Phenolic acids, lipids, and proteins associated with purified corn fiber arabinoxylans

Corn fiber gum (CFG) is a hemicellulose (arabinoxylan)-enriched fraction obtained by the extraction of corn bran/fiber using a proprietary alkaline hydrogen peroxide process. When purified CFG prepared by this process was hydrolyzed with more concentrated base (1.5 N methanolic KOH at 70 degrees C for 1 hour), considerable amounts of hydroxycinnamic acids (up to 0.015% of mainly ferulic acid) and lipids (up to 0.43%) were released. The released phenolic acids and lipids were identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with detection by both UV and evaporative light-scattering detection (ELSD). During the wet milling of corn, two types of corn fiber are produced: coarse fiber, which is primarily from pericarp, and fine fiber, which is from the endosperm. The total phenolic acid content in CFGs purified from coarse corn fiber (pericarp fiber) is comparatively higher than that purified from fine corn fiber (endosperm fiber). It was also determined that the purified CFG samples contained significant amounts of strongly associated proteins, from 2 to 5% by weight. The presence of these phenolic acids, lipids, and proteins strongly associated or bound to CFG may contribute to its excellent ability to emulsify oil-in-water emulsions.     

Structural comparison of arabinoxylans from two barley side-stream fractions

The structures of barley ( Hordeum vulgare) arabinoxylans isolated from two industrial side fractions, barley husks (BH) and barley fiber (BF), were characterized. Arabinoxylans were extracted with saturated barium hydroxide after enzymatic pretreatment. Barium hydroxide was selective toward arabinoxylans, and only a minor amount of glucose-containing material was coextracted. Acid methanolysis followed by gas chromatography, 1H NMR spectroscopy, and specific enzymatic treatments followed by anion exchange chromatography with pulse amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) revealed that the chemical structure of barley husk arabinoxylan (BHAX) clearly differed from that of barley fiber arabinoxylan (BFAX). BFAX was more branched, containing more beta-D-xylopyranosyl (beta-D-Xylp) residues carrying alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl (alpha-L-Araf) units at both O-2 and O-3 positions. BHAX, on the other hand, contained more 2-O-beta-D-Xyl p-alpha-L-Ara f substituents than BFAX. BHAX and BFAX also differed with respect to the hydrodynamic properties investigated with multidetector size exclusion chromatography. BFAX had a higher weight-average molar mass and larger hydrodynamic volume, the latter indicating less dense conformation than BHAX. Mn, Mw /Mn, Rh, and the Mark-Houwink a value were also determined for both arabinoxylans.     

Structural characterization of corn fiber gums from coarse and fine fiber and a study of their emulsifying properties

The stabilities of orange oil emulsions stabilized with various concentrations of two different types of corn fiber gum (CFG-1 and 2) isolated from coarse (pericarp) and fine (endosperm) fiber from corn wet milling have been studied. The emulsion stabilities in all these studies increased with increasing gum concentration up to a gum-to-oil ratio of 0.05, and after that it either levels off or changes very slightly. These results indicate that only 0.25% of CFG is required to make stable emulsion containing 5% orange oil under the experimental conditions used in this study. At this CFG concentration, CFG-2 from each fiber source was found to be a superior emulsifier relative to the corresponding CFG-1 from each source in a 10-day emulsion stability study at room temperature. The emulsion stability was also investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy measurement, and it was found that CFG-1 and 2 from both coarse and fine fiber made stable emulsions with an average particle size of less than 1 mum for 10 days at room temperature. Sugar composition analysis of CFGs from both sources indicated that they were typical galactoglucuronoarabinoxylans containing mainly 55-59% xylose, 29-36% arabinose, and 4-6% galactose as neutral sugars and 3-5% glucuronic acid. Methylation analysis revealed a highly branched structure of all CFGs, in which only 16-25% of the 1--> 4-linked xylose residues were not substituted at O-2 and/or O-3. Arabinose is present both as a terminal residue and at branch points.     

Antimutagenic and antioxidant properties of phenolic fractions from Andean purple corn (Zea mays L.)

