Antinutritional factors and hypocholesterolemic effect of wild apricot kernel (Prunus armeniaca L.) as affected by detoxification.

The present investigation was aimed to study the effect of detoxification on the nutrients and antinutrients of wild apricot kernel followed by its hypocholesterolemic effect in male Wistar albino rats. The results revealed a non-significant (p > 0.05) effect of detoxification on the proximate composition except total carbohydrates and protein content. However, detoxification led to a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in l-ascorbic acid (76.82%), ß-carotene (25.90%), dietary fiber constituents (10.51-28.92%), minerals (4.76-31.08%) and antinutritional factors (23.92-77.05%) (phenolics, tannins, trypsin inhibitor activity, saponins, phytic acid, alkaloids, flavonoids, oxalates) along with the complete removal (100%) of bitter and potentially toxic hydrocyanic acid (HCN). The quality parameters of kernel oil indicated no adverse effects of detoxification on free fatty acids, lipase activity, acid value and peroxide value, which remained well below the maximum permissible limit. Blood lipid profile demonstrated that the detoxified apricot kernel group exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) increased levels of HDL-cholesterol (48.79%) and triglycerides (15.09%), and decreased levels of total blood cholesterol (6.99%), LDL-C (22.95%) and VLDL-C (7.90%) compared to that of the raw (untreated) kernel group. Overall, it can be concluded that wild apricot kernel flour could be detoxified efficiently by employing a simple, safe, domestic and cost-effective method, which further has the potential for formulating protein supplements and value-added food products.

Nutritional and chemical evaluation of raw seeds of Canavalia gladiata (Jacq) DC. and C. ensiformis DC: the under utilized food and fodder crops in India.

In India, the seeds of Canavalia gladiata and C. ensiformis have traditionally been eaten by the aborigines, but they are less popular among the civilized people. The data on the chemical composition and nutritional quality of these seeds are not readily available. The proximate composition, mineral composition, the contents of total (true) proteins, seed protein fractions, profile of seed protein amino acids and certain antinutritional factors were analysed and reported in the present study. The seeds of C. ensiformis contain more crude protein, crude lipid and minerals like Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe and Mn than does C. gladiata. Both albumins and globulins together constitute the major bulk of seed proteins. In both the species of Canavalia investigated, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, isoleucine + leucine, tyrosine + phenylalanine and lysine are the major amino acids of seed proteins. The presence of certain antinutritional factors (total free phenols, tannins, lectins, L-DOPA, trypsin inhibitor activity) is also reported for both species of Canavalia.

Reactivation mechanisms of thiamine with thermostable factors.

It was observed, in vitro, that the water extract of the fermented-tea customarily chewed by Thai people has a similar thermostable thiamine-inactivating factor to that found in the water extract of fern. It was also observed that the percentage of thiamine disulfide formed from thiamine with some flavones, catechol, pyrogallol, caffeic acid, dihydroxyphenylalanine, and hemin is greater at pH 7.5 than at pH 7.0. With some flavonoids, such as quercetin, rutin, and 6,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone, and pyrogallol, hemin, catechol and caffeic acid at pH 7.5, around 30-100% of thiamine is changed into thiamine disulfide. Water extract of shiitake, okra, coffee, black tea and fukinoto have only weak activities of thermostable thiamine-inactivating factors as a large percentage of thiamine disulfide is formed from thiamine even at pH 7.0. 2-Methyl-4-amino-5-aminomethylpyrimidine was isolated from the reaction mixture of 1 g thiamine with 20 mg catechol (1:0.5 mole) at pH 7.0, 45 degrees C, and identified with the synthesized pyrimidine.