Stability of black carrot anthocyanins in various fruit juices and nectars

Fruit juices (apple, grape, orange, grapefruit, tangerine and lemon) and nectars (apricot, peach and pineapple) were coloured with black carrot juice concentrate and stability of black carrot anthocyanins in these matrices was studied during heating at 70–90 °C and storage at 4–37 °C. Anthocyanin degradation, in all coloured juices and nectars, followed first-order reaction kinetics. During heating, black carrot anthocyanins in apple and grape juices showed higher stability than those in citrus juices at 70 and 80 °C. High stability was also obtained for the anthocyanins in peach and apricot nectars at these temperatures. Black carrot anthocyanins were the least stable in orange juice during both heating and storage. During storage, degradation of anthocyanins was very fast at 37 °C, especially in pineapple nectar. Refrigerated storage (4 °C) markedly increased the stability in all samples. Activation energies for the degradation of black carrot anthocyanins in coloured juices and nectars ranged from 42.1 to 75.8 kJ mol⁻¹ at 70–90 °C and 65.9–94.7 kJ mol⁻¹ at 4–37 °C.     

Biological activity and chemical composition of different berry juices

Total phenolics, total anthocyanins, mineral content, radical scavenging activity and antiproliferative activity against human cancer cell lines were evaluated in fresh pressed juices of five different berries. Total phenolic content ranged from 133.0 to 260.3 mg of gallic acid equivalents/100 g of fresh weight, for red currant and black currant, respectively. Bilberry juice contained the highest amount of total anthocyanins (0.18%). Significant correlation between total phenolics content and radical scavenging activity was observed (r = −0.980; p < 0.01). All examined juices showed antiproliferative activity in dose-dependent manner with IC₅₀ ranging from 10.2 to 70.5 μl/ml. Black currant juice was the most effective inhibitor of proliferation in all cell lines tested (HeLa, Fem X, LS 174, MCF-7 and PC-3). Significant correlations of acidity and total anthocyanin content with antiproliferative activity of berry juices on HeLa cells, Fem X cells and MCF-7 cells were noticed. Berry juices are good sources of some minerals and contribute significantly to daily intake of these micronutrients.     

Effect of Ultrafiltration on Anthocyanin and Flavonol Content of Black Currant Juice (Ribes nigrum L.)

This paper evaluates the efficiency of ultrafiltration and the effects of processing on the total anthocyanin and flavonol contents of black currant juice at chosen operational conditions. Ultrafiltration of black currant juices was carried out using Biomax 100?kDa polyethersulfone membrane. Ultrafiltration was used to process the juice prior concentration by reverse osmosis; with the aim to enhance the efficiency of the concentration process in terms of permeate flux. To avoid the fouling of the membrane, the juices were depectinized with Panzym Super E liquid enzyme preparation. The ultrafiltration was carried out at a transmembrane pressure of 2?bars and the operating temperature of 25?°C. The effect of processing on the valuable anthocyanin and flavonol content of the juices was evaluated based on the results of high-performance liquid chromatography analyses. The article includes detailed analyses of anthocyanin and flavonol compounds of the enzyme treated and ultrafiltered juice as compared with the original juice. The results indicate that, due to the enzymatic treatment, the valuable compound content of the juice increases. However, the ultrafiltration process resulted in a significant loss of a valuable content; 54% of total flavonol and 50% of total anthocyanins maintained in ultrafiltered juice when compared to the feed samples.     

Effects of temperature,solid content and pH on the stability of black carrot anthocyanins

