Evaluation of Asian salted noodles in the presence of Amaranthus betacyanin pigments

Betalain plant sources, biosynthesis, extraction, stability enhancement methods, bioactivity, and applications

Betalains are plant pigments with functional properties used mainly as food dyes. However, they have been shown to be unstable to different environmental factors. This paper provides a review of (1) Betalain plant sources within several plant families such as Amaranthaceae, Basellaceae, Cactaceae, Portulacaceae, and Nyctaginaceae, (2) The biosynthesis pathway of betalains for both betacyanins and betaxanthins, (3) Betalain extraction process, including non-conventional technologies like microwave-assisted, ultrasound-assisted, and pulsed electrical field extraction, (4) Factors affecting their stability, mainly temperature, water activity, light incidence, as well as oxygen concentration, metals, and the presence of antioxidants, as well as activation energy as a mean to assess stability, and novel food-processing technologies able to prevent betalain degradation, (5) Methods to increase shelf life, mainly encapsulation by spray drying, freeze-drying, double emulsions, ionic gelation, nanoliposomes, hydrogels, co-crystallization, and unexplored methods such as complex coacervation and electrospraying, (6) Biological properties of betalains such as their antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antitumoral, and anti-inflammatory activities, among others, and (7) Applications in foods and other products such as cosmetics, textiles and solar cells, among others. Additionally, study perspectives for further research are provided for each section.

Data on assessment of flours from advanced genotypes and improved cassava varieties for industrial applications

The data presented in this article are related to the research paper “Physicochemical parameters and functional properties of flours from advanced genotypes and improved cassava varieties for industrial applications” [1]. The genotypes were collected from a multi-location (Uniform yield Trial) trial of the IITA breeding program in Malawi. The data were obtained using multiple analytical techniques and methodology such as oven-drying, sieving, colorimetry, titration, acid hydrolysis method, the Kjeldahl procedure, UV/VIS spectrophotometry, and centrifugation.The data set contains physicochemical parameters described dry matter (on fresh weight basis), moisture content, pH and total titratable acidy, the content of ash, bulk density; chemical properties were described by total cyanogen potential, total starch, amylose, amylopectin, crude protein and total carbohydrates; functional properties were described by swelling power, water solubility, water binding capacity and oil absorption capacity. The presented data are valuable for cassava breeders, food scientists, nutritionists, and other researchers working on breeding and processing cassava for innovative product development from cassava flour.

Microstructural, Textural, Sensory Properties and Quality of Wheat-Yam Composite Flour Noodles

Herein, feasibility of supplementing wheat flour with Chinese yam powder (CYP) for noodle preparation was assessed. After supplementation with CYP, the alterations in chemical, texture, cooking, rheological, and microstructure attributes of noodles were observed. Due to higher protein and lower gluten, 20% of CYP promoted the stable network of gluten and starch particles. However, the excessive addition reduced the flexibility and the chewiness. The adverse changes were observed at 40% substitution level in texture profile analysis (TPA) and rheological parameters due to disrupted gluten–protein network which accelerated the exposure of starch particles. The CYP incorporation up to 20% showed better mouthfeel but further addition lowered the total sensory scores. Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed the modifications in noodles microstructure as CYP addition affected starch granule structure. In general, 30% substitution significantly improved the textural and rheological properties of noodles, indicating the potential of Chinese yam powder for industrial application.

Effect of extruded adzuki bean flour on the quality and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of Chinese steamed bread

In order to improve the commercial and nutritional quality of Chinese steamed bread (CSB), effect of extruded adzuki bean flour (EABF) substitution (10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) for wheat flour on the quality properties of blended flour and CSB was studied. Results showed that the development time, stability time, and farinograph quality number of blended flours were decreased with EABF addition, although water absorption and softening degree were increased. Pasting properties of them were also degraded with the addition. EABF substitution lowered the lightness and strengthened the hardness of CSB. The sensory evaluation total scores of CSB were both improved with 10% and 20% EABF addition, because slight red color of them was favored by the panelist. Nutritional analysis showed that CSB with 10% and 20% EABF ranked higher protein and essential amino acids content than that of WF-CSB, especially lysine and threonine. Addition of EABF contributed to the superior α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of protein isolated from CSBs. α-Glucosidase inhibition rate of CSB made from EABF (39.88%) was improved nearly five times compared with that of WF. It might be concluded that CSB with addition of 10% and 20% EABF could be used as a nutritional and healthy staple food.

Effects of recombinant lipoxygenase on the rheological properties of dough and the quality of noodles

BACKGROUND

The effects of purified recombinant lipoxygenase (ana-rLOX) on the rheological properties of dough and the quality of noodles made from wheat flour with low protein content (Yanmai 15) were studied.

RESULTS

The addition of ana-rLOX increased dough stability time, decreased the degree of softening within 12 min, enhanced the resistance to extension, and increased the extensibility with 135 min of resting time. The mechanical spectra of the dough showed an increase in both storage modulus (G') and loss modulus (G″) with increasing ana-rLOX levels. The L(*) values of the noodle sheets increased by 2.34 compared with the control after storing for 1 h at room temperature. The textural parameters of noodles improved after ana-rLOX addition, including hardness, gumminess, chewiness and springiness. The wheat flour treated with the ana-rLOX had a higher cooking yield and lower cooking loss for the resulting noodles. The scanning electron microscopy results revealed that gluten was formed in the noodle samples that were treated with ana-rLOX.

