Carotenoid composition and antioxidant activity of tortillas elaborated from pigmented maize landrace by traditional nixtamalization or lime cooking extrusion process

Mexican pigmented maize (Zea mays L.) landrace kernels have been scantily evaluated regarding potential as functional food. In this study, eight Mexican pigmented (yellow and red) maize accessions of Tuxpeño, Tabloncillo and Chapalote landraces collected in the northwestern region of Mexico were processed into tortilla to determinate carotenoid profiles, as well as their Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity for Lipophilic extract (ORAC-L). The total carotenoid content ranged from 3.66 to 5.56 mg LE/kg DW in the yellow maize and from 1.49 to 3.49 mg LE/kg DW in the red maize among all raw genotypes. Lutein and zeaxanthin were major carotenoids in all pigmented maize, accounting for ∼85% of total carotenoids. The traditional nixtamalization and lime-cooking extrusion process significantly (p < 0.05) decrease total carotenoid and ORAC-L assays when compared to raw kernels. Traditional tortillas retained among 72.0–87.6% and 65.1–78.8% of total carotenoids and ORAC-L levels respectively, compared to 68.8–79.5% and 60.3–75.5% assayed in extruded tortillas. Interestingly, traditional and extruded tortillas maintained more 72.7 and 60%, respectively; of the lutein concentration associated with raw grains. Our results suggest that yellow maize landrace could be considered for the elaboration of nixtamalized food products with nutraceutical potential.     

Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of tortillas produced from pigmented maize processed by conventional nixtamalization or extrusion cooking

The effects of traditional nixtamalization and extrusion cooking on total phenolics, ferulic acid, anthocyanins and Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of Mexican pigmented (blue and red) and commercial (white and yellow) maize processed into tortillas were investigated. Tortillas prepared from extruded flours retained between 76.2–93.9% and 58–96.7% of total phenolics and total ferulic acid (TFA) respectively, compared to 50.5–75.7% and 19.6–55.8% assayed in traditional tortillas. Approximately 97–99% of TFA in raw kernels and their tortillas was in its bound form. The retention of TFA in traditional tortillas was significantly lower compared to tortillas from extruded flours. Traditional tortillas contained more free ferulic acid compared to tortillas produced from extruded flours indicating that the first process liberated bound ferulic acid with cell walls more efficiently. Blue maize lost more than 55% of the anthocyanins when processed into extruded or traditional tortillas. Approximately 68–92% of the ORAC associated with raw kernels or their tortillas was due to bound compounds. Traditional and extruded tortillas lost 16.4–52.4% and 6.8–24.8%, respectively, of the total ORAC associated with raw grains. Results clearly indicate that the proposed lime-cooking extrusion strategy was instrumental in retaining higher levels of phytochemicals, particularly ferulic acid, and antioxidants in all tortillas.     

Effect of the nixtamalization with calcium carbonate on the indigestible carbohydrate content and starch digestibility of corn tortilla

There is a growing interest for an environment-friendly nixtamalization process. Nixtamalization with calcium salts generates a minimum level of polluting residues. The effect of a nixtamalization process with calcium carbonate (NCC) on the indigestible carbohydrate content and starch digestibility of tortillas was evaluated. Traditional and NCC tortillas showed lower moisture content than commercial tortillas. Similar protein, ash, and carbohydrate content were found for the three tortillas, but NCC tortillas showed the highest lipid content. The NCC tortilla had the highest dietary fiber content, with the highest insoluble dietary fiber level. Fresh and stored (96 h) NCC and traditional tortillas showed similar resistant starch content. Fresh traditional tortilla showed the highest slowly digestible starch (SDS), but upon storage the rapidly digestible starch (RDS) content of NCC tortilla decreased. Fresh traditional and NCC tortillas had lower predicted glycemic index (pGI) than commercial tortillas, and upon storage, the three tortillas presented lower pGI values than their fresh counterparts. Consumption of tortillas produced with the NCC can produce positive effects in the human health.     

Antioxidant activity and phenolic composition of the medicinal and edible halophyte Mesembryanthemum edule L.

