Fresh Beetroot Research Articles

The effect of drying process on the pigment content and composition of table beet varieties

The food industry requires natural colouring agents in increasing quantities. Beet root is highly adapted to this purpose with its red (betacyanin) and yellow (betaxanthin) pigments suitable for numerous products. The two pigments are, however, very heat-sensitive depending not only on the method of drying as well. In our experiment we tested 6 table beet varieties with vacuum drying (instrument: Eurovac KIT-150) and obtained very big differences in the suitability of varieties for drying. The less colour loss was measured in Bordó (16.84%), while Rubin and Cylindra indicated 45.15 and 47.18% loss respectively. During the drying raw material with higher colour content produced higher rate of pigment loss (r = 0.880). In our experiment we found adverse effects on colour material and dry matter content in the fresh beet root. The variety with higher solids (mainly sugar) resulted in higher pigment loss (r = -0.847) during the vacuum drying process. Furthermore, we stated that the yellow pigments (betaxanthin) were less heat sensitive during drying than the red (betacyanin) ones. For the production of beet root powder varieties of high pigment content but low water soluble solids content (sugar) are needed.

A comparative study of the purification of betanin

Betanin is a natural pigment with antioxidant properties used as a food colourant. This work describes the spectrophotometric and chromatographic quantification of betanin (2S/15S) and its epimer isobetanin (2S/15R) in fresh beetroot juice, food-grade beetroot powder and betanin standard diluted in dextrin. Absorption spectra of all three samples were deconvoluted using a mixed three-function model. Food-grade beetroot powder has the largest amount of violet-red impurities, probably formed during processing. The purification of betanin from these complex matrices was carried out by seven different methods. Ion exchange chromatography was the most efficient method for the purification of betanin from all samples; however, fractions contain high amounts of salt. Reversed-phase HPLC as well as reversed-phase column chromatography also produced good results at a much faster rate. The longer retention time of isobetanin when compared to betanin in reversed-phase conditions has been investigated by means of quantum-mechanical methods.

Aspectos fisiológicos e microbiológicos de beterrabas minimamente processadas

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar aspectos fisiológicos e microbiológicos de beterrabas minimamente processadas. A taxa respiratória e a produção de etileno foram avaliadas até quatro horas após o processamento e durante 10 dias de armazenamento a 5ºC. As análises microbiológicas foram realizadas no dia do processamento e após 10 dias de conservação. Raízes intactas apresentaram a menor taxa respiratória (5 mL CO2 kg-1 h-1), enquanto beterrabas raladas e descascadas obtiveram taxa respiratória de 30 mL CO2 kg-1 h-1 após quatro horas do processamento. Beterrabas minimamente processadas apresentaram um pico respiratório no segundo dia de armazenamento (80 mL CO2 kg-1 h-1), estabilizando em 30 mL CO2 kg-1 h-1 no quarto dia. Não foi detectado etileno em beterrabas intactas e descascadas ao passo que em beterrabas minimamente processadas, a produção de etileno nas primeiras horas após o corte atingiu 0,90 µL kg-1 h-1, registrando-se pouca variação ao longo das quatro horas de avaliação e durante o período de armazenamento a 5ºC. As contagens de bactérias psicrotróficas e coliformes totais mantiveram-se dentro dos limites aceitáveis, e não foi detectada presença de coliformes fecais e Salmonella.

KINETICS OF NITROGEN MINERALIZATION IN SOILS AMENDED WITH SUGAR BEET PROCESSING BY-PRODUCTS

Application of sugar beet processing by-products to agricultural land has become a common practice to reduce disposal costs. This study was conducted to estimate N mineralization in soils amended with sugar beet processing by-products. Field moist Bearden and Angus soils adjusted to 80% field capacity water content and amended with beet pulp, beet tailings, spoiled and fresh sugar beet roots or biosolids (standard) were incubated at 30°C for 120 days. A non-amended control was also included. Periodically, soil samples were removed and analyzed for mineral nitrogen (N) Addition of sugar beet by-products resulted in N immobilization before the start of net N mineralization for both soils. In contrast the biosolids showed net N mineralization over the entire incubation period. The data on N immobilization and mineralization were fitted by a double exponential model. This model allowed the estimation of both potential N mineralization and potential N immobilization kinetics of sugar beet waste amended soils. The maximum amount of N immobilized varied from 25.6 to 60.3 and from 34.0 to 121.6 mg kg−1 soil, respectively, for Bearden and Angus soils. Expressed as a percentage of total N added, the N mineralized (% availability index) varied from 0 to 17.3% for various sugar beet processing by-products in the two soils. The effect of different sized spoiled sugar beet pieces on N mineralization showed that as size decreased, N immobilization increased and N availability decreased.

