Steaming time effects on the moisture migration and structural properties of Chinese Northern-style steamed bread

The aim of this study was to investigate the steaming time effects on proton transverse relaxation behavior with low field 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and structural properties of Chinese Northern-style steamed bread (CNSB). Three proton populations could be distinguished at the first 4 min: T_2b (0.1–1 ms) corresponded to rigid and exchangeable protons; T₂₂ (9–21 ms) was associated with the water protons in small and large meshes of the dough microstructure; T₂₃ (69–300 ms) was assigned to the water protons on the surface of samples. The starch gelatinization began and the water turned into the integral part of the biopolymer at 6 min, forming T₂₁ (1–3 ms) fraction. The gelatinization effect was strengthened up to 8 min and supplied a more mobile microenvironment, resulting in the increase of T₂₁, A₂₁ and M₂₁. However, the gelatinization process ended at 8 min, bringing about the stabilization of T₂₁, A₂₁ and M₂₁ until 25 min. T₂₂ fraction accounted for the largest proportion during all the steaming process. All variation trends on structural properties of CNSB and T₂ relaxation parameters including T_i, A_i (relative intensity of T_i), and M_i (population abundance of T_i) indicated that 6 and 8 min were the two transitions. The gluten matrix began to be disrupted at 6 min and was quite damaged up to 8 min by scanning electron microscopy. The peaks at 15°, 18°, 20°, and 23° in X-ray diffraction patterns appeared in the first 6 min but were lost up to 8, 10, and 25 min.     

Modelling and Comparison of Wheat Flour Extrusion Cooking Behaviours in Two Different Twin-Screw Extrusion Systems

The aim of this study was to investigate the extrusion cooking behaviours of two wheat flour samples (W1DK, W2CH) in two different twin-screw extrusion systems, where the wheat flour samples were characterised by rapid visco analyser (RVA) measurements. A new method is proposed to model and compare the wheat flour extrusion behaviours in the two systems through the RVA measurements, an extrudate bulk density model and a melt viscosity calculation. A new method is suggested to calculate the melt viscosity in the extrusion process. The average viscosity value of the W1DK sample was 64% higher than that of the W2CH sample in the RVA measurements. The comparison results show that the high viscosity for W1DK obtained from the RVA corresponds to a high reduced melt viscosity (η _r , (1/s)^γ) for W1DK, i.e., η _r ?=?0.25–2.61 (1/s)^γ (η _r ?=?0.042–0.082 (1/s)^γ for W2CH), a high specific mechanical energy (SME) for W1DK, i.e., SME?=?8.16–11.28 kJ/kg (SME?=?5.57–9.99 kJ/kg for W2CH) and a low extrudate bulk density (ρ _B ) for W1DK, i.e., ρ _B ?=?185–488 g/L (1 g/L?=?1 kg/m³) (ρ _B ?=?406–510 g/L for W2CH) in the two extrusion systems. The RVA viscosity and the calculated melt viscosity can be used to identify a recipe characteristic in terms of torque and extrudate bulk density in the two extrusion systems. A comparison has also been made for the bulk density model and response surface methodology in the extrudate bulk density prediction.     

Effect of Thermosonic Pretreatment and Microwave Vacuum Drying on the Water State and Glass Transition Temperature in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agaricus bisporus</Emphasis> Slices

