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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of dehydrated squash pulp (DSP) (0, 5, 10, 15, and 25 g·100 g-1 of flour) and drying temperatures (50 and 60 °C) on the quality characteristics of spaghetti, i.e., dietary fiber, total carotenoid content, color, cooking quality, texture parameters, and sensory acceptance. The results showed that DSP has a total carotenoid content of 44.42 to 277.90 µg·g-1 and fiber content of 2.45 to 12.40 g·100 g-1. Additionally, the DSP level decreased the cooking time, increased the loss of solids, and generated a decrease in the fracture, hardness, and elasticity of the spaghetti. Furthermore, the increase from 50 to 60 °C in the drying temperature increased the content of carotenoids up to 6.4%, improving the texture properties while not significantly affecting the cooking quality. The spaghetti formulations containing 5 and 10 g·100 g-1 of DSP resulted in improved sensory acceptance. It was possible to develop a new spaghetti type by adding dehydrated squash pulp with better nutritional characteristics such as high dietary fiber content and antioxidants.

The present study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effects, over 6 days, of different intensities of continuous light (20, 40, and 60 µmol photons m-2 s-1) on the growth of Arthrospira platensis and its impact on the production of phycocyanin, carotenoids, and intracellular/extracellular auxins, using a medium supplemented with 0.5 g L-1 of L-tryptophan. Additionally, the study aimed to assess the effect of treatments on the biostimulant activity of the supernatant (T0: untreated, T1: treated) compared to that of biomass extracts (T2). T0, T1, and T2 were adjusted to a concentration of 0.1 mg L-1 of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and a pH of 7.4. The results revealed that light intensities of 40 and 60 µmol photons m-2 s-1 produced the highest levels of extracellular IAA on day 2 (20.1 and 33.01 mg L-1, respectively), while an intensity of 20 µmol photons m-2 s-1 reached peak IAA production on day 3 (25.74 mg L-1), followed by a subsequent decrease. Phycocyanin concentrations markedly decreased after maximal IAA production under all light conditions. Tukey's analysis indicated that treatments T1 and T2 significantly increased the number and length of secondary roots in mung beans by 157% and 350%, respectively, with no significant differences between them, while the untreated supernatant (T0) exhibited a minor effect. The study concludes that under all assessed light conditions, concentrations of phycocyanin and carotenoids drastically decreased after peak IAA production, gradually recovering in the following days. Additionally, the treated supernatant and biomass extract significantly enhanced root growth in mung beans, highlighting the importance of the treatment method for biostimulation and suggesting potential for improved storage and transportation. Future research should focus on refining supernatant treatments to optimize biostimulant activity and facilitate commercialization.

El pimentón verde es una Solanaceae cultivada en zonas tropicales y empleada como saborizante y colorante natural. Es considerado un vegetal perecedero, que por lo general es almacenado entre 7,5 – 8 °C, con el fin de evitar acelerar la transpiración del fruto y daños por frío, lo que a su vez afecta la coloración verde característica. En la actualidad, no se encuentran investigaciones sobre la degradación de pigmentos en el Pimentón Mínimamente Procesado (PMP), por lo tanto el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de dos sistemas de envase y tiempo de almacenamiento sobre las características fisicoquímicas del PMP. Para ello, los frutos fueron almacenados sin envase (control), en polietileno de alta densidad (PEAD) y en polietileno de alta densidad con sellado al vacío (PEAD-V) en condiciones de refrigeración (9 °C y 45 %HR). Las variables evaluadas fueron pérdida de peso, pH, acidez titulable, concentración de clorofila total y carotenoides totales, en el día 0, 7 y 14 de almacenamiento. Los resultados indican que tanto el sistema de envase como el tiempo de almacenamiento tuvieron efecto significativo sobre las características de calidad evaluadas en PMP. Después de 14 días de almacenamiento los frutos de pimentón verde envasados en PEAD-V presentaron una retención del 62 % de las clorofilas, 75 % de los carotenoides totales y menor cambio de color (ΔE = 12) respecto al tiempo de almacenamiento 0. Con base en estos resultados se puede concluir que el envase PEAD-V puede ser una alternativa válida en la conservación del PMP.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical, sensory and texture characteristics of pancakes which contained dehydrated squash pulp (10 and 30 g/100 g of ready mix pancake). For this, first the physicochemical characteristics as well as the thermal and functional properties of dehydrated squash pulp (DSP) were determined. Then, the stability of the pancake ready mix was evaluated, through its physical–chemical and microbiological properties, during a storage period of 3 weeks, at 25, 40 and 50 °C. Finally, shelf life was estimated by means of two predictive methods (reaction kinetics and microbiological method). Results showed that DSP presented a high dietary fiber content (30.02 g/100 g), total carotenoids (452.04 µg/g), and phenolic compounds (415 ± 9.19 mg GAE/100 g), high swelling power, low solubility and emulsifying capacity. The formulation with the highest acceptance was that containing 10% dehydrated squash pulp (DSP-10), which obtained a shelf life of 5.39 weeks (28 °C) (reaction kinetics) and 33.51 weeks (microbiological method).

Green peppers, a Solanaceaecultivated in tropical zones, are used as natural food coloring and flavoring. Considered perishable vegetables, they are usually stored between 7.5 and 8° C in order to avoid accelerating fruit transpiration and cold damage (chilling injury), which in turn affect their characteristic green coloration. At present, there are no studies available on the degradation of pigments in Minimally Processed Pepper (MPP). Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of two packaging systems and storage time on the physicochemical characteristics of MPP. For this purpose, the fruits were stored without packaging (control group), in high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and in high-density polyethylene with a vacuum seal (HDPE-V) under refrigeration conditions (9° C and 45% RH). The variables weight loss, pH, titratable acidity, total chlorophyll concentration, and total carotenoids were evaluated on days 0, 7 and 14 of storage. The results indicate that both packaging system and storage time had a significant effect on the quality characteristics of MPP. After 14 days of storage, the green pepper fruits packed in HDPE-V presented a retention of 62% of the chlorophylls, 75% of the total carotenoids, and less color change (ΔE = 12) with respect to time to storage time 0.Based on these results, it can be concluded that the HDPE-V container can be a suitable alternative to preserve MPP.