Cherimoya, a tropical fruit native to Latin America, is cherished for its delicious taste and medicinal benefits. These benefits include fighting parasites, reducing inflammation, and managing blood sugar levels. When the fruit is processed, about 13% of it becomes seeds, which are usually discarded. These seeds, however, are not just waste. They are a goldmine of useful compounds that could enhance food and pharmaceutical products.
Scientists decided to explore the potential of these seeds. They created a cherimoya seed composite (CC) and tested how different extraction temperatures affected its properties. The seeds were processed at 70, 80, and 90 degrees Celsius. The goal was to see how these temperatures impacted the seeds' antioxidant activity, functional properties, and how easily proteins could be digested.
The highest temperature, 90 degrees Celsius, had some interesting effects. It boosted the seeds' ability to fight harmful molecules in the body, known as antioxidant activity. It also made the proteins in the seeds easier to digest. However, this high temperature had a downside. It reduced the seeds' ability to form and stabilize emulsions, which are mixtures of liquids that don't normally blend, like oil and water.
On the bright side, the water absorption capacity of the seeds increased with higher temperatures. This means the seeds could be useful as thickeners in food products. The structure of the seeds, as seen under a microscope, remained the same regardless of the extraction temperature.
So, what does all this mean? Cherimoya seeds have the potential to be a valuable addition to the food industry. They could be used as emulsion stabilizers, protein additives, and thickeners. However, the extraction temperature plays a crucial role in determining these properties. It's a balancing act between maximizing beneficial properties and minimizing the drawbacks.
This research opens up new possibilities for using cherimoya seeds in a sustainable way. Instead of being discarded, they could be turned into useful ingredients. This not only reduces waste but also adds value to the cherimoya fruit.
