The current growing attractiveness of natural dyes around the world is a consequence of the increasing rejection of synthetic dyes whose use is increasingly criticized. The great interest in natural pigments from herbal origin such as cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (C3G) is due to their biological properties and their health benefits. However, the chemical instability of C3G during processing and storage and its low bioavailability limits its food application. Nanoencapsulation technology using appropriate nanocarriers is revolutionizing the use of anthocyanin, including C3G. Owing to the chemical stability and functional benefits that this new nanotechnology provides to the latter, its industrial application is now extending to the pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields. This review focuses on the various nanoencapsulation techniques used and the chemical and biological benefits induced to C3G.

Pentadesma butter is still traditionally extracted starting from pretreated almonds by traditional techniques of heating. The aim of this work was to study the effect of the almonds post-harvest pretreatments on the physicochemical characteristics, the extraction yield and the quality of the Pentadesma butter. In addition, the effect of the various unit operations of the extraction technology on the quality of the extracted butter from pretreated almonds was studied. According to the same traditional process of extraction, two various butters of Pentadesma were extracted starting from almonds differing only by the post-harvest pretreatment applied (roasting or boiling). The color, the aspect and the breaking strength of the almonds were different. The butter extraction yield varied according to the pretreatment applied. The best yields (33.5 ± 4.1%) were obtained from boiled almonds, but their transformation was more difficult than that of roasted. The analysis of the samples at different stages of the transformation allowed the appreciation of the effect of the almonds pretreatments on the acidity and the peroxide value variations at each unit operation of the butter extraction. The fatty acid composition and the tocopherol content of the two extracted butters varied with the almonds pretreatments. The roasted almonds provided a richer butter in stearic acid, a and d-tocopherols and less rich in oleic acid than that provided by the boiled almonds. The pretreatments allowed a total loss of the contained linolenic acid, b and dtocopherols in the butters and decreased the oleic acid and a- tocopherol contents. The physico-chemical characteristics of the Pentadesma butter varied according to the almonds pretreatments. Thus, it would be interesting to make a reasoned choice of the most suitable post-harvest pretreatment in order to obtain a butter with a good quality and an acceptable extraction yield

Pigments are widely valued as colorants or bioactive agents in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors. The increasing attention on the natural pigments can be associated with the availability, dietary, low-cost, bioactivity and safety. Sorghum bicolor is a common plant crop with many health benefits commonly. 3-deoxyanthocyanidin derivatives are the predominant anthocyanidins in the leaf sheaths of red sorghum. In this review, the phytochemical and nutritional properties of the leaf sheaths of red sorghum and the stability of the main pigments are discussed. In addition, the taxonomical and geographic distribution and traditional uses of the red sorghum are discussed. Anthocyanidins (luteolinidin, apigeninidin, apigeninidin-flavene dimer, apigeninidin-7-o-methylflavene dimer and 7-o-methylapigeninidin) as well as other flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, saponins, steroids and tannins have been reported as dominant phytochemicals in the leaf sheaths of red sorghum. They are rich source of micronutrients like essential vitamins and minerals. These properties attract populations to use the leaf sheaths of red sorghum for diverse purposes. It is also resulted that 3-deoxyanthocyanidins in the leaf sheaths of red sorghum are resistant to pH, temperature, light and copigments.

The tallow or butter tree (Pentadesma butyracea Sabine) is a ligneous forest species of multipurpose use largely distributed in Sub-Sahara Africa. Owing to the biological properties of different parts of the tree and physicochemical properties, as well as the numerous benefits of its fruits, research on P. butyracea products, especially kernels and butter, has now gained more interest. Thus, the scientific literature revealed that Pentadesma butter is a more promising product with good physical and technological characteristics. It is traditionally preferred in households for food, medicine, and cosmetic use. Apart from the fruits, all other parts of the butter tree are used by local communities in folk medicine. The existing studies indicated that P. butyracea contains valuable health-promoting compounds such as phenolic compounds, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. P. butyracea and derived products have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiplasmodial, antitumor, estrogenic, anti-androgenic, and cholesterol-regulative effects. Since studies on the biological properties of the tree parts, nutritional composition, and physicochemical properties of food products from the tree have been very limited, this review attempts to summarize some results from recent investigations. Our intention in the present review was to give an overview of the biological activities of plants and an account of the potential properties of Pentadesma products (pulp, kernels, and butter) and outline the way for future relevant research to improve their state of knowledge.

Tropical almond tree (Terminalia catappa L.), belonging to the Combretaceae family, is an unfurling tree with different edible parts. This review discussed the nutritional content, ethnopharmacological applications, main bioactive components, biological effects and economic potential of T. catappa. T. catappa shows essential applications in medicine, cosmetics and pharmaceutics. The nutritional values of T. catappa are associated with its contents of carbohydrates, minerals, proteins, lipids, vitamins and amino acids. It is used in many ethnopharmacological applications, including a heart stimulator, anti-diarrhoeal, bactericidal, anti-parasitic and anti-stress. T. catappa is used to treat angina pectoris, asthma attacks and bronchitis. The main reported biological activities for T. catappa were antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-atherosclerosis, antitumor, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antimalaria, hepatoprotective, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory and antihyperlipidemic activities. The main bioactive components reported in T. catappa encompassed phenolic compounds, alkaloids, diterpenes, fatty acids, galloyl glucose and derivatives, steroids and coumarins. T. catappa shows great economic opportunities which need to be expanded and diversified, taking into account its sustainability.

Musa paradisiaca, Tectona grandis and Thalia geniculata leaves used in the past as wrapping materials of Olèlè (steamed dough of cowpea enriched to the shrimps and other condiments), are being abandoned in favor of metal cans. This situation contributes to the lost of identity of this traditional food product. Two traditional processing methods which differ in the dehulling techniques are practiced to obtain Olèlè also called Magni magni or Moin moin. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of processing methods and wrapping materials on sensory characteristics of Olèlè and their consumer acceptability. For this purpose, sensory difference and overall acceptability tests and a sensory profile analysis were conducted. Thus, Olèlè differently wrapped was produced the day of the sensory evaluation and appreciated by sensory panelists. Panelists clearly distinguished Olèlè according to the processing method. Sixteen representative descriptors were identified to profile Olèlè. The leaves used for wrapping Olèlè had a significant effect on its sensory characteristics noted by the consumer panel with clearly distinct sensory profiles (p ≤ 0.05). The overall acceptability test revealed that the Olèlè wrapped in Musa paradisiaca leaves is the most appreciated, followed respectively by those wrapped with Tectona grandis leaves, Thalia geniculata leaves and one packaged in recycled tin cans.