Influence of cooking methods on antinutritional factors, oligosaccharides and protein quality of underutilized legume Macrotyloma uniflorum

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and nutraceutical potential of horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum): A systematic review

Macrotyloma uniflorum is known for being a rich source of protein, fat, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins, and micronutrients. Since ancient times, it has been used as a pulse and traditional remedy in the Himalayan Mountains for curing kidney and bladder stones, bronchitis, asthma, piles, leukoderma, and heart diseases. Horse gram contains bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins, which contribute to its health advantages. These bioactive compounds demonstrated antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, antidiarrheal, and neuroprotective effects. These horse gram products are now considered superfoods and are widely utilized in worldwide cuisines. Horse gram and its crude extracts or fractions have been shown to exhibit a wide range of in vivo and in vitro pharmacological and nutraceutical properties. However, there is currently a scarcity of structure-activity investigations of isolated compounds and mechanistic research on this species. This review demonstrates that horse gram, despite its traditional usage by diverse cultures, has a profusion of bioactive chemicals with a wide range of biological effects that might be employed as biopharmaceuticals and adopted by nutraceutical industries. This study focuses on the thorough phytochemistry, folk medicinal applications, and pharmacological properties of this versatile legume plant. Furthermore, we discussed the value of plants as a source of functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Optimization of microwave parameters to enhance phytochemicals, antioxidants and metabolite profile of de-oiled rice bran

The current study explores the effects of microwave treatment at varying wattage and durations on the phytoconstituents, antioxidant status, anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), and metabolite profiles of de-oiled rice bran. The total phenolics and flavonoids showed both increases and decreases depending on specific microwave parameters, while flavonol content consistently increased across all treated groups compared to the control. The DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant capacity, FRAP, CUPRAC, metal chelating activity, and ascorbic acid content were enhanced in most of the microwaved samples; however, longer microwave exposure at higher wattage led to their reduction. A treatment-specific decrease in ANFs, including condensed tannins, oxalates, and phytates, was observed. HRMS-based untargeted metabolomics identified a diverse range of primary and secondary metabolites, which clustered in a group-specific manner, indicating notable group-wise metabolite variations. Analysis of discriminating metabolites revealed no significant differences in the overall levels of phenolics, flavonoids, vitamins and cofactors, sugars, amino acids, terpenoids, fatty acids, and their derivatives among the treated groups compared to the control; however, several individual metabolites within these metabolite classes differed significantly. These findings suggest that optimized microwaving of de-oiled rice bran can enhance phytochemicals and antioxidants while improving the metabolite profile.

The role of duel hydrolysis of soybean on functional properties and protein digestibility: a sustainable approach

Background

Protein hydrolysates derived from food sources contains enormous number of peptides which are composed of amino acid possessess various bioactive properties. However, the use of protein hydrolysates as a nutraceutical is hindered due to their unpleasant flavour. The study aims to enhance the biological activity and palatability of protein hydrolysates.

Methodology

In the present study, soybean protein hydrolysate (SPH) was prepared using alcalase for 4 h (control). Modification of hydrolysis (MPH) was carried out by reiterating the hydrolysis of the supernatant obtained after 2 h of hydrolysis using an enzyme to 50% of alcalase during each successive hydrolysis. Samples were characterised by their physio-chemical and functional properties. Furthermore, the effect of modification on the protein digestibility and bitterness intensity using e-tongue was studied. The suppressive effect on retrogradation of corn starch was analysed using texture profile analysis.

Results

The results demonstrated increased protein content by 1.6 and 1.9% in MPH compared to SPH and UNH, respectively. MPH showed 1.5- and 1.6-fold higher DH% than SPH before and after gastrointestinal digestion (p < 0.05). A decrease in molecular weight was found in the order of UNH > SPH > MPH. Nevertheless, MPH displayed significantly higher functional properties (p ≤ 0.05). The hardness of retrograded corn starch was significantly reduced in the MPH (1.21N) than SPH (1.55 N) and UNH (1.81N) compared to control (1.71N) during 7-day storage at 4°C (p ≤ 0.05). E-tongue analysis of MPH showed a 4-fold reduction in bitterness than SPH.

Conclusion

Modification of hydrolysis of soybean has demonstrated its significance in improved DH% functional properties and palatability. In addition, improved protein digestibility with promising benefits in deferral action on retrogradation of starch over the traditional process of hydrolysis was observed. The outcome of this study contributes to the potential utilisation of MPH as an ingredient in the formulation of nutraceutical products.