This study aimed to understand the micromechanism of thermosonic pretreatment and microwave vacuum drying on Agaricus bisporus. The water state and glass transition temperature (T _g ) of fresh and thermosonically treated Agaricus bisporus slices during microwave vacuum drying were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results showed that four population groups were contained in the initial distribution of transverse relaxation time (T ₂) data of fresh A. bisporus slices: T ₂₁ (0.38–7.05 ms), T ₂₂ (9.33–32.75 ms), T ₂₃₁ (37.65–265.61 ms), and T ₂₃₂ (305.39–811.13 ms). Thermosonic pretreatment significantly decreased the initial free water content of A. bisporus sample but was accompanied by a sharp increase in its immobilized water. “Semi-bound water transfer” appeared during microwave vacuum drying (MVD) at moisture contents (X _w ) of 0.70 and 0.60 g/g (wet basis (w.b.)) for untreated and thermosonically treated samples, respectively. MVD caused dramatic changes in the water state and enhanced the T _g by decreasing the content and mobility of immobilized water in A. bisporus tissues. The mobility of semi-bound water for thermosonically and MVD-treated samples was higher than for MVD-untreated samples, resulting in T _g values decreasing by approximately 2–11.5 °C, but the uniformity of water distribution in thermosonic-treated and MVD-treated samples was better at X _w  ≤ 0.52 g/g (w.b.).     

Nutritional,functional, thermal and structural characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrullus lanatus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Limonia acidissima</Emphasis> seed flours

Seeds from fruits such as Citrullus (C.) lanatus (watermelon) and Limonia (L.) acidissima (wood apple) are not commonly utilized but could be suitable in numerous food formulations. It was shown that the protein content of defatted seed flours was 71.38 and 49.51 % and that these contained considerable amounts of minerals such as Na, Mn, Mg, K, Cu, Fe and Zn. The defatted L. acidissima seed flour was superior to C. lanatus in essential amino acids. The flours obtained from both seeds were also evaluated for functional properties and characterized by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimeter and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Amorphous nature was observed in defatted C. lanatus and L. acidissima flours due to the low percentage of degree of crystallinity. Spherical morphologies were observed through SEM. The exothermic peak was recorded in defatted C. lanatus and L. acidissima flour.     

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection for Simultaneous Analysis of Retinoids (Retinyl Palmitate,Retinyl Acetate,and Free Retinol) and α-, β-, γ-, and δ-Tocopherols in Foods

A method based on high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection for the simultaneous analysis of retinoids (vitamin A) and tocopherols (vitamin E) was developed. This method consists of an isocratic solution using hexane/ethyl acetate (85:15, v/v) as the mobile phase and fluorescence detection using a time program that sets the excitation (Ex) and emission (Em) wavelengths at adequate elution times for retinoids (Ex 342 nm, Em 476 nm) and tocopherols (Ex 298 nm, Em 325 nm), respectively. The separation of three retinoids (retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, and free retinol) and four tocopherol homologs was achieved with sufficient reproducibility and quantitative ability. Additionally, the necessity of saponification was considered. As a result, saponification was not used in this method because of the complexity of the procedure and the loss of free retinol. The retinoid and tocopherol contents of various foods were evaluated using the developed method. Our method could evaluate the retinoid and tocopherol contents of fish (eel, Anguilla japonica, and amberjack, Seriola dumerili) muscle and liver, roasted soybean (Glycine max) flour, and Japanese torreya seed (Torreya nucifera). Additionally, our method could be applied to the determination of retinoids and tocopherols not only in foods but also in supplements and cosmetics.     

Influence of additives on dough rheology and quality of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thepla</Emphasis>: an Indian unleavened flatbread

Thepla is Indian unleavened flatbread made from whole-wheat flour with added spices and vegetables. In the present study, effect of addition of various emulsifiers such as sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL), di acetyl tartaric acid ester of monoglyceride (DATEM) and glycerol mono-stearate (GMS) were studied. Further hydrocolloids (guar gum, carrageenan) and modified polysaccharides [hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and carboxymethyl cellulose] were added at the concentration ranging from 0.25 to 1 % on the basis of whole wheat flour to prepared the doughs. These thepla doughs were analyzed for rheology and theplas were analyzed for tear force. Additives helped in improvement of dough and thepla quality. Guar gum increased dough stickiness and strength to the highest (31.12 and 1.76 g respectively). Also, guar gum decreased tear force value of thepla to 208.4 g. Tear force was found to be increasing with the duration of storage. Highest improvement in thepla dough and quality was obtained by the addition of guar gum at 0.75 % which retained the softest texture of thepla.     

