The effects of extrusion on the content and properties of dietary fibre components in various barley cultivars

Wholemeal flour from five Czech spring barley materials was processed in a single-screw extruder at 130 °C, addition of 20% water and a screw speed of 220 rpm. Two barleys (AF Cesar, AF Lucius) were hulless cultivars with a standard starch composition, while three barleys (KM 2624, KM 2460-1, KM 2460-2) were hulled waxy lines. The effect of extrusion on content of different dietary fibre fractions was determined. Also the changes of the molar mass of β-glucan were studied. Regardless of the barley genotype (standard starch or waxy), the extrusion had no significant effect on arabinoxylan content. A significantly higher beta-glucan and soluble dietary fibre content in barley cultivars with standard starch composition was observed after extrusion. The content of insoluble dietary fibre decreased significantly in all extruded flours. The molar mass of water-extractable beta-glucan increased independently of the barley variety after extrusion. But the increase in beta-glucan extractability due to extrusion was not observed.     

Milling and extrusion of six barley varieties,effects on dietary fibre and starch content and composition

Barley is a rich source of dietary fibre that can promote beneficial physiological effects. The carbohydrate composition in different barley varieties differs considerably and choice of variety is thus important. This study examined whether differences in carbohydrate composition observed in barley kernels of different varieties persisted in the sifted flour and in an extruded product. Six barley varieties were milled and extruded and dietary fibre and starch in the kernels, flour and extruded product were analysed. The starch content was found to be higher in flour and extruded product than in kernels. The content of arabinoxylan was higher in sifted flour than in kernels, but was decreased by extrusion. The extractability of arabinoxylan was increased by extrusion, while its average molecular weight was decreased. Extrusion also decreased the content of mixed-linkage (1 → 3),(1 → 4)-β-D-glucan in all varieties, but increased its extractability. The six barley varieties were affected in much the same way by milling and extrusion, but clear differences could still be observed. For example, the arabinoxylan in variety SW 28708 was less affected and variety KVL 301 had much lower extractability (76% vs 91–98%) of mixed-linkage (1 → 3),(1 → 4)-β-D-glucan after extrusion than the other varieties.     

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.     

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.     

Fractionation of wheat and wheat flour into starch and gluten: overview of the main processes and the factors involved

The starch and gluten components of wheat flour or whole wheat kernels can be separated by a number of industrial processes. This review provides a summary of these processes from both starting materials. The wheat constituents of importance in the fractionation processes are briefly introduced, and the different fractionation processes described with emphasis on the parameters affecting the separation, such as flour composition, mixing and washing water, processing aids (with an emphasis on enzymes) and kernel pre-treatment (pearling) in the case of flour fractionation and steeping conditions and processing aids in the case of whole wheat. Although fractionation of flour is the basis for the current industrial processes, starch yields are impaired by starch damage as a result of milling and loss of starch to milling streams. On the other hand fractionation of whole kernels often leads to impaired gluten production as a result of harsh process conditions which ‘devitalise’ the gluten.     

Properties of whole grain wheat flour and performance in bakery products as a function of particle size

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of particle size distribution on composition, properties rheological, pasting, microstructural and baking properties of whole grain wheat flour (WGWF) of three different particles sizes (194.9 μm, 609.4 μm and 830.0 μm). The quantification of free sulfhydryl groups (-SH) of WGWF samples, together with the effects observed in the behavior of the dough and bread showed that particle size influences the functionality of the gluten network in a differentiated way. Firmer and lower breads volume compared to refined wheat flour (RF) were correlated with the quality of the gluten network. In the sample of finer particles, more pronounced adverse effects in quality (dough rheology, bread volume and texture) compared to the medium and coarse particle size sample suggests that the larger contact surface and the increased release of reactive compounds due to cell rupture interact with the gluten-forming proteins changing their functionality.     

Effect of glutathione on gelatinization and retrogradation of wheat flour and starch

Reduced glutathione (GSH) commonly exists in wheat flour and has remarkable influence on gluten properties. In this study, effect of GSH on the gelatinization and retrogradation of wheat flour and wheat starch were investigated to better understand the GSH-gluten-starch interactions in wheat flour. Compared with wheat starch, wheat flour showed significant decreases in peak and final viscosity, and gelatinization onset temperature with increasing GSH concentration. GSH depolymerized gluten and thereby broke down the protein barrier around starch granules to make the starch easily gelatinized. However, the interaction between GSH and wheat starch restrained starch swelling. GSH addition resulted in weakened structure with higher water mobility in freshly gelatinized wheat flour dispersions but decreased water mobility in wheat starch dispersions. After storage at 4 °C for 7 d, GSH increased elasticity and retrogradation degree in wheat flour dispersions but retarded retrogradation in wheat starch dispersions. The results indicated that GSH promoted retrogradation of wheat flour, which mainly attributed to the depolymerized gluten embedding in the leached starch chains, and inhibiting the re-association of amylose, and subsequently promoted the starch intermolecular associations and starch retrogradation. This study could provide valuable information for the control of the quality of wheat flour-based products.     

