Structure,composition and functional properties of storage proteins extracted from bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) landraces

Bambara groundnut is a protein‐rich traditional legume. In this study, storage proteins were isolated from three bambara landraces. Bambara protein revealed four major protein bands: one broad band at 55 kDa, two medium bands at 62 kDa and 80 kDa and a high molecular weight (HMW) protein at 141 kDa. The vicilin (7S) subunits with molecular weight of 55 kDa and 62 kDa were major fractions in bambara storage proteins. Bambara proteins showed two endothermic peaks ranging from 64 to 69 °C and 76 to 90 °C, respectively. Bambara protein isolates had well‐defined tertiary and secondary structures, respectively, at pH 3.0, and this well‐defined structure decreased slightly at higher pH values. The isolates revealed a strong secondary structure dominated by α‐helical conformation. Foaming capacities of bambara proteins were dependent on pH with maximum percentage FC observed at pH 3.0, while the emulsion activity increased with increasing pH for all the isolates. Vicilin (7S) fraction seems to be the major storage protein fraction of bambara. Bambara proteins could serve as excellent ingredients for the formulation of food foams and emulsions.     

Amylose content,molecular structure,physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility of starches from different mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) cultivars

Physicochemical and in vitro digestibility characteristics of starches isolated from six cultivars of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) were studied. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between the cultivars with respect to amylose content (29.9–33.6%), relative crystallinity (29.0 to 31.7%), particle diameter (16.2–17.1 µm) and molecular weight of amylopectin (260–289 × 10⁶ g/mol). The scanning electron micrographs revealed the presence of large oval to small round shape granules with average particle diameter of 16.2–17.1 µm. The X‐ray diffraction pattern was of the C‐type. The enthalpies of gelatinization and retrogradation were 8.9–10.3 and 4.6–6.3 J/g, respectively. The amounts of slowly digesting and resistant starch of mung bean followed the order: PBM‐1 > SML‐32 > ML‐613 > SML‐134 > ML‐267 > ML‐5 and ML‐5 > ML‐267 > SML‐134 > ML‐613 > SML‐32 > PBM‐1, respectively. The six starches exhibited significant (p < 0.05) differences in their pasting parameters. Correlation analysis showed that amylose content, granule diameter and relative crystallinity values were important in determining thermal, pasting and in vitro digestibility of starches.     

Studies on bambara groundnut flour performance in Okpa preparation

Bambara groundnut flours of different particle sizes were prepared after bean seeds had been cold‐soaked and/or germinated, dried, milled and sieved. The flours were used to prepare okpa (local dish prepared by steaming mashed bambara groundnut) and their sensory properties determined. Viscosity of the flour pastes, before steaming, were also determined. Results showed that bambara groundnut flours from both germinated and cold‐soaked beans could be used in preparing good quality okpa and, therefore, remove all the problems involved in preparing the raw beans for okpa‐making as is done traditionally. Particle size appeared to play a major role in obtaining good okpa; therefore flours intended for okpa preparation should be such that 66, 86 and 96%, respectively, of cold‐soaked bean flour or 58, 78 and 91%, respectively, of germinated bean flour, after 1, 3 and 5 milling passes, should be in the particle range 1.5–4.5 × 10^?4 m. Slightly higher amounts of the coarse (6.0 × 10^?4 m) particles are needed in the germinated bean flours to compensate for the breakdown of starch and proteins, the gelling agents in bambara groundnut. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of extraction methods on functional properties of protein concentrates prepared from South African bambara groundnut landraces

Functional properties of protein concentrates prepared from three bambara groundnut landraces using acid precipitation and salt solubilisation methods were evaluated. The protein content of bambara grains (26–27%) was similar for the three landraces. The acid precipitation gave a much higher yield of protein concentrates (52%), which were also high in protein (79%) compared to the salt solubilisation method (yield: 25%, protein content: 57%). Functional properties of proteins were more influenced by the methods of preparation rather than the landraces. Protein concentrate prepared by salt solubilisation method showed higher emulsifying (63–66%), foaming (53–57%), water (1.4–2.0 mg mL^?1) and oil absorption properties (2.2–2.6 mg mL^?1) than the acid‐precipitated concentrates (53–57%, 63–66%, 2.0–2.7 mg mL^?1, 1.4–1.7 mg mL^?1). The foaming capacity and stability of all the protein concentrates decreased with increasing pH from 3 to 8. Salt solubilisation may be the most appropriate method for the enhanced functionality and utilisation of bambara groundnuts’ protein concentrates.     

