3-glucoside, flavonoids, vitamins (e.g. vitamin C), carotenoids (e.g. β-carotene). The aim of this study was to obtain designed delivery systems of bioactive from cornelian cherry, as microencapsulated powders in order to assure their controlled release and to develop stable and natural additives for different application. Anthocyanin’s (concentrated extract) from cornelian cherry fruits were microencapsulated in a complex, biopolymeric matrice, formed by whey protein isolate (WPI) and pectin (PT). Two experimental variants were obtained by varying the ratio between WPI and PT, such as 1:1 (PT1) and 1:2 (PT2). The powders were tested for encapsulation efficiency of the anthocyanins, phytochemical profile of the extract and freeze-dried powders, as well as colorimetric analysis. Encapsulation efficiency of the anthocyanins varied between 80.04 and 82.11% with an important level of biologically active compounds (total polyphenols, total flavonoids) and remarkable antioxidant activity. Colorimetric analysis reveals a red colour of the powders, associated with their anthocyanin content. Both experimental variants proposed in this study protected the anthocyanins from cornelian cherry fruits. Moreover, microencapsulated powders can be used as natural food additives due to their red colour and phytochemical profile.

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris), a root vegetable known for its vivid natural color and nutritional profile, is a source of a wide range of bioactive compounds, including betalains, phenolics, vitamins, and antioxidants. These bioactive compounds are associated with many health-promoting properties, including antihypertensive, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. The beetroot processing industry produces substantial by-products abundant in phytochemicals and betalains, presenting valuable opportunities for utilization. Therefore, it can replace synthetic additives and enhance the nutritional value of foods. By reducing waste and supporting a circular economy, beetroot by-products improve resource efficiency, cut production costs, and lessen the food industry's environmental impact. Beetroot and its by-products are rich in phytochemicals that provide various wellness advantages. They support cardiovascular health, inhibit microbe-induced food spoiling, aid liver function, and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. This paper presents a detailed review of current knowledge on beetroot and its by-products, focusing on their biochemical components, extraction and stabilization techniques, health benefits, and potential applications in the food industry. It underscores the versatility and importance of red beetroot and its derivatives, advocating for further research into optimized processing methods and innovative uses to enhance their industrial and nutritional value. By providing valuable insights, this review aims to inspire food scientists, nutritionists, and the agricultural sector to integrate beetroot and its by-products into more sustainable and health-oriented food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing global demand for sustainable and eco-friendly food items, it is imperative to investigate alternate sources of natural pigments. The red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is a traditional food in many countries and a rich bioactive compound known for its beneficial properties. Beetroot peel, a by-product of beetroot food processing, is often discarded, contributing to environmental damage. This research explores the potential of beetroot peel (BP) powder as a natural pigment in food products and its functional benefits. The study focuses on incorporating BP powder into meringues, aiming to create a value-added product with enhanced properties, particularly antioxidant activity. Various amounts of BP powder (4–10%) were added to meringue formulations, and the effects on the resulting meringues' physicochemical properties, sensory qualities, and phytochemical profiles were assessed during 21 days of storage. The research revealed that BP powder, besides its function as a natural colorant and the pleasing pink hue it imparts to meringues, also enhances antioxidant activity due to its high phenolic concentration. BP powder was also incorporated to enhance the meringues' overall sensory characteristics, improving their flavor and texture. The research findings indicate that BP has the potential to be used as a natural food ingredient to promote human health, resource-use efficiency, and a circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper investigates the phytochemical profile, antioxidant activity, antidiabetic potential, and antibacterial activity of Myrtus communis berries. Two extraction methods were employed to obtain the extracts: solid–liquid ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The extracts were characterized using spectrophotometric methods and Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC). The UAE extract exhibited higher total flavonoid and anthocyanin content, while the SFE extract prevailed in total phenolic content and antioxidant activity in the DPPH radical screening assay. RP-HPLC characterization identified and quantified several polyphenolic compounds. In the UAE extract, epigallocatechin was found in a concentration of 2656.24 ± 28.15 µg/g dry weight (DW). In the SFE extract, cafestol was the identified compound with the highest content at a level of 29.65 ± 0.03 µg/g DW. Both extracts contained several anthocyanin compounds, including cyanidin 3-O-glucoside chloride, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside chloride, malvidin-3-O-glucoside chloride, pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside chloride, peonidin 3-O-glucoside chloride, and peonidin-3-O-rutinoside chloride. The antidiabetic potential was evaluated in vitro by measuring the inhibition of α-amylase from porcine pancreas (type I-A). The results highlighted the ability of myrtle berry extracts to inhibit α-amylase enzymatic activity, suggesting its potential as an alternative for controlling postprandial hyperglycemia. The UAE extract showed the lowest IC50 value among the two extracts, with an average of 8.37 ± 0.52 µg/mL DW. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was assessed in vitro against Bacillus spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus using the disk diffusion method. Both myrtle berry extracts exhibited similar antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial strains. The results support further investigation of myrtle berries extracts as a potential ingredient in functional food formulation, particularly due to its antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antibacterial properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A versatile and popular Cucurbitaceous vegetable, pumpkin has recently gained much attention because of its variety of phytochemicals and health advantages. Pumpkins are a type of winter squash, traditionally with large, spherical, orange fruits and a highly nutrient food. Pumpkin by-products comprise various parts, such as seeds, peels, and pulp residues, with their bioactive composition and many potential benefits poorly explored by the food industry. Pumpkin and their by-products contain a wide range of phytochemicals, including carotenoids, polyphenols, tocopherols, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers. These compounds in pumpkin by-products exhibit antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antimicrobial properties and could reduce the risk of chronic diseases. This comprehensive review aims to provide a detailed overview of the phytochemicals found in pumpkin and its by-products, along with their extraction methods, health benefits, and diverse food and industrial applications. This information can offer valuable insights for food scientists seeking to reevaluate pumpkin's potential as a functional ingredient. Reusing these by-products would support integrating a circular economy approach by boosting the market presence of valuable and sustainable products that improve health while lowering food waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carrots (Daucus carota L.) are very nutritious root vegetables that include a variety of bioactive substances such as antioxidants, carotenoids, vitamins, and dietary fibers. Carrot pomace (CP) is rich in ß-carotene and is a useful by-product that may be used to improve food products like cakes, biscuits, and bread at reasonable costs. This study aimed to investigate the use of CP powder as a natural pigment for producing muffins. The effect of adding CP powder at various percentages (0-5%) to muffin recipes was evaluated for its influence on nutritional content, texture, color, taste, and phytochemical properties. The study showed that CP powder addition resulted in muffins with enhanced fiber content, antioxidant properties, and sensory acceptability. Moreover, the carrot powder ensured a natural color to muffins, improved their apperance, and had remarkable antioxidant activity. The findings of this research contribute not only to the development of healthier and more visually appealing bakery products, but also to their sustainability by significantly reducing food waste. The study addresses the health and environmental risks associated with artificial colorants by providing promising insights into the possible use of carrot pomace powder as a natural pigment in various food applications, paving the way for a more sustainable future in food production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background. Fish by-products are discarded as waste, which has a significant impact on the environment. They have no economic value, but there are many opportunities to turn them into high value products. Due to significant quantities generated internationally and the continuous expansion of the market for ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids as nutraceuticals, innovative technological approaches are needed to transform this waste into marketable products with added value, while limiting the risk of environmental pollution. Experimental approach. In this study, two temperatures (40 and 60 °C) at a constant pressure during the extraction of anchovy by-products with supercritical CO2 fluid were used to determine extraction yield, fatty acid, tocopherol and phytosterol composition, followed by microencapsulation with two matrices based on the transglutaminase-mediated crosslinking reaction between whey protein isolates and casein. Before microencapsulation, the binding parameters were estimated using quenching studies. Results and conclusions. The results showed a higher content of total fatty acids when extracted at 40 °C, resulting in two fractions on a dry mass basis of (712±12) mg/g in the fraction obtained in the separator with code S40 and (732±10) mg/g in the fraction obtained in the separator with code S45, respectively. The monounsaturated (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) accounted for 40-44 %. The extracts showed a higher mass fraction of eicosapentaenoic acid ((28.7±1.0) mg/g) in fraction S45 when extracted at 60 °C. A minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration of 0.66 μg/mL against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 was found for all fractions. Higher binding constants were found for palmitoleic and oleic acids than for palmitic acid. The control variant, without crosslinking, enabled the microencapsulation of a higher amount of fatty acids, while in both powders the sum of MUFAs and PUFAs was 40 %. Novelty and scientific contribution. The approaches used in our study open up new opportunities for adding value to the fish by-products through extraction and microencapsulation, extending their potential use to food, cosmetics and nutraceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cornus mas (CM) is one of the four edible fruits of the Cornus genus, a rich source of biologically active compounds (BACs) such as vitamins (like vitamin C), carotenoids, iridoids, and phenolics (phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and other flavonoids). This study aimed to analyse the improvement of the stability of CM anthocyanins by microencapsulation, in order to propose a new natural food dye. Microencapsulation using a mixture of whey protein isolate (WPI) and chitosan (CH) as wall materials has been applied to protect anthocyanins against external factors (e.g., light, temperature, storage, etc.). Two experimental variants of microencapsulated powders, WPI:CH = 1:1 (CH1) and WPI:CH = 1:2 (CH2), were realised by varying the wall materials ratio. The cornelian cherry fruit concentrated extract was evaluated for its phytochemical, colourimetric, and antioxidant capacities. Due to the excellent anthocyanin encapsulation effectiveness (74.29 - 88.71%), the wall materials utilised for both powders can be considered effective choices to safeguard the anthocyanins. All tests performed on the microencapsulated powders demonstrated that both suggested experimental forms can serve as a healthy substitute for artificial food additives. The incorporation of cornelian cherry fruit extract and microencapsulated powders into a food matrix (jelly candies) allowed examination of their effectiveness. The colour analysis rigorously characterised all the colour parameters related to red nuances (due to anthocyanins content, such as cyanidin-3-glucoside) and yellow nuances (associated with carotenoids content). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) is a popular vegetable widely cultivated and consumed due to its rich content in biological active compounds and essential nutrients. Pumpkin pomace (PP) powder, which is a by-product derived from the pumpkin industry, has garnered considerable attention as a potential useful component for enhancing the overall quality of foods. The study involved the addition of varying amounts (1 and 2%) of pumpkin powder to whey cheese compositions. This study aims to evaluate the effects of PP powder addition on the physical, chemical, color, microbial and sensory characteristics of whey cheese, alongside its impact on the product's nutritional value. PP powder is a good source of phytochemicals such as carotenoids and polyphenols, with remarkable antioxidant capacity. The results indicate that the incorporation of PP powder resulted in enhanced nutritional and colour characteristics of the cheeses. Furthermore, the incorporation of pumpkin powder resulted in a substantial increase in the levels of phytochemicals and antioxidant activity. The resulting supplemented cheeses offer a unique color profile, appealing to health-conscious consumers seeking innovative dairy products. Developing these products has the potential to facilitate sustainable food production and offer consumers a wider range of food options with improved attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]