Effects of cold extrusion process on thiamine and riboflavin contents of fortified corn extrudates

In this study, corn extrudates were produced from fortified corn flour by conventional and cold extrusion techniques at different barrel temperatures of 80, 110, 130 and 80 °C, respectively, and feed moisture contents. Thiamine and riboflavin contents of extrudates were determined by HPLC. Thiamine contents of the samples produced at feed moisture contents 20% and 25% decreased as temperature increased. There was no significant difference between riboflavin contents of conventional extrudates produced at both feed moistures at 80 and 110 °C barrel temperatures. However, riboflavin content of extrudates produced at 20% feed moisture was higher than the one produced at 25% feed moisture at 130 °C. In cold extrusion, there was no significant difference between riboflavin contents of samples. The samples produced by CO₂ injection had the lowest expansion index and uniform air cells. However, the samples produced by conventional extrusion had higher expansion index and size distributions of air cells were not uniform.     

Free aromatic amino acids in egg yolk show antioxidant properties

Laying hens are known to be able to “bio-convert” health-promoting components from the diet into eggs. Wheat and corn are important sources of antioxidant phenolics in the human diet. Given the fact that wheat and corn are major feed ingredients of laying hens in Canada, the objectives of this study were to characterise the presence of novel phenolic compounds in egg yolk and to determine the effect of cooking methods on their content and activity. The total phenolic content of yolk extracts was 3.83 and 3.49 μmol gallic acid equivalents/g dry yolk for wheat-based and corn-based yolks, respectively. Antioxidant properties of yolk extracts were measured by the ORAC, DPPH and ABTS assays. ORAC values were 151.1 ± 26.1 and 155.9 ± 9.5 μmol TE/g for wheat-based and corn-based yolks, respectively. All cooking methods significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the antioxidant values. Ferulic acid was detected in trace amounts and no other phenolic compounds were found. However, tryptophan and tyrosine were found to be two main contributors to the antioxidant property of egg yolk. The contents of total free amino acids were 10081.0 and 10009.5 μg/g in wheat-based and corn-based yolks, respectively; cooking methods were found to reduce significantly the amount of free amino acids.     

Degradation of aflatoxins by extrusion cooking: Effects on nutritional quality of extrudates

Extrusion of artificially contaminated food is reported to degrade aflatoxins to varying degrees depending on the extrusion conditions. This work sought to determine the (1) efficacy of extrusion cooking in destroying naturally contaminated peanuts and (2) nutritional quality of decontaminated peanut meal. Naturally contaminated peanut meal was extruded by varying the moisture (20, 28, 35 g/100 g), pH (7.5, 9.5) and extruder die diameter (2.5, 3, 3.5, 4.0 mm). Aflatoxins levels in the extrudates were determined using HPLC procedures, and the nutritional quality was assessed using in-vitro methods. The highest aflatoxin reduction in naturally contaminated peanut meal was 59% at feed moisture content of 35 g/100 g. Higher (91%) reduction was achieved in the artificially contaminated peanut meal at moisture of 20 g/100 g. In-vitro protein digestibility and Fluorodinitrobenzene (FDNB)-available lysine of the extrudates were not significantly different from non-extruded peanut meal. Extrusion conditions for aflatoxin reduction did not adversely affect protein nutritional quality.     

The effects of population densities and diet on Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) life parameters