Microwave irradiation of guar seed flour: Effect on anti-nutritional factors, phytochemicals, in vitro protein digestibility, thermo-pasting, structural, and functional attributes

Guar seed flour (GSF) has a high amount of carbohydrates, proteins, phytochemicals, and anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), which limits its use. To address this issue, the current study was undertaken to understand the effect of microwave (MW) irradiation on ANFs, phytochemicals, in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), and functional attributes of GSF at varying power density (Pd: 1-3 W/g) and duration (3-9 min). The ANFs were determined using a colorimetric assay and a Fourier transform infrared spectrum. At 3 Pd-9 min, the maximum reduction in ANFs (tannin, phytic acid, saponin, and trypsin inhibitor activity) was observed. Higher Pd and treatment duration increased antioxidant activity and total phenolic content, except for total flavonoid content. Furthermore, compared to the control sample (78.38%), the IVPD of the GSF samples increased to 3.28% (3 Pd-9 min). An increase in Pd and duration of MW treatment improved the thermal and pasting properties of GSF samples up to 2 Pd-9 min. Due to inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonding degradation, the relative crystallinity of the 3 Pd-9 min treated GSF sample was 30.58%, which was lower than that of the control (40.08%). In MW-treated samples, SEM images revealed smaller clusters with rough and porous structures. However, no noticeable color (ΔE) changes were observed in MW-treated samples. Aside from water absorption capacity and water solubility index, MW treatment reduced oil absorption capacity, foaming capacity, and emulsifying capacity. As demonstrated by principal component analysis, MW irradiation with moderate Pd (2-3) was more effective in reducing ANFs, retaining nutritional contents, and improving the digestible properties of GSF, which could be a potential ingredient for developing gluten-free products.

Atmospheric cold plasma induced nutritional & anti-nutritional, molecular modifications and in-vitro protein digestibility of guar seed (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) flour

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of atmospheric cold plasma treatment on the nutritional, anti-nutritional, functional, morphological, and digestibility of guar seed (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) flour. Here, guar seed flour was kept inside the plasma reactor for 5 to 20 min at different power levels (10 & 20 kV). The cold plasma treatment (CPT) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the carbohydrate (46.87 - 36.81 %), protein (27.15 - 25.88 %), and increased the WAC (1.89 - 2.91 g/g), OAC (1.18 - 2.17 g/g), FC (113 - 186.17 %), and pasting properties of guar seed flour. High-intensity plasma-treated samples (20 kV-20 min) contained lesser tannin, phytic acid, and saponin with reduced the nutritional value. The FTIR spectrum suggested that functional group formation or destruction might have occurred in the plasma-treated samples. Additionally, the crystallinity is reduced with increasing applied voltage or duration. The SEM analysis reveals that CPT resulted in the formation of rough surfaces with highly porous structures. On the other hand, CPT significantly reduced the trypsin inhibitor activity and had a minor impact on in-vitro protein digestibility except for the 20 kV-20 min treated sample. In PCA analysis, 10 kV-15 min treated samples exhibited better nutritional value, functional, and pasting properties with maximum impact of anti-nutritional factors. From the results, it can be concluded that treatment duration rather than the applied voltage plays a significant role in preserving the nutritional content.

Nutritional and pharmacological potentials of orphan legumes: Subfamily faboideae

Legumes are a major food crop in many developing nations. However, orphan or underutilized legumes are domesticated legumes that have valuable properties but are less significant than main legumes due to use and supply restrictions. Compared to other major legumes, they are better suited to harsh soil and climate conditions, and their great tolerance to abiotic environmental circumstances like drought can help to lessen the strains brought on by climate change. Despite this, their economic significance in international markets is relatively minimal. This article is aimed at carrying out a comprehensive review of the nutritional and pharmacological benefits of orphan legumes from eight genera in the sub-family Faboidea, namely Psophocarpus Neck. ex DC., Tylosema (Schweinf.) Torre Hillc., Vigna Savi., Vicia L., Baphia Afzel. ex G. Lodd., Mucuna Adans, Indigofera L. and Macrotyloma (Wight & Arn.) Verdc, and the phytoconstituents that have been isolated and characterized from these plants. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct for articles that have previously reported the relevance of underutilized legumes. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list of threatened species was also conducted for the status of the species. References were scrutinized and citation searches were performed on the study. The review showed that many underutilized legumes have a lot of untapped potential in terms of their nutritional and pharmacological activities. The phytoconstituents from plants in the subfamily Faboideae could serve as lead compounds for drug discovery for the treatment of a variety of disorders, indicating the need to explore these plant species.

Widening the Perspectives for Legume Consumption: The Case of Bioactive Non-nutrients

Legume grains have provided essential nutrients in human diets for centuries, being excellent sources of proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and fibers. They also contain several non-nutrients that historically have been connotated as toxic but that in recent years have been shown to have interesting bioactive properties. The discussion on the role of bioactive non-nutrients is becoming more important due to increasing science-based evidence on their potential antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and anticarcinogenic properties. At a time when legume-based products consumption is being strongly promoted by national governments and health authorities, there is a need to clearly define the recommended levels of such non-nutrients in human diets. However, there is insufficient data determining the ideal amount of non-nutrients in legume grains, which will exert the most positive health benefits. This is aligned with insufficient studies that clearly demonstrate if the positive health effects are due to the presence of specific non-nutrients or a result of a dietary balance. In fact, rather than looking directly at the individual food components, most nutritional epidemiology studies relate disease risk with the food and dietary patterns. The purpose of this perspective paper is to explore different types of non-nutrients present in legume grains, discuss the current evidence on their health benefits, and provide awareness for the need for more studies to define a recommended amount of each compound to identify the best approaches, either to enhance or reduce their levels.