Processing optimization and characterization of gelatin from lizardfish (Saurida spp.) scales

Response surface methodology (RSM) with a 4-factor, 5-level central composite design (CCD) was conducted to ascertain the optimum gelatin extraction conditions from lizardfish scales. The effects of concentration of NaOH (%, X₁), treatment time (h, X₂), extraction temperature (°C, X₃) and extraction time (h, X₄) were determined. The responses included extraction yield (%), gel strength (g) at 9-10 °C and viscosity (cP) at 25 °C. The results showed the optimum conditions for the highest values of the three responses when a concentration of NaOH at 0.51%, a treatment time at 3.10 h, an extraction temperature at 78.5 °C and an extraction time at 3.02 h. The predicted responses were 10.7% extraction yield, 240 g gel strength and 5.61 cP viscosity. The experimental values were 10.6 ± 0.82% extraction yield, 252 ± 1.21 g gel strength and 7.50 ± 0.28 cP viscosity. The physicochemical properties of the lizardfish scales gelatin were characterized and the results indicated high protein and low ash content. Texture profile analysis (TPA) with compression was carried out at 30% deformation. The lizardfish scales gelatin was found to contain 20.4% imino acids (proline and hydroxyproline). Furthermore, slightly loose strands of the gel microstructure were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Technological properties,in vitro starch digestibility and in vivo glycaemic index of bread containing crude malva nut gum

The effects of crude malva nut gum (CMG) on the texture, digestion and the glycaemic index (GI) of white bread were investigated. Different CMG levels (0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% w/w based on weight of flour) were added into a bread formula. The lightness (L*) and loaf‐specific volumes of the bread decreased with increased CMG levels. Firmness of the bread increased with increased CMG content. The in vitro starch digestion kinetics showed that bread containing CMG had generally lower predicted GI (74–81 vs. the control). In vivo human testing showed that increasing the CMG reduced the GI of the bread. The GI values of bread containing CMG ranged from 73 to 98 of the control. Overall liking scores of consumers ranged between ‘like slightly’ and ‘like moderately’ (6.1–7.1) compared to 7.1 for the control. Thus, the addition of CMG in carbohydrate‐based foods may lower the GI.     

Effect of microbial transglutaminase on gel properties and film characteristics of gelatin from lizardfish (Saurida spp.) scales

The addition of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) generally increased the gel strength of lizardfish (Saurida spp.) scale gelatin gels (P≤0.05) with an increase in gel strength with the addition of MTGase up to 0.5% (w/v). The texture profile analysis compression tests of lizardfish scale gelatin gel with and without MTGase were studied to determine their effects on gel characteristics. MTGase added to the gels decreased the band intensity of the β- and α-components with increasing concentrations of enzyme. Gel microstructures with various concentration of MTGase showed denser strands in the gels with enzyme compared with the looser stands in non-enzyme-treated gel samples. Films cast from lizardfish scale gelatin with and without 0.5% MTGase and bovine gelatin films were transparent and flexible. The lizardfish gelatin films were all slightly yellowish while the bovine gelatin films were clearer. The L value of bovine gelatin films had the highest value (P≤0.05) whereas lizardfish scale gelatin films with and without enzyme were not significantly different (P>0.05) for L, a, and b values and ΔE. The film's mechanical properties included tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (E) were not significantly different (P > 0.05) for E and the films of lizardfish scale gelatin showed higher TS than the films without enzyme added (P ≤ 0.05). The water vapor permeability of films from lizardfish scale gelatin with and without 0.5% MTGase and bovine gelatin films were 21.0 ± 0.17, 26.3 ± 0.79, and 25.8 ± 0.09 g·mm/m(2)·d·kPa, respectively, while the oxygen transmission rate of all 3 types of films were less than 50 cc O(2)/m(2)·d.     

Comparative study of total phenolic compounds,flavonoids and antioxidant capacities in pigmented and non-pigmented rice of <Emphasis Type="Italic">indica</Emphasis> rice varieties

The total phenolic compounds and flavonoid contents of grains as well as the antioxidant capacities were determined in 15 rice varieties. A high-performance liquid chromatography method was modified for the determination of the flavonoid subgroups in rice grains. The results showed the total phenolic compounds, flavonoid contents, and antioxidant capacities of pigmented rice were higher than in non-pigmented rice. The amounts of flavanone groups ranging from 0.04 to 0.40 mg Naringenin g^?1, while flavones groups ranging from 0.08 to 0.57 mg Apigenin g^?1, flavonol groups ranging from 0.16 to 1.20 mg Quercetin g^?1 and anthocyanin groups ranging from 44.43 to 69.83 mg Cyanidin chloride g^?1 were found in pigmented rice. The total phenolic compounds and total flavonoid contents of grains were significantly correlated with their antioxidant capacities. The results indicated that pigmented rice appeared as a good source of phenolic and flavonoid compounds and had beneficial nutritive values or antioxidant substances.     

Cytotoxic assessment of flying barb fish (Esomus metallicus) from a gold mine area with heavy metal contamination

This study aimed to investigate contamination by heavy metals including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and manganese (Mn) and to conduct a cytotoxic assessment of Esomus metallicus from a gold mine area compared with that from the non-affected area. The E. metallicus samples were collected downstream of a gold mine area. The heavy metal concentrations were analysed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The average amounts of As, Cd, Cr, Pb and Mn in water and E. metallicus samples from the gold mine area were 0.368 ± 0.009, 0.008 ± 0.006, 0.009 ± 0.001, 0.006 ± 0.002, 1.438 ± 0.058 mg/L, 0.65 ± 0.25, 0.03 ± 0.03, 2.12 ± 0.05, 0.25 ± 0.07 and 18.28 ± 6.82 mg/kg, respectively. The difference of As, Cr and Mn concentrations in E. metallicus samples between gold mine and non-affected areas was statistically significant (p < 0.05) except for Cd and Pb. The diploid chromosome number of E. metallicus from both areas was 2n = 50. There are six types of chromosomal aberrations including centric fragmentation (CF), centric gap (CG), single chromatid gap (SCG), fragmentation (F), deletion (D) and polyploidy (P). The most common chromosomal aberration type in the samples from the gold mine area was CG, and the difference in chromosomal aberration and the number of cells with chromosomal aberrations in E. metallicus between the study areas was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The percentages of chromosomal aberrations in the E. metallicus samples from gold mine and non-affected areas were 14.66 and 3.00, respectively.