The extraction of nitrogen from the west African locust-bean seed (Parkia filicoidea Welw.)

Techniques for maximising the extraction of nitrogen from the West African locustbean seed (Parkia filicoidea Welw.) have been investigated. Maximum extraction (93 %) of nitrogen was obtained using a meal:solvent ratio of 2% with 0.05M NaOH. However, from the economic viewpoint a meal:solvent ratio of 1% using 0.01M NaOH would be cheaper. This ratio extracted 82% of the seed nitrogen. Other solvents such as sodium chloride solution and calcium hydroxide were not as efficient.     

刺槐豆多糖硒酸酯的制备及表征

在HNO3-BaCl2催化作用下,利用亚硒酸钠合成刺槐豆硒酸酯,以硒含量为指标对合成工艺进行优选,利用紫外、红外及热重分析等方法对合成产物进行表征。结果表明,刺槐豆多糖硒酸酯最佳合成条件为硝酸浓度为0.3%,反应时间14h,反应温度60℃,此条件下用ICP-AES测出产物硒含量约为9.48mg/g,合成产物中硒以Se=O的形式存在,且与纯多糖比较,硒酸化多糖热稳定性稍有降低。     

Biochemical changes during the natural fermentation of the african oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla) for the production of Ugba

Changes in the activities of major enzymes and in the proportion of the principal chemical components during the nataral fermentation of ugba from African oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla Bentham) were studied. The activities of the enzymes were related to changes in chemical composition. α-Amylase, proteolytic and lipolytic enzyme activity remained detectable throughout the 72-h fermentation period, and reached a maximum at 24-36 h. The levels of amino nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, reducing sugar, titratable acidity and pH increased with time. A seven-fold increase in the amino nitrogen level occurred during the fermentation. The temperature of the fermentation and the moisture level reached maximum values at 24 h and 48 h of fermentation respectively. These results could provide useful indices for the improved evaluation of ugba fermentation.     

Viscosity of solutions of xanthan/locust bean gum mixtures

Xanthan and locust bean gums are polysaccharides able to produce aqueous solutions with high viscosity and non‐Newtonian behaviour. When these solutions are mixed a dramatic increase on viscosity is observed, much greater than the combined viscosity of the separated polysaccharide solutions. In this work the influences of different variables on the viscosity of solutions of mixtures of xanthan/locust bean gum have been studied. Total polysaccharide concentration, xanthan and locust bean ratio on mixture and temperature at which the gum was dissolved (dissolution temperature) for both xanthan and locust bean gums have been considered. Under these different operational mixture conditions shear rate and time have also been considered to describe the rheological behaviour of the solutions studied. The high viscosity increase observed in these mixtures is due to the interaction between xanthan gum and locust bean gum molecules. This interaction takes place between the side chains of xanthan and the backbone of the locust bean gum. Both xanthan molecule conformation in solution – tertiary structure – and locust bean gum structure show great influence on the final viscosity of the solution mixtures. Xanthan conformation changes with temperature, going from ordered structures to disordered or chaotic ones. Locust bean gum composition changes with dissolution temperature, showing a dissolved galactose/mannose ratio reduction when temperature increases, ie the smooth regions – zones without galactose radicals – are predominantly dissolved. The highest viscosity was obtained for the solution mixture with a total polysaccharide concentration of 1.5 kg m⁻³ and a xanthan/locust ratio of 2:4 (w/w) and when xanthan gum and locust bean gum were dissolved at 40°C and 80°C, respectively. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Genotyping of starter cultures of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus for fermentation of African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) to produce Soumbala

Bacillus spp. are the predominant microorganisms in fermented African locust bean called Soumbala in Burkina Faso. Ten strains selected as potential starter cultures were characterised by PCR amplification of the16S-23S rDNA intergenic transcribed spacer (ITS-PCR), restriction fragment length polymorphism of the ITS-PCR (ITS-PCR RFLP), pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and sequencing of the 968-1401 region of the 16S rDNA. In previous studies, the isolates were identified by phenotyping as Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus. The phenotyping was repeated as a reference in the present study.The ITS-PCR and ITS-PCR RLFP allowed a typing at species level. The PFGE was more discriminative and allowed a typing at strain level. Full agreement with the phenotyping was observed in all cases. The sequencing of the 16S rDNA allowed the identification at species level with an identity from 97% to 100% comparing the sequences to those from the GenBank databases. The desired cultures of B. subtilis and B. pumilus from African locust bean fermentation were distinguished by ITS-PCR and ITS-PCR RLFP from Bacillus cereus and Bacillus sphaericus which sometimes occur in the beginning of the fermentation.     

