Compositional profiling and bioefficacy studies of pulses-supplemented isocaloric designer biscuits for recently diagnosed diabetic individuals.

This study addresses global concerns about diabetes mellitus by exploring a novel approach to manage hyperglycemia through pulses-supplemented designer biscuits. Control and designer biscuits were prepared with varying proportions of wheat flour and pulses (chickpea, mungbean). The pulses-supplemented biscuits exhibited increased protein content and reduced readily available carbohydrates. Selected designer biscuits, with 12.5 % incorporation of chickpea and mungbean pulse flour, demonstrated significantly lower glycemic index (69.17 ± 5.01) and higher satiety index (122.19 ± 8.85) compared to control biscuits. These showed 13 % less glycemic index and 9 % higher satiety index as compared to control biscuits. A four-week bio-efficacy trial involving diabetic subjects consuming these biscuits as a routine snack resulted in an 11.45 % decrease in fasting blood glucose and a 19.15 % reduction in random blood glucose levels. Insulin and HDL levels also significantly improved. The study concludes that these designer biscuits possess a hypoglycemic effect, offering a potential dietary intervention for managing diabetes.

MicroRNA164e suppresses NAC100 transcription factor-mediated synthesis of seed storage proteins in chickpea.

Development of protein-enriched chickpea varieties necessitates an understanding of specific genes and key regulatory circuits that govern the synthesis of seed storage proteins (SSPs). Here, we demonstrated the novel involvement of Ca-miR164e-CaNAC100 in regulating SSP synthesis in chickpea. Ca-miRNA164e was significantly decreased during seed maturation, especially in high-protein accessions. The miRNA was found to directly target the transactivation conferring C-terminal region of a nuclear-localized transcription factor, CaNAC100 as revealed using RNA ligase-mediated-rapid amplification of cDNA ends and target mimic assays. The functional role of CaNAC100 was demonstrated through seed-specific overexpression (NACOE) resulting in significantly augmented seed protein content (SPC) consequential to increased SSP transcription. Further, NACOE lines displayed conspicuously enhanced seed weight but reduced numbers and yield. Conversely, a downregulation of CaNAC100 and SSP transcripts was evident in seed-specific overexpression lines of Ca-miR164e that culminated in significantly lowered SPC. CaNAC100 was additionally demonstrated to transactivate the SSP-encoding genes by directly binding to their promoters as demonstrated using electrophoretic mobility shift and dual-luciferase reporter assays. Taken together, our study for the first time established a distinct role of CaNAC100 in positively influencing SSP synthesis and its critical regulation by CamiR164e, thereby serving as an understanding that can be utilized for developing SPC-rich chickpea varieties.

Quality and functional properties of bread containing the addition of probiotically fermented Cicer arietinum.

This study aimed to determine the impact of supplementation with probiotically fermented chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) seeds on the quality parameters and functional characteristics of wheat bread. The addition of chickpea seeds caused significant changes in the chemical composition of the control wheat bread. The legume-supplemented products exhibited higher values of a* and b* color parameters and higher hardness after 24 h of storage than the control. The application of fermented or unfermented chickpeas contributed to an increase in total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, iron chelating capacity, and antioxidant properties of the final product. The variant containing unfermented seeds had the highest riboflavin content (29.53 ± 1.11 µg/100 g d.w.), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (227.02 ± 7.29 µmol·L-1 TX/100 g d.w.), and free radical scavenging activity (71.37 ± 1.30 % DPPH inhibition). The results of this preliminary research have practical importance in the production of innovative bakery products with potential properties of functional food.

Comparison of different screening methods for the selection of Ascochyta blight disease on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the second most important edible food grain legume, widely grown all over the world. However, the cultivation and production of chickpea are mainly affected by the Ascochyta blight (AB) disease, which causes losses of up to 100% in areas with high humidity and warm temperature conditions. Various screening methods are used in the selection of chickpea genotypes for resistance to AB disease. These methods are natural field condition (NFC), artificial epidemic field condition (AEC), marker-assisted selection (MAS), and real-time PCR (RT-PCR). The study was conducted with 88 chickpea test genotypes between the 2014 and 2016 growing seasons. The results of the screening were used to sort the genotypes into three categories: susceptible (S), moderately resistant (MR), and resistant (R). Using MAS screening, 13, 21, and 54 chickpea genotypes were identified as S, MR, and R, respectively. For RT-PCR screening, 39 genotypes were S, 31 genotypes were MR, and 18 genotypes were R. In the AEC method for NFC screening, 7, 17, and 64 genotypes were S, MR, and R, while 74 and 6 genotypes were S and MR, and 8 genotypes were R-AB disease. As a result of screening chickpea genotypes for AB disease, it was determined that the most effective method was artificial inoculation (AEC) under field conditions. In the study, Azkan, ICC3996, Tüb-19, and Tüb-82 were determined as resistant within all methods for Pathotype 1.

