Chemical indicators of heat treatment in fortified and special milks

Carbohydrate and furosine contents in 12 commercial fortified and special milk samples (pasteurized goat's and ewe's milks; ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) goat's milk, UHT milks fortified with calcium, magnesium, fiber, or royal jelly and honey; and lactose-hydrolyzed milks) were analyzed. Except for lactose-hydrolyzed milks, furosine, lactose, lactulose, galactose, glucose, N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, and myo-inositol contents were similar to the previously reported values for UHT or pasteurized milk samples. In lactose-hydrolyzed milks, lactulose was not detectable and lactose was present in low amount; high levels of glucose, galactose, fructose, tagatose, and furosine were also detected in this type of milk. Results found in commercial milks were compared to those obtained in laboratory-prepared UHT milks with lactose hydrolyzed prior to heating. Hydrolysis of lactose before thermal treatments promoted elevated accumulation of reducing sugars (galactose and glucose) that could be partially converted to the corresponding isomers (tagatose and fructose) during heating. In addition, the reducing sugars could also react with the amino groups of proteins, giving rise to the corresponding Amadori compound. According to the obtained results, heating prior to hydrolysis of lactose is suggested to avoid a considerable loss of available lysine.     

Effects of Lysine on Growth of Tilapia Fed Diets Rich in Corn Gluten Meal

Tilapia is a warmwater fish with mild flavor. Nearly 8.6 million kg are produced domestically, and ≈22.7 million kg are imported. Corn gluten meal (60% protein fraction) is a product obtained from wet-milling of corn. Diets (36% protein) containing 36–44% corn gluten meal with different levels of lysine and fish meal were formulated and fed to tilapia in aquaria for 12 weeks. Weight gain (WG) of tilapia fed diets containing the highest level of lysine (7.4% protein) with 4% fish meal was equal to that of fish fed a commercial control diet. Diets with lower lysine resulted in lower WG. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) of tilapia fed experimental diets containing adequate levels of essential amino acids and fish meal were the same as for fish fed the commercial control diet (also containing fish meal). Fish fed diets containing lower lysine levels had less favorable FCR and PER. This study shows that corn gluten meal is utilized at high levels in tilapia diets, particularly if essential amino acids are provided in adequate amounts.     

Correlations between the amounts of free asparagine and saccharides present in commercial cereal flours in the United Kingdom and the generation of acrylamide during cooking

A range of commercially available cereals (mainly rye and wheat) used to manufacture U.K. bakery products were obtained, and the levels of free amino acids and sugars were measured. Selected samples were cooked as flours and doughs to generate acrylamide and the data compared with those obtained from a model system using dough samples that had been additionally fortified with asparagine (Asn) and sugars (glucose, fructose, maltose, and sucrose). In cooked flours and doughs, Asn was the key determinant of acrylamide generation. A significant finding for biscuit and rye flours was that levels of Asn were correlated with fructose and glucose. The results suggest that for these commercial cereals, selection based on low fructose and glucose contents, and hence low asparagine, could be beneficial in reducing acrylamide in products (e.g., crackers and crispbreads) that have no added sugars.     

Technological and Nutritional Properties of Flours and Tortillas from Nixtamalized and Extruded Quality Protein Maize (Zea mays L.)

Nixtamalized and extruded flours from quality protein maize (QPM, V‐537C) and tortillas made from them were evaluated for some technological and nutritional properties and compared with the commercial brand MASECA. Both QPM flours showed higher (P < 0.05) protein content, total color difference, pH, available lysine, and lower (P < 0.05) total starch content, Hunter L value, water absorption index, gelatinization enthalpy, resistant starch, and retrograded resistant starch than nixtamalized MASECA flour. Tortillas from nixtamalized and extruded QPM flours had higher contents of essential amino acids than tortillas from MASECA flour, except for leucine. Tortillas from processed QPM flours also showed higher (P < 0.05) values of the nutritional indicators calculated protein efficiency ratio (C‐PER 1.80–1.85 vs. 1.04), apparent and true in vivo protein digestibility (78.4‐79.1 vs. 75.6% and 76.4–77.4 vs. 74.2%, respectively), PER (2.30–2.43 vs. 1.31), net protein retention (NPR; 2.88–2.89 vs. 2.11), and protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS; 54–55 vs. 29% based on preschool children and 100 vs. 85% based on adults) than MASECA flour. The use of QPM for flour and tortilla preparation may have a positive effect on the nutritional status of people from countries where these products are widely consumed.     