刺槐豆胶/瓜尔豆胶复合体系的流变学性质研究

研究刺槐豆胶(LBG)/瓜尔豆胶(GG)复合体系的流变学性质,并采用流变学的模型进行拟合分析。实验表明:BG/GG复合体系为非牛顿流体,流动曲线服从Carreau模型,随着LBG比例的增大,其粘度越小,非牛顿性越不明显,触变性越低。LBG与GG复配对粘度的影响可产生协同作用,LBG/GG=1∶9时,复合体系粘度最大。在频率扫描范围内,LBG/GG复合体系同时具有粘性和弹性,随不同的角频率处理展现不同的动态粘弹性行为,LBG/GG=1∶9时,复合体系的动弹粘弹性最大。      

Microbiological and chemical changes during the fermentation of African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) to produce afitin, iru and sonru, three traditional condiments produced in Benin

African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) was processed to produce afitin, iru and sonru, three different types of condiment from Benin. Whereas the fermentation of African locust bean to produce afitin is carried out for 24 h without using any additive, the fermentation for iru and sonru production takes place for 48 h with adding respectively "iku-iru" and "yanyanku" two traditional malvacene bean-based (Hibiscus sabdariffa) additives. The main microorganisms involved in the fermentation of the three condiments were Bacillus spp., although Staphylococcus spp. was found in lower number. The use of additive seems to enhance the initial Bacillus counts in iru and sonru, but also a slightly higher Staphylococcus count was observed. The number of staphylococci did not exceed 10(2) cfu/g and it was below the detection level at the end of the fermentation (24 h) in afitin; it reached a level of about 10(6) cfu/g at 12-18 h in iru and sonru followed by a decrease to about 5 x 10(4) cfu/g after 48 h of fermentation. The final pH and total basic volatile nitrogen content of iru and sonru are higher than those of afitin. Proximate composition changes are similar in both fermenting iru and sonru, but different in afitin, the latter showing a slight decrease of proteins of about 5% whereas for iru and sonru they increased to about 6%. Ash, crude fat and fibre contents also increased during the fermentation in the three products whereas total carbohydrates decreased significantly. Due to their long fermentation time, iru and sonru are very soft products as they are preferred by some consumers whereas afitin is preferred with cotyledons having less soft texture.     

Fermentation of locust bean (Parkia biglobosa): modulation in the anti-nutrient composition,bioactive profile,in vitro nutrient digestibility,functional and morphological characteristics

The present investigation was undertaken with an objective to assess the impact of fermentation temperatures (22, 30, 38 and 46 °C for 72 h) on physico-chemical, functional and structural characteristics of locust bean (Parkia biglobosa). Alkaline fermentation treatment caused drastic reduction in anti-nutritional factors including tannins (~65%), phytates (~60%) and saponins (~70%) owing to hydrothermal treatment and production of microbial enzymes during fermentation. Furthermore, phytochemical profile and associated antioxidant potential were enhanced due to the breakdown of cell-wall components and polyphenolic complexes, liberating phenolic acids and flavonoids available for extraction. With respect to bioactive properties and in vitro starch and protein digestibility, the most pronounced effect was observed after fermentation at 38 °C for 72 h. The trend was also supported by scanning electron micrographs, which revealed modulation in the macromolecular-structural arrangement. Significant and negative correlation coefficients between anti-nutritional factors and protein digestibility (r > −0.95, P < 0.05) confirmed the degradation of protein–polyphenol matrix. Exposure of hydrophobic regions due to fermentation resulted in altered functional properties including better oil absorption capacity, higher water solubility index, reduced water absorption potential, and lower emulsification and gelation properties. Principal component analysis was further employed to statistically validate the differences among variables and observations.     

