Natural fermentation of lentils

Lentil (Lens culinaris var. vulgaris) flour was naturally fermented for 4 days at different temperatures (28°C, 35°C and 42°C) and concentrations (79 g/1, 150 g/1 and 221 g/1). Samples were analysed to establish the changes of total protein content and in vitro protein digestibility, trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) and phenolic compound content during natural fermentation of lentils. The preparation of lentil flour suspensions to be fermented caused a slight increase in total protein and in vitro protein digestibility content, a decrease of TIA and a sharp decrease the tannin/catechin ratio. During the whole fermentation procedure, the minimum initial lentil concentration and temperature used (79 g/1, 28°C) achieved the maximum protein content and the lowest tannin/catechin ratio. The TIA was more affected by temperature than by concentration, and a 62.5% reduction was observed at 42°C and 79 g/1.     

Natural fermentation of lentils. Functional properties and potential in breadmaking of fermented lentil flour

The effects of fermentation on functional properties of lentil flour and rheological properties of doughs and breads produced from blends of wheat and fermented lentil flour were studied. Lentil protein solubility was higher at neutral pH than acid pH; the lowest and highest protein solubility values were observed at pH 4.0 and pH 7.0, respectively. Water hydration capacity and fat binding capacity of fermented lentil flour (FLF) were always higher than those of non-fermented lentil flour (NFLF), irrespective of fermentation temperature (28–42°C) and flour concentration (79–221 g/l). Emulsifying properties of NFLF were similar to the properties of other legume flours in the range used in experiment. In contrast, the emulsion capacity and stability of FLF were very low and flours fermented at 42°C did not even form emulsion. Rheological properties of doughs made from wheat-fermented lentil blends were similar to those from wheat flour with the addition of other legume flours such as pea and bean. Good quality breads were produced at 2.5 to 10% NFLF and FLF supplementation (except for bread with 10% FLF addition which was middle quality).     

Lentil Starch Content and its Microscopical Structure as Influenced by Natural Fermentation

Lentil seeds (Lens culinaris var. vulgaris, cultivar Magda-20) were allowed to ferment naturally at different lentil flour concentrations (79 g/L, 150 g/L and 221 g/L) and temperatures (28 °C, 35 °C and 42 °C). During fermentation, samples were taken at 24 h intervals. The changes in starch content in all samples were studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate changes in samples fermented for 96 h at two different concentrations (79 g/L and 221 g/L) and two different temperatures (28 °C and 42 °C). A considerable decrease in starch content was observed at 0 h of fermentation, defined as the time when the lentil flour was completly suspended at the established temperature. Once fermentation began, flour concentration and temperature modified starch content. Fermentation brought about a general decrease in starch content and a 32—37 % dry matter content was found in the samples after 96 h. Microscopical studies showed that endocorrosion, i.e., breakdown starting from the center of starch granules, was the main pattern observed during lentil fermentation.     

Natural fermentation of lentils Influence of time, temperature and flour concentration on the kinetics of thiamin, riboflavin and niacin

 Lentils (Lens culinaris, var. vulgaris cultivar Magda-20) were naturally fermented for 96 h at different lentil flour concentrations (79, 150 and 221 g/l) and temperatures (28, 35 and 42°C). During fermentation, samples were taken at 24-h intervals and the changes in thiamin (vitamin B₁), riboflavin (vitamin B₂) and total and available niacin (vitamin B₃) were investigated. Preparation of the lentil flour suspension to be fermented (i.e. the process of mixing the flour and sterilized tap water) caused an increase of the available niacin content in all batches, while changes in thiamin and riboflavin content were related to the conditions in which the preparation of the suspensions was carried out. The whole natural fermentation process (from the raw state to after 96 h of fermentation), either did not affect or produced a slight decrease in the thiamin content of lentils. In contrast, riboflavin, available niacin and total niacin contents increased throughout the 96 h period, which ended with a 35 – 82% increase of riboflavin, a 24 – 91% increase of available niacin and a 20 – 58% increase of total niacin. The temperature during the fermentation procedure had significant effect on the levels of thiamin and riboflavin in fermented lentils. To obtain lentil flours with an improved amount of riboflavin and available niacin with a minimum loss of thiamin, the natural fermentation of lentils should be carried out for 96 h at 42°C and with a lentil flour concentration of 221 g/l. Received: 21 February 1997     