Inactivation of Endogenous Rice Flour β-Glucanase by Microwave Radiation and Impact on Physico-chemical Properties of the Treated Flour

The apparent reduction of β-glucan (BG) molecular weight in rice-based gluten-free (GF) breads fortified with cereal BG concentrates reveals the presence of β-glucanase activity in rice flour. Inactivation of endogenous β-glucanase in rice flour thus seems to be a necessary step when developing GF breads enriched with BG of high molecular weight. The aim of this work was to study the thermal inactivation of endogenous β-glucanase in rice flour by means of microwave (MW) processing; rice flours preconditioned at four different moisture levels (13, 16, 19, 25 %) were treated by MW radiation at 900 W and five MW treatment times (ranging from 40 s to 8 min, applied stepwise at 20-s intervals). The effects of microwaves on starch crystallinity, pasting, and thermal properties of MW-treated rice flours were also explored. The β-glucanase activity in rice flours was assessed by the rate of decrease in specific viscosity of a dilute solution of a purified β-glucan preparation, upon addition of flour extracts. MW proved to be a useful alternative for thermal inactivation of endogenous β-glucanase in rice flours when applied to moistened samples. The inactivation process followed a first-order kinetic response and the apparent rate constant of thermal inactivation increased exponentially with the moisture content of the flour, M, according to the equation 0.0146·exp (0.212·M) (R ²?=?0.97). The MW time required for complete β-glucanase inactivation was only 4 min when the initial flour moisture increased to 25 %. Following MW treatment, the starch crystallinity was unaffected (p?>?0.05) and the side effects of the treatment on flour pasting and thermal properties were rather negligible.     

Partition Behaviors of Different Polar Anthocyanins in Aqueous Two-Phase Systems and Extraction of Anthocyanins from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nitraria tangutorun</Emphasis> Bobr. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycium ruthenicum</Emphasis> Murr.

This study aimed to investigate the partition behaviors of various polar anthocyanins in NaH₂PO₄/(NH₄)₂SO₄-ethanol aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) and to extract anthocyanins from Nitraria tangutorun Bobr. and Lycium ruthenicum Murr. Anthocyanins in Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Morus atropurpurea Roxb., N. tangutorun, and L. ruthenicum were profiled using HPLC-ESI-MS/MS and HPLC-DAD, and the partition behaviors of total anthocyanins and main anthocyanins were studied. The partition coefficient of anthocyanins increased with increased hydrophobicity, and low-polarity anthocyanins exhibited a higher preference for the top phase in NaH₂PO₄/(NH₄)₂SO₄-ethanol ATPS. Additionally, the NaH₂PO₄-ethanol ATPS gave higher selectivity and total anthocyanin yield than the (NH₄)₂SO₄-ethanol system. Extraction at 65 °C for 45 min and at 45.5 °C for 45 min using 28% NaH₂PO₄ and 26% ethanol (w/w) led to the recovery of 98.91 ± 0.03% of N. tangutorun anthocyanins (3.62 ± 0.05 mg/g) and 99.84 ± 0.01% of L. ruthenicum anthocyanins (13.16 ± 0.29 mg/g) from raw material; more than 70% of total sugars were removed in a single step. NaH₂PO₄-ethanol aqueous two-phase extraction is a promising method for extracting anthocyanins from N. tangutorun and L. ruthenicum.     

