Isabel M. Vicario

Chromatic characterization of anthocyanins from red grapes-I. pH effect

Abstract Five anthocyanins (the 3-monoglucoside of delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin, peonidin and malvidin), isolated from red grape skins, were subjected to a spectroscopic study to characterize their chromatic properties in a model solution imitating wine in the pH range 1.5–7.0. Tristimulus colorimetry (CIEXYZ, CIELUV and CIELAB colour spaces) proved to be a useful tool for the chromatic characterization of these anthocyanins. Significant colour differences were found among them, related to the number and type of substituents in their B rings. Two-substituted compounds were located in the area of orange hue, while three-substituted compounds were in the area of red–purple. As the methoxylation degree increased, a shift was observed toward purple. Also, a relationship was found between saturation and chroma and the number of hydroxy groups in the B ring. In all the anthocyanins studied, the increase in pH provoked a curve displacement in chromaticity, approaching that of the illuminant..

Effect of orange juice's processing on the color, particle size, and bioaccessibility of carotenoids.

This study was aimed at assessing the differences between industrially processed and hand-squeezed orange juices (OJs) in relation to their color, particle size, carotenoid content, and carotenoid bioaccessibility. Specifically, industrial samples of fresh squeezed OJs after the finishing steps (FISO) and the same OJs after pasteurization (PISO), as well as hand-squeezed OJs (HSO) were studied. The results showed that the HSO and PISO were different (p < 0.05) in terms of color (darker and more reddish vs brighter, more yellowish and colorful), particle size (volume and surface area mean diameter), and total carotenoid content (29 ± 5 and 22 ± 3 mg/L, respectively). On the other hand, the industrial extraction of OJs reduced the particle size distribution, and accordingly, the relative bioaccessibility of bioactive carotenoids increased (p < 0.01). Independently of the type of OJ, the bioaccessibility of carotenoids in decreasing order was the following: α-carotene > β-cryptoxanthin > β-carotene > zeaxanthin > lutein.

Olive Oil Supplementation in Healthy Adults: Effects in Cell Membrane Fatty Acid Composition and Platelet Function

Ten healthy volunteers were given a daily supplement of 30 g olive oil for 6 weeks in order to evaluate how it would affect cell membrane composition and ultimately platelet function. Fasting blood and cheek cell samples were taken before commencing the study, after 21 and 42 days of supplementation and also at 30 days after finishing the supplement (washout). C18:1n-9 was significantly increased (p < 0.01) in platelet and cheek cell phospholipids. Erythrocytes were not good markers for C18:1n-9 intake and no significant change was found in this tissue. There was a small nonsignificant decrease in platelet phospholipid 20:4n-6 after the supplementation, in accordance with previously published results. C18:1n-9 did not persist in platelet membranes after the volunteers stopped consuming the olive oil supplement, but in erythrocytes a significant increase (p < 0.05) was found after the washout period. None of these changes in fatty acid composition in the different tissues were related to significant changes in serum cholesterol-related variables or in clotting factors or adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation.

Development and validation of a rapid resolution liquid chromatography method for the screening of dietary plant isoprenoids: carotenoids, tocopherols and chlorophylls.

A rapid resolution liquid chromatography (RRLC) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of nine carotenoids compounds (violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene, phytoene, phytofluene), four tocopherols and four chlorophylls and derivates (chlorophylls and pheophytins). The methodology consisted in a micro-extraction procedure with or without saponification and subsequent analysis by RRLC. The limits of detection were <0.07 μg for carotenoids and tocopherols and <0.08 μg for chlorophylls and derivatives. The overall precision values (intra- and inter-day) were lower than 12% when samples were not saponified and <27.6%, when the saponification step was performed. The recovery of the method without the saponification step ranged from 92% to 107%, whilst that when saponification was carried out ranged from 60% for α-tocopherol to 82% for β-carotene. Finally, the applicability of the method was demonstrated by the identification and quantification of isoprenoids in different samples. The methodology is appropriate for the high-throughput screening of dietary isoprenoids in fruits and vegetables.

Changes in the Fatty Acid and Triacylglycerol Profiles in the Subcutaneous Fat of Iberian Ham during the Dry-Curing Process

In this study, we have evaluated the changes that occur in the profiles of total fatty acids and triacylglycerols during the dry-curing process (730 days) of Iberian ham. The subcutaneous adipose tissues of six hams obtained from three Iberian pigs fed on acorns were analyzed periodically during the processing time (from the raw to the dry-cured samples), including postsalting, drying, and ripening stages. The environmental conditions were also registered. The curing process significantly decreased (p < 0.01) the relative percentages of total polyunsaturated fatty acids, including C18:2n-6 and C18:3n-3 and, therefore, significantly increased (p < 0.05) the level of monounsaturated fatty acids. The triglycerides containing 0-2 double bonds showed an increase during the curing process. On the contrary, the more unsaturated ones (3-5 double bonds) suffered a significant decrease. We have postulated that these changes could also be due to polymerization and oxidation reactions that affect the triacylglycerols and besides the fatty acids. In general, most fatty acids and triacylglycerols reversed the trend by about 500-600 days of processing.