Mutagenicity of heated sugar-casein systems: effect of the Maillard reaction

The formation of mutagens after the heating of sugar-casein model systems at 120 degrees C was examined by the Ames test, using Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100. Several sugars (glucose, fructose, galactose, tagatose, lactose, and lactulose) were compared in their mutagenicities. Mutagenicity could be fully ascribed to Maillard reaction products and strongly varied with the kind of sugar. The differences in mutagenicity among the sugar-casein systems were caused by a difference in reaction rate and a difference in reaction mechanism. Sugars with a comparable reaction mechanism (glucose and galactose) showed a higher mutagenic activity corresponding with a higher Maillard reactivity. Disaccharides showed no mutagenic activity (lactose) or a lower mutagenic activity (lactulose) than their corresponding monosaccharides. Ketose sugars (fructose and tagatose) showed a remarkably higher mutagenicity compared with their aldose isomers (glucose and galactose), which was due to a difference in reaction mechanism.     

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL STUDIES ON ENZYME-DEGRADED FULVIC ACID

The enzyme pronase released seven amino acids and also galactose and arabinose from fulvic acid. Hemicellulase released sugars and some amino acids. Removal of the amino acids lowered the molecular weight and gave a lower value for the C. E. C. Differential enzymic removal of carbohydrate and amino acids from the fulvic acid molecule reduced its viscosity. From this evidence it is concluded that the sugar and amino acids are linked to the aromatic core of fulvic acid.     

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy enables the fast and accurate prediction of the essential amino acid contents in soy, rapeseed meal, sunflower meal, peas, fishmeal, meat meal products, and poultry meal

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) calibrations were developed to enable the accurate and fast prediction of the total contents of methionine, cystine, lysine, threonine, tryptophan, and other essential amino acids, protein, and moisture in the most important protein-rich feed ingredients. More than 1000 samples of global origin collected over four years were analyzed on amino acids following the official methods of the United States and the European Union. Detailed data and graphics are given to characterize the obtained calibration equations. NIRS was validated with independent samples for soy and meat meal products and compared to the amino acid predictions using linear crude protein regressions. With a few exceptions, validation showed that 85-98% of the amino acid variance in the samples could be explained using NIRS. NIRS predictions compared to reference results agree excellently, with relative mean deviations below 5%. Especially for meat and poultry meals, NIRS can predict amino acids much better than crude protein regressions. By enabling the amino acid analysis of many samples to be completed in a short time, NIRS can improve the accuracy of feed formulation and thus the quality and production costs of mixed feeds.     

Heterospectral two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy of mid-infrared and Fourier self-deconvolved near-infrared spectra of sugar solutions

The mid- and near-infrared (mid-IR and NIR) spectra of aqueous solutions of glucose and fructose, fructose and galactose, and glucose and galactose were recorded and analyzed by heterospectral two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (H2D-CS) to determine characteristic NIR wavelengths for each sugar. Fourier self-deconvolution (FSD) was applied to the NIR spectra prior to H2D-CS analysis to help resolve the strongly overlapping sugar absorptions. Examination of the H2D-CS data gave characteristic absorption wavelengths for glucose, fructose, and galactose. The wavelengths identified by H2D-CS were then used to develop multiple linear regression (MLR) calibrations for the quantitative analysis of mixtures of the three sugars in solution. This approach gave comparable results to MLR calibrations based on wavelengths selected by examination of the first- and second-derivative spectra of solutions of the individual sugars.     

Potential of acrylamide formation,sugars, and free asparagine in potatoes: a comparison of cultivars and farming systems

Glucose, fructose, sucrose, free asparagine, and free glutamine were analyzed in 74 potato samples from 17 potato cultivars grown in 2002 at various locations in Switzerland and different farming systems. The potential of these potatoes for acrylamide formation was measured with a standardized heat treatment. These potentials correlated well with the product of the concentrations of reducing sugars and asparagine. Glucose and fructose were found to determine acrylamide formation. The cultivars showed large differences in their potential of acrylamide formation which was primarily related to their sugar contents. Agricultural practice neither influenced sugars and free asparagine nor the potential of acrylamide formation. It is concluded that acrylamide contents in potato products can be substantially reduced primarily by selecting cultivars with low concentrations of reducing sugars.     

