Sensory and Quality Evaluation of Traditional Compared with Power Ultrasound Processed Corn (Zea Mays) Tortilla Chips

Power ultrasound reduces the traditional corn steeping time from 18 to 1.5 h during tortilla chips dough (masa) processing. This study sought to examine consumer (n = 99) acceptability and quality of tortilla chips made from the masa by traditional compared with ultrasonic methods. Overall appearance, flavor, and texture acceptability scores were evaluated using a 9‐point hedonic scale. The baked chips (process intermediate) before and after frying (finished product) were analyzed using a texture analyzer and machine vision. The texture values were determined using the 3‐point bend test using breaking force gradient (BFG), peak breaking force (PBF), and breaking distance (BD). The fracturing properties determined by the crisp fracture support rig using fracture force gradient (FFG), peak fracture force (PFF), and fracture distance (FD). The machine vision evaluated the total surface area, lightness (L), color difference (ΔE), Hue (°h), and Chroma (C*). The results were evaluated by analysis of variance and means were separated using Tukey's test. Machine vision values of L, °h, were higher (P < 0.05) and ΔE was lower (P < 0.05) for fried and L, °h were significantly (P < 0.05) higher for baked chips produced from ultra‐sonication as compare to traditional. Baked chips texture for ultra‐sonication was significantly higher (P < 0.05) on BFG, BPD, PFF, and FD. Fried tortilla chips texture were higher significantly (P < 0.05) in BFG and PFF for ultra‐sonication than traditional processing. However, the instrumental differences were not detected in sensory analysis, concluding possibility of power ultrasound as potential tortilla chips processing aid.     

Comparison of methods and optimisation of the analysis of fumonisins B1 and B2 in masa flour,an alkaline cooked corn product

A comparison study of different extraction and clean-up procedures for the liquid chromatographic analysis of fumonisins B₁ (FB₁) and B₂ (FB₂) in corn masa flour was performed. The procedures included extraction (heat or room temperature) with acidic conditions or EDTA-containing solvents, and clean-up by immunoaffinity or C18 solid-phase extraction columns. Thereafter an analytical method was optimised using extraction with an acidic mixture of methanol–acetonitrile–citrate/phosphate buffer, clean-up through the immunoaffinity column and determination of fumonisins by liquid chromatography with automated pre-column derivatisation with o-phthaldialdehyde reagent. Recovery experiments performed on yellow, white and blue masa flours at spiking levels of 400, 800 and 1200?µg?kg^?1 FB₁ and of 100, 200 and 300?µg?kg^?1 FB₂ gave overall mean recoveries of 99% (±6%) for FB₁ and 88% (±6%) for FB₂. Good recoveries (higher than 90% for both FB₁ and FB₂) were also obtained with corn tortilla chips. The limits of quantification of the method (signal-to-noise ratio of 10) were 25?µg?kg^?1 for FB₁ and 17?µg?kg^?1 for FB₂. The method was tested on different commercial corn masa flours as well as on white and yellow corn tortilla chips, showing fumonisin contamination levels (FB₁?+?FB₂) up to 1800?µg?kg^?1 (FB₁?+?FB₂) in masa flour and 960?µg?kg^?1 in tortilla chips. Over 30% of masa flours originating from Mexico exceeded the European Union maximum permitted level.     

Comparison of methods and optimisation of the analysis of fumonisins B₁ and B₂ in masa flour, an alkaline cooked corn product

A comparison study of different extraction and clean-up procedures for the liquid chromatographic analysis of fumonisins B(1) (FB(1)) and B(2) (FB(2)) in corn masa flour was performed. The procedures included extraction (heat or room temperature) with acidic conditions or EDTA-containing solvents, and clean-up by immunoaffinity or C18 solid-phase extraction columns. Thereafter an analytical method was optimised using extraction with an acidic mixture of methanol-acetonitrile-citrate/phosphate buffer, clean-up through the immunoaffinity column and determination of fumonisins by liquid chromatography with automated pre-column derivatisation with o-phthaldialdehyde reagent. Recovery experiments performed on yellow, white and blue masa flours at spiking levels of 400, 800 and 1200 μg kg(-1) FB(1) and of 100, 200 and 300 μg kg(-1) FB(2) gave overall mean recoveries of 99% (±6%) for FB(1) and 88% (±6%) for FB(2). Good recoveries (higher than 90% for both FB(1) and FB(2)) were also obtained with corn tortilla chips. The limits of quantification of the method (signal-to-noise ratio of 10) were 25 μg kg(-1) for FB(1) and 17 μg kg(-1) for FB(2). The method was tested on different commercial corn masa flours as well as on white and yellow corn tortilla chips, showing fumonisin contamination levels (FB(1) + FB(2)) up to 1800 μg kg(-1) (FB(1) + FB(2)) in masa flour and 960 μg kg(-1) in tortilla chips. Over 30% of masa flours originating from Mexico exceeded the European Union maximum permitted level.     

