β-Glucanase Activity and Molecular Weight of β-Glucans in Barley After Various Treatments

β-Glucanase activity interferes with molecular characterization of mixed-linkage (1→3)(1→4)-β-d -glucans (β-glucans). Reductions in β-glucanase activity were determined after barley cvs. Azhul, Waxbar, and Baronesse were treated with autoclaving (120°C, 45 min), calcium chloride (0.05M, 1 hr), 70% ethanol (80°C, 4 hr), hydrochloric acid (0.1N, 1 hr), oven heating (120 and 140°C, 40 min), sodium hydroxide (0.0025M, 1 hr), and 5% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) (40°C, 1 hr). High-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) of α-amylase-treated aqueous extracts was used to demonstrate the effects of treatments on the molecular weights of β-glucans. The HPSEC system included multiple-angle, laser light scattering, refractive index, and fluorescence detectors. β-Glucanase activities, ranging from 52 to 65 U/kg of barley, were reduced by autoclaving (50–75%), hot alcohol (67–76%), oven heating (40–96%), CaCl₂ (75–95%), NaOH (76–89%), and TCA (92–96%). Some malt β-glucanase activity remained after most treatments. HCl and TCA treatments reduced extraction and molecular weights of β-glucans. Weight-average molecular weights (M_w) for β-glucans extracted with water at 23°C were low (most <8 × 10⁵). Base treatment (pH 9) and extraction at 100°C for 2.5 hr resulted in the greatest extraction of β-glucans and highest M_w. As a result, the conditions seem appropriate for measurement of physical characteristics of β-glucans in cereal products.     

Effect of Barley Flour on Development of Rice‐Based Extruded Snacks

This study was conducted to develop a ready‐to‐eat extruded food using a single‐screw laboratory extruder. Blends of Indian barley and rice were used as the ingredients for extrusion. The effect of extrusion variables and barley‐to‐rice ratio on properties like expansion ratio, bulk density, water absorption index, hardness, β‐glucan, L*, a*, b* values, and pasting characteristics of extruded products were studied. A central composite rotatable design was used to evaluate the effects of operating variables: die temperature (150–200°C), initial feed moisture content (20–40%), screw speed (90–110 rpm), and barley flour (10–30%) on properties like expansion ratio, bulk density, water absorption index (WAI), hardness, β‐glucan, L*, a*, b* values, and sensory and pasting characteristics of extruded products. Die temperature >175°C and feed moisture <30% resulted in a steep increase in expansion ratio and a decrease in bulk density. Barley flour content of 10% and feed moisture content of <20% resulted in an increased hardness value. When barley flour content was 30–40% and feed moisture content was <20%, a steep increase in the WAI was noticed. Viscosity values of extruded products were far less than those of corresponding unprocessed counterparts as evaluated. Rapid visco analysis indicated that the extruded blend starches were partially pregelatinized as a result of the extrusion process. Sensory scores indicated that barley flour content at 20%, feed moisture content at 30%, and die temperature at 175°C resulted in an acceptable product. The prepared product was roasted in oil using a particular spice mix and its sensory and nutritional properties were studied.     

Effect of Drying Treatment Conditions on Sensory Profile of Germinated Oat

Germination and subsequent drying of oat produced significantly different sensory profiles depending on processing parameters such as drying speed and temperature profile. The most salient sensory attributes for processed oat were roasted odor and flavor, sweet taste, intense odor, intense aftertaste, and hard, crisp, brittle texture (P < 0.05). High temperatures (>85°C) were necessary to produce these sensory attributes, and quick drying after germination resulted in higher levels of intensity of favorable sensory attributes. The total amount of volatile compounds was higher in native (ungerminated) oat than in processed oat. During germination, and particularly during the drying treatment, the profile of volatile compounds changed. The most abundant volatile compounds responsible for odor were dimethyl sulfide, hexanal, pentanal, and iso butanal. The relative amount of dimethyl sulfide increased as a function of temperature in drying, whereas hexanal, pentanal, and isobutanal disappeared during heating, as did several other small ketones, alcohols, and esters. The germinated oat dried at high temperatures (65–93°C and 65–85°C) was perceived as being roasted, sweet, and nutty. Sensory and instrumental profile analyses of selected volatile compounds using partial least squares (PLS) regression techniques showed that these sensory attributes were clearly related to dimethyl sulfides and isobutanol. A moist and earthy odor was related to cymene, limonene, and isobutanal. Phenolic compounds significantly influenced oat flavor, whereas lipids had a negligible effect.     

Analysis of acrylamide in green tea by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Optimization of the solid-phase extraction cleanup procedure enabled the GC-MS analysis of acrylamide in tea samples without the interference of bromination by tea catechins. Although polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) is available for removing tea catechins from tea extract, the peaks derived from PVPP had the same retention time as brominated acrylamide in mass chromatograms obtained by GC-MS. A considerable amount of acrylamide was formed at roasting temperatures of > or =120 degrees C; the highest acrylamide level was observed when tea samples were roasted at 180 degrees C for 10 min. Higher temperatures and longer processing times caused a decrease in the acrylamide content. Furthermore, an analysis of 82 tea samples showed that rather than the reducing sugar content, the asparagine content in tea leaves was a significant factor related to acrylamide formation in roasted products. The acrylamide level in roasted tea products was controlled by asparagine in the presence of reducing sugars.     

Changes in the concentrations of acrylamide, selected odorants, and catechins caused by roasting of green tea

This research aims to optimize roasted green tea (Houjicha) processing by using roasting treatments to achieve acrylamide mitigation without compromising the quality. 2-Ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine and 2-ethyl-3,6-dimethylpyrazine were identified as potent odorants by aroma extract dilution analysis. In preliminary sensory experiments, the desirable Houjicha flavor was produced in products roasted at 160 degrees C for 30 min and at 180 degrees C for 15 min. Under these conditions, potent odorants were formed at levels adequate for contributing to the Houjicha flavor. Acrylamide amounts in tea infusions were 2.0 and 4.0 microg/L by roasting at 160 degrees C for 30 min and at 180 degrees C for 15 min, respectively. Compared to roasting at 180 degrees C, the degradation of tea catechins was suppressed by roasting at 160 degrees C. Hence, roasting at 160 degrees C for is recommended for Houjicha processing for acrylamide mitigation, formation of potent odorants, and suppression of degradation of tea catechins.     

Stability of barley and malt lipid transfer protein 1 (LTP1) toward heating and reducing agents: relationships with the brewing process

Barley lipid transfer protein (LTP1) is a heat-stable and protease-resistant albumin that concentrates in beer, where it participates in the formation and stability of beer foam. Whereas the barley LTP1 does not display any foaming properties, the corresponding beer protein is surface-active. Such an improvement is related to glycation by Maillard reactions on malting, acylation on mashing, and structural unfolding on brewing. The structural stability of purified barley and glycated malt LTP1 toward heating has been analyzed. Whatever the modification, lipid adduction or glycation, barley LTP1s are highly stable proteins that resisted temperatures up to 100 degrees C. Unfolding of LTP1 occurred only when heating was conducted in the presence of a reducing agent. In the presence of sodium sulfite, the lipid-adducted barley and malt LTP1 displayed higher heat stability than the nonadducted protein. Glycation had no or weak effect on heat-induced unfolding. Finally, it was shown that unfolding occurred on wort boiling before fermentation and that the reducing conditions are provided by malt extract.     