Acid gelation of native and heat‐denatured soy proteins and locust bean gum

The effects of protein concentration and locust bean gum (LBG) addition on the mechanical properties, microstructure and water holding capacity of acidified soy protein (SPI) gels were studied. The protein was employed in two different states: (i) native and (ii) heat denatured. A slow acidification rate was induced in both systems by applying glucono‐δ‐lactone (GDL). The results indicated that the gels of native SPI were weaker, less deformable and showed lower water holding capacity than the gels of heat‐denatured SPI. The LBG addition led to an increase in the strength and water holding capacity of SPI gels, independent of the protein state (native or denatured). These results indicated that the properties of texture and water holding capacity of the SPI acid gels can be modulated by the process conditions or by the addition of other ingredients, such as polysaccharides.     

琼脂-刺槐豆胶协同作用及其凝胶骨架材料缓释性能

对由琼脂与刺槐豆胶组成的复合胶液进行了流变性能,旋光性能测试,对其形成的凝胶进行了力学性能与负载盐酸二甲双胍药物的缓释性能测试。测试结果表明:随着复合胶液温度的降低,琼脂分子与刺槐豆胶分子发生了相互作用;随着复合胶液中刺槐豆胶含量的增加,复合胶液的表观黏度明显增大,温度降低过程中表观黏度突增时温度点移向高温区;复合胶液的旋光度值在降温过程中明显增大;复合凝胶的硬度、耐咀性明显降低,内聚性增大,凝胶骨架结构网孔更加致密细小,药物突释现象减弱,药物缓释效果更加明显。其中样品25/75(琼/刺)效果最佳,5h达到最大溶胀率,溶胀过程吸水率可达22倍,其载药率为16.59%,载药样品的缓释过程符合一级动力学模型,T50时间为88min,整个缓释过程可持续5h以上。     

Preparation,digestibility, and glucose response in mice of rice coated with resistant starch type 4 using locust bean gum and agar

This study investigated the technical feasibility of coating type 4 resistant starch (RS4) onto rice with the edible polymers locust bean gum (LBG) and agar. The coating solutions were prepared using LBG, agar, and a mixture of LBG and agar at three concentrations (0.01%, 0.1% and 1%). The raw milled rice was soaked in the prepared coating solutions, rolled in RS4 powder and dried. Microscopic observation revealed that the RS4 coating on the rice surface with 0.1% and 1% LBG–agar mixture had a resistance to washing and cooking and covered the whole surface of the rice with good adherence. The thickness of the RS4 coating on the rice surface with 0.1% and 1% LBG–agar mixture was approximately 74 and 233 μm, respectively. Compared with uncoated rice and rice mixed with RS4, the RS4‐coated rice showed lower starch digestibility, a decreased glucose response and a slower rate of blood glucose decrease.     

Fermentation Changes the Nutritive Value,Polyphenol Distribution,and Antioxidant Properties of Parkia biglobosa Seeds (African Locust Beans)

This present study was carried out to investigate the effect of natural fermentation on the nutritive value (proximate composition), polyphenolic distribution, and antioxidant properties of African locust beans (Parkia biglobosai). African locust bean (ALB) seeds were boiled for 12 h, dehulled and subjected to natural solid substrate fermentation without any inoculation for 4 days. The proximate composition of the fermented and unfermented locust bean seeds was subsequently determined. Thereafter, the polyphenol distribution, reducing power, DPPH free-radical scavenging antioxidant activity, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation were determined for soluble free and bound polyphenol extracts. The results of the study revealed that fermentation caused a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the ALB protein content with 18.3% in unfermented and 36% in fermented. The fat content in unfermented was 13.2% versus 26.8% in fermented, while there was no significant changes (P > 0.05) in ash, crude fiber, or moisture content. However, there was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the carbohydrate content. The total phenolic content, reducing ability and free-radical scavenging ability were high in both the fermented and unfermented ALB. Fermentation caused a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the free phenolic content of the ALB and a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the bound phenolic content of ALB. The free-phenolic fraction from both fermented and unfermented ALB had high reducing power, free radical scavenging ability, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation using cow brain tissues. Free phenolic extract from the fermented ALB had a significantly higher (P < 0.05) antioxidant activity than that of unfermented ALB. Results suggest that fermentation will increase the nutritive values, free phenolic and antioxidant activity of the African locust bean, making it a potential functional food in addition to its traditional role of dietary protein source.     