Natural fermentation of lentils Influence of time, temperature and flour concentration on the kinetics of thiamin, riboflavin and niacin

Lentils (Lens culinaris, var. vulgaris cultivar Magda-20) were naturally fermented for 96 h at different lentil flour concentrations (79, 150 and 221 g/l) and temperatures (28, 35 and 42°C). During fermentation, samples were taken at 24-h intervals and the changes in thiamin (vitamin B₁), riboflavin (vitamin B₂) and total and available niacin (vitamin B₃) were investigated. Preparation of the lentil flour suspension to be fermented (i.e. the process of mixing the flour and sterilized tap water) caused an increase of the available niacin content in all batches, while changes in thiamin and riboflavin content were related to the conditions in which the preparation of the suspensions was carried out. The whole natural fermentation process (from the raw state to after 96 h of fermentation), either did not affect or produced a slight decrease in the thiamin content of lentils. In contrast, riboflavin, available niacin and total niacin contents increased throughout the 96 h period, which ended with a 35?–?82% increase of riboflavin, a 24?–?91% increase of available niacin and a 20?–?58% increase of total niacin. The temperature during the fermentation procedure had significant effect on the levels of thiamin and riboflavin in fermented lentils. To obtain lentil flours with an improved amount of riboflavin and available niacin with a minimum loss of thiamin, the natural fermentation of lentils should be carried out for 96 h at 42°C and with a lentil flour concentration of 221 g/l.     

Microbial, physical and sensory properties of yogurt supplemented with lentil flour

In this study, skim milk (9.5% w/v solid content) was supplemented with 1-3% (w/v) lentil flour or skim milk powder, inoculated with a yogurt culture, fermented and stored at 4 °C. Acid production during the fermentation, microbial growth, physical properties (pH, syneresis, and color), rheological properties (dynamic oscillation temperature sweep test at 4-50 °C), during 28 days of refrigerated storage and also sensory properties (flavor, mouth feel, overall acceptance and color) after production, were studied. Milk supplementation with 1-3% lentil flour enhanced acid production during fermentation, but the microbial population (CFU) of both S. thermophilus and L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus were in the same range in all lentil flour and skim milk powder supplemented yogurts. The average pH of samples decreased from 4.5 to 4.1 after 28 days storage. Syneresis in 1-2% lentil flour supplemented yogurts was significantly higher than all other samples; however, greater lentil supplementation (3%) resulted in the lowest syneresis during the 28 days storage. With respect to color, “a” and “L” values did not significantly differ in all samples and remained constant after 28 days whereas “b” value increased as a result of lentil supplementation. Yogurt with 3% lentil flour showed higher storage (G') and loss (G?) moduli in comparison with samples supplemented with 1-3% skim milk powder and the non-supplemented control yogurt. Storage modulus (G') was higher than loss modulus (G?) in all samples and at all temperatures between 4 and 50 °C and they showed a hysteresis loop over this temperature range when the samples were heated and cooled. 1-2% lentil flour supplemented yogurt showed comparable sensory properties in comparison with 1-2% skim milk powder supplemented yogurt and the control sample.     

Physicochemical properties,anti-nutritional and bioactive constituents,in vitro digestibility,and techno-functional properties of bioprocessed whole wheat flour

