Uncovering the sensory properties of commercial and experimental clean label almond milks
Almond milk is the largest category of plant-based milk alternatives in the United States, and it is manufactured by suspending ground almond paste in water. Nevertheless, this method limits the amount of almonds that can be added to almond milk, and most almond milks on the market have low protein despite almonds themselves being nutritionally dense. The use of sustainable aqueous and enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction processes offers an alternative method for producing almond milks with enhanced nutritional content. However, it is currently unclear how the sensory properties of such milks compare to those of commercial almond milks. In this study, we conducted a sensory descriptive analysis with 14 trained panelists on 12 commercial almond milk samples and 14 formulated ones (seven aqueous and seven enzyme-assisted aqueous extracted milks). The purpose of this study was to understand how sensorially diverse commercial almond milks are, as well as to determine how aqueous and enzyme-assisted aqueous extracted almond milks compare to commercial methods. We found that formulated samples were significantly different from commercial products, and that all commercial products could be distinguished from each other. Furthermore, commercial milks were more differentiated than were formulated samples. Given the sensory diversity of almond milks on the market, this study suggests that there is potential for introducing new products in the almond milk category. Finally, this study also showed that descriptive analysis can be successfully conducted with two distinct groups of products in the same panel.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.70007
Sensory optimization of gluten-free hazelnut omelette and sugar-modified chestnut pudding: A free choice profiling approach for enhanced traditional recipe formulations
The Mediterranean region is distinguished by its gastronomic diversity and a wide variety of indigenous nut crops. In line with changing global food consumers' preferences, a noteworthy aspect is the increasing demand to the use of local varieties in recipe formulation. The aim of the present study was to incorporate the Terra Fria chestnut (Portugal) and Negreta hazelnut from Reus (Spain) in traditional Mediterranean recipes. The sensory, technofunctional, nutritional, and shelf-life characterization were investigated in hazelnut omelette (gluten and gluten-free) and chestnut pudding (sugar and sugar-free) formulations. Results conducted by trained assessors using the free choice profiling (FCP) showed that hazelnut omelette samples were described as "creamy," "smooth," and "handmade." In addition, the texture obtained with the hazelnut omelette gluten-free version showed the softest textural profile analysis attributes, with lower values for hardness (2.43 ± 0.36 N), adhesiveness (-0.38 ± 0.00 g s) and gumminess (2.12 ± 0.14). Furthermore, the shelf-life studies revealed a more golden color (>14.43 of a* CIELAB coordinate) and a lower moisture content (25.36%-43.59%) in the hazelnut flour formulation, in addition to the enrichment in terms of protein (8.36 g/100 g), fiber, and healthy fats. In the case of chestnut pudding, it was observed that the study parameters did not differ significantly from its sweetened analogue with positive attributes in FCP ("toasted," "fluffy," and "sweet"), positioning it as a viable alternative to sugar in this application. Therefore, both hazelnut flour in hazelnut omelette and oligofructose in chestnut pudding proved to be promising ingredients in the formulation of gluten-free and sugar-free developed products, offering attractive organoleptic and textural characteristics.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.17244
A review on some properties of almond: ımpact of processing, fatty acids, polyphenols, nutrients, bioactive properties, and health aspects
This review was focused on the proximate compounds, nutritional values, total phenolic, flavonoid, antioxidant activity, fatty acid profile, polyphenols, health aspects and uses of almond kernel and oils. Almond contained about 24–73% crude oil, 50–84% oleic and 6–37% linoleic acids, 77–3908 mg/kg β-stosterol and 5–8 mg/100 g β-tocopherol. Almonds are a good source of mono- and unsaturated fatty acids, phytochemicals, bioactive components, minerals, vitamin E, polyphenols and phytosterols and at the same time almonds have healing effects. Since almond seeds or seed oils have versatile uses, they are consumed on their own or as part of a range of food products. Almonds are considered a healthy snack when consumed due to their potential cardioprotective effects. Since the composition of almonds and its effects on health will be effective both during cultivation and processing, studies should be carried out in a way that preserves the product quality. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-022-05398-0
Changes in chemical characteristics and modeling sensory parameters of stored pecan nutmeats
