Bioactive properties, as well as chemical composition and sensory characteristics of traditional and alternative kombucha broths were examined. Samples were produced by adding 10% of kombucha starter to sweetened (7% sucrose) decocts of black and green teas (traditional substrates) and infusions of winter savory (Satureja montana), peppermint (Mentha?piperita), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum), elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and quince (Cydonia oblonga), at 25?C. Fermentation lasted the shortest with elderberry (3 days) and the longest with quince (10 days). The samples with black tea and peppermint had the best sensory quality. In general, alternative products had better antioxidant activity to hydroxyl radicals than the traditional ones, reducing power and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity. The most pronounced acetic acid content was obtained with elderberry substrate. Moreover, peppermint substrate showed the highest values both for total phenols and total flavonoids contents. Taken together, the samples produced with the alternative substrates highlighted a higher phenolic and flavonoid contents, compared to the ones obtained with the traditional substrates.

Aim: In the present study beetroot juice was encapsulated in pumpkin protein isolate by freeze and spray drying method. Methods: The powders were characterized by measuring moisture content, hygroscopicity, bulk density, solubility, a* value (colour). In order to simulate the human gastrointestinal digestion, in vitro digestion was conducted as two-stage hydrolysis by pepsin and by pancreatin. The antioxidant and ACE inhibitory potential of the digests was examined. Results: Encapsulation efficiency of phenols from beetroot juice in pumpkin protein isolate was 92% for freeze and 75% for spray dried. Physical properties of all samples were affected by the drying methods. All powders were easily digested. It was observed that the antioxidant and ACE inhibitory potential of the digests was enhanced, indicating that it originated from the hydrolysates released from the protein carrier during digestion. Conclusion: The results from this study are promising and indicate that the pumpkin oil cake protein has great potential and could be introduced to the encapsulation process of bioactive compounds as a new carrier agent.

The study describes and compares bio-functional properties and thein vitrodigestibility of protein isolates from apricot oil cakes obtained by supercritical fluid extraction and cold pressing, as control. Protein isolates have the potential to be food ingredients with amygdalin contents in an amount considerably lower than regulatory. Isolates showed hypoglycemic activity, studied by the inhibition of α-glucosidase, also functional properties were determined.Good digestibility of proteins, which were done using gastrointestinal proteases (pepsin and pancreatin) were proven by Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis SDS-PAGE analysis. Moreover, it was evident that the protein isolates were completely digested. The biologically active potential of the digests was evaluated measuring in vitro antioxidant capacity by three complementary methods and enzyme inhibitory effects towards Angiotensin-I Converting Enzyme (ACE) related with the onset of hypertension. All hydrolysates act as a DPPH and ABTS scavenger, as a reducing agents and an ACE enzyme inhibitor. In conclusion, protein isolates obtained from apricot kernel cake showed to be a promising source of natural products for food applications, with good functional and bioactive properties and easy digestibility.