This study investigated the impact of bioprocessing techniques (germination, solid-state fermentation, the combination of germination, and solid-state fermentation) on the physicochemical properties, anti-nutritional and bioactive constituents, in vitro digestibility, and techno-functional properties of whole wheat grains were investigated. Bioprocessed whole wheat flour (WWF) samples and the raw flour (control) were prepared using standard procedures. Proximate, anti-nutritional, mineral and amino acid (AA) compositions, protein digestibility, antioxidant activities, starch characteristics, and techno-functional properties were studied using standard methods. The bioprocessing methods increased (p ≤ 0.05) the protein (13.37–16.84 g/100 g), total dietary fiber, mineral constituents, resistant starch (7.19–9.87 g/100 g), slowly digestible starch, phenolic content, antioxidant activities (ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity), most AAs, and protein digestibility. Also observed were decreases (p ≤ 0.05) in rapidly digestible starch, phytic acid, tannin, and trypsin inhibitor activity. The adopted bioprocessing techniques modified the thermal, functional, color, and pasting properties of the WWF and resulted in molecular interactions in some functional groups, as revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, compared to the raw flour. The combination of germination and fermentation improved the physicochemical (titratable acidity = 4.93%), protein (16.84/100 g) and starch digestibility (resistant starch = 9.87%), antioxidant (FRAP = 78.90 mg/GAE/100 g), and mineral contents (calcium = 195.28 mg/100 g), modified the pasting (peak viscosity = 90.34 RVU), thermal (peak temperature = 64.82°C), and color properties of WWF with reduced anti-nutritional factors. The combination of these processing techniques could serve as a natural and low-cost technique for the modification of whole wheat functionality and subsequently as an improved functional ingredient during food product development.     

Natural Fermentation of Lentils: Influence of Time,Concentration and Temperature on the Kinetics of Hydrolysis of Inositol Phosphates

Lentil (Lens culinaris var vulgaris) flour was naturally fermented for 96 h at various conditions of concentration (79, 150 and 221 g litre⁻¹) and temperature (28°C, 35°C and 42°C). The content of total inositol phosphates (IP-total) and individual inositol phosphates (hexa- (IP₆), penta- (IP₅), tetra- (IP₄) and tri- (IP₃) phosphates) were analysed to establish the changes of these compounds during natural fermentation of lentils. The preparation of the lentil suspension brought about 16–27% reduction of the total inositol phosphates. At the end of 96 h of natural fermentation maximum IP loss (70–75%) was achieved for an experiment carried out at minimum concentration. For IP₆, the largest decrease was achieved at the highest temperature, the fermentation condition that also brought about the highest IP₅ content.     

产单宁酶乳酸菌发酵红豆、扁豆酸面团的生化特性及其对馒头体外消化的影响

本研究利用一株本课题组前期从自然发酵的豆粉中筛选出的高产单宁酶的发酵乳杆菌D23,来分别发酵红豆、扁豆两种豆类酸面团并制作成馒头,通过测定酸面团发酵前后缩合单宁等抗营养因子含量、多肽分子量分布、游离总酚、游离氨基酸含量,以及馒头淀粉、蛋白质体外消化率,对酸面团的生化特性及馒头的体外消化进行了对比研究。结果表明:通过菌株D23的发酵作用,两种豆类酸面团中缩合单宁含量显著下降(P<0.05),在红豆、扁豆酸面团中分别降低了57.87%、53.54%;大分子量肽含量降低,小分子肽含量升高;游离总酚含量分别升高了75.74%、65.94%;必需氨基酸含量增加了429.31%、358.20%;同时相比普通馒头,酸面团馒头最终消化液中的还原糖含量分别增加了3.27%、5.55%,淀粉的体外消化率得到了提升;蛋白质的最终体外消化率也分别由67.68%、70.21%增加为73.21%、76.97%。因此,该株具有高单宁酶活力的发酵乳杆菌D23可以通过酸面团的发酵作用有效降低豆类基质中缩合单宁等抗营养因子带来的不利影响,并增强最终馒头产品的营养价值,在发酵豆类制品中拥有良好的应用潜力。     

In vitro starch digestibility,expected glycemic index,and thermal and pasting properties of flours from pea,lentil and chickpea cultivars

In vitro starch digestibility, expected glycemic index (eGI), and thermal and pasting properties of flours from pea, lentil and chickpea grown in Canada under identical environmental conditions were investigated. The protein content and gelatinization transition temperatures of lentil flour were higher than those of pea and chickpea flours. Chickpea flour showed a lower amylose content (10.8–13.5%) but higher free lipid content (6.5–7.1%) and amylose–lipid complex melting enthalpy (0.7–0.8 J/g). Significant differences among cultivars within the same species were observed with respect to swelling power, gelatinization properties, pasting properties and in vitro starch digestibility, especially chickpea flour from desi (Myles) and kabuli type (FLIP 97-101C and 97-Indian2-11). Lentil flour was hydrolyzed more slowly and to a lesser extent than pea and chickpea flours. The amount of slowly digestible starch (SDS) in chickpea flour was the highest among the pulse flours, but the resistant starch (RS) content was the lowest. The eGI of lentil flour was the lowest among the pulse flours.     

