Verification test of sensory analyses of comb and strained honeys produced as pure and feeding intensively with sucrose (Saccharum officinarum L.) syrup

The aims of the study were to discriminate comb and strained honeys produced by the standard beekeeping method (control), shaking method (pure blossom honey), and feeding intensively (100 kg/colony) with sucrose (adulterated honey) syrup by using sensory analysis and to develop a method to be used in identification of unknown or suspicion honey samples. In the study, twenty trained panelists assessed honey samples in relation to their properties including taste, odor, color, aroma, viscosity, dissolution in mouth, inflammation in throat, attractiveness, flavor and general impression during four months. There were no differences in odor, viscosity, and dissolution in mouth between comb and strained honey samples which produced by different methods (P > 0.05). Discrimination of strained honey by sensory analysis was more reliable when compared to comb honey. The ratio of correctly classified sample was 78.3% for comb and 86.7% for strained honey. The more honey was pure the more discrimination of honey sample by sensory analysis was reliable. In verification test five unknown honey samples were classified 100% in their real groups by using canonical discriminant function Coefficients of each properties evaluated and the projections of the sample points on the plane of the canonical function-1 and function-2.     

Dielectric properties of honey adulterated with sucrose syrup

Sucrose syrup is a common additive in honey adulteration. To provide information for developing a cheap, simple, convenient and rapid sucrose-adulterated honey detector or sucrose content sensor, the permittivities of pure jujube, yellow-locust and milk-vetch flower honey, pure sucrose syrup and honey-sucrose syrup mixtures with sucrose content from 0% (pure honey) to 80% (pure sucrose syrup) were studied from 10 to 4500 MHz with open-ended coaxial-line technology and a network analyzer at room temperature. The correlations between permittivities and sucrose contents were regressed. The results showed that the dielectric constants of all samples decreased with increasing frequency, while the pure honey had higher dielectric constant than pure sucrose syrup. Dielectric relaxation existed in all samples. The maximum loss factor decreased with increasing sucrose content. The relaxation frequency changed very little with sucrose content. Strong negative linear correlation, R² > 0.98, was found between loss factor around the relaxation frequency and sucrose content.     

Determination of Chinese honey adulterated with high fructose corn syrup by near infrared spectroscopy

The use of fibre optic diffuse reflectance near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) in combination with chemometric techniques has been investigated to discriminate authenticity of honey. NIR spectra of unadulterated honey and adulterated honey samples with high fructose corn syrup were registered within 10,000–4000 cm⁻¹ spectral region. Discriminant partial least squares (DPLS) models were constructed to distinguish between unadulterated honey and adulterated honey samples and main bands responsible for the discrimination of samples are in the range of 6000–10,000 cm⁻¹. For these models, the correct classification rate for calibration samples were above 90%. Hundred percentage of unadulterated honey and 95% of adulterated honey samples from test set were correctly classified after appropriate preprocessing of first derivative, 13 smoothing points, followed by mean centering pre-treatment and eight model factors, respectively. Our results showed that NIR spectroscopy data with chemometrics techniques can be applied to rapid detecting honey adulteration with high fructose corn syrup.     

Sugar metabolism and involvement of enzymes in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) stems during storage

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L. cv. Badila) was harvested at the mature stage and stored at 2, 10, and 20 °C for 30, 90, and 120 days, respectively. Metabolic changes in the contents of sucrose and reducing sugar in relation to the activities of soluble acid invertase (SAI), neutral invertase (NI) and sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS), in sugarcane juice, were studied. Extractable juice, sucrose and vitamin C declined significantly with increasing storage temperatures, while respiration rate increased. There was a rapid increase in titratable acidity during storage, with a more rapid rate at higher temperatures. A sharp increase in reducing sugar was observed within 20 days at 20 °C and 70 days at 10 °C, followed by a rapid decrease. Both SAI and NI activities showed a sharp increase within 15 days at 20 °C, followed by a rapid decrease, while a moderate increase occurred within 40–60 days at 10 °C. Slight increases were observed in SPS activity within 20 days at 20 °C and 50 days at 10 °C. Enzyme activities remained steady or underwent a small change in canes stored at 2 °C. Enzyme activities were significantly correlated with reducing sugar content.     

Phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of culms and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) products

The present work reports amounts of flavonoids and phenylpropanoids of culms of three sugarcane varieties and of raw juice, syrup, molasse and VHP sugar. The antioxidant activity of those materials was evaluated by the DPPH and β-carotene/linoleic acid methods. The predominant phenolics in culms were phenylpropanoids (caffeic, chlorogenic and coumaric acids), while flavones (apigenin, tricin and luteolin derivatives) appeared in lower amounts. Differences were noted either among phenolic profiles of sugarcane culms or between culms and sugarcane products. The antioxidant activities of solutions from most samples were similar or higher than a 80 μM Trolox solution.     

Flavonoid pattern of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) unifloral honey

The aim of the present paper was to determine the flavonoids in monofloral sage (Salvia officinalis L.) honey which is characteristic and specific for the area of Croatian coast and islands. For that purpose 38 sage honey samples from two production seasons were analysed. After specific pollen content determination, and analyses of selected physicochemical parameters which confirmed that samples are in compliance with national and international regulations and can be regarded as unifloral sage honeys, flavonoid fraction was isolated and analysed using RP-HPLC/DAD method. The HPLC analysis showed that all examined sage honey samples contain quercetin (3,3′,4′,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone), luteolin (3′,4′,5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone), kaempferol (3,4′,5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone), apigenin (4′,5,7-trihydroxyflavone), chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) and galangin (3,5,7-trihydroxyflavone), as well as p-coumaric (trans-4-hydroxycinnamic acid) and caffeic acid (3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid). Total amount of identified flavonoids varied from 109.4 μg/100 g of honey to 589.9 μg/100 g of honey, with the average of 288.5 μg/100 g of honey. All analysed honey samples showed common and specific flavonoid profile which could be the basis for differentiating sage from other monofloral honeys.     

Gelation,thermal and pasting properties of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.), dolichos bean (Dolichos lablab L.) and jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) flours

This study evaluated the rheological, thermal and pasting properties of pigeon pea (PP), dolichos bean (DB) and jack bean (JB) legume flours and gels. Starch and protein contents were also measured and its molecular weight distribution was determined by electrophoresis. PP and DB showed the highest viscosities while JB had the highest pasting temperature. The minimum flour concentrations for gel formation were estimated at 6–8% for DB and PP and 10% for JB. Above these concentrations all flour suspensions heated to 95 °C led to gels with a solid-like behavior. Differential scanning calorimetry showed two endothermic peaks in all flours at 80–89 °C and 96–100 °C. Avrami model was successfully fitted to the hardening kinetics of PP and DB gels stored at 4 °C. The half-life times were 22 and 6 h for PP and DB respectively. PP and DB flours were able to form self-supporting gels and could be applied in the formulation of gel-like foods.     

Physicochemical properties of a fibrous fraction from chia (Salvia hispanica L.)

An evaluation was done of some physicochemical properties of a fiber-rich fraction (FRF) obtained by dry processing of defatted chia (Salvia hispanica) flour. The fiber-rich fraction (FRF) had 29.56 g/100 g crude fiber content and 56.46 g/100 g total dietary fiber (TDF) content, of which 53.45 g/100 g was insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) and 3.01 g/100 g was soluble dietary fiber (SDF). The FRF water-holding capacity was 15.41 g/g, its water absorption capacity 11.73 g/g, and its organic molecule absorption capacity 1.09 g/g. The FRF also had low oil-holding (2.02 g/g) and water adsorption (0.3 g/g) capacities. Emulsifying activity in this fraction was 53.26% and emulsion stability was 94.84%. Its evaluated antioxidant activity was 488.8 μmol/L Trolox equivalents/g FRF, which is higher than for many cereals and similar to drinks such as wine, tea, coffee and orange juice. The chia FRF values for the evaluated properties, particularly for water-holding, oil-holding and organic molecule absorption capacity, suggest it could be a useful ingredient in dietetic products such as baked and fried foods, among others.     

