A comparative study of physico‐chemical properties and antioxidant activity of freeze‐dried mung bean (Vigna radiata) and adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) sprout hydrolysate powders

Mung bean (MB) and adzuki bean (AZB) sprouts were hydrolysed with Flavourzyme^® at four different concentrations for 6 h. Nongerminated beans subjected to each enzyme concentrations were set as the control. For both bean sprouts, the highest amounts of free amino group, total free amino acids and total phenolic content (TPC) were obtained with 7% (w/w) Flavourzyme^®. Each bean sprout hydrolysate was subjected to freeze‐drying in absence and presence of 5% maltodextrin (w/v). The addition of maltodextrin resulted in a decrease in the free amino group, TPC, surface hydrophobicity and hygroscopicity in resulting freeze‐dried powders. Gallic acid, p‐coumaric acid and vitexin were identified in all freeze‐dried powders, while catechin and rutin were detected only in freeze‐dried AZB hydrolysate powder. Freeze‐dried AZB hydrolysate powder contained higher antioxidant activities. DPPH radical scavenging activity of all samples measured using electron spin resonance spectrometry was higher than that obtained by the colorimetric method.     

Effect of different drying methods on drying characteristics,colour, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of Goldenberry (Physalis peruviana L.)

In this study, the effects of convective, microwave and microwave–convective drying methods on the drying characteristics, colour, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of goldenberry fruits were investigated. To select the most appropriate thin‐layer drying model for drying treatments, nine mathematical drying models were fitted to the experimental data. Based on the statistical tests used for evaluation, the Midilli et al. and Wang and Singh models were considered the best models to describe the drying behaviours of goldenberry fruits in all drying methods. The colour values (L*, a* and b*) of fresh fruit were decreased by drying. Compared with the fresh sample, the dried samples exhibited a 64–75% and 65–75% decrease in total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, respectively. Among the different drying treatments, the values closest to those of fresh samples with respect to colour values, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were achieved with the 160 W microwave drying method.     

Physico‐functional and antioxidant properties of purple‐flesh sweet potato flours as affected by extrusion and drum‐drying treatments

Effects of extrusion and drum‐drying treatments on physico‐functional and antioxidant properties of flours prepared from purple‐flesh sweet potato were evaluated. Extrusion variables were feed moisture contents (MC; 10%, 13%, 16%) and screw speeds (SS; 250, 325, 400 r.p.m.), whereas drum‐drying was done at 120, 130 or 140 °C. Effects of MC were generally greater than SS on flour properties. Extruded flours showed higher water absorption and water solubility indices compared with control nonextruded flours. Regardless of SS, total phenolic content and antioxidant activities (DPPH and ABTS) of flours processed at 10% MC were significantly higher than those at 13% and 16%. Both extruded and drum‐dried flours exhibited no peak viscosity, indicating complete gelatinisation of starch. Maximum phenolic content and antioxidant activities of drum‐dried flours were obtained at 140 °C. Although drum‐dried flours had higher antioxidant capacity than extruded flours, both flours could potentially be used as food ingredients.     

Effect of vacuum‐drying,hot air‐drying and freeze‐drying on polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of lemon (Citrus limon) pomace aqueous extracts

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of freeze‐drying, hot air‐drying and vacuum‐drying at 70, 90 and 110 °C, on dried lemon pomace polyphenols and antioxidant capacity. The total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were higher in lemon pomace dried by hot air or under vacuum than those dried by freeze‐drying and increased as the temperature increased. The highest total flavonoid content was recorded in the pomace dried under vacuum at 70 and 90 °C. Lemon pomace dried by freeze‐drying had the highest neohesperidin content, whereas pomace dried under vacuum at 70 °C had the highest rutin and p‐coumaric acid content. The highest gallic acid content was recorded in the pomace dried by hot air at 110 °C. The results of this study indicate that drying technique should be carefully selected according to the bioactive compounds aimed to be extracted.     

Antioxidant,free radical scavenging and type II diabetes‐related enzyme inhibition properties of traditionally processed Jequirity bean (Abrus precatorius L.)