Mesembryanthemum edule L. (sourfig, Aizoaceae) has long been used as food and in traditional medicine. This study was intended to characterize the antioxidant properties and the phenolic compounds of M. edule leaf, stem and root. The approach consisted to evaluate these organs for their antioxidant activities through several in vitro tests, to determine tissue contents in total phenolics, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins and to establish the phenolic composition through RP-HPLC analysis. All studied organs showed a high antioxidant activity as compared to positive control BHT, with maximal efficiency for stems followed by leaves and roots. The highest polyphenolic levels were found in stems and leaves (86.5 and 68.7 mg GAE g⁻¹ DW, respectively), suggesting that their strong antioxidant activity could be attributed to these phytochemicals. The HPLC analysis revealed that the main phenolic compounds were quercitrin and avicularin (1.4 and 1.15 mg g⁻¹ DW, respectively) in the leaves, while catechin and procyanidin B2 (1.66 and 1.54 mg g⁻¹ DW, respectively) were the most abundant phenolics in the stems. Overall, the strong antioxidant activity and richness of M. edule aerial tissues suggest that it could be advantageously used as a functional or nutraceutical food, to prevent or moderate oxidative stress-related diseases.     

Effect of nixtamalization on morphological and rheological characteristics of maize starch

Nixtamalization of maize grain is an ancient process that until now is used for tortilla production. This thermal-alkaline process produces important changes in morphology and rheological characteristics of starch that is the major component of maize. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the morphological and rheological properties of starch brought by nixtamalization of maize using image analysis and dynamic rheometry, respectively. Nixtamalized maize starch (NS) presented granule sizes higher than starch isolated from raw maize (S) due to the partial swelling produced in the nixtamalization process. In dynamic tests during the retrogradation kinetics, an inverse effect of the temperature was observed in the re-arrangement of starch components. NS was affected due to the thermal-alkaline process presenting an annealing that provoked a reduction in its ability to develop gels. This information is important during the processing of nixtamalized maize to masa and tortilla production.     

Quantities of phenolic compounds and their impacts on the perceived flavour attributes of rye grain

The use of whole grain rye products, beneficial to one's health, could be substantially extended if the typical intensively bitter flavour of rye could be modified without losing the characteristic rye-like flavour. The aim of the study was to evaluate the contribution of non-volatile phenolic compounds on the perceived flavour. Rye grain was milled into five milling fractions. The levels of phenolic compounds, i.e. the phenolic acids, alkylresorcinols and lignans, of the fractions were analysed and related statistically to sensory flavour profiles by partial least-squares (PLS) regression. The non-bound (free) phenolic acids are suggested to be most flavour-active. Cereal and intense flavour and aftertaste were related to vanillic and veratric acids, alkylresorcinol C_23:0, and other lignans except for pinoresinol. The perceived bitterness of the bran fractions was suggested to result from pinoresinol and syringic acid. Sinapic and ferulic acids, alkylresorcinols, except for alkylresorcinol C_23:0, and syringaresinol seemed to cause the germ-like flavour. Phenolic acids, alkylresorcinols and lignans distributed with a similar pattern in the rye grain as the flavour attributes: the phenolic compounds were clearly located in the outer bran fractions being intense in flavour, but not in the mild-tasting inner layers of the grain.     

Hydrothermal and biotechnological treatments on nutraceutical content and antioxidant activity of rice bran

The effect of processing such as steaming, germination and parboiling on nutraceuticals and in vitro bioactive properties of rice bran from three different rice varieties namely Jyothi (pigmented), IR64 and Sona masuri (non-pigmented) were investigated. Within the varieties envisaged, pigmented Jyothi variety contained higher levels of vitamin E, soluble, bound and total polyphenol, flavanoids, free radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant activity. Direct steam exposure of bran resulted in an increase in, ether extractives and oryzanol, as well as retention of all the vitamin E components, bound polyphenols, flavonoids and decrease in soluble and total polyphenol content, free radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant activity compared to native. Parboiling as well as germination of paddy resulted in an increase, in the content of ether extractives and oryzanol, whereas other bioactive properties decreased compared to native. Hence it may be concluded that bioactive components and antioxidant properties were significantly higher in Jyothi bran compared to the other two paddy brans, and processing leads to changes in bioactive properties with maximum retention of bioactive components in the steamed bran.     

