Functional Properties of Gluten-Free Pasta Produced from Amaranth, Quinoa and Buckwheat

The use of amaranth, quinoa and buckwheat for the production of gluten-free pasta was investigated in the present study. The aim of the work was to produce pasta of good textural quality, in particular, low cooking loss, optimal cooking weight and texture firmness. The results demonstrated that pasta produced from amaranth had decreased texture firmness and cooking time, while pasta from quinoa mainly showed increased cooking loss. In buckwheat pasta the least negative effects were observed. By combination of all three raw materials to one flour blend in the ratio of 60% buckwheat, 20% amaranth and 20% quinoa, dough matrix was improved. After decreasing dough moisture to 30%, addition of an increased amount of egg white powder of 6% and addition of 1.2% emulsifier (distilled monoglycerides) texture firmness as well as cooking quality of gluten-free pasta produced from such a flour blend reached acceptable values comparable to wheat pasta.     

Phenolic Compounds,Volatiles and Antioxidant Capacity of White Myrtle Berry Liqueurs

The aim of this research was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and physical-chemical characteristics of commercial white myrtle berry (Myrtus communis L. var. leucocarpa DC) liqueur (WMBL). The total phenolic (TP) content was measured spectrophotometrically, applying a modified Folin-Ciocalteu’s method, and phenolic compounds were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry, and quantified by HPLC coupled with ultraviolet/visible detection. The antioxidant capacities were evaluated by FRAP, CUPRAC, DPPH^?, and ABTS^?+ assays. The volatiles were assessed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS/FID) after headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). WMBL showed lower TP levels (636.3 ± 39.2 mg GAE/L) than in purple myrtle berry liqueur (PMBL). Nevertheless, WMBL exhibited better antioxidant capacities, potentially due to high concentrations of gallic acid (294.2 ± 14.2 mg/L) and its derivatives (58.3 ± 2.1 mg/L). Other phenolic compounds detected by HPLC-DAD and LC-MS/MS were flavonols like myricetin and its derivatives (myricetin-3-O-galactoside and myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside) with concentrations similar to those found in PMBL. GC-MS/FID analysis revealed 44 compounds (terpenes, higher aliphatic compounds and shikimic acid pathway derivatives). 1,8-Cineole was the most abundant terpene in the liqueur (26.5% (HS-SPME) and 9.6% (LLE)).     

Effect of High-Energy Milling on Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity in Nixtamalized Creole Corn Flours

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - This study aimed at evaluating the effect of high-energy milling (HEM) and traditional nixtamalization (TN) on bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity in...     

Antioxidant Activity and Profile of Phenolic Compounds in Selected Herbal Plants

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Herbs are characterized by a high content of biologically active substances that positively affect human health. Phenolic compounds are one of the main bioactive...     

Gluten-Free Breads and Cookies of Raw and Popped Amaranth Flours with Attractive Technological and Nutritional Qualities

Gluten-free bakery foodstuffs are a challenge for technologists and nutritionists since alternative ingredients used in their formulations have poor functional and nutritional properties. Therefore, gluten-free bread and cookies using raw and popped amaranth, a grain with high quality nutrients and promising functional properties, were formulated looking for the best combinations. The best formulation for bread included 60–70% popped amaranth flour and 30–40% raw amaranth flour which produced loaves with homogeneous crumb and higher specific volume (3.5 ml/g) than with other gluten-free breads. The best cookies recipe had 20% of popped amaranth flour and 13% of whole-grain popped amaranth. The expansion factor was similar to starch-based controls and the hardness was similar (10.88 N) to other gluten-free cookies. Gluten content of the final products was around 12 ppm. The functionality of amaranth-based doughs was acceptable although hydrocolloids were not added and the final gluten-free products had a high nutritional value.     