鲜牛奶与豆浆的氨基酸营养比较

用氨基酸自动分析仪分析了鲜牛奶和5%豆浆的蛋白质氨基酸组成及含量。必需氨基酸(含胱氨酸和酪氨酸)占氨基酸总量牛奶为45.47%,豆浆为37.93%;必需氨基酸指数(EAAI)牛奶为89.72,豆浆为74.92;赖氨酸含量牛奶为479mg/gN,豆浆为351mg/gN;第一限制氨基酸均为蛋氨酸+胱氨酸,其含量鲜牛奶为208mg/gN,豆浆为190mg/gN;氨基酸分(AAS)和化学分(CS),鲜牛奶为0.95和0.54,豆浆为0.86和0.49。     

Impact of harvest year on amino acids and sugars in potatoes and effect on acrylamide formation during frying

Acrylamide is formed via the Maillard reaction between reducing sugars and asparagine in a number of carbohydrate-rich foods during heat treatment. High acrylamide levels have been found in potato products processed at high temperatures. To examine the impact of harvest year, information on weather conditions during growth, that is, temperature, precipitation, and light, was collected, together with analytical data on the concentrations of free amino acids and sugars in five potato clones and acrylamide contents in potato chips (commonly known as crisps in Europe). The study was conducted for 3 years (2004-2006). The contents of acrylamide precursors differed between the clones and the three harvest years; the levels of glucose were up to 4.2 times higher in 2006 than in 2004 and 2005, and the levels of fructose were 5.6 times higher, whereas the levels of asparagine varied to different extents. The high levels of sugars in 2006 were probably due to the extreme weather conditions during the growing season, and this was also reflected in acrylamide content that was approximately twice as high as in preceding years. The results indicate that acrylamide formation is dependent not only on the content and relative amounts of sugars and amino acids but also on other factors, for example, the food matrix, which may influence the availability of the reactants to participate in the Maillard reaction.     

Role of Plasmalemma H+ ATPase in Sugar Retention by Roots of Intact Maize and Field Bean Plants

Net release and net uptake of sugars by roots of intact maize (Zea mays cv. Blizzard) and field bean (Vicia faba L. cv. Alfred) were studied at micromolar external sugar concentrations that are relevant to the rhizosphere. Besides various sugars not further characterized there was net release of glucose, fructose, sucrose, arabinose, ribose, and galactose. The net release of these sugars into the root medium (0.1 mM CaSO₄) was stimulated by the protonophore CCCP (10 μM), the sulfhydryl reagent NEM (300 μM), the specific inhibitor of plasmalemma H⁺ ATPase vanadate (0.5 mM), and by the inhibitor of the glucose carrier phlorizin (2 mM). Net uptake of glucose, fructose, and arabinose from 10 μM external concentrations was inhibited by these substances. Stimulation of net release and inhibition of net uptake was most pronounced for glucose. Sucrose added to the root medium was hydrolyzed by invertase activity leading to glucose and fructose uptake by roots. It is concluded that the retention of sugars by plant roots is not only determined by plasmalemma permeability but is also controlled by the H⁺ electrochemical gradient established by ATPase activity (retrieval mechanism). The proton gradient drives a sugar/H⁺ cotransport system that is selective for glucose but may also transport other sugars, particularly in the absence of glucose.     

Studies on N-terminal glycation of peptides in hypoallergenic infant formulas: quantification of alpha-N-(2-furoylmethyl) amino acids

