Antioxidants, free radicals, storage proteins, puroindolines, and proteolytic activities in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) seeds during accelerated aging

Seeds of bread wheat were incubated at 40 degrees C and 100% relative humidity for 0, 3, 4, 6, and 10 days. The effects of accelerated aging on seed germinability and some biochemical properties of flour (carotenoid, free radical, and protein contents and proteolytic activity) and gluten (free radical content and flexibility) were investigated. Seed germinability decreased during aging, resulting in seed death after 10 days. A progressive decrease of carotenoid content, in particular, lutein, was observed, prolonging the incubation, whereas the free radical content increased in both flour and gluten. A degradation of soluble and storage proteins was found, associated with a marked increase of proteolytic activity and a loss of viscoelastic properties of gluten. On the contrary, puroindolines were quite resistant to the treatment. The results are discussed in comparison with those previously obtained during accelerated aging of durum wheat seeds.     

Aging, free radicals, and antioxidants in wheat seeds

Free radical oxidative attack is considered a major cause of disruption and deteriorative changes observed in aged seeds. Antioxidant defense mechanisms may remove potentially damaging molecular species, and carotenoids may act as radical scavengers. The content of lutein, the major carotenoid in wheat seeds, was determined in the flours. It showed a rapid decrease during seed aging. In addition, the content of free radicals in glutens made from flours of wheat seeds after long-term storage was studied. The concentration of radicals appeared to be age dependent, because the highest content of radicals was detected between 13 and 15 years of aging over 36 years of storage. Specific spin labeling of the sulfhydryl groups of gluten proteins enabled comparative EPR studies of the rigidity of the protein chains. A progressive stiffening of polymeric gluten with seed storage was found.     

The natural aging-related biochemical changes in the seeds of two legume varieties stored for 40 years

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of long-term natural aging on germinability and several biochemical characteristics regarding antioxidative response of both dry and germinating two different clover (Trifolium repens and Trifolium pratense) seeds stored for 40 years. The percent germination of the seeds was monitored for 7 days. The activities of catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidation, H₂O₂ levels, and phenolic matter content were tested on 0, 1st, 3rd, and 7th days of germination. On the 7th day of germination, the germination ratios of the old T. repens and T. pratense seeds were 32 and 17%, while freshly harvested seeds showed 99 and 96% germination on the 4th day, respectively. The long-term aging caused an important increase in lipid peroxidation levels of the old dry seeds. Total phenolic content was high in the old dry seeds of T. repens compared with those of T. pratense. Remarkably, the long-term aging caused an important decrease in H₂O₂ content and the activities of catalase and peroxidase enzymes, but an increase in activity of superoxide dismutase in both the old dry seeds. The decreases in germinability of the old legume seeds were well correlated with the increasing level of lipid peroxidation and the decreasing activities of peroxidase and catalase. During the germination of the legume seeds, a noticeable increase was determined only in peroxidase activity in two types of the old seeds, while catalase activity decreased. However, the other biochemical parameters studied did not significantly change between the germinating old seeds and their freshly harvested controls.     

Textural Comparisons of Gluten‐Free and Wheat‐Based Doughs,Batters, and Breads

Studies were conducted with two newly developed gluten‐free bread recipes. One was based on corn starch (relative amount 54), brown rice (25), soya (12.5), and buckwheat flour (8.5), while the other contained brown rice flour (50), skim milk powder (37.5), whole egg (30), potato (25), and corn starch (12.5), and soya flour (12.5). The hydrocolloids used were xanthan gum (1.25) and xanthan (0.9) plus konjac gum (1.5), respectively. Wheat bread and gluten‐free bread made from commercial flour mix were included for comparison. Baking tests showed that wheat and the bread made from the commercial flour mix yielded significantly higher loaf volumes (P < 0.01). All the gluten‐free breads were brittle after two days of storage, detectable by the occurrence of fracture, and the decrease in springiness (P < 0.01), cohesiveness (P < 0.01), and resilience (P < 0.01) derived from texture profile analysis. However, these changes were generally less pronounced for the dairy‐based gluten‐free bread, indicating a better keeping quality. Confocal laser‐scanning microscopy showed that the dairy‐based gluten‐free bread crumb contained network‐like structures resembling the gluten network in wheat bread crumb. It was concluded that the formation of a continuous protein phase is critical for an improved keeping quality of gluten‐free bread.     