Physiochemical Changes of Starch During Maize Tortilla Production

The physiochemical changes of starch in maize tortillas and their intermediate products commercially processed by the traditional way have been determined. Samples of maize, nixtamal, dough or masa, tortilla and nejayote (steep liquor) were analyzed. The samples were assayed for water absorption index (WAI), resistant starch (RS), X-ray diffraction patterns, viscosity and with Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Enthalpy of fusion (ΔH), initial temperature (T_o) and transition temperature (T_p) of gelatinization were obtained from DSC curves. Resistant starch contents increased as the products advanced in the process. Significant differences (p > 0.05) in the fusion enthalpy values of maize, nixtamal and masa could not be found. X-ray diffraction patterns of maize, nixtamal and masa did not show significant changes; however, when masa was transformed into tortillas there was a large loss in crystallinity. The viscoamylograph peak viscosities increased from maize to masa and decreased drastically in tortillas. The data showed that the tortilla baking stage caused the most pronounced changes in starch.     

Prediction of Mechanical Properties of Corn and Tortilla Chips by Using Computer Vision

Deep-fat frying is a unit operation which develops unique sensorial attributes in foods. For instance, texture is the principal quality parameter of tortilla and corn chips. On the other hand, computer vision is a useful tool for quality evaluation and prediction of some physical properties in different either raw or processed foods. The objective of this research was to characterize corn and tortilla chips by using computer vision, and to build proper mathematical models which permit to predict mechanical properties of these chips (maximum force, such as hardness, and distance to maximum force, such as toughness) by using chromatic features extracted from their corresponding digital images. Corn and tortilla chips (thickness of 2 mm; diameter of 37 mm) were made from masa of maize and fried at constant oil temperatures of 160, 175, and 190 °C. A high linear correlation (R ² > 0.9400) was obtained between mechanical properties and some image features (Hu, Fourier, and Haralick moments). Cross-validation technique demonstrated the repeatability and good performance (>90%) of the models tested, indicating that can be used to predict the textural properties of the tortilla and corn chips by using selected features extracted from their digital images, without the necessity of measuring them in a texture analyzer.     

Mitigating effect of amaranth (Amarantus hypochondriacus) protein on acrylamide formation in foods

The effect of addition of amaranth flour and amaranth protein isolate to both a glucose/asparagine model system and real foods (cookies, fried tortilla chips, and baked tortilla chips) was studied to analyse the acrylamide mitigating potential of this underexploited plant with attractive nutraceutical properties. Addition of amaranth flour, with a relatively low protein content (16.45%), did not mitigate acrylamide in either the model system or the studied foods. On the contrary, addition of amaranth protein isolate decreased acrylamide content by 35–40% in the model system, 89% in cookies, 51% in fried tortilla chips, and 62% in baked tortilla chips. This acrylamide reduction was obtained without change in the colour or the texture of the cookies. On the contrary, colour remained unchanged in tortilla chips, but the addition of amaranth protein isolate increased the hardness (16–36%) of the produced tortillas. Although a much more detailed sensory evaluation of cookies and tortilla chips prepared using amaranth protein isolate is needed, the above results suggest that the use of amaranth protein may be an interesting way to both mitigate acrylamide formation and improve nutritional properties of foods.     

Amylose lipid complexes formation as an alternative to reduce amylopectin retrogradation and staling of stored tortillas

The impact of addition of palmitic acid (PA) on the amylose-lipid complexes formation and their influence on amylopectin retrogradation were studied. Tortillas prepared with 0.0%, 1.0% and 1.5% (w/w) of PA were stored for 0, 7, and 14 days at 4 °C. Tortillas with 1.0% and 1.5% of PA were softer than tortillas without PA during storage time; this change can be associated with reduction in starch retrogradation. Texture evaluation suggests that retrogradation reduction, influences directly tortilla texture (r = 0.82; P < 0.007). Thermal analysis revealed that tortillas had three endotherms corresponding to melting of (i) retrograded amylopectin, (ii) type I amylose-lipid complexes and (iii) type II amylose-lipid complexes. Addition of palmitic acid to masa during tortilla-making process may be an alternative strategy to reduce starch retrogradation and tortilla staling.     