Unraveling the genetics of heat tolerance in chickpea landraces (Cicer arietinum L.) using genome-wide association studies.

Chickpea, being an important grain legume crop, is often confronted with the adverse effects of high temperatures at the reproductive stage of crop growth, drastically affecting yield and overall productivity. The current study deals with an extensive evaluation of chickpea genotypes, focusing on the traits associated with yield and their response to heat stress. Notably, we observed significant variations for these traits under both normal and high-temperature conditions, forming a robust basis for genetic research and breeding initiatives. Furthermore, the study revealed that yield-related traits exhibited high heritability, suggesting their potential suitability for marker-assisted selection. We carried out single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping using the genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) method for a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Overall, 27 marker-trait associations (MTAs) linked to yield-related traits, among which we identified five common MTAs displaying pleiotropic effects after applying a stringent Bonferroni-corrected p-value threshold of <0.05 [-log10(p) > 4.95] using the BLINK (Bayesian-information and linkage-disequilibrium iteratively nested keyway) model. Through an in-depth in silico analysis of these markers against the CDC Frontier v1 reference genome, we discovered that the majority of the SNPs were located at or in proximity to gene-coding regions. We further explored candidate genes situated near these MTAs, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms governing heat stress tolerance and yield enhancement in chickpeas such as indole-3-acetic acid-amido synthetase GH3.1 with GH3 auxin-responsive promoter and pentatricopeptide repeat-containing protein, etc. The harvest index (HI) trait was associated with marker Ca3:37444451 encoding aspartic proteinase ortholog sequence of Oryza sativa subsp. japonica and Medicago truncatula, which is known for contributing to heat stress tolerance. These identified MTAs and associated candidate genes may serve as valuable assets for breeding programs dedicated to tailoring chickpea varieties resilient to heat stress and climate change.

Processing to improve the sustainability of chickpea as a functional food ingredient.

Chickpea is a field crop that is playing an emerging role in the provision of healthy and sustainable plant-based value-added ingredients for the food and nutraceutical industries. This paper reviews the characteristics of chickpea (composition, health properties and techno-functionality) of the chickpea grain which influence its use as a whole food or an ingredient in formulated food. It covers the exploitation of traditional and emerging food processes for conversion of chickpea into value-added differentiated food ingredients. The influence of processing on composition, health promoting properties and techno-functionality of chickpea are discussed. The opportunities for tailoring chickpea ingredients to facilitate their incorporation in traditional food applications and in the expanding plant-based meat alternative and dairy alternative markets are highlighted. The review includes an assessment of the possible uses of byproducts of chickpea processing, which is necessary for building a more sustainable future for chickpea. Recommendations for future research to build a sustainable chickpea value-added ingredient industry are provided. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Chickpea Sprouts as a Potential Dietary Support in Different Prostate Disorders-A Preliminary In Vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PC) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are common health problems in the aging male population. Due to the unexplored and unconfirmed impact of food containing isoflavones, like sprouts, on the development of the management of BPH and prostate cancer, we decided to extend the knowledge in this area. RESULTS: We have demonstrated for the first time that chickpea sprouts may play an important role in the chemoprevention of prostate disorders. However, attention should be paid to the isoflavone content in the sprouts, as in our study, chickpea sprouts with a moderate concentration of the compounds, harvested in natural light conditions (CA10L) and blue LED light (CA7B), showed the best scores in terms of their potential towards prostate disorders. METHODS: Chickpea seeds were grown in LED chambers. The methanol extracts from sprouts were quantitatively defined using the HPLC system. Experiments such as the determination of PSA, 5-α-reductase, and dihydrotestosterone were performed on PNT2 and LNCaP cells. For anti-inflammatory assays (determination of NO, IL-6, and TNF-alpha release), murine RAW264.7 macrophages were used. CONCLUSIONS: The role of legume products as a diet element should be deeply evaluated for the development of future dietary recommendations for prostate cancer and BPH prevention.

Study on the structural characteristics and emulsifying properties of chickpea protein isolate-citrus pectin conjugates prepared by Maillard reaction.

