Studies on antioxidant activities of mucuna seed (Mucuna pruriens var utilis) extract and various non‐protein amino/imino acids through in vitro models

The antioxidant activities of a methanolic extract of mucuna beans (Mucuna pruriens var utilis) and several non‐protein amino/imino acids, namely L ‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (L ‐dopa), L ‐3‐carboxy‐6,7‐dihydroxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline (compound I), (?)‐1‐methyl‐3‐carboxy‐6,7‐dihydroxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline (compound II) and 5‐hydroxytryptophan (5‐HTP), were evaluated. By virtue of their hydrogen‐donating ability, all the tested compounds and the mucuna seed extract showed excellent reducing power, with the highest values being recorded for L ‐dopa in a dose‐dependent manner. Similarly, as compared with synthetic antioxidants (BHT and BHA) and quercetin, all the tested compounds and the seed extract were found to be more potent in free radical‐scavenging activity (P < 0.05) against α,α‐diphenyl‐β‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^?) radicals. Hydroxyl radicals (OH^?) and superoxide anion radicals (O₂^??) were effectively scavenged by the tested compounds, with the exception that no scavenging activity of 5‐HTP was observed on (O₂^??) up to a concentration of 2 mg ml^?1, as was also the case for BHA. Among the tested non‐protein amino/imino acids and seed extract the highest peroxidation‐inhibiting activity (95%) was recorded for 5‐HTP. On the other hand, in the linoleic acid/β‐carotene‐bleaching system, L ‐dopa, compound I and compound II acted as pro‐oxidants, whereas the seed extract showed only weak antioxidant activity as in the linoleic acid emulsion system. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Production of soya milk containing low flatulence‐causing oligosaccharides in a packed bed reactor using immobilised α‐galactosidase

Peanut α‐galactosidase was immobilised in calcium alginate beads and used to hydrolyse the flatulence‐causing oligosaccharides, raffinose and stachyose, in soya milk in batch and in packed bed reactor with recycle. The immobilised enzyme exhibited a slightly lower activity than the free enzyme. The activity yield of immobilised α‐galactosidase was 75.1% and the immobilisation yield was 82.6%. Batch hydrolysis using immobilised enzyme at 55 °C resulted in 96% reduction in the oligosaccharides after 12 h. For the continuous process, a packed bed reactor with recycle was used. More than 98% of the oligosaccharides were hydrolysed after 6 h of reaction at 55 °C. The immobilised enzyme also proved to be stable up to three repeated hydrolysis reactions.     

Effect of soaking,cooking and crude α-galactosidase treatment on the oligosaccharide content of cowpea flours

Abstract : The effects of soaking, cooking and crude α-galactosidase treatment on the level of stachyose and raffinose present in cowpea flours were investigated. Soaking for 16 h resulted in an average reduction of 26·2% for stachyose and 28·0% for raffinose, while cooking for 50 min resulted in a reduction of 28·6% for stachyose and 44·0% for raffinose. On the other hand, treatment of cowpea flours for 2 h at 50°C with crude fungal preparations having an α-galactosidase activity equivalent to 64 units μg^?1 protein, brought about a mean decrease of 82·3% for stachyose and 93·3% for raffinose. These results show that the enzyme treatment was more effective in removing the raffinose-family oligosaccharides and hence could be a useful technique for control of the flatulence-inducing activity of cowpea flours.     

Impact of γ‐irradiation and thermal processing on the antigenicity of almond,cashew nut and walnut proteins

Whole unprocessed almonds, cashew nuts and walnuts were each subjected to γ‐irradiation (1, 5, 10 and 25 kGy) followed by heat processing including autoclaving (121 °C, 15 psi for 15 and 30 min), dry roasting (138 and 160 °C for 30 min each, 168 and 177 °C for 12 min each), blanching (100 °C for 5 and 10 min), oil roasting (191 °C, 1 min) and microwave heating (500 W for 1 and 3 min). Rabbit polyclonal antibodies were raised against each major protein isolated from defatted, but not subjected to γ‐irradiation and/or any thermal processing, almond, cashew nut and walnut flours. Immunoreactivity of almond, cashew nut and walnut proteins soluble in borate saline buffer, normalised to 1 mg protein ml^?1 for all samples, was determined by inhibition enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting. ELISAs and Western blotting experiments indicated that almond, cashew nut and walnut proteins exposed to γ‐irradiation alone or followed by various thermal treatments remained antigenically stable. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Relationship of iso‐α‐acid content and endogenous antioxidative potential during storage of lager beer