Anthocyanin stability of black carrots was studied at various solid contents (11, 30, 45 and 64° Brix) and pHs (4.3 and 6.0) during both heating, at 70–90 °C, and storage at 4–37 °C. Monomeric anthocyanin degradation fitted a first-order reaction model. Degradation of monomeric anthocyanins increased with increasing solid content during heating, while it decreased during storage. For example, at pH 4.3, half-life periods for anthocyanins at 30, 45 and 64° Brix were, respectively, 8.4, 6.9 and 5.2 h during heating at 80 °C and 18.7, 30.8 and 35.9 weeks during storage at 20 °C. At 30–64° Brix, increasing pH from 4.3 to 6.0 enhanced the degradation of anthocyanins during heating. The effect of pH on thermal stability of anthocyanins was also studied at six different pHs (2.5–7.0) in citrate-phosphate buffer solutions and significant decrease in anthocyanin stability was observed at pHs above 5.0. Higher activation energies (E_a) were obtained during heating than during storage with increasing solid contents. At 30–64° Brix, E_a values ranged from 68.8 to 95.1 kJ mol⁻¹ during heating and from 62.1 to 86.2 kJ mol⁻¹ during storage. Q₁₀ values at 20–37 °C were as high as 3.1 at 45° Brix and 3.6 at 64° Brix.     

Rapid determination of soluble solids content and acidity of Black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) juice by mid-infrared spectroscopy performed in series

Black currant juice quality is a prime importance for growers and industrials. Such quality relies on the empirical and destructive measurements of soluble solids content and acidity. These measurements are time consuming and expensive. The serial analysis of the Black currant juice quality could allow the valuation of the product for the producer and saving of time for the manufacturer. Our objective was to develop predictive models of soluble solids content and acidity based on the mid-infrared spectroscopy performed in series.We showed that infrared spectroscopy allowed determining efficiently the quality of Black currant juices and that such technique could be performed in series. Soluble solids content were determined with a R²-value of 0.97 and an RMSECV of 1.14°Brix for a range of values comprised between 12.9°Brix and 16.42°Brix. Acidity content was determined with a R²-value of 0.96 and an RMSECV of 2.61 g L⁻¹ in a large range of values comprised between 14.87 g L⁻¹ and 36.27 g L⁻¹.These results allow asserting that the soluble solids content and the acidity of Black currant juice can be accurately determined by infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, a large number of measures can be performed in series, what opens perspectives for a practical application.     

Recovery of volatile fruit juice aroma compounds by membrane technology: Sweeping gas versus vacuum membrane distillation

The influence of temperature (10–45 °C), feed flow rate (300–500 L/h) and sweeping gas flow rate (1.2–2 m³/h) on the recovery of berry fruit juice aroma compounds by sweeping gas membrane distillation (SGMD) was examined on an aroma model solution and on black currant juice in a lab scale membrane distillation set up. The data were compared to recovery of the aroma compounds by vacuum membrane distillation (VMD). The flux of SGMD increased with an increase in temperature, feed flow rate or sweeping gas flow rate. Increased temperature and feed flow rate also increased the concentration factors (C_permeate/C_feed) of the aroma compounds. At 45 °C the most volatile and hydrophobic aroma compounds obtained the highest concentration factors: 12.1–9.3 (black currant juice) and 17.2–12.8 (model solution). With black currant juice a volume reduction of 13.7% (vol.%) at 45 °C, 400 L/h, resulted in an aroma recovery of 73–84 vol.% for the most volatile compounds. Compared to VMD, the aroma recovery with SGMD was less influenced by the feed flow rate but more influenced by the temperature. Higher fluxes were achieved during concentration by VMD and this reduced the operation time, which in turn reduced the degradation of anthocyanins and polyphenolic compounds in the juice.

Industrial relevance

High temperature evaporation is the most widely used industrial technique for aroma recovery and concentration of juices, but membrane distillation (MD) may provide for gentler aroma stripping and lower energy consumption. This study gives important clues about the fate of berry juice aroma compounds and polyphenols during concentration by MD, and identifies the main factors influencing the aroma recovery efficiency with MD. Both SGMD and VMD are promising techniques for gentle stripping of berry juice aroma compounds and deserve further consideration as alternative techniques for gentle aroma stripping in industrial fruit juice processing.     