Chickpea protein isolate (CPI) typically exhibits limited emulsifying properties under various food processing conditions, including pH variations, different salt concentrations, and elevated temperatures, which limits its applications in the food industry. In this study, CPI-citrus pectin (CP) conjugates were prepared through the Maillard reaction to investigate the influence of various CP concentrations on the structural and emulsifying properties of CPI. With the CPI/CP ratio of 1:2, the degree of graft reached 35.54 %, indicating the successful covalent binding between CPI and CP. FT-IR and intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy analyses revealed alterations in the secondary and tertiary structures of CPI after glycosylation modification. The solubility of CPI increased from 81.39 % to 89.59 % after glycosylation. Moreover, freshly prepared CPI emulsions showed an increase in interfacial protein adsorption (70.33 % to 92.71 %), a reduction in particle size (5.33 µm to 1.49 µm), and a decrease in zeta-potential (-34.9 mV to -52.5 mV). Simultaneously, the long-term stability of the emulsions was assessed by employing a LUMiSizer stability analyzer. Furthermore, emulsions prepared with CPI:CP 1:2 exhibited excellent stability under various environmental stressors. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate that the glycosylation is a valuable approach to improve the emulsifying properties of CPI.

Mass Spectrometry Characterization of the SDS-PAGE Protein Profile of Legumins and Vicilins from Chickpea Seed.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seed proteins show a lot of functional properties leading this legume to be an interesting component for the development of protein-enriched foods. However, both the in-depth proteomic investigation and structural characterization of chickpea seed proteins are still lacking. In this paper a detailed characterization of chickpea seed protein fraction by means of SDS-PAGE, in-gel protein digestion, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and database searching is reported. Through this approach, twenty SDS gel bands were cut and analyzed. While the majority of the bands and the identified peptides were related to vicilin and legumin storage proteins, metabolic functional proteins were also detected. Legumins, as expected, were revealed at 45-65 kDa, as whole subunits with the α- and ß-chains linked together by a disulphide bond, but also at lower mass ranges (α- and ß-chains migrating alone). Similarly, but not expected, the vicilins were also spread along the mass region between 65 and 23 kDa, with some of them being identified in several bands. An MS structural characterization allowed to determine that, although chickpea vicilins were always described as proteins lacking cysteine residues, they contain this amino acid residue. Moreover, similar to legumins, these storage proteins are firstly synthesized as pre-propolypeptides (Mr 50-80 kDa) that may undergo proteolytic steps that not only cut the signal peptides but also produce different subunits with lower molecular masses. Overall, about 360 different proteins specific of the Cicer arietinum L. species were identified and characterized, a result that, up to the current date, represents the most detailed description of the seed proteome of this legume.

Nutritional composition and staling properties of gluten-free bread-added fermented acorn flour.

The present study aimed to improve the nutritional quality of gluten-free bread with the addition of acorn flour and to determine the characteristics of the final product. Formulations were adjusted with separately non-fermented and two different fermented acorn flours at different levels (0, 15, 30, and 45%). The breads were assessed in terms of their chemical and physical properties, and their staling characterization was also estimated. Results showed that the fermentation of acorn flour before adding it to the formulation affected some chemical properties, and the addition of increasing amounts of acorn flour generally had a positive effect on the chemical composition. Furthermore, the highest protein, total phenolic content, Ca, K, Mg, Mn, and Fe values were obtained from breads, including fermented acorn flour with chickpea yeast (FAC). However, compared to non-fermented acorn flour (AF), FAC and fermented acorn flour without chickpea yeast (FA) addition caused decreases in weight and volume of breads. Both crust L* and crumb L* values showed a significant reduction with increased acorn addition levels (from 71.88 and 77.22 to 42.26 and 41.15, respectively). The highest initial and final hardness values (T 0 and T ∞) were observed with FAC-added samples, and Avrami exponent n was higher than 1 for only FAC-added breads. Although fermented acorn addition had positive effects on the nutritional profile of breads, the sensory properties of the samples were negatively affected.

Genome-wide association study reveals SNP markers controlling drought tolerance and related agronomic traits in chickpea across multiple environments.

