Nutrient-Dense Shelf-Stable Vegetable Powders and Extruded Snacks Made from Carrots and Broccoli

Perishable fresh vegetables that do not meet cosmetic standards and by-products of processing are currently wasted. Broccoli and carrots were selected as model vegetables to demonstrate that they can be converted into nutrient-dense and shelf-stable food ingredients and formulated into convenient ready-to-eat snacks. Broccoli powder was a rich source of protein (30%) and dietary fibre (28%). Carrot powder had lower protein (6.5%) and dietary fibre content (24%) and was higher in sugar (47%) compared to broccoli powder (21%). Compared to the whole-vegetable powders, pomace powders were richer in fibre but had lower levels of total carbohydrates. There was a reduced expansion of extruded snacks with increasing levels of the vegetable component in the formulation. Processing and storage for 12 months at 25 °C or 40 °C resulted in changes in the measured soluble phenolic content. Changes during storage were dependent on the temperature and time. The changes may be in part due to the changes in the material properties of the matrix as a consequence of processing and storage, which affect extractability. The conversion of perishable vegetables and pomace into shelf-stable nutrient-dense food ingredients and products will reduce food loss and waste in the vegetable industry.