No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Tomato processing residues are still rich in bioactive compounds that may be recovered and reused, with environmental and economic benefits. This short communication discloses for the first time that the highpressure homogenisation (HPH) treatment of tomato residues in the presence of water and sunflower oil is able to promote the extraction of bioactive compounds concurrently to the formation of an oil-in-water emulsion stabilised by the micronized residues. The mechanical disruption effect of HPH improved the mass transfer of lycopene into the oil phase, and formed fine fibrous debris, improving stabilisation and visual appearance of the emulsion. Results showed a progressive increase of lycopene concentration in the cream phase up to 5 HPH passes and a concurrent reduction of its content in the pellet. Total polyphenols content and antioxidant activity in the aqueous phase gradually decreased when increasing the number of passes, suggesting their progressive transfer in the cream phase. The proposed process that relies on a purely physical treatment and uses only water/sunflower oil as extraction media resulted in the production of a lycopene-rich cream of potential use as a functional food ingredient.

This work reviews the recent development of biopolymer-based delivery systems for agricultural application. Encapsulation into biopolymer microparticles ensures the protection and targeted delivery of active agents while offering controlled release with higher efficiency and environmental safety for ecological and sustainable plant production. Encapsulation of biological agents provides protection and increases its survivability while providing an environment safe for growth. The application of microparticles loaded with chemical and biological agents presents an innovative way to stimulate plant metabolites synthesis. This enhances plants’ defense against pests and pathogens and results in the production of higher quality food (i.e., higher plant metabolites share). Ionic gelation was presented as a sustainable method in developing biopolymeric microparticles based on the next-generation biopolymers alginate and chitosan. Furthermore, this review highlights the advantages and disadvantages of advanced formulations against conventional ones. The significance of plant metabolites stimulation and their importance in functional food production is also pointed out. This review offers guidelines in developing biopolymeric microparticles loaded with chemical and biological agents and guidelines for the application in plant production, underlining its effect on the plant metabolites synthesis.