Analysis of hard-to-cook red and black common beans using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Extracted fractions from black and red common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Beans were stored under three conditions: control at 4 degrees C; hard-to-cook (HTC) at 29 degrees C, 65% RH for 3.5 months; and refrigerated at 2 degrees C, 79% RH for 3.5 months after a HTC period (called HTC-refrigerated). Two fractions isolated from the beans, the soluble pectin fraction (SPF) and the water insoluble residue of the cell wall (WIRCW), were analyzed using diffuse reflectance (DRIFTS) FT-IR. The soaking water and cooking water from the beans were also studied using attenuated total reflectance (ATR) FT-IR. The DRIFTS FT-IR results from the SPF and WIRCW fractions were consistent with previously published data for Carioca beans showing that in general, more phenolic compounds were associated with the SPF of HTC beans than in the control beans. Results also showed that HTC-refrigerated beans had higher concentrations of phenolic compounds than control beans in the SPF. The ATR FT-IR results for soaking and cooking waters from the HTC-refrigerated and HTC beans had higher concentrations of absorbing compounds than the control beans, indicating that they lost more constituents to the water. Additionally, results indicate that the mechanism(s) for reversibility of the HTC defect could be different than the one(s) involved in the development of the defect.     

Effect of Free Fatty Acids Addition on Corn Grits Extrusion Cooking

The influence of added fatty acids on extrusion cooking of corn grits and extrudate properties was studied. Samples with three average corn grits particle sizes were processed in a twin-screw extruder; fatty acids content (0.2–0.8%, wb) varied, and experimental conditions were kept constant (moisture content 18.4% wb, barrel temperature 150°C, screw speed 165 rpm). The effect of adding fatty acids was studied by analyzing water solubility and absorption indices, expansion indices, and mechanical (puncture test) and structural (computerized image analysis) extrudate properties. When fatty acids were added, water solubility and absorption indices decreased, radial expansion index decreased, longitudinal expansion index increased, number of cells increased, and mechanical resistance of extrudates decreased. The influence of added fatty acids was attributed to the formation of fatty acids-amylose complexes.     

Influence of Arabinoxylans and Endoxylanases on Pasta Processing and Quality. Production of High‐Quality Pasta with Increased Levels of Soluble Fiber

As part of a general study aiming to clarify the role of arabinoxylans (AX) in pasta processing and quality, AX were modified by the addition of endoxylanases during pasta processing. The influence on processing parameters and quality were determined. Pasta (800 g) was produced from two commercial semolinas (semA and semB) using dosages of Bacillus subtilis (XBS) and Aspergillus niger (XAN) endoxylanases of 0–0.225 Somogyi units/g of semolina. Increased dosages resulted in a drop of extrusion pressure. The endoxylanase treatments had no great effect on the resulting pasta quality (color of dry products and surface condition, viscoelastic index, and resistance to longitudinal deformations of cooked products). High dosages of XAN and XBS resulted in high levels of solubilized AX (as an extra source of soluble dietary fiber) of low molecular weight which were expected to easily leach out during the cooking process of pasta. Surprisingly, only low levels of AX were found in the cooking water, even with extremely high dosages of endoxylanases used and cooking beyond optimum time. A method is provided to obtain high‐quality pasta with increased levels of soluble fiber.     

Effect of fermentation and autoclaving on dietary fiber fractions and antinutritional factors of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The effect of fermentation on antinutritional factors and also on total dietary fiber (TDF), insoluble (IDF) and soluble (SDF) dietary fiber fractions was studied in beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The processes studied were two types of fermentation (lactic acid and natural), and a portion of the obtained flours were processed by autoclaving. The dietary fiber (DF) content and its components were determined using the enzymatic-gravimetric and enzymatic-chemical methods. The TDF content ranged from 24.5% dry matter (DM) in the raw to 25.2% DM in the processed beans. All the processing treatments significantly decreased the SDF content, and irrelevant changes were noticed in the IDF content of processed beans. Cellulose content of all samples was reduced by the processing treatments. Correspondingly, higher amounts of resistant starch was observed in the processed beans, except in the lactic acid fermented ones. However, the levels of pectic polysaccharides and Klason lignin were higher in the samples fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum. The action of microorganisms was determinant for the different degradation of the bean cell wall, disrupting the protein-carbohydrate integration, thus reducing the solubility of DF.     

