Strawberry tree fruits (Arbutus unedo L.): Bioactive composition, cellular antioxidant activity, and 3D printing of functional foods

Anica Bebek Markovinović; Dora Brdar; Predrag Putnik; Tomislav Bosiljkov; Ksenija Durgo; Ana Huđek Turković; Irena Brčić Karačonji; Karlo Jurica; Branimir Pavlić; Daniel Granato; Danijela Bursać Kovačević

doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137287

Strawberry tree fruits (Arbutus unedo L.): Bioactive composition, cellular antioxidant activity, and 3D printing of functional foods

Food Chem. 2024 Feb 1:433:137287. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137287. Epub 2023 Aug 28.

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: anica.bebek.markovinovic@pbf.unizg.hr.
² Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
³ Department of Food Technology, University North, Trg dr. Žarka Dolinara 1, 48000 Koprivnica, Croatia. Electronic address: pputnik@alumni.uconn.edu.
⁴ Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: tomislav.bosiljkov@pbf.unizg.hr.
⁵ Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: ksenija.durgo@pbf.unizg.hr.
⁶ Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: ana.hudek@pbf.unizg.hr.
⁷ Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Viktora Cara Emina 5, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia. Electronic address: ibrcic@imi.hr.
⁸ Special Security Operations Directorate, Ministry of the Interior, Ulica grada Vukovara 33, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
⁹ Faculty of Technology, University of Novi Sad, Blvd. cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia. Electronic address: bpavlic@uns.ac.rs.
¹⁰ Bioactivity and Applications Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland. Electronic address: daniel.granato@ul.ie.
¹¹ Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: danijela.bursac.kovacevic@pbf.unizg.hr.

PMID: 37708697
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137287

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of Arbutus unedo L. fruits for the production of functional foods by three-dimensional printing (3DP). First, the biological activity of the fruits was investigated in vitro, followed by 3DP with different starch types and proportions using two 3DP programs. All 3DP samples were characterized for their bioactive, antioxidant, physicochemical and rheological properties. In terms of biological activity, the recommended daily dose of polyphenols from the aqueous extract of A. unedo can protect the integrity of DNA. Moreover, it could be useful as an antimicrobial agent. All 3DP parameters significantly affected bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity. The 3DP products were found to be a good source of polyphenols (632.60 mg/100 g), among which condensed tannins were predominant (42 %). In conclusion, the fruits of A. unedo should be considered as a sustainable resource for the production of innovative functional foods with 3DP.

Keywords: Additive manufacturing; Antioxidant capacity; Bioactive compounds; Biological activity; Cell models; Pigments; Rheology.