Partial least-squares regression study of the effects of wheat flour composition,protein and starch quality characteristics on oil content of steamed-and-fried instant noodles

Steamed-and-fried instant noodles represent a fast growing product category; however, concern has been raised about high residual oil content by both consumers and manufacturers. To understand how wheat flour characteristics affect the oil content of instant noodles, samples of five Iranian hexaploid landraces, five US/Canadian samples, and seven local commercial wheat flours were analyzed for composition, protein and starch quality, and noodle-making quality. Partial least-squares regression (PLS) analysis between composition, protein quality properties and wheat starch gel properties (independent variables, X) and oil content of instant noodles (dependent variable, Y) resulted in a model that could explain 76.3% of the variability with a cross-validated correlation coefficient of 58.2%. PLS regression coefficient analysis showed that protein content and protein quality were the most important factors, and were negatively correlated with oil content of instant noodles. Starch quality properties, gel hardness, gumminess and chewiness as well as pasting properties were other important contributors. Starch gel hardness, gumminess and chewiness were positively correlated with oil content of instant noodles, while pasting properties were negatively correlated.     

The potential of naked barley sourdough to improve the quality and dietary fibre content of barley enriched wheat bread

The possibility of using naked barley for food products is gaining popularity due to its dietary fibre content, especially β-glucans. The technological process (dough preparation, fermentation and baking) influences bread quality but also may contribute to degradation or preservation of valuable grain components. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of different wholemeal barley flour share and bread production method on the quality of bread and non-starch polysaccharides content and solubility.Barley enriched bread contained more both soluble and insoluble dietary fibre and β-glucans, products of 40% barley share contained 67% more total dietary fibre and 160% more β-glucans than control. However, barley incorporation decreased the amount of soluble arabinoxylans. High barley contents contributed to the breads’ volume reduction by 14% and change in their crumb and crust colour. However, barley enriched breads gained higher ratings of taste than wheat bread. Barley sourdough fermentation improved breads’ volume, colour and sensory properties. Sourdough fermentation also resulted in higher concentration of dietary fibre, arabinoxylans and β-glucans. The beneficial effect of barley addition to wheat bread may be successfully enhanced by using barley wholemeal sourdough fermentation.     

Recent findings on certain bioactive components in whole grain wheat and rye

Whole grain wheat and rye are important sources of many bioactive compounds and contribute significantly to the total intake of cereals in many countries. Alkylresorcinols, benzoxazinoids, lignans, phenolic acids, phytosterols and tocols are common bioactive compounds present in these cereals. In this review, we report recent findings (mainly from 2010 onwards) regarding their content, composition, effects of food processing and their uptake, elimination and bioactivities with implications for health.     

Fertilizer effects on yield,mineral and amino acid composition,dietary fibre content and nutritive value of leeks

In pot experiments with greatly differing rates of N, P, S, K and Ca, dry matter (DM) yields of leek stems varied from 25 to 164 g/pot. Total-N and NO₃-N concentrations varied from 1.18 to 3.56% and from 10 to 1515 ppm in DM, respectively. Both N applications and P and K deficiency greatly increased total-N and NO₃-N content. S applications increased total-S content from 0.047 to 0.359% in DM, of which between approximately 100 to 25% were found in methionine+cystine. Total-N/total-S ratios decreased from 57 to 6 with the highest S level. P and K applications increased their respective content in DM two- and threefold. Severe Ca deficiency reduced Ca content from 0.495 to 0.045%. Iron, zinc, manganese and copper contents varied from 33–69, 14–26, 11–34 and 3.1–5.7 ppm in DM, respectively. Increasing N contents, whether due to N applications or P or K deficiency, decreased the content of all essential and some other amino acids in crude protein. Both S and severe P deficiency had a pronounced negative effect on amino acid composition and chemical score. Only glutamic acid (glutamine) and arginine were increased by increasing N contents. However, expressed as g/kg DM the concentrations of all amino acids were positively correlated with protein content. S and P deficiency reduced total dietary fibre (TDF) content of DM from 28.3 to 18.6% and 17.4%, respectively, of which between 53 and 60% were insoluble dietary fibre (IDF). Digestible energy (DE) was positively correlated with protein content (r=0.90**). In N-balance trials with rats, increasing protein concentrations (50% of total protein given as casein and supplemented with 1% methionine) raised the true digestibility (TD) of the protein from 44 to 72%. The biological value (BV) of protein was generally high, with a mean of 91.7 N deficiency tended to increase and S deficiency tended to decrease the BV.     

Changes in the thermal and structural properties of maize starch during nixtamalization and tortilla-making processes as affected by grain hardness

The objective of this work was to evaluate the changes in the thermal and structural properties of maize starch during nixtamalization and the tortilla-making process and their relationship with grain hardness. Three maize types with varying hardness (hard, intermediate, soft) were processed by three nixtamalization processes (classic, traditional and ecological). Starch from the three maize types showed an A-type pattern and two endotherms corresponding to gelatinization and melting of the Type I amylose-lipid complexes. After cooking and steeping, in intermediate and soft grains the partial gelatinization and the annealing affected the starch properties and promoted the formation of amylose-lipid complexes. These effects were not observe in hard grains. The increase in melting enthalpy and the intensity of the peak 2θ∼20° from nixtamal to tortillas demonstrated the formation of amylose-lipid complexes. A third endotherm above 114 °C in some treatments of nixtamal and tortilla starch demonstrated the transformation of some amylose-lipid complexes in a most ordered structures (Type II complexes). The V-type polymorph structure found in native starch, nixtamal, and tortilla corresponds to a coexistence of Type I and Type II complexes. Formation of amylose-lipid complexes in tortillas had a partial effect on decreasing starch retrogradation (r = −0.47, P < 0.05).     