Effect of different soaking solutions on nutritive utilization of minerals (calcium,phosphorus, and magnesium) from cooked beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in growing rats

The effects of the commonly used processing techniques of soaking (at different pH values) and cooking on the digestive and nutritive utilization of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium from common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were studied. Before the cooking step, the beans were soaked in solutions of acid (2.6 and 5.3) or basic (8.4) pH. Chemical and biological methods were used to determine nutritional parameters in growing rats, and the fiber content of the beans was established. As the pH of the soaking solution increased, so did mineral absorption and the apparent digestibility coefficient, which reached suitable values for growing rats, due to the reduced losses of soluble minerals and the increased food intake. Metabolic utilization also improved with increased pH of the soaking solution, although the values were, in general, low as a result of urinary losses under the experimental conditions. For the experimental period of 10 days, the femur and the muscle seem to be good metabolic indicators for calcium, but not for phosphorus or magnesium. The increased amount of cellulose in the soaked seed did not have a negative effect on the digestive utilization of minerals.     

提高大豆渣膳食纤维中可溶性成分的方法研究

以大豆渣为原料，采用微生物发酵、微射流均质机高压均质处理和高温蒸煮的方法来提高大豆膳食纤维中可溶性成分含量，研究不同发酵时间、不同处理压力和蒸煮温度以及蒸煮时间对提高豆渣可溶性膳食纤维（SDF）含量的影响。结果表明：利用发酵法可提高可溶性膳食纤维的含量达15%之多，并且在发酵的前6天，SDF含量增长很快，6 d后SDF的含量变化较少；而高压均质处理法提高可溶性膳食纤维含量的幅度在10%～28%之间，并随着处理压力的升高而增大；高温蒸煮法能提高可溶性膳食纤维的含量20%，121℃，20 min为较理想的蒸煮条件。     

Physicochemical, nutritional, and microstructural characteristics of chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) and common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) following microwave cooking

Microwave cooking of legumes such as chickpeas and common beans was evaluated by assessing the cooking quality (cooking time, firmness, cooking losses, and water uptake) and the physicochemical, nutritional, and microstructural modifications in starch and nonstarch polysaccharides. Compared to conventional cooking, microwave cooking with sealed vessels enabled a drastic reduction in cooking time, from 110 to 11 min for chickpeas and from 55 to 9 min for common beans. The solid losses, released in the cooking water, were significantly less after microwave cooking than after conventional cooking (6.5 vs 10.6 g/100 g of dry seed in chickpeas and 4.5 vs 7.5 g/100 g of dry seed in common beans). Both cooking procedures produced a redistribution of the insoluble nonstarch polysaccharides to soluble fraction, although the total nonstarch polysaccharides were not affected. Increases in in vitro starch digestibility were similar after both cooking processes, since the level of resistant starch decreased from 27.2 and 32.5% of total starch in raw chickpeas and beans, respectively, to about 10% in cooked samples and the level of rapidly digestible starch increased from 35.6 and 27.5% to about 80%. SEM studies showed that the cotyledons maintained a regular structure although most of the cell wall was broken down and shattered by both cooking procedures. In addition, the ultrastructural modifications in the cotyledon's parenchima and cells are consistent with the chemical modifications in NSP and the increase in starch digestibility after cooking.     

Nutritional and sensory evaluation of akara made from blends of cowpea and hard-to-cook mottled brown dry beans

The effect of replacing cowpea with hard-to-cook beans on the nutritional and sensory properties of akara were evaluated. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), traditionally used for making akara, was substituted 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% with hard-to-cook (HTC) mottled brown beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). Cowpea (CP) soaked for 60 min HTC beans soaked for 18 h were separately decorticated, ground to a paste, and mixed in the following CP:MBB ratios: 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0. The paste mixtures were each whipped and fried into akara. The samples were analyzed for bulk density, nutritional composition, carbohydrate and protein digestibility, alpha-amylase inhibitor and trypsin inhibitor activity, and sensory attributes. The bulk density of paste as well as of akara increased with the increasing content of HTC bean. Akara made from composite paste had a relatively better amino acid profile. Frying beyond 5 min destroyed the alpha-amylase inhibitors as well as the trypsin inhibitor activity. No significant difference was observed in the overall acceptability of akara made from cowpea substituted up to 50% with HTC beans. Hence, this approach permits the utilization of hard-to-cook beans.     

