Modeling and Optimization of Triticale Wort Production Using an Artificial Neural Network and a Genetic Algorithm.

Triticale grain, a wheat-rye hybrid, has been reported to comply very well with the requirements for modern brewing adjuncts. In this study, two triticale varieties, in both unmalted and malted forms, were investigated at various ratios in the grist, applying different mashing regimes and concentrations of the commercial enzyme Shearzyme® 500 L with the aim of evaluating their impact on wort production. In order to capture the complex relationships between the input (triticale ratio, enzyme ratio, mashing regime, and triticale variety) and output variables (wort extract content, wort viscosity, and free amino nitrogen (FAN) content in wort), the study aimed to implement the use of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to model the mashing process. Also, a genetic algorithm (GA) was integrated to minimize a specified multi-objective function, optimizing the mashing process represented by the ANN model. Among the solutions on the Pareto front, one notable set of solutions was found with objective function values of 0.0949, 0.0131, and 1.6812 for the three conflicting objectives, respectively. These values represent a trade-off that optimally balances the different aspects of the optimization problem. The optimized input variables had values of 23%, 9%, 1, and 3 for the respective input variables of triticale ratio, enzyme ratio, mashing regime, and triticale variety. The results derived from the ANN model, applying the GA-optimized input values, were 8.65% w/w for wort extract content, 1.52 mPa·s for wort viscosity, and 148.32 mg/L for FAN content in wort. Comparatively, the results conducted from the real laboratory mashing were 8.63% w/w for wort extract content, 1.51 mPa·s for wort viscosity, and 148.88 mg/L for FAN content in wort applying same input values. The presented data from the optimization process using the GA and the subsequent experimental verification on the real mashing process have demonstrated the practical applicability of the proposed approach which confirms the potential to enhance the quality and efficiency of triticale wort production.

Effect of Anthocyanin-Enriched Brine on Nutritional, Functional and Sensory Properties of Pickled Baby Corn.

Considering the great potential of black soybean seed coat as a source of bioactive compounds, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of anthocyanin-rich brine from the seed coat on functional properties of pickled baby corn, as well as its sensory properties. Given that the ears of sweet corn, popping corn and semi-flint corn were used for pickling in the pre-pollination phase, the effect of genotype and its growing stage on the chemical composition of Baby corn product was also taken into consideration. The brine of black soybean with a total anthocyanins content of 11,882.9 mg CGE/kg (cyanidin 3-glucoside equivalent) and an antioxidant capacity of 399.5 mmol Trolox Eq/kg determined by QUENCHER method had a positive impact on the functional potential of baby corn products. The content of total anthocyanins in the obtained products ranged from 748.6 to 881.2 mg CGE/kg, the predominant anthocyanin was cyanidin-3-glucoside (184.6 to 247.5 µg/g), while their colour was red. Compared to the commercial sample, baby corn products pickled in the enriched solution had a 26% to 46% and 17% to 26% higher content of total free phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity, respectively. Contrarily, the control sample had higher sugar and fibre content. As established, pickled popping corn had the best sensory properties.

Risk assessment of dietary exposure to aflatoxin B1 in Serbia.

Classified as Group 1 carcinogens aflatoxins (AFs) are of major concern for food safety and public health. Within the AFs group, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) occurs at the highest levels in different food products and is considered as the most potent representative. A total of 463 samples of products susceptible to contamination with AFB1 and commonly consumed in Serbia were collected and analyzed. Consumption surveys were performed using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and 24-h recall-based method. Monte Carlo simulation of 100,000 iterations was performed to estimate the intake of AFB1 through each food category, while a simple distribution approach was performed to estimate overall exposure of tested population groups. Risk characterization was performed by calculation of the Margin of Exposure (MOE) and by calculation of the number of possible hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases. The highest exposure was observed in children with the mean overall estimated daily intake (EDI) in the range of 0.79-1.10 and 1.20-1.66 ng kg-1 bw day-1, followed by adolescents 0.56-0.81 and 0.94-1.32 ng kg-1 bw day-1, adult females 0.52-0.72 and 0.56-0.76 ng kg-1 bw day-1 and adult males with the mean overall EDI in the range of 0.39-0.56 and 0.47-0.66 ng kg-1 bw day-1 depending on consumption survey method and for the lower (LB) and upper bound (UB) scenario. MOE values that resulted from the mean values of the overall EDI of AFB1 were low, indicating high concern for all population groups. Based on obtained mean values of the overall EDI higher estimates of possible HCC cases caused by exposure to AFB1 were in the range of 0.01-0.02 cases/year/105 individuals, depending on the population group.

Chemical composition, antiproliferative and antioxidant activity of differently processed Ganoderma lucidum ethanol extracts.

The content of phenolic compounds (TPC) and glucans, as well as the effectiveness of antiproliferative and antioxidant activity of differently processed Ganoderma lucidum ethanol extracts were determined and compared. The content of glucans (total, α- and ß-) strongly depended on the extraction time and particle size, but only interaction of these parameters influenced the TPC. Gallic acid, quercetin, trans-cinnamic acid, kaempferol, hesperetin and naringenin were detected in extracts by HPLC-DAD. The most abundant phenols were hesperetin (1.875-3.222 µg/g) and naringenin (1.235-2.856 µg/g). The ethanol extracts exhibited noteworthy antioxidant activity, but the significant amount of phenolic compounds was strongly linked to polysaccharides, and hence reduced their antioxidant capacity. The results of the antiproliferative activity in vitro showed that the analyzed extracts were the most effective against HeLa cells. Significant correlations were observed between the antiproliferative effect and the TPC/glucan content of extracts.