Sustainable Valorization of Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis Leaves) as a Pasta Ingredient

This study investigated the innovative incorporation of Artocarpus altilis leaves into potato-based gnocchi, demonstrating a sustainable approach to valorizing underutilized plant materials. Breadfruit leaves, often discarded as agricultural waste, represent an untapped resource rich in bioactive compounds and antioxidants. By incorporating these leaves into pasta products, we demonstrate a promising strategy for enhancing food systems' nutritional profile and sustainability. The research examined the functional, pasting, and bioactive properties of Artocarpus altilis leaf blends with potato flakes. The blends showed significant water-holding capacity (4.88-8.58 g H2O/g DM) and notable antioxidant activity in both aqueous and ethanolic extracts (DPPH: 1.95-3.35 mg TE/g DM). Pasting profiles revealed that increasing the Artocarpus altilis concentration progressively modified the starch behavior, reducing the peak viscosity from 972.5 to 530.0 mPa<middle dot>s. Gnocchi formulated with 10% Artocarpus altilis leaves demonstrated good stability during 4-day storage, with minimal color changes (Delta L* approximate to 2) and predictable textural evolution (cutting force increase from 4.5 to 5.8 N). The incorporation of these leaves enhances the nutritional profile through increased antioxidant content and promotes sustainable food production by utilizing agricultural by-products. This approach demonstrates the potential for developing eco-friendly food products while supporting local agricultural economies in tropical regions with abundant Artocarpus altilis. The successful integration of these leaves into a popular food product opens new possibilities for sustainable food innovation and waste reduction in the food industry.