The effects of population densities (10, 25, 50 and 100 adults/50 g) and three diet types (protein-rich, carbohydrates-rich and compound feed) on life parameters (first emergence, development rate, number of progeny and body weight) of T. castaneum progeny were assessed. For each diet type and population density unsexed adults were allowed to feed and oviposit for 7 days before removal.No progeny developed on protein-rich diets (sunflower meal, soybean concentrate, and corn gluten). In carbohydrates-rich diets (corn feed flour, wheat bran, coarse wheat) and compound feed for pigs and laying hens, first adults required the least time to emerge in wheat bran and control diet (wheat flour + 5% yeast) (15.2–16.5 days), and the longest in corn feed flour (23.1–24.5 days). In wheat bran and control diets, the adult emergence period was the shortest (15.7 and 15.2 days) at the initial population densities of 100 and 50 adults/50 g, and significantly longest (16.5 and 16 days) at the lowest density. Conversely, adults fed on feed for hens diet emerged the latest, after 22.5 days, at the population density of 100 adults/50 g, and the earliest, after 18.6 days, at 25 adults/50 g. The shortest period of adult emergence at all population densities was found in the control (15.9–20.2 days) and wheat bran (18–29.7 days), and the longest in feed for hens (56.2 days) and pigs (59.5 days) at the highest population density. Considering all densities, number of progeny were the highest in control diet (498-1226 adults) and wheat bran (354-1344 adults), and lowest in coarse wheat (220-300 adults). With increasing population density, progeny body weight decreased, and the highest weight was found in control diet and wheat bran (1.7 and 1.6 mg) at the lowest population density, and the lowest weight (1.0 mg) in hen and pig feeds at the highest density.     

Relative effect of particle size on the physical properties of corn meal extrudates: Effect of particle size on the extrusion of corn meal

Corn meal of various particle sizes ranging from 180 to 710 μm were processed in a twin-screw extruder to produce directly expanded extrudates. The extrusion process effects on the specific mechanical energy (SME), expansion indexes (radial, longitudinal and volumetric), pasting viscosity, water absorption index (WAI) texture properties, and microstructure were determined. Increasing the particle size decreased the SME input. Extrudates produced with corn meal of higher particle sizes expanded more than extrudates produced with smaller particle sizes. For all treatments there was no peak viscosity at 95 °C. But expanded corn meal extrudate from the 180 μm fraction showed a discontinuous gel matrix phase. Increasing corn meal particle size decreased WAI values. The mechanical resistance of the extrudates from the smallest particle size was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the largest particle size. The microstructure of raw corn meal revealed large fractured particles with small rounded particles adhering to the surface.     

Preparation of resistant starch from starch–guar gum extrudates and their properties

Mixtures of starch, guar gum and citric acid were extruded at a temperature of 150 °C and screw speed of 180 rpm. Properties of the extrudates such as bulk density, expansion ratio, apparent viscosity and resistant starch content were measured with different concentrations of guar gum. Extrusion with citric acid influenced the physical properties and resistant starch content of the extrudate. Expansion ratios were lower for samples extruded with citric acid, and decreased as starch–gum concentration increased. The apparent viscosity of the extrudate increased with increasing guar gum concentration; however, citric acid at 2.0% concentration was found to lower the viscosity of the extrudate. Resistant starch content increased from 6.23% for extruded starch only to 14.21% for starch–gum extrudate, and further enhanced to 16.19% with the addition of 2.0% citric acid to the starch–gum extrudate. Resistant starch increased with increase of gum concentration and decreased with increase of starch–gum concentration from 7.5% to 12.5%.     

Mechanical and microstructural properties of soy protein – high amylose corn starch extrudates in relation to physiochemical changes of starch during extrusion

Mechanical and microstructural properties of expanded extrudates prepared from blends of high amylose corn (Zeamays L. ssp. Mays) starch (HACS) and soy protein concentrate (SPC) were studied in relation to the physicochemical changes in starch. Effects of screw speed (230 and 330 rpm) and SPC level (10%, 20%, 30% and 50%) on expansion and mechanical properties were determined. Compared with 230 rpm, screw speed at 330 rpm resulted in increased specific mechanical energy, expansion ratio, water absorption and water solubility indices and decreased bulk density and piece density. Varying screw speeds did not significantly affect the mechanical strength of extrudates or starch molecular weight distribution. Bulk and piece densities, and water absorption index (WAI) only slightly increased or exhibited no significant trends as SPC level increased to 20%. A substantial increase in bulk and piece densities and decrease in expansion ratio and WAI were observed as SPC level increased from 20% to 30%. The trends were either reversed or moderated as SPC increased to 50%. These results in combination with average crushing force and water solubility index data provided a significant insight into the interactions between HACS and SPC during extrusion processing. As compared to an earlier baseline study by our research group on normal corn starch – SPC extrudates, results from the current study indicated that the expansion of extrudate containing HACS alone was lower than that of extrudates containing normal corn starch. However, expansion of the HACS–SPC blends was not significantly impacted at 10–20% SPC levels, whereas the expansion of normal corn starch was significantly reduced.     