In vitro digestibility,pasting, and structural properties of starches from different cereals

Starches isolated from seven different cereals were evaluated for their composition, physicochemical, in vitro digestibility, structural, morphological, and pasting properties. The in vitro starch digestion rate and estimated glycemic index (GI) of cereal starches were evaluated along with the impact of cooking on starch digestion. The cooking of starch slurries increased the rapidly digestible starch content from a range of 34.7–54.4% to a range of 60.5–78.5%. On the basis of hydrolysis index, the GI ranged from 83.6 to 91.8 and after cooking it increased from 95.1 to 98.6 for different cereal starches. Both the swelling power and solubility showed an increasing trend with rising temperature. Paste clarity of starches negatively correlated with fat content. The amylose content of various starches ranged from 17.7 to 24.7% and was negatively correlated to crystalline index (r = -0.975, p ≤ 0.05). XRD pattern revealed A-type pattern of crystalline starch, where crystallinity index ranging between 28.2 to 44.9%. FTIR revealed slight differences among chemical bonding of starches from different cereals. From scanning electron micrograph observations, wheat and barley starch granules proved smoother as compared to other cereal granules. Barley contained the highest (27.5 µm) and rice had the lowest (10.2 µm) size starch granules. The pasting properties were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) different for different cereal starches. Peak, breakdown, and final viscosities were the highest for maize starch (1725, 384, and 2112 mPa.s, respectively), whereas rice and oats exhibited the highest trough and setback viscosities (1420 and 954 mPa.s, respectively).     

Physical,nutritional and antioxidant properties of Zimbabwean bambara groundnut and effects of processing methods on their chemical properties

This study examined the physical, nutritional and antioxidant properties of popular Zimbabwean bambara groundnut landraces and the effects of different processing methods on their chemical properties. The physical, nutritional and antioxidant properties of grains of the bambara landraces differed significantly with grain type, and the processing methods investigated had varying effects on the chemical properties of the grains. Bambara had significantly lower protein content than the reference common bean. Protein and carbohydrate content of the grains increased upon dehulling, while tannin (approx. 36%), total phenolic content (approx. 83%) and antioxidant activities (approx. 18%) decreased. Roasting alone seemed to have little or no effect on the nutrient content of the grains, while sifting significantly reduced the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of all the dehulled and roasted samples. The results indicate that roasting bambara grains would be a suitable method as it is relatively more conservative of nutrients and antioxidants than the other methods investigated.     

Characteristics of native and enzymatically hydrolyzed common wheat (Triticum aestivum) and dicoccum wheat (Triticum dicoccum) starches

The compositional, structural, and enzymatic digestibility of starches isolated from common wheat and dicoccum wheat were determined to find out the possible reason for hypoglycemic nature of dicoccum wheat. The gelatinization temperature range (65±3 °C) as well as the elution profile of both the starches on Sepharose CL-2B gel were comparable, but the peak (PV, 233 RVU) and set back viscosity (SB, 140 RVU) of dicoccum wheat starch were higher than common wheat starch (PV, 211 RVU; SB, 113 RVU) as recorded in rapid visco-analyser (RVA). The degree of crystallinity (DOC: 29%) and the thermal energy (TE: 142.35 J) of dicoccum wheat starch were considerably higher than the DOC (23%) and TE (67.82 J) of the common wheat starch. The starches were digested with alpha-amylase (human salivary), beta-amylase (barley malt), pullulanase (Klebsiella pneumoniae), and amyloglucosidase (Aspergillus niger), and the solubilized fraction was separated from the undigested fraction (residue) by centrifugation. Characterization of the sugars in the solubilized fraction from alpha-amylase were glucose, maltose, and oligosaccharides of 3–7 DP, maltose from beta-amylase, maltotriose from pullulanase and glucose from amyloglucosidase. However, the molecular weight (M _w) of the residues from the enzymatic digestion of dicoccum wheat starch was slightly higher than that of the common wheat starch. The microscopic examination of residues also exhibited a few bigger chunks in case of dicoccum wheat starch and a large number of smaller sized pieces in the case of common wheat starch. Since, starch is the major component of wheat, these parameters may help to explain subtle differences in the digestibility that exist between common wheat and dicoccum wheat.     

Physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility of flours and starches from taro cultivated in different regions of Thailand

This research aimed to study physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility of flours and starches from taro cultivated in different regions of Thailand, that is, Kanchanaburi (KB), Chiang Mai (CM), Phetchaburi (PB) and Saraburi (SB). Taro starches were extracted from taro flours using either water or alkaline extraction. The taro flours had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) larger particle size, higher pasting and gelatinisation temperatures, and resistant starch content but lower total starch content, whiteness (L* value), paste viscosities and clarity than their corresponding extracted starches. All the taro starches exhibited polygonal and irregular granules and gave A-type X-ray diffraction pattern. The alkaline-extracted taro starches had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher extraction yield, total starch content, L* value, pasting and gelatinisation temperatures, and paste clarity but lower granular size, amylose content, resistant starch content, paste viscosities and relative crystallinity than their water-extracted counterparts.     

Pasting properties of Angelica dahurica starches in the presence of NaCl,Na2CO3, NaOH,glucose, fructose and sucrose

The pasting viscosities of starches from Angelica dahurica (three cultivars named Chuan Baizhi, Yu Baizhi and Qi Baizhi in Chinese, respectively), in the presence of NaCl, Na₂CO₃, NaOH, glucose, fructose and sucrose were determined with a rapid visco analyser. The pasting peak, trough or final viscosities and the pasting temperatures (Pt) of Baizhi starches increased with NaCl concentration increased from 0 to 3.0%. The peak viscosities of Baizhi starches increased at 0.2% Na₂CO₃ concentration and then decreased with Na₂CO₃ concentration up to 0.8%. The trough and final viscosities and the Pt decreased with Na₂CO₃ concentration up to 0.8%. The peak viscosities increased in 0.1%, but decreased in 0.2% NaOH concentration. The trough and final viscosities and the Pt decreased in the presence of NaOH. With the concentration of sugar (glucose, fructose and sucrose) increased from 0 to 20%, the pasting peak, trough and final viscosities of these starches increased significantly. For the same Baizhi starch, the elevation of peak viscosity was the most significant when fructose was added, and the elevation of final viscosity was the greatest when sucrose was added.     

Effects of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) variety and processing on the quality and consumer appeal for its products

Five landraces of bambara groundnut ( Vigna subterranea ) from northern Ghana were assessed for their physical characteristics, chemical composition and the effects of variety and processing on quality and consumer appeal for use in food products. The cultivars had distinct colour differences ranging from cream through brown, maroon to black, with variations in the seed sizes and seed coat thicknesses. Significant ( P  <   0.05) differences were observed in some of the chemical components of the different varieties of bambara. Protein and fat contents ranged from 19.3% to 27.1% and 4.8% to 7.0%, respectively, while ash content was not significantly ( P  >   0.05) different among the cultivars. Tannin content ranged between 4.5 mg CE g⁻¹ sample for the cream-coloured and 14.9 mg CE g⁻¹ sample for the black variety. Dehulling increased the protein content, reduced tannin content by up to 92% and improved the colour of bambara products, while heat treatment enhanced their taste, aroma and overall acceptability.     

