Available carbohydrates of cereal grains as affected by storage and insect infestation

Total soluble sugar, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar and starch contents of wheat, maize and sorghum grains were affected adversely at 25, 50 and 75% insect infestation caused byTrogoderma granarium Everts andRhizopertha dominica Fabricius, separately and mixed population.R. dominica caused significant (P<0.05) reduction in available carbohydrates at 50 and 75% infestation levels whereasT. granarium achieved similar effect at 75%. Mixture of both insect species caused intermediate losses. Storage of cereal grains up to 4 months resulted in substantial increase in sugars and decrease in starch content, but storage for a shorter period of time did not cause any significant changes in levels of carbohydrates.     

Evaluation of antioxidant activity of methanolic extract from peanut hulls in fried potato chips

Antioxidant activity of methanolic extract from peanut hulls (MEPH) was evaluated in fried potato chips during storage at 25 ^°C and 45 ^°C. Free fatty acids (FFA) and peroxide values (POV) were used as criteria to assess MEPH as an antioxidant. After six months storage at 45 ^°C potato chips treated with 1200 and 1600 ppm of MEPH showed lower values of FFA (0.083, 0.080%) and POV (30.0, 29.0 mEq/kg) than the control samples (FFA 0.377%, and POV 180 mEq/kg). Potato chips treated with BHA and BHT showed POVs of 29.0 and 25.0 mEq/kg whereas FFA values were 0.0086 and 0.074%, respectively, after six months storage at 45 ^°C. These results illustrate that MEPH, at various concentrations, exhibited very strong antioxidant activity which was almost equal to synthetic antioxidants (BHA & BHT). Subjective evaluation studies also showed that potato chips treated with 1200–1600 ppm MEPH after six months storage at 45 ^°C, were organoleptically acceptable.     

Storage changes in the quality of sound and sprouted flour

Sound and sprouted flours (24 and 48 hr) from bread wheat (WL-1562), durum wheat (PBW-34) and triticale (TL-1210) were stored at room temperature (34.8°C) and relative humidity (66.7%) for 0, 45, 90 and 135 days to assess the changes in physico-chemical and baking properties. Protein, gluten, sedimentation value, starch and crude fat decreased during storage in all the samples; however, the decrease was more in sprouted flours. Free amino acids, proteolytic activity, diastatic activity and damaged starch decreased with increase in storage period. Total sugars and free fatty acids increased more rapidly in the flours of sprouted wheats during 135 days of storage. Loaf volume of breads decreased during storage in both sound and sprouted flour but the mean percent decrease in loaf volume was more in stored sound flours. Aging of sprouted flour for 45 days improved the cookie and cake making properties but further storage was of no value for these baked products.Chapati making properties of stored sound and sprouted flour were inferior to that of fresh counterparts.     

Structural characteristics of corn starches extruded with soy protein isolate or wheat gluten

Commercially available corn starches containing 0, 25, 50 and 70% amylose were extruded with 10, 20 and 30% soy protein isolate (SPI) or wheat gluten (WG) at 22% moisture content (dry basis) in a C.W. Brabender single screw laboratory extruder using a 140°C barrel temperature and a 140 rpm screw speed. True, solid and bulk densities; percent total, closed and open pores; and shear strengths of the extrudates were determined. The microstructures of the extrudates were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The total pores of the extrudates were affected significantly (p < F=0.0001) by type of protein (SPI or WG) and starch amylose. The open or closed pores, were affected by protein type only. The interaction between amylose and protein contents was highly significant <(p < F=0.0001). In general, the total pores and bulk densities were higher for WG-starch extrudates compared to SPI-starch extrudates. These values decreased as amylose content increased from 0 to 25% and then increased thereafter. The open pores, on the other hand, increased with increasing protein content from 10 to 20% and then decreased. Extrudates containing WG had higher shear strengths than those containing SPI.     