Effects of Thermomechanical Extrusion and Particle Size Reduction on Bioconversion Rate of Corn Fiber for Ethanol Production

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of thermomechanical extrusion and particle size (PS) reduction on the bioconversion rate of corn fiber for ethanol production. Extrusion was conducted at a screw speed of 300 rpm, feed rate of 120 g/min, feed moisture content of 30%, melt temperature of 140°C, and die diameter of 3 mm. Raw and extruded corn fiber were separated into three different PSs (1 > PS ≥ 0.5, 0.5 > PS ≥ 0.3, and 0.3 > PS ≥ 0.15 mm) with a wire sieve. Extrusion pretreatment and PS reduction resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) difference in physical properties and color values of extruded corn fiber as a result of accelerated degradation of corn fiber structure. Significant increase in water solubility index of extruded corn fiber at 0.3 > PS ≥ 0.15 mm was an indication of high degradation of starch during extrusion for higher release of polysaccharides. Moreover, extruded corn fiber at PS reduction 0.3 > PS ≥ 0.15 mm also significantly increased (P < 0.05) ethanol yield (69.11 g/L) and conversion (68.18%) by increasing protein digestibility and free amino nitrogen, which are essential for higher fermentation efficiency.     

Carbohydrate Profile of a Dry Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Panel Encompassing Broad Genetic Variability for Cooking Time

Dry beans are typically consumed as a whole food, and cooking time is one of the most important processing quality attributes. A panel of eight dry bean entries with variability in cooking time was established, grown in three locations, and used to test the hypothesis that carbohydrate components are major underlying contributors to genetic variability in cooking time. The cooking times ranged from 17 to 160 min. In general, faster cooking bean genotypes had higher levels of soluble dietary fiber in both the raw and cooked samples. Resistant starch levels in the raw beans, although not correlated with cooking time, were of interest because of the large genotypic variability, and they ranged from 1.5 to 35%. One genotype in particular, a yellow bean from Africa, Cebo Cela, had low resistant starch levels in the raw seeds of 1.5–2.5%, whereas average resistant starch levels in the entire panel were 26–30%. Resistant starch levels (3.9–4.2%) in the cooked seed of Cebo Cela were comparable to the other genotypes (3.4–4.3%). Based on light microscopy, the cell walls did not remain intact in the raw milled seed used for the analyses, but they did remain intact in the cooked samples, suggesting the differences in resistant starch in the raw seed are related to starch structure.     

Physical and biochemical properties of maize hardness and extrudates of selected hybrids

Protein and starch determinants of maize kernel hardness and extruded products were characterized to better define the role of endosperm texture during extrusion. Maize physical properties were correlated with total proteins and zein subclasses (p < 0.01). The extrusion process significantly altered protein solubility and increased protein fragmentation as measured by RP-HPLC and size exclusion chromatography. Harder grits and extrudates demonstrated higher amylose content, lower degree of starch damage, and fragmentation at different screw speeds than softer grits and extrudates. Differences in extrudate expansion ratio, water absorption index, water solubility index, oil absorption capacity, and breaking stress between harder and softer hybrids were related to protein aggregation and fragmentation as well as starch damage and fragmentation.     

Variation in Firmness of Whole Beans,Embryos, and Testas of Cooked Soybean (Glycine max) Cultivars

The firmness of whole beans and of separated embryos and testas from 20 soybean cultivars grown in the same field conditions was estimated after 40 min cooking with AACC International Approved Method 56‐36.01. There were considerable variations in the firmness of whole beans, embryos, and testas among cultivars. Testas were much firmer than embryos because of their leathery texture and resistance at slots in the shear cell during compression. For soft cultivars, the firmness after 10 min cooking was also measured, and an apparent first‐order reaction kinetics model was applied to estimate the initial firmness at 0 min cooking and the softening rate constant from firmness data after 10 and 40 min cooking. The estimated initial firmness at 0 min cooking and softening rate constant of embryos and testas varied widely among seven cultivars, and these two parameters were considered to be controlled by different genetic mechanisms, because no correlation was found between the parameters. The softening rate constants of testas were much smaller than those of embryos, and the relative firmness of testas to embryos increased during cooking. The firmness of whole beans and embryos after 10 min cooking would be a useful characteristic for approximating their firmness after 40 min cooking.     