Effects of glucose and acid-hydrolysed vegetable protein on the volatile components of extruded wheat starch

The volatile components produced in wheat starch, and wheat starch combined with 1% glucose, 1% acid-hydrolysed vegetable protein (aHVP) or 1% glucose and 1% aHVP, extruded under different processing conditions (temperatures of 150 or 180 °C and moisture content of 16% or 20%) were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Gas chromatography olfactometry (GCO) was used to assess the odour intensity of volatile components present in the starch and starch/glucose/aHVP extrudates obtained at 180 °C. In total, 70 compounds were identified in the eight extrudates. The smallest number (24) was found in the extrudate of the starch/glucose mixture and the largest number (67) in the extrudate of the starch/glucose/aHVP mixture, both processed at 180 °C. Lipid degradation products, such as alkanals, 2-alkanones, 2-alkenals and 2,4-alkadienals, were present in all extrudates in significant quantities. However, in those extrudates containing aHVP, Strecker aldehydes were quantitatively the dominant components. Maillard reaction products, such as pyrroles and pyrazines, were only found in extrudates containing both glucose and aHVP whereas sulphur-containing aliphatic compounds were found in all extrudates containing aHVP. The production of the Maillard reaction products and sulphur-containing compounds were favoured by extrusion at 180 °C. Sensory analyses showed that each of the eight extrudates had different odours, and that the extrudates containing both glucose and aHVP possessed the highest overall odour intensity.     

Effects of soy protein isolate,acid-hydrolysed vegetable protein and glucose on the volatile components of extruded wheat starch

The volatile components produced in wheat starch containing 1% soy protein isolate (SPI), and wheat starch/1% SPI combined with 1% glucose, 1% acid-hydrolysed vegetable protein (aHVP), or 1% glucose and 1% aHVP, extruded under different processing conditions (temperatures of 150 or 180 °C and moisture content of 16% or 20%), were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Gas chromatography olfactometry (GCO) was used to assess the odour intensity of volatile components present in the starch/glucose/SPI and starch/glucose/SPI/aHVP extrudates obtained at 180 °C. In total, 94 compounds were identified in the eight extrudates. The smallest number (31) was found in the extrudate of the starch/glucose/SPI feedstock processed at 150 °C and the largest (64) in the extrudate of the starch/SPI feedstock processed at 180 °C. Lipid degradation products, such as alkanals, 2-alkanones, 2-alkenals and 2,4-alkadienals, were present in all extrudates in significant quantities. Strecker aldehydes were also present in all extrudates; however, in those extrudates containing aHVP, these compounds were quantitatively the dominant components. Maillard reaction products, such as pyrroles, pyrazines and oxazoles, were mainly found in extrudates containing aHVP whereas sulphur-containing aliphatic compounds were found in all extrudates. The production of the Maillard reaction products and sulphur-containing compounds was favoured by extrusion at 180 °C. Sensory analyses showed that each of the eight extrudates had different odours, and that the extrudates containing both glucose and aHVP possessed the highest overall odour intensity. In addition, SPI was found to have a modifying effect on the volatile content and odour of extrudates also containing glucose and aHVP.     

