Modelling sorption kinetic of sponge cake crumb added with milk syrup

Sponge cake is an ideal product to be soaked with liquids, due to its porous structure; baking process causes differences in crumb features through the cake; therefore, it is important to know how these variations can affect its sorption capacity. The aim of this work was to study the relation between crumb cake structure at different levels (bottom, centre and top) and sorption characteristics when adding milk syrup. The Peleg model was the best to fit sorption data (R² > 0.9), showing that the rate constant (k₁) diminished as the cell density (r = 0.920) and gelatinisation percentage (r = 0.890) decreased, while moisture (r = ?0.999) and a_w (r = ?0.994) increased; cell density only correlated with gelatinisation percentage (r = 0.997); micrographs showed that the sorption rate increased as more gelatinised starch and coagulated protein were found. To optimise the sorption process, the gelatinisation degree and crumb structure (cell density and types of pores) should be considered.     

Fast mode decision on H.264/AVC baseline profile for real-time performance

In this paper a new fast mode decision (FMD) algorithm is proposed for the recent H.264/AVC video coding standard, aiming to reduce its computational load without loosing coding efficiency. This algorithm identifies redundancy and selects the minimum sub-set of modes for each macroblock (MB) required to provide high rate-distortion (RD) efficiency. It is based on a fast analysis of the histogram of the difference image between frames which classifies the areas of each frame as active or non-active by means of an adaptive thresholding technique. More coding effort is devoted to active areas with the selection of a large sub-set of Modes, as these areas are expected to be the most relevant in terms of RD cost. Results show reduction values around 35–65% of motion estimation (ME) time, preserving the RD cost for the Baseline Profile, by using P-Slices and without needing B-Slices. Moreover, the strategy works as an intelligent tool for real-time applications with constrained number of operations per frame: it wisely uses the given operational resources distributing them among those MBs that need it.     

LC–MS analysis of the cis isomers of chlorogenic acids

The behaviour of cis isomers of selected mono- and di-acyl chlorogenic acids produced by UV-irradiation has been investigated by LC–MSⁿ. cis Isomers fragment identically to the more common trans isomers. cis-5-Acyl chlorogenic acids are more hydrophobic and elute later than their mono- or di-trans counterparts whereas the reverse is true for cis-3-acyl and cis-4-acyl chlorogenic acids. The cis isomers of 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid, the only 1-acyl chlorogenic acid investigated, are also more hydrophobic than the di-trans isomer. Coffee leaves had a proportionately greater content of cis isomers relative to trans isomers compared with coffee beans suggesting that UV-irradiation in vivo may also cause geometric isomerisation.     

Ethanolysis of Refined Soybean Oil Assisted by Sodium and Potassium Hydroxides

The ethanolysis of refined soybean oil was investigated through a 2³ experimental design that was carried out under the following levels: ethanol:oil molar ratios (MR) of 6:1 and 12:1, NaOH concentrations of 0.3 and 1.0 wt% in relation to the oil mass, and reaction temperatures of 30 and 70 °C. The ethanol:oil MR and the alkali concentration had an almost equivalent influence on the reaction yield, whereas the influence of increased reaction temperatures was very limited and higher catalyst concentrations led to greater yield losses due to the formation of soap. Ethyl ester yields of 97.2% were obtained at 70 °C, MR of 12:1 and 0.3 wt% NaOH. Replacement of 0.3 wt% NaOH by 1.0 wt% KOH under the same reaction conditions led to lower ester yields. Likewise the former, KOH provided the maximum ester yield (95.6%) at the highest molar ratio (12:1), with the reaction temperature having little influence on the catalyst performance. Ester yields beyond 98% were only achieved when a second ethanolysis stage was included in the process. In this regard, the application of 2 wt% Magnesol^® after the first ethanolysis stage eliminated the need for water washing prior to the second ethanolysis stage and helped to generate a final product with less contaminating unreacted glycerides.     

Pyropia columbina phycocolloids as microencapsulating material improve bioaccessibility of brewers’ spent grain peptides with ACE-I inhibitory activity

The effects of wall hydrocolloids on delivery and bioaccessibility of encapsulated brewers’ spent grain ACE-I inhibitory peptides after simulated gastrointestinal digestion were assessed. Microencapsulation of peptides was carried out by spray drying using locust bean gum, P. columbina phycocolloids, or its mixtures as wall materials. Microcapsules presented round external surfaces with some concavities, negative surface charge and encapsulation efficiencies higher than 90%. The incorporation of phycocolloids to formulations increased the encapsulation efficiency, negative surface charge and resistance against digestive enzymes of microcapsules. Encapsulated peptides with P. columbina phycocolloids showed lower IC₅₀ value of ACE-I inhibition than un-encapsulated peptides (2.4 ± 0.2 vs. 7.2 ± 0.3 mg mL⁻¹ protein), but higher than that obtained for hydrolysate (1.5 ± 0.2 mg mL⁻¹ protein), indicating a 75% protection of bioactivity. Electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between P. columbina phycocolloids and brewers’ spent grain peptides could be implicated in the protection of peptides during gastrointestinal digestion.     

Nutritional composition,fatty acid profile,phytochemistry and evaluation of the effects of Carya illinoinensis on diabetes

The increase in chronic diseases has arisen interest to search for alternative treatments so that people can improve their quality of life. Thus, Carya illinoinensis is the subject of the present work which aims at determining whether it has antidiabetic activity. The plant was collected and its nuts were separated from their peels, dried and grinded and incorporated into the feed, in concentration of 6% and 10%, for the treatment of animals. The centesimal composition of this diet was also determined. From the nut was also obtained the fixed oil, for the profile of fatty acids, and the 70% hydroethanolic extract for the phytochemical analysis. The results have shown that species presents hypoglycaemic effect, high fat composition of unsaturated fatty acids and the presence of some phenolic compounds, directly related to the antidiabetic activity. Therefore, the specie presente benefits that can contribute to the binomial diet/health.