Great Northern Bean Could Improve the Nutritional Value of Instant Noodles

Instant noodles were prepared by substituting hard red winter (HRW) wheat flour with Great Northern bean powder (GNBP) at selected levels (0–60%) using a pilot‐scale noodle processing machine. The functional properties, water absorption, water solubility, and pasting profiles of flour mixtures were tested to verify the process tolerances of ingredients. Prepared noodle samples were evaluated for color, cooking quality, texture, and sensory properties. Slight color differences, an increased cooking loss, and reduced chewiness, cohesiveness, and hardness were observed in cooked noodles that were prepared with GNBP up to 25% of HRW wheat flour weight. The results suggest that HRW wheat flour could be replaced up to 20% (w/w) with GNBP, while still using the conventional processing conditions, to improve the product nutritional value (i.e., increased protein and fiber contents and reduced fat content) (P < 0.05).     

Changes in Water Absorption and Swollen Volume in Extruded Alkaline Peroxide Pretreated Rice Hulls

Rice hulls were pretreated with an alkaline (pH 11.5) solution of hydrogen peroxide (1%) and then extruded. Pretreatment of rice hulls (4% db) at 50°C for 12 hr promoted 94.4% silica reduction, caused lignin solubilization and increased water absorption index (54%) and swollen volume (44%). The effects of temperature (125, 175, and 225°C), moisture content (25, 30, and 35%) and screw speed (120, 140, and 160 rpm) on water absorption and swollen volume of rice hulls fiber were evaluated after extrusion in a single-screw extruder. Operational conditions that produced the most modified product with regard to the functional properties were: 125°C, 35% moisture, and 120 rpm. Extruded fiber had a water absorption index 95% higher and swollen volume 138% higher than the unprocessed material. Microscopic examination showed a slight effect on the hulls epidermis after pretreatment, while extrusion promoted cellular structure disruption.     

Effect of Processing on Antinutrient Compounds in Pulses

Processing of pulses (peas, beans, lentils, chickpeas, and faba beans) is necessary to reduce or eliminate the antinutrient compounds. Conventional processing including soaking, dehulling, boiling, and pressure cooking as well as germination and fermentation reduce the levels of phytate, protease inhibitors, phenolics, condensed tannins, lectins, and saponins. Recent research has investigated how innovative processes such as extrusion, microwave heating, micronization, and irradiation affect the antinutrient content. Germination tends to be most effective at reducing phytate levels, regardless of pulse type. Mixed results on the effectiveness of extrusion, microwave heating, and micronization have been reported. More work is needed to understand how processing of consumer‐ready foods containing pulse ingredients affects levels of antinutrient compounds.     

Effects of Steam,Moisture, and Screw Speed on Physical Properties of DDGS‐Based Extrudates

A fractional factorial design with a replicated central composite point was used to investigate the effects of extrusion processing on physical properties of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) based aquafeeds using a twin‐screw extruder. Extrusion cooking trials were performed with a nutritionally balanced ingredient blend for Nile tilapia, with two levels of screw speed (350 and 450 rpm), two levels of extruder water (0.236 and 0.302 kg/min), and two levels of conditioner steam (0.1 and 0.15 kg/min). The central point was 400 rpm screw speed, 0.271 kg/min extruder water, and 0.12 kg/min conditioner steam. Effects of these processing conditions on extrudate characteristics were extensively analyzed and included moisture content, water activity, thermal properties, expansion ratio, unit density, bulk density, color, water stability, sinking velocity, water absorption and solubility indices, and pellet durability index. Increasing the extruder water and conditioner steam resulted in a 5.3% decrease and nearly 8.6% rise in mass flow rate, respectively. As screw speed increased from 350 to 400 rpm, water stability and water activity increased by 13 and 58%, respectively. Increasing extruder water from 0.236 to 0.302 kg/min led to a significant increase in water stability by 12.5% and decreases in water absorption index, water activity, and expansion ratio by 13, 21, and 5.5%, respectively. As conditioner steam increased from 0.1 to 0.15 kg/min, sinking velocity and water absorption index decreased by 25 and 15%, respectively. Increasing conditioner steam from 0.1 to 0.12 kg/min resulted in 20, 5.5, 10, and 3% decreases in moisture content of the extrudates, brightness (L*), water stability, and expansion ratio, respectively. It also increased bulk density by 5.8% and unit density by 4.2%. Overall, all trials produced viable extrudates with properties appropriate for Nile tilapia feeding.     