Functional properties of corn and corn–lentil extrudates

Functional properties of corn and corn–lentil extrudates were investigated as a result of extrusion conditions, including feed rate (2.5–6.8 kg/h), feed moisture (13–19% wet basis) and extrusion temperature (170–230 °C). Lentil was used in mixtures with corn flour at a ratio of 10–50% (legume/corn). The water absorption index of extrudates increased with extrusion temperature and feed moisture content and decreased with feed rate and lentil/corn ratio. The water solubility index of extrudates increased with temperature, but decreased with feed moisture content and feed rate. The oil absorption index of extrudates increased with extrusion temperature and decreased with feed rate, feed moisture content and lentil/corn ratio. Generally, the use of lentil flour led to products with lower values for functional properties. Principal component analysis of functional properties discriminated samples with appropriate functionality based on industrial use.     

Starch source evaluation in calf starter: I. Feed consumption, body weight gain, structural growth, and blood metabolites in Holstein calves

Holstein calves were fed pelleted iso-starch (25% of starter dry matter) diets containing barley (n = 16), corn (n = 16), oat (n = 16), and wheat (n = 16) starch for 12 wk of age. Feed consumption, nutrient intake, body weight (BW) gain, skeletal growth, and selected blood metabolites in calves during preweaning (d 1 to 49) and postweaning (d 50 to 84) periods were measured. Average daily starter consumption during pre-weaning and postweaning periods was the greatest in calves fed corn died followed by those fed a wheat diet and then in those fed barley and oat diets. During the preweaning period, the calves provided corn and wheat diets consumed greater amount of mixed grass hay than those fed barley and oat diets. During the postweaning period, mixed grass hay intake was the greatest in calves provided corn diet followed by those fed a wheat diet and then in those fed barley and oat diets. Nutrients (dry matter, crude protein, starch, and neutral detergent fiber) intake followed the solid feed consumption pattern in calves. Body weight and body measurements (body length, body barrel, heart girth, wither height, and hip height) at birth and at weaning (d 49) in calves fed different starch sources were similar. Body weight and body measurements at postweaning (d 84) were the greatest in calves fed a corn diet followed by those fed a wheat diet and then in those fed barley and oat diets. Overall average BW gain and total dry matter intake were the greatest in calves fed a corn diet than in those fed wheat, barley, and oat diets. Feed efficiency was greater in calves fed corn and wheat diets than in those fed barley and oat diets. Blood glucose, blood urea N, triglycerides, cholesterol, and creatinine were reduced with the advancing age of calves. Lesser blood glucose and greater blood urea N concentrations at wk 8, 10, and 12 of age were noticed in calves fed corn diet than in those fed barley, oat, and wheat diets. Occurrence of diarrhea was more frequent in calves fed oat diet than in those provided barley, corn, and wheat diets. Starch sources did not influence respiratory score, rectal temperature, and general appearance score. In conclusion, the calves on corn diet consumed more solid feed and gained greater BW than those fed barley, oat, and wheat diets.     

Effect of flaxseed meal on the dynamic mechanical properties of starch-based films

Starch (S)–flaxseed meal (FM) biofilms were prepared from potato and maize starch by incorporating FM up to 15% (dry solid basis) and using glycerol as plasticizer. The dynamic mechanical properties, tensile properties and water vapor permeability (WVP) of these films were measured. The storage modulus of both the starch (control) and starch–FM films decreased as temperature increased. Tan δ increased initially in all the films with increase in temperature until a peak value was reached which allowed the determination of glass transition temperature (T_g). Both tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the starch–FM films increased with increase in the FM content. The WVP of the potato starch–FM films first increased to 2.261 (×10⁵ g m⁻² h⁻¹ Pa⁻¹) when FM content increased to 5% and decreased down to 1.832 (×10⁵ g m⁻² h⁻¹ Pa⁻¹) with further increase in the FM content to 15%. While the WVP values of the cornstarch and corn starch–FM films were not significantly (p > 0.05) different. The incorporation of FM increased the tensile strength, decreased the % elongation at break and increased the T_g.     

