No abstract

No abstract

Tomato-processing by-product, also known as tomato pomace, consists of peel and seeds and represents around 4% of the fruit weight. If these wastes remain unused, they not only add to the disposal problem but also aggravate environmental pollution. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the chemical composition of tomato pomace collected at different steps during industrial processing in order to assess the quality of this by-product. Twenty-one tomato pomace samples were considered for analysis. Samples corresponded to different steps during tomato processing for paste: seven after pulper, five after finisher, six before turbopress and three after turbopress. Samples were analyzed for moisture content, total and soluble sugars, protein, fat, soluble and total fiber, as well as mineral content. From the results obtained we can conclude that tomato pomace composition (in dry weight basis) is as follows: 59.03% fiber, 25.73% total sugars, 19.27% protein, 7.55% pectins, 5.85% total fat and 3.92% minerals.

Non-cultivated vegetables whose basal leaves have been traditionally consumed in Spain were evaluated for their potential in human nutrition, considering vitamin C, organic acids, tocopherols, phenolics and flavonoids, and antioxidant activity. As far as we know, this is the first report on organic acids and vitamin C of Anchusa azurea and

The intake of traditionally consumed wild edible species is nowadays receiving renewed attention, due to the recognition of their potential benefits for human health. This paper represents a contribution to the knowledge of the chemical composition of different wild and under-utilized vegetables of the Mediterranean area, concerning their organic acid profile and the distribution of ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids as vitamin C activity. Fifteen species, belonging to ten botanical families, were selected, analyzing two samples of each one from two different localities of Central Spain. Each species showed a specific organic acids fingerprint. Citric acid was 90% of total organic acids in Tamus communis; malic acid was the major one in Humulus lupulus, Taraxacum obovatum and Cichorium intybus, and oxalic acid was the main organic acid in Beta maritima, Papaver rhoeas, Silybum marianum, Foeniculum vulgare, Rumex pulcher, Silene vulgaris, Scolymus hispanicus, Rumex papillaris and Bryonia dioica. The distribution of ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acid was highly variable. Mean values for total vitamin C ranged between 1.5 and 79.4 mg/100 g. Tamus communis, R. pulcher, S. vulgaris and B. dioica,