One of the critical issues regarding the quality of beer is the change in its chemical composition that occurs during storage. Decomposition of iso‐α‐acids results in an undesirable decrease in bitterness as well as a deterioration in the sensory profile of the beer. These changes are caused by the susceptibility of iso‐α‐acids to degradation owing to the influence of reactive oxygen species and light. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of storage conditions (temperature, light) on the degradation of iso‐α‐acids during aging, with the main focus on monitoring the relationship between the turnover of iso‐α‐acids, the sulphur dioxide content and the antioxidative potential of stored beer as measured by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. In agreement with previous investigations, a significant decrease in the content of bitter compounds (up to 18 % relative to the original level, depending on storage conditions) was observed. A significant decrease in the antioxidant potential of beer was recorded simultaneously and the data confirmed a strong correlation between these parameters. The decline in beer bitterness could become a marker for estimating oxidative damage during storage. Copyright © 2014 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Effect of α‐tocopherol and α‐tocotrienol on the performance of Chilean hazelnut oil (Gevuina avellana Mol) at high temperature

The high temperature antioxidant efficiency of α‐tocopherol, α‐tocotrienol and a mixture of both on hazelnut oil were evaluated. Crude hazelnut oil (HZO), crude hazelnut oil treated with alumina (THZO), as well as three samples of THZO to which 150 mg kg^?1 of α‐tocopherol, 140 mg kg^?1 of α‐tocotrienol or a mixture containing 70 mg kg^?1 of α‐tocopherol and 70 mg kg^?1 of α‐tocotrienol, were added and submitted to thermal treatment at 180°C for 18 h. The addition of tocols to THZO decreased the formation of polar compounds and increased its oxidative stability in all the systems studied. However, α‐tocopherol showed a higher antioxidant capacity than α‐tocotrienol at high temperature. In addition, α‐tocotrienol showed a more rapid degradation rate than α‐tocopherol under the conditions studied. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Change in α‐tocopherol contents,lipid oxidation and fatty acid profile in eggs enriched with linolenic acid or very long‐chain ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids after different processing methods

The influences of dietary supplementation with α‐tocopheryl acetate (α‐TA) and of processing (by hard‐boiling and scrambling) of eggs enriched with ω3 fatty acids, either very long‐chain ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC ω3 PUFAs) or linolenic acid (LNA), on fatty acid composition, α‐tocopherol content and lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values) were studied. Four dietary treatments were formulated from a basal diet containing 40 g kg^?1 linseed oil (LO) or fish oil (FO) combined with either 0 or 100 mg α‐TA kg^?1 of feed. Eggs from LO treatments were enriched with LNA and those from FO treatments were rich in VLC ω3 PUFAs. Neither processing nor dietary supplementation with α‐TA modified greatly the fatty acid profile of eggs. Dietary supplementation with α‐TA increased the α‐tocopherol content of eggs (187.2 versus 407.9 µg g^?1 dry matter). Eggs from FO treatments showed lower α‐tocopherol content than those from LO treatments (273.5 versus 321.6 µg g^?1 dry matter), and processing of eggs enriched with VLC ω3 PUFA reduced the α‐tocopherol content by a significant 16%. Moreover, processing of eggs increased lipid oxidation two‐ to nine‐fold. Oxidation levels of hard‐boiled eggs were 30.4% higher than those of scrambled eggs. TBA values in hard‐boiled and scrambled eggs were significantly reduced when 100 mg α‐TA kg^?1 of feed supplemented the diet only in those eggs enriched with VLC ω3 PUFA (from FO treatments). Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of ellagitannins,ellagic acid and volatile compounds from oak wood on the (+)‐catechin,procyanidin B1 and malvidin‐3‐glucoside content of model wines

Background and Aims: During ageing in oak barrels, wine undergoes changes because of the release of polyphenols and other molecules from wood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of some oak wood‐derived volatile compounds, ellagic acid and oak wood extracts on the levels of (+)‐catechin, procyanidin B1 and malvidin‐3‐glucoside. Methods and Results: Phenolics and the oak wood derived volatile compounds studied were quantified by HPLC and by GC, respectively. Additionally, the new compounds formed in the solutions were characterised by their spectral properties. Ellagic acid and/or oak wood extracts slowed the decline in the levels of (+)‐catechin and procyanidin B1. In contrast, the decrease in malvidin‐3‐glucoside was more pronounced in the presence of ellagic acid and oak wood chip extracts. Furfural slowed (+)‐catechin degradation, while breakdown of malvidin‐3‐glucoside was slightly more pronounced in the presence of guaiacol, furfural, vanillin and eugenol. (+)‐Catechin, procyanidin B1 and malvidin‐3‐glucoside did not significantly affect the rate of the degradation of ellagitannins during the storage time studied. Finally, new HPLC peaks were detected in the solutions containing (+)‐catechin and ellagic acid, as well as with malvidin‐3‐glucoside with ellagic acid and oak wood extract. Conclusions: Malvidin 3‐glucoside and (+)‐catechin and procyanidin B1 presented distinct behaviours during time in the presence of volatile and non‐volatile compounds from oak wood. Significance of the Study: This work points out the importance of oak wood components in the degradation of anthocyanins and tannins, as well as the reactions that occur during the ageing of red wine.     

