豆渣汽爆改性及其强化高固酶解作用研究

目的:采用汽爆解离改性联合高固酶解制取豆渣可溶性膳食纤维（soluble dietary fiber,SDF）,研究汽爆对豆渣的改性作用及对其高固酶解过程的强化作用。方法:采用汽爆技术改性处理豆渣,应用扫描电镜、傅里叶红外光谱和差示量热扫描等技术对豆渣改性前后的微观形貌、化学组成与官能团结构、热稳定性进行表征分析;再将汽爆豆渣进行高固酶解转化制取SDF,对比分析汽爆前后豆渣酶解效果。结果:汽爆处理可明显改善豆渣结构与性质,促进不溶性膳食纤维（insoluble dietary fiber,IDF）向SDF转化,最佳汽爆强度条件下豆渣SDF含量提高至原料的3.85倍;汽爆后豆渣微观呈现疏松蜂窝状多孔结构,水溶性提高5.13倍,持水性、持油性和浸水溶胀性降低;汽爆后豆渣最大热解峰温度和焓变值均提高,热稳定性增加。汽爆通过改善上述酶解底物组成结构和体系流动状态,降低豆渣高固酶解过程固体载荷制约,从而提高酶解底物浓度、降低酶用量、缩短酶解时间。在最高固体载荷20%和最低用酶量5 FPU/g的酶解条件下,汽爆豆渣中SDF得率达到43.75%,与原料相比提高3.76倍;汽爆后豆渣高固体载荷条件下酶解反应平衡时间缩短50%左右。结论:汽爆解离改性联合高固酶解处理技术为大量豆渣原料的高效转化和高值利用提供技术支持。     

Grape juice obtained using steam extraction and other small‐scale extraction methods: phenolic content,antioxidant capacity and stability during storage

Grape juices made using small‐scale production techniques are widely consumed. The extraction procedures employed to produce them, however, can affect bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in the final product. In this study, juices prepared using four extraction methods (steam, extractor, juicer and blender) were evaluated for soluble and hydrolysable polyphenol content, total anthocyanin content, antioxidant capacity, physicochemical characteristics and colour. Acceptance of steam‐extracted juices and their stability during storage were also evaluated. Steam extraction resulted in a higher soluble phenolic (1073 ± 58 mg gallic acid L^?1) and anthocyanin content (138 ± 22 mg cyanidin L^?1), as well as a higher antioxidant capacity when compared to juices prepared using other methods. Although steam‐extracted juice remained microbiologically stable during 24 months of storage, changes in phytochemical compounds and antioxidant capacity did occur. Our results indicate that steam‐extracted grape juices have high commercial potential.     

Effect of chlorophyll removal and particle size upon the nutritional and technological properties of powdered by‐products from artichoke (Cynara scolymus,L.) industrial canning

In this study, the effect of the particle‐size fractionation (Ø < 0.212 mm and 0.212 mm < Ø < 0.991 mm) and chlorophyll extraction on the nutritional and technological properties of the powdered artichoke ingredient was evaluated. The contents of minerals, protein, fat, carbohydrates and dietary fibre together with the content in bioactive compounds such as inulin and phenolics were determined. Other properties such as water‐ and oil‐holding capacities, water activity and antioxidant capacity were measured. The ingredient with chlorophyll and the lowest particle size presented the highest phenolic content and antioxidant capacity (8.4 mg of vitamin C equivalents per 100 g of dry matter) and water‐ and oil‐holding capacities. The removal of chlorophyll increased the oil‐holding capacity (from 59.7% to 94.6%), which was much higher than in the coarse ingredient (34%), but has a deleterious effect reducing the antioxidant capacity and the inulin content. The ingredients also showed high dietary fibre (22.5–33%), inulin (9–16%) and mineral (7.5–7.8%) contents. Although the ingredient with chlorophyll and smaller particle size had the higher antioxidant capacity, the removal of chlorophyll improved the technological properties to be used as food ingredient without affecting significantly to the nutritional value.     