Extrusion of a hard-to-cook bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and quality protein maize (Zea mays L.) flour blend

Heated extrusion was tested as an alternative process for incorporating “hard-to-cook” beans into food products. A 3² factorial design was used to evaluate extrusion conditions for a 40/60 (w/w) blend of “hard-to-cook” beans and quality protein maize. Tested extrusion variables were temperature (155, 170 and 185 °C) and moisture content (15.5, 17.5 and 19.5 g/100 g). Screw speed was fixed at 130 rpm. The extrudates obtained at 155 and 170 °C with 15.5% moisture had the best physical characteristics and were chosen for comparative analysis of nutritional changes between the unprocessed “hard-to-cook” bean/quality protein maize flour blend and the resulting extrudates. In vitro protein digestibility was higher in the extrudates (80%) than in the flour blend (76%). In vitro starch digestibility was higher at 155 °C (89%) and 170 °C (92%) than in the flour blend (12%). Processing conditions decreased dietary fibre content by 38% at 155 °C and 44% at 170 °C.     

Nutritional properties of tempeh flour from quality protein maize (Zea mays L.)

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate physico-chemical and nutritional properties of tempeh flour from a quality protein maize (QPM). In comparison to untreated QPM, the QPM tempeh flour showed a higher (P?0.05) gelatinization temperature (81.7 vs 73.9 °C), and resistant starch (4.24 vs 1.9 g/100 g dry flour), and a lower (P?0.05) gelatinization enthalpy (1.94 vs 2.74 J/g) and total starch content (56.9 vs 62.6 g/100 g dry flour). The essential amino acids (EAAs) content of raw QPM flour was improved by the solid-state fermentation process. The contents of His, Ile, and Leu increased (P?0.05) in 0.81, 0.52, and 1.46 g/100 g protein, respectively. The total sulphur and total aromatic EAAs increased (P?0.05) in 0.55 and 3.45 g/100 g protein, respectively. In untreated QPM flour, the first and second limiting EAAs were Lys and Trp, with EAAs score of 0.72. First and second limiting EAAs in QPM tempeh flour were Trp and Lys, with an EAAs score of 0.84. The SSF process increased (P?0.05) nutritional indicators as follows: protein efficiency ratio (PER) from 1.78 to 2.10, calculated PER from 1.43 to 1.74, and protein digestibility corrected amino acid score from 0.55 to 0.83. It is concluded that based mainly on its nutritive value, fermented flour may be considered for the fortification of widely consumed cereal-based food product (tortillas, bread, cookies, atoles).     

Effect of natural fermentation on phytate and polyphenolic content and in-vitro digestibility of starch and protein of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoideum)

Natural fermentation at 20, 25 and 30°C for 72 h brought about a significant reduction in phytic acid content of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoideum Rich) flour. The phytate content was almost eliminted in the flour fermented at 30°C. An increase in polyphenol content of fermented flour was noticed, the higher the temperature of fermentation the greater was the increase in polyphenol content of pearl millet. An improvement in starch as well as protein digestibility (in vitro) was noticed at all the temperatures of natural fermentation, the highest being at 30°C.     