Steady- and Unsteady-State Determination of the Water Vapor Permeance (<Emphasis Type="Italic">WVP</Emphasis>) of Polyethylene Film to Estimate the Moisture Gain of Packed Dry Mango

The water vapor permeance (WVP; g m^?2 d^?1 Pa^?1) of packaging films quantifying the water vapor transfer rate between foods and its surroundings is usually determined in units operating under steady-state conditions that do not necessarily reflect food handling scenarios. This study evaluated the determination of the WVP of a polyethylene (PE) film by steady-state method ASTM F1249-06 using a permeability cell and unsteady-state method ASTM E96/E96M in which 102 vacuum-sealed PE bags containing silica gel were stored (37.8 °C, 75% relative humidity) and weighed over 25 days. Average steady-state WVP (2.935 ± 0.365 × 10^?3, n = 4) fell within the 95% quantiles of unsteady-state WVP values (1.818–3.183 × 10^?3, n = 2142). Moisture uptake of dehydrated mango stored at 37.8 °C and 75% relative humidity was predicted with WVP values obtained by both methods. Predictions were validated by monitoring over 25 days the weight gain of 100 PE bags with dry mango. Experimental moisture averages during storage fell within one standard deviation of predictions using the unsteady-state WVP (R ² = 0.974). The same was observed only until day 15 for predictions obtained with the steady-state WVP. Calculations for days 20–25 overestimated the moisture uptake by 6.0–7.2%, resulting in registered R ² = 0.924. The unsteady-state WVP determination is low-cost, uses large numbers of film samples, and allowed more accurate predictions of dry mango moisture uptake. Knowledge of the moisture uptake controlled by the film WVP is essential when predicting the safety and quality changes limiting the shelf-life of foods.     

Chemical and nutritional properties of different fractions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prosopis alba</Emphasis> pods and seeds

The objective of this work was to study chemical and nutritional aspects of different fractions of Prosopis alba. Flours from whole pod, pericarp (pulp) and seeds were obtained. Polyphenols were mainly located in pulp but antioxidant activity was higher in whole pod flour and seeds. In seeds, the fraction with the highest polyphenols and antioxidant activity was the seed coat or testa. Protein content was higher in whole pod flour (5.81 %) than in pulp flour (3.52 %), presenting the seed an appreciable amount 33.6 %. These proteins were composed by monomer subunits of 85, 67, 38, 16 and 14 kDa and no prolamins and anti-tryptic activity were detected. P. alba flours presented high content of soluble sugars, mainly composed by sucrose, and also high amount of insoluble dietary fiber. The major mineral was potassium. The whole pod, due to the contribution of seeds, contained high amount of calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc, all indispensable minerals for human nutrition. Therefore, P. alba flours, mainly containing the seeds, constitute nutritional ingredients for bakery and gluten free products.     

Smart NMR Method of Measurement of Moisture Content of Vegetables During Microwave Vacuum Drying

Microwave drying is usually combined with vacuum environment in conjunction with hot air flow to draw the moisture rapidly. The moisture content of the vegetables undergoing drying is hard to measure online. This research designed a microwave vacuum drying (MVD)-low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) smart device and investigated the feasibility of NMR method for online measurement of state of moisture during MVD. The relation between the signal amplitude (A ₂) and the true moisture content (M ₁) of six kinds of vegetables (mushroom, carrot, potato, lotus, edamame, vegetable corn) was fitted to estimate if NMR can measure the M ₁ of vegetables directly. Results showed that A ₂ and M ₁ of different fresh vegetables had no single empirical mathematical model to fit. However, for each kind of these vegetables, the A ₂ and corresponding M ₁ in different MVD stages showed a significant linear relationship. The predicted moisture content (M ₂) of mushroom: M ₂ = 5.25351 × 10^?4 A ₂ ? 0.34042, R = 0.996; carrot: M ₂ = 5.78756 × 10^?4 A ₂ ? 0.14108, R = 0.998; potato: M ₂ = 3.10019 × 10^?4 A ₂ ? 0.10612, R = 0.991; lotus: M ₂ = 2.32415 × 10^?4 A ₂ ? 0.01573, R = 0.998; edamame: M ₂ = 3.13310 × 10^?4 A ₂ ? 0.4198, R = 0.996; vegetable corn: M ₂ = 1.69461 × 10^?4 A ₂ ? 0.09063, R = 0.995. The linear models between M ₂ and A ₂ were able to estimate the end point (M ₁ < 8%) of MVD with a high accuracy (P > 0.950).     