Effects of heat processing and storage on flavanols and sensory qualities of green tea beverage

This research was conducted to understand the effects of heat processing and storage on flavanols and sensory qualities of green tea extract. Fresh tea leaves were processed into steamed and roasted green teas by commercial methods and then extracted with hot water (80 degrees C) at 1:160 ratio (tea leaves/water by weight). Green tea extracts were heat processed at 121 degrees C for 1 min and then stored at 50 degrees C to accelerate chemical reactions. Changes in flavanol composition and sensory qualities of green tea extracts during processing and storage were measured. Eight major flavanols (catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, catechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate, and gallocatechin gallate) were identified in the processed tea extract. Among them, epigallocatechin gallate and epigallocatechin appeared to play the key role in the changes of sensory qualities of processed green tea beverage. The steamed tea leaves produced a more desirable quality of processed green tea beverage than the roasted ones.     

Thermostability of Barley Malt Proteases in Western Canadian Two‐Row Malting Barley

During the malting process, barley is germinated via a carefully controlled procedure so that its components are degraded to sugars, amino acids, and other low molecular weight compounds that can be used for subsequent fermentation. One of the most important of these processes is the hydrolysis of proteins into peptides and amino acids. During seed germination, proteases hydrolyze insoluble reserve proteins into soluble peptides that are subsequently hydrolyzed into free amino acids. During kilning, green malt is initially air dried at 40–60°C, and then the temperature is gradually increased to 85–95°C. Although most proteases are denatured during kilning, the malt contains a small proportion of heat‐stable protease enzymes able to further break down protein in the subsequent mashing process. In this study, protocols were developed and standardized to measure the activity of different proteases. These protocols were then used to study protease thermostability in Canadian two‐row spring malting barley lines. We found a wide range in protease activity under controlled conditions. Upon heat treatment, several lines exhibited significant protease thermostability. These thermostable enzymes were purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and Sephadex columns for further study.     

Correlation of malt quality parameters and beer flavor stability: multivariate analysis

Malt is known to have an impact on beer flavor stability mainly due to the presence of antioxidants. In this study, five barley varieties were malted at industrial and micro scale, and quality parameters of the resulting malts were measured (diastatic power, friability, beta-glucan content, antiradical power, reducing power, lipoxygenase activity, and nonenal potential) and correlated with the sensory data obtained for the corresponding fresh and forced aged beers. A statistical strategy using multiple linear regressions was applied to explore relationships between the malt chemical parameters and beer sensory data, showing antiradical power as the major contribution of malt to beer flavor stability. Additionally, the measured antiradical power, which is well correlated with the polyphenolic content, was found to be very similar for malt and barley, emphasizing the key role of barley endogenous polyphenols.     

Influence of Roasting Temperature of Barley on the Powder Characteristics and Preparation of Tea

Roasting improves the palatability of barley grains. After processing, the resulting powder is widely used to elaborate beverages such as coffee and tea. The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of roasting on the characteristics of barley grains and the derived powder. The kinetics of release of soluble solids during the powder hydration at 80°C, performed to produce beverages such as tea, was also determined. In addition, the influence of roasting and rehydration temperatures on the physical composition of the beverages and on the release of soluble solids was investigated. After roasting, barley was ground and sieved. The powder retained in the 0.425 mm sieve was used in the analyses. Owing to roasting, the average protein content of barley increased from 10.56 to 12.88 g/100 g, and the sugar content decreased from 730 to 12.99 mg/mL, which is ascribed to the high process temperature. The phenolic compounds increased from 105.33 to 253.07 mg of ferulic acid per milliliter between the nonprocessed sample and the one roasted at 240°C, respectively. The antioxidant activity decreased with the roasting temperature rise (160–240°C) from 11.60 to 5.30 μg of 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl per milliliter. In the production of beverages such as tea, higher roasting temperatures led to a greater release of soluble solids in water.     