Pecan is a major specialty crop produced in the United States. Sensory evaluation and chemical analyses of pecan nutmeats are integral components of shelf life and have been employed to investigate changes during storage, but there remains a lack of knowledge regarding storage stability. Specifically, the association between shelf life and chemical characteristics has not been investigated. We aimed to investigate the chemical changes in pecan nuts during a range of storage treatments (temperature, relative humidity, packaging material, and modified atmosphere). The results of the chemical analyses were used to build a volatile compound-based sensory prediction model. The work has utility as a rapid method to measure lipid oxidation in pecan, which is of value to the pecan industry. The research also determined a possible association between pecan nut volatile compounds and sensory attributes of pecans, and their perception by human subjects. Building a sensory-based prediction model would reduce dependency on expensive and time-consuming sensory methods. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.16533
Effect of different storage conditions on the stability and safety of almonds
Almond production in Portugal is of great importance for the economy of their main producing areas. However, the contamination of these nut fruits with fungi and mycotoxins poses a significant risk to food safety and security. This work intended to evaluate the influence of storage conditions on the microbial and mycotoxin stability and safety of almonds throughout long-term storage. Two almond varieties—Lauranne and Guara—were submitted to three different storage conditions, namely, 4°C with noncontrolled relative humidity (RH), 60% RH at 25°C, and 70% RH at 25°C, for a storage period of 9 months. Samples were collected after 0, 3, 6, and 9 months of storage and analyzed for microbial loads (aerobic mesophiles, yeasts, and molds), mold incidence and diversity, and mycotoxin contamination. In total, 26 species were identified belonging to 6 genera: Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Penicillium, Paecilomyces, and Talaromyces. For the variety Guara, mycotoxins related to Aspergillus sect. Flavi, such as aflatoxins, averufin, versicolorin C, and norsolorinic acid, were detected only after 9 months of storage at 70% and 60% RH. Penicillium mycotoxins, such as quinolactacin A and roquefortine C, were also detected. For the variety Lauranne, Penicillium mycotoxins were detected, such as citrinin, quinolactacins A and B, roquefortines C and D, cyclopenin, cyclopenol, penitrem A, viridicatin, and viridicatol. Mycotoxins related to Aspergillus, such as aspulvinone E, flavoglaucin, paspalin, asperglaucide, asperphenamate, cyclo(L-Pro-L-Tyr), and cyclo(L-Pro-L-Val), were also detected. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.16453
Developing a culturally acceptable peanut nutrition bar with smallholder women farmers in Kaffrine, Senegal using response surface methodology.
To increase farm income and food security, a collaboration was made with smallholder women farmers in Kaffrine, Senegal to develop a culturally acceptable peanut nutrition bar using healthy indigenous and local ingredients and feasible manufacturing methods. This study aimed to use response surface methodology to optimize the bar's formulation and characterize the texture, nutrient profile, sensory qualities, and water activity. The bars were made by varying the ratio of cowpea flour to corn flour (w/w, d.b., 0/100, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25, and 100/0) and the percentage of baobab pulp powder in the cowpea-corn flour blend (w/w, d.b., 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%) with a fixed amount of 13 g of peanut paste added to all formulations. The use of acacia gum as a binder increased the bars' cohesiveness. Increasing the ratio of cowpea flour to corn flour decreased the cohesiveness and increased protein, fiber, calcium, iron, and folate levels of the bars. Increasing the percentage of baobab pulp powder increased the hardness, fiber, and vitamin C levels, and decreased cohesiveness and water activity of the bars. The bar formulation optimized for sensory acceptance had a cowpea to corn ratio of 85.3:14.7, a baobab level of 9.95%, and 13 g of peanut paste. According to the research, the optimum formulation gave 38%, 32%, 36%, 50%, 11%, and 83% of the recommended dietary allowance of protein, fiber, calcium, iron, vitamin C, and folate, respectively, per serving for school-age children and featured culturally acceptable texture and desirable water activity for commercialization. This study provided critical foundations for the subsequent feasibility assessment of a commercial launch, projected to significantly increase the revenue and nutrient intake of the partnering communities. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The commercialization of the peanut nutrition bar will serve as a source of new income for Senegalese smallholder women farmers, provide essential nutrients for school-age children and potentially reduce post-harvest loss. Response surface methodology used in this study can also be applied to food product development with indigenous communities to develop an accepted and community-feasible product formulation. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.16412
Hot air-assisted radio frequency drying of apricots: Mathematical modeling study for process design.
