Effects of Modified Processing Conditions on Oxidative Properties of Semolina Dough and Pasta

During pasta making, semolina is subject to various modifications that are mainly related to oxidative activities with relative effects on some of its components. To evaluate the involvement of hydroperoxidation and bleaching of lipoxygenase (LOX) and peroxidase (POD) activities on loss of pigments and ‐SH groups, their behavior in semolina and during processing was analyzed. Processing was done in standard and four experimental conditions, applying chemical (pH 5.0 and 8.0) and physical (10 and 40°C) treatments, during the mixing and extrusion phases, to study their effects on components. Results pointed out that treatments principally affected hydroperoxidation and bleaching activities of LOX rather than the POD. During pasta making, enzymatic activities showed the same trend in all cultivars, and this was reproducible in all the experimental conditions. Temperature effects on preservation of components were modest, whereas pH 8.0 improved the residual pigment and ‐SH group content in pasta, probably because of the concomitant reduction of oxidative enzyme levels. Finally, out of the four investigated wheat cultivars, Cosmodur showed the best performance in the experimental conditions applied. In fact, high pigment content and yellow index associated with low oxidative activity levels in semolina and in processing samples resulted in better pasta color. Such findings have confirmed that breeding and technological approaches may play an important role in the control of oxidative activities during pasta making, preserving the constituents that positively influence the final pasta color.     

Effect of Die Dimensions on Extrusion Processing Parameters and Properties of DDGS-Based Aquaculture Feeds

The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of die nozzle dimensions, barrel temperature profile, and moisture content on DDGS-based extrudate properties and extruder processing parameters. An ingredient blend containing 40% distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), along with soy flour, corn flour, fish meal, whey, mineral and vitamin mix, with a net protein content adjusted to 28% was extruded in a single-screw laboratory extruder using seven different die nozzles. Increasing moisture content of the ingredient mix from 15 to 25% resulted in a 2.0, 16.0, 16.3, 22.9, 18.5, 32.5, and 63.7% decrease, respectively, in bulk density, water-solubility index, sinking velocity, L*, b*, mass flow rate, and absolute pressure, as well as 11.6, 16.2, and 7% increases, respectively, in pellet durability, water-absorption index, and a*. Increasing the temperature from 100 to 140°C resulted in 17.0, 5.9, 35.4, 50.6, 28.8, 33.9, and 33.9% decreases, respectively, in unit density, pellet durability, sinking velocity, absolute pressure, specific mechanical energy, torque, and apparent viscosity, but a 49.1 and 16.9% increase, respectively, in dough temperature and water-absorption index. Increasing the L/D ratio of the die nozzle resulted in an increase in bulk density, L*, a*, and torque, but a decrease in unit density, pellet durability, water-absorption index, sinking velocity, b*, mass flow rate, dough temperature, and apparent viscosity. As demonstrated in this study, the selection of an appropriate die geometry, in addition to the selection of suitable temperature and moisture content levels, are critical for producing DDGS-based extrudates with optimum properties.     

Extrusion Conditions Modify Hypocholesterolemic Properties of Wheat Bran Fed to Hamsters