Colour influences sensory perception and liking of orange juice

BackgroundThis study assesses the effect of slight hue variations in orange juice (reddish to greenish) on perceived flavour intensity, sweetness, and sourness, and on expected and actual liking. A commercial orange juice (COJ) was selected as a control, and colour-modified orange juices were prepared by adding red or green food dyes (ROJ and GOJ) that did not alter the flavour of the juice. A series of paired comparison tests were performed by 30 naive panellists to determine the influence of orange juice colour on flavour intensity, sweetness, and sourness. Then, 100 orange juice consumers were asked to rate expected liking of orange juice samples initially by visual evaluation and subsequently for actual liking upon consumption, using a labelled affective magnitude scale.ResultsResults of pair comparison tests indicated that colour changes did not affect flavour intensity and sweetness, but the greenish hue (GOJ) significantly increased the perceived sourness. Results of the consumers’ study indicated significant differences in expected liking between the orange juice samples, with ROJ having the highest expected liking. However, scores of actual liking after consumption were not significantly different. COJ and GOJ showed a significant increase in actual liking compared to expected liking.ConclusionsThis study shed light on how slight variations in orange juice hue (reddish to greenish hues) affect the perceived flavour intensity, sweetness, and sourness, and the expected and actual liking of orange juice.

Assessing acceptability of eel (Anguilla anguilla) fed three different diets

Acceptability and preference of eels fed on three different diets—a commercial type (control) and two experimental types, one enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids (fish-oil) and the other with saturated fatty acids (coconut-oil)—have been studied in three Spanish consumer panels from towns in three different regions (La Coruna, Seville and Valencia). The results of the Wilcoxon test indicate that in general the diet does not have significant effects (p < 0.05) on the overall acceptability of the eel samples, either in the overall evaluation or in the evaluation of the sensory attributes of appearance, aroma, flavour and texture, although in one of the panels (Seville) the overall and flavour acceptability scores were significantly higher for the fish-oil-fed eel than for the control-fed eel. Using the Friedman test, we did not observe significant differences (p < 0.05) in the preferences, except in one panel (Seville) where there was a significant preference for the fish-oil sample rather than the control sample. The multinomial logit indicates that the choice of preferred sample appears to be associated with the acceptability of its flavour, texture and aroma and overall impression. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry

Separation of structural, geometrical and optical isomers of epoxycarotenoids using triacontyl-bonded stationary phases

The efficiency of C30 stationary phases in the separation of carotenes and diverse hydroxycarotenoids has been the subject of several studies. However, little is known concerning their ability to resolve epoxycarotenoids isomers, whose study is of great importance due to the functions they serve and the information they can reveal concerning the processing of foods. We have concluded that C30 columns provide an excellent separation of structural, geometrical and optical isomers of epoxycarotenoids and that the presence of 5,8-epoxide groups leads to a better shape recognition, to the extent that over 10 geometrical-optical isomers of 5,8-epoxycarotenoids have been separated. Additionally, it was observed that these carotenoids elute later than their 5,6-epoxide counterparts, albeit the latter have a longer chromophore.

A novel and enhanced approach for the assessment of the total carotenoid content of foods based on multipoint spectroscopic measurements.

We have devised a more sensible approach to estimate the carotenoid content of orange juices, which can be regarded as a model system of food with intricate carotenoid pattern. For this purpose spectroscopic information at several wavelengths and spectra of the juices and not from their carotenoid extracts were considered, such that more accurate and rapid quantitative assessments can be achieved. The wavelengths proposed on the basis of the characteristic vector method were 420, 455, 515, 545 and 610nm or 420, 445, 510, 545 and 605nm, depending on the measurement conditions. The correlations between the carotenoid content and the reflectances at these wavelengths were very good (R=0.94 and 0.90, respectively). Additionally, it was demonstrated that the colour of the juices could be assessed with very good accuracy considering them. Due to its simplicity and rapidity, this method is intended to facilitate the quality control of the carotenoid content of foodstuffs in the industry and/or in the field.

Carotenoid and Vitamin A Contents in Biological Fluids and Tissues of Animals as an Effect of the Diet: A Review

Carotenoids are widespread isoprenoid secondary metabolites. They and their metabolites are thought to provide diverse health benefits. In any case, their relevance from a nutritional standpoint is unarguable, as some of them can be converted into vitamin A in animals. Animals cannot synthesize carotenoids de novo and rely on the diet as a source. Species-specific differences in the absorption and metabolism of these compounds are known to exist among livestock species. The diet is another key factor affecting the carotenoid content in biological fluids (such as plasma and milk) and tissues. The study of carotenoids in animals is also important in the context of the increasing interest of consumers in the authentication of animal diets, as they can be used as markers of pasture-fed animals. In this paper, the authors review the current knowledge on the effect of the diet on the carotenoid levels of domesticated animals and the differences in the metabolism of these compounds into vitamin A among species.