Effect of apple cultivar and enzyme treatment on phenolic compounds content during clear apple juice production

The aim of the investigation was evaluation of phenolic compounds content, measured by HPLC method at selected stages of clear apple juice production with pectolytic mash enzymation from ‘Shampion’ and ‘Idared’ apples. Sum of phenolic compounds in ‘Shampion’ mash was significantly higher than in ‘Idared’ mash, 520 and 352 mg kg^?1, respectively. Enzymation of ‘Idared’ mash resulted in a higher phenolic compounds decrease compared to ‘Shampion’, 23% and 14% respectively. Sum of phenolics in juices from ‘Shampion’ for Panzym at 50 °C (366 mg kg^?1) was significantly higher than in juices from ‘Shampion’ for Rohapect at 20 °C and ‘Idared’ for Panzym at 50 °C (256 and 234 mg kg^?1, respectively). The lowest phenolics (95 mg kg^?1) was in juices from ‘Idared’ for Rohapect at 20 °C. There was a positive correlation (R² = 0.933) between phenolics content and antioxidant activity of juices (ABTS^?+). In general, enzymation at 50 °C with Panzym lead to a higher content of the phenolic compounds in juices compared to Rohapect at 20 °C.     

Polyphenolic profiles detected in the ripe berries of Vitis vinifera germplasm

Polyphenolic profiles in the berry samples of 344 European grape (Vitis vinifera) cultivars were evaluated for two consecutive years. These cultivars represent a diverse collection of V. vinifera germplasm maintained at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service Vitis Clonal Repository in Davis of California, USA. A total of 36 polyphenolic compounds, including 16 anthocyanins, 6 flavonols, 6 flavanols, 6 hydroxycinnamic acids and 2 hydroxybenzoic acids, were identified via HPLC–MS and quantified by HPLC–DAD. The mean contents for anthocyanins, flavanols, flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids and hydroxybenzoic acids were 0.946 (coloured cultivars), 0.147, 0.043, 0.195 and 0.016 mg g⁻¹ FW, respectively. On average, wine grapes had higher concentrations than had table grapes for all of these compounds except hydroxycinnamic acids. Berry colours affected the total contents of anthocyanins, but not others. Positive correlations (0.151–0.535) were found among these groups of compounds. As expected, these groups of compounds were all negatively correlated with berry weight.     

HPLC–MS identification and quantification of flavonol glycosides in 28 wild and cultivated berry species

Berries and red fruits are rich dietary sources of polyphenols with reported health benefits. More than 50 different flavonols (glycosides of quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, syringetin and laricitrin) have been detected and quantified with HPLC–MSⁿ in fruits of blueberry, bilberry, cranberry, lingonberry, eastern shadbush, Japanese wineberry, black mulberry, chokeberry, red, black and white currants, jostaberry, red and white gooseberry, hardy kiwifruit, goji berry, rowan, dog rose, Chinese and midland hawthorn, wild and cultivated species of blackberry, raspberry, strawberry and elderberry. The phenolic constituents and contents varied considerably among the analyzed berry species. Elderberry contained the highest amount of total flavonols (450–568 mg kg⁻¹ FW), followed by berry species, containing more than 200 mg kg⁻¹ FW of total: chokeberry (267 mg kg⁻¹), eastern shadbush (261 mg kg⁻¹), wild grown blackberry (260 mg kg⁻¹), rowanberry (232 mg kg⁻¹), american cranberry (213 mg kg⁻¹) and blackcurrants (204 mg kg⁻¹). Strawberry (10.5 mg kg⁻¹) and white currants (4.5 mg kg⁻¹) contained the lowest amount of total flavonols. Quercetins represent the highest percentage (46–100%) among flavonols in most analyzed berries. In wild strawberry and gooseberry the prevailing flavonols belong to the group of isorhamnetins (50–62%) and kaempferols, which represent the major part of flavonols in currants (49–66%). Myricetin glycosides could only be detected in chokeberry, rowanberry and species from the Grossulariaceae, and Adoxaceae family and Vaccinium genus. Wild strawberry and blackberry contained from 3- to 5-fold higher total flavonols than the cultivated one.     

