Obtention of products enriched in carbohydrate polymers from the food industry leftovers.

LÍA N.GERSCHENSON,; ROJAS AM; DE ESCALADA PLA M; FISSORE E; LATORRE ME

Carbohydrate Polymers: Development, Properties and Applications.

Nova Science Publishers

Lugar: New York ; Año: 2010; p. 639 - 653

Wastes from the food processing industry have some common characteristics such as large amounts of organic materials: proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. The great production of processed vegetable products is generating an increase of the amount of wastes which represent a valuable source of by products such as carbohydrate polymers. Utilization of by-products may contribute to the efficiency of the processing and also to the sustainability of the environment. Fruits and vegetables are important sources of dietary fiber although their content is lower than the one of cereals. The cell wall matrix is the major fiber source in this type of foods and these fibers are rich in pectins. The carbohydrate composition, molecular weight and physiological properties of these fibers might be influenced by conditions of extraction as well as sources, location and many other environmental factors. The object of this research was the study of products enriched in carbohydrate polymers and obtained from quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) or red beet (Beta vulgaris L. var. conditiva). Different methods of obtention which involved dehydration, acid and/or ethanol treatment were assayed and yield, chemical composition, molecular weight, physiological and technological properties of isolated products were stated.