Effect of succinylation on the functional and physicochemical properties of α‐globulin,the major protein fraction from Sesamum indicum L.

α‐Globulin the major protein fraction fromSesamum indicum was succinylated to different levels and the effect of the chemical modification was evaluated both on the functional and physicochemical properties. The results suggest that the pH of minimum solubility shifted to the more acidic side (pH ˜ 4.5–5.5) for the succinylated α‐globulin whereas for control α‐globulin the pH of minimum solubility was 6.5. Succinylation also increased emulsion activity and emulsion stability of the protein. The emulsion stability increased from a control value of 53 ± 3 s to a value of 122 ± 5 s. Bulk density, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, foam capacity and foam stability were evaluated in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) containing 0.5 M sodium chloride and all these properties showed increased values as a result of succinylation. Ultracentrifugation studies showed that the % composition of 7S component increases with concomitant decrease in that of 11S fraction with the increase in percentage of succinylation. Further increase in succinylation resulted in only 2S component which is a dissociated form of 11S and/or 7S protein fractions. The fluorescence emission studies showed a decrease in the fluorescence emission intensity of α‐globulin as a result of succinylation. The thermal stability of the protein molecule decreased due to progressive succinylation as indicated by decrease in the apparent thermal denaturation temperature from a control value of 84 to 62°C at a succinylation level of 40%. These results suggest that succinylation improves the functional characteristics of α‐globulin. Such changes in the functional properties have been attributed partly to the dissociation of the protein molecule at higher levels of succinylation and the increase in the net negative charge on the protein.     

Effects of polysaccharides and polyphenolics fractions of Zijuan tea (Camellia sinensis var. kitamura) on α‐glucosidase activity and blood glucose level and glucose tolerance of hyperglycaemic mice

The effects of polysaccharides, theaflavins, thearubigins and theabrownin fractions of Zijuan tea on α‐glucosidase and blood glucose level and intolerance of hyperglycaemic mice were evaluated. The polysaccharides or theaflavins fraction exhibited greater inhibition rate of α‐glucosidase than acarbose positive control, thearubigins fraction or theabrownin fraction. The four fractions were delivered to the treatment mice through oval gavage each day for 15 days. The mice in polysaccharides and theaflavins high‐ and low‐dose and theabrownin high‐dose treatments significantly lowered their blood glucose levels while all the treatment mice gained body weight. The mice in polysaccharides, theaflavins and theabrownin high‐ and low‐dose treatments had greater glucose tolerance as well. Thus, the theaflavins and polysaccharides fractions of Zijuan tea effectively moderated the complications of hyperglycaemic mice. The lower effectiveness of thearubigins and theabrownin fractions may be caused by the highly polymerised polyphenolics which decreased their accessibility to α‐glucosidase and digestibility in mice.     

Effect of treatment with α‐galactosidase,tannase or a cell‐wall‐degrading enzyme complex on the nutritive utilisation of protein and carbohydrates from pea (Pisum sativum L.) flour

The effect of treatment with α‐galactosidase, tannase or a cell‐wall‐degrading enzyme complex under optimal conditions of pH, temperature and length of incubation time on the chemical composition and nutritive utilisation of protein and carbohydrates from pea (Pisum sativum L.) flour was studied. Soaking of pea flours in combination with enzyme treatment led to reductions of 77–90% in the levels of α‐galactosides, and of 60–80% in the levels of trypsin inhibitor activity, increasing the content of total available sugars, which was highest in the pea flour treated with the cell‐wall‐degrading enzyme complex. All the treatments assayed caused a significant improvement in daily food intake, whereas the nutritive utilisation of protein was not increased in any of the pea products tested when compared to the raw pea flour. However, all the soaking and enzymatic treatments led to a significant improvement in daily weight gain associated with a higher dietary intake of food and total available sugars. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry