Physicochemical Fingerprint of "Pera Rocha do Oeste". A PDO Pear Native from Portugal

Bioactive Compounds of Portuguese Fruits with PDO and PGI

The European Union has established two designations, Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), to guarantee the authenticity of products with valued specificities associated with the regions where they are produced. The valorization of these products, particularly fruits, not only preserves their natural origins but also promotes the cultivalion of specific regional fruit varieties. This contributes to the preservation of biodiversity and the development of innovative bio-based products in the regions of production. In recent years, substantial efforts have been made to characterize PDO and PGI fruits, particularly in relation to the presence of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Portugal, with its diverse range of climates and geographical characteristics, is home to numerous fruits with unique flavors, textures, and appearances, many of which are now recognized with PDO or PGI seals. This review compiles data from the production of Portuguese fruits with PDO designations, such as the 'Maça Bravo de Esmolfe' (apple) and 'Pera Rocha do Oeste' (pear), and PGI designations, such as 'Citrinos do Algarve' (citrus)and 'Cereja da Cova da Beira' (cherry), and summarizes studies focusing on the bioactive compounds present in these fruits. The presence of bioactive compounds is a significant aspect of nutritious food, associated with health benefits that consumers are increasingly aware of and value.

Upcycling Rocha do Oeste Pear Pomace as a Sustainable Food Ingredient: Composition, Rheological Behavior and Microstructure Alone and Combined with Yeast Protein Extract

This work explores the potential of Rocha do Oeste pear pomace to be used as a sustainable and healthy food ingredient. Moreover, the enrichment with yeast protein extract (YPE) may be useful to design innovative food products. The main goals of this study were to assess pear pomace concerning: (i) chemical composition and antioxidant capacity; (ii) rheology, texture, and microstructure characterization (alone or enriched with YPE), before and after heating. The results showed that pear pomace was a rich source of dietary fibers (74.5% DW), with phenolic compounds (3.9 mg chlorogenic acid equivalents/g dry weight), also presenting antiradical activity (3.90 μmol Trolox equivalents/g DW). Pear pomace showed a shear thinning behavior and a typical soft-gel behavior, which was not affected by YPE enrichment, thus suggesting that YPE did not affect pear pomace technological properties. Thermal treatment also did not alter pear pomace rheological properties. YPE addition induced a decrease in the apparent viscosity and a destabilizing effect, compared to the samples that were subjected to thermal processing. These results highlight the importance of pear pomace and the use of YPE for protein enrichment, opening new opportunities for their exploitation.

Calcium Biofortification of Rocha Pear Fruits: Implications on Mineral Elements, Sugars and Fatty Acids Accumulation in Tissues

Following an agronomic approach for the Ca enrichment of Rocha pears, this study aimed to assess the interactions between mineral nutrients in fruit tissues at harvest and after storage for 5 months and to characterize the implications on the profile of sugars and fatty acids (FA). A total of seven foliar sprays (with concentrations of 0.1–0.6 kg·ha−1 Ca(NO3)2 and 0.8–8 kg·ha−1 CaCl2) were applied to pear trees. After harvest, the fruits were stored for 5 months, in environmentally controlled chambers, and the mineral contents in five regions (on the equatorial section) of the fruits were assessed, while the sugar and FA content were quantified. For both dates, all foliar sprayed treatments, at different extends, increased Ca content in the center and near the epidermis of Rocha pear fruits and the levels of K, Mn, Fe, Zn and Cu also varied. At harvest, the Ca treatments did not affect the levels of sucrose, glucose, fructose and sorbitol and, after storage, their concentrations remained higher in Ca-treated fruits. Additionally, the tendency of the relative proportions of FA was C18:2 > C18:1 > C16:0 > C18:3 > C18:0 > chains inferior to 16 C (<16:0), but after storage it was C18:2 > C16:0 > C18:3 > C18:0 > C18:1 > chains inferior to 16 C (<16:0). It is concluded that the heterogeneous distribution of Ca in the tissues of Rocha pear fruits results from its absorption in the peel after Ca(NO3)2 and CaCl2 sprays and from the xylemic flux in the core prior to maturity. Additionally, the hydrolysis of complex polysaccharides affects the contents of simpler sugars during maturation, ripening and senescence, while storage decreases the amount of total fatty acids (TFA), but the double bond index (DBI) indicate that cell membrane fluidity remains unaffected.

Recent Developments in the Applications of Fingerprinting Technology in the Food Field

In recent years, the concerns and demands by consumers for the high quality and safety for natural and processed plant-based and animal foods has increased significantly [...]

Clean Label “Rocha” Pear (Pyrus communis L.) Snack Containing Juice By-Products and Euglena gracilis Microalgae

“Rocha do Oeste” pear is a Portuguese Protected Designation of Origin variety and one of the country's most relevant fruits for its nutritional value, production area, and exportation amounts. The recent integration of a pilot-scale juice production line brought to SUMOL+COMPAL company the need to characterize the new resulting fractions and value the new by-products. The objective of this work was to value the juice clarification by-products, producing a clean label and fiber-rich snack, in a circular economy rationale, where the secondary products are upcycled back into the food value chain, by creating another food product that includes those by-products. For the above to be possible, the laboratory conditions to produce pear fractions were optimized. After optimizing the puree centrifugation, using response surface methodology (RSM), and optimizing the turbid juice crossflow filtration, the different fractions were characterized in rheological, nutritional, and physical aspects. Comparison to the pulps revealed an increase in the viscosity of the pomace; an enriching effect on the fructose, glucose, and dietary fiber levels in the pomace, and maintenance of the vitamin C levels after centrifugation; and with no effect on the contents of total phenols during the filtration step. A thick pear snack was developed, incorporating retained fraction, inulin, and Euglena gracilis in the pomace, and optimized regarding its firmness and dietary fiber content. The snack characterization revealed an interesting total phenols content (which was maintained from the raw materials). Compared to the snack without microalgae and a commercial fruit snack, the pear snack with E. gracilis was well-accepted by the sensory panel, mainly in texture and appearance, and can be further improved in aroma and flavor. The snack without microalgae was the favorite among the three samples, in most sensory parameters, and never got the answer “I'm sure I wouldn't buy it.” Therefore, an innovative, clean label and plant-based snack was developed, in a circular economy rationale, which was relatively well-appreciated by the panel. This snack is rich in dietary fiber, having the possibility of presenting various nutritional claims, and the potential for easy sensory optimization.