Determination of the degradation kinetics of anthocyanins in a model juice system using isothermal and non-isothermal methods

The effect of temperature on the degradation of blackcurrant anthocyanins in a model juice system was determined over a temperature range of 4–140 °C. The thermal degradation of anthocyanins followed pseudo first-order kinetics. From 4–100 °C an isothermal method was used to determine the kinetic parameters. In order to mimic the temperature profile in retort systems, a non-isothermal method was applied to determine the kinetic parameters in the model juice over the temperature range 110–140 °C. The results from both isothermal and non-isothermal methods fit well together, indicating that the non-isothermal procedure is a reliable mathematical method to determine the kinetics of anthocyanin degradation. The reaction rate constant (k) increased from 0.16 (±0.01) × 10⁻³ to 9.954 (±0.004) h⁻¹ at 4 and 140 °C, respectively. The temperature dependence of the rate of anthocyanin degradation was modelled by an extension of the Arrhenius equation, which showed a linear increase in the activation energy with temperature.     

Effects of different enzymatic maceration treatments on enhancement of anthocyanins and other phenolics in black currant juice

Pre-press maceration treatments with 10 different pectinolytic enzyme preparations were investigated in experimental black currant juice production using response surface design templates. Enzyme dosage, maceration time, reaction temperature, and degree of berry crushing were varied, and the juice yields, anthocyanins, total phenols, and turbidity in the resulting juices were compared for a total of 250 different enzymatic treatments. The yields of anthocyanins and total phenols in the juices ranged from 900 to 2200 and 3050 to 5100 mg/kg wet weight black currant mash, respectively. Juice yields ranged from 66.4% to 78.9% by wet weight of mash. Turbidity levels ranged from 25 to 916 formazan nephelometric units (FNU). The reaction parameters induced larger variations in the responses than the different enzyme preparations, but the cloned Aspergillus niger/Aspergillus aculeatus preparation Pectinex BE® consistently tended to be among those giving the best responses regarding anthocyanin yields, phenols, and low juice turbidity. The optimal maceration was achieved using an enzyme dosage of 0.18% by wet weight of berries with a reaction at 60 °C for 30 min on the most finely crushed berry mash. This treatment gave similar profiles of anthocyanins in the juices with all the 10 enzyme preparations. The same 10 juices all exhibited antioxidant activity against human low-density lipoprotein oxidation in vitro, but the antioxidant potency varied depending on the enzyme preparation used in the pre-press maceration.     

Preservation of saffron floral bio-residues by hot air convection

Large amounts of floral bio-residues are wasted in saffron spice production, which need to be stabilized because of how quickly they deteriorate. These bio-residues are rich in phenolic compounds, and the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of drying temperatures and air flows on their color and phenolic composition. Anthocyanins and flavonols were degraded at 110 and 125 °C. The best drying temperatures were 70 and 90 °C for maintaining their physicochemical quality. The duration at 70 °C was double than that of 90 °C. Anthocyanins and flavonols were stable at 70 and 90 °C with 2, 4, 6 and 8 m s⁻¹. Dehydrations at 90 °C with 2, 4 and 6 m s⁻¹ were the most appropriate, due to a better color and greater similarity to control samples for their flavonols and anthocyanins.     

Characterisation of sugar beet pectin fractions providing enhanced stability of anthocyanin-based natural blue food colourants

The bathochromic effect resulting from the addition of sugar beet pectin (SBP) to black currant juice, purified anthocyanins (ACN-E) and purified polyphenol extracts comprising both anthocyanins and non-anthocyanin phenolics (PP-E), respectively, were monitored by VIS spectroscopy at varying pH relevant to food formulations (pH 3.6–5.0). Furthermore, a low molecular pectic polysaccharide fraction (PPF) was isolated from SBP using 70% aqueous 2-propanol and further characterised with respect to its chemical composition and mineral content. The marked bathochromic effect was found to be due to the formation of anthocyanin–metal chelate complexes. Only at pH 5.0 SBP entailed a moderate bathochromic shift of 12 nm in model solutions containing ACN-E. This effect was enhanced in PPF model solutions resulting in a λ_max shift up to 50 nm, bringing about an intense blue colour. The bathochromic shift was boosted with increasing pH and upon purification of the anthocyanins. In contrast, after SBP and PPF addition to black currant juice, the bathochromic effect was almost annihilated. Model solutions were stored at 20 °C in the dark for 12 days, and optimum stability of the blue colour was observed at pH 5.0.     