Some properties of corn starches II: Physicochemical,gelatinization, retrogradation,pasting and gel textural properties

The physicochemical, thermal, pasting and gel textural properties of corn starches from different corn varieties (African Tall, Ageti, Early Composite, Girja, Navjot, Parbhat, Partap, Pb Sathi and Vijay) were studied. Amylose content and swelling power of corn starches ranged from 16.9% to 21.3% and 13.7 to 20.7 g/g, respectively. The enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH_gel) and percentage of retrogradation (%R) for various corn starches ranged from 11.2 to 12.7 J/g and 37.6% to 56.5%, respectively. The range for peak viscosity among different varieties was between 804 and 1252 cP. The hardness of starch gels ranged from 21.5 to 32.3 g. African Tall and Early Composite showed higher swelling power, peak, trough, breakdown, final and setback viscosity, and lower ΔH_gel and range of gelatinization. Pearson correlations among various properties of starches were observed. Gelatinization onset temperature (T_o) was negatively correlated to peak-, breakdown-, final- and setback viscosity (r = −0.809, −0.774, −0.721 and −0.686, respectively, p < 0.01) and positively correlated to pasting temperature (r = 0.657, p < 0.01). ΔH_gel was observed to be positively correlated with T_o, peak gelatinization temperature and (T_p) and gelatinization conclusion temperature T_c (r = 0.900, 0.902 and 0.828, respectively, p < 0.01) whereas, it was negatively correlated to peak- and breakdown- (r = −0.743 and −0.733, respectively, p < 0.01), final- and setback viscosity (r = −0.623 and −0.611, respectively, p < 0.05). Amylose was positively correlated to hardness (r = 0.511, p < 0.05) and gumminess (r = 0.792, p < 0.01) of starch gels.     

Physical,proximate, functional and pasting properties of four non‐ and γ‐irradiated bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean) cultivars

Effect of γ‐irradiation (2–30 kGy) on physical, proximate, functional and pasting properties of four bambara groundnut cultivars was investigated. Packed (0.74–0.75 g mL^?1) and loose (0.71–0.76 g mL^?1) density varied significantly among cultivars. Generally, CIE L and hue angle decreased, while CIE a, b, deltachroma and colour intensity increased with increased dose. Protein (21.23–23.77 g/100 g), fat (6.38–7.69 g/100 g), crude fibre (1.28–3.54 g/100 g), ash (1.50–4.50 g/100 g) and moisture (10.67–12.92 g/100 g) of non‐ and γ‐irradiated bambara varied with cultivars and dose. Loose (0.41–0.49 g mL^?1) and packed (0.54–0.74 g mL^?1) densities, water absorption (1.62–2.38 g/g) and swelling (10.50–18.00 g/g) increased marginally, while oil absorption (1.93–2.82 g/g), alkaline water retention (0.66–1.23 g/g), emulsion capacity (40.31–58.23%) and stability (31.67–46.49%) decreased with increased dose. Foam capacity (6.85–22.37%) and stability (1.80–22.37%) of γ‐irradiated flours were higher than their nonirradiated (2.03–18.26%) counterparts. Nonirradiated flours showed significantly higher viscosities than their γ‐irradiated counterparts. Flours showed slightly shear‐thinning behaviours.     

Triple bag hermetic technology for post-harvest preservation of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.)

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of hermetic triple bagging using Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags for storage of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.). One set of experiments used grain heavily infested by Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) while a second set began with a low level infestation. Each experiment consisted of V. subterranea grain kept in four replicate 50 kg PICS bags or two replicate woven bags as controls. Two to five days after the beginning of the experiments, oxygen level inside the bags averaged about 21% (v/v) in the controls but decreased significantly in PICS bags, reaching 10% (v/v) with the heavily infested grain but falling only slightly in the lightly infested grain. After 7 months of storage, (i) the number of C. maculatus adults found between and within the grains, (ii) the 100 seed weight, (iii) the number of seed with holes, and (iv) the percentage germination of grain stored in PICS bags did not differ from what had been measured on the day that the experiment was set up. In woven bags, by contrast, there was a massive increase in C. maculatus numbers with means of 309 and 251 adults per 500 g in heavily and lightly infested grain, respectively. Grain weight losses in the woven bag controls ranged from 8 to 19% and the percentage of C. maculatus emergence holes per 100 seed increased from 51 to 135%.