Protein composition of pulses and their protein isolates from different sources and in different isolation pH values using a reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography method.

The objective of this study was to compare the composition of pulse proteins isolated from lentils and green and yellow peas at two isolation pH values (9 and 11) and determine the effect of this variability on protein functionality. Chromatogram peaks obtained from reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography were identified by isolation of albumin-, vicilin- and legumin-rich fractions for the three pulses. Protein composition was obtained for each isolate and compared against that of the originating pulse flour. Lentil flour showed the highest level of vicilin with a vicilin/legumin ratio of âˆ¼ 2.5, while this ratio was 1.3 and 1.2 for green and yellow pea flour, respectively. Albumin content of yellow pea flour was high (∼36.1 %), which reduced to âˆ¼ 15-19 % in isolated proteins showing a loss in albumins during the isolation. Higher extraction pH increased pea protein yield but led to lower protein solubility with no changes in foaming properties and in-vitro digestibility.

Manipulation of pantothenate kinase in Anopheles stephensi suppresses pantothenate levels with minimal impacts on mosquito fitness.

Pantothenate (Pan) is an essential nutrient required by both the mosquito vector and malaria parasite. We previously demonstrated that increasing pantothenate kinase (PanK) activity and co-enzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis led to significantly decreased parasite infection prevalence and intensity in the malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi. In this study, we demonstrate that Pan stores in A. stephensi are a limited resource and that manipulation of PanK levels or activity, via small molecule modulators of PanK or transgenic mosquitoes, leads to the conversion of Pan to CoA and an overall reduction in Pan levels with minimal to no effects on mosquito fitness. Transgenic A. stephensi lines with repressed insulin signaling due to PTEN overexpression or repressed c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling due to MAPK phosphatase 4 (MKP4) overexpression exhibited enhanced PanK levels and significant reductions in Pan relative to non-transgenic controls, with the PTEN line also exhibiting significantly increased CoA levels. Provisioning of the PTEN line with the small molecule PanK modulator PZ-2891 increased CoA levels while provisioning Compound 7 decreased CoA levels, affirming chemical manipulation of mosquito PanK. We assessed effects of these small molecules on A. stephensi lifespan, reproduction and metabolism under optimized laboratory conditions. PZ-2891 and Compound 7 had no impact on A. stephensi survival when delivered via bloodmeal throughout mosquito lifespan. Further, PZ-2891 provisioning had no impact on egg production over the first two reproductive cycles. Finally, PanK manipulation with small molecules was associated with minimal impacts on nutritional stores in A. stephensi mosquitoes under optimized rearing conditions. Together with our previous data demonstrating that PanK activation was associated with significantly increased A. stephensi resistance to Plasmodium falciparum infection, the studies herein demonstrate a lack of fitness costs of mosquito Pan depletion as a basis for a feasible, novel strategy to control parasite infection of anopheline mosquitoes.

Seed to seed variation of proteins of the yellow pea (Pisum sativum L.).

The existing variation among pea protein isolates' functionality limits their application in food formulations. The source and extent of variations among yellow pea protein profiles was assessed in 10 single seeds of two varieties with different size and weight. A new approach was developed to analyze proteins of yellow pea combining three analytical methods of size exclusion chromatography (SEC), reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), and microfluidic SDS-PAGE, to achieve the highest separation resolution. A high variation of protein concentration was observed not only between varieties, but also among seeds of the same variety. Vicilin to legumin ratio was between 2.72-4.19, and 1.70-2.22 among the individual seeds of AC Agassiz and CDC Saffron varieties, respectively. V/L ratio was significantly different among the individual seeds for both varieties. The amount of some protein fractions/subunits were correlated with seeds' size and weight for AC Agassiz, while such correlations were not observed for CDC Saffron.

Nanodelivery systems for d-limonene; techniques and applications.

The d-limonene (DL), a bioactive ingredient in citrus peels, is a monoterpene, volatile, and aromatic flavor which has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties and many health-promoting effects. To protect DL against the harsh conditions during the processing and storage, its entrapment in biocompatible, biodegradable and safe nanodelivery systems can be used. This review highlights recent studies on nanocarries used as delivery systems for DL including polymeric nanoparticles, micelles, nanoliposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, nanosuspensions, and nanoemulsions for DL. Furthermore this review refers to updated information regarding DL bioavailability, release rates as well as applications in functional food products. Safety issues and health risks regarding the consumption of these products also was discussed which opens new horizons in food technology and nutrition with possibilities of commercialization in the near future. Overall, DL encapsulated within nanocarriers are considered safe, meanwhile more studies should be performed regarding the safety issues of nanodelivery of DL. In near future, it is assumed that nanoencapsulated DL will be broadly applied in the food and beverage products, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and perfume industries.

Atmospheric Pressure Cold Plasma Modification of Basil Seed Gum for Fabrication of Edible Film Incorporated with Nanophytosomes of Vitamin D3 and Tannic Acid.