Chickpea, renowned for its exceptional nutritional value, stands as a crucial crop, serving as a dietary staple in various parts of the world. However, its productivity faces a significant challenge in the form of drought stress. This challenge highlights the urgent need to find genetic markers linked to drought tolerance for effective breeding programs. The primary objective of this study is to identify genetic markers associated with drought tolerance to facilitate effective breeding programs. To address this, we cultivated 185 chickpea accessions in two distinct locations in Lebanon over a two-year period, subjecting them to both irrigated and rain-fed environments. We assessed 11 drought-linked traits, including morphology, growth, yield, and tolerance score. SNP genotyping revealed 1344 variable SNP markers distributed across the chickpea genome. Genetic diversity across populations originating from diverse geographic locations was unveiled by the PCA, clustering, and structure analysis indicating that these genotypes have descend from five or four distinct ancestors. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) revealed several marker trait associations (MTAs) associated with the traits evaluated. Within the rainfed conditions, 11 significant markers were identified, each associated with distinct chickpea traits. Another set of 11 markers exhibited associations in both rainfed and irrigated environments, reflecting shared genetic determinants across these conditions for the same trait. The analysis of linkage disequilibrium (LD) highlighted two genomic regions with notably strong LD, suggesting significant interconnections among several investigated traits. This was further investigated by the correlation between major markers associated with these traits. Gene annotation of the identified markers has unveiled insights into 28 potential genes that play a role in influencing various chickpea drought-linked traits. These traits encompass crucial aspects such as blooming organ development, plant growth, seed weight, starch metabolism, drought regulation, and height index. Among the identified genes are CPN60-2, hsp70, GDSL(GELP), AHL16, NAT3, FAB1B, bZIP, and GL21. These genes collectively contribute to the multifaceted response of chickpea plants to drought stress. Our identified genetic factors exert their influence in both irrigated and rainfed environments, emphasizing their importance in shaping chickpea characteristics.

Evaluation of different Kabuli chickpea genotypes against Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in relation to biotic and abiotic factors.

Background: The chickpea pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) is a significant insect pest of chickpea crops, causing substantial global losses. Methods: Field experiments were conducted in Central Punjab, Pakistan, to investigate the impact of biotic and abiotic factors on pod borer population dynamics and infestation in nine kabuli chickpea genotypes during two cropping seasons (2020-2021 and 2021-2022). The crops were sown in November in both years, with row-to-row and plant-to-plant distances of 30 and 15 cm, respectively, following a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Results: Results showed a significant difference among the tested genotypes in trichome density, pod wall thickness, and leaf chlorophyll contents. Significantly lower larval population (0.85 and 1.10 larvae per plant) and percent damage (10.65% and 14.25%) were observed in genotype Noor-2019 during 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, respectively. Pod trichome density, pod wall thickness, and chlorophyll content of leaves also showed significant variation among the tested genotypes. Pod trichome density and pod wall thickness correlated negatively with larval infestation, while chlorophyll content in leaves showed a positive correlation. Additionally, the larval population positively correlated with minimum and maximum temperatures, while relative humidity negatively correlated with the larval population. Study results explore natural enemies as potential biological control agents and reduce reliance on chemical pesticides.

Influence of dual succinylation and ultrasonication modification on the amino acid content, structural and functional properties of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) protein concentrate.

Chickpea protein, a valuable plant-based source, offers versatile applications, yet the impact of modifications like succinylation and ultrasonication on its properties remains unclear. This study explored dual succinylation and ultrasonication modification to enhance its functionality and application. Modified chickpea protein with a degree of succinylation of 96.75 %, showed enhanced water holding capacity 39.83 %, oil holding capacity 54.02 %, solubility 7.20 %, and emulsifying capacity 23.17 %, compared to native protein. Despite reduced amino acid content (64.50 %), particularly lysine, succinylation increased sulfhydryl by 1.74 %, reducing hydrophobicity (Ho) by 41.87 % and causing structural changes. Ultrasonication further reduced particle size by 82.57 % and increased zeta potential and amino acid content (57.47 %). The dual-modified protein exhibited a non-significant increase in antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (25.93 ± 1.36 mm) compared to the native protein (25.28 ± 1.05 mm). In conclusion, succinylation combined with ultrasonication offers a promising strategy to enhance chickpea protein's physicochemical properties for diverse applications.