Direct measurement of the total antioxidant capacity of cereal products

A simple and rapid procedure was developed for the direct measurement of the antioxidant capacity of cereals. It entails grinding of cereals, mixing with 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) reagent, centrifugation and measure of the absorbance. The ABTS reagent was dissolved in a mixture of ethanol:water (50:50, v/v), instead of 100% ethanol, in order to overcome low solubility of water-soluble antioxidant compounds of some cereals. A reaction time of 30 min allowed plateau values to be reached during the antioxidant capacity measurement of cereal samples. The accuracy of the direct procedure was confirmed by measuring, in solid state, the antioxidant activity of pure phenolic compounds.The direct procedure gave results of total antioxidant capacities significantly higher than those determined by the traditional procedure (multiple extraction followed by alkaline hydrolysis) for most whole meal cereals, suggesting that such a procedure was not always sufficient to properly assess the antioxidant capacity of bound phenolic compounds in cereals. The proposed extraction-independent procedure for measuring antioxidant capacity of cereals will facilitate the inter-laboratory data comparison, the construction of reliable antioxidant capacity database and the screening of large sampling of cereals for their nutraceutical characteristics.     

光照对黑青稞萌发过程中褪黑素、酚类物质含量和抗氧化活性的影响

为研究光照对青稞萌发过程中功能成分的影响,以隆子黑青稞为材料,采用酶联免疫吸附法和分光光度计法测定了不同光照时间处理下黑青稞萌发过程中褪黑素、总酚和总黄酮含量及其抗氧化活性;同时测定了黑青稞发芽率、胚根和胚芽长度,并对避光萌发5 d的芽苗进行了感官评定.结果表明,随萌发时间的延长,青稞芽苗中褪黑素、总酚和总黄酮含量与种...     

普洱茶抗氧化特性的初步研究

本研究用不同的有机溶剂,分步萃取普洱茶的水提物,得到氯仿萃取物、乙酸乙酯萃取物、正丁醇萃取物和萃取后剩余物。采用Fe^2-H2O2-鲁米诺的化学发光法和有机自由基二苯基苦基偕腙肼（DPPH）的分光光度法,比较各提取物的清除自由基的能力。结果 提示普洱茶水提物中的乙酸乙酯萃取层组分和正丁醇萃取层组分对DPPH和羟自由基均有较强的清除能力。     

Determination of In Vitro Antidiabetic Effects, Antioxidant Activities and Phenol Contents of Some Herbal Teas

In this research, some herbal teas and infusions traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes in Turkey, have been studied for their antidiabetic effects on in vitro glucose diffusion and phenolic contents and antioxidant activities. Ten aqueous herbal tea extracts were examined using an in vitro method to determine their effects on glucose movement across the gastrointestinal tract. Total phenol content of herbal teas was analyzed by Folin–Ciocalteu’s procedure. Antioxidant activities of herbal teas were evaluated by the effect of extracts on DPPH radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging. Antioxidant activity was defined as the amount of the sample to decrease the initial DPPH· concentration by 50% as efficient concentration, EC₅₀. Antiradical activity [AE] was calculated as 1/EC₅₀. Values were evaluated statistically. Results support the view that none of the herbal teas showed antidiabetic effect on glucose diffusion using in vitro model glucose absorption. Teas were arranged in the order of green tea > peppermint > thyme > black tea > relax tea > absinthium > shrubby blackberry > sage > roselle > olive leaves according to their total phenol contents. Among ten herbal teas, green tea had the highest hydrogen-donating capacity against to DPPH radical. Ranking of the herbal teas with respect to their DPPH radical scavenging activity were green tea > peppermint > black tea > thyme > relax tea > absinthium > roselle > olive leaves > sage > shrubby blackberry. It was determined that adding flavoring substances such as lemon, bergamot, clove and cinnamon, which are commonly used in preparation of black tea in Turkey resulted to have synergistic effect on total antioxidant activities of black and peppermint teas. The highest hydrogen peroxide inhibition value (65.50%) was obtained for green tea at a 250 μl/ml concentration. The H₂O₂ scavenging activity of herbal teas decreased in the order green tea > peppermint > relax tea > black tea > thyme > olive leaves > sage > absinthium > shrubby blackberry > roselle. In particular, their phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities may be useful for meal planning in type 2 diabetes. They could contribute to sustain plasma antioxidant level because antioxidants present in plants and herbs prevent the development of vascular diseases seen in type 2 diabetes.     

