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Fourteen fungal species belonging to five genera, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Fusarium and Scoplariopsis were isolated from the surface of mango fruits, (Mangifera indica L.) variety “Zebda”. Mycotoxin production by isolated molds was tested in Czapek‐Dox broth as well as mango pulp. The irradiation decimal reduction doses (D10 values) of the molds were determined in either physiological saline solution or mango pulp. The effects of ionizing radiation in combination with hot water‐dipping (55C/5 min) on shelf‐life extension and the microbiological, chemical, rheological and organoleptic properties of mango fruit (at mature green stage) stored at 12°C and 80–85% relative humidity were determined. Results showed that Zebda mango irradiated with doses of 1.0 kGy can be stored 50 days at 12°C without any undesirable changes to measured nutrient and sensory quality when compared to unirradiated mangoes refrigerated for 25 days.

The composition and physicochemical properties of defatted acacia flour (DFAF), acacia protein concentrate (APC) and acacia protein isolate (API) were evaluated. The results indicated that API had lower, ash and fat content, than DFAF and APC. Also, significant difference in protein content was noticed among DFAF, APC and API (37.5, 63.7 and 91.8%, respectively). Acacia protein concentrate and isolates were good sources of essential amino acids except cystine and methionine. The physicochemical and functional properties of acacia protein improved with the processing of acacia into protein concentrate and protein isolate. The results of scanning electron micrographs showed that DFAF had a compact structure; protein concentrate were, flaky, and porous type, and protein isolate had intact flakes morphology.

One potential avenue to increase the production of valuable protein ingredients for the food industry is developing vegetable proteins from non-traditional plant sources. In the present study, the composition, structure and techno-functional characteristics of defatted purslane flour (DF), protein concentrate (PC), and protein isolate (AP) were investigated. The results revealed that DF, PC, and PI contained low levels of moisture, ash, and fat. However, there were significant differences (P < 0.05) in protein content between DF, PC, and PI (32.9, 60.8 and 90.9%, respectively). The techno-functional characteristics of purslane proteins were enhanced by processing purslane flour into PC and PI products. Furthermore, the ratios of total essential amino acids to total amino acids in purslane protein samples were well above that stated for ideal food proteins. SDS-PAGE analysis indicated three subunits of protein in DF, PC, and PI. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that DF exhibited a compact-like structure; PC had a small, flaky, but porous type of particle, and PI had an intact flake-like structure. The FTIR analysis revealed that some alterations in the secondary structure of protein were occurred. In summary, purslane proteins can be considered new functional food ingredients with different nutritional and technological characteristics.