Conventional hot air and solar energy processes have been used for apricot. These processes had adverse effects on the quality due to the longer process times, and this indicates the need for an innovative approach. Radio frequency (RF) processing has innovation potential for drying with its volumetric heating feature, but an optimal process should be designed for process efficiency in industrial-scale applications. Therefore, the objective of this study was to confirm the RF process for industrial-scale apricot drying. For this purpose, a mathematical model was developed to predict temperature and moisture content change of apricots during drying, and experimental validation study was carried out. For the RF drying process, pre-dried apricots (0.58-0.75 kg water/kg dry matter, db) by solar energy were used. The purpose was to start the RF process at a suitable moisture content level as this process was not feasible to apply directly due to the high initial moisture content of apricots (up to 4 kg water/kg dry matter, db). RF drying experiments were carried out in a 10 kW hot air-assisted (50-60°C) staggered through electrode system. Optimum electrode gap was 81 mm with 2500 V potential of the charged electrode. Final moisture content of the dried apricots was 0.25-0.33 kg water/kg dry matter (db). Following the model validation for temperature and moisture content change, industrial-scale apricot drying scenarios were demonstrated to confirm the RF process for feasibility and process design. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: A comprehensive mathematical model was developed for radio frequency (RF) drying of apricots. This model was experimentally validated with respect to the temperature and moisture content change. Various process design studies were carried out for an industrial-scale apricot drying process to confirm the process feasibility. With this background, the results of this study can be directly used in an industrial drying for an optimal process design and energy efficiency. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.16021
Chemometric analysis of the volatile profile in peduncles of cashew clones and its correlation with sensory attributes
Cashew apple, the hypertrophied peduncle of cashew nut, is a functional food with a high antioxidant activity and with good characteristics for juice industrialization and fresh consumption such as fleshy pulp, soft peel, without seeds, and exotic flavor. However, it is still poorly used or totally wasted. For this reason, the quality of cashew apples has received more attention from the Brazilian breeding program to maximize their uses. In this study, the volatile compound profiles of peduncles of seven cashew clones and their relation to the aroma and flavor differences were investigated. Nine trained panelists evaluated the cashew apples by descriptive analysis. After the standardization of headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) extraction and chromatographic conditions, the volatile organic compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 48 compounds were identified with esters being the major chemical class, both in number of compounds and chromatographic peak area. The targeted and untargeted principal component analysis (PCA) analyses showed complementary and corroborative results from the cashew apple volatile composition based on genotype. The partial least squares (PLS) modeling revealed the high correlation of the unpleasant sensory attributes with the PRO805 and CAPI17 clones; sweet taste and sweet odor with the CCP76 clone; and cashew aroma/cashew flavor with the EMBRAPA51, HAC276, PRO555, and SLC12.20 clones. The correlation between the most relevant volatile organic compounds (VOC) for cashew apples and the sensory descriptors showed that the compounds methyl butanoate, methyl 3-methylbutanoate, ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, methyl 2-butenoate, methyl 3-methylpentanoate, 3-carene, methyl (E)-2-methyl-2-butenoate, ethyl 4-methylpentanoate, 2-hexenal, butyl 3-methylbutanoate, butyl pentanoate, and 3-methyl butanoic acid were important to explain differences in the characteristic fruit aroma and flavor of cashew apples among the studied clones. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Cashew crops have been developed by using improved clones with increased nut productivity and resistance to diseases. The Brazilian genetic improvement program is also seeking to improve the quality of peduncles to maximize their use and prevent their destination as agricultural waste. In this study, the volatile profile of peduncles of seven cashew clones was determined and its correlation with the differences in their aroma and flavor attributes established. The results will provide important information about the potential of the new materials for fresh consumption and for the manufacturing of cashew juices, in addition to be used by breeders interested in improving the aroma of the fruit. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.15957
Nonisothermal Kinetics of Acrylamide elimination and its acceleration by Table Salt; A Model Study
Acrylamide was applied onto table salt and heated in a glass reaction vessel within the temperature range 50 to 210 degrees C with a heating rate of 2 degrees C/min in order to study the influence of temperature and table salt on acrylamide elimination. For comparison purposes; pure acrylamide was also heated at the same conditions to 190 degrees C. Both systems were analyzed for acrylamide amount by GC-MS. During heating; the amount of acrylamide in contact with table salt decreased from 99.9 to 67.7 microg while the amount of acrylamide without table salt decreased from 99.9 to 81.3 microg; obviously due to polymerization reactions taking place in both studied systems. Comparing the results it was found that table salt has substantial catalytic effects on the polymerization reactions. Based on the treatment of experimental results; the parameters characterizing the kinetics of acrylamide polymerization; for example; the rate of its elimination at nonisothermal conditions; have been obtained; also making possible the calculation of rate constant values for any temperature in isothermal regime. As concluded; the polymerization may represent one of conceivable pathways of acrylamide elimination in a real food matrix.