Physico-chemical and antioxidant properties of four mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars in China

Four principal mango cultivars (Tainong No.1, Irwin, JinHwang and Keitt) grown in southern China were selected, and their physico-chemical and antioxidant properties were characterized and compared. Of all the four cultivars, Tainong No.1 had highest content of total phenols, ρ-coumaric acid, sinapic acid, quercetin, titratable acidity, citric acid, malic acid, fructose, higher antioxidant activities (DPPH, FRAP) and L^∗, lower pH, PPO activity and individual weight. Keitt mangoes showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher contents of β-carotene, ρ-hydroxybenzoic acid, sucrose, total sugar, total soluble solid, catechin, succinic acid and higher PPO activity. JinHwang mangoes exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher individual weight and PPO activity, but had lower content of total phenols, β-carotene and lower antioxidant activity. Principal component analysis (PCA) allowed the four mango cultivars to be differentiated clearly based on all these physico-chemical and antioxidant properties determined in the study.     

Composition and structure of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) germ proteins

This study was focused on the analysis of the chemical composition of defatted carob germ flour and the protein isolate. The amino acid composition and the nature of the subunits that compose carob germ proteins were also studied. Isolate was obtained by alkaline extraction followed by isoelectric precipitation of proteins. Results showed that an isolate of 96.5% of protein content was obtained. A high amount of amino acids like glutamic acid, aspartic acid and arginine was detected. Carob proteins were found to be composed by aggregates formed by a 131 and 70 kDa subunits linked by non-covalent bonds, and other peptides strongly bounded by disulfide interactions. Both, aggregates and subunits were formed mainly by 100 and 48 kDa monomers linked by disulfide bonds. A considerable content of high molecular mass peptides (HMWP) strongly bounded were also found. Proteins became partially denatured and thermally stabilized at acid pH (pH 2). These results could be useful in the study of different functional properties of carob germ proteins, and the application of these proteins as nutritional ingredients in formulated food.     

Chemical,physico-chemical and functional properties of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) bagasses powder co-product

The aim of this work was to determine the chemical, physico-chemical and functional properties of pomegranate juice extraction bagasses, which were obtained in two different ways: (i) direct extraction that involved arils and peel (WFB) and (ii) only from arils (AB). The proximate composition analysis showed higher protein, fat and ash content in AB samples (p < 0.05) than WFB. However total dietary fibre, insoluble dietary fibre and soluble dietary fibre content is higher in WFB samples (50.3, 30.4 and 19.9 g/100 g d.w. respectively) than AB samples (45.6, 29.0 and 16.6 g/100 g d.w.). AB showed a pH of 4.40 while WFB showed a pH of 4.5. AB and WFB exhibited a water holding capacity of 4.5 and 4.9 g water/g d.w. respectively while the oil holding capacity was 5.9 g oil/g d.w. for AB sample and 5.9 g oil/g d.w. for WFB. Pomegranate bagasses powder co-products may be considered a potential functional ingredient in food products.     

Total phenolics,antioxidant properties and quality of fresh-cut onions (Allium cepa L.) treated with mild-heat

This study investigated the effect of mild-heat on fresh-cut onion slices by treating in hot water (50, 60, 70 °C) for 1 min. Total phenolics (TP), antioxidant properties, colour, and weight loss of slices were evaluated during 4 °C storage at 7-day intervals (21 days total). The 60 °C heat treatment resulted in a significant increase in TP, from 44.92 to 52.32 mg GAE/100 g. Except for 50 and 70 °C treatments, TP in control and 60 °C treated fresh-cut onions decreased during storage. The antioxidant properties of fresh-cut onions were 1.31, 0.99, and 62.49 μM TE/g using ABTS, DPPH, and ORAC assays, respectively. The mild-heat treatments did not affect ABTS and DPPH antioxidant activities and the colour of fresh-cut onions. The storage time had mixed effect on the antioxidant properties (ABTS decreased; DPPH and ORAC remained fairly stable). The 50 °C samples exhibited the lowest weight loss during 21-day storage.     