High hydrostatic pressure aided by food-grade enzymes as a novel approach for Okara valorization

Okara is a cheap, abundant and valuable by-product from soybean but it needs an easy industrial method to maximize its soluble dietary fibre (SDF) content. A novel combination of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) assisted by the food-grade enzyme Viscozyme® L was simultaneously used for this purpose. Viscozyme® L (0.025%) was able to degrade Okara at atmospheric pressure in 120–180 min, and the most effective conditions were found at pH 7 and 37 °C (9.3% SDF). Synergy between HHP and Viscozyme® L was observed, in terms of SDF release and molecular weight decrease, as determined by direct High Performance Liquid Chromatography - Evaporative Light Scattering Detector analysis (HPLC-ELSD). In fact, at 600 MPa, 0.025% Viscozyme® L and 30 min treatment, SDF and polysaccharides content were 2.50 and 3.20-times higher than in native Okara, achieving a concentration of 13.53 ± 0.30% (SDF), which improved its nutritional value and applicability in functional foods.Industrial relevanceHHP is a novel technological process which is useful for increasing the added value of by-products like Okara by solubilizing their dietary fibre. Some enzymes increase their activity when they are under HHP. A simultaneous method with Viscozyme® L and HHP on Okara has been optimized for reducing the industrial cost of the process.     

蒸汽爆破制备小麦麸皮可溶性膳食纤维

以小麦麸皮为试验原料,研究了蒸汽爆破(SE)制备可溶性膳食纤维(SDF)工艺参数(蒸汽爆破压力和保压时间),并探讨了改性前后SDF的功能特性。结果表明:最佳工艺参数为压力为0.6 MPa,保压时间为9 min,SDF提取率达到31.56%。对照-SDF和SE-SDF的溶解性分别为85.47%和95.68%,持水力分别为2.35和3.57 g/g,持油力分别为1.25和2.06 g/g,膨胀力分别为3.24和5.69 mL/g,乳化活性分别为45.78和79.67 mL/100 mL,乳化稳定性分别为40.17和61.02m L/100 mL,最小凝胶浓度分别为13.57%和8.65%;总酚含量分别为1.57和3.26 mg GAE/g,ABTS、·OH、O2^-·和DPPH的清除率分别为59.34%和70.21%,30.25%和40.12%,45.18%和50.21%,80.42%和88.36%。研究结果可为小麦麸皮膳食纤维的功能改性及综合利用提供理论依据。     

蒸汽爆破对豆渣膳食纤维的影响及在韧性饼干中的应用

本文研究了蒸汽爆破(SE)处理对豆渣膳食纤维组成及含量的影响,以及添加汽爆豆渣对韧性饼干感官品质的影响。结果表明,汽爆处理对豆渣膳食纤维组成及含量有较大影响,随汽爆强度增加,豆渣可溶性膳食纤维(SDF)含量呈上升趋势,在1.5 MPa/30 s时达最大值36.28%;汽爆强度进一步增大,TDF和SDF含量都呈下降趋势。豆渣粉在韧性饼干中的添加量不宜超过5%,否则饼干品质下降明显;豆渣经汽爆处理后,其添加量增至10%,对饼干品质有较大改善。研究表明,适宜强度的汽爆处理可大幅提高豆渣中SDF含量,改善豆渣在韧性饼干中的添加应用效果,这为豆渣的开发利用提供了有效途径。     

High‐pressure processing of Manuka honey: brown pigment formation,improvement of antibacterial activity and hydroxymethylfurfural content

This work was undertaken to assess the effects of high‐pressure processing on brown pigment formation, antibacterial activity and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content in Manuka honey. The honey was subjected to different pressures (200–600 MPa) at ambient temperatures (25–33 °C) and with moderate temperatures (53–74 °C) for holding times (10–30 min). The brown pigment formation in high‐pressure‐treated sample showed a significant increase (0.16–0.17, P < 0.05), whereas maximum percentage inhibition of Staphylococcus epidermidis (84.34 ± 7.62%) was achieved when honey was subjected to 600 MPa as compared to the control (64.15 ± 5.86%). The percentage inhibition in high‐pressure‐treated samples correlated linearly (r = 0.941) with brown pigment. No significant increase in HMF as affected by high pressure was found (P > 0.05). Thus, high‐pressure processing has no adverse effect on the honey quality because it can control HMF concentration during process. Increasing brown pigment formation is associated with the enhancement of antibacterial activity.     

Ultrasound assisted extraction of oils from apple seeds: A comparative study with supercritical fluid and conventional solvent extraction

The aim of this study was to optimize the processing conditions for the extraction of apple seed oil by applying ultrasounds (UAE) using hexane as solvent. A response surface methodology with a central composite design identified the following optimized parameters: 56 W of power (64% amplitude), 30 min at 30 °C. The obtained oil presented a fatty acids profile rich in linoleic acid (35.5 ± 2.8 g/100 g) with an antioxidant activity equal to 0.22 ± 0.1 mg Trolox/g oil and a total phenolic content of 0.16 ± 0.1 mg GAE/o oil. The chemical characteristics of the UAE oil were then compared with those obtained for the oils extracted with Soxhlet (SE) and supercritical fluid (SFE). UAE gave similar yields (17.20 ± 2.3%) compared to SFE (19.3 ± 2.1%), and SE (19.1 ± 1.5%). Fatty acid profiles were also not significantly different (p < 0.05). The UAE oil was richer in antioxidants like phloretin and phloridzin. Amygdalin was detected in UAE and SE oils but not in SFE oil. The comparison among the processes showed that the UAE was a more efficient and time-saving technique, while SFE was able to provide an oil free from amygdalin suitable for possible further food applications.     

Characteristics of fibre‐rich powder and antioxidant activity of pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) peels

The contents of total dietary fibre (TDF), soluble dietary fibre (SDF), insoluble dietary fibre (IDF) and functional properties of fibre‐rich powders (FRP) from pitaya peels with different particle size (FRP80, FRP140 and FRP250) were determined. Results showed that FRP140 had higher TDF (79.37%) and SDF (33.07%) with a balanced ratio of SDF/IDF (1:1.32) and higher water‐holding capacity (54.20 g g^?1), swelling capacity (50.63 mL g^?1), oil‐holding capacity (2.65 g g^?1) and glucose dialysis retardation index (62.83% at 60 min), compared with FRP80 and FRP250. Therefore, physiochemical properties of FRP140 were further investigated. SDF of FRP140 mainly contained rhamnose (4.95%) and galactose (1.98%), with 9.45% galacturonic acid, while IDF dominantly contained xylose (4.76%) and galactose (3.42%), with 18.54% klason lignin. Total phenolic content was 7.75 mg g^?1 and mainly composed of salicylic acid (0.98 mg g^?1) and protocatechuic acid (0.45 mg g^?1). Furthermore, FRP140 showed significant reducing power, DPPH‐scavenging activity and nitrite‐scavenging ability.     

复合酶法提取黄秋葵可溶性膳食纤维的工艺优化及其理化特性、结构表征

以黄秋葵果荚为原料,采用复合酶法提取可溶性膳食纤维(soluble dietary fiber,SDF),通过单因素实验,探究不同因素对黄秋葵SDF得率的影响。在单因素实验的基础上进行响应面分析,得到复合酶法制备黄秋葵SDF的最优条件;并测定所得黄秋葵SDF的理化特性,并对其进行结构表征。结果表明:在料液比1:24 g/mL、复合酶添加量1.8%、酶解时间54 min、酶解温度62℃的提取条件下,黄秋葵SDF得率达到最大值,为10.94%,与预测值之间的相对误差为1.48%。黄秋葵SDF的持水力、膨胀力和持油力分别为5.61 g/g、3.35 mL/g和4.88 g/g,良好的理化特性使其具有成为通便保健食品原料的潜力。黄秋葵SDF的微观结构显示,经过酶的作用,黄秋葵SDF表面的淀粉类物质被充分除去;黄秋葵SDF的晶体结构符合纤维素I晶型的特征,其红外光谱图线符合膳食纤维类物质的典型特征。     

High hydrostatic pressure assisted extraction of pectin from sugar beet pulp

This study aimed to investigate the effect of high hydrostatic pressure assisted extraction (HHPE) (250, 350 and 450 MPa at 40 °C for 5 min with/without acid addition) of pectin from sugar beet pulp and compare its properties with pectin obtained from conventional extraction (CE). Degree of esterification (DE), galacturonic acid (Gal-A) content, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry experiments were performed on the obtained pectin powder. HHPE (12.23 ± 0.13%) doubled extraction yield compared to CE (6.43 ± 0.07%). Also, HHPE and acid addition were found to have a synergetic effect on the extraction. HHPE resulted in degradations in the polymer structure and reduced Gal-A content and DE. Pectin extracted with both methods was classified as low methoxyl pectin (LMP). According to the NMR Relaxometry results, HHPE decreased water holding capacity (WHC). In brief, HHP was shown to increase the pectin extraction yield and no changes in viscosity were observed at the concentrations studied (2 g/L).     