Detecting Corn Syrup in Barley Malt Extracts

Methods for detecting corn syrup in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) malt extract were evaluated. Twelve samples representative of commercially available 2‐rowed and 6‐rowed malting barleys were malted. Extracts prepared from the finely ground malts were analyzed for ¹³C/¹²C ratios, expressed as δ¹³C, and concentrations of protein and sugars. The ¹³C/¹²C ratios were sufficiently different to distinguish corn syrup from malt extract. By calculating the mean values for the barleys, it was determined that a δ¹³C > ‐24.3‰ indicated that the malt extract had been adulterated with corn syrup (99% confidence). Protein concentrations <4.5% (2‐rowed malt) or <5.0% (6‐rowed malt) of the extracts also indicated probable adulteration with corn syrup, which is devoid of protein. Because of differences in sugar concentrations between the malt extracts and corn syrup, carbohydrate analysis also indicated probable mixtures. These findings were confirmed by analysis of extracts from composite 2‐rowed and 6‐rowed barley malts that had been mixed with known quantities of corn syrup. The regressions for δ¹³C, protein concentration, and most sugar concentrations against percent dilution with corn syrup in the mixtures were significant.     

Functionality of Barley Proteins Extracted and Fractionated by Alkaline and Alcohol Methods

This research optimized the extraction of different protein fractions from barley grains and assessed the physicochemical properties of the fractions obtained. Pearling was first used to remove the grain's outer layers (mainly bran and germ) so that the barley cytoplasmic proteins (albumin and globulin) would be enriched in the pearling flour (PF), while endosperm proteins (hordein and glutelin) would be enriched in the pearled grain flour (PGF). Salt, alcohol, and alkaline solutions were then used to extract different barley protein fractions from PF and PGF. The effects of extraction solvent type, pH, temperature, and extraction time on protein content and extraction efficiency were studied. Aqueous ethanol (55%, v/v) efficiently extracted barley hordein from PGF at 60°C, whereas pH 11.5 alkaline solution was the most efficient for extracting both cytoplasmic and endosperm proteins from barley PF and PGF at 23°C. Subunit molecular weight, amino acid composition, and the functional properties of each isolated barley protein fraction were investigated. Barley glutelin demonstrated superior oil‐binding property and emulsifying stability, whereas barley hordein exhibited good foaming capacity.     

Solvent Extraction of Zein from Dry‐Milled Corn

Batch extraction of zein from dry‐milled whole corn with ethanol was optimum with 70% ethanol in water, an extraction time of 30–40 min, and temperature of 50°C. High yields (60% of the zein in corn) and high zein contents in the extracted solids (50%) were obtained at a solvent‐to‐solids ratio of 8 mL of 70% ethanol/g of corn. However, zein concentration in the extract was higher at lower ratios. Multiple extraction of the same corn with fresh ethanol resulted in a yield of 85% after four extractions, whereas multiple extractions of fresh corn with the same ethanol resulted in high (15 g/L) zein concentration in the extract. Optimum conditions for batch extraction of zein were 45°C, with 68% ethanol at a solvent‐to‐solids ratio of 7.8 mL/g for an extraction time of 55 min. Column extractions were also best at 50°C and 70% ethanol; a solvent ratio of 1 mL/g resulted in high zein concentrations in the extract (17 g/L) but yields were low (20%).     

Image Analysis of Grain and Chemical Composition of the Barley Plant as Predictors of Malting Quality in Mediterranean Environments

We have explored the possibility of predicting the malting quality of barley grain, indicated by malt extract yield, by characteristics measured either on plants at anthesis or in mature dry grain by image analysis. To produce barley samples with varying levels of all the characteristics studied, we used grain from an experiment designed to study the influence of lowinput husbandry practices on malting quality of barley by growing five malting genotypes at each of four environments (site × season) and with two different agronomic treatments (N fertilization and herbicide-mechanical roguing of weeds). The results showed that nitrogen content in the plant at anthesis was a good predictor of grain protein content, this characteristic in turn being positively correlated with embryo size and grain volume, as estimated by image analysis, and negatively correlated with nonstructural carbohydrate content in the plant at anthesis. Extract yield was positively correlated with Kolbach index (ratio of soluble to total wort protein) and negatively correlated with wort viscosity and barley grain protein content. Thus, the only practical predictor of malt extract was grain protein content.     