Wheat bran was extruded in a twin‐screw extruder at five specific mechanical energy (SME) levels (0.120, 0.177, 0.234, 0.291, and 0.358 kWh/kg, dwb) and the cholesterol‐lowering effects were compared with those of unprocessed wheat bran when fed to four‐week‐old male golden Syrian hamsters (n = 10/treatment) for three weeks. Diets contained 10% total dietary fiber, 10.3% fat, 3% nitrogen, and 0.4% cholesterol. Plasma total cholesterol and very‐low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly lower with 0.120 kWh/kg extruded wheat bran diet compared with the unextruded wheat bran control. Total triglycerides were significantly lower with 0.120 and 0.177 kWh/kg wheat bran diets compared with those fed 0.291 and 0.358 kWh/kg extruded wheat bran diets. Cholesterol digestibility, total liver cholesterol, and total liver lipids were significantly lower with all the extruded wheat bran diets compared with the unextruded wheat bran control. Cholesterol digestibility for the 0.291 kWh/kg wheat bran diet was also significantly lower than all other extruded diets. Significantly more sterols were excreted with diets containing 0.291 and 0.358 kWh/kg extruded wheat bran compared with the unextruded wheat bran control. Wheat bran extruded with 0.291 kWh/kg diet resulted in a 13% reduction in plasma cholesterol and a 29% reduction in low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Considering lowest cholesterol digestibility, significantly higher sterol excretion, desirable plasma lipo‐protein cholesterol profile, significantly lower liver weight, total liver lipids, and liver cholesterol, the wheat bran extruded at 0.291 kWh/kg appeared to have the most desirable healthful potential. Data suggest that cholesterol‐lowering potential of wheat bran could be enhanced by optimizing the energy input used in the extrusion process.     

Effects of Flour Strength,Baking Absorption,and Processing Conditions on the Structure and Mechanical Properties of Bread Crumb

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of flour type, baking absorption, variation in sheeting, and dough proofing time on the density, crumb grain (visual texture), and mechanical properties (physical texture) of bread crumb. All response variables were measured on the same bread crumb specimens. Bread loaves were prepared by a short‐time bread‐making process using four spring wheat flours of varying strength. After crumb density measurement, digital image analysis (DIA) was used to determine crumb grain properties including crumb brightness, cell size, cell wall thickness, and crumb uniformity. Tensile tests were performed on bone‐shaped specimens cut from the same bread slices used for DIA to obtain values for Young's modulus, fracture stress, fracture strain, and fracture energy. Proof time had the most profound influence on the bread with substantial effects on loaf volume, crumb density, crumb brightness, and grain, as well as crumb mechanical properties. Increasing proof time resulted in higher loaf volume, lower crumb density and brightness, coarser crumb with fewer and larger cells with thicker cell walls, and weaker crumb tensile properties. Varying flour type also led to significant differences in most of the measured crumb parameters that appeared to correspond to differences in gluten strength among the flour samples. With increasing flour strength, there was a clear trend to increasing loaf volume, finer and more uniform crumb grain, and stronger and more extensible bread crumb. Increasing baking absorption had virtually no effect on crumb structure but significantly weakened crumb strength and increased fracture strain. In contrast, varying the number of sheeting passes had a minor effect on crumb cellular structure but no effect on mechanical properties. The experimental data were consistent with a cause‐effect relationship between flour strength and the tensile strength of bread crumb arising as a result of stronger flours exhibiting greater resistance to gas cell coalescence, thereby having fewer crumb defects.     

Effects of Processing Conditions and Sorghum Cultivar on Alkaline-Processed Snacks

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) grain was boiled or autoclaved in alkali, washed, drained, and dried into shelf-stable half-products (pellets). The pellets were deep-fat fried to produce a crunchy snack product. Effects of cooking time, drying method (pellet moisture content), and sorghum cultivar on unfried and fried pellets were evaluated. Increasing the alkaline cooking time from 30 to 60 min decreased the yield of the pellets from 96 to 84% (on a dry weight basis). Cooked sorghum dried at room temperature (24°C) for 18 hr, followed by oven-drying at 50°C for an additional 18 hr, produced pellets with a low moisture content (≤5%), that required a higher frying temperature (≥220°C). However, cooked sorghum dried at room temperature for 18 hr followed by oven-drying at 50°C for 5 hr produced pellets with 9% moisture and a lighterdensity highly acceptable product when fried at 220°C. Fat content of fried pellets averaged 18%. The optimum method for producing a light, crunchy, fried product was cooking for 60 min, drying to 9% moisture, and frying at 220°C. ATx631*Tx436, the hardest endosperm-texture sorghum used in the study, had the highest unfried and fried pellet yields. Dorado, an intermediate-to-soft endosperm-texture sorghum, and ATx Arg-1*Tx2907, a waxy sorghum, had lower yields. The fried pellets produced from Dorado and waxy sorghum (ATxArg-1*Tx2907) were more expanded than those produced from ATx631*Tx436.     