High Antioxidant Activity Mixture of Extruded Whole Quality Protein Maize and Common Bean Flours for Production of a Nutraceutical Beverage Elaborated with a Traditional Mexican Formulation

The objective of this study was to determine the best combination of extrusion process variables for the production of whole quality protein maize (EQPMF) and common bean (ECBF) flours to prepare a high antioxidant activity mixture (EQPMF + ECBF) suitable to produce a nutraceutical beverage with high acceptability elaborated with a traditional Mexican formulation. Processing conditions were obtained from a factorial combination of barrel temperature (BT?=?120–170 °C) and screw speed (SS?=?120–200 rpm). Response surface methodology was applied to obtain maximum values for antioxidant activity (A _ox A) of the flour mixture (EQPMF + ECBF) and acceptability (A) of the nutraceutical beverage. The best combinations of extrusion process variables for EQPMF and ECBF to prepare an optimized mixture (60%EQPMF?+?40%ECBF) were BT?=?98 °C/SS?=?218 rpm and BT?=?105 °C/SS?=?83 rpm, respectively. The optimized mixture had A _ox A?=?14,320 μmol Trolox equivalent (TE)/100 g sample dry weight (dw) and a calculated protein efficiency ratio (C-PER) of 2.17. A 200 ml portion of a beverage prepared with 25 g of the optimized flour mixture had A _ox A?=?3,222 μmol TE, and A?=?89 (level of satisfaction “I like it extremely”). This nutraceutical beverage could be used as an alternative to beverages with low nutritional/nutraceutical value, such as those prepared with water, simple sugars, artificial flavoring and colorants, which are widely offered in the market.     

超声波和微波对柑橘杂交种果皮中酚类物质浸提及其抗氧化能力的影响

以柑橘杂交品种葡萄柚、茂谷橘橙果皮为材料,研究超声波和微波对柑橘果皮提取物中酚类物质及其抗氧化活性的影响。结果表明:葡萄柚果皮中含有丰富的柚皮苷、芦丁、橙皮素等酚类物质,茂谷橘橙果皮中含有丰富的槲皮素、川陈皮素、橙皮素等酚类物质。葡萄柚果皮提取液的抗氧化活性高于茂谷橘橙。葡萄柚果皮超声波提取液中酚类物质的含量和抗氧化活性高于微波提取液。柑橘果皮提取物中酚类物质的含量与其DPPH自由基和羟自由基清除能力呈正相关。此结果说明超声波提取法可提高葡萄柚果皮中酚类物质的提取率和提取液抗氧化能力。     

干燥方式对辣木叶营养活性成分、抗氧化活性及色泽的影响

燥方法均会引起辣木叶酚类物质、维生素 C、异硫氰酸酯、多糖类物质等营养活性成分的损失,以及色泽的劣变和叶绿素的降解,并造成美拉德反应产物 5-羟甲基糠醛（5-hmf）的累积。然而,通过真空微波干燥和冷冻干燥能有效避免辣木叶氧自由基清除能力的下降。不同的干燥方式各有利弊。其中冷冻干燥能较好地保持辣木叶中的维生素 C、叶绿素,真空微波干燥能较好地减少酚类物质、多糖类物质等活性成分和抗氧化活性的损失并减少 5-hmf 的累积。对于热风干燥,热风温度对辣木叶品质的影响显著,适宜的温度有助于γ-氨基丁酸、异硫氰酸酯、多糖类物质等活性成分的保留。综合考虑干燥方式对辣木叶品质的影响及干燥效率,选择真空微波干燥作为最适宜的辣木叶干燥方式。     

