Resumen Introducción: Los snacks se han convertido en una parte importante de la dieta diaria, sin embargo, su perfil nutricional podría mejorarse añadiendo ingredientes con beneficios para la salud. El objetivo de este trabajo fue desarrollar un snack dietético funcional utilizando harina de algarroba negra y arándanos de descarte y evaluar su composición química y funcional. Metodología: Se prepararon tres formulaciones utilizando diferentes proporciones de harina de trigo y harina de algarroba negra: 60:40; 50:50; y 40:60, respectivamente. Se determinó la composición química proximal mediante los procedimientos metodológicos de la AOAC, así como también se analizaron las propiedades funcionales. Resultados: Se obtuvieron tres snacks dietéticos, éstos mostraron una reducción calórica del 20 - 23%. En todos los snacks se logró un aumento del contenido proteico de más del 60% y se observó un contenido mayor de fibra dietética total (DS2) en comparación con los snacks comerciales. Todas las formulaciones mostraron una reducción en el contenido de compuestos bioactivos durante el procesamiento. Conclusiones: Los snacks mostraron propiedades funcionales, mayor contenido en proteínas y un valor calórico total fue reducido en comparación con los productos comerciales disponibles. El DS2 fue el snack con mayor actividad antioxidante y, según los valores de fibra, es un producto con “alto contenido en fibra”. A pesar de las pérdidas causadas por el proceso de cocción en el contenido de compuestos bioactivos, la actividad antioxidante fue superior al 50% en todos los snacks elaborados.

Abstract Introduction: Snacks have become an important part of the daily diet, however, their nutritional profile could be improved by adding ingredients with health benefits. The aim of this work was to develop a functional dietetic snack using black carob flour and discarded blueberries, and to evaluate its chemical and functional composition. Methodology: Three formulations were prepared using different proportions of wheat flour and black carob flour: 60:40; 50:50; and 40:60, respectively. Proximal chemical composition was determined by the procedures of AOAC methods and functional properties were also analyzed. Results: Three dietary snacks were obtained, which showed a caloric reduction of 20 - 23%. In all snacks, an increase in protein content of more than 60% was achieved and a higher total dietary fiber content (DS2) was observed compared to commercial snacks. All formulations showed a reduction in bioactive compound content during processing. Conclusions: The snacks showed functional properties, higher protein content and a reduced total caloric value compared to commercially available products. DS2 was the snack with the highest antioxidant activity and, according to fiber values, is a product with “high fiber content”. Despite the losses caused by the cooking process in the content of bioactive compounds, the antioxidant activity was greater than 50% in all the snacks produced.

Abstract Training in Good Manufacturing Practices enhances quality during food processing. This paper evaluates GMP training aimed at improving the chemical, sensory and microbiological quality of goat milk cheese. We worked with 26 families that produce cheese as their main source of income. Semi-structured interviews and observation were conducted to select relevant topics. The manufacturing processes were compared and samples were analyzed before and after GMP training. We trained 80% of the producers. Before receiving training, they used to make cheese from raw milk in unhygienic conditions and with little equipment. The products obtained had bad sensory characteristics, cracks, eyes on the pasta, a high number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria and total coliforms. After training, the producers pasteurized the milk and standardized processing procedures, resulting in final products that contained higher protein and calcium content, suitable sensory characteristics, and a significant reduction in microorganisms, with total coliforms falling to ≤ 5.103 UFC/g. Therefore, this study shows that the manufacturing process and the chemical, sensory and microbiological parameters of goat milk cheese improved after GMP training.

Abstract Today’s population increasingly demands and consumes healthy products. For this reason, the food industry has been developing and marketing food with added bioactive components. The aim of this work was to formulate a peach ice cream reduced in calories with an added probiotic (Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12) and prebiotics (inulin), and to evaluate its sensory quality and acceptability as potential symbiotic food. The moisture content was 76.47%; 7.14% protein; 0.15% fat; 6.37%; carbohydrates; 9.87% inulin; 1.22% ash; 0.201% calcium, 0.155% phosphorus and 0.168% sodium. On the first and 21th day of storage counts of B. lactis Bb – 12 was 4 x 108 CFU/mL and 1.5 x 107 CFU/mL, respectively. It was possible to formulate a peach ice cream reduced in calories, fat, and sugar and with potential symbiotic effect, by addition of B. lactis Bb – 12. A product with suitable organoleptic characteristics, creamy texture, peachy colour, taste and flavour, and no ice crystals was obtained. This ice cream would be a suitable food matrix to incorporate prebiotic and probiotic ingredients as a potential symbiotic food.

Abstract The aim of this study was a contribution to standardazation the process of making mozzarella cheese from goat milk by draining at different pH values 5.0 (MC50), 5.3 (MC53) and 5.6 (MC56), so as to obtain a product with suitable physicochemical, microstructural and textural characteristics. MC50 had lower protein and calcium, with very few strands. MC53 had adequate moisture content, fat, protein and calcium. The cheese yield was higher, the hardness parameters were lower, and the microstructure revealed the presence of long, thin strands, giving it the distinctive texture for this type of cheese. MC56 curd did not reach a good stretching property, requiring longer exposure to heating to obtain the yarn. This resulted in lower retention of fat, lower cheese yield, increased calcium and hardness values, and absence of strands. Overall, the goat milk presented aptitude for processing this type of cheese, however the pH 5.3 was selected to obtain a product with suitable physicochemical, textural and microstructural characteristics.