脱酰胺与双酶协同作用提高小麦面筋蛋白酶解效率

为了探讨了不同脱酰胺处理和双酶协同作用方式对小麦面筋蛋白酶解效率及其产物抗氧化活性的影响,该文研究了小麦面筋蛋白在各种预处理方式和酶解条件下的蛋白回收率、水解度、抗氧化性能及肽分子量分布情况。结果显示,单独热处理(90℃,30 min)小麦面筋蛋白对其酶解效率无显著影响,而采用添加0.5 mol/L柠檬酸溶液进行热处理(质量分数为5%,90℃,30 min)可显著(P0.05)提高其蛋白回收率。此外,酶制剂添加顺序及双酶共同水解作用时间对酶解效率均具有较大影响:加入谷氨酰胺酶预先水解对小麦面筋蛋白的深度水解有促进作用;一定时间内的双酶协同作用有利于酶解的进行,但较长时间的双酶作用反而会抑制酶解效率。采用谷氨酰胺酶(质量分数为0.2%)对经柠檬酸加热处理的小麦面筋蛋白作用12 h后再加入胰酶(质量分数为0.6%)共同作用7 h可使蛋白回收率达70.74%,水解度达到9.88%;另外,酶解产物的自由基清除能力ABTS+(2,2’-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate)+)值与氧化自由基吸收能力(ORAC,oxygen radical absorbance capacity)值分别达到478.95 mmol/g和213.85μmol/g,提示该酶解产物是一种潜在优秀食品抗氧化剂。研究结果可为拓宽小麦面筋蛋白的应用领域,以及高效制备抗氧化活性肽提供方法和理论指导。     

黄土高原旱地小麦—苜蓿轮作对小麦品质和子粒氨基酸含量的影响

在粮草8年轮作施肥定位试验背景下,研究小麦品质和子粒氨基酸含量的变化。结果表明,苜蓿茬小麦和对照在营养品质和面团流变学特性以及氨基酸含量上的差异,归因于施肥对小麦品质的改良和提高。小麦与苜蓿轮作能提高小麦的营养品质,苜蓿茬小麦和连作小麦的湿面筋值有显著差异;轮作可增强小麦粉面团的强度和筋力,降低面团的延展性,苜蓿茬小麦和和连作小麦的FQN值有极显著差异;但小麦的氨基酸含量无明显变化。苜蓿小麦轮作以苜蓿茬后第2年种植的小麦品质和氨基酸含量为优,到苜蓿茬后第3年,茬口优势效应减弱。     

Free radical scavenging properties and phenolic content of Chinese black-grained wheat

Free radical scavenging properties and phenolic content of extracts from a novel Chinese black-grained wheat were evaluated for comparison with selected wheat controls. Extracts of bran and whole meal were compared for their scavenging activities against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. The total phenolic content and phenolic acid levels were determined using colorimetric and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods, respectively. There were significant differences in radical scavenging activities and phenolic contents among bran or whole meal samples of Chinese black-grained wheat and selected wheat controls. Chinese black-grained wheat had the strongest scavenging activity and the highest total phenolic content among the wheat samples. The scavenging activity and total phenolic content of wheat bran was generally twice as high as that of whole meal. A positive correlation was found between DPPH radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content of bran (R = 0.86) and whole meal (R = 0.96). In addition, HPLC analysis detected the presence of gallic, p-hydroxybenzoic, caffeic, syringic, p-coumaric, vanillic, gentisic, o-coumaric acid, and ferulic acids in wheat bran. Ferulic acid content was highest among the phenolic acids. Chinese black-grained wheat may be considered as a potential source of natural antioxidants given its high free radical scavenging ability and phenolic content. Additional research is needed to further investigate other phenolic compounds and evaluate their contribution to the antioxidant activity in order to understand the nutraceutical value of the novel black-grained wheat genotype.     

Properties of aged montmorillonite-wheat gluten composite films

The properties of new and aged glycerol-plasticized vital wheat gluten films containing < or =4.5 wt % natural or quaternary ammonium salt modified montmorillonite clay were investigated. The films were cast from pH 4 or pH 11 ethanol/water solutions. The films, aged for < or =120 days, were characterized by tensile testing, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, water vapor permeability (11% relative humidity) and the content of volatile components were measured. The large reduction in the water vapor permeability with respect to the pristine polymer suggests that the clay platelets were evenly distributed within the films and oriented preferably with the platelet long axis parallel to the film surface. The film prepared from pH 11 solution containing natural clay was, as revealed by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, almost completely exfoliated. This film was consequently also the strongest, the stiffest, and the most brittle and, together with the pH 11 film containing modified clay, it also showed the greatest decrease in water vapor permeability. The large blocking effect of the clay had no effect on the aging kinetics of the films. During aging, the pH 4 and pH 11 film strength and the pH 4 film stiffness increased and the pH 4 film ductility decreased at the same rate with or without clay. This suggests that the aging was not diffusion rate limited, that is, that the loss of volatile components or the migration of glycerol or glycerol/wheat gluten phase separation was not limited by diffusion kinetics. The aging rate seemed to be determined by slow structural changes, possibly involving protein denaturation and aggregation processes.     

