Roasting is a key step for preparing sesame oil that leads to important changes in its organoleptic properties and quality. In this study, white sesame seeds were roasted for 20 min in an electric oven at different temperatures (120, 150, 180, 210, 250 and 300 °C). The oils extracted from unroasted and roasted seeds were compared for their chemical composition: fatty acids (including trans isomers), phytosterols, lignans (sesamin and sesamolin), tocopherols and total phenolic compounds, as well as their oxidative stability and antiradical capacity. There were no obvious differences in the oil densities, refractive indexes or iodine values, but the saponification values were affected by temperature. Relevant primary and secondary lipid oxidation were observed at T > 250 °C, resulting in a higher p-anisidine value and K232 as well as K268 values. Roasting improved oil yield (from 33.5 to 62.6%), increased its induction period (from 5.5 to 10.5 h) and enhanced the total phenolic content (from 152 to 194 mg/100 g) and antiradical activity of the extracted oil. Depending on roasting temperature, a gradual decline was recorded in total amounts of phytosterols (up to 17.4%), γ-tocopherol (up to 10.6%), sesamolin (maximum of 27.5%) and sesamin (maximum of 12.5%). All the investigated oils presented a low quantity in triglyceride polymers, clearly below the maximum tolerated quantity according to the European regulation. The optimal roasting temperature for obtaining high nutritional grade oil within the permissible values was 210 °C. The unsaponifiable components (including lignans and sterols) extracted from roasted seeds have been shown to be natural additives to fresh meatball products to extend shelf life. The results of this study may help to boost the nutritional content of plant-based diets by allowing for the use of roasted sesame seed oil and its components.

In this study, we evaluated the effect of carob pulp flour addition on probiotic viability, milk fermentation and antioxidant activity during yogurt storage (4 °C, 28 days). Four types of yogurts were prepared: plain yogurt (Y); yogurt with carob pulp flour (YC); yogurt with probiotic (YP) and yogurt with carob pulp flour and probiotic (YPC). Ceratonia siliqua pulp flour supplementation (4% w/v) increased probiotic survival, titratable acidity, syneresis and phenolics. Antioxidant activity also increased for both DPPH and iron chelating test in the presence of carob and probiotic, where yogurt containing probiotic and carob exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. Carob pulp flour had a selective effect on probiotic growth implying its prebiotic potential. Probiotic bacteria were viable and available at high concentration (> 106cfu/mL) at 28 day storage to sustain human health. Our results show that cheap Algerian carob can be used in probiotic formulation of functional foods with health benefits since it enhances the phenolic content and providing antioxidant potential of yogurt.

Aims: The aim of this work is the evaluation the anticarcinogenic effect on HT29 cancer cells lines and antioxidant effect of three extracts from different morphological parts (leaves (LE), pink flowers (PFE) and white flowers (WFE)) of Nerium oleander lin. Methods: This research provides the anticarcinogenic activity of extracts from N. oleander white flowers. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to estimate the relationship between antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activities, and to further understand the similarities and differences between the extracts. Results: All of the extracts exhibited different antioxidant (ABTS, DPPH and FC) and anticarcinogenic activities. FTIR analysis designed the existence of various functional groups in extracts confirming the presence of alcohol, alkanes, amino, aromatic compound and primary alcohol. The PCA results show that the WFE extract exhibits a greater antioxidant activity with a potent potential for inhibiting the cell growth of colorectal cancer HT29 than the two other extracts (LE and PFE). Conclusions: Nerium oleander may therefore be an excellent source of natural antioxidant and anticancer agents, as well as a possible pharmaceutical supplement.

Background and aims: This study, carried out in collaboration with the research and development department of the "Cevital spa" agri-food unit, aimed to incorporate sesame oil into the formulation of two fatty food products: a frying oil and margarine to improve their physicochemical and organoleptic qualities. Methods: The sesame oil was obtained from the sesame seed by cold pressing to preserve its nutritional characteristics. The frying oil was elaborated with a mixture of three oils (sunflower, soybean, and non-roasted sesame). The margarine was enriched with 2 % of roasted sesame and then, the quality of the products was assessed. Gas chromatography (GC-FID) profile indicated that sesame oil is an oleic-linoleic rich oil with saturated fatty acid (SFA) / unsaturated fatty acid (USFA) ratio from of 0.11. Results: The organoleptic tests and physicochemical analyses, including the oil, showed that the resulting recipe is a combined oil rich in n-6 and n-9, offering an interesting ratio of MUFA /PUFA and with a SFA content of 11.49 % for an appropriate utilization in frying and cooking. Enriched margarine showed compliance with the standards set by the Codex Alimentarius and has a characteristic taste, smell and appearance, color and spread ability to the product with a sesame note. Conclusion: The results of the current study support the sesame oil supplementation to conventional frying oil and to commercial margarine. Sesame oil may therefore be an alternative source of fatty acids that could contribute to the diversification of combined oils.