Changes in oxidative stability,antioxidant capacity and phytochemical composition of Pistacia terebinthus oil with roasting

The effect of roasting on oxidative stability, antioxidant capacity and the content of antioxidant phytochemicals in Pistacia terebinthus oil was investigated. Oils were extracted from P. terebinthus fruits roasted at 180 °C for 0–40 min. Roasting was found to cause an increase in the passage of phenolic compounds to the oil whereas the level of tocopherols, lutein and β-carotene was decreased. Antioxidant capacity and oxidative stability of P. terebinthus oil increased with roasting. As an indicator of the presence of Maillard reaction products in oil, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) level and colour intensity was measured and found to increase with increasing roasting time. Fatty acid composition was not affected significantly by roasting.     

Use of low-temperature extrusion for reducing phytohemagglutinin activity (PHA) and oligosaccharides in beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cv. Navy and Pinto

Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) lectins and oligosaccharides are the anti-nutrients that limit dry bean consumption. The objective of this study was to study the effects of low temperature (85 °C) extrusion and steam-cooking (82 °C) on the fate of lectin, analysed as phytohemagglutinin activity (PHA), and the oligosaccharides, raffinose and stachyose. Both extrusion processing and steam-cooking significantly (p ? 0.05) reduced the lectin in bean flour by 85–95% over raw bean flours (control). The stachyose content in extruded navy bean flours was comparable to that in raw and steam-cooked flours while extruded pinto bean flour had significantly lower stachyose content than that found in raw and steam-cooked flour. The raffinose content of both navy and pinto extruded flours, though lower than raw bean flours, was significantly higher than that in steam-cooked flours. The results of this study demonstrated that extrusion processing at relatively lower temperature can be effective in eliminating lectins and reducing oligosaccharides.     

Effect of heat,rutin and disulfide bond reduction on in vitro pepsin digestibility of Chinese tartary buckwheat protein fractions

Protein fractions (albumin, globulin, prolamin and glutelin) were extracted from defatted tartary buckwheat flour. The in vitro pepsin digestibilities of the four protein fractions were different, and albumin was more susceptible to pepsin hydrolysis. The native structure of the four protein fractions may be destroyed by heat treatment, and the digestibilities were all improved significantly (P < 0.05). Adding rutin to the digestion mixture of the four fractions did not cause a decrease in pepsin digestibility, although it did cause a significant increase in certain instances (P < 0.05). Treatment with β-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) only caused a higher initial proteolysis rate and did not increase the final digestibility distinctly except for prolamin. After pepsin digestion, the remaining proteins of unhydrolyzed albumin, globulin, prolamin and glutelin (untreated) shared some similarities. They also exhibited a minor band at 20,000 Da and a broad band at 10,000–14,000 Da.     

Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of extracts from whole buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Möench) with or without microwave irradiation

The purpose of this study was to extract phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity from buckwheat with water, 50% aqueous ethanol, or 100% ethanol using microwave irradiation or a water bath for 15 min at various temperatures (23–150 °C). Phenolic content of extracts increased with increasing temperature. In general, phenolic contents in microwave irradiated extracts were higher than those heated with a water bath. The highest phenolic content, 18.5 ± 0.2 mg/g buckwheat, was observed in the extract that was microwave irradiated in 50% aqueous ethanol at 150 °C. The highest antioxidant activities, 5.61 ± 0.04–5.73 ± 0.00 μmol Trolox equivalents/g buckwheat, were found in the 100% ethanol extracts obtained at 100 and 150 °C, independent of heat source. These results indicate that microwave irradiation can be used to obtain buckwheat extracts with higher phenolic content and similar antioxidant activity as extracts heated in a water bath.     

Production of functional substances from black rice bran by its treatment in subcritical water

Black rice bran was treated by water and subcritical water at temperatures ranging from 20 to 260 °C for 5 min and at 200 and 260 °C for 5-120 min. The bran extracts were analyzed for their radical scavenging activity, protein and carbohydrate contents, molecular-mass distribution, antioxidation activity, emulsifying activity, and emulsion-stabilizing activity. The radical scavenging activity and the protein content of the extract were higher at higher treatment temperature. The carbohydrate content also increased with increasing temperature up to 200 °C, then steeply decreased at the temperatures higher than 200 °C. The bran extracts treated at 260 °C for 5 min exhibited a suppressive activity toward autoxidation of linoleic acid with the increasing the weight ratio of the bran extract to linoleic acid. The bran extracts prepared at 40-200 °C for 5 min showed the emulsifying- and emulsion-stabilizing activities, while the extracts prepared at 220-260 °C were low in the activities.     

