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Carbohydrate composition of selected plum/prune preparations
Cheryl L Dikeman1, Laura L Bauer, George C Fahey
1Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
|February 19, 2004
Summary
Plum and prune products are rich in carbohydrates, including sugars and fiber. Byproducts like plum pits also contain significant protein and fiber, offering valuable nutritional components.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Nutritional Chemistry
Background:
- Plums and prunes are widely consumed fruits with various processing applications.
- Understanding the nutritional composition of plum/prune preparations and byproducts is crucial for food development and waste utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the proximate composition and detailed carbohydrate profiles of eighteen plum/prune preparations and byproducts.
- To identify the major carbohydrate classes and their distribution within different plum and prune fractions.
Main Methods:
- Proximate analysis to determine levels of ash, crude protein, and acid-hydrolyzed fat.
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for detailed carbohydrate profiling, including monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and sugar alcohols.
Main Results:
- Plum puree and prune juice showed the highest ash content. Byproducts like waste cake and dried plum pits were richer in crude protein and total dietary fiber.
- Various oligosaccharides were detected, primarily in fruit fractions. Maltooligosaccharides were notably abundant in some preparations due to added maltodextrin.
- Monosaccharides, sugar alcohols, and oligosaccharides constituted a significant portion (2.9-84.7%) of the organic matter in fruit fractions compared to pit fractions.
Conclusions:
- Carbohydrates are a major component of plum/prune preparations and byproducts, varying significantly based on the fraction and processing.
- Plum prune byproducts offer valuable nutritional content, particularly in protein and fiber, suggesting potential for further utilization.