Antioxidant contents and antioxidative properties of traditional rye breads

The purpose of this research was to find out the effect of flour extraction rate on the antioxidative properties of traditional rye bread and then to compare the bioactive compounds content and antioxidant properties of rye breads with commercial wheat roll. Four types of rye flour with different extraction rates of 100 (whole meal dark flour), 95 (brown flour), 90 (brown flour), and 70% (light flour) originated from Warko rye cultivar were used for traditional bread baking with sourdough fermentation. Four types of the respective rye breads were analyzed for their potentially beneficial components, including tocopherols and tocotrienols, total phenolics and flavonoids, reduced glutathione, and inositol hexaphosphates. Moreover, the phenolic acids profile was provided. The Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of the breads was evaluated using free radical scavenging activities of 80% methanol extracts against ABTS*+ radical cation (ABTS radical cation decolorization method) whereas radical scavenging activity (RSA) was determined against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH*). The superoxide dismutase-like activity (SOD-like activity) was evaluated as free radical scavenging activities of PBS extracts against superoxide anion radicals (O2*-). The results were compared to whole meal rye bread as well as to wheat roll taken as representative example of wheat based bakery product. The studies showed that flour extraction rates strongly affected the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidative properties of traditionally baked rye breads. The incorporation of the rye flours with extraction rates from 100 down to 70% in the formulation caused decrease in tocopherol (T), tocotrienol (T3), inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), and phenolic compound (TPC) contents in rye breads. No changes in reduced glutathione (GSH) contents were noted between each type of rye bread. A significant decrease in Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and radical DDPH scavenging activity was also found in bread formulated on flour with an extraction rate of 70% in comparison to the breads formulated on flour with extraction rates from 100 to 90%. The highest SOD-like activity was noted for rye bread formulated on flour with an extraction rate of 70%. The four types of rye breads showed better antioxidative properties and higher antioxidant contents when compared to wheat roll with one exception made to tocopherols and tocotrienols.     

Microbial Transglutaminase as a Tool to Restore the Functionality of Gluten from Insect‐Damaged Wheat

In some wheat‐growing countries, considerable quantities of commercial wheat are rendered unusable in standard baking because of preharvest damage of the grain by protease‐injecting bugs. In the present study, we studied the ability of transglutaminase (TG) treatment of damaged wheat flour to return the functionality of the gluten network. To confirm the TG cross‐linking, the degree of protein hydrolysis, the amount of free thiol groups, and the electrophoresis properties of glutenin subunits were determined. The effectiveness of the TG treatment on insect‐damaged wheat was analyzed by measuring the dough mixing behavior and the gluten quality. A decrease in the degree of hydrolysis (or free amino groups), a reduction in thiol group concentration, and a decrease of extractable high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW‐GS) (measured by high‐performance capillary electrophoresis) confirmed the protein cross‐linking catalyzed by TG, the simultaneous formation of disulfide bonds by the proximity of the cross‐linked polypeptide chains, and the formation of aggregates of high molecular weight. The TG treatment of the damaged wheat flour led to a recovery of the consistograph parameters and gluten index value, and the covalent nature of the bonds ensured the stability of the protein changes.     

Seed vigor and boron and calcium nutrition influence oilseed rape germinability and seedling growth under salt stress

The beneficial effects of boron (B) and calcium (Ca) nutrition on pea seed germinability under salinity stress have recently been shown. However, nothing is known about the influence of seed vigor status on these results, especially in oilseed rape as an important oil crop worldwide. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of seed vigor, boron and calcium nutrition on seed germinability, seedling growth, and some biochemical characteristics of oilseed rape seedlings under salinity. In spite of promotive effects of application of both boron and calcium nutrition on oilseed rape germinability and seedling growth, there was a more significant promotion on germination rate of high vigor seeds. Proline content and guaiacol peroxidase activity of seedlings were significantly increased by adding supplemental boron to the medium compared to the control. Finally, it can be concluded that boron and calcium nutrition would improve the salt tolerance capability of oilseed rape seedlings from vigorous seeds, at least in the early plant development.     

