Physicochemical Studies of Hard-to-Cook Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Model aqueous systems were used for the study of the cooking quality of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). These systems were created using graded contents of calcium and magnesium ions, in a ratio of 4:1, to prepare aqueous media with cation content corresponding to 0–400 mg litre^-1 of calcium carbonate. The model systems were used to measure the quality of boiled beans in water of low and high divalent cation content. A boiling time of 60 min was used and the hardness of the boiling beans was measured by an Instron Universal Testing Machine. Cooking of beans in water of low divalent cation content equivalent to 0–50 mg litre^-1 CaCO₃ resulted in well-boiled beans for both types (easy-to-cook and hard-to-cook) of beans. Boiling in water of high divalent cation content led to the formation of very hard beans for both types of bean, while boiling in water of moderate divalent cation content (normal drinking water: 150–250 mg litre^-1 CaCO₃) differentiated between the two categories of beans. These results were further tested by adsorption experiments with divalent cations, on beans boiled (a) in different proportions of boiling water, and (b) in model aqueous systems. The divalent cation content of boiling water and the phytic acid content of the beans proved to be the crucial factors in the hard-to-cook phenomenon of beans. © 1997 SCI.     

Mechanical behavior of sheets prepared from sugar beet cellulose microfibrils

The mechanical behavior of films cast from sugar beet cellulose microfibrils was investigated through tensile tests. The obtaining of these microfibrils by chemical and mechanical treatments from the raw beet pulp is described. Depending on their purification level, individualization state, and moisture content, differences in tensile modulus are observed. It is found that pectins act as a binder between the cellulose microfibrils, which tends to increase the Young's modulus in dry atmosphere and to decrease it in moist conditions. The extraction of the cellulose microfibrils from the sugar beet cell wall and the obtainment of microfibril suspensions with partial individualization of the microfibrils by a mechanical treatment lead to the formation of a network of cellulose microfibrils within the film, which in turn increases the tensile modulus. Furthermore, the effect of the remaining pectins is compared with the effect of pectins previously removed and added to completely purified cellulosic microfibrils. As expected, once removed and so partly degraded, those pectins have nearly no influence on the mechanical properties. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 1185–1194, 1997     

Purification of pectin from apple pomace juice by using sodium caseinate and characterisation of their binding by isothermal titration calorimetry

The binding of sodium caseinate to pectin using Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) under different pH values (2, 3, 3.5), and comparison of two purification processes (sodium caseinate or ethanol), based on the physicochemical characteristics of purified pectin was evaluated. The results indicated that ITC titration confirmed the existence of interactions between caseinates and pectin at pH 3 and 3.5. The interaction depicts two interdependent steps, one attributed to an electrostatic interaction and another related to a co-acervation mechanism. The chemical characteristics of pectins are strongly dependent on the purification process. Under some extraction conditions, ethanol is not specific to the recovery of pectin since it causes the precipitation of other compounds together with this polysaccharide.     

Structure and properties of sugar beet fibres

Fibrous fractions were prepared from sugar beet pulp (RF) by sequential extractions with potassium oxalate, 0.05 M hydrochloric acid at 85°C and 0.05 m sodium hydroxide at 4°C. The overall composition, polysaccharide structure and some physico-chemical properties (cation exchange capacity, CEC; water holding capacity, WHC; swelling) of each fraction were determined. RF was mostly composed of carbohydrates (66.3 %) with minor amounts of ash, proteins and lignin. The main polysaccharides were highly methylated and acetylated pectins, cellulose and arabinans. The oxalate residue (82.1 % of RF) exhibited only minute differences from RF whereas the acidic and alkaline residues, accounting for 42.8 % and 35.5 % of RF, respectively, were enriched in cellulose and hemicelluloses (xylans, xyloglucans, mannans) and mostly devoid of pectins and arabinans. CEC and WHC of fractions were closely related to the content of unmethylated galacturonic acid residues. The influence of the ionic form of ionisable groups was demonstrated, the Na⁺ form giving the highest WHC. The ionic strength of the medium can reduce the WHC, especially in the case of the acid and alkali-extracted fibres.     