Optimization of lentil protein extraction and the influence of process pH on protein structure and functionality

Response surface methodology was used to optimize alkaline extraction of protein from lentil flour to maximize both protein content and yield. Solid/solvent ratio and pH were the significant factors that determined protein extraction efficiency. At the optimized condition of pH 9.0 and solid/solvent ratio of 1:10 (g:mL), a yield of 14.5 g of protein extract/100 g of flour was obtained with a protein content of 82 g/100 g at (22 °C) after 1 h of extraction. The impact of extraction pH on the molecular structures and functionalities of lentil protein was investigated. Increasing the extraction pH to 10 caused partial protein hydrolysis and unfolding as suggested by size exclusion high performance liquid chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, leading to improved protein solubility and gelling property. Environmental pH influenced protein solubility and surface charge, and subsequently the gelling and foaming properties. The foaming capacity was especially strong, comparable to whey and egg proteins.     

The impact of germination and dehulling on nutrients, antinutrients, in vitro iron and calcium bioavailability and in vitro starch and protein digestibility of some legume seeds

The content of nutrients (protein, starch, ash, calcium, iron, phosphorous and thiamin) and antinutritional components (dietary fiber fractions, phytic acid and tannin), and in vitro bioavailability of calcium and iron and in vitro digestibility of protein and starch were determined in control, germinated and dehulled green gram, cowpea, lentil and chickpea. Germination caused significant (P<0.05) increase in protein, thiamin, in vitro iron and calcium bioavailability and in vitro starch and protein digestibility contents of all the legume samples. Further increase in mentioned parameters was observed after dehulling the germinated legumes. Phytic acid and tannin were reduced by 18-21% and 20-38%, respectively, on germination and more reduction was observed in dehulled over germinated samples. There were negative correlations between nutrients bioavailability and digestibility with antinutritional factors.     

Effect of rabadi fermentation on phytic acid and in vitro digestibility of barley

Rabadi, an indigenous fermented food, was prepared by mixing cereal flour with buttermilk, allowing it to ferment at 30, 35 and 40 °C for 6, 12, 18, 24 and 48 h and cooking the fermented mixture for 0.5 h with continuous stirring. Two types of rabadi were prepared i.e. autoclaved and unautoclaved. In autoclaved type of rabadi cereal flour was mixed with water, autoclaved (0.103 MPa = 15 psi for 15 min), cooled, mixed with buttermilk and fermented. As this type of rabadi was precooked prior to fermentation, hence, the fermented product did not require cooking afterwards, while in unautoclaved rabadi, barley flour and buttermilk were mixed, fermented and then cooked prior to consumption. Phytic acid was reduced drastically at all the temperatures and periods of fermentation in both autoclaved and unautoclaved type of rabadi; greater reduction occurred at higher temperature and duration of fermentation. A significant improvement in the in vitro digestibility of starch and protein was observed; maximum improvement was noticed when fermentation was carried out at 40 °C for 48 h in both the types of rabadi. Phytic acid had a significant (P < 0.05) negative correlation with digestibility (in vitro) of proteins and starch of barley flour rabadi.     

Quality protein maize (Zea mays L.) tempeh flour through solid state fermentation process

Solid state fermentation (SSF) process represents a technological alternative for a great variety of legumes and cereals, or combination of them, to improve their nutritional quality and to obtain edible products with palatable sensorial characteristics. The objectives of this work were (1) to determine the best combination of SSF process variables (temperature/time) for production of quality protein maize (Zea mays L.) (QPM) tempeh flour, and (2) to characterize physico-chemical properties and nutritionally quality of optimized QPM tempeh flour. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied as optimization technique, over three response variables: In vitro protein digestibility (PD), true protein (TD) and water absorption index (WAI). A central composite experimental design with two factors [fermentation temperature (FT), fermentation time (Ft)] and five levels (2 factorial, 2 axial, 1 central) was used. The process variables, FT and Ft, had variation levels of 31-36°C and 48-72 h, respectively. Spores from Rhizopus oligosporus were suspended in distilled water (1×10⁶ spores/ml) and used as starter. Predictive models for response variables were developed as a function of process variables. Conventional graphical method was applied to obtain maximum PD, TP and WAI. Contour plots of each of the response variables were utilized, applying superposition surface methodology, to obtain a contour plot for observation and selection of the best combination of FT (35.4°C) and Ft (54.6 h) for production of QPM tempeh, which was dried (52°C, 24 h) and milled to pass through a 80-US mesh (0.180 mm) screen to obtain optimized QPM tempeh flour. This flour had higher (p?0.05) true protein (13.1 vs 9.1 g/100 g, DM), total colour difference (21.7 vs 9.2), WAI (2.9 vs 1.25 g gel/g dry flour), available lysine (5.67 vs 4.2 g lysine/100 g protein) and PD (83.6 vs 78.5%, DM), and lower (p?0.05) lipid content (4.3 vs 6.1 g/100 g, DM), phytic acid (0.8 vs 10.1 mg phytic acid/g, DM), and pH (4.5 vs 6.12) than raw QPM flour.     

