Antioxidants are substances that are capable of slowing down the autoxidation process of other compounds or neutralize free radicals. They have been used in food processing industries as a means to hinder oxidation, enhance flavor, aroma and color. Antioxidants have also been used and valued for treatment of various diseases such as cancer and coronary heart disease. Even though, synthetic antioxidants including butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) may cause side effects to human health and presumed unsafe to be used, they are the ones in a great use in the area of food processing industries as most food and pharmaceutical products contain them. The objective of this review work is therefore to provide an overview of the findings related to the presence of antioxidants in plant sources particularly those that have not been extensively studied and evaluated such as fruits and vegetables by-products. To minimize their effects, researches have been conducted aiming to substitute them with antioxidants from natural sources. Recent studies show that synthesis of natural antioxidants from fruit and vegetable waste has gained great attention. Further research has to be performed on plant phenols and processing of agricultural and industrial by-products as a potential source for extraction of antioxidants. In order to increase the affirmative effect and usefulness of antioxidants to human health, it is recommended to follow a balanced and varieties of diets instead of taking antioxidant supplements on a regular basis. Therefore, we should consume a diet high in antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables day by day. Furthermore, nutritional importance, promotion of health and prevention against damages caused by free radicals can lead to the potential applications of antioxidants in food industries in more intensified approaches. In a nutshell, antioxidant foods and ingredients are an important component of the food industry and thus reconsidering the health implications of adding antioxidants to foods require unfathomable investigations.
Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for optimization of enset fermentation process. Two numerical (time and amount of starter culture) and one categorical variable (types of starter strain) was used for evaluation of sensory quality of kocho. The physicochemical properties, proximate composition and color of kocho product were also analyzed. It was found that the coefficient of determination (R2) of the response variables were greater than 80% described that high percentage of the variability was defined by the model. These findings revealed that fermentation time, amount of starter culture and types of starter strain affected the sensory attributes of kocho. The preferred sensory quality of kocho was produced using 2% L. plantarum as starter strain at 6 days of fermentation time.
Phytochemicals are a naturally occurring group of chemicals in plants and plant-derived foods. Presence of phytochemical components such as phytohemagglutinins, tannins, phytic acid, saponins, protease inhibitors, oligosaccharides and phytoestrogens in food legumes has both health benefits and adverse effects. These have been associated with numerous health benefits, including reduced cardiovascular and renal disease risks, health care treatments including anti-aging, enhancement of brain function, lower glycemic index for persons with diabetes, increased satiation and cancer prevention. Health benefits resulting from ingestion of oligosaccharides which have been developed in the past few years to use as physiologically functional foods consist of proliferation of bifidobacteria and reduction of detrimental bacteria, diminution of toxic metabolites, anti-cancer effect and protection of liver function. These biologically active compounds in food legumes also have immense potential in biomedical application. On the other hand, phytochemicals have adverse effects as they limit the digestibility of proteins and carbohydrates or reduce the bioavailability of certain nutrients, interfere with normal growth, reproduction and flatulence production. Moreover, phytoestrogens have been linked with infertility problems. The synergistic or antagonistic effects of mixtures of these phytochemicals from food legumes, their interaction with other components of the diet and the mechanism of their action have remained a challenge with regard to understanding the role of phytochemicals in health and diseases. Current researches in phytochemicals are exploring various potentials and utilization in foods and drugs which could be used as frontline defences against numerous life threatening diseases including HIV/AIDS. Because of the potential health benefits of phytochemicals in food legumes, it is probably inappropriate to refer to these substances as natural toxins. The time has come for us to re-evaluate their presence in our diet. Their mitigating effects and the mechanism of their action need to be further addressed if we are to understand the role of phytochemicals in health and diseases.
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