An improved vacuum-steam pulsed blanching machine design and garlic scape blanching verified experiment

Vacuum-steam pulsed blanching (VSPB) is an emerging blanching method resulting in high efficiency and product quality. However, inconvenient loading, small loading capacity, uneven rinsing and imprecise control hinder its application in food industry. Therefore, the current work aimed to design a VSPB machine, including selection of components, building a control system and designing a steam nozzle in order to increase the load capacity and improve device control. For this purpose, a horizontal blanching chamber with internal nozzle was designed and optimized using CFD method. The vacuum chamber design required a more evenly distributed steam inlet. A water-sealing vacuum pump, a cooling device and a hardware system were developed. The distribution of steam released from the nozzle in the chamber was numerically investigated by solving the three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations, with a velocity uniformity index value of 0.448. The validation blanching test was conducted using garlic scape as the test material. The steam holding time and the number of cycles significantly affected (p < 0.05) the color of the garlic scapes. Peroxidase (POD) activity decreased with the increase of blanching cycles until the enzymes were completely inactivated. VSPB significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the lignin content of the garlic scapes. The findings indicate that the best results were obtained after 2 cycles of VSPB and steam holding time of 30 s.Industrial relevanceHot water and steam thermal blanching are the two most frequently used blanching methods in food processing. Generally, they are used as a pretreatment before drying, freezing or canning of different fruits and vegetables. In current work, an improved vacuum-steam pulsed blanching machine was designed and the validation blanching test with garlic scape as the material indicated that VSPB operation was effective in preventing the synthesis of lignification in garlic scapes. By considering enzyme inactivation, lignification, color, and other quality attributes, 2 cycles of VSPB and steam holding for 30 s were proposed as the optimal VSPB conditions.     

The effect of linseed and psyllium fibre on the gelling properties of unwashed mince from farmed meagre (Argyrosomus regius)

The gelling properties of farmed meagre (Argyrosomus regius) mince mixed with linseed and/or psyllium fibres (up to 4.0%, w/w) were studied. The effects of chilled storage time (15 days vs. 1 day) and cold gelling (setting at 2 ± 2 °C) were measured. Linseed addition increased ω3 PUFA content and worsened the gel products' texture. Psyllium functional fibre addition had only a negative effect upon breaking force and deformation, not affecting the remaining textural properties and improving water‐holding capacity (WHC) from 61–77 to 70–85%. The incorporation of 4.0% (w/w) psyllium seems to be advisable. Quality of heat‐induced meagre gels was unaffected by chilled storage time. Production of an acceptable cold set gel is feasible provided that enough time is allowed for completion of the setting process. Overall results showed a potential for combining small‐sized meagre (<2 kg) and psyllium fibres to produce high added‐value functional foods.     

Influences of Superheated Steam Roasting and Water Activity Control as Oxidation Mitigation Methods on Physicochemical Properties,Lipid Oxidation,and Free Fatty Acids Compositions of Roasted Rice

The feasibility of using superheated steam roasting and wetting to control the water activity in an optimal range to mitigate oxidation of roasted rice was evaluated. Changes in the bed temperature as well as rice kernel moisture content, water activity, and color were monitored during fluidized bed roasting with superheated steam and hot air at 170, 190, and 210 °C. Air‐roasted rice was rewetted to raise its water activity to 0.30 to 0.35. All the samples were analyzed for the total oil content, peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value, and free fatty acids (FFA) content and compositions. Higher roasting temperatures, especially at 210 °C, led to a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in the total oil content of the roasted rice. Wetting led to a significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease in the TBA value of the air‐roasted rice, although the total FFA content significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased. Rice roasted in superheated steam at 210 °C exhibited significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower PV and TBA value; their total FFA content also tended to decrease, which is desirable for a longer shelf life.     