Effect of temperature on dynamic and steady-state shear rheological properties of siriguela (Spondias purpurea L.) pulp

The present work has evaluated the dynamic and steady-state shear rheological properties of siriguela (Spondias purpurea) pulp as function of temperature (0-80 °C), as well as the applicability of the Cox-Merz rule. The product flow behavior could be well described by the Herschel-Bulkley’s model (R² > 0.98), whose parameters were modeled as function of temperature (R² > 0.91). The product has shown a weak gel behavior, with storage modulus higher than loss modulus in the evaluated frequency range. The storage and loss modules could be well described by a power function of the oscillatory frequency (R² > 0.93), whose parameters were modeled as function of temperature (R² > 0.97). Moreover, a power modified Cox-Merz rule could describe the rheological properties of S. purpurea pulp (R² > 0.96). The obtained data are potentially useful for future studies on food properties and process design.     

Functional properties of protein concentrates and isolates produced from cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) nut

Protein isolates and concentrates were obtained from defatted cashew nut powder by two methods: alkaline extraction-isoelectric precipitation (IP) and alkaline extraction-methanol precipitation (MP). The functional properties of cashew nut protein isolates, concentrates and powder were significantly different (p < 0.05). Cashew nut protein isolate (CNPI) had higher water and oil absorption capacities (2.20 ml/g and 4.42 ml/g, respectively), emulsifying stability index (447%), foam capacity and stability (45% and 55%, respectively), and least gelation capacity (13.5%) than cashew nut protein concentrate (CNPC), which was also higher than that of defatted cashew nut powder (DCNP). However, emulsifying activity index (12.45%) and bulk density (0.31) of CNPI were lower than that of CNPC, which were also lower than that of DCNP. The water solubility of CNPI (95%) and CNPC (95%) was not significantly different (p > 0.05) among the samples, but was significantly different (p < 0.05) from that of DCNP (75%). The CNPI, CNPC and DCNP showed decreasing solubility with decreasing pH, with the minimum solubility being observed at a pH range of 4.0–4.5, confirming the isoelectric point of cashew proteins. However, higher water solubility, emulsifying activity, and foaming property were observed at an alkaline pH than at an acidic pH in all samples.     

Structure and physicochemical properties of palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L.) seed-shoot starch grown in Sri Lanka

Starch from palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L.) seed-shoot flour was isolated and its composition, morphology, structure and physicochemical properties were determined. The yield of starch was 38.4% on a whole flour basis. The shape of the granule ranged from round to elliptical. Bound lipid, total lipid, apparent amylose, total amylose and resistant starch contents were 0.03%, 0.04%, 30.9%, 32.7% and 32.2%, respectively. The X-ray pattern was of the A-type and relative crystallinity was 34.1%. Palmyrah starch exhibited a high proportion (31.8%) of short amylopectin chains (DP 6–12) and a low proportion (1.2%) of long amylopectin chains (DP > 36). Gelatinization temperatures were 73.1–82.0 °C and enthalpy of gelatinization was 13.6 J/g. Pasting temperature, viscosity breakdown and set-back were 76.5 °C, 147 and 74 BU, respectively. Palmyrah starch exhibited high granular swelling, and restricted amylose leaching. Susceptibility towards in vitro α-amylolysis and retrogradation was low. The results showed that physicochemical properties of palmyrah starch were largely influenced by strong interactions between amylose–amylose and/or amylose–amylopectin chains within the granule interior.     

Fractionation and biochemical characterization of moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia L.) proteins

Moth bean seeds contained 24 g/100 g protein (micro-Kjeldahl N×6.25) on a dry weight basis. Among the solvents tested, 0.1 mol/l NaOH and 0.1 mol/l sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.5) were the most effective in solubilizing the seed flour proteins. Native isoelectric focusing of the total soluble proteins indicated moth seed proteins to be acidic (pI range 4.55-<6.55) with a few neutral to alkali proteins (pI range 7.35-9.3). Globulin fraction dominated the seed protein composition accounting for ∼64 g/100 g of the total soluble proteins in the seeds. The globulin fraction was composed of at least three major glycopeptides with an estimated molecular mass range of 45-55 kDa and several additional polypeptides in the 14-32 kDa range. Sulfur amino acids were the first limiting amino acids in the seed flour proteins. Native and heat denatured albumin and glutelin fractions were readily hydrolysed, in 30 min, by pepsin at 37 °C. Although resistant to proteolysis in the native state, heat denatured globulin (100 °C, 30 min, boiling water-bath) was completely digested to <14 kDa polypeptides by pepsin in 30 min at 37 °C. Moth bean was devoid of detectable phytohemagglutinating activity and had low trypsin inhibitory activity when compared with the corresponding activities in soybeans.     