The methanolic extract of raw Abrus precatorius (Jequirity bean, red‐ and black‐coloured seed coat) seeds contains a total phenolic content of 14.2 ± 0.39 g catechin equivalent/100 g extract. An analysis of phenolic profile revealed the presence of syringic acid, caffeic acid and (?)‐epicatechin in the methanolic extract of A. precatorius seeds. Encouraging levels of ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP, 1247 mmol Fe[II]/mg extract), inhibition of β‐carotene bleaching (53.37%), 2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picryl‐hydrazyl (DPPH, 62.13%) and superoxide (64.47%) radical scavenging activities were exhibited by the extract of raw samples. Inhibition characteristics of 68.69%α‐amylase and 51.74%α‐glucosidase enzyme were also recorded under in vitro starch digestion bioassay. Sprouting + oil‐frying caused a significant increase in the total phenolic content and also substantially improved the antioxidant and free radical scavenging capacities, while soaking + cooking as well as open‐pan roasting treatments showed diminishing effects.     

Physicochemical properties and storage stability of spray‐dried soya bean sprout extract

Amylase is a very important enzyme due to its wide food applications. To preserve amylase activity in soya bean sprout extract (SSE), SSEs were spray‐dried with 10% maltodextrin and 0–3% alginic acids, and their physicochemical properties and storage stability were compared with freeze‐dried one. SSE exhibited maximum amylase activity at pH 7.0 and 60 °C, with the most active substrate specificity towards soluble starch. Spray‐dried SSEs exhibited higher water solubility index (WSI) and in vitro relative amylase activity but lower water vapour sorption (WVS) and smaller particle size than freeze‐dried SSE. For spray‐dried SSEs, particle size, WSI and in vitro relative amylase activity increased while WVS decreased with increasing % alginic acid. This study demonstrated that spray drying of SSE, especially with 10% maltodextrin and 2% alginic acid, was effective in keeping amylase active and stable during 7‐week storage at room temperature (25 °C).     

Preparation of High‐Grade Powders from Tomato Paste Using a Vacuum Foam Drying Method

We present a rapid and gentle drying method for the production of high‐grade tomato powders from double concentrated tomato paste, comparing results with powders obtained by foam mat air drying and freeze dried powders. The principle of this method consists of drying tomato paste in foamed state at low temperatures in vacuum. The formulations were dried at temperatures of 50, 60, and 70 °C and vacuum of 200 mbar. Foam stability was affected by low serum viscosity and the presence of solid particles in tomato paste. Consequently, serum viscosity was increased by maltodextrin addition, yielding optimum stability at tomato paste:maltodextrin ratio of 2.4:1 (w/w) in dry matter. Material foamability was improved by addition of 0.5% (w/w, fresh weight) egg white. Because of solid particles in tomato paste, foam air filling had to be limited to critical air volume fraction of Φ = 0.7. The paste was first pre‐foamed to Φ = 0.2 and subsequently expanded in vacuo. After drying to a moisture content of 5.6% to 7.5% wet base (w.b.), the materials obtained were in glassy state. Qualities of the resulting powders were compared with those produced by freeze and air drying. Total color changes were the least after vacuum drying, whereas air drying resulted in noticeable color changes. Vacuum foam drying at 50 °C led to insignificant carotenoid losses, being equivalent to the time‐consuming freeze drying method. In contrast, air drying caused lycopene and β‐carotene losses of 18% to 33% and 14% to 19% respectively. Thus, vacuum foam drying enables production of high‐grade tomato powders being qualitatively similar to powders obtained by freeze drying.     

Radical scavenging and anti‐proliferative capacity of three freeze‐dried tropical fruits

Tropical fruits are rich in antioxidant and anticancer phytochemicals, but their nutraceutical potential could be enhanced by drying technologies. Mango cv. Ataulfo, papaya cv. Maradol and pineapple cv. Esmeralda ripe pulps were freeze‐dried (?42 °C, 0.12 torr, 48 h) and their physicochemical and phytochemical profile, radical scavenging and antiproliferative capacity evaluated. The content of soluble solids, phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid was higher in mango (16.1^oBrix, 9.9 mg GAE per g and 9.6 mg g^?1) than in papaya/pineapple, but the later had more flavonoids (0.45 ± 0.05 mg QE per g). A fruit‐specific phenolic profile was detected by HPLC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS, being shikimic (mango), chlorogenic (papaya), and protocatechuic (pineapple) acids the most abundant. Mango was the strongest radical scavenger and showed antiproliferative capacity (IC₅₀, μg mL^?1) in RAW 264.7 (100.7), HeLa (193.1) and L929 (138.5) cell lines. Papaya and pineapple extracts showed no antiproliferative activity. Freeze‐dried mango is a ready‐to‐eat functional food with better cancer preventing properties than papaya or pineapple.     