Effect of chestnut tannin on fermentation quality, proteolysis, and protein rumen degradability of alfalfa silage

Two experiments were conducted on alfalfa to investigate the effects of the addition of commercial chestnut hydrolyzable tannin at ensiling on 1) silage fermentation quality in lab-scale silos and protein degradation in the rumen, and 2) silage fermentation quality and proteolysis in bale silages. Wilted alfalfa was prepared with 4 tannin levels (0, 2, 4, and 6% on a dry matter (DM) basis; T0, T1, T2, T3, respectively) and ensiled in lab-scale silos. Silages (33% DM) were analyzed for fermentation quality, protein rumen degradability in situ, and organic matter digestibility in vitro through gas production after 120 d of conservation. Wilted alfalfa containing 0 and 4% tannin (T0 and T2) was harvested at 40% DM (wilting level I) and 53% DM (wilting level II) for bale (600 mm diameter) silage. Silages were analyzed for fermentation quality after 78 d of conservation. All the silages were well fermented with no butyric acid. Lab-scale silages showed reductions in ammonia, nonprotein nitrogen (NPN) and DM losses in T2 and T3 treatments, while the fermentation acid profiles were unaffected. In experiment 1, the untreated silage (T0) had the highest protein degradability after being incubated in the rumen. The addition of tannin reduced crude protein ruminal disappearance in a dose-dependent manner. However, the tannin reduced the organic matter digestibility by 5.1% for all of the tannin addition levels. The tannin positively affected the silage quality in the round bale silages, in particular reducing ammonia and NPN in the lowest wilting level. In both experiments, T2 treatment reduced proteolysis without any influence of DM on the binding reaction and reduced the NPN by 15% in comparison to the control.     

Proximate composition and digestibility of fermented and extruded uji from maize-finger millet blend

The proximate composition, amino acid profile and in vitro starch and protein digestibilities of raw; fermented; fermented and cooked; unfermented and extruded; and fermented and extruded maize-finger millet blend was studied. Aspartic acid, glycine, cystine, methionine, tyrosine and lysine increased after fermentation, while contents of all other amino acids showed no significant changes. Greater losses of amino acids occurred when the fermented blend was extruded than when cooked. Fermentation improved protein and starch digestibilities, whereas cooking or extruding the fermented blend reduced the digestibilities. Extruding the unfermented blend increased protein and starch digestibilities and reduced nitrogen solubility index by 50%. Raw flour had 0.41 g/100 g water-soluble starch which declined to 0.05 g/100 g on fermentation but increased to 20-34 g/100 g after extrusion.     

Effect of fermentation and cooking on protein quality of maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars

Maize like other cereals shows qualitative and quantitative deficiency in protein content. Efforts were made to correct this by fortification, supplementation and fermentation. Two maize cultivars, Hudeiba 1 and Mugtama 45, were used to study the effect of fermentation followed by cooking on their protein quality. Maize flour was fermented for 32 h; samples were withdrawn at 8 h intervals. Results indicated that the proteins fractions albumins plus globulins were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the fermented doughs. This is an indication of improvement in the protein quality of maize. Cooking resulted in significant (P < 0.05) changes in protein solubility. The essential amino acids particularly lysine increased from 1.82 to 2.06 and from 1.88 to 2.60 g/100 g (i.e. an increase of 11.6% and 27.7%) for Hudeiba 1 and Mugtama 45, respectively. The in vitro protein digestibility of cooked samples decreased significantly (P < 0.05); however, the negative effects of cooking were lower than those of unfermented cooked samples.