Potential Nutrition and Health Claims in Deastringed Persimmon Fruits (Diospyros kaki L.), Variety ‘Rojo Brillante’, PDO ’Ribera del Xúquer’

Abstract

In Europe, nutrition and health claims made on food must be based on scientific evidence, which means a comprehensive evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) prior to authorisation. Processed foods are subject to numerous claims derived from the presence of bioactive compounds; however, natural food products, often the original sources of those compounds, are not habitually the subject of these claims. Although the consumption of persimmon fruit has important health benefits, up to date no specific health claims are authorised for this fruit. In this work, ‘Rojo Brillante’ persimmon fruits (Diospyros kaki L.), Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) ‘Ribera del Xúquer’ were characterized regarding the presence of fiber (soluble and insoluble), vitamin C (ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids), carotenoids (neoxanthin, violaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, β- carotene) and mineral elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ca, Mg, Na, K). Different fruit batches harvested in different seasons were analyzed by standardized analytical methods (Association of Official Analytical Chemists, AOAC), high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Based on the results, Persimon® is potentially able to show two nutrition claims “Source of fiber” and “Sodium-free/salt-free”. This work could set the ground for future studies and to start considering natural food products as candidates for the use of approved claims.

Assessment of Health Claims Related to Folic Acid in Food Supplements for Pregnant Women According to the European Regulation

“…Only those claims based on sound and independent scientific evidence are allowed to be included in food supplements labeling [ 20 , 21 ]. This ensures that all consumers (above all those considered the most vulnerable, e.g., pregnant women) can trust the health benefits claimed by these products and make well-informed food supplement choices [ 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”

From Diospyros kaki L. (Persimmon) Phytochemical Profile and Health Impact to New Product Perspectives and Waste Valorization

“…The nutrition claim “sodium-free or salt-free” might also be used for Persimon ® given that its sodium content is inferior to the requirement of 0.005 g of sodium. These results may prepare the conditions for considering natural food products as candidates for the use of approved nutrition claims such as those used for this or other persimmon varieties [ 61 ], similarly to what has also been described for raspberry fruit ( Rubus idaeus L.) [ 62 ]. It should also be noted that it has also been explained that the recommended daily intake of fresh persimmon should be around 100–150 g [ 43 ].…”

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Nutritional Properties of Different Germplasms of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua

“…The samples from Yueyang had the lowest carotenoid contents, a result that was likely influenced by the topography and altitude. Furthermore, the carotenoid content of P. cyrtonema was comparable to persimmon fruits, with a range of 0.41–0.76 mg/100 g [ 87 ]. As shown in Table 5 , the thiamine concentration of P. cyrtonema was comparable to yam but was higher than that of ginger and potatoes.…”