The antimutagenic and antioxidant properties of various phenolic fractions obtained from Andean purple corn were examined by the Ames test and the DPPH antiradical assay. An anthocyanin-rich water fraction (WF) and an ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) showed a dose-dependent antimutagenic behavior against the food mutagen Trp-P-1 with IC50 values of 321.7 +/- 21.36 and 95.2 +/- 10.95 microg of chlorogenic acid equiv/plate, respectively, indicating that EAF was a more potent antimutagen. The antioxidant activities for WF and EAF were 1.019 +/- 0.05 and 0.838 +/- 0.11 microg of Trolox equiv/mug of phenolics, respectively. Further fractionation of WF and EAF revealed an ethyl acetate subfraction, EA-IV, with high antimutagen potency that contained a quercetin derivative. The mechanism of antimutagenic action of the WF is predominantly a blocking effect on the S-9 Mix activation system of the mutagen, whereas for the EAF, it is a dual mechanism involving blocking of the S-9 Mix and a scavenging action on Trp-P-1 electrophiles.     

Isolation of homogeneous fractions from wheat water-soluble arabinoxylans. Influence of the structure on their macromolecular characteristics

Water-soluble arabinoxylans from wheat flour were purified and fractionated by graded ethanol precipitation. Six fractions were obtained at 20% (F20), 30% (F30), 40% (F40), 50% (F50), 60% (F60), and 70% (F70) saturation with ethanol. Neutral sugars and (1)H NMR analyses revealed differences in structural characteristics. The Ara/Xyl ratio and the amount of Xylp residues disubstituted increased with ethanol concentration. Ferulic acid content was higher in fractions precipitated at low ethanol percentage. Fractions were refractionated by SEC, leading to 46 subfractions with low polydispersity index. Substitution degree was apparently linearly related to the amount of disubstituted Xylp. Macromolecular characteristics (M(w), [eta], R(G), q, nu) determined by multiangle laser light scattering and viscosimetry were similar among all fractions. A rather flexible conformation was determined for the arabinoxylans, in conflict with the admitted rodlike conformation. The substitution degree had no influence on the conformation or on the rigidity of the polymers. Evidence for the presence of ferulic acid dimers in the water-soluble arabinoxylans is provided, which probably explains the unexpected conformation and macromolecular characteristics.     

Fractionation, characterization, and study of the emulsifying properties of corn fiber gum

Corn fiber gum (CFG) has been fractionated by hydrophobic interaction chromatography on Amberlite XAD-1180 resin using ionic, acidic, basic, and hydrophobic solvents of different polarities. Characterization, including determination of total carbohydrate, acidic sugar, and protein content, has been done for each fraction together with measurements of molar mass, polydispersity, radius of gyration, Mark-Houwink exponent, and intrinsic viscosity using multiangle laser light scattering and online viscosity measurements. Emulsification properties of all fractions in an oil-in-water emulsion system with 20:1 oil to gum ratio were studied by measuring turbidity over 14 days. The results indicate that CFG consists of different components differing in their molecular weights and carbohydrate and protein contents. The main fraction eluted with NaCl, although low in protein content, has the highest average molecular weight and was determined to be a better emulsifier than the other fractions. The unfractionated CFG, which contains different molecular species, is the best emulsifier.     

Lutein from ozone-treated corn retains antimutagenic properties

The present study was conducted to determine the influence of an ozonation process on lutein and protein in clean and contaminated corns. This study aimed to determine the levels of lutein and protein in corn before and after ozonation and to verify the antimutagenic potential of the extracted lutein against aflatoxin using the Ames test. The lutein content was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Nitrogen analysis and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used to analyze protein. Clean ozone-treated corn had a total lutein content of 28.36 microg/g, which was higher than that of 22.75 microg/g in the untreated clean corn. However, the lutein content was 11.69 microg/g in the ozone-treated contaminated corn, which was lower than that of 16.42 microg/g in the untreated contaminated corn. In both corn samples, the protein content of ozone-treated corn was lower than that of untreated corn, indicating that protein could be destroyed by the ozonation process, which may influence the nutritious value of the corn. Lutein extracts alone showed no mutagenic potential against Salmonella typhimurium tester strains TA100. Lutein extracts from corn inhibited the mutagenicity of AFB1 in a dose-response manner more efficiently than lutein standard. Lutein extracts from different corn samples had similar antimutagenic potentials against AFB1, so the ozone treatment did not affect the antimutagenic potentials of lutein extracts.     