To obtain information about the extent of the early Maillard reaction between the N-termini of peptides and lactose, alpha-N-(2-furoylmethyl) amino acids (FMAAs) were quantified together with epsilon-N-(2-furoylmethyl)lysine (furosine) in acid hydrolyzates of hypoallergenic infant formulas, conventional infant formulas, and human milk samples using RP-HPLC with UV-detection. FMAAs are formed during acid hydrolysis of peptide-bound N-terminal Amadori products (APs), and furosine is formed from the Amadori products of peptide-bound lysine. Unambiguous identification was achieved by means of LC/MS and UV-spectroscopy using independently prepared reference material. The extent of acid-induced conversion of APs to FMAAs was studied by RP-HPLC with chemiluminescent nitrogen detection (CLND). Depending on the corresponding alpha-N-lactulosyl amino acid, between 6.0% and 18.1% of FMAAs were formed during hydrolysis for 23 h at 110 degrees C in 8 N HCl. From epsilon-N-lactulosyllysine, 50% furosine is formed under these conditions. Whereas furosine was detectable in all assayed samples, five different FMAAs, alpha-FM-Lys, alpha-FM-Ala, alpha-FM-Val, alpha-FM-Ile, and alpha-FM-Leu, were exclusively detected in acid hydrolyzates of hypoallergenic infant formulas in amounts ranging from 35 to 396 mumol/100 g protein. Taking the conversion factors into account, modification of N-terminal amino acids in peptides by reducing carbohydrates was between 0.3% and 8.4%. This has to be considered within the discussion concerning the nutritional quality of peptide-containing foods.     

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) enables the fast and accurate prediction of essential amino acid contents. 2. Results for wheat,barley, corn,triticale, wheat bran/middlings,rice bran,and sorghum

Further NIRS calibrations were developed for the accurate and fast prediction of the total contents of methionine, cystine, lysine, threonine, tryptophan, and other essential amino acids, protein, and moisture in the most important cereals and brans or middlings for animal feed production. More than 1100 samples of global origin collected over five years were analyzed for amino acids following the Official Methods of the United States and European Union. Detailed data and graphics are given to characterize the obtained calibration equations. NIRS was validated with 98 independent samples for wheat and 78 samples for corn and compared to amino acid predictions using linear crude protein regression equations. With a few exceptions, validation showed that 70-98% of the amino acid variance in the samples could be explained using NIRS. Especially for lysine and methionine, the most limiting amino acids for farm animals, NIRS can predict contents in cereals much better than crude protein regressions. Through low cost and high speed of analysis NIRS enables the amino acid analysis of many samples in order to improve the accuracy of feed formulation and obtain better quality and lower production costs.     

Reducing acrylamide precursors in raw materials derived from wheat and potato

A review of agronomic and genetic approaches as strategies for the mitigation of acrylamide risk in wheat and potato is presented. Acrylamide is formed through the Maillard reaction during high-temperature cooking, such as frying, roasting, or baking, and the main precursors are free asparagine and reducing sugars. In wheat flour, acrylamide formation is determined by asparagine levels and asparagine accumulation increases dramatically in response to sulfur deprivation and, to a much lesser extent, with nitrogen feeding. In potatoes, in which sugar concentrations are much lower, the relationships between acrylamide and its precursors are more complex. Much attention has been focused on reducing the levels of sugars in potatoes as a means of reducing acrylamide risk. However, the level of asparagine as a proportion of the total free amino acid pool has been shown to be a key parameter, indicating that when sugar levels are limiting, competition between asparagine and the other amino acids for participation in the Maillard reaction determines acrylamide formation. Genetic approaches to reducing acrylamide risk include the identification of cultivars and other germplasm in which free asparagine and/or sugar levels are low and the manipulation of genes involved in sugar and amino acid metabolism and signaling. These approaches are made more difficult by genotype/environment interactions that can result in a genotype being "good" in one environment but "poor" in another. Another important consideration is the effect that any change could have on flavor in the cooked product. Nevertheless, as both wheat and potato are regarded as of relatively high acrylamide risk compared with, for example, maize and rice, it is essential that changes are achieved that mitigate the problem.     

Suppression of C-hordein synthesis in barley by antisense constructs results in a more balanced amino acid composition

Barley has for feeding purposes a shortage of essential amino acids, especially lysine, threonine, and methionine, and an excess of proline and glutamine. In the present study, we have introduced into barley an antisense construct against C-hordeins, the storage protein with the lowest nutritional quality. SDS-PAGE and reverse phase HPLC revealed a relative reduction in the amounts of C-hordeins and relative increases in the content of the other storage proteins. The five different lines analyzed had lower amounts of proline, glutamic acid/glutamine, and phenylalanine (up to 12%, 6%, and 9% reductions), while the lysine, threonine, and methionine content was increased with up to 16%, 13% and 11%. It is concluded that antisense mediated suppression of C-hordein synthesis may be a promising approach for improving the nutritional value of barley as a feed crop while at the same time reducing the environmental nitrogen load.     