Effects of Calcium Hydroxide and Processing Conditions on Corn Meal Extrudates

The effects of added calcium hydroxide (0.0, 0.15, 0.25, and 0.35%) and processing conditions, feed moisture content (mc) (16, 18, and 20%) and barrel temperature (130 and 150°C) on characteristics of corn meal extrudates were studied. Extruder screw speed was maintained at 130 rpm. Corn meal was extruded with a single-screw extruder (Brabender model GNF 1014/2) with a screw compression ratio of 3:1. The highest values (P < 0.05) for radial expansion and the lowest values for density and breaking force of extrudates were found for the treatment with 0.00% calcium hydroxide extruded at 16% feed mc and 130°C barrel temperature. This treatment was statistically different from the other treatments. Best values for radial expansion of samples extruded with added calcium hydroxide were for the samples with 0.15% calcium hydroxide at 18% feed mc and 130°C barrel temperature, followed by the sample with 0.35% calcium hydroxide at 16% feed mc and 130°C barrel temperature. Water absorption index and water solubility index were affected by calcium hydroxide and extrusion conditions evaluated. Extrudates had large numbers of flattened and sheared granules. Increases in calcium hydroxide increased extrudate yellowness. The combined action of calcium hydroxide and extrusion conditions completely modified the organized structure of the starch and suggest the formation of a starch-calcium complex (crystalline region). The texture of the extruded products was crispy after puffing.     

Effects of Processing Conditions on Nanoclay Dispersion in Starch‐Clay Nanocomposites

Wheat starch samples containing Cloisite Na+ and 30B nanoclays were extruded from a twin‐screw extruder. Moisture content, temperature, and screw speed were varied to determine their effect on nanoclay dispersion. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to examine nanoclay intercalation and exfoliation. Moisture content had the largest effect on Cloisite Na+ dispersion, with the highest moisture sample containing exfoliated nanoclays. Meanwhile, temperature and screw speed had little effect on Cloisite Na+ dispersion. For Cloisite 30B samples, only an increase in temperature produced slight intercalation of nanoclays. This was due to the incompatibility of starch with the more hydrophobic Cloisite 30B. Also, Cloisite Na+ and 30B intercalation did not depend on specific mechanical energy. In addition, water absorbance tests indicated the Cloisite Na+ sample containing the most well‐dispersed nanoclays had the lowest water uptake.     

Effects of Rough Rice Storage Conditions on Gelatinization and Retrogradation Properties of Rice Flours

Changes in gelatinization and retrogradation properties of two rice cultivars, Bengal and Kaybonnet, during rough rice storage were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The storage variables included two storage moisture contents (12 and 14%), three storage temperatures (4, 21, and 38°C), and four storage durations (0, 3, 9, and 16 weeks). Rough rice cultivar, storage temperature, moisture content, and duration affected (P < 0.05) the enthalpies and temperatures of gelatinization and retrogradation of rice flour. Bengal had a higher gelatinization enthalpy (P < 0.005) but lower gelatinization temperatures (P < 0.0001) than the long-grain Kaybonnet. Rice stored at 38°C exhibited higher gelatinization enthalpy and temperatures (P < 0.05) than those stored at 4 or 21°C. Storage duration affected the gelatinization and retrogradation properties through a higher order, rather than a linear, relationship.     

