Fuzzy and Conventional Modeling of Open Sun Drying Kinetics for Roasted Green Wheat

Roasted green wheat is a high-value product made by roasting green (under-mature) wheat. Due to its high initial moisture content, drying is needed to avoid fast deterioration. Open sun drying of this product is by far the most common practice due to its simplicity, effectiveness, and low cost. The assumption of open sun drying adequacy to prevent deterioration was tested in this study. The drying data were fitted into eight common thin-layer drying models. Goodness of fit for each model was evaluated using coefficient of determination (R²) and root mean square error. The two-term exponential model was found to best describe open sun drying of roasted green wheat with R², and root mean square error values of 0.988 and 0.038, respectively. A fuzzy model of open sun drying for roasted green wheat was also developed and compared with conventional modeling. The results showed a much better performance of fuzzy model compared to conventional models with a much lower value of root mean square error (1.2?×?10^?6). The effective diffusivity was also evaluated for roasted green wheat kernels and found to be 1.7?×?10^?11 m²/s, which was in agreement with published data. The results showed that open sun drying for 5.5 h was effective and adequate to reduce moisture content to a safe level and to prevent deterioration of this product. These findings will provide valuable information for the design of a commercial roasted green wheat solar drying system.     

Protein co-precipitates: A review of their preparation and functional properties

Advances in protein co-precipitation technology over the past two decades have made it possible to commercially produce different types of proteins from mixtures of raw materials. Incorporation of protein co-precipitates improves the functional (e.g. appearance, texture, and stability) and nutritional characteristics of many food products. Increasing world population, increasing demand for and cost of protein-rich foods, and the continuing need to improve the nutritional and functional properties of protein ingredients have contributed to greater research into blends or composites as food ingredients. Protein co-precipitates have a range of biological, physical, chemical, functional, sensory and nutritional properties giving the potential application as ingredients in the food industry, though relatively little published information is available on this subject. There is limited information about the use of protein co-precipitates by the food industry when developing products for different groups of potential consumers. The aim of this review is to evaluate the current status of protein co-precipitate research as a potential way of improving utilization of protein rich raw materials (e.g. dairy protein), oil seed meals (e.g. sesame, soybean, flaxseed and canola) and by-products (e.g. brewing yeast). By blending proteins from different sources, protein co-precipitates are a way of overcoming deficiencies in essential amino acid contents found in proteins from a single source, which giving ingredients with good functional properties and desirable sensory characteristics.