Hydrolysis and diffusion of raffinose oligosaccharides family products in chickpeas, lentils, and beans under different pH and temperature steeping conditions.

Soaking pulses in water is a traditional practice widely used both by many households and by the food industry, and depending on the specific conditions used, can effectively reduce α-galactosides. Monitoring changes in α-galactoside content in pulses under different steeping conditions can provide insights into the degradation mechanisms and help overcome the barrier to consumption caused by digestive problems. In this study, we analyzed the impact of steeping at different temperatures (30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 °C) and at different pH (4.0, 5.0, and 6.0) on α-galactosides content in chickpeas, lentils, and beans. Our results showed that the lower the pH, the faster the α-galactosides were reduced. Moreover, steeping at lower temperatures (30 °C and 45 °C) favored hydrolysis of α-galactosides, whereas steeping at higher temperatures (60, 75, and 90 °C) favored diffusion. Soaking at 45 °C at a pH of 4.0 for 3 h resulted in acceptable levels of α-galactosides (less than 1 g/100 g), i.e. a reduction of up to 65 % in chickpeas, 85 % in lentils, and 52 % in beans.

Evaluation of Microwave Applicator Design on Electromagnetic Field Distribution and Heating Pattern of Cooked Peeled Shrimp.

Non-uniform temperature distribution within solid food is a major problem associated with microwave heating, which limits industrial applications. Therefore, an experimentally validated 3D model was proposed to study the effect of microwave applicator geometry on the electromagnetic field distribution and heating pattern of shrimp under different processing conditions. Simulation results were compared with physical experiments, in which a cooked peeled shrimp sample was heated using two different laboratory-scale microwave applicators (rectangular and cylindrical cavities). For the rectangular applicator, the temperature distribution within the shrimp, when examined in cross-section, was more homogeneous compared to that of the cylindrical applicator. The results showed the influence of the complex shape of the food on the temperature distribution during microwave heating, as well as of process parameters (input power and geometry cavity). Moreover, this modelling method could provide a better understanding of the microwave heating process and assist manufacturing companies to evaluate a suitable microwave applicator according to their specific purpose.

Effect of microwave-assisted processing on polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase inactivation kinetics of açai-berry (Euterpe oleracea) pulp.

Microwave heating has been considered a promising technology for continuous flow thermal processing of fluid foods due to better retention of quality. Considering the importance of açai-berry pulp and its perishability, the inactivation kinetics of peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were investigated under conventional and microwave heating. First-order two-component model was well fitted to the data, indicating the presence of at least two fractions with different resistances. POD was more thermally resistant (90% inactivation for 40 s at 89 °C) and could be considered as a processing target. Inactivation curves dependency on heating technology suggests specific effects of microwaves on the protein structure. Additionally, the dielectric properties of açai-berry pulp were evaluated at 915 and 2,450 MHz for temperatures up to 120 °C. Power penetration depth dropped with temperature at 915 MHz (from 29 to 11 mm), but was less affected at 2,450 MHz (between 8 and 11 mm).

Caenorhabditis elegans as an in vivo model to assess fucoidan bioactivity preventing Helicobacter pylori infection.

Currently, Helicobacter pylori is the unique biological carcinogenic agent. The search for antimicrobial alternatives to antibiotics against this pathogen has been categorized as a priority due to the drastic failure associated with current applied antibiotic therapy. The present study assessed the bioactive antimicrobial capability of fucoidan ("Generally Recognized as Safe" approval - European Commission December 2017) from different species of Phaeophyceae algae (Fucus vesiculosus, Undaria pinnatifida, Macrocystis pyrifera) against H. pylori. All the studied fucoidans showed bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects at the studied concentrations [5-100] µg ml-1 and exposure times [0-7 days]. The most effective anti-H. pylori fucoidan was validated in Caenorhabditis elegans as an in vivo model. C. elegans feed was supplemented with Undaria pinnatifida [0-100] µg ml-1 fucoidan, resulting in a significant improvement in lifespan, lowered H. pylori concentration in the digestive tract, and increased egg-laying pattern. New research lines proposing this compound as an active agent in nutraceutical and preventive novel therapies should be opened.