Distribution of phenolic compounds in the graded flours milled from whole buckwheat grains and their antioxidant capacities

Whole buckwheat grains were milled into 16 flour fractions using the gradual milling system and the phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity of each flour fraction were investigated. The phenolic and flavonoid contents of both free and bound phenolic extracts of buckwheat flour fractions significantly increased in the order from the fraction number 1 (phenolics less rich fraction) to the fraction number 16 (phenolics rich fraction). The phenolic compounds in buckwheat existed primarily in free form, whereas the flavonoids existed in grain in insoluble bound forms, bound to cell wall materials. The amounts of ferulic acid and rutin increased from 2.5 and 2.5 μg/g flour of the phenolics less rich fraction to 609.5 and 389.9 μg/g flour of the phenolics rich fraction of grain, respectively. The higher phenolic contents in the phenolics rich fractions exhibited the stronger antioxidant capacity than the phenolics less rich fractions. As a result, the flour milled from the outer layers of buckwheat grains with large amount of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity are considered to have significant health benefits.     

Effect of germination and probiotic fermentation on nutrient composition of barley based food mixtures

Food mixtures formulated from non-germinated and germinated barley flour, whey powder and tomato pulp (2:1:1w/w) were autoclaved, cooled and fermented with 5% Lactobacillus acidophilus curd (10⁶ cells/ml) at 37 °C for 12 h. The cell count was found significantly higher (8.88 cfu/g) in the fermented food mixture formulated from germinated flour as compared to the non-germinated barley based food mixture. A significant drop in pH with corresponding increase in titratable acidity was found in the germinated barley flour based food mixture. Processing treatments like germination, autoclaving and probiotic fermentation did not bring about any significant change in ash and fat contents, but significant decrease was noticed in crude protein, crude fibre, starch, total and insoluble dietary fibre contents. The combined processing caused significant improvement in reducing sugar, thiamine, niacin, lysine and soluble dietary fibre contents of barley based food mixtures. In conclusion, a combination of germination and fermentation is a potential process for enhancing the nutritional quality of food mixtures based on coarse cereals.     

Changes occurring in phenolic content,tocopherol composition and oxidative stability of Camelina sativa oil during storage

Changes occurring during storage in the content of polar phenolic compounds, the composition of tocopherols (T), the presence of primary and secondary oxidative products and titratable acidity in oil obtained from the seeds of Camelina sativa were studied. In fresh oil the content of polar phenolic compounds amounted to 128 mg/kg (expressed as chlorogenic acid), the content of α-T was (41 ± 8) mg/kg, of γ-T (710 ± 19) mg/kg and of δ-T (12 ± 3) mg/kg. β-T and tocotrienols were not detected. In oil stored at 50 °C the concentration of total tocopherols decreased to a value of (440 ± 13) mg/kg in 15 days. In that time the content of polar phenolic compounds in the oil stored at 50 °C was reduced to 72% of its initial value. The content of polar phenolic compounds in oil stored at 65 °C for 15 days was reduced to 21% of its initial value. The content of polar phenolic compounds in the C. sativa oil investigated decreased linearly with peroxide value and with p-anisidine value. The antioxidative activity of polar phenolic compounds extracted from camelina oil was also elucidated. Analysis revealed that the phenolic extract obtained from camelina oil added to a model lipid system for a certain time significantly retarded the process of autooxidation.     

Antioxidant properties of tartary buckwheat extracts as affected by different thermal processing methods

The effects of roasting, pressured-steam heating and microwave heating on total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant properties of whole-meal flour from tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) were investigated. The total phenolics were evaluated by Folin-Ciocalteau assay, total flavonoids by aluminum nitrate colorimetric assay whilst antioxidant properties were based on free radical scavenging activity of flour extracts against hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in vitro. This study showed that thermal treatment of buckwheat flour caused a decrease in total phenolics, total flavonoids and antioxidative activities. The changes in trend of the antioxidant activities due to the thermal treatment were positively correlated with the content of phenolics (R² = 0.8401-0.9909). Therefore, it can be suggested that special care should be taken when processing method is selected for the exploration of tartary buckwheat products.     

