Effect of puffing conditions on physical properties and rehydration characteristic of instant rice product

The aim of this work was to study the effects of puffing conditions on the properties of instant rice and to obtain optimal processing condition for product with rehydration time within 5 min. Thai jasmine rice was soaked, cooked and dried at 80 °C in a tray dryer before being puffed at different moisture contents (15–20% wb), temperatures (200–220 °C) and time intervals (20–30 s). The rice puffed at higher moisture contents and puffing temperatures for longer time exhibited higher volume expansion ratios and shorter rehydration times. Presumably, case hardening of the grain surface occurred. Instant rice that can be rehydrated in 5 min with more acceptable hardness than the commercial instant rice was obtained. Regression models to predict the quality of instant rice were developed using response surface methodology.     

In vitro screening of phenolic compounds, potential inhibition against α-amylase and α-glucosidase of culinary herbs in Thailand

Herbs that are commonly used in Thai dishes were selected for evaluation in order to determine their phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and in vitro potential inhibition against α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The total phenolic content ranged from 2.89 to 75.26 mg GAE/g dw. The three aqueous herb extracts with the highest total phenolic content were yellow-berried nightshade (Solanum xanthocarpum), holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) and acacia (Acacia pennata). The antioxidant activity was expressed as percent inhibition of DPPH, ranging from a high of 85% in bitter gourd (Monordica charantia) to a low of 0% in garlic (Allium sativum) and shallot (Allium cepa). A high correlation (r = 0.70, p < 0.05) was observed between total phenolic content and antioxidant activity for the herb extracts in the Solanaceae family while, an insignificant high and negatively correlation (r = −1.00, p > 0.05) for the herb extracts in the Cucurbitaceae and Umbelliferae families was observed. All of the herbs had caffeic content, varying from 0.00 to 23.93 mg/g dw. Peppermint (Mentha canalenisa), galangal (Languas galangal) and holy basil (O. sanctum) had a significant p-coumaric acid content. The first and second obtained principal component represented 60% of the total variation. The potential inhibition against α-amylase for the herbs extracts ranged from 0% to 58%, while the highest percentage was observed in the acacia (A. pennata) extract. The potential inhibition against α-glucosidase varied from 7% to 100%. A high correlation (r = 0.68, p < 0.05) was observed between α-amylase inhibition and caffeic acid content for aqueous extracts in the Alliaceae, Cucurbitaceae, and Leguminosae families, while a high correlation (r = 0.49, p < 0.05) was observed between α-glucosidase inhibition and total phenolic content for the aqueous extracts of all herbs. Therefore, specific culinary herbs showed to have a potential use for dietary management during the early stages of hyperglycaemia.     

Dust exposure and lung function of workers in the brick and clay pottery factories in the Northeast of Thailand

This study aimed to determine the particulate matter concentrations (PM10) in workplace air and personal dust, and their effects on the respiratory health of exposed workers. The lung function of 449 exposed workers was examined. The concentration of PM10 in workplace air and personal dust exposure was measured. Spirometry was used to evaluate the lung function capacity included forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume ratio (FEV%) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEF). The forced expiratory flow at 25% to 75% of the FVC (FEF 25-75%) was determined. The PM10 concentration in workplace air (6 study sites) and personal dust (4 study sites) exceeded the standard (REL) of 0.12 mg/m3. The results of this study showed a decrease in the mean values and percent predicted value of FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, PEF and FEF 25-75%. The lung capacity of participants revealed that 24.50%, 4.45% and 7.13% had mildly, moderately restrictive and small airway disease. The respiratory symptoms were dyspnoea (22.49%), wheezing (10.69%), chest pain (10.69%) and chronic cough (2.90%). Factors influencing lung capacity included mask usage (Adj.OR: 0.44 CI: 0.25-0.79 p-value: 0.006) and chest pain (Adj.OR: 2.68 CI: 1.14-6.30 p-value: 0.024).