An innovative food product based on the recovery of melon by-products

Food reformulation or development of new foods is necessary to improve the nutritional profile of energy-dense foods (high fat, sugar and salt contents) or to reduce the content of ingredients or to decrease the amount of nutrients of concern. Biscuits are bakery goods characterized by high sugar and fat content, but are also very palatable foods, highly appreciated. AIMS: To develop an innovative biscuit with enhanced nutritional properties, based on the recovery of melon by-products, contributing to healthier food options. In 2022, melon peels were recovered from producers of melon fruits, mainly discarded fruits which do not correspond to market needs in terms of size, and/or shape, or colour. Melon peels were dehydrated and homogenised until a fine powder (melon peel flour) was obtained. A traditional recipe for biscuits (control sample) and an innovative biscuit, where 50% of the wheat flour was replaced by melon peel flour, were prepared. The nutritional composition of both products was evaluated. The control biscuit is characterized by its poor nutritional quality, namely due to its low dietary fibre (1.53 ± 0.3 g/100 g) and high available carbohydrates contents. By replacing, wheat flour with melon peel flour, dietary fibre content increases to 14.7 ± 0.6 g/100 g. Since the dietary reference intake for adults for fibre is 25 g/day, one portion of the innovative biscuit (35 g) can contribute with 21% of the recommended needs. Moreover, according to Regulation (EU) n.º 1924/2006, this innovative product can be claimed as high fibre. This work demonstrates not only that melon peel is an excellent source of dietary fibre, that contributes to enhancing the nutritional quality of biscuits, but also that it is possible to reduce the economic, social and environmental impacts of these by-products that up to now are discarded.

This work was financially supported by Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the projects Food4DIAB (EXPL/BAA-AGR/1382/2021); and UIDB/50006/2020 and by AgriFood XXI I&D&I project (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000041) co-financed by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the NORTE 2020 (Programa Operacional Regional do Norte 2014/2020). Rita C. Alves thanks to FCT the CEECIND/01120/2017 contract.

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