混菌发酵黑青稞甜醅工艺优化及品质特性研究

为改善单一菌株发酵制备青稞甜醅的风味与口感,提高其质量品质,本试验采用米根霉和酵母菌为发酵菌株,以氨基酸态氮含量及感官评分为指标,确定混菌发酵黑青稞甜醅的最佳工艺条件,并比较单一菌株发酵黑青稞制品与混菌发酵黑青稞制品中酚类物质含量、抗氧化活性及风味物质组成的差异。结果表明,混菌发酵黑青稞制品最佳发酵条件为:发酵温度33℃,发酵时间48 h,菌种比例(酵母菌J7∶米根霉)1∶1.20,接种量6.81%,在此条件下混菌发酵黑青稞制品的氨基酸态氮含量为9.32 mg·100 g^-1,感官评分为95.48分。与单一菌株发酵黑青稞制品相比,混菌发酵黑青稞的黄酮含量(32.22 mg·100 g^-1)、 多酚含量(230.68 mg·100 g^-1)及DPPH自由基清除能力(95.03 μmol·L^-1)显著提高。气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)分析结果表明,酵母菌单独发酵的黑青稞中共检出33种挥发性风味物质,米根霉单独发酵的黑青稞中共检出41种挥发性风味物质,混菌发酵的黑青稞中共检出46种挥发性风味物质,其中酯类和醇类是3种发酵方式黑青稞制品的主要风味组分。混菌发酵黑青稞的醇类、酯类和酸类种类及含量均显著高于其余两种发酵方式,其相对含量分别达到59.09%、29.44%和6.46%,风味更丰富。综上分析,混菌发酵使黑青稞制品在功能及风味方面具有一定的优势。本研究结果为混菌发酵黑青稞制品的开发和应用奠定了基础。     

Retardation of Discoloration in Barley Flour Gel and Dough

Dark discoloration negatively influences the aesthetic properties of barley‐based food products. The effects of abrasion and heat treatment of grains, exclusion of oxygen, and the use of antibrowning agents on the retardation of darkening in barley flour gel or dough were determined in four types of barley, including hulled proanthocyanidin‐containing and hulled proanthocyanidin‐free, hulless regular, and hulless waxy barley. Abrasion by >30% in hulled barley and by >15% in hulless barley significantly increased the brightness (L*) of barley flour dough by 0.1–7.1. Steam heating of abraded grains also significantly increased the L* of barley flour gels by 1.8–3.4. Ascorbic acid at 1,500 ppm was most effective for retarding discoloration of barley flour dough, followed by 50 ppm of 4‐hexylresorcinol, which is an enzyme competitive inhibitor. The discoloration of barley flour dough was also effectively reduced by storing the dough sheets at 4°C under nitrogen gas to exclude oxygen or under anaerobic conditions at 20°C. Discoloration of barley‐based food products may be effectively controlled by selecting genotypes with low discoloration development such as proanthocyanidin‐free genotypes, by lowering total polyphenol content or polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity through abrasion, by heat treatment, by exclusion of oxygen, and by the use of enzyme inhibitors.     

Extraction of β-glucosidase activity from PEA field soil

Brown compounds with β-glucosidase activity were extracted from a cultivated soil in 0.1 m phosphate buffer (pH 7), 0.3 m KCl and 10 mm EDTA. A curvilinear relationship of the Langmuir type was observed between the solution volume and β-glucosidase activity of the extract. The results indicated the β-glucosidase was extracellular and was adsorbed on the surfaces of soil particles by ionic bonds. The preparation was treated with protamine sulfate and its enzymatic properties were investigated. The activity of the preparation was optimal at pH 5.4 and was lost after 10 min at 80°C. The extract hydrolyzed p-nitrophenyl β-glucoside(100), phenyl β-glucoside(19), salicin(8), amygdalin(33), cellobiose(52) and gentiobiose(55) (relative activities shown in parentheses). But, the extract had no effect on methyl β-glucoside and phlorizin. The substrate specificity and optimum pH of the enzymatic activity of the soil extract was similar to those of β-glucosidases from various fungi.     