Effects of blanching, drying and extraction processes on the antioxidant activity of yam (Dioscorea alata)

The effects of blanching, drying and extraction processes on the antioxidant activities of one kind of Taiwanese yam peel, Darsan (Dioscorea alata), were investigated. The antioxidant measurements included total phenolic content, reducing power and α ,α‐diphenyl‐β‐pricryl‐hydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging activity. The 50% ethanolic, hot water and water extracts from the peel all had much higher antioxidant activities than those extracts from the flesh. Among three extraction methods, 50% ethanolic extraction resulted in the highest antioxidant activities in the peel, while hot water extraction was more appropriate for the flesh. Blanching by immersing the peel in 85 °C water for 30 s caused significant reductions in the antioxidant activities of all the extracts from the peel. Generally speaking, freeze‐dried peel maintained higher antioxidant activities than hot air‐dried peel.     

Bioactive components,ABTS radical scavenging capacity and physical stability of orange,yellow and purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) powder processed by convection‐ or vacuum‐drying methods

This study aims to investigate the antioxidant properties and physical stability of convection‐ or vacuum‐dried orange, yellow and purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) powder upon room temperature storage at different relative humidity (RH) of 33%, 43%, 54% and 75% for 25 days. Both convection and vacuum‐dried samples had lower total phenolic content (TPC), anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity compared to the fresh samples. Vacuum‐dried powder retained higher antioxidant activity than convection‐dried powder. Storage of the powder at high RH of 75% resulted in apparent clump formation, which was likely attributed to the decrease of glass transition temperature (T_g). In general, purple sweet potato powder contained the highest TPC (255.0 mg GAE 100 g DW^?1) and antioxidant activity (1924.0 μmol TEAC 100 g DW^?1), while orange powder had the highest beta‐carotene content (127.2 mg 100 g DW^?1). Vacuum‐dried sweet potato powder, which has relatively higher antioxidant activity, could be a potential functional ingredient or natural colourant for the food industry.     

Changes in bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity during convective drying of murta (Ugni molinae T.) berries

Murta (Ugni molinae T.) berries were air‐dried at five temperatures (40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 °C), and the changes in β‐carotene, phenolic acids, total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant capacities (DPPH and ORAC) were investigated. The berries showed a high content of β‐carotene, which decreased during drying temperature between 40 °C and 80 °C. Free and bound phenolic acids were also determined, showing gallic acid to be the prevalent phenolic acid. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents in the dried berries showed a higher decrease at lower temperature due to longer drying time. The radical‐scavenging activity also showed higher antioxidant activity at higher drying temperatures (70–80 °C) than at lower drying temperatures (40–50 °C). Total phenolic content (TPC) and flavonoids showed good correlation with antioxidant capacity. Murta berries proved to be an excellent source of antioxidants and bioactive compounds and are therefore a potential ingredient for new functional food products.     

Assessment of phytochemicals,enzymatic and antioxidant activities in germinated mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilezek)

Vitamin C, phenolic and flavonoid contents along with enzymatic and antioxidant activities were determined in germinated mung bean (Vigna radiate). Elevated levels of vitamin C 72.31 ± 0.62 mg/100 g FW and flavonoid content 85.57 ± 0.59 mg CE/100 g FW were estimated for euphylla after 6 days of germination. Moreover, maximum peroxyl radical scavenging activity 645.4 ± 28.5 μmol ASA equiv./100 g FW was also determined in euphylla. However, seed coat has the highest content of phenolic content (568.4 ± 8.8 mg GAE/100 g FW), whereas cotyledon depicted the highest ascorbate oxidase and peroxidase activities (396.5 ± 4.0 and 548.4 ± 2.8 min^?1 g^?1 FW, respectively). These findings revealed that euphylla in mung bean sprouts is the most bioactive part with significant level of phytochemicals. Therefore, after germination of 6 days, euphylla is the main source of nutrition in mung bean sprouts.     