Combining Maltogenic Amylase with CMC or Wheat Gluten to Prevent Amylopectin Recrystallization and Delay Corn Tortilla Staling

Antistaling properties of a bacterial maltogenic amylase, sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and vital wheat gluten on quality of corn tortillas were evaluated during 14 days of storage. Amylopectin recrystallization was the driving force behind the staling of corn tortillas. Increasing levels of recrystallized amylopectin measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) correlated significantly with increased tortilla stiffness (r = 0.43) and reduction in tortilla pliability (r = ‐0.42) during storage. Maltogenic amylase (275–1,650 activity units) made tortillas less stiff but did not preserve pliability and extensibility as effectively as CMC (0.25–0.5%). The combination of 825 MANU of maltogenic amylase (to interfere with intragranular amylopectin recrystallization) and 0.25% CMC (to create a more flexible intergranular matrix than retrograded amylose and amylopectin) produced less stiff, equally flexible, and less chewy tortillas than did 0.5% CMC. Vital wheat gluten was not as effective as CMC in preserving tortilla flexibility or as good as the maltogenic amylase in reducing stiffness. Further research is required to optimize the addition of maltogenic amylases in continuous processing lines that use fresh masa instead of nixtamalized corn flour (NCF) and to determine how these amylases interfere with amylopectin recrystallization.     

施钴对冬小麦产量品质的影响

在潮土上采用田间小区试验,研究了钴元素对小麦产量和品质的影响。结果表明:施用适量的钴可以显著提高冬小麦的产量,改善冬小麦的品质。各施钴处理较对照增产7.4%～20.3%。施钴量在1.05kg.hm2以内,随着施钴量的增加,增产效应提高,当施钴量超过1.05kg.hm2时,随着施钴量的增加,冬小麦的产量增加,但增产效应下降。各施钴处理子粒蛋白质含量与蛋白质产量均有不同程度的提高,以Co2处理最高。此外,低浓度的钴(施钴量0.45～0.75kg.hm2)可以提高冬小麦子粒面粉的沉降值、总评价值和湿、干面筋含量,而高浓度的钴(施钴量大于1.35kg.hm2)则降低冬小麦子粒面粉沉降值、总评价值和湿、干面筋含量。土壤有效钴含量与施钴量呈极显著正相关,小麦籽粒中钴含量与施钴量呈显著正相关,地下部的钴含量显著大于地上部。     

施氮量对不同小麦品种高分子量麦谷蛋白亚基表达量及品质影响的研究

采用盆栽试验和SDS-PAGE技术,研究了氮肥对强筋和中筋小麦亚基表达量、品质性状及相关关系的影响。结果表明,施用氮肥提高了优质小麦高分子量谷蛋白亚基表达量,对强筋小麦影响较小,而对中筋小麦影响较大。施氮后,强筋小麦的亚基表达量与醇溶蛋白和谷蛋白的含量极显著相关,而中筋小麦的亚基表达量仅与谷蛋白的含量显著相关,说明氮肥对不同亚基组成小麦高分子量谷蛋白表达量及蛋白组分调控有一定差异。施氮后,高分子量谷蛋白亚基表达量与各项加工品质指标呈正相关;强筋小麦的亚基表达量与湿面筋含量、稳定时间、沉降值和评价值相关性达到显著或极显著水平;而中筋小麦的亚基表达量仅与沉降值相关性达到显著水平。     

Impact of Baking on Vitamin E Content of Pseudocereals Amaranth,Quinoa, and Buckwheat

The aim of this study was to analyze the vitamin E composition of amaranth, quinoa, and buckwheat pseudocereals. The method used consisted of a one‐step extraction with hexane followed by normal‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (NP‐HPLC) coupled with a fluorescence detector. This method afforded complete separation of all vitamin E compounds present. In addition, vitamin E stability following high‐temperature processing such as breadmaking was also studied. The vitamin E composition differed significantly from grain type to grain type, and highest vitamin E content (expressed as α‐tocopherol equivalents) was found in quinoa grains, followed by amaranth and buckwheat (24.7, 15.4, and 6.3 μg/g respectively). None of the pseudocereal grains contained tocotrienols, which were only detected in wheat grains in minor quantities. Vitamin E recovery following breadbaking was high (70–93%) and gluten‐free breads containing pseudocereal had significantly higher vitamin E content compared with the gluten‐free control. Amaranth, quinoa, and buckwheat grains proved to be good sources of vitamin E and may be used as ingredients in gluten‐free products for improving vitamin E content and thus overall nutritional quality.     