Changes in soluble carbohydrates, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in the embryo during ageing in wheat grains

Soluble sugar contents and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured in the embryo of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv Charger) seeds throughout their storage under two conditions (45 °C and 100% relative humidity (RH), and 30 °C and 75% RH) to investigate whether grain deterioration during ageing was related to lipid peroxidation resulting in a decrease in the efficiency of the antioxidant defence system, and in changes in sugar metabolism. The half-viability period (P₅₀) was only 6 d at 45 °C and 100% RH against about 3.75 months at 30 °C and 75% RH. However, sensitivity of grains to accelerated ageing carried out at 45 °C and 100% RH increased during their pre-storage at 30 °C and 75% RH. Loss of grain viability at 45 °C and 100% RH was associated with an accumulation of H₂O₂ which was concomitant with a progressive decrease in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and with an increase in glutathione reductase (GR) activity. However, malondialdehyde content did not change, suggesting that there was no lipid peroxidation during such an ageing. In return, ageing of grains at 30 °C and 75% RH was not associated either with strong changes in CAT, SOD and GR activities or with an accumulation of H₂O₂. When there was no correlation between CAT, SOD and GR activities and seed viability, there was a linear correlation between CAT activity and seed vigour evaluated by the T₅₀ during ageing at 45 °C and 100% RH. Sugar metabolism in wheat embryo largely depended on ageing conditions. Loss of grain viability at 45 °C and 100% RH was associated with a marked decrease in sucrose (Su) and a slight increase in raffinose (Ra), and subsequently in the Ra/Su ratio. At 30 °C and 75% RH, seed ageing was associated with an increase in both sugars but with no strong increase in Su/Ra ratio. Our results suggest that ageing was associated with various mechanisms depending on the conditions of ageing, and that accelerated ageing at 45 °C and 100% RH was not the only model to consider in order to understand the mechanisms involved in seed deterioration.     

Calcium chloride sprays decrease physiological disorders following long-term cold storage of apple

Field experiments were carried out at the Horticultural Research Institute, and in five commercial apple orchards, located in southwest Finland including the Åland Islands during 1994 and 1995. The experimental cultivars were Melba, Raike, Red Atlas, Åkerö, Aroma, and Lobo. The treatments were untreated control and preharvest calcium chloride (CaCl₂) sprays at Ca 2.0 g/l. Fruit samples were stored for two to six months at 2–4 °C and 85–95% RH. The percentage of the incidence of physiological disorders of stored apples was scored. Fruit macronutrients, firmness, diameter and juice titratable acidity and percentage of soluble solids were determined. Only a few nutrient effects in the flesh of the apple cultivars were a result of CaCl₂ sprayings. Preharvest CaCl₂sprays increased fruit firmness and the titratable acidity but decreased soluble solids, soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio, and the incidence of physiological storage disorders of some cultivars. When looking at the mean of all cultivars, CaCl₂ sprayings increased titratable acidity and decreased soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio after four months of storage during 1995 and reduced the incidence of physiological disorders after three months of storage during 1994 and after four months of storage in 1995.     

Effect of temperature, time and wheat gluten moisture content on wheat gluten network formation during thermomolding

A plastic-like material can be obtained by thermomolding wheat gluten protein which consists of glutenin and gliadin. We studied the effect of molding temperature (130-170 °C), molding time (5-25 min) and initial wheat gluten moisture content (5.6-18.0%) on the gluten network. Almost no glutenins were extractable after thermomolding irrespective of the molding conditions. At the lowest molding temperature, the extractable gliadin content decreased with increasing molding times and moisture contents. This effect was more pronounced for the α- and γ-gliadins than for the ω-gliadins. Protein extractabilities under reducing conditions revealed that, at this molding temperature, the cross-linking was predominantly based on disulfide bonds. At higher molding temperatures, also non-disulfide bonds contributed to the gluten network. Decreasing cystine contents and increasing free sulfhydryl and dehydroalanine (DHA) contents with increasing molding temperatures and times revealed the occurrence of β-elimination reactions during thermomolding. Under the experimental conditions, the DHA derived cross-link lanthionine (LAN) was detected in all gluten samples thermomolded at 150 and 170 °C. LAN was also formed at 130 °C for gluten samples containing 18.0% moisture. Degradation was observed at 150 °C for samples thermomolded from gluten with 18.0% moisture content or thermomolded at 170 °C for all moisture contents.     