Determination of biochemical properties of foam‐mat dried mango powder

Investigations were carried out to see the impact of drying air temperature (65, 75 and 85 °C) and milk as foaming agent in different concentration levels (0%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%) on the chemical properties of foam‐mat dried mango juice powder. Chemical properties such as total sugars, ascorbic acid, total carotenes, minerals, total acid, pH, total soluble solids (TSS) and microbial load (fungal and bacterial) of foam‐mat dried mango powder were determined. Data were analysed as per two‐way anova , Duncan’s multiple range test and l.s.d. of Ag Res Software statistical package. Almost all chemical properties show decreasing trend with increase in drying air temperature. Microbial load was not detected in foam‐mat dried mango powder. It was found that addition of 10% milk as foaming agent and drying at 65 °C temperature gave better results.     

Development of ready‐to‐eat rice starch‐based puffed products by coupling freeze‐drying and microwave

The rice starch mixtures with varying amylose contents (AC) of 0.12–19.00% weight were prepared by mixing waxy and nonwaxy rice starches. The 5% rice bran oil shortening was added in the starch paste. After gelatinisation, thin slabs of starch pastes were aged at 4 °C for 24 h. The aged slabs were dried by freeze‐drying to obtain 25% moisture content. A microwave oven set to 600 J s^?1 for 90 s was then used for puffing. The crucial factors affecting the snack purchase were texture and nutrition. The relative crystallinity and retrogradation enthalpy (?H_r) of freeze‐dried pellets increased with increasing the AC. From using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), endotherms of pellets were shown only when AC > 0.12%. An amylose–lipid complex was shown in pellets with AC ≥ 9.00%. Relationships between the AC and all puffed product properties were linear. Increasing AC provided greater hardness, fracturability, bulk density, but lower expansion ratio. From the sensory evaluation, the panellists preferred the puffed products with 9.00% AC. Increasing the AC gave higher crispness, hardness, brittleness, air cell opacity and density, but resulted in less puffiness. Thus, the microwave drying has the potential to puff a healthy expanded snack but giving the desirable properties depends on AC.     

干燥方式对金银花多酚组分及其抗氧化活性的影响

研究传统热风干燥、自然阴干以及真空干燥、真空冷冻干燥等不同干燥方式对金银花多酚类物质含量及抗氧化活性的影响。采用Folin-酚比色法及高效液相色谱（high performance liquid chromatography,HPLC）法分别检测4 种干燥方式下的金银花总酚及多酚类组分含量,并比较其清除1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼（1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl,DPPH）自由基、羟自由基（•OH）和2,2’-二氮-双（3-乙基苯并噻唑-6-磺酸）铵盐（2,2’-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate acid) diammonium salt,ABTS）自由基的能力。结果表明：4 种干燥方式对金银花总酚含量及多酚类组分均有一定影响,其中真空冷冻干燥处理时金银花总酚及多酚类组分损失最小;不同干燥方式对金银花的抗氧化能力影响显著（P＜0.05）,真空冷冻干燥样品清除DPPH自由基、•OH和ABTS＋•的半抑制浓度（IC50）分别为5.43、17.64、44.32 μg/mL;而自然阴干、真空干燥和热风干燥处理的样品清除DPPH自由基、•OH及ABTS＋•的IC50高于真空冷冻干燥金银花相应的IC50。相关性分析显示,金银花酚酸类组分与其抗氧化活性显著相关（P＜0.05）。因此,真空冷冻干燥能较好地保留金银花多酚类物质,且具有较强的抗氧化活性,适宜用于金银花的干燥。     

The effect of osmosis pretreatment on hot‐air drying and microwave drying characteristics of chili (Capsicum annuum L.) flesh