Physical properties of extruded corn grits with corn fibre by CO2 injection extrusion

Corn grits and corn fibre mixed at different ratios (0/100, 15/85 and 30/70) were extruded at different melt temperature (90, 105 and 120 °C) using extrusion with and without CO₂ injection. Increasing melt temperature also significantly improved physical properties of extrudates in both non-CO₂ and CO₂ injection (200 mL/min) extrusion process. The injection of CO₂ in the extrusion process showed similar effect on physical properties of extrudates at the lower melt temperature (90 and 105 °C), whereas it exhibited opposite trend at higher melt temperature (120 °C). At the lower melt temperature, the surface of extrudates with the CO₂ injection was smoother and lower fracturability, and the cross sectional microstructure was more uniform. The addition of corn fibre decreased the expansion index, bulk density and breaking strength on the same extrusion condition. In addition, non-uniform and more broken cross-sectional microstructure was observed by the addition of corn fibre.     

Effects of the provision of solid feeds enriched with protein or nonprotein nitrogen on veal calf growth,welfare, and slaughter performance

The study compared the effects of enriching a basic solid feed mixture made of corn grain and straw with a protein source (extruded pea) or with urea on growth, health, behavior, and carcass quality of veal calves. Seventy-nine calves, divided according to their initial body weight (59.8 ± 6.9 kg) into 3 groups (5 pens of 5 or 6 animals per group), were allotted to 1 of 3 experimental feeding treatments: milk replacer plus an 85:15 (as-fed basis) mixture of corn grain and wheat straw (CGS); milk replacer plus a 72:15:13 mixture of corn grain, wheat straw, and extruded pea (CGS-EP); or milk replacer plus an 83.3:16:0.7 mixture of corn grain, wheat straw, and urea (CGS-U). All feeding treatments were targeted to provide 140 kg of dry matter (DM)/calf of solid feed during the 201-d fattening cycle, and the greater crude protein content of the mixtures supplemented with protein or urea was balanced by restricting to 96% the daily amount of milk replacer delivered to CGS. Results did not differ among feeding treatments for average daily gain or solid feed intake but, net of meal refusal events, the average daily intake of milk replacer was 1.73, 1.66, and 1.60 kg of DM/calf for CGS, CGS-EP, and CGS-U, respectively. The overall mean hemoglobin values from samples taken at d 11, 40, 83, 126, and 196 were lower for CGS-U calves (9.1 ± 0.2 g/dL) compared with CGS (9.8 ± 0.2 g/dL), whereas those of CGS-EP were intermediate (9.4 ± 0.2 g/dL). Behavioral observations showed a frequency of oral stereotypes <1.2% for all feeding treatments. Longer eating and chewing or ruminating time was recorded for CGS-U calves compared with CGS and CGS-EP calves. All carcasses had satisfactory color for the veal market and none of the carcass traits were affected by the feeding treatments. The proportions of tongues and lungs with signs of lesions, forestomach development, abomasal lesions, and rumen plaques did not differ among feeding treatments. Hyperkeratinization of rumen papillae was observed only in CGS-U calves with a prevalence of 11.3%. Based on these findings, providing a corn grain and straw solid feed mixture enriched with extruded pea or urea was an effective strategy to reduce milk replacer consumption, lowering total feeding cost per calf by 3.0 to 3.4% and 6.9 to 7.2%, respectively. This economic advantage was supported by the lack of detrimental effects on calf growth performance, behavior, and carcass quality. However, the occurrence of rumen papillae hyperkeratosis may raise some concerns about the use of urea.     

Meat quality,proximate composition and muscle fatty acid profile of young llamas (Lama glama) supplemented with hay or concentrate during the dry season

Thirty llamas were used to study the effect of a 90 day feed supplementation on meat quality, chemical composition and muscle fatty acid profile. Treatments were: GR = llama on native pasture until slaughter; GR + SH = like GR, but with overnight free access to barley/alfalfa hay; and GR + SC = like GR, but with overnight free access to a wheat bran/sorghum grain concentrate. The supplementation had no effect on postmortem pH and temperature decline in the Longissimus lumborum muscle (LLM), cooking losses nor Warner–Bratzler shear force values (P > 0.05). Meat from GR + SC llama had higher fat content in LLM (P < 0.05) compared to GR and GR + SH llama. Intramuscular fat from GR + SH llama showed higher (P < 0.01) proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids, higher (P < 0.05) polyunsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids and desirable fatty acids ratio, lower (P < 0.05) omega-6/omega-3 (n − 6/n − 3) ratio, and higher (P < 0.01) conjugated linoleic acid.     

