No abstract

There is an increasing interest in food plant with health-giving effects. The aim of this research was to evaluate the phytochemical and nutraceutical profiles of Cyclanthera pedata fruits, a native fruit of the Andean region used by Incas communities called achojcha. Soluble protein (SP), total sugar (TS), free phenolic compounds (FPC), ascorbic acid (AA), total monomeric anthocyanin (TMA), condensed and hydrolizable tannin (CT, HT) were evaluated by sprectrophotometric methods in fresh fruits with and without heating and in flour obtained from fruits. Multielemental composition by ICP-MS was done. Antioxidant activity (AOA) was determined by ABTS and Linoleic acid--carotene methods. The inhibitory capacity of LOX, a pro-inflammatory enzyme was also analyzed. The achojcha fresh fruits and achojcha flour showed low amount calories. The flour was high in potassium (7400 mg·K/100 g) and low in sodium (77 mg Na/100 g). High levels of FPC (670 mg GAE/100 g) were found together with elevated levels of AA (123 mg AA/ 100 g). The TMA (0.6 mg C3-GE/100 g) as well as HT (3.4 mg PB2E/100 g) were also detected in flour. All preparations obtained with fresh and dried fruits showed AOA with SC 50 values between 1.8 to 14.5 μg GAE/mL. Inhibitory capacity on LOX was also demonstrated (IC 50 values of 40 µg GAE/mL). The fresh fruits and flour showed nutraceutical characteristics that are demanded by functional food and could be used as dietary supplement.

How to cite this paper: Rivas, M., Vignale, D., Ordoñez, R.M., Zampini, I.C., Alberto, M.R., Sayago, J.E. and Isla, M.I. (2014 M. Rivas et al. 716tween 1.4 and 3 μg GAE/mL. Inhibitory capacity on Lipo-oxygenase enzyme was also demonstrated. Non mutagenic effect was detected. The "locoto" flour showed nutraceutical characteristics that are demanded by functional food and could be used as a dietary supplement.

Introduction: This study aimed to add value to Arabic Gum (AG) and the blueberry discarded harvest from Northwest of Argentina, developing functional dietary beverages with AG at three concentrations of 0; 5; 10 and 15 g/100 mL, and to assess the sensory acceptability, physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant properties. Material and methods: Blueberries (BB) at 30 g/100 mL and steviol glycosides (0.03 g/100 mL) were used. Results: The beverage with 10 g/100 mL of AG had the best scores for sensory acceptability and was preferred by consumers. It has a pH of 3.88, soluble solid content of 14.97 °Brix, density of 1.05 g/cm3 and a colour which showed a tendency from red to blue. The Total Caloric Value (per 100 mL of beverage) was 53.4 Kcal, 13.53 g of carbohydrates, 8.80 g of total dietary fibre, and a sodium content of 12.26 mg. The total polyphenol content was 214.23 mg GAE /100 g. Conclusions: The serving size of functional beverage covers 70% of the daily dietary fibre recommendation.