The antimicrobial effectiveness of essential oils (EOs) against many foodborne microorganisms when applied by direct contact has been extensively demonstrated. However, the vapor phase and volatile components present in EOs have not been thoroughly investigated; there are a small number of published reports on the antimicrobial activity of some EOs and a few of their components against selected microorganisms. It is well known that the antimicrobial activity of EOs depends mainly on their chemical composition. It is also important; however, to understand the volatility of these compounds as well as the methodologies used to evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of their vapor phase. This review focuses on recent research regarding the chemical composition of EOs, their biological activity and mechanisms of action, the antimicrobial activity of EOs in the vapor phase, the different techniques that have been proposed to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of EOs in the vapor phase, and actual and potential applications of EOs in the vapor phase. Although there is still no standard methodology for determining the activity of EOs in the vapor phase, results reported thus far are encouraging and suggest possible applications in food preservation.

The aim of this research was to optimize, by response surface methodology, antioxidant compounds extraction from apple pomace, orange and banana peel. The extracts were obtained at different temperatures and times. All by‐products show a good content of vitamin C (12–102 mg of ascorbic acid/100 g dw), flavonoids (455–756 mg of catechin/100 g dw), phenolic compounds (227–689 mg of gallic acid equivalent/100 g dw), antioxidant capacity by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH; 454–1,040 mg of Trolox/100 g dw) and ferric‐reducing antioxidant power (FRAP; 4–32 mM Fe²⁺/100 g dw) assays. Polynomial models obtained from each by‐product showed a good fitting (0.81–0.97). Temperatures of 41–60C promote the major extraction of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity from apple pomace. In orange peel, the optimum condition for vitamin C extraction was 20C (0.5 h); flavonoids, total phenols and antioxidant capacity (DPPH) were mostly extracted at 60C. In banana peel, the optimization indicates that major flavonoid concentration and antioxidant capacity (DPPH and FRAP assays) were at 60C (0.5 h). Practical Applications By‐products are a good source of bioactive compounds that could be used to obtain products with added value; in this sense, the optimization of extraction of bioactive compounds with antioxidant capacity may be an important step in order to obtain the major concentration of antioxidant compounds with the less use of energy and cost. Therefore, the information presented in this study may be a good tool to apply in the industrial extraction of bioactive compounds from apple pomace, orange and banana peel.

Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana share an area of 7,295,710 km² of the Amazon region. It is estimated that the Amazonian forest offers the greatest flora and fauna biodiversity on the planet and on its surface could cohabit 50% of the total existing living species; according to some botanists, it would contain about 16-20% of the species that exist today. This region has native fruit trees in which functional properties are reported as antioxidant and antiproliferative characteristics. Amazon plants offer a great therapeutic potential attributed to the content of bioactive phytochemicals. The aim of this mini review is to examine the state of the art of the main bioactive components of the most studied Amazonian plants. Among the main functional compounds reported were phenolic compounds, unsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, phytosterols, and tocopherols, with flavonoids and carotenoids being the groups of greatest interest. The main beneficial effect reported has been the antioxidant effect, evaluated in most of the fruits investigated; other reported functional properties were antimicrobial, antimutagenic, antigenotoxic, analgesic, immunomodulatory, anticancer, bronchodilator, antiproliferative, and anti-inflammatory, including hypercholesterolemic effects, leishmanicidal activity, induction of apoptosis, protective action against diabetes, gastroprotective activity, and antidepressant effects.

The consumption of fruits and vegetables involves the disposal of the inedible parts, conveying challenges such as waste management and environment pollution. In recent years, there have been multiple studies aimed at finding alternatives that reduce the negative impact of food/agricultural waste. Since most studies done with by-products recommend their careful selection, the aim of this study was to verify if discarded banana peels could be disinfected until microbiologically safe and to determine if they could still provide nutrients to formulate food products with sensory characteristics acceptable to a consumer market after disinfection. Banana peels were collected from markets, restaurants, and greengrocers. They were disinfected, dried, and pulverized to obtain a flour which was subjected to microbiological and proximal analysis. Once its microbial safety was assured, this flour was incorporated into bakery and pasta products, replacing wheat flour with 5–20% banana peel flour (BPF). The sensory evaluation of the different products was carried out and, after verifying that the products were sensory acceptable, the proximal analysis was implemented. The formulated products were suitable for the addition of BPF up to 10%, in which the Acceptability Index was higher than 80% and significant increases in fiber and fat were achieved. We conclude that waste banana peel flour can be incorporated into bread and pasta products for human consumption to provide nutrients which might contribute to reduce this type of waste and to recover nutrients from otherwise disposed banana peels.

Many studies suggest that probiotic, prebiotic and symbiotic foods may be beneficial in the prevention and management of nutrition and health, the objective of this work was to develop a symbiotic drink based on coconut water. Fermentation was performed using lyophilized Lactobacillus rhamnosus SP1 and inulin as a source of soluble fiber. Different formulations were developed, determining the concentrations of fiber and probiotics. The growth of the probiotic in MRS broth was evaluated, using the plate counting technique in different periods of time. The fermentation time of the drink was 8 h and the shelf life in refrigeration was 14 days evaluated by pH and hedonic scale. The pH of the final drink was 3.48 and the probiotic content was 82 × 10 8 CFU/ml. It is concluded that coconut water can be processed by adding probiotic and prebiotic characteristics with sensory acceptance and adequate preservation characteristics.