Effect of thermal processing and storage on digestibility of starch in whole wheat grains

Gelatinisation and retrogradation of starch in wheat flour systems and whole wheat grains were studied using DSC and the impact of these events on starch digestibility was investigated. Gelatinisation of starch was possible in wheat flours with more than 60% moisture content (dwb) and gelatinised samples had higher digestibility values. Retrogradation of starch was studied with partially and fully cooked (boiled at 100 °C for 12 min and 32 min, respectively) wheat grains that were subjected to storage at 22 °C for 48 h. Stored samples had lower digestibility values when compared to the freshly cooked counterparts. The effect of moisture on retrogradation was studied with fully cooked wheat grains that were dried to a range of moisture contents (14.6–35.9%, wwb) and stored at 20 °C for 24 h. Retrogradation enthalpy increased with increasing moisture content; however, digestibility values did not reflect the changes in retrogradation enthalpy. The possibility of estimating the degree of retrogradation in fully cooked grains (32 min cooking) was investigated using a wheat flour-water system. The retrogradation enthalpy of fully cooked grains was slightly higher than the wheat flour-water system (at a moisture content of 49%, wwb) during the course of storage at 22 °C.     

Increased stored soybean dietary fibre concentration is positively correlated to testa darkening measured chromaticity

To assess efficacy of seed testa chromaticity indicator of dietary fibre changes in soybean (Glycine max L.), soybean samples were stored for zero (0 M), three months (3 M), six months (6 M) or nine months (9 M) at three moisture contents (MC) (9, 11 and 13%) and three temperatures (10, 20 and 30 °C). Stored soybean samples were analysed for seed testa colour and dietary fibre content. Extended storage (9 M) at high MC (13%) and temperature (30 °C) resulted in reduced chromaticity (C*ab) and L* (darkening) of the testa colour value by 6.7% and 4.7% respectively. Furthermore, storage time and elevated MC (13%) had the biggest effect on dietary fibre levels with insoluble and soluble dietary fibre increasing significantly up to 9 M of storage, by 4.90% and 15.09% respectively with a total dietary fibre increase of 4.62%. This effect was enhanced with increased storage time. Use of testa colour as an indicator of the effect of storage time and conditions on soybean dietary fibre levels contributed to understanding the related impact on the nutritional quality of soybean. This study elucidated the role of post-harvest storage time and conditions on soybean dietary fibre levels as related to chromaticity.     

Effect of short heat shocks applied during grain development on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain proteome

In the field, developing cereal grains are often exposed to short periods of very high temperature (>35 °C) that may dramatically affect grain yield and flour quality. Here we report on the effect of 4 h of heat shock (HS) at 38 °C applied on four consecutive days during the linear phase of storage compound accumulation on grain proteome of the winter bread wheat. At maturity the average single grain dry mass and the total quantity of nitrogen per grain were 25% and 16%, respectively lower for the HS treatment than for the control, resulting in a higher (+1.6% dm) grain protein concentration in HS grains. Individual albumin–globulin, gliadin and glutenin protein fractions from grains collected just before the HS and 1, 8, and 26 (ripeness maturity) days after the HS were quantified then analysed by 2-dimensional electrophoresis followed by MALDI-TOF and MS/MS identification. The quantity per grain of 10 gliadins and 3 low molecular weight glutenin subunit proteins were significantly affected by HS. Thirty-eight HS responsive albumin and globulin proteins were identified, including several enzymes involved in carbohydrate, redox, and lipid metabolisms. One protein was transitorily induced in response to HS. Detailed discussion of the expression of these proteins is presented.     

