Effect of ozone treatment on the microstructure, chemical composition and sensory quality of apple fruits

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of O3 treatment on the quality of different cultivars of apples ( Malus domestica Borkh.). Apples were stored for six months at different concentrations of ozone. During the research, minor differences between ozone-treated and control fruits were found in terms of cell integrity and epicuticular wax structure. Ozone application for apple treatment could accelerate the natural ageing of the waxes found on the surface of apples, thereby reducing the thickness of the waxes. The rate of degradation for the epicuticular wax was found to be cultivar dependent. After six months of storage, the ozonation process prevented the decay of ‘Iedzenu’, ‘Auksis’ and ‘Belorusskoje Malinovoje’ apple cultivars, but it accelerated damage in the ‘Gita’ apple cultivar. A positive impact of ozone during long-term storage was found regarding flesh firmness of ‘Iedzenu’ apple cultivar samples subjected to O3 exposure at concentrations of 0.8 ppm and 3.0 ppm. In other cultivars of apples, significant differences between ozonation and cold storage (control) were not found. In general, ozone treatment has a potential to be applied in order to maintain the sensory quality and biologically active compound level in apples during six-month storage; however, the degree of effectiveness depends both on the cultivar and on the concentration of ozone.

The effects of muffins enriched with sour cherry pomace on acceptability, glycemic response, satiety and energy intake: a randomized crossover trial

BACKGROUND

Sour cherry pomace (CP), a by-product obtained during fruit processing, was used to replace wheat flour in a muffin formula. The influence of the most sensory acceptable muffins on glycemic response, appetite sensation, and energy intake during subsequent meal in a randomized crossover trial was studied.

RESULTS

It is acceptable to incorporate up to 30% CP into muffin formulas. With CP-treated muffins glucose responses were significantly lower at 30, 45, and 60 min intervals, and the incremental peak glucose was 0.40 and 0.60 mmol L(-1) lower than for plain muffins (PM). The CP-enriched muffins showed an incremental area under the blood glucose response curve values lower than that of PM. 20% CP and 30% CP resulted in improved satiety and induced a lower energy intake at a test meal ingested 3 h later (-13.7%; -15.1%) as compared to PM, respectively.

CONCLUSION

CP may be a good functional ingredient for bakery products that assists in managing glucose levels, satiety, and subsequent energy intake in healthy individuals. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Acute anti-hyperglycaemic effects of an unripe apple preparation containing phlorizin in healthy volunteers: a preliminary study

BACKGROUND

The health-promoting properties of apples are directly related to the biologically active compounds that they contain, such as polyphenols. The objective of this study was to prepare a low-sugar, fibre- and phlorizin-enriched powder from unripe apples and to gain insight regarding its anti-hyperglycaemic activity in healthy volunteers.

RESULTS

The unripe apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) were collected 30 days after the full bloom day; blanched and pressed to obtain apple pomace which was then processed with a food cutter, oven-dried and milled to prepare apple powder. The concentrations of total sugars, water-soluble pectin and phlorizin in the apple preparation were 153.44 ± 2.46, 27.73 ± 0.51 and 12.61 ± 0.15 g kg(-1), respectively. Acute ingestion of the apple preparation improved glucose metabolism in the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in six healthy volunteers by reducing the postprandial glucose response at 15 to 30 min by approximately two-fold (P < 0.05) and by increasing urinary glucose excretion during the 2- to 4-h interval of the OGTT by five-fold (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results obtained indicate that the dried and powdered pomace of unripe apples can be used as a health-promoting natural product for the reduction of postprandial glycaemia and to improve the health of patients with diabetes.