Nutritional and anti-nutritional properties of lentil (Lens culinaris) protein isolates prepared by pilot-scale processing.

Lentil (Lens culinaris) is a high-protein crop with a promising potential as a plant-based protein source for human nutrition. This study investigated nutritional and anti-nutritional properties of whole seed lentil flour (LF) compared to lentil protein isolates (LPIs) prepared in pilot-scale by isoelectric precipitation (LPI-IEP) and ultrafiltration (LPI-UF). Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) profiles showed significant reductions in total galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) contents by 58% and 91% in LPI-IEP and LPI-UF, respectively, compared to LF. Trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) levels based on dry protein mass were lowered by 81% in LPI-IEP and 87% in LPI-UF relative to LF. Depending on the stage of digestion, the in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) of LPIs was improved by 35-53% compared to LF, with both products showing a similar long-term protein digestibility to that of bovine serum albumin (BSA). This work supports the use of purified LPI products as a novel source of high quality protein for food applications.

Past, present and future: The strength of plant-based dairy substitutes based on gluten-free raw materials.

Plant-based foods are gaining popularity and the market is developing fast. This trend is based on several factors, like the change of lifestyle, interest in alternative diets, and the increasing awareness about sustainable production of food and especially proteins. Plant-based dairy substitutes can serve as an option to traditional food products, meeting many of these interests. However, the market is in its infancy and needs to progress. Trends show, that the market will change from being focused on mainly soya, almond and rice-based products, due to their unsustainable farming, and nutritional concerns, like genetic modification and low protein content. The market is likely to shift towards alternative plants to meet consumers' needs and desire for healthy, flavourful and intriguing products. In this regard, the aspect of allergy-free, like gluten-free products gain in importance. Research studies are approaching the nutritional quality of plant-based dairy substitutes, such as improving the protein quality and glycaemic properties. Furthermore, the application of these products or plant proteins as functional ingredients or substitutes for cow's milk in dairy products like cheese and yoghurt are disseminated. However, there is still a need for much more diversified studies in order to overcome stability, textural, nutritional and sensory problems.

Polyol-producing lactic acid bacteria isolated from sourdough and their application to reduce sugar in a quinoa-based milk substitute.

The interest for plant-based dairy substitutes is expanding rapidly and consumers are opting for nutritious and healthy dairy alternatives. The reduction of sugar using different exogenous enzymes in combination with lactic acid fermentation in a quinoa-based milk substitute was explored in this study. Different amylolytic enzymes were used to release sugar from the raw material, which were further metabolised to mannitol, due to fermentation with two heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria. Using these two biotechnological techniques enables the reduction of sugar, while also preserving some of the sweetness. Leuconostoc citreum TR116, and Lactobacillus brevis TR055 were isolated from sourdough. Both strains showed high viable cell counts with L. citreum TR116 > 8.4 and L. brevis TR055 > 9.3 log cfu/mL, and a reduction in pH to 3.7 and 3.5 respectively. When fructose was available, mannitol was produced in conjunction with acetic acid in addition to lactic acid. Due to these processes, the original glucose value was reduced from 50 mmol/100 g to approximately 30 mmol/100 g, which equates to a glucose reduction of 40%. In respect to mannitol production, both strains performed well: L. citreum TR116 showed a conversion factor of 1:1 from fructose to mannitol, while L. brevis TR055 showed a lower yield, with a conversion factor of 1:0.8. Glycaemic load was reduced by more than a third, bringing it down to the low range with a value of about 10. Overall, enzymatic modification in conjunction with mannitol-producing lactic acid bacteria shows great potential for further possible application in the development of nutritious and sugar reduced plant-based milk substitutes.

Impact of protease and amylase treatment on proteins and the product quality of a quinoa-based milk substitute.

Plant proteins are often characterized by low solubilities and impaired functionalities e.g. emulsifying properties. In products like milk substitutes, these protein properties are of great importance to ensure good product quality. In this study proteolytic enzymes were used as a tool to increase protein solubility and alter their properties gently. A plant-based milk substitute based on quinoa was produced and treated with different enzymes. One α-amylase and three commercial proteases were selected: Hitempase 2XP, Profix 100L, Bioprotease N100L, and Flavourzyme 1000L. The protein solubility of the samples was initially low with 48.02% and was improved with the increasing degree of hydrolysis up to a value of 75.82% for Profix. These results were supported by SDS-PAGE and circular dichroism analysis: especially Profix degraded the proteins extensively. Quality characteristics, such as foaming, and emulsifying properties were not influenced considerably by the protease treatment. The results of this study provide an in-depth understanding of the effects of different enzymes in a complex system of a plant-based milk substitute and contribute to the development of protein based products.

Development of novel quinoa-based yoghurt fermented with dextran producer Weissella cibaria MG1.