CONCLUSION

In this study, ana-rLOX was applied to noodles during the noodle-making process, and both dough rheological characteristics and noodle quality were improved. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of different fertilization treatments on the physicochemical and noodle-making properties of Korean winter wheat cultivars

Changes in the quality of white salted noodles prepared with different types of Korean winter wheat were examined. Crude protein and amylose contents of various wheat cultivars ranged from 7.17 to 9.97 and 24.78 to 29.37%, respectively. The water holding capacities of Jokyung with base N-fertilizer (NF) and Keumkang with 40% increased NF compared with NF at the supplementary manuring (SM) were 95.70 and 70.69%, respectively. The dry gluten content of the Keumkang with 20% increased NF compared with SM at the panicle initiation stage (PS) was 12.5%, and the final viscosities of several cultivars with NF, PS, and SM did not differ. PS treatment increased the thickness of the noodle sheet, and the hardnesses of cooked noodles prepared using Goso, Baekjoong, Younbaek, and Keumkang wheat with PS or SM treatment were increased. The thickness was strongly positively correlated with dry gluten content (DG) and water binding in wet gluten. In order to improve the quality of fresh noodles, wheat flour prepared using Hojung, Goso, and Baekjoong cultivars under PS cultivation condition or wheat flour with higher protein content, DG contents, and WBG should be used.

Mechanical and Sensory Evaluation of Noodles Incorporated with Betel Leaf Extract

Noodles promote health as a source of essential nutrients and fiber. This study evaluated the effects of incorporating various levels of betel leaf extract on the quality and sensory acceptability of Hokkien noodles. Hokkien noodles incorporated with betel leaf extract (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% based on flour weight) were prepared from wheat flour with a moisture content of 14%. The hardness, elongation, adhesiveness, color, and sensory evaluation of the noodles were then determined. Results clearly show that the incorporation of betel leaf extract at various levels led to the structural modification of the noodles and to a soft product compare to the control. However, the product scores in all sensory attributes were higher than the control scores. The sample was incorporated 15% betel leaf extract had the best acceptance quality wherein the beneficial effects of betel leaf polyphenols can be utilized.

Effects of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) on the light and temperature stability of a pigment from Beta vulgaris and its potential food industry applications

A novel, simple and inexpensive modification method using TEOS to increase the UV light, pH and temperature stability of a red-beet-pigment extracted from Beta vulgaris has been proposed. The effects on the molecular structure of betalains were studied by FTIR spectroscopy. The presence of betacyanin was verified by UV-Vis spectroscopy and its degradation in modified red-beet-pigment was evaluated and compared to the unmodified red-beet-pigment; performance improvements of 88.33%, 16.84% and 20.90% for UV light, pH and temperature stability were obtained, respectively,. Measurements of reducing sugars, phenol, and antioxidant contents were performed on unmodified and modified red-beet-pigment and losses of close to 21%, 54% and 36%, respectively, were found to be caused by the addition of TEOS. Polar diagrams of color by unmodified and modified red-beet-pigment in models of a beverage and of a yogurt were obtained and the color is preserved, although here is a small loss in the chromaticity parameter of the modified red-beet-pigment.

Black rice bran as an ingredient in noodles: chemical and functional evaluation

This study examined the feasibility of using black rice bran (BRB) as an ingredient of noodles and evaluated the effect of BRB incorporation in noodles in terms of chemical and functional attributes. Noodles were prepared with BRB as an ingredient at different levels (2%, 5%, 10%, and 15%). Addition of BRB (5%, 10%, and 15%) significantly decreased the cohesiveness of noodles in texture evaluation. Noodles with different levels of BRB were functionally evaluated and content of polyphenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins were improved compared to the control. Additionally, antioxidant activity of BRB noodles was increased compared to the control. BRB can be an excellent ingredient to increase the nutritional value and antioxidant properties of noodles.

Structural identification and bioactivities of red-violet pigments present in Basella alba fruits

Mature Basella alba L. fruit, with dark blue skin and deep red-violet flesh, is a potential source of natural colorants. Its pigment components and bioactivities deserve particular attention and investigation. In this study, fruit flesh was extracted with 80% methanol (containing 0.2% formic acid) and subjected to solid-phase extraction, semipreparative HPLC isolation, mass spectrophotometric analysis, and structural elucidation. The major red pigment was identified as gomphrenin I. Its quantity increased with the increase of fruit maturity. The gomphrenin I extract yield from ripe fruits was 36.1 mg/100 g of fresh weight. In addition to gomphrenin I, betanidin-dihexose and isobetanidin-dihexose were also detected. The antioxidant activities of gomphrenin I determined by Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and antioxidative capacity assays were equivalent to 534 μM Trolox, 103 μM butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), 129 μM ascorbic acid, and 68 μM BHT at 180, 23, 45, and 181 μM, respectively. The anti-inflammatory function was tested at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 μM in murine macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results revealed that gomphrenin I suppressed LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in a dose-dependent manner and decreased PGE(2) and IL-1β secretions at the highest concentration tested. The transcriptional inhibitory activities of gomphrenin I on the expression of inflammatory genes encoding iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 were also observed. It is of merit to identify gomphrenin I as a principal pigment of B. alba fruits and as a potent antioxidant and inflammatory inhibitor. These findings suggest that B. alba fruit is a rich source of betalains and has value-added potential for use in the development of food colorants and nutraceuticals.