Abstract Recently, interest in studying pigments from lichens has been aroused due to their bioactive properties and health benefits. The Geolashon (Teloschistes flavicans) is a thousand-year-old lichen from the Peruvian Andes characterized by its yellow filaments, traditionally used by the Peruvian inhabitants as a natural pigment for making handicrafts and medicinal purposes. In this sense, this article aims to compile all the studies on Geolashon as a source of natural yellow pigments, starting from its importance and applications by the Andean population to research on obtaining, characterizing, and properties of its extracts. Although studies on this lichen are limited, it was observed that the obtained from lichen are rich in 3-[1’-(2”,3”-dihydroxy-phenyl)-propyl]-7-hydroxy- chroman-4-one, vicanicin, parietin, other compounds and has antidiabetic, antibacterial, antileukemic, antimicrobial, anticancer and termiticide activity that would be interesting for use in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and agricultural industries, generating added value in the final product. Aspects such as processing, functional properties, and toxicology of the bioactive components of Geolashon must be studied for its correct use.

Resumo No Peru, aproximadamente 20% da produção de abacate var. Hass é descartada pelo baixo calibre, sendo vendida a preços baixos nos mercados locais. O propósito do trabalho foi otimizar o tempo e a temperatura de branqueamento para a produção de polpa de abacate, utilizando como matéria-prima frutos de descarte por baixo calibre. A otimização foi realizada utilizando a Metodologia de Superfície de Resposta com delineamento rotacional composto central 22 (R2 ≥ 0,75; p < 0,05). As variáveis independentes estudadas foram o tempo (0; 1,5; 5; 8,5; 10 min) e a temperatura (65, 68, 75, 82, 85 °C) de branqueamento, em que os abacates foram branqueados por imersão (com casca), a polpa foi extraída, processada, selada a vácuo (0,035 MPa) e armazenada em refrigeração a 5 °C durante 49 dias. Os abacates de baixo calibre mostram-se ideais para a produção de polpa, pois 98% dos frutos apresentaram um teor de óleo inferior a 15%, com um rendimento médio em polpa de 79,23%. Os resultados indicaram que tempos longos e temperaturas altas de branqueamento acima de 5 min e 75 °C, respectivamente, retêm a cor verde e aumentam o brilho na polpa, evitando o escurecimento enzimático; além disso, o aumento de ambos contribui na estabilidade da acidez e do nível de pH do produto, estendendo sua vida útil. No entanto, na análise sensorial, a polpa submetida a temperaturas acima de 82 °C obteve as menores pontuações em sabor, odor e aceitação geral, devido à presença de sabores amargos e odores desagradáveis na polpa. Os testes do ponto central (5 min; 75 °C) apresentaram as melhores pontuações para as variáveis independentes, como cor, sabor, odor e textura sensorial, além de apresentar boa estabilidade físico-química com uma vida útil de 37 dias.

Abstract In Peru, approximately 20% of the production of avocado var. Hass is discarded due to its low quality, and sold at low prices in local markets. The aim of this study was to optimize the blanching time and temperature to produce avocado pulp, using low quality discarded fruits as the raw material. The process was optimized using Response Surface Methodology with a 22 central composite rotational design (R2 ≥ 0.75; p < 0.05). The independent variables studied were the blanching time (0, 1.5, 5, 8.5, 10 min) and temperature (65, 68, 75, 82, 85 °C), where the avocados were blanched by immersion (with peel), and the pulp extracted, processed, vacuum sealed (0.035 MPa) and stored under refrigeration at 5 °C for 49 days. The low quality discarded avocados were shown to be ideal for pulping, since 98% of the fruits had an oil content below 15% with an average pulp yield of 79.23%. The results indicated that longer blanching times and higher temperatures of above 5 min and 75 °C, respectively, retained the green colour and increased the brightness of the pulp, avoiding enzymatic browning. In addition, the increase in both contributed to the stability of the product acidity and pH level, extending its shelf life. However, in the sensory analysis, the pulp submitted to temperatures above 82 °C obtained the lowest scores for taste, odour and general acceptance due to the presence of a bitter taste and unpleasant odours in the pulp. The central point trials (5 min; 75 °C) presented the best scores for the independent variables such as colour, taste, odour and sensory texture, also showing good physicochemical stability with a shelf life of 37 days.

The objective of this research was evaluate the effect of the partial substitution of wheat flour by soybean meal (HS) in the technological and sensory characteristics of cupcakes, in order to develop a high-protein food for school-age students. Common wheat flour was replaced with four different percentages of HS: 5% (F1), 10% (F2), 15% (F3) and 20% (F4), these were compared with a control sample with 0% (F0) of HS. The technological characteristics evaluated were weight loss, water activity (Aw), instrumental color, bulk and texturometria samples, for 12 days. The results showed that the substitution of HS improves firmness of cupcakes and helps moisture retention, a substitution until F2 was not significantly different from F0. A test to 45 panelists with a hedonic scale for sensory evaluation was used; three sensory characteristics (color, flavor and texture) and purchase intent were evaluated. The cupcakes with HS presented significant differences in color in relation to F0; the results indicated that this ingredient could replace wheat flour F0 up to 10%, without significantly altering its sensory quality. As for the intention to purchase, F2 obtained a score of 4.20 ± 0.53 on a scale of 5 points, which does not differ significantly from F0.