The aim of this study was to develop a novel beverage fermented with Weissella cibaria MG1 based on aqueous extracts of wholemeal quinoa flour. The protein digestibility of quinoa based-milk was improved by applying complex proteolytic enzymes able to increase protein solubility by 54.58%. The growth and fermentation characteristics of Weissella cibaria MG1, including EPS production at the end of fermentation, were investigated. Fermented wholemeal quinoa milk using MG1 showed high viable cell counts (>109cfu/ml), a pH of 5.16, and significantly higher water holding capacity (WHC, 100%), viscosity (0.57mPas) and exopolysaccharide (EPS) amount (40mg/l) than the chemical acidified control. High EPS (dextran) concentration in quinoa milk caused earlier aggregation because more EPS occupy more space, and the chenopodin were forced to interact with each other. Microstructure observation indicated that the network structures of EPS-protein improve the texture of fermented quinoa milk. Overall, Weissella cibaria MG1 showed satisfactory technology properties and great potential for further possible application in the development of high viscosity fermented quinoa milk.

Evaluation of Physicochemical and Glycaemic Properties of Commercial Plant-Based Milk Substitutes.

The market for plant-based dairy-type products is growing as consumers replace bovine milk in their diet, for medical reasons or as a lifestyle choice. A screening of 17 different commercial plant-based milk substitutes based on different cereals, nuts and legumes was performed, including the evaluation of physicochemical and glycaemic properties. Half of the analysed samples had low or no protein contents (<0.5 %). Only samples based on soya showed considerable high protein contents, matching the value of cow's milk (3.7 %). An in-vitro method was used to predict the glycaemic index. In general, the glycaemic index values ranged from 47 for bovine milk to 64 (almond-based) and up to 100 for rice-based samples. Most of the plant-based milk substitutes were highly unstable with separation rates up to 54.39 %/h. This study demonstrated that nutritional and physicochemical properties of plant-based milk substitutes are strongly dependent on the plant source, processing and fortification. Most products showed low nutritional qualities. Therefore, consumer awareness is important when plant-based milk substitutes are used as an alternative to cow's milk in the diet.

Carboplatin plus paclitaxel therapy after docetaxel in men with metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Docetaxel is considered first-line chemotherapy for patients with metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Carboplatin and paclitaxel have demonstrated activity in CRPC but published data are limited regarding use after docetaxel. METHODS: A retrospective, bi-institutional review was conducted of patients with advanced CRPC treated with carboplatin plus paclitaxel after docetaxel. Therapy was evaluated for tolerability, response, and survival. Endpoints used modified Prostate Cancer Working Group 2 criteria. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were identified from February 2000 to March 2008. Median pretreatment PSA was 130.2 ng/ml [range 0.1-2100]. Sites of metastases included bone (88%), lymph nodes (52%), pelvis (32%), lung (28%), and liver (20%). A median 4.5 cycles of docetaxel [range 1-22] were given with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 12 weeks [range 2-68]. Eighty-eight percent of patients (22/25) were docetaxel-refractory at the initiation of therapy with carboplatin (AUC 4-6) day 1 plus paclitaxel 60-80 mg/m(2) days 1, 8, and 21 recycled every 28 days. Patients received a median of 3.5 cycles [range 1-8] of carboplatin/paclitaxel with a median PFS of 12 weeks [range 2-35]. Sixty-four percent of patients (16/25) achieved ≥ 30% reduction in PSA with a median overall survival of 42 weeks [95% CI 30.6-53.5 weeks]. Grade 3 or 4 adverse hematologic events occurred in 11/25 (44%) patients, with no neutropenic fever or grade 3/4 non-hematologic toxicity. CONCLUSION: Carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy following docetaxel in metastatic CRPC is well tolerated with favorable PSA response rates and survival. This combination is a viable option after progression on docetaxel-based therapy.

A phase I trial of sorafenib plus gemcitabine and capecitabine for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma: New York Cancer Consortium Trial NCI 6981.

OBJECTIVE: To define the safety [dose limiting toxicity (DLT)] and recommended phase II dose of the combination of sorafenib plus gemcitabine and capecitabine for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: In this phase I dose-escalation study, cohorts of 3 to 6 patients with metastatic RCC received sorafenib (200 or 400 mg po BID), gemcitabine (750 or 1000 mg/m(2) intravenous on days 1 and 8), and capecitabine (415 or 622 mg/m(2) po BID days 1-14) every 21 days using a standard 3+3 design. RESULTS: Fifteen patients with advanced RCC (93% with clear cell histology and 87% treatment naive) received treatment. The recommended phase II doses for the combination were sorafenib 200 mg/m(2) BID continuously plus gemcitabine 750 mg/m(2) intravenous days 1 and 8 and capecitabine 415 mg/m(2) BID days 1 to 14, every 21 days. Of the 15 patients, 3 developed dose-limiting hand-foot syndrome during the first 2 cycles; 2 additional DLT's were grade 3 mucositis and transaminase elevation. Four of 14 evaluable patients had a partial response by response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (29%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 8, 58%). Median progression-free survival was 7.5 months (95% CI-0, 18.7), and median overall survival has not been reached at a median follow-up of 28.8 months. The median number of treatment cycles given was 7 (range, 2-38+). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of sorafenib plus gemcitabine and capecitabine is tolerable, but requires attenuation of sorafenib and capecitabine dosing because of the overlapping toxicity of hand-foot syndrome. Antitumor activity was observed leading to an ongoing phase II trial.