Effects of ageing and salicylate on beetroot mitochondria

Root tissue slices of Beta vulgaris were aged by aerated mixing for 5 d in 0.1 mM CaSO4 solution with and without 0.5 mM salicylate (pH 7.0). Mitochondria, isolated from treated and fresh beetroot tissue, were investigated, and the activities of the NAD(P)H oxidising pathways of the mitochondrial inner and outer membranes, together with the activity of the alternative pathway, were measured. From these we determined which non-phosphorylating pathways of mitochondrial respiration were induced by the treatments. The presence of salicylate in the ageing treatment was shown to increase the activity of the alternative pathway as well as the level of alternative oxidase protein. This increase was above that seen in the ageing treatment alone. Investigation of the other non-phosphorylating pathways of mitochondrial respiration indicated that while they also increased during ageing, they were not specifically affected by salicylate treatment. The specific induction of the alternative pathway increased activity by almost 4-fold from the fresh tissue and 2-fold from the aged tissue rates.

Oxidation of External NAD(P)H by Purified Mitochondria from Fresh and Aged Red Beetroots (Beta vulgaris L.)

Mitochondria were isolated from fresh beetroots (Beta vulgaris L. cvs Rubria and Nina) by differential centrifugation followed by Percoll gradient centrifugation. These purified mitochondria oxidized external NADH, although relatively slowly (20-40 versus 100-120 nanomoles oxygen per minute times milligram protein for NADH and succinate oxidation, respectively), with respiratory control ratios of two to three and ADP/O ratios of 1.2 to 1.6. NADPH was also oxidized, but even more slowly and with little or no coupling. The optimum for both NADH and NADPH oxidation by fresh beetroot mitochondria was pH 6. The rate of external NADH oxidation by isolated mitochondria was enhanced threefold during storage of the intact tubers at 10 degrees C for 12 weeks. The optimum of the induced NADH oxidation was approximately pH 6.8. Succinate and malate oxidation only increased by 30% during the same period and NADPH oxidation was constant. This is strong evidence that NADH and NADPH oxidation are catalyzed by different enzymes at least in beetroots. Activity staining of nondenaturing polyacrylamide gels with NADH and Nitro Blue Tetrazolium did not show differences in banding pattern between mitochondria isolated from fresh and stored beetroots. The induction is discussed in relation to physiological aging processes.

Effect of NAD and Rotenone on the Partitioning of Malate Oxidation Between Malate Dehydrogenase and Malic Enzyme in Isolated Plant Mitochondria

Our aim was to determine whether there is a specific link between NAD-malic enzyme and the rotenone- insensitive bypass of electron transport. Mitochondria were isolated from fresh beetroot tissue, aged beetroot slices, and turnips. Oxygen uptake and pyruvate production were measured in reactions where these mitochondria were metabolizing malate at pH 6.8 in the presence of glutamate, to facilitate the removal of oxaloacetate, and in its absence. In the absence of glutamate there was substantial activity of malic enzyme. NAD+ (577 �M) prevented a fall in oxygen uptake by stimulating malic enzyme. Rotenone (19 �M) reduced oxygen uptake. This inhibited rate was stimulated by NAD+ due, in particular, to a stimulation of malic enzyme. We conclude that the stimulation of malate metabolism by NAD+ is accounted for by malic enzyme due to the unfavourable equilibrium of malate dehydrogenase for malate oxidation and the resultant accumulation of oxaloacetate, and not to any specific link between malic enzyme and the rotenone-insensitive bypass. In the presence of glutamate, malate dehydrogenase was the predominant malate metabolizing enzyme. Oxygen uptake and malic enzyme were stimulated and inhibited by NAD+ and rotenone, respectively. In the presence of rotenone, NAD+ stimulated oxygen uptake and increased the percentage due to malic enzyme. This stimulation is accounted for by the higher Kin of the rotenone-insensitive dehydrogenase for NADH and the unfavourable equilibrium position of malate dehydrogenase resulting in activation of malic enzyme only. We conclude that malic enzyme is not specifically linked to the rotenone-insensitive pathway of electron transport. This has important implications for the regulation of energy metabolism in plants.