Instrumental and sensory characterization of heat-induced odorants in aseptically packaged soy milk

Predominant heat-induced odorants generated in soy milk by ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) processing were evaluated by sensory and instrumental techniques. Soy milks processed by UHT (143 degrees C/14 s, 143 degrees C/59 s, 154 degrees C/29 s) were compared to a control soy milk (90 degrees C/10 min) after 0, 1, and 7 days of storage (4.4 +/- 1 degrees C). Dynamic headspace dilution analysis (DHDA) and solvent-assisted flavor evaporation (SAFE) in conjunction with GC-olfactometry (GCO)/aroma extract dilution techniques and GC-MS were used to identify and quantify major aroma-active compounds. Sensory results revealed that intensities of overall aroma and sulfur and sweet aromatic flavors were affected by the processing conditions. Odorants mainly responsible for the changes in sulfur perception were methional, methanethiol, and dimethyl sulfide. Increases in 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, 2-acetyl-thiazole, and 2-acetyl-2-thiazoline intensities were associated with roasted aromas. A marginal increase in intensity of sweet aromatic flavor could be explained by increases in 2,3-butanedione, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, beta-damascenone, and 2- and 3-methylbutanal. Predominant lipid-derived odorants, including (E,E)-2,4-nonadienal, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, (E,Z)-2,4-decadienal, (E)-2-nonenal, (E)-2-octenal, 1-octen-3-one, 1-octen-3-ol, and (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal, were affected by processing conditions. Intensities of overall aroma and sulfur notes in soy milk decreased during storage, whereas other sensory attributes did not change. Color changes, evaluated by using a Chroma-meter, indicated all UHT heating conditions used in this study generated a more yellow and saturated color in soy milk in comparison to the control soy milk.     

Scarification and Degermination of Sorghum for Grits Production: Effects of Hybrid and Conditioning

Three sorghum hybrids were tempered and decorticated with an abrasive‐type mill (scarifier) to produce low‐ash and low‐fat grits. The effects of tempering time and temperature were investigated, and the optimum tempering conditions for obtaining low‐ash and low‐fat grits were found for each sorghum hybrid. The conditions were 3 min at 30°C for bronze sorghum with heteroyellow endosperm, 40 min at 40°C for white sorghum with white endosperm, and 10 min at 20°C for red sorghum with white endosperm. The grits yields were low using the scarifier, hence, another abrasive‐type mill was investigated for improving grits yields. A modified experimental corn decorticator‐degerminator was used to dry‐mill the three sorghum hybrids tempered to the optimum conditions found with the scarifier. The yields were 45.3% grits with 0.23% ash and 0.18% fat for the bronze/heteroyellow hybrid, 49.1% grits with 0.22% ash and 0.36% fat for white/white hybrid, and 44.2% grits with 0.20% ash and 0.22% fat for red/white hybrid. This study showed that grits yields were higher and ash and fat contents were lower when sorghum was processed with the decorticator‐degerminator than with the scarifier under the same optimum conditioning.     

Effects of Extraction Rates of Wheat Flour on Phyllo (Yufka) Properties at Different Storage Temperatures

Phyllo sheets were produced with flour obtained at different extraction rates (53, 58, or 67%), and stored at 4 and 25°C. Physical, chemical, and sensory properties of fresh and stored phyllo were researched. Fresh phyllo samples from wheat flour at 53% extraction rate were thinner (0.4 mm) and had whiter color (L* = 87.6). Textural properties and overall sensory acceptability of phyllo samples significantly decreased (P ≤ 0.01) with increased extraction rates and storage times. At the end of four days, toughness and extensibility decreased from 0.88 N and 10.9 mm to 0.65 N and 6.7 mm at 4°C and to 0.45 N and 5.6 mm at 25°C. The 53% extraction rate was more suitable for producing phyllo. The shelf life of phyllo samples for preparing borek was determined four days at 4°C and two days at 25°C according to acid contents and sensory properties.