Scavenging effects of lotus seed extracts on reactive nitrogen species

The inhibitory effect of lotus (Nelumbo nicifera) seed extracts extracted with water (LSWE), ethyl acetate (LSEAE) and hexane (LSHE) on reactive nitrogen species, induced by DNA damage in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, was investigated. The results showed that all extracts could inhibit nitric oxide accumulation in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. The extracts in the range of 0.01–0.2 mg/ml showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the accumulation of nitric oxide upon decomposition of sodium nitroprusside (SNP). The potency of inhibitory activity was in the order: LSEAE > LSWE > LSHE. The results of the comet assay indicated that the three extracts could inhibit DNA damage in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells induced by SNP. In addition, the three samples, at 0.2 mg/ml, showed 63%, 59%, and 38% inhibition of DNA damage in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells induced by peroxynitrite, respectively. All extracts tested were found to be potent peroxynitrite scavengers, capable of preventing the nitration of tyrosine. The data obtained suggest that lotus seed extracts might act as chemopreventers through reduction of excess amounts of nitric oxide.     

ROLE OF OIL ON PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CORN MASA FLOURS AND SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF CORN TORTILLAS

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of oil on physical properties of corn masa and sensory of tortillas. Oil from commercial and lab-made whole dry corn masa (DCM) was extracted with hexane. Both flours were reconstituted with 2, and 4% w/w of commercial corn oil, to have 50 and 100% oil reconstituted flours. These levels of reconstitution were to determine the impact of oil on dough properties and sensory characteristics of corn tortillas. The sensory analysis of both types of flours showed the same patterns. The absence of oil did not affect dough stickiness or tortilla reliability. But, low content of oil did adversely and significantly (p<0.05) affect the typical corn tortilla flavor. Presence of oil significantly improved tortilla firmness and chewiness.     

Chemical composition and in vitro starch digestibility of pigmented corn tortilla

BACKGROUND: Tortillas were prepared from two (blue and regular white) maize varieties and compared with regard to chemical composition and in vitro starch digestibility, i.e., available starch (AS), total (RS) and retrograde (RRS) resistant starch contents, amylolysis rate and predicted glycemic index (pGI). The impact of cold storage (4 °C) on digestibility was also investigated. RESULTS: Despite its higher protein and lipid contents, pigmented tortilla exhibited lower AS content than the white product. AS in both types of tortilla decreased during the first 2 days of storage, and remained stable thereafter. Blue tortilla had lower RS content (21 g kg^?1 dry matter basis) than the white tortilla (30 g kg^?1 dry matter basis). RS values were slightly higher in 2 day‐stored tortillas than in their fresh counterparts. Although the RRS content in recently made white tortillas was greater than in the colored preparation, stored blue tortillas exhibited double RRS values compared with freshly baked samples. α‐Amylolysis of blue tortilla was slower than in the white sample. Consequently, blue tortilla exhibited a lower pGI value. pGI for the white tortilla decreased upon cold storage, a change that was not be observed for the colored preparation. CONCLUSION: Starch digestibility characteristics of blue tortilla make it suitable for people with special nutritional or metabolic requirements. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Prevention of the development of polluting characteristics in cooking water residue from nixtamalisation of corn by removing solid lime particles

Removing solid lime particles (SLP) may help to prevent polluting characteristics of corn cooking wastewater (nejayote). The objective of this study was to evaluate the polluting characteristics of nejayote and characteristics of nixtamal, masa and tortilla using SLP-free solutions (SLPF) for the nixtamalisation process. Two SLPF treatments: calcium hydroxide (CHYDROX) and calcium oxide (COXIDE) were compared against traditional nixtamalisation (TRADNIX). Polluting characteristics including pH, settleable solids, total hardness, alkalinity and chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduced by 29.5% and 24.3%, 61.9% and 63.3%, 46.3% and 54.7%, 43.3% and 55.1%, 41.1% and 67.7% in CHYDROX and COXIDE, respectively, compared to TRADNIX. Masas and tortillas from SLPF treatments were whiter than those from TRADNIX. Moisture in SLPF tortillas was lower by 4.3–6.3% compared to TRADNIX. Tortillas from SLPF treatments had higher maximum tensile strength (0.04–0.08 N mm⁻²) than TRADNIX. Removing SLP is a viable strategy for preventing pollution from the nixtamalisation process.     