Dynamic changes of bacterial communities and nitrite character during northeastern Chinese sauerkraut fermentation

Northeastern Chinese sauerkraut is a well-known traditional fermented vegetable in China. Incomplete identification of the microorganisms’ (bacteria in spontaneous fermentation) diversity and accumulation of nitrite make it difficult to normalize the fermentation process and product qualities of northeastern Chinese sauerkraut. Conventional culturing and polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis methods were combined to describe microbial structure and diversity. Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Enterobacter, Accumulibacter, Thermotoga, Pseudomonas, Clostridium, Rahnella and Citrobacter were predominant microorganisms in different fermentation periods. The pH value and nitrite concentration presented a certain relevance to the amount of lactic acid bacteria. Lactobacillus and Leuconostoc had the ability to decrease nitrite by inhibiting nitrate-reducing bacteria such as Enterobacter. Therefore, Northeastern Chinese sauerkraut should not be eaten until 4 weeks of fermentation for the safety and quality of fermented foods. Northeastern Chinese sauerkraut is rich in lactic acid bacteria, which demonstrate its ability as an excellent probiotic for applications in functional foods.     

Antioxidant Activity and Determination of Phenolic Compounds from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eugenia involucrata</Emphasis> DC. Fruits by UHPLC-MS/MS

Fruits have been the focus of several studies aimed at finding new antioxidant sources for protection against the damage caused by reactive species. In this study, the antioxidant activity and the presence of phenolic compounds in all parts (peel, pulp, and seeds) of Eugenia involucrata DC. fruits were evaluated. DPPH^·, ABTS^·+, and ORAC methods were used to determine the antioxidant activity, and an UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed for determining the phenolic compounds (gallic, chlorogenic, ferulic, p-coumaric and ellagic acids, quercetin, and myricetin). In the determination of both antioxidant activity and phenolic composition, the efficiency of solvents with different polarities—methanol/H₂O (80:20, v/v), ethanol/H₂O (80:20, v/v), methanol/acidified water with phosphoric acid pH 3.00 (80:20, v/v), and ethyl acetate—for the extraction of the phenolic compounds, was also evaluated. All parts of E. involucrata fruits showed antioxidant activity, in the range of 36.68 ± 1.44 to 873.87 ± 18.24 μmol TE g^?1, being the highest values found in the seeds and peel when more polar extraction solvents were used. Six, five, and three phenolic compounds were identified and quantified in the pulp, peel, and seeds, respectively, with the highest abundance as p-coumaric acid (14 ± 2 mg kg^?1) in the pulp, quercetin (47 ± 5 mg kg^?1) in the peel, and gallic acid (74 ± 4 mg kg^?1) in the seeds, also when more polar solvents were used. Although antioxidant activity methods suggested that the peel and seeds have more antioxidant potential, a wider variety of compounds were determined in the pulp.     

Viability of Probiotics in Goat Cheese During Storage and Under Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions

The objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of two strains of probiotic bacteria (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus) incorporated individually into Boursin-type goat cheese and their in vitro resistance through the passage of the gastrointestinal tract in the cheese. The viability of B. lactis and Lb. rhamnosus cultures was unaffected throughout 35 days of storage at 4 °C, with a final count of >?7 log CFU/g. No significant difference (p?>?0.05) was observed between probiotic treatments and control in relation to pH and titratable acidity. B. animalis presented greater resistance to the artificial gastric and enteric juices than Lb. rhamnosus, with mean decreases in the initial populations of 0.2 and 4.0 log CFU/g within 35 days of storage, respectively. The addition of probiotic cultures did not affect the consumer acceptance of the goat cheeses. Three segments of consumers with different liking were identified. The results demonstrated that “Boursin” goat cheese is a promising matrix for the incorporation and protection of B. animalis subsp. lactis.     