施氮量对不同品质类型小麦产量和加工品质的影响

为了明确施氮量与不同品质类型小麦的产量和品质的关系,选用强筋小麦济麦20、 皖麦38和中筋小麦京冬8、 中麦8共2种品质类型4个小麦品种,研究了施氮量对其产量性状和加工品质的影响。结果表明,在施氮量N 0-360 kg/hm2的范围内,增加氮肥用量可以有效缓解叶绿素降解,抑制旗叶全氮含量降低,缓解叶片衰老,延长旗叶功能期; 强筋小麦品种比中筋小麦品种旗叶叶绿素含量和氮素含量下降缓慢。子粒产量和蛋白质产量随施氮量的增加逐渐提高,施氮N 270 kg/hm2时达到最大值,增加到360 kg/hm2时子粒产量和蛋白质产量均开始下降。强筋小麦蛋白质产量和子粒产量高,中筋小麦穗数、 穗粒数多,千粒重高。施氮有利于子粒出粉率、 硬度、 蛋白质含量和沉降值的提高。施氮N 180 kg/hm2时可以显著延长面团形成时间和稳定时间,降低吸水率,面包总体评分最高。强筋小麦硬度大,蛋白质含量、 出粉率和沉降值高,面团形成时间和稳定时间长,面包体积大、 评分高。     

梯度磁场对芝麻种子生物效应的影响

应用电子顺磁共振(ESR)波谱仪对磁场处理过的芝麻种子连续14d跟踪测量,结果表明磁场可促进芝麻种子内部自由基浓度增加,且其自由基浓度随贮藏时间的延长明显降低,14d后其自由基浓度降低30%以上。用最佳磁场强度分别对芝麻种子进行12min、24min、36min、48min和60min不同梯度处理,结果表明电流50A(磁场强度835G)的磁场处理芝麻种子36~48min生物效应最佳,能有效提高芝麻种子发芽率和发芽势,促进根系生长。     

氮钾配施对弱筋小麦氮、钾养分吸收利用及产量和品质的影响

在低钾和中钾土壤上,采用田间试验研究了氮钾配施对弱筋小麦氮、钾养分吸收及产量和品质的影响。结果表明,氮钾肥配合施用促进了弱筋小麦植株氮、钾含量的提高,氮、钾养分吸收表现出一定的正交互作用;合理配施氮钾肥能够显著地提高弱筋小麦产量。在低钾土壤上,N180K150处理产量最高(5023.kg/hm2);中钾土壤上,最高产量(5145.kg/hm2)为N180K90处理。两种土壤上,氮肥的产量效应均大于钾肥。低钾土壤上,氮钾对小麦产量表现出极显著的正交互作用。提高氮肥用量显著降低了弱筋小麦的专用品质,钾肥对小麦品质的独立效应不显著,但是钾对氮的品质效应存在着交互作用。弱筋小麦抽穗期或灌浆期植株氮、钾含量与子粒品质的相关系数较大,与产量的相关系数则是以拔节期或抽穗期较大。适当减少氮肥用量和增加氮、钾肥基施比例有利于改善弱筋小麦的品质。     

灌水量对不同小麦品种籽粒品质、产量及土壤硝态氮含量的影响

选用强筋小麦济麦20和中筋小麦泰山23两个品种，在大田条件下设置不灌水（0mm）、灌水180mm，240mm和300mm4个处理，研究了灌水量对籽粒品质和产量及土壤硝态氮含量的影响。结果表明，灌水180mm和240mm的处理比不灌水和灌水300mm的处理提高了强筋小麦济麦20的籽粒谷蛋白含量、谷蛋白含量／醇溶蛋白含量比值（谷／醇比值）、谷蛋白大聚合体（GMP）含量和湿面筋含量，延长了面团稳定时间，改善了籽粒品质；中筋小麦泰山23的不灌水处理的籽粒蛋白质含量高于灌水180mm，240mm和300mm的处理，但是GMP含量、湿面筋含量和面团稳定时间各处理间无显著差异。两品种的籽粒产量均以灌水240mm的处理最高，但泰山23灌水180mm的处理与灌水240mm的处理无显著差异。随灌水量增加，土壤中的硝态氮向深层土壤的淋溶增加。本试验条件下，综合考虑品质、产量和土壤中硝态氮的淋溶，济麦20和泰山23可供生产中参考的灌水量分别为180～240mm和180mm。