An approach to modeling the rheological properties of food materials

The aim of this study was to develop a mathematical model describing the rheological properties of food materials, including the elastic modulus, consistency index, flow index and flow limit, that are not dependent on the tests (creep and compression stress relaxation) used to establish those values. A rheological model was designed as a parallel combination of spring, viscous and plastic elements. The model was verified logically and empirically based on the results of creep tests and compression stress relaxation tests performed on 10 × 10 × 10 mm cubes cut out from roasted turkey breast muscles. An analysis of the model’s susceptibility to variations in rheological properties indicates that the model is sensitive to changes in the values of the elastic modulus, flow limit and flow index, but it is less susceptible to changes in the consistency index. The model generates similar values of the rheological properties of the studied materials regardless of whether they had been determined based on the results of the creep test or the compression stress relaxation test.     

Gelation properties of goose liver protein recovered by isoelectric solubilisation/precipitation process

Isoelectric solubilisation/precipitation (ISP) process was applied to goose liver (GL) for protein extraction. The gelation properties of proteins extracted by acid processes (ACP, pH 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0) and alkaline processes (ALP, pH 11.0, 11.5 and 12.0) were estimated, where the unextracted ground GL was set as the control. Nearly 58.39~79.00% of GL proteins were recovered by ISP treatments. High molecular weight (100~250 kDa) proteins were found to be partially hydrolysed by ACP, while few changes in proteins occurred during ALP. As evidenced by rheological and textural measurements, ALP proteins formed gels with high elasticity and superior texture, whereas ACP proteins had inferior gelation properties. Moreover, ALP proteins were able to form a highly interconnected and homogeneous three‐dimensional microstructure. Predominantly, gels produced by 11.0 had optimal texture and the lowest cooking loss (P < 0.05). These results suggested that the ISP process (ALP) is a potential method to improve the economic value of GL.     

Influence of temperature,calcium and sucrose concentration on viscoelastic properties of Prosopis chilensis seed gum and nopal mucilage dispersions

Viscoelastic properties of two nontraditional hydrocolloid dispersions were evaluated. Prosopis chilensis seed gum was evaluated based on temperature (5–80 °C) and added CaCl₂ (0.07%), whereas nopal mucilage was evaluated based on temperature (5–80 °C) and sucrose concentration (0–20%). Viscoelasticity was tested by the small strain oscillatory shear test; storage modulus (G′), loss modulus (G″) and tan δ were reported. Prosopis chilensis and nopal dispersions behaved as weak gels (G’ > G’’) regardless of experimental condition. Raising temperature from 20 to 80 °C significantly increased G’. The gel structure was strengthened by adding CaCl₂ and G’ increased at 40 °C. The sucrose effect depended on concentration and temperature; at low sucrose concentrations, G’ modulus increased regardless of temperature level, but at high concentrations, it decreased at temperatures >40 °C. In conclusion, nopal and Prosopis chilensis dispersions show weak gel structure regardless of experimental condition. G′ increases as temperature increases, and these dispersions could be suitable for food applications requiring heat tolerance.     

不同含量发泡剂制备的纤维发泡材料的性能研究

以玉米秸秆粉末和废瓦楞纸板为主要原料,通过微波发泡研制出了一种环境友好的新型环保缓冲包装材料,并探讨了不同发泡剂含量制备植物纤维微波发泡缓冲包装材料的力学性能和微观性能。结果表明,AIBN发泡剂的不同含量对材料的静态压缩性能及回弹率影响显著,随着AIBN发泡剂含量的增多,在相同的应变条件下,材料的应力随之减小,材料的缓冲性能有所增强,回弹率先上升后下降。另外,借助电子扫描显微镜,研究了不同添加量的发泡剂对材料孔结构的影响。最后,采用FTIR对材料的分子结构进行了分析。     

Preparation and characterisation of films from xylose‐glycosylated peanut protein isolate powder

This work aimed at producing and characterising xylose‐glycosylated peanut protein isolate (PPI‐X) films by dissolving PPI‐X powder in water at ambient temperature and further plasticising with glycerol. The effect of powder dissolution temperature (20–100 °C) and glycerol concentration (15.0–45.0%, w/w) on mechanical properties and integrity of these films was quantified. The results showed that the powder dissolution temperature had no significant effect on the mechanical and water resistance properties of PPI‐X films within the temperature range tested. With increasing concentration of glycerol, the tensile strength and water resistance of PPI‐X films decreased and elongation increased. The films produced by dissolving the PPI‐X powder at 20 °C and plasticising with 25.0% glycerol had comparable mechanical properties and better water resistance compared to some other plant protein films plasticising with glycerol. The results suggested that PPI‐X films could potentially be used as biodegradable packaging materials.     