Reversed-phase HPLC determination of mangiferin,isomangiferin and hesperidin in <Emphasis Type="Italic"> Cyclopia </Emphasis>and the effect of harvesting date on the phenolic composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic"> C. genistoides</Emphasis>

A reversed-phase HPLC method for separation of polyphenols in honeybush tea (Cyclopia spp.) is presented. Separation of eriodictyol, luteolin, medicagol, formononetin, mangiferin, isomangiferin, hesperetin and hesperidin was investigated. A C12 stationary phase was required to separate mangiferin and isomangiferin. The method was used to quantify the three major polyphenols (mangiferin, isomangiferin and hesperidin) in C. genistoides, C. intermedia, C. maculata and C. sessiliflora and to study the effect of harvesting date on these compounds in two types of C. genistoides. The highest levels of the xanthones, mangiferin (3.61 g/100 g) and isomangiferin (0.54 g/100 g), and the flavanone, hesperidin (1.74 g/100 g), were found for C. genistoides (both xanthones) and C. intermedia, respectively. Cyclopia sessiliflora contained the lowest levels of mangiferin (1.04 g/100 g) and hesperidin (0.29 g/100 g). The mangiferin content of both the Overberg and West Coast types decreased with harvesting date (P <0.05). The Overberg type contained more mangiferin, but hesperidin was more prominent in the West Coast type.     

Development and characterization of reconstituted hydrogel from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aloe vera</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aloe barbadensis</Emphasis> Miller) powder

Structural and rheological characterization of reconstituted hydrogels developed from A. vera non-fibrous alcohol insoluble residue (NFAIR) powder using different methods [viz., shaking (S), heating-shaking (HS), and heating (H)] and concentrations (viz., 0.2–1.6 %, w/v) was carried out. Functional group distribution by FTIR spectroscopy and Congo red (CR) method revealed the presence of acetylated acemannan in A. vera powder. Dynamic oscillation studies of A. vera (NFAIR) fluids at all concentrations of 0.2–1.6 %, w/v, showed gel strength in the order of H > HS > S method. However, in H method, increase in concentration from 0.2 to 1.6 %, w/v showed the conformational transition from semi-diluted solution to weak gel nature. Rheological models described the effect of heating temperatures (HT); 30–90 °C, and times (Ht); 15–60 min on viscoelastic behavior in reconstituted A. vera fluids. The reconstituted A. vera hydrogel prepared with a concentration of 1.6 %, w/v using 50 °C (HT) and 30 min (Ht) condition showed a good agreement with the Power law (storage modulus, G′) and Weak gel model (complex modulus, G*) fitted data (R² > 0.94) resulting higher viscoelastic moduli intercepts; G′₀ (71.5 Pa s ^n′), G″₀ (33.5 Pa s ^n″), lower slopes; n′ (0.22), n″ (0.06), higher network strength (A _F , 121.3 Pa s^1/z ) and number of network (z, 5.3) values. The obtained results suggested that heating at 50 °C/30 min can develop aqueous weak gel networks of A. vera with enhanced gel strength which may be utilized as a novel gelling agent for wide variety of targeted applications in food and pharmaceutical sectors.     

Synergistic Processing of Skim Milk with High Pressure Nitrous Oxide,Heat, Nisin,and Lysozyme to Inactivate Vegetative and Spore-Forming Bacteria