On the functional properties of globulin and albumin protein fractions and flours of African locust bean (Parkia biglobossa)

Albumin (ALBa) and globulin (ALBg) fractions of African locust bean were isolated and the functional properties were compared with its defatted (ALBdf) and undefatted flours (ALBf). Albumin had minimum % solubility (56.7%) at pH5, while minimum solubility was observed at pH4 for globulin and the flours. In all the samples studied, maximum solubility was observed at pH 10. A pH-dependent gelation study revealed that all of the samples had the highest least gelation concentration at pH10 apart from ALBf which had 16% w/v LGC at pH 2. Initial increase in ionic strength of the medium, to 0.4 and 0.6 M, enhanced the gelation capacity of protein fractions and flours, respectively, while further increase in ionic strength reduced it. Oil absorption capacity was maximal in ALBa while ALBf had the least value of 1.05 ml/g. Initial increase in ionic strength, up to 0.4 M, increased the water absorption capacity (WAC) of albumin fractions while WACs of the globulin fraction and flours were reduced when the ionic strength of the media reached 0.4 M. Foam capacity increased as the concentration of protein solution increased but was reduced by 6% w/v in ALBf. Initial increase in ionic strength enhanced both foam capacity and stability. Maximum EA was observed at pH 10 in all samples apart from ALBf, which reached a peak EA value at pH 2. ES (emulsion stability) was maximal at pH 10 for ALBa and ALBg while the same values were observed for ALBdf and ALBf at pH 2 and 10. Increasing the ionic strength, to 0.4 M, enhanced the EA and ES of ALBa while further increase in ionic strength, to 0.7 M, improved EA of ALBf but reduced the ES. Both EA and ES of ALBf reached peak values in 0.2 M solutions but no fixed pattern was observed in the response of ALBdf to various ionic strengths of the solutions.     

酶菌腐乳品质的影响因素研究

进行了不同腌渍时间，不同菌种，不同培菌时间对腐乳品质的影响研究，研究结果表明，腌渍时间会影响腐乳的体态，菌种，培菌时间会影响腐乳的色、香、味、体、还原糖含量及氨基酸的含量，给生产优质腐乳提供了一些借鉴指标和新的思路。     

Modification and properties of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) Harms starch I: Heat moisture treatments and annealing

African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) starch was subjected to heat moisture treatments at 18% (HMT-18), 21% (HMT-21), 24% (HMT-24), 27% (HMT-27) and excess (Annealing) moisture levels. Proximate chemical composition of the starch samples revealed that the moisture content of the starches ranged between 6.7% and 12.5%. Following modification of the native starch, there was a reduction in the moisture level of the heat moisture treated starches from HMT-18 to HMT-27. However, the annealed starch (HMT-ANN) retained higher moisture content compared to native starch (AYB-Native). The carbohydrate, protein, ash, amylose and fat content reduced with all the forms of heat treatments. At the temperature range studied (60–90 °C), increasing level of heat moisture treatments reduced the solubility and swelling capacity. pH also exert a profound effect both on the solubility and the swelling of the starch. Increasing degree of alkalinity increased both solubility and swelling capacity. In the native and modified starch samples, replacement of the wheat flour by the starch resulted in increased alkaline water retention of the blends. Water absorption capacity of the starch increased with the severity of moisture treatments, while the oil absorption capacity decreased. Apart from HMT-18, there was improved gel forming capacity of all the other heat-modified starches.Pasting temperature increased after hydrothermal modifications, whereas peak viscosity (P_v), Hot Paste Viscosity (H_v), setback and breakdown values all reduced after heat moisture treatments. All the starches were of type-B viscosity.Differential scanning calorimetry studies revealed that heat moisture treatment shifted the onset temperature (T_o), peak temperature(T_p) and conclusion temperature (T_c) to higher values. The gelatinisation temperature of the annealed starch was comparable to native starch. In addition, gelatinisation band of the native starch increased progressively from HMT-18 to HMT-27. Heat moisture treatment reduced the gelatinsation enthalpy (ΔH), while the enthalpy of retrogradation(ΔH_r) increased with the storage time of the gelatinised starch. Retrogradation enthalpy of the heat moisture conditioned starches were lower than the value obtained for the native starch.X-ray diffraction studies of the starch indicated that all the starch samples showed the type-C diffraction pattern. Differences were however observed in their degree of crystallinity. Native starch exhibited the lowest crystallinity (20%) while annealed starch had the highest crystallinity (27%)Microscopy studies revealed surface indentation, formation of groves in the central region, folding of starch granules and formation of doughnut-like appearance in some of the starch samples.     

