Sweet potato is one of the seven major staple crops in the world. Although most cream-fleshed sweet potatoes are produced locally, orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) is an excellent source of beta-carotene and can be promoted to alleviate vitamin A deficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the retention of total carotenoids (TC) and all-trans-beta-carotene (ATBC) after processing and storage of cookies with different proportions of OFSP and margarine. Cookies formulated with 18 to 22.23 g/100 g of OFSP and 28.57 to 34.6 g/100 g of margarine were analyzed by spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. The formulation containing the highest content of OFSP (22.23 g/100 g) and 32.84 g/100 g of margarine showed greater retention of TC and ATBC after processing. Among the other samples with the same proportion of OFSP, the one containing the highest margarine concentration (34.6 g/100 g) has shown a greater capacity to maintain TC and ATBC during storage (up to 56 days), demonstrating lipids important role in the preservation of these components.

Extrusion is nowadays a technological procedure that allows the processing of a very large quantity of final products. These may be for human, animal or industrial use. Food for human consumption has been a major focus in the use of this technological process. Because of their versatility of use, there is a possibility of using very different raw materials, which individually or mixed with other products can generate high added value food products. In this work we point out that only in the adequate control of the process parameters can we obtain foods of high nutritional value, with good sensory characteristics and functional properties.

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