El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el efecto de la sustitución parcial de harina de trigo por harina de soya (HS) en las características tecnológicas y sensoriales de cupcakes, con la finalidad de desarrollar un alimento rico en proteínas para alumnos en edad escolar. Se sustituyó la harina de trigo común por HS en 4 porcentajes diferentes 5% (F1), 10% (F2), 15% (F3) y 20% (F4) y se comparó con una muestra control con 0% (F0) de HS. Las características tecnológicas evaluadas fueron: pérdida de peso, actividad de agua (Aw), color instrumental, volumen específico y texturometría de las muestras durante 12 días. Los resultados mostraron que la sustitución por HS mejora la firmeza de los cupcakes y ayuda a la retención de la humedad, una sustitución hasta F2 no presentó diferencia significativa con F0. Para la evaluación sensorial se aplicó un test con escala hedónica a 45 panelistas, se evaluaron 3 características sensoriales (color, sabor y textura) e intensión de compra. Los cupcakes con HS presentaron diferencias significativas en el color en relación con F0, los resultados indicaron que este ingrediente puede sustituir a la harina de trigo de la F0 hasta en un 10%, sin alterar significativamente su calidad sensorial. En cuanto a la intensión de compra, F2 obtuvo un puntaje de 4,20 ± 0,53 en una escala de 5 puntos, el cual no presenta diferencias significativas con F0.

Vegetable oils such as sacha inchi (ASI) and oliva (AO) contain mono-unsaturated fatty acids (omega-9) and polyunsaturated (omega-6), and small amounts of omega-3. By contrast, marine oils such as fish oil crude (ACP) are characterized by their high content in omega-3. The objective of this research was to determine and compare the physicochemical of these three oils in order to establish which is the best for food use features. The acidity index, refractive index and specific gravity was determined by AOAC official methods, and the lifetime by the Rancimat method at three temperatures (100 °C, 120 °C and 150 °C), extrapolating the results at 25 °C. The results of the physicochemical characterization indicate that the three oils are significantly different. The acid values in% oleic acid were 1.08, 1.14 and 1.561 for ASI, AO and ACP respectively. The refractive indices (20 °C) were 1.475, 1.469 and 1.481 for ASI, AO and ACP respectively, relative density was 0.9283; 0.9152 and 0.9308 for ASI, AO and ACP respectively. The lifespan for ASI, AO and ACP was 93, 137 and 2 days respectively. The composition of fatty acids in oils from both plant and marine life besides, gives great importance from the nutritional point of view, as they are contained in the oils studied significantly. The results indicate the importance of this type of oils in food.

Los aceites vegetales tales como el aceite de sacha inchi (ASI) y oliva (AO) contienen ácidos grasos mono-insaturados (omega-9) y poliinsaturados (omega-6), y pequeñas cantidades de omega-3. Por el contrario, los aceites de origen marino como el aceite crudo de pescado (ACP) se caracterizan por su alto contenido en omega-3. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue determinar y comparar las características físico-químicas de estos tres aceites a fin de establecer cuál es el mejor para el uso alimentario. El Índice de acidez, índice de refracción y densidad relativa se determinó por métodos oficiales AOAC, y el tiempo de vida útil por el método Rancimat, a tres temperaturas (100 °C; 120 °C y 150 °C), extrapolando los resultados a 25 °C. Los resultados obtenidos en la caracterización fisicoquímica indican que estos aceites son significativamente diferentes. Los índices de acidez en % de ácido oleico fueron de 1,08, 1,14 y 1,561 para ASI, AO y ACP respectivamente. Los índices de refracción (20 °C) fueron 1,475, 1,469 y 1,481 para ASI, AO y ACP respectivamente, la densidad relativa fue 0,9283, 0,9152 y 0,9308 para ASI, AO y ACP respectivamente. La vida útil para ASI, AO y ACP fue de 93, 137 y 2 días respectivamente. La composición de ácidos grasos tanto en los aceites de origen vegetal y marino además de su vida útil, imparte gran importancia desde el punto de vista nutricional, ya que están contenidos significativamente en los aceites estudiados. Los resultados indican la importancia de este tipo de aceites en la alimentación humana.

Stevia, also known as "The miracle sweetener", is considered the best sugar substitute because it is up to 300 times sweeter and contains no calories. This shrub, grown in the forests of Brazil and Paraguay, has in its composition a high percentage of steviol glycosides (stevioside and rebaudioside A), which give it an intensely sweet taste and therapeutic properties against diabetes, hypertension and obesity also helps control weight, satiety and hunger. For its content in phenolic compounds, Stevia also acts as an excellent antioxidant and anticarcinogenic; also has been shown to have antibacterial, contraceptive, and diuretic properties. This review paper aims to collect information on the studies undertaken to stevia as an alternative to sugar and the benefits it provides consumption.

La stevia, conocida también como "El edulcorante milagroso", es considerada el mejor sustituto del azúcar debido a que es hasta 300 veces más dulce y no contiene calorías. Este arbusto, cultivado en los bosques de Brasil y Paraguay, presenta en su composición un alto porcentaje de glucósidos de esteviol (esteviósido y rebaudiosida A), los cuales le confieren un sabor dulce intenso y propiedades terapéuticas contra la diabetes, la hipertensión y la obesidad; además ayuda al control del peso, la saciedad y el hambre. Por su contenido en compuestos fenólicos, la stevia actúa también como un excelente antioxidante y anticancerígeno; asimismo se ha demostrado que posee propiedades antibacterianas, anticonceptivas y diuréticas. Este trabajo de revisión tuvo como objetivo, recopilar información sobre los estudios realizados a la stevia como alternativa al azúcar y los beneficios de su consumo.