Chili flesh pretreated with or without osmotic dehydration (OD) was dried in the hot‐air drying (AD) oven at 50–80 °C or in the microwave drying (MD) oven at 60–180 W. Results showed that the samples osmotically treated in mixed solution (10% salt + 50% sucrose) had the best dehydration effect as compared with single salt or sugar solutions. During the drying process, osmotically treated samples had one falling‐rate period and their effective moisture diffusivities (D_eff) showed a rapidly linear increase with the decrease in moisture content, while directly drying samples showed a three‐phase falling‐rate period and their D_eff increased gradually at the initial period and then rapidly at the final period. When the moisture content decreased, the activation energy increased gradually; however, for AD after OD, it decreased. Among all the processes, MD at 60 W after OD presented the largest vitamin C retention rate and the best colour difference, needing less drying time.     

Effect of mixing time, freeze-drying and baking on phenolics, anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity of raspberry juice during processing of muffins

BACKGROUND: Consumption of baked products constitutes an important part of a daily breakfast considering that people are continually grabbing meals on the go. Among baked products, muffins rank third in breakfast products and attract a broad range of consumers. Incorporation of red raspberry juice into muffins can add value to the product while preserving health benefits to the consumer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of mixing time, freeze‐drying and baking on the phenolic and anthocyanin contents and antioxidant capacity of raspberry juice during the preparation of muffins. RESULTS: Freeze‐drying of raspberry batters reduced their phenolic content and antioxidant capacity regardless of mixing time. Non‐freeze‐dried raspberry batter mixed for 5 min had the highest phenolic content (0.88 mg gallic acid equivalent g^?1 dry matter (DM)). Non‐freeze‐dried raspberry muffins had the highest antioxidant capacity (0.041 µmol Trolox equivalent g^?1 DM). Freeze‐dried raspberry batters mixed for 5 and 10 min had the highest anthocyanin content (0.065 mg cyanidin‐3‐glucoside g^?1 DM). Baking reduced the anthocyanin content of both non‐freeze‐dried and freeze‐dried raspberry muffins. CONCLUSION: Despite the reduction in valuable compounds, muffin is a vehicle for the delivery of these compounds. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Physicochemical and microbial quality evaluation of foam‐mat‐dried pineapple powder

Present experiments were carried to study the physicochemical and microbial quality of foam‐mat‐dried pineapple powder. Pineapple pulp was foamed using two foaming agents, tricalcium phosphate (TCP) (0%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.0%) and egg white (EW) (0%, 0.50%, 1.0%, 1.50%, and 2.0%). Carboxy methyl cellulose (0.25%) was used as foam stabiliser, and drying was carried out at 65, 75, and 85 °C in tray drier followed by pulverising the dried foam mats in to fine powder. Powdered samples were analysed for various physicochemical quality parameters viz. total sugars, reducing sugars, ascorbic acid, total acid, pH, iron, phosphorus and calcium content, and bacterial and fungal load. Statistical analysis using LSD revealed that sample dried using 1% TCP at 65 °C was the best with 4.60% total sugars, 2.71% reducing sugars, 4.05 mg per 100 g ascorbic acid, 0.35% total acid, 0.29 mg per 100 g Iron, 2.24 mg per 100 g phosphorous, and 6.58 g per 100 g calcium and zero bacterial and fungal growth.     

Effect of combined microwave‐hot air drying and superheated steam drying on physical and chemical properties of rice

Jasmine rice (Oryza sativa L.) was subjected to two drying operations: combined microwave‐hot air drying (MHA) at initial power intensity of 3, 4 and 6 W g^?1 and superheated steam drying (SHS) at 300 °C and 400 °C. During drying, kinetic rate constants of SHS were significantly higher than those of MHA. Both drying operations could decrease enthalpy of starch gelatinisation from 9.28 J g^?1 to 1.64–6.17 J g^?1, increase gelatinisation extent to 33.51–82.33%, decrease crystallinity from 28.87% to 18.15–21.33%, improve scavenging ability of 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl, increase ferric reducing antioxidant power and increase hardness of cooked rice from 5.66 N to 5.83–6.55 N, depending on microwave power and drying medium temperature. However, taste profiles and liking scores were comparable to the regular brown rice. Therefore, MHA and SHS operations could be potentially used for reducing drying process and promoting antioxidant activity.