Peptides from cowpea present antioxidant activity, inhibit cholesterol synthesis and its solubilisation into micelles.

In previous studies, it was reported that the protein isolated from the cowpea interferes favourably in lipid metabolism, and reduces cholesterol synthesis. The present study investigated the role of cowpea peptide fractions in the micellar solubilisation of cholesterol, in the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) activity, and in the in vitro antioxidant capacity, considering the effects of thermal processing. The protein was isolated from the raw and cooked beans and digested to simulate human digestion. The peptides from the protein isolate of raw bean with molecular mass lower than 3kDa reduced 89% of the HMGCR enzymatic reaction velocity. The cooked cowpeas were more effective in inhibiting the micellar solubility of cholesterol than the raw ones but not the antioxidant activity. This is the first report that cowpea peptides inhibit cholesterol homeostasis in vitro in two distinct routes, and act as an antioxidant.

Composição nutricional e propriedades funcionais do murici (Byrsomina crassifolia) e moringa (Moringa Oleifera) / Nutritional composition and functional properties of nance fruit (Byrsonima crassifolia) and drumstick (Moringa oleifera)

Introdução - Algumas espécies vegetais comestíveis, mas ausentes na dieta do brasileiro, podem ser boas fontes de nutrientes e de compostos bioativos, e a falta ou a perda de conhecimento sobre elas desfavorece sua inclusão na dieta. Objetivo - Avaliar a composição nutricional e propriedades funcionais da farinha de folha de moringa (Moringa oleifera) e da polpa de murici (Byrsonima crassifolia). Metodologia Os frutos de murici foram coletados em três cidades diferentes do Pará. A farinha de folha de moringa foi coletada na cidade de Marília (SP), nos períodos de fevereiro (verão), maio (outono), julho (inverno) e outubro (primavera) de 2012. Foi realizada a caracterização físico-química, determinação de vitamina C e carotenoides das amostras. A partir do extrato da farinha da folha de moringa e do murici, foi analisado o teor de compostos redutores totais, o perfil de compostos fenólicos, a atividade antioxidante pela capacidade de captação do radical livre DPPH e pelo método de ORAC, atividade antiglicação e inibição de lipase pancreática. Resultados O murici é um fruto rico em vitamina C (39,1 mg 100 g carotenoides, principalmente, luteína (18,66 mg 100 g -1 -1 de amostra) e de amostra). O extrato de murici contêm flavonoides (epicatequina, catequina, rutina e quercetina), e possui elevada atividade antioxidante no método DPPH e ORAC, IC 46,1 mmol equivalente Trolox 100 g -1 50 de 1,2 mg de sólido solúvel mL de sólido solúvel, respectivamente. Além disso, foi observada atividade de inibição da lipase pancreática e atividade antiglicação do extrato de murici. De modo geral, a farinha da folha de moringa possui alto teor de proteína (24,5 g -1 e 100 g -1 de amostra), cálcio (1,9 g 100 g fibras totais (38,2 g 100 g luteína (304,1 mg 100 g -1 -1 -1 de amostra), potássio (1,8 g 100 g -1 de amostra), e de amostra). Possui elevado teor de carotenoides, destacando a de amostra) e -caroteno (90,4 mg 100 g -1 extrato da farinha de moringa foram identificados o ácido clorogênico e a rutina. O extrato da farinha de moringa apresenta baixa atividade de inibição da lipase pancreática (IC 849,1 µg de sólidos solúveis mL -1 de amostra). No ), mas foi capaz de inibir a formação de produtos finais da glicação no sistema BSA/metilglioxal. Conclusão - O murici e a moringa demostram ser espécies vegetais promissoras na melhoria da dieta do brasileiro, devido às características nutricionais apresentadas neste estudo.