Biochemical and microbial changes during the storage of minimally processed cantaloupe

The effect of storage time on pH, titratable acidity, degrees Brix, organic acids, sugars, amino acids, and color of minimally processed cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus Naud. cv. Mission) was determined at 4 degrees C and 20 degrees C. Changes in most of the biochemical parameters with storage time were relatively slow at the lower temperature. At 20 degrees C, a 17% loss in soluble solids and a 2-fold increase in acidity occurred after 2 days. Organic acid content also increased considerably with time at this temperature as a result of the production of lactic acid. Oxalic, citric, malic, and succinic acids were the organic acids, and glucose, fructose, and sucrose were the sugars present in the freshly cut cantaloupe. Malic acid concentration decreased concurrently with lactic acid production indicating the possible involvement of anaerobic malo-lactic fermentation along with sugar utilization by lactic acid bacteria. The effect of storage on microbial growth was determined at 4, 10, and 20 degrees C. Gram-negative stained rods grew at a slower rate at 4 degrees C and 10 degrees C than the Gram-positive mesophilic bacteria that dominated microorganism growth at 20 degrees C. Eighteen amino acids were identified in fresh cantaloupe: aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, serine, glutamine, glycine, histidine, arginine, threonine, alanine, proline, tyrosine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, phenyl alanine, and lysine. The dominant amino acids were aspartic acid, glutamic acid, arginine, and alanine. Total amino acid content decreased rapidly at 20 degrees C, but only a slight decrease occurred at 4 degrees C after prolonged storage. Changes in lightness (L), chroma, and hue at both temperatures indicate the absence of browning reactions. The results indicate the potential use of lactic acid and lactic acid bacteria as quality control markers in minimally processed fruits.     

Acrylamide formation from asparagine under low-moisture Maillard reaction conditions. 1. Physical and chemical aspects in crystalline model systems

The formation of acrylamide in crystalline model systems based on asparagine and reducing sugars was investigated under low-moisture reaction conditions. The acrylamide amounts were correlated with physical changes occurring during the reaction. Molecular mobility of the precursors turned out to be a critical parameter in solid systems, which is linked to the melting behavior and the release of crystallization water of the reaction sample. Heating binary mixtures of asparagine monohydrate and anhydrous reducing sugars led to higher acrylamide amounts in the presence of fructose compared to glucose. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements performed in open systems indicated melting of fructose at 126 degrees C, whereas glucose and galactose fused at 157 and 172 degrees C, respectively. However, glucose was the most reactive and fructose the least efficient sugar in anhydrous liquid systems, indicating that at given molecular mobility the chemical reactivity of the sugar was the major driver in acrylamide formation. Furthermore, reaction time and temperature were found to be covariant parameters: acrylamide was preferably formed by reacting glucose and asparagine at 120 degrees C for 60 min, whereas 160 degrees C was required at shorter reaction time (5 min). These results suggest that, in addition to the chemical reactivity of ingredients, their physical state as well as reaction temperature and time would influence the formation of acrylamide during food processing.     

日粮蛋白水平对生长猪生产性能和氮平衡的影响

通过氮平衡试验和饲养试验,研究日粮不同蛋白水平(18.2%、16.5%、15.5%、14.5%和13.6%)对生长猪生产性能和氮平衡的影响。结果表明,粪氮、尿氮、总氮、氮吸收和氮沉积均随日粮蛋白水平的降低而降低(P<0.05);日粮蛋白水平显著影响了猪的生产性能、眼肌面积、血清尿素氮和血浆游离必需氨基酸浓度(P<0.05);在低蛋白日粮中添加赖氨酸、蛋氨酸和苏氨酸,可使生长猪日粮蛋白水平从18.2%降至14.5%,且大幅度降低氮排泄量而不影响其生产性能;当日粮蛋白水平降低4个百分点以上时,赖氨酸、蛋氨酸和苏氨酸均能够满足生长猪生长需要,但异亮氨酸、缬氨酸和精氨酸等必需氨基酸及酪氨酸和丝氨酸等非必需氨基酸则不能满足其生长需要。