Corroborative study on maize quality, dry-milling and wet-milling properties of selected maize hybrids

A corroborative study was conducted on the maize quality properties of test weight, pycnometer density, tangential abrasive dehulling device (TADD), time-to-grind on the Stenvert hardness tester (SHT), 100-kernel weight, kernel size distribution, and proximate composition as well as maize dry- and wet-millability by six participating laboratories. Suggested operating procedures were given to compare their measurements and provide the variance structure within and between laboratories and hybrids. Partial correlation coefficient among maize quality properties varied among laboratories. The repeatability and reproducibility precision values were acceptably low for the physical quality tests, except for TADD and SHT time-to-grind measurements. The yields of dry- and wet-milled products and their correlation with maize quality properties were dependent on the collaborating laboratory. This paper highlights the importance of laboratory variation when considering which maize hybrids are best suited for dry-milling and wet-milling.     

Soil hydraulic properties influenced by corn stover removal from no-till corn in Ohio

Corn (Zea mays L.) stover removal for biofuel production and other uses may alter soil hydraulic properties, but site-specific information needed to determine the threshold levels of removal for the U.S. Corn Belt region is limited. This study quantified impacts of systematic removal of corn stover on soil hydraulic parameters after 1 year of stover management under no-till (NT) systems. These measurements were made on three soils in Ohio including Rayne silt loam (fine-loamy, mixed, active, mesic Typic Hapludult) at Coshocton, Hoytville clay loam (fine, illitic, mesic Mollic Epiaqualfs) at Hoytville, and Celina silt loam (fine, mixed, active, mesic Aquic Hapludalfs) at South Charleston. Interrelationships among soil properties and saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_sat) predictions were also assessed. Earthworm middens, K_sat, bulk density (ρ_b), soil water retention (SWR), pore-size distribution, and air permeability (k_a) were determined for six stover treatments. Stover treatments consisted of removing 0 (T100), 25 (T75), 50 (T50), 75 (T25), 100 (T0) and adding 100 (T200)% of corn stover corresponding to 0, 1.25, 2.50, 3.75, 5.00, and 10.00 Mg ha⁻¹ of stover, respectively. Stover removal reduced the number of middens, K_sat, SWR, and k_a, and increased ρ_b at all sites (P < 0.01). Compared to normal stover treatment (T100), complete stover removal (T0) reduced earthworm middens 6-fold at Coshocton and about 14-fold at Hoytville and Charleston. Geometric mean K_sat decreased from 3.1 to 0.1 mm h⁻¹ at Coshocton, 4.2 to 0.3 mm h⁻¹ at Hoytville, and 4.2 to 0.6 mm h⁻¹ at Charleston while soil ρ_b increased about 12% in the 0–10-cm depth at Coshocton and Hoytville from T100 to T0. The SWR for T0 was about 70% of that for T100 and 58% of that for T200 at 0 to −6 kPa suctions across sites. The log k_a for T200, T100, and T75 significantly exceeded that under T50, T25, and T0 at Coshocton and Charleston. Differences in the number of middens, ρ_b, SWR, K_sat, and k_a between T100 and T200 were not generally significant although the T200 retained slightly more water for the 0 to −100 kPa at Charleston and had higher k_a at Hoytville compared to T100. Measured parameters were strongly correlated, and k_a was a strong K_sat predictor. Stover harvesting induces rapid changes in soil hydraulic properties and earthworm activity, but further monitoring is needed to ascertain the threshold levels of stover removal for soil-specific conditions.     

Fluorescent properties of low-molecular-weight fractions from chernozem humic acids

The polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of chernozem humic acids (HAs) followed by ultraviolet detection (λ = 312 nm) has revealed a new highly fluorescent fraction that has the highest electrophoretic mobility and the lowest nominal molecular weight (NMW). The preparative isolation of the fraction has been performed using the multiple microfiltration of the same HA sample in a 7 M carbamide solution on a membrane with a nominal pore size of 5 kDa. Thirty ultrafiltrates with NMW < 5 kDa and different fluorescence maximums in the region of 475–505 nm have been prepared, as well as a nonfluorescent concentrate with NMW > 5 kDa. Fluorescence maximums at and below 490 nm have been noted only in the first four ultrafiltrates. All the ultrafiltrates have been combined into the fraction with NMW < 5 kDa, which has been successively passed through membranes of 3 and 1 kDa. Solutions of subfractions F 3–5 kDa, F 1–3 kDa, and F < 1 kDa with fluorescence maximums at 505, 488, and 465 nm, respectively, have been prepared. The F < 1 kDa subfraction with the lowest NMW had the highest fluorescence intensity. The distribution of the fluorescence maximums in the ultrafiltrates has indicated the presence of at least two groups of fluorophores and has confirmed the supramolecular organization of the extracted soil HAs.     