The purpose of this work was to first investigate the impact of cold plasma (CP) treatment, performed at various times (0-30 min), on the characteristics of basil seed gum (BSG), as well as the fabrication of functional edible films with the modified BSG. FT-IR spectra of CP-treated BSG revealed change at 1596 and 1718 cm-1, indicating the formation of carbonyl groups. Both untreated and CP-modified BSG dispersions showed shear-thinning behavior with a higher apparent viscosity for the CP-modified dispersions at studied temperatures. Untreated BSG dispersion and the one treated by CP for 10 min revealed time-independent behavior, while those treated for 20 and 30 min showed a rheopectic behavior. CP-modified BSG dispersion had higher G', G″, and complex viscosity than untreated BSG. Higher contact angle for the CP-modified BSG suggested enhanced hydrophobic nature, while the surface tension was lower compared to the untreated BSG. SEM micrographs revealed an increase in the surface roughness of treated samples. Moreover, modified BSG was successfully used for the preparation of edible film incorporating tannic acid and vitamin D3-loaded nanophytosomes with high stability during storage compared to the free form addition. The stability of encapsulated forms of vitamin D3 and tannic acid was 39.77% and 38.91%, more than that of free forms, respectively. In conclusion, CP is an appropriate technique for modifying the properties of BSG and fabrication of functional edible films.

Eliminating protein interference when quantifying potato reducing sugars with the miniaturized Somogyi-Nelson assay.

Reducing sugar (RS) quantification is essential in the potato industry because RS content plays a vital role in potato quality, acrylamide formation, post-harvest management, and new variety development. A miniaturized Somogyi-Nelson (SN) analysis can effectively and accurately quantify RS. However, soluble proteins in potatoes interfere with SN analysis. Our research goal was to develop an applicable deprotinization procedure without influencing the precision of the SN analysis. Results showed ethanol effectively removed potato proteins and, unlike other chemicals (salts, acids), ethanol did not affect SN accuracy. Protein removal also can be achieved by heating and pH adjustment, but the ethanol-based procedure provides a simpler alternative. RS content measured by the miniaturized SN assay after deproteinization by ethanol was precise and validated by HPAEC-PAD. Data from 118 potao juicies showed that a commonly used biochemical analyzer obtained a lower reducing sugar content than the deprotinization-SN assay because fructose was not identified by the biochemical analyzer. Results demonstrate the reliability of quantifying potato RS with the SN assay following the ethanol-based deproteinization.

Fabrication and characterization of sunflower protein isolate nanoparticles, and their potential for encapsulation and sustainable release of curcumin.

In this research, first, the effects of two desolvating agents (ethanol and methanol) at three temperature values (4, 25, and 50 °C) on the fabrication of sunflower protein isolate (SnPI) nanoparticles were studied using a desolvation method. Second, the ability of the nanoparticles to encapsulate curcumin was investigated. Results showed that ethanol led to smaller nanoparticles compared to methanol as the desolvating agent at 4 and 50 °C. However, at 25 °C, ethanol formed the most uniform nanoparticles with the lowest polydispersity index (0.188 ± 0.091) and particle size of 174.64 ± 30.61 nm. The encapsulation efficiency was in the range of 39.1 to 95.4% according to the fabrication condition and curcumin-to-protein mass ratio. A biphasic trend of curcumin release from nanoparticles was observed; in which, over 50% of curcumin was released from the curcumin-loaded nanoparticles in the first 2 h, which is attributed to the burst effect of the protein matrix.

Mayetiola destructor (Diptera: Cecidmyiidae) host preference and survival on small grains with respect to leaf reflectance and phytohormone concentrations.

The Hessian fly Mayetiola destructor (Diptera: Cecidmyiidae) is a major pest of wheat, globally. We conducted a series of laboratory choice and no-choice assays to quantify Hessian fly host preference for barley (cv. Champion), oat (cv. Cayuse), susceptible (cv. Alturas), and resistant (cv. Hollis) wheat. In addition, larval survivorship and adult emergence were compared among the evaluated host plants. We then examined whether insect preference for a host can be explained by differences in plant spectral reflectance. Further, larval survivorship and adult emergence were compared among host plants in relation to phytohormone concentrations. Hessian flies laid more eggs on wheat compared to either oat or barley. Spectral reflectance measurements of leaves were similar between susceptible and resistant wheat cultivars but different from those of barley and oat. Our results suggested that higher reflectance in the near-infrared range and lower reflectance in the visible range may be used by females for host selection. Hessian fly larvae were unable to develop into the pupal stage on resistant wheat and oat. No significant difference in larval survivorship was detected between the susceptible wheat and barley. However, adult emergence was significantly higher on barley than the susceptible wheat. Phytohormonal evaluations revealed that salicylic acid (SA) may be an important contributor to plant defense response to larval feeding as relatively higher concentrations of SA were present in oat and resistant wheat. While resistance in the resistant wheat is achieved only through antibiosis, both antibiosis and antixenosis were in effect rendering oat as a non-host for Hessian flies.

