Vacuum impregnation of Cidra matrices with lulo pulp, inulin and calcium to enhance its functional characteristics

Abstract

The objective of this research was to obtain cidra snacks (Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw.) lyophilized using the technique of vacuum impregnation for the incorporation of pulp of lulo, inulin and calcium in order to enhance their functional characteristics. The cidra was washed, peeled and cut into cylinders. Five snacks were made from the cidra cylinders, impregnated in vacuum with the following components: pulp of lulo (C1), pulp of naranjilla-inulina (C2), pulp of naranjilla-CaCl2 (C3) and pulp of naranjilla-CaCl2-inulin (C4); were taken as control, cylinders of citron without impregnated (C0). The content of total phenolic compounds was evaluated using the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method and the antioxidant capacity by the ferric iron reduction method. Significant differences were registered in the content of phenolic compounds of the snacks impregnated with the different compounds, evidencing a higher content in the C1 y C2 snacks and a greater antioxidant activity in the C4 snack. It was observed that the cidra matrix in cylinders allows the incorporation of bioactive compounds increasing their functional characteristics. The addition of naranjilla pulp and inulin increased the antioxidant activity of the snack.