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Antioxidant potential and quality characteristics of Mediterranean fruit‐based extruded snacks
Author(s) -
LucasGonzález Raquel,
ViudaMartos Manuel,
PérezAlvarez José Angel,
FernándezLópez Juana
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of food science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.831
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1365-2621
pISSN - 0950-5423
DOI - 10.1111/ijfs.13257
Subject(s) - food science , sugar , dpph , chemistry , antioxidant , water content , shelf life , dietary fibre , health benefits , flavonoid , traditional medicine , biochemistry , geotechnical engineering , engineering , medicine
Summary ‘Mediterranean snacks’ (dried fruits and nuts as principal ingredients), a little known food product with a high nutritional value, might be considered a good alternative for consumers looking for healthy snacks. The aim of this research was to determine the physicochemical properties and nutritional value of this type of food stuff (traditionally called ‘ fruit cakes ’ in Mediterranean countries) and to evaluate their phenolic content and antioxidant activity. All the fruit‐based extruded snacks studied are shelf‐stable at room temperature (because of their pH and water activity values). The final product has a low moisture (<32%) and high sugar content (>30%), the only sugars being those naturally present in the food. All the fruit‐based extruded snacks had a dietary fibre content higher than 10% (high‐fibre foods). Date extruded snack and apricot extruded snack showed the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content and also the highest antioxidant activity as determined by the DPPH and FRAP methods.