不同温光型专用小麦品种花后旗叶生理与籽粒淀粉积累特性

为探索不同温光型专用小麦籽粒淀粉的积累规律及其与植株生长状况的关系,在大田条件下,以2类温光型和3种筋型的小麦品种为材料,研究花后旗叶的生理特性和籽粒淀粉及组分积累情况。结果表明,旗叶中叶绿素含量在灌浆前期(0~21d)维持较高,后期迅速下降,但2个弱筋型品种下降速度缓慢;半冬性品种旗叶中可溶性蛋白含量均大于弱春性品种,而丙二醛(MDA)含量小于弱春性品种,差异均达极显著水平(P0.01)。不同筋型籽粒淀粉组分和总淀粉的积累动态以弱筋型品种最具优势,其直链淀粉含量均在花后14d进入快速增长期,支链淀粉和总淀粉含量在花后28d仍在持续增加,最终以半冬性弱筋品种的籽粒产量和淀粉产量最高(P0.01)。灌浆前期(0~21d),叶绿素、可溶性蛋白含量与直链淀粉、支链淀粉和总淀粉含量呈显著和极显著的相关性(P0.01,P0.05);灌浆后期(21~28d),与直链淀粉的相关性不显著,而叶绿素含量与支链淀粉含量的相关性增大。由此可见,旗叶维持较高的叶绿素、可溶性蛋白含量,较低的丙二醛含量在灌浆前期有利于直链淀粉的积累,后期有利于支链淀粉的积累。     

Water stress during grain development affects starch synthesis,composition and physicochemical properties in triticale

Triticale, a man-made cereal crop developed from a cross between wheat and rye, has excellent agronomic traits to produce starch for bioindustrial applications. The effects of different levels of water stress on expression of starch synthesis genes and starch composition and physicochemical properties were investigated in this study. Three triticale varieties from 5 days post-anthesis were treated with three levels of water stress: low water stress (LWS) at 55–60% of soil moisture, moderate water stress (MWS) at 30–35% soil moisture and severe water stress (SWS) at 10–15% soil moisture. Water stress led to a significant reduction in seed weight at SWS (35–45%). A decrease in starch content was noticeable from MWS onwards and the values were decreased by 42–55% at SWS across all varieties. Such decrease was associated with the reduced expression of starch synthesis genes at 19 days of water stress (DWS). MWS favoured an increase of amylose proportion in triticale starch and it was accompanied by a significant up-regulation of GBSSI expression throughout the grain development. Triticale starch synthesized under water stress showed a reduced population of small granules and an increase of A-type to B-type ratio. SWS caused pitting on starch granules but did not alter the biconcave disc shape of mature granules. An inverse relationship between water stress and a range of starch gelatinization temperature was observed and the MWS environment specifically decreased the peak temperature (Tp) and increased the enthalpy. Our results signify that starch morphology, composition and physicochemical properties in triticale grains could be altered if triticale is grown under drought conditions.     

Influence of post-harvest storage temperature and gamma irradiation on potato carotenoids

Summary A comparative study of nine Indian potato varieties showed a good correlation between their total carotenoid content and the tuber flesh colour. Regardless of varietal differences, carotenoid level showed an increase during storage at ambient temperature (25–30°C) and to a lesser extent at 2–4°C and 15°C. Tubers exposed to an irradiation dose of 10 krad for sprout inhibition showed decreased levels of carotenoids during storage, particularly at 15°C where 50% loss was observed after 6 months of storage. Irradiated tubers stored for seven months at 15°C, on reconditioning at 34–35°C for 6 to 12 days showed a 2- to 6-fold increase in their carotenoid content.     