Effect of postharvest dehydration on the composition of pinot noir grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) and wine

This study was conducted in order to improve our understanding of how phenolics and aroma compounds change in wine grapes during postharvest dehydration. Pinot noir grapes grown in the Willamette Valley of Oregon were harvested at 22.0 and 24.0 °Brix. Grapes harvested at 22.0 °Brix were divided into three equal lots with one lot immediately used for wine production, and the remaining two lots placed inside an air tunnel with an air speed of 1.0–1.8 m s⁻¹, 38% relative humidity and a temperature of 22 °C. The soluble solids content and weight loss were measured daily and wines were made from grapes when they reached 24.8 and 26.7 °Brix. The soluble solids of grapes increased about 1 °Brix per day; therefore, on the third and fourth day the berries reached the desired concentration; weight loss was 14 and 16%, respectively. Results from berry phenolic analysis indicated that per berry anthocyanin amount remained unchanged during dehydration. The composition of proanthocyanidins isolated from berries changed during dehydration. Volatile compounds in wines made from dehydrated grapes contained more terpenes and norisoprenoids (β-ionone, β-damascenone) when compared to wine made from the original fruit. Wines made from increasingly dehydrated grapes tended to resemble the composition and flavour profile of wines made from grapes left on the vine (i.e. with extended ripening). The results of this study suggest that postharvest flavour changes consistent with changes during fruit ripening can occur in grapes when harvested early and allowed to dehydrate under controlled conditions prior to fermentation.     

Heat resistance of Neosartorya fischeri in various juices

Heat resistance of Neosartorya fischeri was studied in three different juices (apple, pineapple and papaya). The optimum heat activation temperature and time for the ascospores of the N. fischeri (growth for 30 days at 30 °C) was 85 °C for 10 min. Of the three juices tested, apple juice exhibited maximum 1/k values at 80, 85 and 90 °C (208.3, 30.1 and 2.0 min, respectively). The 1/k values for papaya juice (129.9, 19.0 and 1.9 min) and pineapple juice (73.5, 13.2 and 1.5 min) decreased with acidity and °Brix/acidity (ratio) level. The Z^* values for apple, papaya and pineapple juices were 5, 5.5 and 5.9 °C, respectively. The sterilization F values (4-log reduction) for apple, pineapple and papaya juices were 56.3, 38.0 and 7.2 s, respectively. Considering the thermal treatments commercially applied to pineapple (96 °C/30 s) and apple juices (95 °C/30 s), it is concluded that such treatments will not guarantee that less than 1 ascospore in each set of 10³ packs survive. Only the treatment applied to papaya juice (100 °C/30 s) will be sufficient because the F value is less than 30 s.     

Rheological properties of ultraviolet-irradiated and thermally pasteurized Yankee pineapple juice

The rheological behaviour of Yankee pineapple juice was examined for the effect of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation (53.42 mJ/cm²) and compared with untreated juice and a thermally pasteurized (80 °C for 10 min) juice. A rheological test was performed on all types of juice in the temperature range 5 °C to 25 °C using a concentric cylinder rheometer at a shear rate range of 10–290 s⁻¹. The comparative analysis found that the best flow curves were described by the Bingham model with an initial shear stress. The entangled pulps in the juices prevented free flow at zero shear rate. There was no significant variation between the plastic viscosities of the untreated and UV-irradiated juice at all temperatures. The activation energy (E_a) of the untreated, UV-irradiated and thermally pasteurized juice was 6.80, 8.19 and 8.50 kJ/mol respectively.     