蒸汽爆破处理苦荞麸皮膳食纤维改性分析

目的：为了提高苦荞麸皮膳食纤维的综合利用率,采用蒸汽爆破技术对苦荞麸皮进行预处理,探究不同蒸汽爆破压力及保压时间对苦荞麸皮膳食纤维改性的影响。方法：以可溶性膳食纤维含量为主要指标得到最优蒸汽爆破改性条件,并对改性前后苦荞麸皮可溶性和不溶性膳食纤维的单糖组成、可溶性膳食纤维的理化性质及结构特性进行分析。结果：蒸汽爆破处理后,苦荞麸皮不溶性膳食纤维、纤维素、半纤维素、木质素及果胶含量显著降低（P＜0.05）,可溶性膳食纤维、可溶性糖、还原糖含量及总糖含量显著提高（P＜0.05）;最佳蒸汽爆破改性条件为1.2 MPa、90 s,在该条件下可溶性膳食纤维含量（12.36 g/100 g）较未蒸汽爆破处理（8.02 g/100 g）提高了54.11%;经最佳条件蒸汽爆破处理后,苦荞麸皮膳食纤维单糖组成发生改变,可溶性膳食纤维的持水力、持油力、膨胀力、α-淀粉酶活性抑制能力、葡萄糖吸收能力及热稳定性增强;可溶性膳食纤维羟基基团暴露增加,并呈现疏松多层蜂窝式网状结构。结论：蒸汽爆破预处理有助于提高苦荞麸皮可溶性膳食纤维含量,改善其理化结构特性,可为苦荞麸皮可溶性膳食纤维的利用及保健食品开发提供理论参考。     

Dietary fiber profile of barley flour as affected by extrusion cooking

Barley grains, Phoenix and CDC-Candle, were extruded in a twin-screw extruder at 90−140 °C and 20–50% moisture level. Effects of extrusion conditions on total (TDF), soluble (SDF), and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) were determined. The content of SDF and TDF increased upon extrusion cooking of both types of barley flours. The changes in IDF content were found to be variety-dependent. Only a minor decrease in IDF content of CDC-Candle barley was found, but an increase in IDF content of Phoenix was observed at all extrusion temperatures. The increase in SDF, in both barleys, could be due to the transformation of some IDF into SDF during extrusion and the formation of additional SDF by transglycosidation. The increase in IDF in Phoenix flour could be due to the formation of retrograded amylose [resistant starch (RS3)] during extrusion cooking and subsequent cooling.     

Color,Phenolics, and Antioxidant Activity of Blackberry (Rubus glaucus Benth.), Blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth.), and Apple Wines from Ecuador

Seventy wines were produced in Ecuador under different processing conditions with local fruits: Andean blackberries (Rubus glaucus Benth.) and blueberries (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth.) and Golden Reinette apples. Wines were evaluated for antioxidant activity (AA) using the radical scavenging capacity (DPPH) method, total phenolic content (TPC) using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, total monomeric anthocyanins (TMAs) using the pH differential test, and color parameters using VIS‐spectrophotometry. For blackberry wines, ellagitannins and anthocyanins were also analyzed using high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode‐array detection (HPLC‐DAD). Apples wines (n = 40) had the lowest TPC (608 ± 86 mg/L) and AA (2.1 ± 0.3 mM Trolox). Blueberry wines (n = 12) had high TPC (1086 ± 194 mg/L) and moderate AA (5.4 ± 0.8 mM) but very low TMA (8 ± 3 mg/L), with a color evolved toward yellow and blue shades. Blackberry wines (n = 10) had the highest TPC (1265 ± 91 mg/L) and AA (12 ± 1 mM). Ellagitannins were the major phenolics (1172 ± 115 mg/L) and correlated well with AA (r = 0.88). Within anthocyanins (TMA 73 ± 16 mg/L), cyanidin‐3‐rutinoside (62%) and cyanidin‐3‐glucoside (15%) were predominant. Wines obtained by cofermentation of apples and blackberries (n = 8) showed intermediate characteristics (TPC 999 ± 83 mg/L, AA 6.2 ± 0.7 mM, TMA 35 ± 22 mg/L) between the blackberry and blueberry wines. The results suggest that the Andean berries, particularly R. glaucus, are suitable raw materials to produce wines with an in vitro antioxidant capacity that is comparable to red grape wines.     