Increase in low molecular size uronic acid in ripening banana fruit

Uronic acid soluble in ethanol/water (4:1 v/v) increased from 9 ± 1 mg kg^?1 fresh weight in pulp of unripe banana fruit. Musa (AAA Group, Cavendish subgroup) ‘Williams’, to 53 ± 13 mg kg^?1 fresh weight in fruit ripened for 13 days. This increase began within the first 2 days of ripening. Uronic acid soluble in phenol/acetic acid/water (2:1:1 w/v/v) increased from 15 ± 5 to 86 ± 17 mg kg^?1 fresh weight during the first 8 days of ripening, accompanied by a decrease in cell wall uronic acid from 10·2 ± 0·8 to 4·4 ± 0·4 g kg^?1 fresh weight. Most or all of the uronic acid in extracts of ripe pulp cochromatographed with monogalacturonic acid. The results were consistent with hydrolysis of cell wall polyuronides by exopolygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.67).     

Rheological and high gelling properties of mango (Mangifera indica) and ambarella (Spondias cytherea) peel pectins

Ambarella and mango peels are good sources of pectins (15–20%), with high degree of methylation (60–78%) and high molar masses. Ambarella and mango ( Améliorée and Mango varieties) peel pectins were extracted using HCl or oxalic acid/ammonium oxalate (OAAO). Purified pectins were analysed for their flow behaviour and phase diagrams were established at pH 3 as sucrose vs. pectin concentration. The gelation kinetics and mechanical spectra of these pectin gels were studied and compared to those of commercial citrus (lime) pectins. At a concentration of 1% (w/v), all pectic solutions had a shear thinning behaviour but at 0.6% (w/v), only OAAO-extracted pectins exhibited such behaviour. Phase diagrams showed that at pH 3, gelation of OAAO mango extracted pectins was possible at low polymer concentration (0.2%; w/w) for a sucrose concentration of 60% (w/w). OAAO-extracted pectins exhibited a higher gelling ability than HCl-extracted ones. Sucrose (45–50%) and pectin (0.2–0.6%) concentration had a deep impact on the gel strength. Our results enable to conclude that the OAAO extraction from mango and ambarella peels allowed the recovery of pectins that exhibit high gelling properties.     

New method for the purification of electrically charged polysaccharides

A new technique for the purification of pectins using protein (sodium caseinate) was developed and that could replace the process of ethanol which is currently used in industries. Commercial pectins were used as a model to verify the feasibility of the process and to define some important parameters. The results indicated that this purification technique is based primarily on the electrostatic interactions between these two polymers. The electrostatic interactions were strongly dependent on pH and salt concentration. The maximum pectin precipitation was obtained at pH 3.5. At this pH, the pectin acquires a negative charge while the protein is positively charged, promoting thus their attractions. Furthermore, the dissociation of the pectin–caseinates complex and the precipitation of caseinate at pH 4.6 were observed in the presence of salt. This method is very specific, suggesting that it could be used to purify some electrically charged polysaccharides.     

Texture of rehydrated dried bell peppers modified by low-temperature blanching and calcium addition

Diced green bell pepper was blanched twice, once at 51–79 °C for 19–61 min, and once at 95 °C for 3 min, and dried. The firmness of rehydrated samples was measured by puncture, and optimum conditions assessed by response surface methodology. The optimized model showed that, blanching at 65 °C for 49 min gave a 64% increase in puncture force over the control. The optimum temperature was used to evaluate the effect of adding CaCl₂. The dices were blanched twice, once at 65 °C for 3 min in either 0 or 4% CaCl₂, secondly in either 0 or 2% CaCl₂ solution at 95 °C for 3 min. In the second case the dices had been held at room temperature for 0–30 min before treatment. Adding CaCl₂ increased puncture force significantly ( P  ≤ 0.05). The best results, those which gave greatest firmness, were obtained by blanching at 65 °C for 3 min in 4% CaCl₂, holding for 16 min after blanching, followed by a secondary blanching at 95 °C in 2% CaCl₂.     

改性果胶抗肿瘤机制研究进展

果胶是一种以聚半乳糖醛酸为骨架、富含中性糖分支结构的植物杂多糖。通过理化手段对果胶进行改性,可降低其分子质量和酯化度、修饰其微观结构、提高其生物利用度,经改性后的果胶能抑制肿瘤生长、诱导细胞凋亡、增强肿瘤细胞对化疗药物的敏感性、抑制肿瘤血管新生和转移并增强机体的免疫响应。本文重点综述改性果胶的抗肿瘤机制、吸收机制和抗肿瘤构效关系,并对其开发为功能食品的前景进行展望。