施磷量对弱筋小麦扬麦9号籽粒淀粉合成和积累特性的调控效应

以弱筋小麦扬麦9号为材料，在缺磷土壤（速效磷含量4．1mg／kg）上进行施磷量试验，研究施磷量对小麦籽粒淀粉合成、积累及相关酶活性的影响。结果表明。在施磷（P2O5）0～108kg／ha范围内，增加施磷量，籽粒直链淀粉、支链淀粉、总淀粉积累量、积累速率上升，旗叶蔗糖磷酸合成酶（SPS）活性和蔗糖含量提高，籽粒蔗糖合成酶（SS）活性增强。籽粒蔗糖含量提高。籽粒ADPG焦磷酸化酶（AGPP）、可溶性淀粉合成酶（ssS）、束缚态淀粉舍成酶（GBSS）活性提高，成熟籽粒直链淀粉、支链淀粉、总淀粉含量下降。施磷量超过108kg／ha后，直链淀粉、支链淀粉、总淀粉积累量、积累速率及蔗糖含量、SPS、SS、AGPP、SSS、GBSS酶活性呈下降趋势。     

Effect of thermal processing and storage on digestibility of starch in whole wheat grains

Gelatinisation and retrogradation of starch in wheat flour systems and whole wheat grains were studied using DSC and the impact of these events on starch digestibility was investigated. Gelatinisation of starch was possible in wheat flours with more than 60% moisture content (dwb) and gelatinised samples had higher digestibility values. Retrogradation of starch was studied with partially and fully cooked (boiled at 100 °C for 12 min and 32 min, respectively) wheat grains that were subjected to storage at 22 °C for 48 h. Stored samples had lower digestibility values when compared to the freshly cooked counterparts. The effect of moisture on retrogradation was studied with fully cooked wheat grains that were dried to a range of moisture contents (14.6–35.9%, wwb) and stored at 20 °C for 24 h. Retrogradation enthalpy increased with increasing moisture content; however, digestibility values did not reflect the changes in retrogradation enthalpy. The possibility of estimating the degree of retrogradation in fully cooked grains (32 min cooking) was investigated using a wheat flour-water system. The retrogradation enthalpy of fully cooked grains was slightly higher than the wheat flour-water system (at a moisture content of 49%, wwb) during the course of storage at 22 °C.     

施氮量对两个粒型小麦品种籽粒胚乳细胞增殖及糖含量的影响

为了解小麦胚乳细胞增殖、糖代谢在粒型间的差异及氮营养的调控效应,2009-2010年度以大粒型品种郑育麦9987和小粒型品种郑麦004为材料,研究了施氮量对小麦籽粒胚乳细胞增殖、细胞壁转化酶活性及糖含量的影响。结果表明,郑育麦9987胚乳细胞数(11.92×105)较郑麦004(10.73×105)多11.1%。施氮量影响籽粒胚乳细胞数,其中郑育麦9987低氮处理(150kg·hm-2)的胚乳细胞数目较高氮处理(300kg·hm-2)增加29.1%,而郑麦004则表现为高氮处理较低氮处理增加44.7%。两品种籽粒细胞壁转化酶活性均于花后5~8d达到峰值,花后20d则降到较低水平;籽粒可溶性糖和蔗糖含量均随灌浆进程整体呈先上升后下降趋势,在花后25d有一个小波峰。增施氮肥可增加籽粒细胞壁转化酶活性,提高后期籽粒可溶性糖和蔗糖含量。表明增施氮肥有利于小麦籽粒胚乳细胞增殖、光合产物的积累与运转,从而提高了粒重。     

Characteristics of enzymatic hydrolysis of thermal-treated wheat gluten

Effect of thermal treatment at 50–90 °C on wheat gluten hydrolysis by papain was evaluated in this study. Thermal treatment decreased the amount of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) extractable protein. The treatments at 80 and 90 °C had a strong impact on protein extractability. Thermal treatment for 30 min resulted in a significant reduction in SDS extractable glutenin level in wheat gluten. A significant drop in free sulphydryl level was found in wheat gluten treated at 70 °C for 30 min. It indicated that cross-linking of glutenin through S–S occurred during thermal treatment. The treatments at 70–90 °C led to significant decreases in soluble and nitrogen level, while significant increases in peptide nitrogen amount in the hydrolysates from treated gluten were found. A time-dependent effect was observed for the changes in soluble forms of nitrogen and PN. Thermal treatment resulted in molecular mass distribution change according to gel permeation chromatography analysis. Thermal treatment significantly increased the amount of fractions with molecular mass beyond 10 K (67.2%) in the hydrolysates and greatly decreased the amounts of fractions with MM of 10–5 K and below 5 K in hydrolysates.     

