A Sustainable Approach: Repurposing Red Beetroot Peels for Innovative Meringue Products
Oana Emilia Constantin,
Florina Stoica,
Silvia Lazăr (Mistrianu),
Doina Georgeta Andronoiu,
Mihaela Turturică,
Nicoleta Stănciuc,
Roxana Nicoleta Rațu,
Constantin Croitoru,
Gabriela Râpeanu
Affiliations
Oana Emilia Constantin
Integrated Center for Research, Expertise and Technological Transfer in Food Industry, Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 111 Domnească Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
Florina Stoica
Department of Pedotechnics, Faculty of Agriculture, “Ion Ionescu de La Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences, 3 Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, 700489 Iasi, Romania
Silvia Lazăr (Mistrianu)
Integrated Center for Research, Expertise and Technological Transfer in Food Industry, Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 111 Domnească Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
Doina Georgeta Andronoiu
Integrated Center for Research, Expertise and Technological Transfer in Food Industry, Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 111 Domnească Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
Mihaela Turturică
Integrated Center for Research, Expertise and Technological Transfer in Food Industry, Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 111 Domnească Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
Nicoleta Stănciuc
Integrated Center for Research, Expertise and Technological Transfer in Food Industry, Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 111 Domnească Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
Roxana Nicoleta Rațu
Integrated Center for Research, Expertise and Technological Transfer in Food Industry, Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 111 Domnească Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
Constantin Croitoru
Integrated Center for Research, Expertise and Technological Transfer in Food Industry, Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 111 Domnească Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
Gabriela Râpeanu
Integrated Center for Research, Expertise and Technological Transfer in Food Industry, Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 111 Domnească Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
With the increasing global demand for sustainable and eco-friendly food items, it is imperative to investigate alternate sources of natural pigments. The red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is a traditional food in many countries and a rich bioactive compound known for its beneficial properties. Beetroot peel, a by-product of beetroot food processing, is often discarded, contributing to environmental damage. This research explores the potential of beetroot peel (BP) powder as a natural pigment in food products and its functional benefits. The study focuses on incorporating BP powder into meringues, aiming to create a value-added product with enhanced properties, particularly antioxidant activity. Various amounts of BP powder (4–10%) were added to meringue formulations, and the effects on the resulting meringues’ physicochemical properties, sensory qualities, and phytochemical profiles were assessed during 21 days of storage. The research revealed that BP powder, besides its function as a natural colorant and the pleasing pink hue it imparts to meringues, also enhances antioxidant activity due to its high phenolic concentration. BP powder was also incorporated to enhance the meringues’ overall sensory characteristics, improving their flavor and texture. The research findings indicate that BP has the potential to be used as a natural food ingredient to promote human health, resource-use efficiency, and a circular economy.