FORMATION OF NITRIC OXIDE MYOGLOBIN BY NICOTINAMIDE ADENINE DINUCLEOTIDES AND FLAVINS

SUMMARY –Formation of nitric oxide myoglobin was studied under anaerobic conditions. NADH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and NADPH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) as reducing agents alone did not produce nitric oxide myoglobin from metmyoglobin and nitrite. However, in the presence of FMN (flavin mononucleotide), either NADH or NADPH readily produced nitric oxide myoglobin. FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide) and riboflavin also were effective for the formation of nitric oxide myoglobin by NADH. In the absence of myoglobin, the NADH-FMN system did not reduce nitrite to nitric oxide. Similarly, a diaphorasemethylene blue system readily produced nitric oxide myoglobin, but in the absence of myoglobin it did not reduce nitrite to nitric oxide. On the other hand, nitric oxide myoglobin was produced from deoxymyoglobin by the action of nitrite in the absence of reducing agents under anaerobic conditions. Deoxymyoglobin can directly reduce nitrite to nitric oxide; the NADH-FMN and diaphorase-methylene blue systems may participate in the formation of nitric oxide myoglobin by means of reduction of metmyoglobin to the deoxy form.     

Nitrite Mode of Action: Inhibition of Yeast Pyruvate Decarboxylase (E.C. 4.1.1.1) and Clostridial Pyruvate:Ferredoxin Oxidoreductase (E.C. 1.2.7.1) by Nitric Oxide

The effects of nitric oxide (NO) on the nonoxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate were studied using yeast pyruvate decarboxylase (PD) as a model. PD was inhibited by NO (50% inhibition 0.5 mM) under anaerobic but not under aerobic conditions. Prior inhibition by NO was not reversed by aerobic conditions. Sodium nitrite (0.5 mM) was not inhibitory. Inhibition of PD by NO was markedly enhanced in the presence of ascorbate. A preparation of pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFO) from Clostridium perfringens (3624 A) was inhibited by NO (50% inhibition 0.025 mM) but not by sodium nitrite (1.0 mM). These results suggest that the thiamin dependent decarboxylation of pyruvate may be an additional site for the antimicrobial mode of action of nitrite independent of the iron-sulfur center of PFO and supports the concept that the active principle is NO.     

Effect of Degree of Starch Gelatinization on Quality Attributes of Fried Tortilla Chips

ABSTRACT: The effect of degree of starch gelatinization on the quality attributes of tortilla chips was studied. Three different samples were prepared: control (45% of starch gelatinized before frying), freeze-dried (5% of starch gelatinized before frying), and steamed-baked tortilla chips (87% starch gelatinized before frying). Compared to the control chips, the steamed-baked tortillas produced chips with lower oil content. They shrunk the most and showed a high degree of puffiness and lower crunchiness. Their texture was harder and not very crunchy. The majority of the oil in these chips was located at the surface. The freeze-dried tortilla yielded chips with high oil content. The texture was soft, and the porosity was very low, providing unacceptable characteristics in tortilla chips.     

Effect of added calcium hydroxide during corn nixtamalization on acrylamide content in tortilla chips

This study has analyzed the influence of lime (Ca(OH)₂) concentration used during nixtamalization process on the physicochemical properties of nixtamalized corn flours and its effect on the acrylamide content in tortilla chips prepared from them. Flours prepared from nixtamalized corn with 0.5 and 1.0 g/100 g of Ca(OH)₂ showed higher levels of insoluble fiber, lower concentrations of calcium and ash, and a pH close to neutral. The acrylamide content of tortilla chips was correlated with the physicochemical properties of the flours. The results showed that acrylamide content was mainly affected by the ash, calcium, soluble fiber concentration in flour, as well pH value (p < 0.05). In comparison with tortilla chips made of flours prepared from nixtamalized corn with lime concentration of 1.0 g/100 g, a reduction of 52 and 36% in acrylamide content in tortilla chips made with flours prepared from nixtamalized corn with lime concentrations of 1.5 and 2.0 g/100 g, was obtained. The results suggest that controlling the concentration of Ca(OH)₂ during nixtamalization process can be used as an effective strategy for reducing acrylamide formation in fried products produced from nixtamalized corn flour.     