基于仿生脱粒的鸡喙啄取玉米果穗引起籽粒离散过程分析

在先离散后脱粒工艺基础上,为探究玉米果穗的低损伤离散,该文利用玉米离散试验系统对鸡喙啄取玉米籽粒的过程进行试验研究。结果表明,鸡喙接触玉米籽粒后,籽粒离鸡喙越近,推力的水平分力越大,籽粒运动越明显,越容易从果穗上分离下来,籽粒离鸡喙越远,推力的水平分力越小,籽粒越难与果穗分离;离散过程中,籽粒遵循"组砌规律"进行力的传递,传递的范围近似为"塔形",脱离果穗的籽粒的运动类似于斜抛运动;玉米果穗在果穗切线方向上的受力最大,其次是玉米果穗轴线方向上的受力,垂直于试验台方向上的受力最小;验证试验结果:玉米果穗的平均离散率为67.53%,平均离散损伤率为0.16%,表明模仿鸡喙的离散辊对玉米果穗有较好的离散效果,且损伤率低。该研究对低损伤玉米脱粒系统的设计提供了仿生学思路。     

Antioxidative properties of phenolic antioxidants isolated from corn steep liquor

With the immersion of corn into dilute sulfur oxide during starch-manufacturing processes, corn steep liquor (CSL) remains as leftover material. CSL is often used for fermentation, but its components are not fully understood. To determine the properties of CSL, 12 p-coumaric acid-related compounds were isolated from an ethyl acetate extract of CSL with the guidance of antioxidative activity on the rabbit erythrocyte membrane ghost system. The activity of these compounds was compared against oxidative damages, and it was elucidated that the activity of p-coumaric acid derivatives was mainly affected by their functional groups at the 3-position and less by the conjugated side chain. Moreover, p-coumaric acid derivatives exhibited inhibitory activity stronger than that of tocopherols and ascorbic acid on peroxynitrite-mediated lipoprotein nitration. These findings that p-coumaric acid derivatives, which might play a beneficial role against oxidative damage, exist in CSL suggest this byproduct might be a useful resource of phenolic antioxidants.     

Structural features of arabinoxylans from bajra (pearl millet)

Structures of arabinoxylans (AX) from bajra, from a variety known to have characteristic quality in the making of roti, an unleavened flat bread, were elucidated by a combination of methylation analysis, (13)C NMR, FT-IR, etc. Arabinoxylans isolated from barium hydroxide-extracted polysaccharides and hemicellulose B had a backbone of xylose residues with beta-(1,4) linkages and were branched mainly through alpha-(1,3) linkages by arabinofuranosyl residues. Completely branched xylose residues were also present. The AX from bajra characteristically had large numbers of branches, and this may be one of the reasons for the crispiness of the rotis.     

Effect of heat pretreatment on the yield and composition of oil extracted from corn fiber.

Previously, hexane extraction of corn fiber was reported to produce a unique and potentially valuable oil that contained high levels of several phytosterols (which have been noted for their cholesterol-lowering properties). Current studies revealed that heat treatment (over the range of 100-175 degrees C) of corn fiber in either a convection oven or a vacuum oven caused only a modest reduction in the levels of the phytosterol components. However, these same heat pretreatments caused a considerable increase (up to 10-fold) in the levels (increasing from 0.34 wt % to a maximum of 3.64 wt % gamma-tocopherol in the oil) and yields (increasing from 5.4 mg of gamma-tocopherol/100 g of corn fiber to a maximum of 52.1 mg of gamma-tocopherol/100 g of corn fiber) of gamma-tocopherol in corn fiber oil. The main differences between the convection oven and vacuum oven pretreatments were associated with the disappearance of free fatty acids and free phytosterols at the higher temperature pretreatments in the vacuum oven, probably due to the lower boiling points of these lipids. Microwave pretreatment was also effective but caused a much smaller increase in the levels of gamma-tocopherol.     