Detection of amoxicillin residues in egg extract with a molecularly imprinted polymer on gold microchip using surface plasmon resonance and quartz crystal microbalance methods

In this study, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors were prepared for the detection of amoxicillin from the commercial and local chicken eggs by using molecular imprinting technique. Amoxicillin imprinted poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-methacrylic acid) polymeric film was synthesized onto the surface of the SPR and QCM chips by ultra violet polymerization to determine lower concentrations of amoxicillin. Ellipsometry, contact angle analysis, and atomic force microscopy measurements were used for the surface morphology of the polymeric film layer. The ellipsometric thickness of AMOX imprinted and nonimprinted SPR and QCM chip surfaces were measured as 35 ± 0.9 nm, 32.89 ± 1.9 nm, 30 ± 0.6 nm, and 28 ± 0.22 nm, respectively. Contact angles of bare gold surfaces, AMOX imprinted SPR and QCM chip surfaces were measured to be as 82.3° ± 0.15, 79.2° ± 0.14, 75.01° ± 1.07, and 69.11° ± 0.89, respectively. The range of linearity was measured as 0.1 to 10 ng/mL for amoxicillin imprinted SPR and QCM sensors. The maximum residue limit of AMOX in eggs is at 10 µg/kg in accordance with the “Positive List System for Agricultural Chemical Residues in Foods.” The response time for the test, including adsorption, desorption, and regeneration, was approximately 45 min. The limit of detections for SPR and QCM sensors were found to be 0.0005 and 0.0023 ng/mL, respectively. The reusabilities of amoxicillin imprinted SPR and QCM sensors were observed by the equilibration-binding-regeneration. Validation studies of the AMOX imprinted SPR and QCM sensors were performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.     

Chemical,antioxidant and sensory properties of tomato‐watermelon‐pineapple blends,and changes in their total antioxidant capacity during storage

A conductometric analysis of the effect of condensate of peroxides generated during lipid oxidation in an accelerated stability test was adapted to test the hypothesis that total antioxidant capacity of tomato products would sometimes increase during processing and in storage. Tomato pulp blends made from a mixture of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum var Roma VF), watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris var Babylack) and pineapple (Ananas comosus var Smooth cayennes) were analysed for basic quality profiles of dry matter, Brix, titratable acidity (TTA) and pH, total reducing sugars, Component antioxidants phytochemicals and total antioxidant capacity. The lowest sensory score (overall impression) of 4.80 ± 2.59 was recorded for tomato juice while, blend TWP 111p had highest score of 6.20 ± 1.99. There was significant difference (P < 0.05) in the basic quality profile of the pulp blends except for TTA values (0.37 ± 0.02 to 0.45 ± 0.05) and 2‐Furfurals (2.47 ± 0.03 to 2.71 ± 0.01). The fresh blend of 50% tomato, 25% watermelon and 25% pineapple had the highest total antioxidant capacity of 3.69 ± 0.52 mg 100 mL^?1 catechin equivalent. The total antioxidant capacity of the stored pulp increased from 2.95 ± 0.13 to 6.22 ± 0.32 mg 100 mL^?1 catechin equivalent in pasteurised TWP 211p blend by 60 days when stored at 40 °C. Total antioxidant status of tomato‐based fruit mix increased during the first 80 days.     

Regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase by arabinoxylans with molecular characterisation from wheat flour in cultured human monocytes

The immunomodulatory activity of the arabinoxylans (AXs) extracts from cereal sources has been reported to impart health benefits in terms of immune enhancement. This study investigated the effect of enzymatic extraction on extraction yield and structure of AXs from wheat flour pentosan fraction. Under the optimised conditions, the extraction yield of AXs reached up to 81.25%. Furthermore, the study determined whether water‐extracted AXs (WEAXs) and enzyme‐extracted AXs (E‐WEAXs) from wheat flour were able to differentially stimulate nitric oxide (NO) secretion through increased levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in human U937 monocytes. The results indicated that AXs concomitantly induced (P < 0.05) both NO and iNOS productions in U937 monocytes compared to untreated cells. Compared with WEAXs, E‐WEAXs resulted in a higher proportion of low Mw (1–10 KDa) AXs (49.51% vs. 19.11% in WEAXs), a higher A/X ratio (0.83 vs. 0.48 in WEAXs) and a higher yield (12.83 ± 0.35% vs. 7.54 ± 0.47% in WEAXs). Moreover, E‐WEAXs induced significantly (P < 0.05) greater NO and iNOS production per million viable cells (61.8 ± 2.7 μm and 42.41 ± 3.83 ng respectively) than WEAXs (51.6 ± 2.6 μm and 33.46 ± 1.48 ng, respectively). The findings suggest AXs may heighten innate immune activity in the absence of infection or disease through an iNOS‐mediated stimulation of NO production. The immunomodulatory activity of the wheat‐derived AXs was enhanced by enzyme treatment, with low Mw and high A/X ratio associated with elevated NO/iNOS levels in human monocytes compared to water extraction.