Studies on the Effects of Vermicompost on Physicochemical Properties and Growth of Two Tomato Varieties under Greenhouse Conditions

This research was conducted to investigate effects of different vermicompost rates on breeding quality and growth of two tomato varieties. Six treatments were applied, combining vermicompost (VC) with rice husk ash (RHS) and coconut fiber (CF) with the following proportions: 3/3 VC (control treatment, T1), 2/3 VC + 1/3 RHS (T2), 2/3 VC + 1/3 CF (T3), 1/3 VC + 2/3 RHS (T4), 1/3 VC + 2/3 CF (T5), and 1/3 VC + 1/3 RHS + 1/3 CF (T6). The results demonstrated that there was significant difference between combining VC, RHS, and CF into EC and combining those into macronutrients of substrates with increasing VC mixture proportion; however, water-holding capacity (WHC), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) contents were significantly increased with reduced VC mixture proportion. A mixture of VC with RHS and CF made with the rate of 1:1:1 significantly influenced emergence and elongation of seedlings of both varieties. Biomass allocation was affected by VC amendments for two varieties in seedling stage and one field-grown tomato variety. The VC amendment did not affect the phosphorous (P), Fe, and Zn contents but significantly influenced nitrogen (N), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and Mn concentrations in the shoots. The mixture of VC with RHS and CF made with the rate of 1:1:1 was found to provide optimum conditions for seedling performance of the two tomato varieties.     

Effects of Drying Processing Conditions on the Quality of Uncooked and Cooked Pasta Made Up of Nonconventional Raw Material

Drying process plays a fundamental role in pasta making. The greatest number of studies have been focused on the optimization of drying conditions for semolina pasta, and the obtained results have been applied in a similar way on pasta made up of nonconventional raw materials without considering a processing optimization. The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of different drying treatments (low, medium, and high temperature) on the quality of uncooked and cooked soft wheat pasta enriched with oat flour. Results of total organic matter and dried residue showed no significant difference between samples dried by medium and high temperature treatments. Moreover, these last samples showed a slight improvement in cooking quality over samples dried at low temperature (total organic matter results were 1.31 versus 1.66 g/100 g of dried pasta). This study revealed that the improvement of cooking quality of pasta enriched with oat flour did not require the application of high drying temperature (>80°C) that involves a considerable consumption of energy and could favor the development of a Maillard reaction, decreasing quality characteristics of this kind of product.     

加工番茄连作对土壤理化性状及微生物量的影响

通过在石河子大学农学院试验站开展加工番茄连作定点微区试验,研究了不同连作处理(种植1 a、连作3 a、5 a和7 a)对新疆加工番茄土壤理化性状、微生物生物量和酶活性的影响。结果表明,随着连作年限的延长,土壤p H升高,全磷、速效磷及全钾含量呈先升后降的趋势,土壤容重无明显变化。连作7 a时土壤有机质、全氮及速效钾含量较对照分别下降了8%、21%和29%(p0.05)。土壤微生物量碳(SMBC)、微生物量氮(SMBN)和微生物商(q MB)呈显著下降趋势,与对照相比分别降低了52.3%、78.8%和48.2%(p0.01);微生物量磷(SMBP)呈先升后降趋势,连作3a时,SMBP含量达到最大值,是对照的1.65倍(p0.01)。土壤过氧化氢酶活性呈显著升高趋势,而脲酶、蔗糖酶、多酚氧化酶及磷酸酶活性的变化则相反。连作导致加工番茄产量显著下降,连作7 a时产量下降达34%(p0.01)。相关分析表明,p H、微生物量、q MB、酶活性及养分之间相关性极为密切,说明土壤微生物量和酶活性相结合,可以反映土壤质量的变化。加工番茄连作导致土壤p H和电导率升高,显著抑制了土壤微生物活性,降低了土壤肥力,最终造成产量下降,连作障碍明显。     

Effects of Cultivar and Processing Condition on Physicochemical Properties and Starch Fractions in Parboiled Rice

Starch can be classified into rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS), and resistant starch (RS) according to its resistance to amylolytic enzymes. This study investigated the effects of cultivar and feedstock under varying parboiling conditions on the physicochemical properties and starch fractions of parboiled rice. Rice (rough or brown) was soaked, steamed under pressure, dried immediately or stored at room temperature for 24 hr prior to drying, and then treated with or without a repeated steam cycle prior to milling. The storage treatment significantly increased the retrograded amylopectin enthalpy and amylose‐lipid complex melting temperature of parboiled rice. Parboiled rice samples prepared from brown rice feedstock had higher peak melting temperatures but lower enthalpy values of retrograded amylopectin than samples prepared from rough rice after the storage treatment. The pasting viscosity of parboiled rice was most affected by the repeated autoclaving treatment and cultivar. Starch fractions in parboiled rice were significantly affected by cultivar and storage and by the interactions of cultivar and parboiling conditions. The storage treatment significantly increased SDS and generally decreased RDS in parboiled rice. Parboiled rice with different SDS and RS contents can be produced by varying rice cultivar and parboiling conditions.     