Evaluation of red bean protein [Vigna angularis] isolate on rheological properties of pork myofibrillar protein gels induced by microbial transglutaminase

The effects of 1% red bean protein isolate (RBPI) on the gel properties of myofibrillar protein (MP) in various levels of microbial transglutaminase (MTG: 0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, & 1%) were evaluated. The cooking yield (CY) of the MP gels decreased with increasing MTG level, while the addition of RBPI improved the CY of the MP gels. Gel strength (GS) was also improved when RBPI was incorporated into the MP gels containing higher than 0.5% of MTG. The addition of MTG and RBPI was slightly changed the endothermic peak temperatures. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the three‐dimensional structure of MP with RBPI alone or in combined with MTG was compacted as compared to the control. Based on the results, RBPI could be functioned as a substrate for MTG (0.5–1.0%) and a water binder of meat protein gel mediated by MTG.     

Association of physicochemical with technological properties of wheat

This study focused on twenty‐five different European common wheat varieties and aimed to identify correlations between the most important quality characteristics. When considering the physicochemical characteristics of the wheat samples, our results indicated that milling value is not correlated with vitreous kernel and test weight, but is correlated with gliadin/glutenin. The technological properties of the whole‐wheat flours estimated by means of Mixolab indicated rather good protein quality and the ability to form doughs with good stability in case of most of the samples. Technological behaviour of the flour was affected by dietary fibres and pentosan contents. The starch behaviour was positively correlated with the pentosan contents. The principal components analysis allowed establishing correlations between physicochemical, technological and nutritional parameters of wheat varieties. This finding is important for efficient selecting among wheat varieties, especially when healthy cereal‐based foods are desired.     

Functional and conformational characterisation of walnut protein obtained through AOT reverse micelles

Walnut protein was extracted from defatted walnut flour by bis (2‐ethylhexyl) sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse micellar system and alkali solution with isoelectric precipitation. The functional and conformational characteristics of two proteins were investigated and compared. Walnut protein obtained through AOT reverse micelles was found to have higher extraction yield, solubility, emulsifying activity, foam capacities, water‐ and oil‐holding capacity compared to the protein from alkali solution along with isoelectric precipitation, while the surface hydrophobicity (H₀), contents of disulphide bond (SS) and sulfhydryl group (SH) were relatively lower. The differences of H₀, SS and SH contents could be due to the conformational changes of walnut proteins using two extraction methods. FTIR spectra and data showed that the reverse micelles caused the decrease in α‐helix, β‐sheet, random and β‐turn of walnut protein, the increase in the side‐chain structure content, which could be responsible for the modification of functional properties.     

采用微射流处理改变番茄籽分离蛋白的理化性质及结构

碱溶酸沉法所制备的番茄籽分离蛋白,其溶解性等功能性质较差。以番茄籽分离蛋白为原料,研究微射流均质对其功能性质及结构的影响。结果表明：微射流均质过程中番茄籽分离蛋白的结构变化与其功能性质的改变存在关联。微射流均质提高了番茄籽分离蛋白的溶解性、乳化性及乳化稳定性;均质后的番茄籽蛋白粒径更小,分布更均匀;暴露巯基和总巯基含量减少;分子内部疏水基团暴露,表面疏水性提高;蛋白晶体结构变化不大;蛋白质的二级结构发生了变化,α-螺旋、无规卷曲、β-转角均减少,而β-折叠增加。这些变化说明,微射流均质处理使蛋白分子发生了伸展或折叠,从而改变其功能性质。