Effects of food formulation and thermal processing on flavones in celery and chamomile

Flavones isolated from celery varied in their stability and susceptibility to deglycosylation during thermal processing at pH 3, 5, or 7. Apigenin 7-O-apiosylglucoside was converted to apigenin 7-O-glucoside when heated at pH 3 and 100 °C. Apigenin 7-O-glucoside showed little conversion or degradation at any pH after 5 h at 100 °C. Apigenin, luteolin, and chrysoeriol were most stable at pH 3 but progressively degraded at pH 5 or 7. Chamomile and celery were used to test the effects of glycosidase-rich foods and thermal processing on the stability of flavone glycosides. Apigenin 7-O-glucoside in chamomile extract was readily converted to apigenin aglycone after combination with almond, flax seed, or chickpea flour. Apigenin 7-O-apiosylglucoside in celery leaves was resistant to conversion by β-glucosidase-rich ingredients, but was converted to apigenin 7-O-glucoside at pH 2.7 when processed at 100 °C for 90 min and could then be further deglycosylated when mixed with almond or flax seed. Thus, combinations of acid hydrolysis and glycosidase enzymes in almond and flax seed were most effective for developing a flavone-rich, high aglycone food ingredient from celery.     

The influence of roasting,pasteurisation, and storage on the polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of California almond skins

Polyphenols and antioxidant activity of skins from California almonds subjected to roasting, pasteurisation, and storage were determined by LC-MS quantification, total phenols (TP), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Pasteurisation did not significantly change TP, FRAP, or flavonoids and phenolic acids (FP). Roasted almonds had 26% less TP and 34% less FRAP than raw, but equivalent FP (n = 12). Storing almonds at 4 and 23 °C for 15 mo resulted in gradual increases in FP, up to 177% and 200%, respectively (n = 13). At 4 °C and 15 mo, polyphenols increased 18-fold for p-hydroxybenzoic acid, whilst others were 45–200% higher compared to baseline values. Isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside accounted for 48% of the increase in FP. After 15 mo, FRAP and TP increased to 200% and 190% of initial values. Accelerated ageing of whole almonds increased FP content by 10% after 3 days, but TP and FRAP values were not significantly different from baseline to day 10. Thus, in almond skins, roasting decreases TP and FRAP but not FP, whilst storage for up to 15 mo doubles FP.     

Strategy to inactivate Clostridium perfringens spores in meat products

The current study aimed to develop an inactivation strategy for Clostridium perfringens spores in meat through a combination of spore activation at low pressure (100–200 MPa, 7 min) and elevated temperature (80 °C, 10 min); spore germination at high temperatures (55, 60 or 65 °C); and inactivation of germinated spores with elevated temperatures (80 and 90 °C, 10 and 20 min) and high pressure (586 MPa, at 23 and 73 °C, 10 min). Low pressures (100–200 MPa) were insufficient to efficiently activate C. perfringens spores for germination. However, C. perfringens spores were efficiently activated with elevated temperature (80 °C, 10 min), and germinated at temperatures lethal for vegetative cells (≥55 °C) when incubated for 60 min with a mixture of l-asparagine and KCl (AK) in phosphate buffer (pH 7) and in poultry meat. Inactivation of spores (∼4 decimal reduction) in meat by elevated temperatures (80–90 °C for 20 min) required a long germination period (55 °C for 60 min). However, similar inactivation level was reached with shorter germination period (55 °C for 15 min) when spore contaminated-meat was treated with pressure-assisted thermal processing (568 MPa, 73 °C, 10 min). Therefore, the most efficient strategy to inactivate C. perfringens spores in poultry meat containing 50 mM AK consisted: (i) a primary heat treatment (80 °C, 10 min) to pasteurize and denature the meat proteins and to activate C. perfringens spores for germination; (ii) cooling of the product to 55 °C in about 20 min and further incubation at 55 °C for about 15 min for spore germination; and (iii) inactivation of germinated spores by pressure-assisted thermal processing (586 MPa at 73 °C for 10 min). Collectively, this study demonstrates the feasibility of an alternative and novel strategy to inactivate C. perfringens spores in meat products formulated with germinants specific for C. perfringens.     

Evaluation of processing qualities of tomato juice induced by thermal and pressure processing

Effects of processing conditions including hot-break processing (92 °C for 2 min), cold-break processing (60 °C for 2 min) and hydrostatic pressure treatments (100-500 MPa) at different temperatures (4, 25 and 50 °C) for 10 min on quality aspects of tomato juice were investigated. Both hot- and cold-break processing induced significant changes in color, viscosity and radical-scavenging capacity of tomato juice compared with control (fresh tomato juice); moreover, hot-break processing induced a specific range of reduction of pectin methylesterase (PME) and polygalacturonase (PG) activities. Pressure treatments at and below 200 MPa at 4 and 25 °C maintained the color, extractable total carotenoids and lycopene, and radical-scavenging capacity; further, those at 500 MPa at 4 and 25 °C improved all the quality attributes the most except inactivation of PME in this study. The residual activity of PME showed the lowest after treating by 200 MPa at 25 °C; however, the PME activity was enhanced by treatments at 300-500 MPa and various temperatures. The residual activity of PG decreased gradually to 72% with pressure elevated from 100 to 400 MPa at 4 and 25 °C, further, that declined quickly to 10% after 500 MPa treatments. This research clearly shows that it is possible to selectively produce good tomato juice products by high pressure processing at ambient temperature.     