干燥方式对辣木叶营养活性成分、抗氧化活性及色泽的影响

以辣木叶为研究对象,考察热风干燥、真空微波干燥及真空冷冻干燥等脱水方式对辣木叶营养活性成分、抗 氧化活性及色泽的影响。结果表明,不同干燥方法均会引起辣木叶酚类物质、维生素 C、异硫氰酸酯、多糖类物质等 营养活性成分的损失,以及色泽的劣变和叶绿素的降解,并造成美拉德反应产物 5-羟甲基糠醛（5-hmf）的累积。然而, 通过真空微波干燥和冷冻干燥能有效避免辣木叶氧自由基清除能力的下降。不同的干燥方式各有利弊。其中冷冻干燥 能较好地保持辣木叶中的维生素 C、叶绿素,真空微波干燥能较好地减少酚类物质、多糖类物质等活性成分和抗氧化 活性的损失并减少 5-hmf 的累积。对于热风干燥,热风温度对辣木叶品质的影响显著,适宜的温度有助于γ-氨基丁酸、 异硫氰酸酯、多糖类物质等活性成分的保留。综合考虑干燥方式对辣木叶品质的影响及干燥效率,选择真空微波干燥 作为最适宜的辣木叶干燥方式。     

Bioavailability of Phenolic Antioxidants Associated with Dietary Fiber: Plasma Antioxidant Capacity After Acute and Long-Term Intake in Humans

Most studies on bioavailability of phenolic antioxidants are focused in foods and beverages in which they may be easily released from the food matrix, reaching a peak in plasma antioxidant capacity 1–2 h after the intake. However, plant foods contain significant amounts of polyphenols associated with dietary fiber. The aim of the present work was to seek the bioavailability of total phenolic antioxidants associated with dietary fiber by measuring plasma antioxidant capacity in human volunteers. An acute intake of 15 g of a dietary fiber rich in associated phenolic antioxidants in healthy volunteers (n = 10) increased antioxidant capacity of plasma in relation to a control group (n = 4), becoming significant 8 h after the intake. This shows that phenolic antioxidants associated with dietary fiber are at least partially bioavailable in humans, although dietary fiber appears to delay their absorption. No significant changes were observed after long-term intake (16 weeks, 34 subjects).     

Glucosinolates Profile and Antioxidant Capacity of Romanian Brassica Vegetables Obtained by Organic and Conventional Agricultural Practices

The profile of glucosinolates in relation to the antioxidant capacity of five Brassica vegetables (Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kohlrabi, White and Red Cabbage) grown by organic and conventional agricultural practices in Transylvania region-Romania, were determined and compared. The qualitative and quantitative compositions of glucosinolates were determined by HPLC-PDA technique. The antioxidant capacity was comparatively determined by ABTS, DPPH, FRAP and Folin-Ciocalteu assays. The highest glucosinolates levels were found in the Broccoli samples grown under conventional practices (14.24 μmol/g dry weight), glucoraphanin, glucobrassicin and neo-glucobrassicin being the major components. The total glucosinolates content was similar in Kohlrabi and Cauliflower (4.89 and 4.84 μmol/g dry weight, respectively), the indolyl glucosinolates were predominant in Kohlrabi, while the aliphatic derivatives (sinigrin and glucoiberin) were major in Cauliflower. In Cabbage samples, the aliphatic glucosinolates were predominat against indolyl derivatives, glucoraphanin and glucoiberin being the main ones in Red Cabbage. The principal component analysis was applied to discriminate among conventional and organic samples and demonstrated non-overlaps between these two agricultural practices. Meanwhile it was shown that glucosinolates may represent appropriate molecular markers of Brassica vegetables, their antioxidant capacity being higher in organic crops, without significant differences among different Brassica varieties.     

Effects of Roasting on Phenolic Composition and In vitro Antioxidant Capacity of Australian Grown Faba Beans (Vicia faba L.)

