Nutritional and functional characterisation of Andean chicuru (Stangea rhizanta)

A thorough functional and nutritional characterisation of Andean chicuru (Stangean rhizanta) root demonstrated its potential as an alternative source of fructooligosacharides (FOS), phenolic compounds, natural antioxidants and minerals. FOS of the GFn type with a degree of polymerisation (DP) of 3 (1-kestose) and 4 (nystose) were present. Important phenolic content and antioxidant activity values were obtained. The main phenolic compounds revealed by HPLC-DAD were caffeic and chlorogenic acids and their respective derivatives as well as flavan-3-ol derivatives. The nutritional analysis revealed high calcium and iron values, as well as considerable amounts of soluble and insoluble dietary fibre. The presence of low DP FOS, together with the high calcium and iron contents in chicuru, might favour its use for industrial applications.     

Characterisation of phenolic compounds of Inca muña (Clinopodium bolivianum) leaves and the feasibility of their application to improve the oxidative stability of soybean oil during frying

Phenolic compounds from Inca muña leaves were, for the first time, qualitatively and quantitatively characterised. The main phenolic compounds encountered corresponded to flavanones, followed by flavones and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. Fractionation of Inca muña phenolic compounds revealed an ethyl acetate fraction (EaF) rich in phenolics and antioxidant activity. This EaF proved to be an efficient source of natural antioxidants for use against soybean oil oxidation during frying. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed higher induction periods for 600 ppm of EaF compared to 200 ppm of TBHQ and a negative control (no antioxidant added). During frying at ∼180 °C, 600 ppm of EaF showed the highest efficacy against oil oxidation in terms of p-anisidine values, conjugated dienes and trienes and polar compounds compared to 200 ppm of TBHQ and negative control. This study provides strong evidence for the antioxidant potential of Inca muña EaF phenolics against soybean oil oxidation. It suggests the possibility of incorporating these natural antioxidants from Inca muña leaves for use by the food industry.     

Changes of quality characteristics of pepino fruit (Solanum muricatum Ait) during convective drying

Quality assessment of pepino fruit preserved through convective dehydration was investigated in this work. The effect of process temperature (50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 °C) on physicochemical properties, colour, non‐enzymatic browning, vitamin C, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and firmness of the fruit were considered. When comparing the fresh with the corresponding dehydrated pepino samples, it was shown that the drying conditions resulted in important reductions of proteins and crude fibres. Discoloration of fruit was noticeable for all treatments due to effects of non‐enzymatic browning and changes in chromatic coordinates leading to a modification of the original colour. Regarding vitamin C and total phenolic content, an increase of drying temperature resulted in a considerable reduction of both initial compounds contents. Antioxidant activity showed an important decrease especially at low temperatures (e.g. 50 °C). Softening of the dried product was observed for all the treatments indicating structural modifications of the fruit due to thermal process.     

Physical adsorption of aflatoxin B1 by lactic acid bacteria and Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a theoretical model

The ability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to remove aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) from liquid medium was tested. The experimental results indicated that (i) AFB1 binding to microorganisms was a rapid process (no more than 1 min); (ii) this binding involved the formation of a reversible complex between the toxin and microorganism surface, without chemical modification of the toxin; (iii) the amount of AFB1 removed was both toxin- and bacteria concentration-dependent; and (iv) quantitatively similar results were obtained with viable and nonviable (heat-treated) bacteria. According to these details, a physical adsorption model is proposed for the binding of AFB1 to LAB and S. cerevisiae, considering that the binding (adsorption) and release (desorption) of AFB1 to and from the site on the surface of the microorganism took place (AFB1 + S <--> S - AFB1). The model permits the estimation of two parameters: the number of binding sites per microorganism (M) and the reaction equilibrium constant (K(eq)) involved, both of which are useful for estimating the adsorption efficiency (M x K(eq)) of a particular microorganism. Application of the model to experimental data suggests that different microorganisms have similar K(eq) values and that the differences in toxin removal efficiency are mainly due to differences in M values. The most important application of the proposed model is the capacity to select the most efficient microorganism to remove AFB1. Furthermore, it allows us to know if a modification of the adsorption efficiency obtained by physical, chemical, or genetic treatments on the microorganism is a consequence of changes in M, K(eq), or both.     

Probiotic administration effect on fecal mutagenicity and microflora in the goat's gut

The application of potentially beneficial microorganisms to increase host defense is a new trend to increase health benefits. In this paper the first specific host probiotics for goats from a mixture isolated from healthy animals (Lactobacillus reuteri DDL 19, Lactobacillus alimentarius DDL 48, Enterococcus faecium DDE 39 and Bifidobacterium bifidum DDBA) was assayed. The effect of probiotic oral administration on goats' weight, gut microbiota, as well as on the production of mutagen compounds and their indicator (putrescine), were evaluated. The probiotic supplement was able to modify microflora balance by reducing Enterobacteria like Salmonella/Shigella (1.09 and 1.21 log CFU/g feces, respectively) and increasing lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacteria (1.67 and 2.34 log CFU/g feces, respectively). The probiotics administration was correlated with a ten time diminution of fecal putrescine (cancer and bacterial disease marker) and a decrease of 60% mutagen fecal concentration, indicating the protective effect of the treatment. Additionally, a significant increase in ruminant weight was observed after probiotic administration. These results are encouraging towards the use of probiotic mixtures as functional food for goats.