An experimental approach, allowing us to understand the effect of natural structural barriers (cell walls, chromoplast substructures) on carotenoid bioaccessibility, was developed. Different fractions with different levels of carotenoid bio-encapsulation (carotenoid-enriched oil, chromoplasts, small cell clusters, and large cell clusters) were isolated from different types of carrots and tomatoes. An in vitro method was used to determine carotenoid bioaccessibility. In the present work, a significant decrease in carotenoid in vitro bioaccessibility could be observed with an increasing level of bio-encapsulation. Differences in cell wall material and chromoplast substructure between matrices influenced carotenoid release and inclusion in micelles. For carrots, cell walls and chromoplast substructure were important barriers for carotenoid bioaccessibility while, in tomatoes, the chromoplast substructure represented the most important barrier governing bioaccessibility. The highest increase in carotenoid bioaccessibility, for all matrices, was obtained after transferring carotenoids into the oil phase, a system lacking cell walls and chromoplast substructures that could hamper carotenoid release.

ResumenEl presente estudio trata sobre el desarrollo de una confitura (caramelo) tecno-funcional, en base a materias primas autóctonas de la región Chaqueña. A fin de analizar su vida útil, se determinaron las isotermas de sorción a 4, 20 y 30 ºC. Se aplicaron numerosos modelos matemáticos para ajustar el comportamiento de sorción, siendo el modelo de Peleg el que más se ajustó a los datos experimentales. Los resultados obtenidos en el presente estudio, abren una oportunidad para futuros trabajos en los que el alimento desarrollado pueda ser utilizado como portador de compuestos funcionales como fibras, proteínas, compuestos bioactivos y colorantes naturales, entre otros.Palabras clave: Confitura, Compuestos funcionales, Isoterma de sorción, Modelo de Peleg, GAB. AbstractThe present study is about the development of a healthy confectionery (soft candy) based on native raw materials from Chaco Province. In order to analyze its shelf life, the sorption isotherms were determined at 4, 20 and 30 °C. Several mathematical models were applied to adjust the sorption behavior with Peleg's model being the one that best fit the experimental data. The results obtained in this study open an opportunity for future work in which the food developed can be used as a carrier of functional compounds such as fibers, proteins, bioactive compounds and natural dyes, among others.

Consumers’ interest in a high-quality healthy diet is creating a growing trend in the food industry, focusing on the design and development of new products rich in bioactive compounds. This work involves the formulation of a vegetable sauce obtained from a mixture of pumpkin and pepper, the study of the evolution of bioactive compounds, quality and sensory parameters during storage at 4 and 25 °C, the influence of the packaging materials (PVC, PE/PA, and PS), and the migration degree. Antioxidant activity, polyphenols, carotenoids, and brown pigments contents were studied at 25 °C. Overall migration of the containers and the evolution of the physicochemical parameters and sensory attributes of the sauce were analyzed. All plastic materials showed an overall migration lower than the limit of EU and Mercosur Regulations. PVC better preserved polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and carotenoids until 50, 10, and 30 days, respectively, and lower development of brown pigments was observed. Higher storage temperatures favored undesirable changes in sensory attributes before 50 days of storage. PVC can be used to achieve greater conservation of the sensory attributes of sauce, regardless of the storage temperature. It could be considered the best material to preserve the bioactive properties and sensory attributes of the sauce until 30 days.

Changes in rheological, textural and physicochemical characteristics of pumpkin and red bell pepper sauces prepared in 50:50 and 80:20 proportions were studied for 6 days under refrigerated conditions. Variations in sugar, total carotenoids and antioxidant capacity were determined. The compression forces of sauces decreased by 50% at eighth day of storage and sauces behaved as elastic solids with GЈ values predominating over GЉ values. The storage modulus was less frequency dependent than the loss modulus, giving values of tan d between 0.1 and 0.2, which tends to indicate a weak gel system. No significant changes were observed in the physicochemical parameters, except total antioxidant capacity, which decreased by 50% after 6 days. Microbiological counts showed slight increases or remained invariable in total counts for mesophylic bacteria, yeasts and molds during storage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe effect of storage time at 4C on textural and rheological behavior, total sugar, total carotenoids and antioxidant capacity of the pumpkin/pepper sauces in 50:50 and 80:20 proportions was studied. Besides, microbiological control was done. The practical application of this study is the formulation of a stable mix of pumpkin and pepper in the form of a sauce that could be used as seasoning in meat and other dishes.

Entre las tecnologías emergentes para la optimización de la preservación de alimentos surge como novedosa alternativa el empleo de películas o recubrimientos comestibles autosoportados que confieren propiedades funcionales específicas. Los trabajos desarrollados en este tema, conducen a incorporar agentes antimicrobianos de fuentes naturales en la formulación de películas, ya que la inclusión de aditivos podría considerarse como una nueva tendencia de envasado activo. Los films o recubrimientos comestibles son láminas delgadas elaboradas con materiales aptos para el consumo y que actúan como una barrera entre el alimento y el ambiente que los rodea, incrementando así la vida útil del producto. Los films obtenidos a partir de polisacáridos, especialmente de almidones, presentan un alto potencial ya que tienen un bajo costo, son transparentes, no confieren olor ni color, poseen una baja permeabilidad al O2 y son biodegradables. Estos sistemas altamente prometedores son capaces de mejorar la calidad, vida útil, seguridad y funcionalidad de los alimentos, y además pueden actuar como carriers de ingredientes activos. En el presente trabajo, se expone la formulación de recubrimientos comestibles a base de almidón de mandioca y adicionados de aceites esenciales (AE), y su posterior evaluación del efecto antimicrobiano frente a la levadura Zygosaccharomyces parabailii, como antecedente de la investigación realizada en el marco de mi tesis de maestría. Sobre la base de los resultados obtenidos en la misma, se propone el actual plan de tesis doctoral que consiste en desarrollar un envase comestible, activo y ecofriendly a base de almidón de mandioca, glicerol y agua, y analizar la viabilidad de la incorporación de pulpas o concentrados de frutas regionales del Nordeste Argentino (mango, guayaba y mamón), estudiando su influencia en las propiedades físicas, mecánicas, de barrera y como fuente natural de polifenoles, antimicrobianos y antioxidantes.