In this study, the effects of the application of edible coatings on the shelf life of the strawberry were evaluated, with the aim of extending the fruit’s availability and shelf life while preserving its qualitative characteristics. In particular, the application of edible coatings enriched with a natural antioxidant to strawberries was evaluated for their physicochemical, microbial, and structural properties, during a storage period (up to 14 days) at refrigerated temperature. The experimental plan provided the formulation for edible coatings enriched with different concentrations of a natural antioxidant extract obtained from bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso) pomace (1, 2.5, and 5%), bergamot essential oil (0.1% v/v and 0.2% v/v), and a synthetic antioxidant, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, 100 ppm). Moreover, a control test with untreated strawberries was considered. The enriched gum Arabic coatings provided good results related to the preservation of the qualitative parameters of the strawberries. The samples coated with the antioxidant extract (2.5%, sample D) and bergamot essential oil (0.1%, sample F) showed the best maintenance of the qualitative parameters after 14 days, showing lower decay rates (36% D and 27% F), good acceptability by consumers (between 5 and 6), and good retention of ascorbic acid (>30 mg 100 g⁻¹).

In this study, functionalized biscuits were prepared through the enrichment of dough with lemon peel and natural antioxidants extracted from lemon pomace. Lemon pomace extract (LP_E) was analyzed for total phenolic content before addition, and then a known concentration of 50 mg kg⁻¹ was used for the formulation of enriched biscuits. Three different biscuit samples were compared to a control biscuit, without the addition of functional ingredients. The main physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory aspects of doughs and biscuits enriched with LP_E were investigated. The enriched biscuits showed higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity than the control one and a longer induction period (IP), which means that the enriched products had a higher intrinsic resistance to lipid oxidation, thanks to the antioxidant effect exerted by the added fresh lemon peel and the LP_E. Furthermore, from a sensorial point of view, they showed suitable acceptability, in terms of appearance, flavor, and aromatic attributes. Thus, results indicated that the incorporation of lemon processing by-products allowed the production of functional enriched biscuits with improved antioxidant properties.

Hemp seed flour (HSF) is a by-product of the hemp oil production process and is a valuable source of protein, dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins. In line with sustainable food production and a circular economy, this research aimed to utilize HSF as fortifying ingredient in the production of gnocchi, a typical Italian potato-based fresh pasta, and to investigate the effects of the addition on the quality and consumers’ acceptability of the enriched products. Three formulations have been developed using 5–20% HSF in substitution of soft wheat flour. Nutritional value, cooking quality, color, texture and sensory profile, and the consumers’ acceptability of gnocchi samples were evaluated, as well as the functional properties of pure and composite flours and the HSF aroma compounds. HSF addition allowed to enhance the nutritional value of gnocchi, gaining the nutritional claim of “source of fiber” in case of formulations with ≥10% of HSF. Moreover, the fortified gnocchi had a high technological quality in terms of cooking loss, cooking resistance and textural properties, and average sensory quality; however, the vegetable and hemp odor and the bitter taste make them not well appreciated by consumers highlighting the need for improving the HSF sensory quality for consumers’ satisfaction.

This work aimed to evaluate the antioxidant effect determined by the addition of phenolic extract on the oxidative stability and quality of vegan mayonnaise. Two different antioxidant extracts containing 100 mg L⁻¹ of hydroxytyrosol and obtained by olive mill wastewater were used in the preparation. After preliminary studies, already evaluated in other works, on hydrophilic and lipophilic food matrices, the results of this study could contribute to understanding the effects of the enrichment on emulsified food systems with phenolic extracts. The functionalized mayonnaise samples were monitored up to 45 days of storage at 10 °C in comparison with a control sample for microbiological, physicochemical, antioxidant, sensory properties and for oxidative stability. The results achieved through this work showed the efficacy of the use of phenolic extract as ingredients for its positive effect on chemical properties of mayonnaise. The adding extracts lead to the increase of oxidative stability with an induction period higher (about 24 h) than the control sample (about 12 h).

The purpose of this study was to select the best green extraction technique to recover the bioactive compounds in Calabrian Bergamot waste (Pomace). Different experimental variables such as solvent, time, and temperature were tested and the main physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activity and constituents, such as total flavonoids, individual flavonoids, and limonoids (UHPLC-DAD) were analyzed. Later, the best extraction methodology was applied to characterize the individual portions that compose the bergamot pomace (albedo/pulp, seeds, and juice) of three different Calabrian cultivars: Fantastico, Femminello, and Castagnaro. Results of this study evidence that bergamot waste possesses a high antioxidant content that can be potentially used for further applications in the food industry.

A natural antioxidant extract obtained from oil mill wastewater was used for the formulation of basil pesto sauce, with the aim to improve quality and stability during storage. The antioxidant extract was added to traditional ingredients (basil, cheese, oil, etc.) and after preparation, packaging, and thermal treatment it was submitted to storage (monitored for 90 days). Fresh samples were stored at 4 °C and pasteurized samples were stored at room temperature. The effect of natural antioxidant addition on basil pesto sauce was evaluated for the main qualitative attributes, such as: physicochemical, microbiological, and antioxidant parameters. The principal results showed that the addition of a natural phenolic extract led to an evident reduction in pH, attaining food safety values under pH 4. The high oxidative stability observed in the basil pesto sauces fortified with the phenolic extract suggests that the incorporation of phenolic compounds delays the propagation phase of lipid oxidation.