High hydrostatic pressure protection of a pectinase cocktail against thermal inactivation

Pectinase cocktails, containing pectinases, hemicellulases, and cellulases are used in the production of commercial apple juice to reduce juice viscosity, increase yield, and to clarify the final product. The kinetics of inactivation of a commercial pectinase formulation was studied at 0.1–400 MPa and 55.0–85.0 °C. High hydrostatic pressure slowed the rate of inactivation of the pectinase cocktail treated at inactivating temperature conditions by up to 19-fold at 77.0 °C, 350 MPa compared to inactivation at atmospheric pressure at the same temperature. Apparent activation energies of enzyme inactivation at 200–400 MPa were lower (107.3–154.4 kJ mol⁻¹) than at 0.1 MPa (195.6 kJ mol⁻¹).     

Response surface methodological study on HMF and fluorescent accumulation in red and white grape juices and concentrates

White and red grape juices and their concentrates were subjected to thermal treatments at different temperatures ranging from 50 to 70 °C at different times. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and fluorescence relative index (FLRI) were measured. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to determine the effect of temperature and time on the HMF and FLRI formation at the different Brix (bx) degrees. An increase in temperature (from 50 to 70 °C) and time (from 12 to 192 h) for 15°, 45° and 65° Brix degrees was associated with an increase in HMF and FLRI development of white and red grape juices. HMF formation was higher in white grape juice and concentrates than in red ones. Optimum conditions were confirmed and these fitted the experimental data well. Thus, regression equations can be used to estimate HMF and FLRI values at various Brix degrees for white and red grape juices and concentrates.     

Athermal concentration by osmotic evaporation of roselle extract, apple and grape juices and impact on quality

Osmotic evaporation (or osmotic distillation) was carried out on roselle extract, apple and grape juices. The industrial pilot plant used had a hydrophobic, polypropylene, hollow-fiber membrane with an area of 10.2 m² and an average pore diameter of 0.2 μm. It was suitable for concentrating vegetable extracts and fruit juices, and controlled various parameters such as temperature, flow velocity, and brine concentration. The final total soluble solids (TSS) contents achieved were 660, 570, and 610 g kg⁻¹ for grape juice, apple juice, and roselle extract, respectively. Temperature and concentration of solutions significantly influenced evaporation flux, which, for roselle extract, was 1.5 kg h⁻¹ m⁻² at 610 g TSS kg⁻¹ and 45 °C. The physico-chemical, biochemical, and aromatic qualities of concentrates obtained by osmotic evaporation were much higher than those of thermal concentrates, and close to those of the initial products.

Industrial relevance

Membrane processes are increasingly used to concentrate thermo-sensitive fruit juices and plant extracts. Their capacity to operate at moderate temperatures and pressures means that their energy consumption is low, while they produce good quality concentrates. Nonetheless, the main disadvantage of baromembrane processes is their inability to reach the concentration levels standard for products of thermal evaporation because of limitations resulting from high osmotic pressure. Actually, reverse osmosis membranes and equipment limit the final concentration of fruit juices to about 25–35°Brix. Osmotic evaporation has attracted considerable interest, as it can concentrate juices to as much as 65°Brix. This process, when applied to various juices, better preserves the quality of raw materials. However, because of the geometrical limitations of commercially available membranes and modules, juices must first be clarified. To our knowledge, only a few studies on osmotic evaporation have so far been conducted at a semi-industrial scale and never with roselle extracts.     

Modelling of rheological behaviour of soursop juice concentrates using shear rate–temperature–concentration superposition

The effect of temperature and concentration on rheological behaviour of freeze dried soursop juice concentrates were investigated using a rheometer over a wide range of temperatures (10–70 °C) and concentrations (10–50 °Brix) at shear rates of 0–400 1/s. The Power law is the best fitted model to the rheological data due to the high value of coefficient of determination (R² = 0.9989). The soursop juice concentrates exhibited shear thinning or pseudoplastic behaviour with n < 1. The consistency coefficients dependency on temperature and concentration were well described by Arrhenius relationship and exponential relationship respectively. The flow activation energy of soursop juice concentrates were 8.32–30.48 kJ/mol. The superposition technique with Power law model sufficiently modelled the overall rheological characteristics of soursop juice concentrates into a single master curve using shift factors based on double shifting steps with R² = 0.9184. This technique also showed that the soursop juice concentrates increases in viscosity and pseudoplasticity behaviour with concentration.