Delineation of genes for a major QTL governing heat stress tolerance in chickpea.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is a cool season grain legume experiencing severe yield loss during heat stress due to the intensifying climate changes and its associated gradual increase of mean temperature. Hence, understanding the genetic architecture regulating heat stress tolerance has emerged as an important trait to be addressed for enhancing yield and productivity of chickpea under heat stress. The present study is intended to identify the major genomic region(s) governing heat stress tolerance in chickpea. For this, an integrated genomics-assisted breeding strategy involving NGS-based high-resolution QTL-seq assay, QTL region-specific association analysis and molecular haplotyping was deployed in a population of 206 mapping individuals and a diversity panel of 217 germplasm accessions of chickpea. This combinatorial strategy delineated a major 156.8 kb QTL genomic region, which was subsequently narrowed-down to a functional candidate gene CaHSFA5 and its natural alleles associated strongly with heat stress tolerance in chickpea. Superior natural alleles and haplotypes delineated from the CaHSFA5 gene have functional significance in regulating heat stress tolerance in chickpea. Histochemical staining, interaction studies along with differential expression profiling of CaHSFA5 and ROS scavenging genes suggest a cross talk between CaHSFA5 with ROS homeostasis pertaining to heat stress tolerance in chickpea. Heterologous gene expression followed by heat stress screening further validated the functional significance of CaHSFA5 for heat stress tolerance. The salient outcomes obtained here can have potential to accelerate multiple translational genomic analysis including marker-assisted breeding and gene editing in order to develop high-yielding heat stress tolerant chickpea varieties.

Carboxymethyl chitosan-N-alkylimine derivatives: Synthesis, characterization and use for preservation of symbiotic biofertilizer bacteria on chickpea seeds.

A series of carboxymethyl chitosan-N-alkylimine derivatives with side chain length of 4 to 10 carbons (CMCS-n, n = 4, 6, 8, 10) was prepared in a one-step solvent-free synthesis using Schiff base chemistry. The modified polysaccharides were characterized by their spectral, thermal and physical properties. The prepared polymers demonstrated an ability to spontaneous self-assembly with a clear correlation between critical aggregation concentration and the chain length of the alkyl substituent. N-alkylimine-CMCS derivatives were found to deliver hydrophobic (curcumin) and hydrophilic (ascorbic acid) active agents in unfavorable environments of water and oil, respectively. Then, N-alkylimine-CMCS derivatives were used as a platform for the delivery of symbiotic gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis CJ onto chickpea seeds. These bacteria demonstrated a significantly higher survival rate (106 CFU/mL) in dried CMCS-6 derivative film than in other films tested. The seeds treated with N-alkylimine-CMCS coatings that contained B. subtilis CJ demonstrated up to 100-fold increase of this bacterial population on the seedlings in comparison to the pristine CMCS.

Fusarium wilt pandemic: current understanding and molecular perspectives.

Plant diseases pose a severe threat to the food security of the global human population. One such disease is Fusarium wilt, which affects many plant species and causes up to 100% yield losses. Fusarium pathogen has high variability in its genetic constitution; therefore, it has evolved into different physiological races to infect different plant species spread across the different geographical regions of the world. The pathogen mainly affects plant roots, leading to colonizing and blocking vascular bundle cells, specifically xylem vessels. This blocking results in chlorosis, vascular discoloration, leaf wilting, shortening of plant, and, in severe cases, premature plant death. Due to the soil-borne nature of the wilt pathogen, neither agronomic nor plant protection measures effectively reduce the incidence of the disease. Therefore, the most cost-effective management strategy for Fusarium wilt is developing varieties resistant to a particular race of the fungus wilt prevalent in a given region. This strategy requires understanding the pathogen, its disease cycle, and epidemiology with climate-changing scenarios. Hence, in the review, we will discuss the pathogenic aspect and genetics of the Fusarium wilt, including molecular interventions for developing climate-smart wilt tolerant/resistant varieties of crops. Overall, this review will add to our knowledge for advancing the breeding of resistance against the wilt pandemic.