Effect of soluble dietary fibre addition on rheological and breadmaking properties of wheat doughs

The aim of this experimental work was to evaluate the effect of inulin addition on the rheological properties of common wheat doughs and bread quality. Three commercial fructan products of different number average degree of polymerisation (DPn) were used (DPn = 10 for inulin ST; DPn = 23 for inulin HP and HP-gel). Inulin contents from 2.5 to 7.5% on dry matter (wheat flour plus inulin) were used. Dough rheological properties were investigated using farinograph and dynamic rheological measurements. Upon addition of dietary fibre (DF), significant increase in mixing time and stability, and decrease in water absorption were recorded. Inulin ST exerted greater effect on water absorption than HP products.     

The effects of dietary fibre addition on the quality of common cereal products

Cereal products are consumed daily by the majority of the population. Popular belief is that these cereal products, rich in carbohydrates, produce a high glycaemic response and may not be a contributing factor to the obesity epidemic throughout the world. Recently the food industry has investigated ways of improving the overall nutritional balance of carbohydrate rich foods and focused on increasing their dietary fibre (DF) contents at the expense of readily digestible carbohydrates. It is well documented that dietary fibre is involved in disease prevention and enhanced health of consumers. Moreover, the food industry can take advantage of the physicochemical properties of fibre to improve the viscosity, texture, sensory characteristics and shelf-life of their products. The focus of this review paper is on the influence of DFs (inulin, fructo-oligofructose, β-glucans, arabinoxylans and resistant starch) supplementation on the quality and nutritional aspects of common foods containing cereals- pasta, bread, muffins/cakes and extruded snacks. This review reports on the evidence regarding fibre enrichment of cereal foods and looks at the advances and future trends in enriched dietary fibre cereal products.     

Structure and thermal stability of thermoplastic films based on wheat flour modified by monoglyceride

The effects of the incorporation of monoglyceride on the structure and thermal stability of extruded thermoplastic films based on modified wheat flour have been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric method (TGA). Addition of the monoglyceride reduced the intensity and widened the peaks obtained by XRD indicating a reduction in crystal size. A significant decrease of apparent length of the crystals have been noticed when the quantity of monoglyceride increases. The thermal analysis proved that the thermal stability of the polymeric material decreases as a function of the monoglyceride content. Finally an attempt is made to correlate the thermal stability of the polymeric materials, with the degree of crystallinity.     

Effects of variety and fertiliser nitrogen on alcohol yield, grain yield, starch and protein content, and protein composition of winter wheat

The effects of nitrogen (N) fertiliser on grain size and shape, starch and protein concentration, vitreosity, storage protein composition, and alcohol yield of two winter wheat varieties contrasting in endosperm texture were studied in a field trial in Herefordshire, UK in 2004. Averaged across varieties, the alcohol yield was 439 L/tonne for grain with a protein concentration of 11.5 g/100 g. The soft endosperm wheat variety Riband produced on average 7.7 L more alcohol per tonne of grain at a given protein concentration than the hard endosperm variety, Option. At the same time, N fertiliser was shown to have significant effects on alcohol production through its major influence on grain protein concentration. Averaged over both varieties, there was a reduction in alcohol yield of 5.7 L for each 10 kg increase in protein content per tonne of grain. The starch concentration of Riband was 2.9 g/100 g higher than Option at a given grain protein concentration, supporting its higher observed alcohol yields. A low conversion of starch to alcohol in this study (6.30 L/10 kg starch) compared to the theoretical value (6.61 L/10 kg starch) indicated that there is potential for improvement of this character. The traits relating to grain size and shape were principally influenced by genotype, and were not influenced by N fertiliser. Conversely, there were only minor genotypic effects on grain protein concentration and vitreosity. An important finding was that there were no interactions between variety and N treatment for any of the variables considered, indicating that the response of the two varieties to changes in applied N was the same, resulting in consistent differences in starch concentration and alcohol yield between genotypes at different levels of grain protein. An analysis of the composition of the wheat storage proteins by size-exclusion chromatography showed that the gliadins increased on average by 0.56 g per g increase in total grain protein and were quantitatively the major protein fraction, suggesting that selection for low gliadin content may be a desirable means by which to reduce grain protein, and thereby increase alcohol yield in wheat. The relationship between alcohol yield per unit area and applied N rate was described by a quadratic function and the maximum alcohol yield per unit area was ca. 3630 L/ha. Statistical analysis suggested that the economic optimum rate of N applied for grain yield was close to the optimum N rate for maximum alcohol productivity.