Abstract
Diets rich in phenolic compounds have been associated to reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome and its derived disorders. Fruits are healthy components of the human diet because of their vitamin, mineral, fiber and phenolic profile. However, they have a short shelf-life which is limited by microbiological growth and enzymatic activity. Innovative preservation methods such as high hydrostatic pressure, pulsed electric fields, ultrasound, microwave, cold plasma and ultraviolet light have become popular for the processing of fruits because they can preserve nutritional quality. In this review, the phenolic profile and health potential of 38 Mesoamerican fruits were assessed. Phenolic compounds were classified based on their contribution to the diet as flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannin, lignins and stilbenoids. Due to this composition, fruits showed a wide range of bioactivities which included anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive and anti-obesity activities, among others. Phenolic content in fruits submitted to innovative food processing technologies depended on parameters such as enzymatic activity, antioxidant capacity, microstructure integrity and cell viability. Innovative technologies could increase phenolic content while assuring microbiological safety by (i) promoting the release of bound phenolic compounds during processing and (ii) inducing the synthesis of phenolic compounds by activation of phenylpropanoid pathway during storage.
Highlights
A significant event in human history was the transformation from a hunting-gathering economy to an agricultural economy
By integrating the data reported in 105 studies, we provide an integral view of the complete phenolic profile that has been studied until now, as well as the bioactivity of mentioned fruits which is related to reducing the risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome-derived disorders
This paper aims to provide a detailed review of the micronutrient composition, phenolic profile and health benefits of Mesoamerican fruits, as well as a critical overview of the effects of innovative food processing technologies on phenolic content after treatment and during storage as well as the mechanisms behind each technology
Summary
A significant event in human history was the transformation from a hunting-gathering economy to an agricultural economy. By integrating the data reported in 105 studies, we provide an integral view of the complete phenolic profile that has been studied until now, as well as the bioactivity of mentioned fruits which is related to reducing the risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome-derived disorders Despite their healthy attributes, fruits products are perishable systems with a limited shelf-life due to the microbiological, biochemical and enzymatic reactions taking place during storage. This paper aims to provide a detailed review of the micronutrient composition, phenolic profile and health benefits of Mesoamerican fruits, as well as a critical overview of the effects of innovative food processing technologies on phenolic content after treatment and during storage as well as the mechanisms behind each technology.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