Faba bean phenolic compounds encompassed phenolic acids, flavonols, proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins. Roasting faba beans for 120 min decreased the total phenolic, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents by 42, 42 and 30 %, respectively. Roasting beans for 120 min decreased the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, total equivalent antioxidant capacity and ferric reducing antioxidant power by 48, 15 and 8 %, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography-post column derivatisation revealed the generation of new phenolic compounds as a result of roasting. Antioxidant mechanism of bean less-polar phenolic compounds was largely based on free radical scavenging activity. The bean phenolic compounds with reducing capability were heat stable. Roasted faba bean extracts (70 % acetone, v/v) were fractionated into relatively polar and non-polar fractions; the latter contributed the majority of the antioxidant capacity. The extracts from beans with different seed coat colours differed in their phenolic compositions, which suggest different levels of potential benefits to health. Although roasting initially lowers the bean antioxidant capacity, prolonged roasting at 150 °C for 60 min and longer causes generation of new phenolic compounds and an increased antioxidant capacity. The findings encourage a wider ultilisation of faba beans for human foods particularly in baked/roasted products.     

Phenolic Composition,Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Eryngium bornmuelleri leaf

Eryngium bornmuelleri Nab. (Tusî) is an endemic botanical from the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey traditionally used for preparation of herbal tea. Within this study, phenolic composition, antioxidant capacities and inhibitory activities towards selected digestive enzymes of E. bornmuelleri leaf were investigated. Sequential extracts, obtained by extraction of plant tissue by ethanol, acetone and water exhibited pronounced antioxidant capacities and in a dose-dependent manner suppressed the metabolic syndrome related enzymes: α-amylase, α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase. All extracts contained high levels of phenolic compounds. Flavonoid glycosides were the main phytochemicals detected, with rutin as the major compound (70 % of total phenolics). Chlorogenic, hydroxybenzoic and caftaric acids as well as traces of caffeic, ferulic and rosmarinic acids were also detected. Correlation analysis indicated that phenolic compounds were the major sources of the enzyme-inhibitory activities. This study suggests that E. bornmuelleri leaf extracts can modulate the metabolism of sugars and fats through inhibition of the relevant digestive enzymes.     

Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Capacity of Chickpeas (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cicer arietinum</Emphasis> L.) as Affected by a Dehydration Process

This study presents the effects of soaking, cooking and industrial dehydration on the phenolic profile, and antioxidant capacity in two chickpea varieties (Sinaloa and Castellano). Chromatographic analysis identified a total of 24 phenolic components, being isoflavones the main phenolics in raw and processed Sinaloa and Castellano flours. The impact of the industrial dehydration was different depending on the chickpea variety. Although Castellano chickpea exhibited the highest levels of phenolic compounds (103.1 μg/g), significant reductions were observed during processing; in contrast, the dehydration did not cause any further effects in Sinaloa flours. Interestingly, Sinaloa variety showed high thermal stability of isoflavones during processing. As expected, the levels of antioxidant capacity were in accordance with the behavior of phenolic compounds exhibiting noticeable reductions in Castellano chickpea and not relevant changes in Sinaloa chickpea. Thus, the significant occurrence of bioactive phenolic compounds along with the relevant antioxidant capacities of dehydrated chickpea flours make them to be considered functional ingredients for their beneficial health effects, especially in case of Sinaloa.     

Effect of Extrusion Processing Conditions on the Phenolic Compound Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) Bran

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Sorghum is a cereal with little use in human diet; however, this grain can provide several nutrients and, additionally, has a high content of phenolic compounds...     

Determination and Comparison of the Lipid Profile and Sodium Content of Gluten-Free and Gluten-Containing Breads from the Spanish Market

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - The objective is to verify if gluten-free (GF) and gluten-containing (G) breads differ in their sodium content and lipid profile. Samples of GF...     

Effect of Incorporating White,Red or Black Quinoa Flours on Free and Bound Polyphenol Content,Antioxidant Activity and Colour of Bread

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Interest in quinoa as a functional food ingredient is currently emerging. The flours from white, red and black quinoa seeds were analysed in terms of total...     

Effect of Ultrasound on In Vitro Bioaccessibility of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) Residues cv. Tupy

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Agro-industries residues of fruit are a source of antioxidant compounds with a possible health impact. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total phenolic...