Effect of dehulling and germination on the functional properties of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) flour.

The compositional, bioactive, functional, pasting, and thermal characteristics of native, dehulled, and germinated grass pea flour were examined. Germination significantly improved the protein content and bioactive properties while simultaneously reducing total carbohydrate and fat levels. However, dehulling increased the fat content, foaming, and emulsion properties. Dehulling and germination significantly increased (p < 0.05) the functional properties by improving flowability and cohesiveness. Although processing methods enhance functional properties, the pasting properties of dehulled and germinated flours differ significantly (p < 0.05) from the native flour. The X-ray diffraction patterns indicate a reduction in percentage crystallinity in germinated flours. Overall, the study suggests that the dehulling and germination processes enhanced the quality of grass peas by improving nutritive value and functional attributes.

Structural, physicochemical and functional properties of high-pressure modified white finger millet starch.

The effect of high-pressure processing (HPP) modification (200, 400, and 600 MPa for 10 min) on the physico-chemical, functional, structural, and rheological properties of white finger millet starch (WFMS) was studied. Measured amylose content, water, and oil absorption capacity, alkaline water retention, and pasting temperature increased significantly with the intensity of pressure. All color parameters (L, a, b values, and ΔC) were affected by HPP treatment, and paste clarity of modified starch decreased significantly with an increase in storage time. The samples' least gelation concentration (LGC) is in the range of 8-14 %. An increasing solubility and swelling power are noted, further intensifying at the elevated temperature (90 °C). The structural changes of WFMS were characterized by XRD, SEM, and FTIR spectroscopy. Starch modified at 600 MPa showed a similar pattern as 'B'-type crystalline, and the surfaces of starch deformed because of the gelatinization. Applied pressure of 600 MPa affected the FTIR characteristic bands at 3330, 2358, and 997 cm-1, indicating a lower crystallinity of the HPP-600 modified sample. According to DSC analysis, even at 600 MPa, WFMS is only partially gelatinized. This work provides insights for producing modified WFM starches by a novel physical modification method.

Effect of ultrasound treatment on dehulling efficiency of blackgram.

Present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Power ultrasound, on dehulling efficiency, dhal yield, dehulling loss and total colour difference of black gram using response surface methodology. Nine treatments were performed with variation in ultrasound power 343-525 W and treatment time 1-3.5 h. It was observed that ultrasound treatment significantly improved the dehulling efficiency and dhal yield of the black gram and reduced the dehulling loss. The optimized treatment condition obtained for optimum dehulling yield (75.71%), dhal yield (74.63%) dehulling loss (12.72%), and total colour difference (5.08) was ultrasound power of 513.39 W and exposure time of 2.12 h. Moreover the blackgram pretreated with ultrasound required lesser cooking time when compared to soaked alone sample. The SEM analysis revealed the significant effect of ultrasound on the blackgram kernel which led to uniform cavitation of the surface of the kernel compared to the soaked sample without ultrasound treatment. In food industry blackgram is preprocessed i.e. soaked and cooked to produce various soups, canned products, batter, snack foods etc. Hence ultrasonic treatment can be applied to improve and facilitate a faster dehulling efficiency, with added advantage of increased soaking rate and a decrease in the cooking time for blackgram.