Infrared heating for dry-roasting and pasteurization of almonds

The use of infrared (IR) heating for improving the microbial safety and processing efficiency of dry-roasted almonds was investigated. Almonds were roasted at 130, 140 and 150 °C with three different methods: IR roasting, sequential infrared and hot air (SIRHA) roasting, and traditional hot air (HA) roasting. The heating rate and pasteurization efficacy of almonds under different roasting methods and temperatures were evaluated. Pediococcus sp. NRRL B-2354 was used as a surrogate for Salmonella enterica Enteriditis PT 30 for evaluating the pasteurization efficacy of different processing methods and conditions. When SIRHA roasting at 130, 140 and 150 °C roasting temperatures was used to produce medium roasted almonds, 4.10-, 5.82- and 6.96-log, bacterial reductions were achieved with 38%, 39% and 62% time saving compared to HA roasting at each temperatures, respectively. The decimal reduction time of the bacteria at all roasting temperatures were calculated for SIRHA roasting as 8.68, 3.72 and 1.42 min, respectively, with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.92 and the thermal resistance constant was found as 25.4 °C. The total color change followed zero-order reaction kinetics and the activation energies were 73.58, 52.15 and 67.60 kJ/mol for HA, IR and SIRHA roasting, respectively. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed in sensory quality of medium roasted almonds processed with different roasting methods. We conclude that the SIRHA roasting is a promising new method for the production of dry-roasted pasteurized almonds.     

Physical properties of extruded corn grits with corn fibre by CO2 injection extrusion

Corn grits and corn fibre mixed at different ratios (0/100, 15/85 and 30/70) were extruded at different melt temperature (90, 105 and 120 °C) using extrusion with and without CO₂ injection. Increasing melt temperature also significantly improved physical properties of extrudates in both non-CO₂ and CO₂ injection (200 mL/min) extrusion process. The injection of CO₂ in the extrusion process showed similar effect on physical properties of extrudates at the lower melt temperature (90 and 105 °C), whereas it exhibited opposite trend at higher melt temperature (120 °C). At the lower melt temperature, the surface of extrudates with the CO₂ injection was smoother and lower fracturability, and the cross sectional microstructure was more uniform. The addition of corn fibre decreased the expansion index, bulk density and breaking strength on the same extrusion condition. In addition, non-uniform and more broken cross-sectional microstructure was observed by the addition of corn fibre.     

Effects of processing on the nutraceutical profile of quinoa

Quinoa flour was subjected to a variety of thermal processes. Both unprocessed and processed quinoa samples were subjected to successive extractions in methanol and ethyl acetate solvents. Effects of processing were gauged via comparison of HPLC chromatograms of the quinoa extracts. Quinoa flour subjected to processing via roasting and extrusion resulted in a significant impact on the chemical profile when compared to unprocessed quinoa flour. Steam pre-conditioning had minimal effects on the chemical profile of quinoa flour. Process-enhanced isolate from roasted and extruded quinoa possessed a molecular weight of 480 D, was dissolved in methanol and ethyl acetate, and possessed a NMR spectra reminiscent of a terpenoid compound. This research suggests that thermal processing of quinoa flour can result in degradation of saponin molecules. Saponin decomposition may influence sensory or pharmacological properties.     

Effect of thermal blanching and of high pressure treatments on sweet green and red bell pepper fruits (Capsicum annuum L.)