Extrusion of Wheat Gluten Plasticized with Glycerol: Influence of Process Conditions on Flow Behavior,Rheological Properties,and Molecular Size Distribution

Gluten-glycerol dough was extruded under a variety of processing conditions using a corotating self-wiping twin-screw extruder. Influence of feed rate, screw speed, and barrel temperature on processing parameters (die pressure, product temperature, residence time, specific energy) were examined. Use of flow modeling was successful for describing the evolution of the main flow parameters during processing. Rheological properties of extruded samples exhibited network-like behavior and were characterized and modeled by Cole-Cole distributions. Changes in molecular sizes of proteins during extrusion were measured by chromatography and appeared to be correlated to molecular size between network strands, as derived from the rheological properties of the materials obtained. Depending on operating conditions, extrudates presented very different surface aspects, ranging from very smooth-surfaced extrudates with high swell to completely broken extrudates. The results indicated that extrudate breakup was caused by increasing network density, and some gliadins may have acted as cross-linking agents. Increasing network density resulted in decreasing mobility of polymeric chains, and “protein melt” may no longer have been able to support the strain experienced during extrusion through the die. Increasing network density was reflected in increased plateau modulus and molecular size of protein aggregates. Increasing network structure appeared to be induced by the severity of the thermomechanical treatment, as indicated by specific mechanical energy input and maximum temperature reached.     

Effects of Feed Rate and Screw Speed on Operating Characteristics and Extrudate Properties During Single-Screw Extrusion Cooking of Rice Flour

Rice flour (37% moisture content) was used to examine the effects of feed rate and screw speed on the specific energy input during single-screw extrusion cooking. Torque, raised by decreasing screw speed or increasing feed rate, was found to be a power law function of the ratio of feed rate to screw speed (F_r/S_s) with r² > 0.94. Specific mechanical energy (SME) calculated from torque also was a power law function of F_r/S_s with r² >0.84 and negative power law indices. The SME obtained was in the 225–481 kJ/kg range. Thus the extruder can be considered low shear. Increasing SME raised the die temperature and decreased both intrinsic viscosity and water absorption index (WAI). The degree of gelatinization and intrinsic viscosity of extrudates also were power law functions of F_r/S_s. The intrinsic viscosity correlated well with the degree of gelatinization, WAI, and cooking loss, and appeared to be a good index of the extrudate properties. Different screw profiles also affect torque measurement.     

淋溶条件下土地利用方式对土壤有机碳含量及其理化性质的影响

为探讨土地利用方式对土壤有机碳含量及其理化性质的影响,选择不同含盐量的土壤(耕地土、混合土和原生荒漠土),分别种植水稻和棉花,进行1个生长期的淋溶试验.结果表明:淋溶前后土体的有机碳含量均呈下降趋势,其值范围为1.09～4.73 g/kg,淋溶后期小于淋溶前,有机碳含量与电导率(EC)呈极显著负相关;淋溶前后原生荒漠土EC值均大于耕地土,耕地土各处理pH在0-50 cm各层土体中变化不大,混合土和原生荒漠土均是先增大后稳定;淋溶前CO32-含量要明显高于淋溶后土体(p＜0.01),而淋溶前后土体HCO3-含量无明显差异(P＞0.05),CO32-含量与EC值呈极显著正相关.     

