The use of extracts rich in bioactive compounds is becoming increasingly common in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries for the production of functional products. Araticum is a potential fruit to be analyzed due to its content of phenolic compounds, carotenoids and vitamins, with antioxidant properties. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of ultrasound on total phenolic compounds, total carotenoids, ascorbic acid, color, turbidity and rheology in araticum juice. Response surface methodology based on a central composite design was applied. Araticum juice was subjected to sonication at amplitude levels ranging from 20 to 100 % of the total power (400 W) at a constant frequency of 20 kHz for different durations (2 to 10 min). Morphological analysis was conducted to observe microscopic particles, and viscosity and suitability to rheological models (Newtonian, Power Law, and Herschel-Bulkley) were assessed. The ultrasonic probe extraction method was compared to the control juice. According to the responses, using the desirability function, the optimal conditions for extraction were determined to be low power (low amplitude) applied in a short period of time or low power applied in a prolonged time. These conditions allowed an ultrasonic probe to act on releasing bioactive compounds without degrading them. All three rheological models were suitable, with the Power Law model being the most appropriate, exhibiting non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior.

The jabuticaba bark is rich in anthocyanins and fibers, and its use may be of industrial interest. In the food sector, its used as an ingredient in the production of fermented products, liqueurs or enriched flours. It also has pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. The objective was to evaluate the effect of pretreatment and fresh use of jabuticaba peels in the extraction of total phenolic compound (TPC) and total anthocyanin (TA) contents with and without ultrasound assistance and in the sequential extraction of pectin from the residue. In the TPC and TA extraction, a 3x2 factorial design was used. For conventional anthocyanin extraction (CAE), occurred in an incubator under agitation. For ultrasound-assisted anthocyanin extraction (UAE) was utilized an ultrasonic homogenizer with probe (20 kHz, 160 W). The extracts were quantified (TPC, TA, antioxidant activity and color). The residues were characterized and used for sequential pectin extraction, which was quantified and characterized. The results were subjected to analysis of variance. Fresh jabuticaba peel is a residue that can be used to sequentially extract phenolic compounds, particularly anthocyanins and pectin. The use of ultrasound (UAE) was less efficient than CAE for extracting TPC and TA or performing sequential extraction on all pretreatment peels.

BACKGROUND: Acerola ( Malpighia glabra and M. emarginata ) is a tropical fruit predominantly cultivated in northeastern Brazil, notable for its abundance of health‐beneficial bioactive compounds, including ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. However, due to its high perishability, preservation processes such as spray drying have become essential. Given its low acidity, high sugar content, and the presence of low‐molecular‐weight substances, acerola poses several challenges during drying, which require careful evaluation of process parameters. This study aimed to evaluate and optimize the spray‐drying process parameters, temperature and maltodextrin concentration, for the production of green acerola powder from concentrated juice. RESULTS: A central composite rotatable design was conducted, varying temperature (110–180 °C) and maltodextrin concentration (3–30%, w/w, based on total solids content of the concentrated juice). Water activity, yield, color parameters, ascorbic acid, antioxidant activity by DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid), total phenolic compounds, and hygroscopicity were analyzed as response variables. The best conditions for achieving higher yield, ascorbic acid retention, and antioxidant activity were a temperature of 145 °C and 16.5% maltodextrin. Increasing the maltodextrin concentration contributed to the reduction of water activity. Color was influenced by both the carrier concentration and temperature, and obtaining less hygroscopic powders was favored by increasing maltodextrin concentration and decreasing temperature. Overall, the results indicate that moderate drying temperatures combined with intermediate maltodextrin concentrations favor the preservation of ascorbic acid and antioxidant compounds, minimizing thermal degradation and oxidative losses during the drying process. CONCLUSION: Spray drying of green acerola juice concentrate under optimized conditions enables the production of powders with improved yield, higher retention of bioactive compounds, and reduced hygroscopicity, highlighting its potential as a viable method for preserving acerola's nutritional and functional qualities. © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Synthetic dyes are commonly present in industrial wastewater and when discharged in water bodies without receiving a treatment capable of removing or destroying them, they turn into concerning water pollutants. These organic contaminants threaten living beings due to their toxicity, and some of them can even damage DNA. Consequently, in order to achieve sustainable development, it is necessary to develop eco-friendly tools that can efficiently manage this kind of pollution. In the present study the aqueous extract from the leaves of Leucaena leucocephala (an invasive plant species native to Mexico) was used to produce green nano zero-valent iron (nZVI). The nanomaterial was characterized (TEM, UV–vis, FTIR, SEM, EDS, XRD) and assayed regarding its antioxidant potential (DPPH test) and capacity to remediate the pollution caused by two dyes. It proved to be able to adsorb nigrosine (288.30 mg/g of nanomaterial) and tartrazine (342.50 mg/g of nanomaterial), and also displayed antioxidant activity (effective concentration to discolor 50% of the DPPH solution = 286.02 μg/mL). Therefore, the biogenic antioxidant nanoparticle proved also to be a possible nanotool to be applied to remediate water contamination caused by these synthetic dyes.