Comparison of sprout quality characteristics of desi and kabuli type chickpea cultivars (Cicer arietinum L.)

Effect of germination time on comparative sprout quality characteristics (proximate composition, ascorbic acid, phytic acid, invitro protein digestibility, protein solubility and sensory properties) was investigated. Sprouting significantly increased (P<0.01) the moisture, crude protein, crude fat and ascorbic acid contents and decreased nitrogen free extract (NFE). Phytic acid was reduced (P<0.01) with sprouting, but more pronouncedly so in the case of Kabuli type (73% reduction) than in desi type (32% reduction). In-vitro protein digestibility (IVDP) and protein solubility improved significantly (P<0.01) with increase in sprouting time. The overall sensory scores increased with the first (24 h) sprouting interval and then decreased. However, the acceptability scores for both chickpea types remained within the acceptable range (>5.0). Although, organoleptically the desi type chickpea sprouts were preferred over Kabuli type, the nutritional improvement due to sprouting was more pronounced in Kabuli chickpeas than their desi counterparts. Due to overall superior sprout quality, the kabuli type was more suitable for sprouting purposes.     

Protective effect of extracts of Perilla frutescens treated with sucrose on tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced oxidative hepatotoxicity in vitro and in vivo

Perilla frutescens leaves are often used in East Asian gourmet food. In this study, we investigated the hepatoprotective effects of P. frutescens leaves grown in different concentrations of sucrose (0, 115, 175 and 235 mM sucrose) leading to four samples of perilla leaf extracts (PLEs). Based on caffeic acid level and antioxidant activities, further experiments were conducted using perilla leaf extracts treated with 6% sucrose compared with non-treated perilla leaf extracts as a control. Oral intubation with non-treated perilla leaf extracts or perilla leaf extracts treated with 6% sucrose (1000 mg/kg b.w. rat) for 5 days was conducted before treatment with a single dose of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (0.5 mmol/kg b.w., i.p.) led to a significant reduction of hepatic toxicity in the perilla leaf extracts treated with 6% sucrose. We demonstrated that P. frutescens with higher contents of caffeic acid was produced, and that sucrose could play a role in the induction of this secondary metabolite. Sucrose-treated perilla leaves, which had better antioxidant activities than untreated leaves, can be used as a potential dietary source.     

Comparison of properties of native and extruded amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L. - BRS Alegria) flour

The aim of this study was to compare some of the properties of native and extruded amaranth flour obtained under mild and severe extrusion conditions. The chemical composition of the flours was similar. Flours obtained by both extrusion processes presented high solubility in water, low values of L∗ (luminosity) and an absence of endothermic peak on the DSC method. Water absorption, retrogradation tendency, final viscosity and the viscous behavior by rheology analysis were also studied. The results indicate that extruded flours have a good potential as an ingredient for food exposed to heat treatment at a high temperature and mechanical shear, for use in instant meal products. On the other hand, original flour properties are comparable to those of amaranth starch, which exhibits similarly high quality paste stability, low solubility in water, and elastic behavior, and could be used as a substitute for raw flour in a range of food formulas.     

Fat and fatty acids of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) in comparison to sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

The study was undertaken to compare fat and fatty acid profiles in white lupin (Lupinus albus ssp. albus) and sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), representing two different families, Fabaceae and Pedaliaceae. Fat levels were 10.74% and 55.44% in seeds of white lupin and sesame, respectively. The results indicated that oleic, linolenic and arachidic acids in seed fat were higher in white lupin than in sesame cultivars. Oleic acid was the predominant fatty acid in white lupin, whereas linoleic acid was predominant in sesame. Fat content (%) was statistically significantly correlated with linoleic, linolenic and arachidic acids at the genotypic level. The fatty acid composition of white lupin is useful for human consumption. Although oil content of white lupin was lower than that of sesame, white sweet lupin could be improved.