High potential of agro-industrial by-products of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) as the powerful antifungal and antioxidant substances

Microorganisms such as fungi are one of the most important factors that cause oxidative processes during postharvest stage and consequently deterioration of agriculture products would not be unexpected. On the other hand, high antioxidant properties of industrial by-products of pomegranate propose them as powerful antioxidant and antifungal substances. So to investigate the antioxidant and antifungal properties of pomegranate, two independent factorial experiments based on randomized design with 5 replications were conducted. In the first experiment the effect of 3 different parts of pomegranate (peel, seed and leaf) and 2 different kinds of extracts (aqueous and methanolic) with 4 concentrations (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm) were investigated on 3 postharvest fungi (Penicillium italicum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Botrytis cinerea). In the second experiment antioxidant capacity and phenolic content were measured for two different extracts from different parts. Based on the results the methanolic extract showed the highest inhibitory effects on the mycelia growth (IMG) and spore germination (ISG) with 49.82 and 41.25% respectively. On the other hand, peel and seed extracts had more inhibitory effect (IMG and ISG) than leaf extract. The phenolic content of peel extract were also measured 2.8 fold higher than pomegranate leaf extract and antioxidant capacity of peel, seed and leaf extracts of pomegranate were 55.3%, 35.7% and 16.4% respectively. Therefore, it seems that the high percentage of phenolic content in the peel and seed of pomegranate could cause the high antifungal and antioxidant activity of their extracts.     

Isolation and antioxidative properties of phenolics-saponins rich fraction from defatted rice bran

The study presents a protocol for the preparation of phenolics-saponins rich fraction (PSRF), a new active nutraceutical from defatted rice bran followed by the determination of its antioxidant properties. PSRF was prepared by employing a simple alcoholic fractionation procedure on the crude alcoholic extract (CAE) of defatted rice bran. PSRF was found to be significantly higher in the contents of total phenolic, saponin, and steroidal saponin than CAE and its counterpart, aqueous fraction (AqF) (p < 0.05). Except for iron chelating activity, PSRF exhibited notably higher activity than CAE and AqF in all antioxidant activity assays performed (p < 0.05). HPLC-DAD analysis revealed that PSRF contained substantially higher amounts of gallic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid than CAE and AqF (p < 0.05). In conclusion, alcoholic fractionation of CAE simultaneously concentrated the phenolic compounds and saponins into PSRF, thus contributed to its higher antioxidant activity. Due to its elevated antioxidant properties, PSRF may be recommended for investigation as an active ingredient in the nutraceutical, functional food, and natural food preservative formulations. This is also the first report suggesting defatted rice bran as a potential and sustainable source of saponins.     

Functional study of raw and cooked blue maize flour: Starch digestibility,total phenolic content and antioxidant activity

The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of blue maize (BM) (Zea mays L.) flour and to investigate the effects of polyphenol-containing extracts and BM wholegrain flour on starch digestion under uncooked and cooked conditions; commercial white maize flour was used as control. Total phenolic content in BM flour (BMF) (164 ± 14 mg gallic acid/g of dry matter) was higher than white maize (127 ± 7 mg gallic acid/g of dry matter), and the presence of anthocyanins (2.0 ± 0.5 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside/100 g) was detected. Also, an important scavenging activity against ABTS (2,2’-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicals and ferric reducing power (FRAP) was determined. Extracts of BMF reduced amylase activity (>90% of inhibition). BMF showed higher slowly digestible and resistant starch contents, thus exhibiting lower predicted glycemic index than white maize. Total anthocyanins (r = −0.89 and r = −0.79, p<0.05), antioxidant capacity (r = −0.86 and r = −0.96, p<0.05), total starch (r = 0.99 and 0.92, p<0.05) and resistant starch content (r = −0.99 and r = −0.92, p<0.05) were correlated with pGI for uncooked and cooked flours, respectively. These results indicate the potential use of BMF and its phenolic-rich extract as functional ingredients to develop antioxidant and indigestible carbohydrate-rich foods with potential health benefits.     

Effects of polymerization changes in maize proteins during nixtamalization on the thermal and viscoelastic properties of masa in model systems

Although nixtamalization is widely used in the food industry, a comprehensive understanding of the influence of proteins on the viscoelastic behavior and thermal properties in masa is still lacking. In this work, the effect of protein changes and its influence on the masa viscoelastic behavior were studied using model systems. Mixtures of lime-starch, zein-starch and lime-zein-starch were cooked at 90 °C from 20 to 150 min. Zein changes during cooking were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Thermal transition temperatures and enthalpies were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Dynamic oscillatory tests were undertaken on model system samples with 50% (w/v) moisture content, using a strain-controlled rheometer. SDS-PAGE showed that zein polymerizes during cooking. In the zein-starch model system, no visible protein bands were found after 30 min cooking; however, when lime was present, five bands were observed in all samples. Thermal transitions were observed around 55–62 °C for all model systems, probably corresponding to starch retrogradation. Rheological studies showed that protein exhibited higher influence in the gel strength by increasing the elastic character of the system. It was hypothesized that the combined effects of lime on starch, zein polymerization and the formation of calcium-zein bonds during cooking, yield a stronger and more elastic gel structure.     