Changes in oral processing parameters of three rice varieties

Mastication and saliva addition affects the formation of a bolus, directly playing a key role in people's eating enjoyment. However, the specific changes of oral physiological parameters and bolus moisture content in the oral processing of rice have not been studied in detail. Thus, in the present study, salivary flow rate, salivary secretion, chewing frequency, and bolus moisture content during oral processing of three rice varieties (japonica rice, indica rice, and glutinous rice) were fully investigated. The differences among different rice and changes among different oral processing stages (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) were analyzed. Results showed that the swallowing time of glutinous rice was significantly lower than that of japonica and indica rice (p < .05). However, there was no significant difference in the chewing frequency of the three rice varieties throughout the oral processing stages (1.59–1.66 Hz, p > .05). During oral processing, the salivary flow rates for the three kinds of rice decreased significantly (p < .05), from 37.72 ± 4.32 mg/s (0%–25% stage) to 19.83 ± 5.50 mg/s (75%–100% stage). The dry basis moisture content of the bolus increased significantly (p < .05), from 1.53 ± 0.08 (0%) to 1.96 ± 0.02 (100%). In the 75%–100% stage, the amount of saliva secretion for japonica rice was highest, followed by indica rice and glutinous rice (p < .05). At the point of swallowing (100% stage), the dry basis moisture content of all three rice-bolus' was consistent (1.94–1.99, p > .05).     

Enhancement of short chain fatty acid formation by pure cultures of probiotics on rice fibre

The formation of SCFA and the digestion of rice fibre using the following probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve) was compared using total dietary fibre (TDF), insoluble dietary fibre (IDF) and soluble dietary fibre (SDF) from two varieties (milling grades) of rice. The milling grade of the rice had no significant effect (P < 0.05) on the SCFA formation and the digestion after 6, 24 and 48 h fermentation. SCFA formation from the fermentation of the fibre fractions of both rice varieties, followed the pattern of TDF > SDF > IDF for all the probiotics tested and major difference between the species was the time to form the SCFA. The pattern of SCFA formation from both rice fibre fractions was acetate > propionate > butyrate for all the organisms with no significant difference between the micro‐organisms (P < 0.05) although the ratio of acetate:propionate:butyrate was lower for Bifidobacterium spp. Lactobacillus spp. digested 60–80% of fibre whereas Bifidobaceria digested 75–85% of the rice fibre fractions from both rice samples. There was no significant difference in the ability of the micro‐organisms tested to utilise the different varieties of rice (P > 0.05).     

Characteristics of nixtamalised maize flours produced with the use of microwave heating during alkaline cooking

Whole, ground and abrasively dehulled grains from both normal (H‐34 and H‐34) and quality protein (QPM and QPMa) maize were mixed with water contents of 70, 95 and 100 g kg⁻¹ and calcium hydroxide concentrations of 0.0, 0.3, 0.5 and 2.0 g kg⁻¹ and heated (operating frequency 2.450 MHz, high‐power setting) for 10, 15 and 20 min in a commercial microwave oven. The cooked grain was then oven dried and milled to obtain nixtamalised maize flour (NMF). The protein contents and test weights of QPM were higher than for the normal hybrids. The highest yields of masa and tortillas were found for the normal hybrids, and these samples did not show significant differences, as compared with the commercial nixtamalised flour (CNMF) used as control, with respect to masa firmness and adhesiveness and tortilla tensile strength. The cutting force of tortillas from hybrid H‐30 and QPM did not show significant differences from the control. The highest values of tortilla rollability were found for the control followed by hybrid H‐34. The values of residual cooking liquor for microwave‐heated samples were lower than for the control. Ground or dehulled maize grain gave sticky masa and poor mechinical characteristics. Tortillas from whole grain showed good characteristics of texture and consistency of masa, and the tortillas were subjectively similar in colour, flavour and rollability to the tortillas prepared with CNMF. These results indicate a potential use of microwave energy to produce NMF for tortillas and derivatives. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Heat treatment enhances the NO-suppressing and peroxynitrite-intercepting activities of kumquat (Fortunella margarita Swingle) peel

In Taiwan, folk remedies containing dried kumquats (Fortunella margarita Swingle) are used to cure inflammatory respiratory disorders. The induction of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase in inflammatory cells and increased airway production of NO and peroxynitrite, its derivative, are key events in such disorders. Although heat is known to affect the antioxidant activity of citrus peels, the effects of dehydration and heating on NO suppression and on the interception of peroxynitrite are unclear. We determined the NO-suppressing activities of freeze-dried, oven-dried, and heat-treated kumquat extracts by measuring their inhibition of NO production in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, we evaluated the attenuation of peroxynitrite-mediated nitrotyrosine formation in albumin. Heating, but not oven drying, enhanced the ability of kumquat peels to suppress NO and intercept peroxynitrite, as compared with freeze drying. However, heat treatment and oven drying of kumquat flesh attenuated these activities; these effects were at least partially attributed to heat-susceptible ascorbate.