Effect of extrusion conditions on physical and chemical properties of high protein glutinous rice-based snack

Two glutinous rice-based snack formulations were designed using a linear-programming model to minimize total cost to meet the FAO/WHO/UNU. (1985). Energy and protein requirements. Report of a joint FAO/WHO/UNU expert consultation. Technical report series 724. Geneva: WHO requirements for lysine and sulphur amino acids. Effects of protein concentration, feed moisture content and barrel temperature on the chemical and physical properties of the extruded product were investigated. Response surfaces for the parameters were generated using a second-degree polynomial. The high protein nutritious snack was obtained using glutinous rice flour, vital wheat gluten and toasted soy grits. A factorial design was employed to investigate the influence of feed protein content (20 and 30 g/100 g wb), feed moisture (20, 25, and 30 g/100 g wb) and barrel temperature (150 and 180 °C) on the physical and chemical properties of extrudates. Results showed that increasing feed moisture and reducing barrel temperature reduced non-protein nitrogen (NPN) and enhanced lysine retention. The protein and moisture content of raw material and barrel temperature had no significant influence on cysteine and methionine content. The conditions providing high expansion, low bulk density, and low shear strength of extruded snack were feed moisture of 20 g/100 g wb and 180 °C.     

Effects of Brewer's Spent Grain on the Quality and Dietary Fibre Content of Cookies

Dried and ground brewer's spent grain (BSG) was blended with soft wheat flour at levels of 5–25%. BSG preparations of fine (<212 μm), medium (212–425 μm) and coarse (425–850 μM) particle sizes were used in the production of wire‐cut cookies. The protein content decreased and the dietary fibre content (acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre and total dietary fibre) increased, as the particle size of the BSG samples increased. The results indicated that BSG preparations with high dietary fibre content have potential as a source of dietary fibre. The effects of BSG on the quality and dietary fibre content of cookies have been investigated. Total dietary fibre (TDF) contents of the cookies supplemented with different particle size BSG increased significantly (p<0.05) as the addition level increased. Cookies prepared with BSG of medium and coarse particle sizes resulted in better properties in terms of Spread Ratio, Hunter color values and overall sensory score as compared to those made with BSG of fine particle size. Cookies made with medium and coarse particle size BSG gave better cookie properties up to the 15% addition and deteriorated significantly above this level (p<0.05).     

Rheological and textural studies of fresh and freeze-thawed native sago starch–sugar gels. II. Comparisons with other starch sources and reheating effects

The viscoelastic and textural properties of freshly prepared and freeze-thawed sago starch–sugar gels were studied in comparison with other native starches from corn, wheat, tapioca, and potato. The gelatinisation and retrogradation properties of starches were studied using a DSC while the pasting properties of starch–sugar mixtures during the cooking period were studied using a starch pasting cell. The freeze-thaw stability of gels was evaluated by gravimetric measurements of the water of syneresis. The different starches gave properties which varied following to their botanical sources. High-amylose cereal starches (wheat and corn) produced harder gels, while low-amylose root starch (tapioca) produced softer gels. Sago and potato gels showed close similarities in their viscoelastic and textural characteristics. Although the freeze-thaw cycle greatly increased the viscoelasticity and hardness of these two gels, reheating at high temperature significantly reduced these negative effects and resulted in partial recovery of the gel structures. Sago starch produced gels with very low syneresis and high cohesiveness, implying its potential use as a gelling agent in the frozen food industries.