Abstract
Carobs unique compositional and biological synthesis enables their characterization as functional foods. In the present study, 76 samples derived from fruit and seeds of carobs, with origin from the countries of the Mediterranean region (Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Jordan and Palestine) were analyzed for their nutritional composition, in order to identify potential markers for their provenance and address the carobs’ authenticity issue. Moisture, ash, fat, proteins, sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose), dietary fibers and minerals (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) were estimated following official methods. Due to the large number of data (76 samples × 17 parameters × 7 countries), chemometric techniques were employed to process them and extract conclusions. The samples of different geographical origin were discriminated with 79% success in total. The carobs from Cyprus, Italy and Spain were correctly classified without error. The main discriminators were found to be the dietary fibers, the carbohydrates and Cu, Zn and Mn, which emphasize their specific nutritional added value to the product and the country of origin impact. The results suggest that the proposed analytical approach is a powerful tool that enables the discrimination of carobs based on their country of origin. This research contributes to authenticity of carobs, adding value to local products.
Highlights
The last decade, consumers appear to be more concerned and demanding in regard to their nutrition, as a result of the various food frauds and diseases associated with modern food [1]
Carob flesh is rich in minerals, dietary fibers, sugars, polyphenols, D-pinitol and with low fat content, whereas the seed is abundant with locust bean gum (E 410), a natural hydrocolloid widely used in the food industry [3,4,5,6,7]
The huge amount of next to chemometrics, for classifying carobs gathered data and samples were further processed in order to identify possible hidden correlations
Summary
The last decade, consumers appear to be more concerned and demanding in regard to their nutrition, as a result of the various food frauds and diseases (e.g., obesity, diabetes, heart attacks, etc.) associated with modern food [1]. Ceratonia siliqua L. is considered a multi-factory tree, serving both the needs for a high nutritional and biological product; it seems to fulfill the above needs [3] It has been neglected the last decades and survived mainly as a food for animals, it dynamically returns to the global market as a potential functional and nutraceutical food-product, serving and satisfying the modern health and current nutritional. Last but not least, is the carob’s unique sensorial characteristics, as both the fruit and the carob-products, are associated with a strong and persisting unique aroma [12]
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