鼠李糖乳杆菌发酵豆渣、黄浆水产L乳酸初探

以豆渣和黄浆水逐步代替MRS肉汤培养基,利用豆渣和黄浆水的营养成分作为发酵培养基质,选用生长条件粗放、仅产L-乳酸的鼠李糖乳杆菌为发酵菌株。以活菌数、pH、L-乳酸含量为特征指标,确定豆渣与黄浆水的适宜比例,对豆渣、黄浆水生产L-乳酸工艺进行初步探讨。结果表明:鼠李糖乳杆菌完全适宜在豆渣与黄浆水培养基质环境中生长繁殖。豆渣与黄浆水比例（w/v）为1∶5,接种量为3%（v/v）,葡萄糖添加量为4%（w/v）,pH6.2,37℃,摇瓶培养24h,L-乳酸含量达到最大1.07%。      

Response of intestinal proteinase activities to the feeding of isolated winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) and soya bean (Glycine max) trypsin inhibitors in rats

The antinutritional activities of trypsin inhibitors (TIs) were compared between winged beans (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) and soya beans (Glycine max). The inhibitors of the two beans were isolated by trypsin‐bound Sepharose 4B, and 50 mg of lyophilised powders were intubated intragastrically into 24 h fasted rats. The activities of trypsin and chymotrypsin were compared after 30, 60 and 180 min in the washings of the upper, middle and lower parts of the small intestine. The elution profiles of TI and non‐TI compounds in the affinity chromatography were similar in the two beans, and the antitryptic activities were concentrated 5.5 and 6.2 times (based on specific activity) for winged beans and soya beans respectively. Regardless of the TI fed to rats, trypsin activity in the upper intestine was suppressed to almost undetectable levels at 30 and 60 min after intubation. The activities in the middle and lower intestines were also substantially lowered when rats were fed winged bean TI, and significant differences were detected at 30 and 60 min after intubation when compared with rats fed soya bean TI. However, at 180 min after feeding, no differences were found in the trypsin activity in any gut segments. Similar inhibitory properties of isolated TIs were observed in chymotrypsin activities in the small intestine. The results suggest that winged bean TI may have greater inhibitory activity on the intestinal proteinase compared with soya bean TI. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Efficacy of castor bean oil (Ricinus communis L.) against maize weevils (Sitophilus zeamais Mots.) in northwestern Ethiopia

The maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Mots. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), undermines food security. The biocidal activity of castor bean oil (Ricinus communis L.) against S. zeamais, was studied at various doses at Dembecha, northwestern Ethiopia in 2013/14 (November–April). In the castor bean oil efficacy test, weevil mortality steadily increased with castor bean oil dose. According to the results of the ANOVA, number of dead weevils significantly varied between castor bean oil doses 1 h after treatment (F_{10, 21} = 117.6, p < 0.0001). Just 53% of the weevils were killed in one hour by applying 2 ml of the oil while doses higher than 2 ml killed greater than 85% of the weevils. Using Probit analysis, the LD₅₀ of using castor bean oil against maize weevils was calculated to be 2.04 ml. Therefore, 2 ml of castor bean oil was found sufficient to destroy 50% of the weevils. Higher doses of castor bean oil significantly reduced maize seed germination.