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The possibility of proving the undeclared addition of pumpkin puree in apricot nectars and jams has been investigated by using the phenol compound fingerprint and sensory evaluation. The cheaper pumpkin admixtures in apricot nectars and jams could not be detected by the sensory evaluation, particularly if present in quantities of <15%. The lower admixtures of pumpkin puree in apricot nectars and jams could be detected by the presence of syringic acid, a phenolic compound characteristic of the investigated pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo cv. Gleisdorff and Table Gold, Cucurbita maxima cv. Turkinja, and Cucurbita moschata cv. Argenta). Syringic acid was isolated from pumpkin puree and determined by using HPLC with diode array detection. By using the phenolic profile, undeclared pumpkin admixture (> or =5%) in the apricot nectars and jams could be proven.

A number of studies have shown that the consumption of cocoa and chocolate products has positive health effects on humans. The object of this research was to monitor changes of total and individual phenolics and antioxidant capacity during the cocoa bean manufacturing. The loss of cocoa phenolics and their antioxidant activity vary with the degree of technological process. The process of roasting and cocoa nib alkalisation had the major influence on phenolic compounds as well as on antioxidant capacity. The roasting treatment resulted in 14% loss of the total phenolics content, while alkalisation resulted in 64% loss of total phenolics content. Procyanidins B1 and B2 as well as ())-epigallocatechin were the unstable components, while caffeic acid derivate showed the greatest stability in all technological process. Furthermore, PCA showed that phenolic contents, antioxidant capacity and non-fat cocoa solids parts of the samples were classified in groups according technological conditions.

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Radojčić Redovniković I., Delonga K., Mazor S . , Dragović-Uzelac V., Carić M., Vorkapić-Furač J. (2009): Polyphenolic content and composition and antioxidative activity of different cocoa liquors. Czech J. Food Sci., 27: 330-337.Cocoa liquor used in the confectionery industry comes from a wide range of geographical areas and may have different chemical compositions, sensory properties, and nutritional values. We found it interesting to study the polyphenolic content and composition of cocoa liquors for their potential use in industrial production. Six defatted samples originating from different countries were extracted with aqueous methanol (70%, v/v), and the polyphenolic profiles were determined using RP-HPLC method. According to our results, all samples of cocoa liquors have similar polyphenolic profiles, however, quantitatively varied. In the samples, about 13 compounds were identified by comparison of their retention times and UV spectra, and the quantified peaks were (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, (-)-gallocatechin, (-)-epigallocatechin, caffeic acid derivative, caffeine, and theobromine. Also, several peaks were identified as oligomeric procyanidins. The free-radical scavenging activity was determined by the DPPH • (1,1'-dipheny-2-picrylhydrazyl) and Oxygen Radical Antioxidant Capacity (ORAC) assays. The order of antioxidant activity of the cocoa liquors studied was the same with both methods (Madagascar > Mexico > Ecuador > Venezuela > Sao Tome > Ghana samples). In addition, correlation between the antioxidant capacity and polyphenolic content was also determined, a high correlation coefficient having been obtained by both methods (R 2 = 0.9868 for DPPH, and 0.9375 for ORAC).