Interspecific interactions within a vector-borne complex are influenced by a co-occurring pathosystem.

Potato virus Y (PVY) and zebra chip (ZC) disease are major threats to solanaceous crop production in North America. PVY can be spread by aphid vectors and through vegetative propagation in potatoes. ZC is associated with "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" (Lso), which is transmitted by the tomato/potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli Sulc (Hemiptera: Triozidae). As these two pathosystems may co-occur, we studied whether the presence of one virus strain, PVY°, affected the host preference, oviposition, and egg hatch rate of Lso-free or Lso-carrying psyllids in tomato plants. We also examined whether PVY infection influenced Lso transmission success by psyllids, Lso titer and plant chemistry (amino acids, sugars, and phytohormones). Lso-carrying psyllids showed a preference toward healthy hosts, whereas the Lso-free psyllids preferentially settled on the PVY-infected tomatoes. Oviposition of the Lso-carrying psyllids was lower on PVY-infected than healthy tomatoes, but Lso transmission, titer, and psyllid egg hatch were not significantly affected by PVY. The induction of salicylic acid and its related responses, and not nutritional losses, may explain the reduced attractiveness of the PVY-infected host to the Lso-carrying psyllids. Although our study demonstrated that pre-existing PVY infection can reduce oviposition by the Lso-carrying vector, the preference of the Lso-carrying psyllids to settle on healthy hosts could contribute to Lso spread to healthy plants in the presence of PVY infection in a field.

Advances in Nanotechnology as They Pertain to Food and Agriculture: Benefits and Risks.

Nanotechnology is an emerging and rapidly developing toolbox that has novel and unique applications to food science and agriculture. Fast and impressive developments in nanotechnology for food and agriculture have led to new experimental prototype technologies and products. Developing various types of nanodelivery systems, detection tools, nanoscale modifications of bulk or surface properties, fabrication of wide-range bionanosensors, and biodegradable nanoplatforms can potentially improve consumer health and safety, product shelf life and stability, bioavailability, environmental sustainability, efficiency of processing and packaging, and real-time monitoring. Some recently developed nanotechnology techniques and potential product applications of nanotechnology are summarized in this review. Exposure to nanomaterials may be harmful to the consumer and the environment and might increase the potential of risk. For this reason, evaluation of the potential risks resulting from the interaction of nanomaterials with biological systems, humans, and the environment is also reviewed.

Evaluation of thermal stability of confectionary sunflower protein isolate and its effect on nanoparticulation and particle size of the produced nanoparticles.

In this study, the effect of different defatting conditions on heat stability of confectionary sunflower protein isolate (SnPI) and the particle size of the produced nanoparticles was investigated. The evaluated factors included temperatures of defatting (40, 50, and 60 °C), time of defatting (2, 6, and 10 h), and the amount of activated carbon (0, 25, and 50% of sample weight). The results of the central composite design showed a significant effect (P < 0.05) among the studied factors, where denaturation temperature and particle size of SnPI nanoparticles were found to be in the ranges of 75.05-89.12 °C and 268-1594 nm, respectively. Moreover, the interaction of activated carbon with temperature and time of defatting proved to be influential factors for the heat stability of confectionary SnPI.

Effects of Desolvating Agent Types, Ratios, and Temperature on Size and Nanostructure of Nanoparticles from α-Lactalbumin and Ovalbumin.

In this study, we compare the preparation of ovalbumin (OVA) and α-lactalbumin (α-LA) nanoparticles using different desolvating agents (ethanol, acetone, and methanol) and water: desolvating agent volume ratios (1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:10, and 1:20). Also the effects of protein solution temperature (25, 50, and 80 ℃) on the size of nanoparticles and the stability of crosslinked nanoparticles for 30 d were studied. OVA and α-LA were shown to be good candidates for nanoparticulation and nanoparticles in the range of 60 to 230 nm were obtained. The comparison between the 2 proteins offers guidance to optimize OVA and α-LA nanoparticle fabrication and to efficiently obtain nanoparticles with desired characteristics. The particle sizes of OVA nanoparticles were found to be in the range of 60 to 160 nm, and the particle sizes of α-LA were between 150 and 230 nm. The sizes varied with different desolvating agents: for OVA, ethanol, and methanol both produced nanoparticles smaller than 100 nm; for α-LA, methanol produced the smallest nanoparticles. Water: desolvating agent ratios, in the studied range, did not show a significant effect on the particle sizes for both OVA and α-LA nanoparticles. The size and morphology of the nanoparticles were found to change when the protein solutions were heated up to 50 and 80 ℃ and cooled down before nanoparticulation and most nanoparticles had a smaller diameter.