Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)
In this study, the effects of the debittering process on the physicochemical, techno-functional, and antioxidant properties and the mineral composition of bitter apricot seeds (Zerdali variety) were investigated to evaluate the potential utilization of the byproducts, and the results were compared with those of sweet apricot seeds (SAS). The debittering process significantly affected the analyzed parameters (p < 0.01). The analyses revealed that the debittered apricot seed (DAS) and sweet apricot seed (SAS) samples were good sources of protein (26.45–27.84%), fat (38.97–42.22%), carbohydrates (25.33–29.05%), and energy (578.29-587.11 kcal/100 g). The ICP‒MS results revealed that the highest amounts of P (4697.80 mg/kg), K (7782.58 mg/kg), Ca (3332.86 mg/kg), Mg (2105.74 mg/kg), Na (198.75 mg/kg), Mn (7.21 mg/kg) and Cu (13.79 mg/kg) were detected in the SAS sample. The highest total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total antioxidant activity (DPPH• and CUPRAC) were found in the SAS sample, with 44.27 mg GAE/100 g, 64.90 mg QE/100 g, 44.35 mg TE/100 g and 90.96 mg TE/100 g, respectively. The highest oil-holding capacity (1.04 g oil/g), foaming capacity (40.12%), foaming stability (30th min: 27.04%, 60th min: 9.35%), emulsion capacity (53.13%), and emulsion stability (39.69%) were found in the SAS sample. These results demonstrate that DAS and SAS can potentially be used to increase nutritional value and improve the techno-functional properties of foods. Therefore, these results suggest that the debittering process can be used as a promising technique for recovering nutritional and bioactive compounds from bitter apricot seeds for human consumption. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)