Chickpea: Its Origin, Distribution, Nutrition, Benefits, Breeding, and Symbiotic Relationship with Mesorhizobium Species.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), encompassing the desi and kabuli varieties, is a beloved pulse crop globally. Its cultivation spans over fifty countries, from the Indian subcontinent and southern Europe to the Middle East, North Africa, the Americas, Australia, and China. With a rich composition of carbohydrates and protein, constituting 80% of its dry seed mass, chickpea is also touted for its numerous health benefits, earning it the title of a 'functional food'. In the past two decades, research has extensively explored the rhizobial diversity associated with chickpea and its breeding in various countries across Europe, Asia, and Oceania, aiming to understand its impact on the sustainable yield and quality of chickpea crops. To date, four notable species of Mesorhizobium-M. ciceri, M. mediterraneum, M. muleiense, and M. wenxiniae-have been reported, originally isolated from chickpea root nodules. Other species, such as M. amorphae, M. loti, M. tianshanense, M. oportunistum, M. abyssinicae, and M. shonense, have been identified as potential symbionts of chickpea, possibly acquiring symbiotic genes through lateral gene transfer. While M. ciceri and M. mediterraneum are widely distributed and studied across chickpea-growing regions, they remain absent in China, where M. muleiense and M. wenxiniae are the sole rhizobial species associated with chickpea. The geographic distribution of chickpea rhizobia is believed to be influenced by factors such as genetic characteristics, competitiveness, evolutionary adaptation to local soil conditions, and compatibility with native soil microbes. Inoculating chickpea with suitable rhizobial strains is crucial when introducing the crop to new regions lacking indigenous chickpea rhizobia. The introduction of a novel chickpea variety, coupled with the effective use of rhizobia for inoculation, offers the potential not only to boost the yield and seed quality of chickpeas, but also to enhance crop productivity within rotation and intercropped systems involving chickpea and other crops. Consequently, this advancement holds the promise to drive forward the cause of sustainable agriculture on a global scale.

Efficient Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Marker-Assisted Selection to Fusarium Wilt in Chickpea.

Fusarium wilt is one of the most destructive chickpea diseases worldwide. Race 5 (Foc5) is the most harmful in the Mediterranean basin. The primary objective of this study is to validate a block of six SNP markers previously mapped in Ca2 in a diverse panel of cultivars, advanced and inbred lines phenotyped for resistance to fusarium wilt. Additionally, we aim to assess the effectiveness of using these markers in the selection of resistant Foc5 lines in an ongoing breeding program. The results showed a 100% coincidence between phenotype and expected haplotype in plant material evaluated for Foc5. We also analyzed 67 inbred lines previously phenotyped by different authors for fusarium wilt reaction, though the specific race was not specified. In these accessions, 65.8% of the analyzed lines exhibited complete correspondence between the phenotype and haplotype. Our results suggest that in early generations it is possible to select resistant materials with reliability, leading to the removal of a significant number of lines, thereby reducing costs and facilitating the handling of materials for additional trait evaluations. Functional annotation of genes delimited by the SNP block revealed several genes in the "response to stimulus" category with potential roles in the resistance reaction.

Non-Destructive Assessment of Microstructural Changes in Kabuli Chickpeas during Storage.

The potential of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and synchrotron phase-contrast micro computed tomography (SR-µCT) was evaluated to determine changes in chickpea quality during storage. Chickpea samples were stored for 16 wk at different combinations of moisture contents (MC of 9%, 11%, 13%, and 15% wet basis) and temperatures (10 °C, 20 °C, and 30 °C). Hyperspectral imaging was utilized to investigate the overall quality deterioration, and SR-µCT was used to study the microstructural changes during storage. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) were used as multivariate data analysis approaches for HSI data. Principal component analysis successfully grouped the samples based on relative humidity (RH) and storage temperatures, and the PLS-DA classification also resulted in reliable accuracy (between 80 and 99%) for RH-based and temperature-based classification. The SR-µCT results revealed that microstructural changes in kernels (9% and 15% MC) were dominant at higher temperatures (above 20 °C) as compared to lower temperatures (10 °C) during storage due to accelerated spoilage at higher temperatures (above 20 °C). Chickpeas which had internal irregularities like cracked endosperm and air spaces before storage were spoiled at lower moisture from 8 wk of storage.

Influence of germination on the bioactivity, structural, functional and volatile characteristics of different chickpea flours.

In this paper, the objective was to evaluated the impact of germination of chickpea cultivars (Muying1, Y2-514 and YZ-364) on the bioactivity, volatiles and functional properties. The results showed that the Vitamin C content of Muying1, Y2-514 and YZ-364 after germination significantly increased (p < 0.05). Moreover, the germination also caused a significant decrease in lower transition temperatures and enthalpy values in chickpea flours (p < 0.05). After germination treatment, ß-sheet and random coils in protein secondary structures increased and ß-turn decreased in YZ-364; α-helix, ß-sheet and random coil in Y2-514 and Muying1 decreased, while ß-turn increased. The germination significantly enhanced the functional properties of three chickpea flours (p < 0.05). It was proved that the germination significantly enhanced the total phenolic and flavonoids content, antioxidant activity and in vitro protein digestibility. The GC-IMS revealed that the germination could affect the contents of volatile compounds of chickpea flours.