The effect of particle size (53, 105 and 210 μm) of carrot fiber (CF) on their hydration properties and antioxidant capacity as well as on the performance of the CF-composite films developed with commercial low methoxyl pectin (LMP) was studied. It was determined that CF contained carotenoids and phenolics co-extracted with polysaccharides (80%), rich in pectins (15%). CF showed antioxidant activity and produced homogeneous calcium-LMP-based composites. The 53-μm-CF showed the lowest hydration capability and produced the least elastic and deformable composite film due probably to CF bridged by calcium-crosslinked LMP chains. Antioxidant activity associated to the loaded CF was found in composites. When L-(+)-ascorbic acid (AA) was also loaded, its hydrolytic stability increased with the decrease in CF-particle size, showing the lowest stability in the 0%-CF- and 210 μm-CF-LMP films. Below ≈ 250 μm, the particle size determined the hydration properties of pectin-containing CF, affecting the microstructure and water mobility in composites.
Keywords: Antioxidant preservation; Average particle size; Carotenoids and phenolics; Carrot fiber; Composite films; Pectins.
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