Malaxation is a basic step in the mechanical olive oil extraction process that may affect yield,\ud quality and health properties of virgin olive oil (VOO). The operative conditions of malaxation,\ud such as temperature and time, are fundamental to favour the oil coalescence process and,\ud consequently, the duration of the VOO extraction process. The aim of this study was to improve\ud the extraction process efficiency by using an ultrasound treatment of olive paste before the\ud malaxation step. The ultrasonic treatment was applied to Coratina and Peranzana, which are two\ud of the most popular Southern Italian olive varieties characterized by extremely different\ud technological performance. Different times of ultrasound treatments were tested (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10\ud min) and free acidity, peroxide value, K232, K270, sensory analysis, tocopherols, total carotenoids,\ud chlorophyll and total polyphenols were determined. Results showed that the ultrasound treatment\ud caused a quick heating of the olive paste as a function of the ultrasound treatment time. Times of\ud treatment of 8 and 10 min allowed the reduction of the malaxation phase from 60 to about 40 min.\ud The ultrasound technique improved antioxidant content in both VVOs, except for polyphenols\ud that decreased. However, the reduction of polyphenol concentration in Coratina VOO improved\ud its taste by reducing the bitter and pungent notes, which are not always accepted by consumers

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Background and Aims:In some years, the table grape cultivar Crimson Seedless does not reach the commercially acceptable level of red colour in Mediterranean climates, with negative consequences for the grower. Application of abscisic acid (S-ABA) and sucrose could be a tool for overcoming this problem. Methods and Results: A commercial formulation of S-ABA (400 mg/L) and sucrose (10%) was applied to Crimson Seedless at the beginning of veraison and 5 days later in order to verify the effect on harvestable bunches, skin colour, chemical characteristics, anthocyanin content, antioxidant activity and S-ABA concentration either in the skin or the pulp of the berry. The application of S-ABA and sucrose improved the colour of the berries and increased the amount of harvestable bunches at the first pick (80-95%) compared with that of the control treatment (43%). Ripening attributes (total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity) were not affected by the application of either S-ABA or sucrose. The S-ABA concentration in skin and pulp increased significantly after the treatments and at first harvest. Abscisic acid increased the concentration of anthocyanins and showed a positive effect on the antioxidant activity. Conclusion: Abscisic acid and sucrose improved the colour of the berry skin, with improved results obtained when S-ABA was applied alone and at the beginning of veraison. Sucrose, although to a less extent, was also effective in improving skin colour and increasing the number of harvestable bunches at the first pick. Significance of the Study: This study provides new information about the positive effect of either S-ABA or sucrose on colour, anthocyanin concentration and antioxidant activity of the berry. Moreover, bunches could be harvested in fewer picks with important economic consequences for the grower and with an S-ABA concentration in the berry within the physiological values.

Summary This work is aimed at: (i) analysing the extracts obtained from canning by‐products of three artichoke cultivars (Opal, Capriccio and Catanese) for antioxidant parameters; (ii) comparing UHPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS profile, colour, textural properties and cooking performance of fresh pasta enriched of the most antioxidant extract, with control pasta. The concentrated Catanese cv. extracts showed the highest antioxidant activity (1662 μmol Trolox equivalents L−1) and the highest levels of luteolin‐7‐O‐rutinoside, luteolin‐7‐O‐glucoside and apigenin‐7‐O‐rutinoside compared to other cultivars. Fresh pasta enriched of Catanese extract showed higher (P < 0.05) phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity (500 mg gallic acid kg−1 and 1324 μmol Trolox kg−1, respectively) than control pasta (306 mg gallic acid kg−1 and 886 μmol Trolox kg−1, respectively). The extract increased (P < 0.05) pasta brownness (from 19.93 to 23.34), and decreased yellowness (from 27.11 to 23.09), but did not alter textural and cooking parameters. So, pasta was a good vehicle to increase the antioxidant dietary intake.

Summary The aim of this study was to assess the impact of some viticultural practices (VP) and winemaking technologies (WT) on phenolic composition and sensory characteristics of Negroamaro wines produced in Apulia, Southern Italy. Among VP, two soil management (cover crop and soil tillage) and two training systems (bilateral cordon and unilateral cordon) were compared, whereas among WT, three vinifications were tested: control (traditional, 7 days of maceration at 25 °C with two daily punching‐down), cryomaceration (24 h at 0 °C using dry ice) and ultrasound (37 kHz, 150 W, 15 min at 30 °C). Results showed that cover cropping decreased the concentration of flavonoids, whereas bilateral cordon training led to an increase of flavonoids and total polyphenols. Among technologies applied, the cryomaceration led to enrichment in anthocyanins and to impoverishment in total polyphenols, whereas ultrasound treatment improved the extraction of all phenol classes. Cryomacerated wines from the combination soil tillage and unilateral cordon were characterised by the best olfactory and gustatory sensory characteristics. Cryomaceration increased the notes of soft fruits and liquorice, whereas ultrasonic treatment did increase descriptors of violet, soft fruits and black pepper.