Fruit and vegetable waste products offer a cheap and practical source of potent antioxidants that could be used as functional ingredients, according to a Spanish-German study. The researchers, as part of the EC CRAFT project FAIR 98-9517, looked at the practical, economic, and industrial viability of waste products from juice production, waste from the canning industry, or remains from harvesting for 11 different fruits and vegetables.

Initial screening of red beet, apple, strawberry and pear residues from juice production; tomato, artichoke and asparagus from the canning industry; chicory, endive, cucumber and broccoli remains from harvesting; and golden rod herb and woad herb extracts showed that all of wastes yielded polyphenols.

The researchers found that both the golden rod and artichoke had high radical scavenging in most of the tests used, although the apple extract yield was higher (30 percent of the raw dry material) and had high efficiency in two of the antioxidant tests.

When compared to the commercially available synthetic antioxidant BHT, the three chosen extracts did not perform as efficiently in all of the tests used, although both the golden rod extract and the apple extracts did perform better in the DPPH free radical scavenging test.

It was also reported that the pilot plant extracts could be enriched by purification.

No attempt was made to identify the individual antioxidants present, but previous studies have reported that artichoke extracts, for example, contain at least 45 identifiable phenolic compounds.

REGISTER FOR NAFFS
TECHNICAL MEETING

The NAFFS Technical Meeting promises to be an information-packed program you won’t want to miss.

Beginning at 9 a.m. on April 25 (the morning of NYIFT Suppliers’ Day), this program being held at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison will feature Richard Pisano Jr. of Citrus & Allied Essences presenting “Citrus Migration – Varieties & Applications For Use in Flavors and Food.” Next Ian Sklar of TIC Gums will demonstrate the “Path to QC Efficiency Through Reduced Testing.” The program concludes with Fred Pucarelli of Takasago who will review “The Chemistry of Chiral Compounds as an Indication of Naturalness.” At noon a networking lunch, included in the registration fee, follows. The IFT event begins in the adjoining hall at 1 p.m.

Registration and morning refreshments will begin at 8:30 a.m. Complete details are available on www.naffs.org. Register now!

STUDY REVEALS KEY FOOD
INNOVATIONS FOR 2006

Brain-power foods, portion control and products targeting the senior population are likely to be the food sectors to look out for in 2006, according to new research by Mintel.

Mintel predicts greater focus will be placed on more wisdom enhancing products and expects a number of new products containing Omega 3. While Omega 3 is best known in the West for its heart health benefits, it is well recognized in Asia in association with mental function.

Displaced for several years by youth marketing initiatives, Mintel says that marketers are now increasingly banking on the profit potential of the senior sector. "For many manufacturers older consumers were once seen as a low priority but their importance is now being recognized in light of an aging population in a number of countries," said Global New Products Database consulting director David Jago. "Many products aimed specifically at older consumers cater to their needs, whether helping them to enjoy the simple things in life or to grow old gracefully."

And portion control is set to be the next big thing, according to Mintel, moving beyond snacks into new food categories and new parts of the world. Portion control in 2005 was popular among snack manufacturers, with many snacks claiming to be 100-calorie products.

Within the food and drink sector as a whole, there were an impressive 87,656 new product launches, an 8 percent increase on 2004 figures. The most active markets were beverages accounting for 18 percent of the new introductions, bakery (12 percent) and confectionery (11 percent).

Yogurt could become an even healthier snack thanks to C-Trim, a new heart-healthy ingredient from USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists. A derivative of oats and barley that contains the soluble fiber beta-glucan, C-Trim is one of several new products created by ARS scientists that cut calories, bolster food’s nutritional value or do both.

ARS scientists are also studying mozzarella cheese – exploring new ways to cut mozzarella’s fat content without sacrificing its flavor or stretchy texture. Researchers at ARS’ Dairy Processing and Products Research Unit at Wyndmoor worked on modifying the network of the milk protein casein. The result was a mozzarella with improved storage life and 10 percent fat – only half the normal fat content of mozzarella. Just as importantly, taste testers and pizza-eating students gave the cheese a thumbs-up. Since the low-fat mozzarella’s commercial debut in 1995, nearly 39 million pounds – with an estimated value of $57 million – have been produced for school lunch programs.

ARS chemist and inventor George Inglett is hoping C-Trim will also benefit consumers as a commercially successful, calorie-cutting product.

The directory portion of the NAFFS 2006 Yearbook erroneously omitted the following member:

D. H. Litter Company, Inc.
565 Taxter Road, Suite 610
Elmsford, NY 10523
Phone: 800-551-1039
Fax: 914-592-1499
Website: www.dhlitter.com
e-mail: bfox@dhlitter.com
Contact: Bruce Fox, Market Mgr. – Consumer Care
Products: Gums, silica products, chemicals, amino acids, sugars

We apologize for this omission and ask that you add this company to your directory.

FDA responded to two objections it received on the final rule that amended the color additive regulations authorizing the use of tomato lycopene extract and tomato lycopene concentrate as color additives in foods. After reviewing the objections to the final rule, the agency concluded the objections do not raise issues of material fact that justify a hearing or otherwise provide a basis for modifying the amendment to the regulation. FDA also established a new effective date of Feb. 24, 2006 for this color additive regulation which was stayed by the filing of proper objections.

NAFFS WELCOMES
NEW MEMBER

Takasago International Corp. (USA)
4 Volvo Drive
Rockleigh, NJ 07647
Phone: (201) 784-7305
Fax: (201) 784-7292
Website: www.takasago.com
e-mail: cmanley@takasago.com
Contact: Charles Manley, VP, Science & Technology

NAFFS CALENDAR

March 23 – NAFFS California Meeting, Hyatt Regency Orange, Anaheim, Cal.

April 25 – NAFFS Technical Meeting to be held immediately prior to the New York/New Jersey IFT Suppliers’ Day. Location: New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, Edison, NJ.

October 12-15 – NAFFS 89th Annual Convention, The Resort at Longboat Key Club, Longboat Key, Fla.