玉米秸有机栽培基质矿质营养及理化性质分析

为了探索玉米秸秆作为有机栽培基质的可行性,采用塔式发酵设备,以玉米秸粉为发酵主料,以烘干鸡粪和尿素为添加氮源,控制发酵物料C/N为60,初始含水率为66%,经添加发酵菌、分段发酵、堆积后熟等过程制成玉米秸基质。试验测定了玉米秸基质和草炭的矿质营养含量及主要理化性质,分析比较了玉米秸有机栽培基质与草炭基质的差异,结果表明：除铁、锰元素含量略低于草炭外,玉米秸基质中其他主要矿质营养含量普遍高于草炭基质,腐殖酸含量较草炭低58.9%,持水空隙较草炭小24.1%,pH值呈偏碱性,电导率较草炭高2.7倍。在进行园艺植物育苗和栽培时,应对玉米秸基质含盐量高、偏碱性的特点加以调整。     

Antioxidant properties of pearled barley fractions

Two barley varieties (Falcon and AC Metcalfe) were separated by pearling into seven fractions and subsequently extracted with 80% methanol. The extracts, after solvent removal, were evaluated for their radical scavenging efficacy using Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). The radical scavenging capacity of the extracts was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC(FL)), and superoxide radical assays and a photoinduced chemiluminescence technique. In both barley varieties the outermost fraction (F1) yielded the highest phenolic content. In general, Falcon had a significantly higher total phenolic content than AC Metcalfe. A similar trend was observed for TEAC, DPPH, and superoxide radical scavenging capacities of the extracts. The contents of water-soluble antioxidants of Falcon and AC Metcalfe were 1.15-12.98 and 2.20-12.25 micromol of Trolox equiv/(g of defatted material), while the corresponding lipid-soluble counterparts varied from 1.44 to 4.70 micromol of alpha-tocopherol equiv/(g of defatted material). Phenolic acids, namely, vanillic, caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic acids, were identified by HPLC in barley fractions.     

辐照对发酵玉米芯中裂褶菌多糖提取及流变学性质的影响

对裂褶菌发酵玉米芯进行γ射线辐照处理,研究不同处理条件下辐照对裂褶菌多糖提取率及流变学性质的影响。结果显示:在5~20kGy辐照剂量范围内,同一剂量下,多糖提取率随辐照原料水分含量的增加而上升,60%水分含量、10kGy处理下多糖提取率达到最高值7.95%。辐照处理对所提取裂褶菌多糖溶液粘度有不同程度的降低,15.0%水分含量、20kGy处理下,多糖的零剪切粘度η0降至最低值10.79 Pa.s;辐照处理对裂褶菌多糖的粘弹性亦有显著影响,G′、G″以及二者之交点Gx值的变化趋势与η0值的基本一致。本研究得到如下结论:γ射线辐照处理对发酵玉米芯中裂褶菌多糖可起到降解、增溶的作用。     

超声辅助提取水不溶性大豆膳食纤维及其物理特性

为研究超声辅助提取对豆渣中水不溶性大豆膳食纤维提取效率及物理特性的影响,该文以超声波为辅助,在液料比、超声功率强度、超声温度和超声时间4个单因素试验的基础上,通过四元二次通用旋转组合设计试验优化超声辅助提取水不溶性大豆膳食纤维的工艺条件,并采用扫描电镜、红外光谱仪等对超声辅助、酸溶碱沉、酶解辅助提取所获得的水不溶性大豆膳食纤维产品进行了物理特性表征。优化试验结果表明,在液料比35 mL/g、超声功率强度600 W/g、超声温度50℃、间歇性超声处理累计时间50 min条件下水不溶性大豆膳食纤维提取率较高,达92.11%。物性分析结果显示,与酸溶碱沉、酶解辅助提取的水不溶性大豆膳食纤维相比,超声辅助提取的水不溶性大豆膳食纤维具有更高的持水力、溶胀力、结合水力和结合脂肪能力以及更丰富的空间网状结构。研究结果揭示,超声辅助提取法不仅能够提高豆渣中水不溶性大豆膳食纤维的提取率,而且对其加工性能有很好的改进作用。