The effect of pressure treatments of 100 and 200 MPa (10 and 20 min) and of thermal blanching at 70 °C, 80 °C and 98 °C (1 and 2.5 min), on sweet green and red bell peppers was compared. Pressure treated peppers showed a lower reduction on soluble protein and ascorbic acid contents. Red peppers presented even an increased content of ascorbic acid (15–20%), compared to the untreated peppers. Peroxidase and pectin methylesterase (whose activity was only quantifiable in green peppers) showed a higher stability to pressure treatments, particularly the latter enzyme, while polyphenol oxidase was inactivated to the same final level by the thermal blanching and pressure treatments. Pressure treatments resulted in comparable (in green pepper) to higher (in red pepper) microbial loads compared to blanching. Pressure treated green and red peppers presented similar to better firmness before and after tunnel freezing at −30 °C, compared to thermally blanched peppers, particularly those blanched at 98 °C. The results indicated that pressure treatments of 100 and 200 MPa can be used to produce frozen peppers with similar to better nutritional (soluble protein and ascorbic acid) and texture (firmness) characteristics, comparable activity of polyphenol oxidase and higher activity of pectin methylesterase, while pressure treated peppers show a higher level of peroxidase activity. It would be interesting to use higher pressures in future studies, as an attempt to cause a higher reduction on microbial load and on enzymatic activity.     

High pressure–temperature degradation kinetics of polyacetylenes in carrots

The present study assessed the effect of high pressure–temperature (HPT) processing on the levels of three polyacetylenes in carrot disks immediately after processing in comparison to sous-vide processing. The degradation kinetics of these compounds following processing at HPT was also investigated. The highest pressure–temperature combination which gave maximum retention during the time 10–30 min, for falcarinol it was 400 MPa, at 50 and 60 °C for 10 min; for falcarindiol it was 400 MPa, at 50 °C for 10 min and for falcarindiol-3-acetate was 400 MPa, at 50 °C for 10 min, respectively. Falcarindiol-3-acetate was found to be most barosensitive and falcarindiol was found to be most thermosensitive of the three polyacetylenes studied. When compared with sous-vide (SV) processed carrot disks, HPT processed samples showed higher retention of polyacetylenes. The changes in the levels of polyacetylenes during HPT treatment were adequately described by Weibull model function.     

Initial and delayed mortality of late-instar larvae, pupae, and adults of Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) exposed at variable temperatures and time intervals

Late-instar larvae, pupae, and adults of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), the red flour beetle, or Tribolium confusum (DuVal), the confused flour beetle, were exposed for variable durations at 36-54 °C. Beetles were placed in laboratory ovens set at a baseline of 27 °C, the temperature was increased by 0.1 °C per minute until the target temperature was achieved, and beetles were then held for specified exposure durations. There was no mortality after initial exposure or after a 1-week holding period of any life stage of T. castaneum or T. confusum exposed for 32 h to 36, 39, or 42 °C. At 45 °C, there was no initial mortality of either species exposed for different time intervals except for those exposed for 28 h. However, there was a significant increase in mortality after the 1-week holding period of those beetles exposed initially for at least 16 h to 45 °C. There was a sharp increase in mortality after the initial exposures of 4 h at 48 °C; mortality of T. confusum larvae was 90.0±5.7% but was only 10.0±10.0% for larvae of T. castaneum, and no pupae of either species were dead. All life stages of both species were killed after the initial exposure of 12 h, and 1-week mortality of beetles exposed for 4 and 8 h was generally greater than initial mortality. At 51 and 54 °C, 2- and 1-h exposures, respectively, killed all life stages of each species. Mortality in conditions of gradual temperature increase was less than previous studies with sudden temperature increases.     

Green processes based on the extraction with pressurized fluids to obtain potent antimicrobials from Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae

In the present work, the antimicrobial activity of different pressurized liquid extracts obtained from Haematococcus pluvialis microalga was tested against several microorganisms of importance for the food industry (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger). Extractions were performed with hexane and ethanol at four different temperatures (50, 100, 150 and 200 °C) for 20 min. The results showed that extracts obtained with both solvents (hexane and ethanol) from the green motile cells of the microalgae (green phase) presented a low antimicrobial activity against all the microorganisms tested. However, the antimicrobial activity of the extracts obtained from the red hematocysts without flagella (red phase) was totally different depending on the solvent used for the extraction. Hexane extracts showed an antimicrobial activity quite similar to that obtained with the green microalgae, while the antimicrobial activity of ethanol extracts was much higher. This fact seems to indicate that compounds related to antimicrobial activity of this microalga are found in higher quantities in the red phase of the microalgae and could be relatively polar compounds. Moreover, ethanol extracts from the red phase obtained at 100 °C presented the highest antimicrobial activity. In order to identify the compounds responsible for the antimicrobial activity, a GC-MS characterization of the extracts obtained with both hexane and ethanol at 100 °C, for Haematococcus pluvialis in the green and red phases was also performed. Therefore, the highest antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract corresponding to red Haematococcus can be associated with the presence in this extract of short-chain fatty acids, which have been previously described to possess antimicrobial activity.