双螺杆挤压加工玉米面膨化食品的工艺和配方研究

研究了采用BC45型双螺杆挤压机加工玉米食品的工艺和配方。通过口感评价和膨化度等对比,得出了较优的工艺参数和食品配方,即工艺参数：螺杆转速150 r/min,模头温度160℃,供料量30 kg/h;食品配方：玉米面69.6%,大米粉17.4%,盐1%,糖4%,水8% 。     

Effects of Rough Rice Storage Conditions on the Amylograph and Cooking Properties of Medium-Grain Rice cv. Bengal

Rough rice (cv. Bengal) was stored at four moisture contents (8.8, 10.7, 12.9, and 13.6% MC) and three temperatures (3, 20, and 37°C) for up to six months. The amylograph overall paste viscosity of the milled rice increased during storage. This increase was most apparent in all samples stored at 37°C. For rice stored at 20 and 37°C at all MC levels, a 30–50% increase in peak viscosity (PV) was observed during the first three months of storage. PV subsequently leveled off for rice stored at 12.9 and 13.6% MC but declined for samples stored at 8.8 and 10.7% MC. The final viscosities also increased during storage. The water-absorption ratio of the samples during cooking in excess water increased by an average of 15% over six months of storage. The amylograph and cooking properties were significantly affected (P < 0.05) by rough rice storage duration, temperature, MC, and their respective interactions.     

Effects of Commercial Hydrolytic Enzyme Additives on Canadian Short Process Bread Properties and Processing Characteristics

The effects of increasing levels of eight commercial enzymes representing four types of fungal hydrolytic enzymes (α‐amylases, proteases, xylanases, and cellulases) on Canadian short process (CSP) bread quality and processing characteristics were studied. Addition of all enzymes types at optimum levels resulted in increased loaf volume and bread score and softer crumb. All four types of enzymes appeared to be equally effective in improving bread properties compared with the controls. At high levels, greater tolerance to the addition of xylanases and cellulases compared with the addition of α‐amylases and proteases was apparent. Mixing requirements increased with increasing levels of α‐amylase but no change was apparent with the other enzymes. Addition of all enzymes reduced sheeting work requirements, indicating a dough softening effect. Optimum bread properties for all enzymes were attained within a relatively narrow range of dough sheeting work values, which presumably correspond to optimum dough handling properties. The similarity in response of bread and sheeting characteristics at optimum levels of addition for all four enzyme types suggests a common nonspecific mechanism for improver action that is probably related to water release and the resulting impact on physical dough properties.     

不同水分条件下保水剂对黄瓜根系和叶片生理特征的影响

[目的]研究不同土壤干旱生境中保水剂对黄瓜根系和叶片生理特征的影响,探讨其生长效应与土壤水分的内在联系,为保水剂的合理施用和农田科学灌溉等提供一定的技术参考。[方法]利用盆栽模拟试验,通过定量灌水,系统研究在3种不同的土壤水分条件下,保水剂对黄瓜根际水分、根系形态特征、叶绿素荧光参数和叶片气孔性状等生理特性的影响。[结果](1)不同水分条件下,保水剂处理的黄瓜根系生长受到明显抑制。与对照相比,保水剂处理组在土壤含水量为田间持水量70%(FC₂)和55%(FC₃)时的总根长、平均根系直径、总根体积、根表面积和根干重均显著降低,分别降低了3.4%,24.2%,62.1%,41.0%和51.6%以上。(2)随着干旱胁迫的加剧,保水剂处理叶片的有效光合效率(F_v′/F_m′)和实际量子产量[Y(Ⅱ)]较对照出现先升后降的变化趋势,非光化学淬灭(NPQ)则呈相反的变化;尤其在FC₂和FC₃处理时,保水剂处理促使黄瓜叶片的光化学淬灭(q_P)较对照分...     

糯米、玉米等粉料的在线流变特性研究

在自制试验型挤压机和狭缝式流变仪上测定了糯米、粳米、玉米等谷物粉料的在线挤压流变特性,求得它们在中、低含水量情况下的本构方程,表明它们均为符合幂律流的假塑性流体。