亚麻籽酚类化合物抗氧化和油相迁移特性研究进展

亚麻籽除了富含植物来源n-3多不饱和脂肪酸ɑ-亚麻酸外,也是木酚素、酚酸等功能性植物化合物的重要来源。本文重点综述了品种和种植区域、成熟过程、不同预处理(萌动、烘烤/焙炒、微波)及制油工艺(压榨法、溶剂法)对亚麻籽典型酚类化合物丰度、存在形态、抗氧化及油相迁移特性的影响,以期为亚麻籽油的提质制取及高值化应用提供理论依据。     

Effect of particle size of rice bran on gamma-oryzanol content and compounds

The reduction of particle size can facilitate the extraction of phytochemical compounds. In this study was evaluated the effect of rice bran particles size in the yield and characteristics of γ-oryzanol compound. The γ-oryzanol extraction was realized with hexane and isopropanol solvents and quantification by spectrophotometric method. The γ-oryzanol extracts were characterized in relation of theirs majority components in HPLC-UV and the antioxidant capacity verified by the free radical DPPH^● consumption. The γ-oryzanol yield varied of 0.10–1.54 mg/g of bran, and the highest yield was obtained in particles smaller than 0.39 mm. The γ-oryzanol majority components presence (cycloartenyl ferulate, 2,4-methylenecycloartanyl ferulate, campesteryl ferulate e β-sitosteryl ferulate) in the extracts was confirmed and verified differences in the profile of this components in function of different particles sizes. The γ-oryzanol extract obtained from particle sizes between 0.73 and 1.67 mm demonstrated most specific inhibition of DPPH radical (6.7%) and IC₅₀ 6.63 μg/mL. When the particle size is reduced, the access surface to the extraction solvent is increased resulting in more γ-oryzanol extraction, however the extract from larger particles was more efficient as antioxidant.     

Effect of bread making on formation of Maillard reaction products contributing to the overall antioxidant activity of rye bread

This paper reports the effects of flour extraction rate on antioxidant activity, early, fluorescent and coloured Maillard reaction products in rye flour, crumb, crust and bread. Extent of the reaction was determined by analyses of furosine, fluorescence compounds and browning while antioxidant properties were measured by Folin reaction, Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) and Oxygen Radical Antioxidant Capacity (ORAC_FL) assays. Antioxidants present in rye flours and breads scavenged peroxyl and ABTS radicals and reduced Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Data indicated that baking favoured the formation of antioxidant compounds. In controversy, milling to obtain white rye flour negatively affected bread quality.     

Phenolic compounds in raw and cooked rice (Oryza sativa L.) and their inhibitory effect on the activity of angiotensin I-converting enzyme

Whole rice has been widely studied due to the abundance of bioactive compounds in its pericarp. Some of the beneficial effects of these compounds on human health have been attributed to their antioxidant and other biological activities, such as enzyme inhibition. In this work, we evaluated the contents of total, soluble and insoluble phenolic compounds of 6 red and 10 non-pigmented genotypes of whole rice as well as their inhibitory effect on the activity of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE). The effects of cooking on phenolics and their inhibitory activities were also investigated. Red genotypes showed high content of phenolics, mainly soluble compounds, at an average of 409.7 mg ferulic acid eq./100 g, whereas overall lower average levels (99.4 mg ferulic acid eq./100 g) at an approximate soluble/insoluble compound ratio of 1:1 were observed in non-pigmented rice. Pigmented rice displayed a greater inhibitory effect on ACE than non-pigmented rice. In fact, a significant correlation between the content of soluble phenolics and ACE inhibition was observed (r = 0.8985, p < 0.05). In addition to significantly reducing the levels of total phenolics and ACE inhibition, cooking altered the soluble/insoluble compound ratio, especially among red rice genotypes.     

红参、红枣复合饮料的研制及其抗氧化性研究

目的 优化出红参、红枣复合饮料加工工艺,并对其抗氧化性进行研究,为人参食品的深加工利用提供技术支撑.方法 以人参、红枣为原料,以感官评价为试验指标,通过单因素试验和正交试验优化出红参、红枣复合饮料的加工工艺;并通过测定复合饮料对DPPH自由基的清除率研究其抗氧化性.结果 优化的工艺为红枣汁:红参汁比例为21:1、糖添加...