Individual and combined effects of high pressure nitrous oxide (HPN₂O), heat, and antimicrobials on the inactivation of Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua, and Bacillus atrophaeus endospores in milk were all evaluated after 20-min treatments. Stand-alone milk treatments with HPN₂O (15.2 MPa), heat (45 and 65 °C), or nisin (50 and 150 IU mL^?1) resulted in log₁₀ reductions ranging only from 0.1 to 2.1 for E. coli and L. innocua. Combining HPN₂O (15.2 MPa) with heat (65 °C) inactivated 6.0 and 5.1 log₁₀ in the vegetative bacteria, respectively. Similarly, reductions of 5.9 and ≥ 6.0 log₁₀ of respective E. coli and L. innocua cells in milk were achieved through a combination of HPN₂O (15.2 MPa), heat (65 °C), and nisin (150 IU mL^?1). A 2.5 log₁₀ cycle inactivation of spores was obtained by HPN₂O, nisin (at both 50 and 150 IU mL^?1), and lysozyme (50 μg mL^?1) at 85 °C. Combining these processing techniques resulted in significantly greater microbial inactivation (p < 0.05) than the sum of individual reductions from each treatment alone, indicating synergistic effects. HPN₂O irrespective of processing temperatures did not cause any occurrence of sub-lethally injured cells or disruption in colloidal stability of milk at 65 and 85 °C (p ≥ 0.05). Color and pH changes in milk following the most demanding treatment conditions were minimal.     

Uncertainty of Trypsin Inhibitor Activity Measurement of Legume Crops Using Microtiter Plate Method

Trypsin inhibitors could limit utilization of legumes in human nutrition, but they could also have beneficial health effects. The objective of this study was to measure trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) of different legumes using microtiter plate method and to identify factors that contribute to uncertainty of TIA measurement. TIA measurements were performed on seeds of faba bean, pea, common vetch, soybean, and common bean cultivars. The significant effect of legume crop on TIA measurement uncertainty was confirmed with P = 0.045. Certain sources of measurement uncertainty were related with the content of trypsin inhibitors (Tis) in legume seeds. In respect to that, significant effect of level of sample dilution (P ? 0.001) was confirmed. Significant influence of the repeated absorbance measurement of sample reaction mixture on uncertainty of TIA measurement was identified (P ? 0.001), and it took 60% of overall TIA measurement uncertainty for soybean cultivars. TIA of soybean cultivars exceeded 90 TUI/mg. Repeated absorbance measurement of positive control reaction mixture took 70% of TIA measurement uncertainty of cultivars with TIA lesser than 4.5 TUI/mg. Graduated cylinder used for preparation of the final sample solutions took the range from 45 to 90% of overall TIA measurement uncertainty of the cultivars whose TIA were in the middle of previously mentioned. The uncertainty of TIA measurement of legume crops was not studied before; thus, this study pointed out that acquiring insight into factors contributing to uncertainty of TIA measurement could give directions for improvement of TIA testing if microtiter plate method is used.     

Application of High Pressure for Selective Activity Regulation of Starter Cultures Aminopeptidases Involved in Ripening of Brined Cheeses

The combined effect of high pressure processing and temperature on aminopeptidases activity of lactic acid bacteria used as starter cultures in brined cheese manufacturing, in order to find the optimum process conditions for acceleration of the significant long-duration cheese ripening step, was investigated.The effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HP) (100–450 MPa) combined with temperature (20–40 °C) on the activity of five aminopeptidases (PepN, PepX, PepY, PepC, and PepA) of Streptococcus thermophilus ACA-DC 0022 and Lactococcus lactis ACA-DC 0049, used as the starter culture for white Greek brine cheese (feta) production, was studied. S. thermophilus aminopeptidases PepN, PepX, PepA, and PepC were activated at pressures up to 200 MPa, and all studied temperatures (20–40 °C), while for L. lactis, PepN, X, and Y were activated at pressures up to 300 MPa and temperatures up to 30 °C and PepA at the same temperature range but milder pressures (up to 200 MPa). For L. lactis, PepC an increase in activity was observed at all studied pressures but only at 20 °C. A multi-parameter equation was used for predicting the activation of all aminopeptidases in the pressure and temperature domain. Overall, processing at 200 MPa and 20 °C may be selected as the optimum conditions for maximum activation of all aminopeptidases of both S. thermophilus ACA-DC 0022 and L. lactis ACA-DC 0049. A 20-min treatment at these conditions leads to an average threefold increase in activity which could lead to better and faster maturation of white cheese.