Effect of heat treatment of dietary fiber: interlaboratory study

The effects of thermal treatments on the dietary fiber composition of cereal and potato samples were studied at 8 laboratories using different analytical methods. Thermal treatments included extrusion cooking for cereals, and boiling and frying for potatoes. No changes in the amounts of dietary fiber or starch were observed in the extruded samples. Heat-treated potato samples contained significantly more water-insoluble dietary fiber (cellulose) and less starch than did raw potato. However, this may be due, at least in part, to the sample preparation procedure rather than the heat treatment alone. The study indicates that gravimetric and sequential hydrolysis methods give similar results, but the variation in most cases is still wide. Further standardization of methods is evidently needed, especially if legislative measures for setting limits on the fiber content of foods are to be introduced. Standardization of starch analysis should also be of primary importance in future work on carbohydrate methodology. This can be concluded from the variation in results concerning this extremely important food constituent. It should be noted that the sample matrix in the present study was simpler than that of complex meals or diets.     

Impact of the hard-to-cook phenomenon on phenolic antioxidants in dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Epidemiological studies have established a link between consumption of dry beans and lower incidence of degenerative diseases. This relationship is attributed in part to properties of natural antioxidants present in beans. The objective of this study was to determine if the hard-to-cook (HTC) phenomenon in beans had a negative effect on the content of free and bound phenolic antioxidants and antioxidant capacity. Folin-Ciocalteu, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, and HPLC methods were used to quantify the content of phenolic acids and antioxidant capacity. Results showed that the HTC phenomenon did not equally affect the content and antioxidant capacity of phenolic acids in different bean cultivars. Black beans were most affected, the contents of free and acid hydrolyzable phenolic acids being reduced by 35 and 36%, respectively, and the antioxidant activity by 18 and 25%, respectively. This study showed that the HTC phenomenon affected a potential nutritive characteristic of dry beans.     

Oil Absorption Characteristics of a Multigrain Extrudate During Frying: Effect of Extrusion Temperature and Screw Speed

The oil absorption characteristics of a multigrain extruded and fried snack product were studied as a function of extruder screw speed and cooking temperature using a central composite response surface methodology (RSM). The extruded product was produced using a corotating twin screw extruder, dehydrated to a uniform moisture content, and subsequently deep‐fat‐fried at 192 ± 1°C for 10–40 sec to complete expansion. Significant RSM models were developed for oil absorption and extrudate water absorption index (WAI). According to the lowest oil model, absorption (19.9%) was obtained with an extruder screw speed of 218.6 rpm and a cooking temperature of 117.8°C. WAI reached a maximum at a screw speed of 221.9 rpm and a cooking temperature of 109°C. Oil absorption characteristics and extrudate WAI were significantly correlated (r= ‐0.84, P = 0.0002). The data suggest that extrusion conditions can be optimized to influence the physicochemical structures in the extrudate matrix so that oil absorption can be minimized.     

SME‐Arrhenius Model for WSI of Rice Flour in a Twin‐Screw Extruder

We have modeled a rice extrusion process focusing specifically on the starch gelatinization and water solubility index (WSI) as a function of extrusion system and process parameters. Using a twin‐screw extruder, we examined in detail the effect of screw speed (350–580 rpm), barrel temperature, different screw configurations, and moisture content of rice flour on both extrusion system parameters (product temperature, specific mechanical energy [SME], and residence time distribution [RTD]) and extrudate characteristics (expansion, density, WSI, and water absorption index [WAI]). Changes in WSI were monitored to reveal a relationship between the reaction kinetics during extrusion and WSI. Reaction kinetics models were developed to predict WSI during extrusion. WSI followed a pseudo first‐order reaction kinetics model. It became apparent that the rate constant is a function of both temperature and SME. We have developed an adaptation of the kinetic model based on the Arrhenius equation that shows better correlations with SME and distinguishes data from different screw configurations. This adaptation of the model improved predictability of WSI, thereby linking the extrusion conditions with the extruded product properties.