Black currant polyphenols: Their storage stability and microencapsulation

Interest in the consumption of fresh fruits is, to a large extent, due to its content of bioactive nutrients and their importance as dietary antioxidants. There is a growing demand for delivery of antioxidants through functional foods with the related challenge of protecting their bioactivity during food processing and subsequent passage through the gastrointestinal tract. This study focuses on the evaluation of concentration of bioactive compounds in black currant berries (Ribes nigrum L.) and retention of black currant polyphenol compounds and their antioxidant activity after microencapsulation by spray-drying. The polyphenol contents and antioxidant activities were assessed for 5 black currant cultivars grown in Canada in fresh and stored fruits at −20 °C for 9 months. The Ben Alder cultivar was the richest in anthocyanins and flavonols content with high antioxidant potential measured with ABTS and DPPH radicals (4.5 and 2.4 mM/100 g). Black currant polyphenols were stable during 9 month of storage at −20 °C. The results of this study indicated that in black currants storage did not affect negatively the antioxidant capacity. The good stability of bioactive compounds of black currants during freezer storage allows prolonging the storage time of these berries. Maltodextrins with different DE (dextrose equivalent): DE11, DE18, DE21 and inulin were selected as wall material. The stability of encapsulated polyphenols during 12 months storage at 8 °C and 25 °C was evaluated. Compared to maltodextrins DE18 and DE21, maltodextrin DE11 had not only higher drying yield but also offered better protection for phenolics during storage. Radical scavenging activity studies demonstrated significant antioxidant activity of microencapsulated powders before and after storage. The black currant polyphenol microcapsules described in this study represent a promising food additive for incorporation into functional foods due to antioxidant content.     

Hard-to-cook phenomenon in chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L): Effect of accelerated storage on quality

Storage, at high temperature ( 25^°C) andhigh relative humidity ( 65%), causesdevelopment of hard to cook (HTC) phenomenon in grainlegumes. The objective of this work was to study theeffect of storage simulating tropical conditions onchickpeas quality. The hardening of the Surutato 77,Mocorito 88, and Blanco Sinaloa 92 chickpea varietieswas produced using adverse storage (32 ± 1^°C, RH = 75%, 160 days) conditions. For all samples, theHunter `L' values decreased and E valuesincreased during storage, meaning a loss of colorlightness and development of darkening. Acceleratedstorage caused a significant decrease in the waterabsorption capacities and cooking times of whole seeds,cotyledons and seed coats of all samples, being morepronounced in The Blanco Sinaloa 92 variety. Furthermore,storage produced significant decreases in the seedcoat tannin content of the three materials; thisparameter increased significantly in the cotyledon. Inall samples, the levels of phytic acid decreasedsignificantly with the seed hardness. Hardening ofchickpea grains caused a decrease in the invitro protein digestibilities of all varieties. Theseresults suggest that both thecotyledon and seed coat play a significant role in theprocess of chickpea hardening. Blanco Sinaloa 92 andMocorito 88 might be classified as varieties with highand low proneness, respectively, to the development ofthe HTC condition.     

Influence of temperature on the fermentation of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) to produce a dawadawa-type product

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) was fermented to produce a dawadawa-type product using a starter culture of Bacillus licheniformis isolated from naturally fermenting bambara groundnut beans. Fermentation was carried out at 30 and 37 °C for four days and at 45 °C for two days. The pH of the substrate decreased after 24 hours and then rose at 30 and 37 °C but remained constant at 45 °C after the initial drop. Total titratable acidity of the fermenting beans mimicked the pH values. Proximate analyses for moisture, protein and fat of the cotyledons showed an increase in all three constituent at each of the three fermentation temperatures. At the end of fermentation, total available carbohydrate was 55%, 59% and 62% of the original value at 30, 37 and 45 °C, respectively. Fermentation of bambara groundnut at 45 °C for two days is recommended as the ideal fermentation temperature and time.