Enzymatic modification as a tool to improve the functional properties of heat‐processed soy flour

BACKGROUND: There are a number of antinutritional factors present in soybeans that exert a negative impact on the nutritional quality of the protein. Among those factors that are destroyed by heat treatment are protease inhibitors and lectins. Protease inhibitors show antinutritional effect and moreover the digestibility of the protein is limited by the presence of these antinutrients. The aims of the present study are (1) to study the effect of autoclaving on the trypsin inhibitor inactivation, nitrogen solubility and protein digestibility of defatted soy flour and (2) to study the effect of enzymatic modification on the functional properties of autoclaved soy flour. RESULTS: The solubility of the soy flour decreased with increase in autoclaving time. Partial hydrolysis of the autoclaved soy flour increased its acid solubility (pH 4.5) from 17% to 56% over a control value of 24% without affecting its functional properties. Inactivation of trypsin inhibitors improved the protein digestibility of soy flour from 25% to 95%. Particle size analysis of the autoclaved flour indicated the formation of soy protein aggregates, which resulted in poor solubility. The enzymatic modification of autoclaved soy flour resulted in its property as a good emulsifying agent with an emulsion capacity of 118 ± 4 mL. CONCLUSION: Enzymatic modification of the heat‐processed soy flour increased its solubility and other functional attributes. The increased acid solubility would be advantageous in the utilization of soy proteins in acidic foods. Thus the autoclaved and partially modified soy flour is a potential source for specific functional foods. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Molecular structure and granule morphology of native and heat‐moisture‐treated pinhão starch

Pinhão seed is an unconventional source of starch and the pines grow up in native forests of southern Latin America. In this study, pinhão starch was adjusted at 15, 20 and 25% moisture content and heated to 100, 110 and 120 °C for 1 h. A decrease in λ max (starch/iodine complex) was observed as a result of increase in temperature and moisture content of HMT. The ratio of crystalline to amorphous phase in pinhão starch was determined via Fourier transform infra red by taking 1045/1022 band ratio. A decrease in crystallinity occurred as a result of HMT. Polarised light microscopy indicated a loss of birefringence of starch granules under 120 °C at 25% moisture content. Granule size distribution was further confirmed via scanning electron microscopy which showed the HMT effects. These results increased the understanding on molecular and structural properties of HMT pinhão starch and broadened its food and nonfood industrial applications.     

Preparation and characterisation of isoflavone aglycone‐rich calcium‐binding soy protein hydrolysates

Isoflavone aglycone‐rich calcium‐binding soy protein hydrolysates were prepared by subcritical water treatment and subsequent protease hydrolysis. Contaminated β‐glucosidase in the Protease M preparation could effectively convert glycosides into aglycones. Compared with Alcalase hydrolysates, Protease M hydrolysates exhibited higher molecular weight (>5000 Da) and more hydrophobic characteristics because of its weaker proteolytic activity. The antioxidant activity of Protease M hydrolysates was obviously improved. Initial increased DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging rate of Protease M hydrolysates may be ascribed to the conversion of isoflavones (<30 min) and a gradual release of antioxidant peptides. In the later hydrolysis, a gradual exposure of isoflavones involved in the interior of heat‐induced protein aggregates was mainly responsible for further improved antioxidant activities. Higher calcium‐binding capacity (up to 7.86%) with lower yield of peptide–calcium complex was observed for Protease M hydrolysates. These results could help researchers to develop a feasible protocol for producing nutrient‐enhanced soy protein hydrolysates.     

Impact of α‐amylase and maltodextrin on physicochemical,functional and antioxidant capacity of spray‐dried purple sweet potato flour

BACKGROUND: Purple sweet potato flour could be used to enhance food products through colour, flavour and nutrients. Purple sweet potato flour has not yet been prepared with maltodextrin and amylase treatment using spray drying. Thus, the investigation was to evaluate the effect of various levels of maltodextrin (30 and 50 g kg^?1 w/v), amylase (3 and 7 g kg^?1 puree) and combined with maltodextrin and amylase on the physicochemical, functional and antioxidant capacity of spray dried purple sweet potato flours. RESULTS: Amylase and amylase with maltodextrin‐treated flours had a higher anthocyanin and total phenolic content than the control and maltodextrin‐treated flours. However, the antioxidant capacity was higher in the control and maltodextrin‐treated flours compared to the amylase and amylase with maltodextrin‐treated flours. The control had a higher water absorption index and lower water solubility index compared to the maltodextrin and combined with amylase and maltodextrin‐treated flours. On the other hand, maltodextrin increased whereas α‐amylase decreased the glass transition temperature. With respect to morphology, the particles of amylase‐treated flours were smaller than the control and maltodextrin‐treated flours. CONCLUSION: The results showed that good quality flour could be prepared by combining 30 g kg^?1 maltodextrin and 7 g kg^?1 amylase treatment. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Heat‐induced gels of soy protein and κ‐carrageenan at different pH values

Heat‐induced (90 °C/30 min) gelling of soy protein isolate (SPI) and κ‐carrageenan (κ‐CR) systems at pH values of 6.7 and 5.7 was evaluated. κ‐CR addition, increase in protein concentration and reduction in pH led to decreases in the initial gel structure forming temperature. Self‐supporting gels were not formed at concentrations of 8% (w/w) SPI or at concentrations below 0.3% (w/w) κ‐CR, but an increase in the concentration of SPI and κ‐CR led to an increase in the stress at rupture without influencing the deformability. Gel properties were a consequence of a simultaneous process of gelling and phase separation during heating. The non‐linear parameter of the Blatz, Sharda and Tschoegl (BST) rheological model allowed for the evaluation of the structural characteristics that in general corresponded to strain hardening behaviour. Strain weakening behaviour was observed at high biopolymer concentrations and at pH 6.7, which was associated with accentuated phase separation and a more discontinuous gel network.     

Quality parameters and antioxidant properties in organic and conventionally grown broccoli after pre‐storage hot water treatment

BACKGROUND: Demand for broccoli has increased due to its high content of bioactive compounds. However, broccoli is a perishable commodity with a short shelf life mainly due to dehydration, yellowing and losses of bioactive compounds. Thus, efficient treatments to preserve broccoli quality are needed. RESULTS: The effect of heat treatment on senescence and antioxidant compounds evolution during storage at 20 °C was evaluated in organic and conventionally grown broccoli. Senescence evolved quickly as manifested by floral head yellowing, which was higher in conventional than in organic broccolis, but senescence was significantly delayed by heat treatment. All organic acids, including ascorbic acid, were found at higher concentrations in organic than in conventional broccoli at harvest but decreased during storage in all broccolis. Phenolic concentration and antioxidant activity (in both hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions) also decreased during storage, although these decreases were higher in conventional than in organic broccolis, and no differences were found attributable to heat treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Heat treatment was effective in delaying broccoli senescence, manifested by chlorophyll retention. In addition, organic broccoli maintained higher concentrations of bioactive compounds (ascorbic acid and phenolics) and antioxidant potential during storage than conventional broccoli, with higher potential health beneficial effects. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry