Influence of the preparation process on the chemical composition and nutritional value of canned purée of kabuli and Apulian black chickpeas

The role of fermentation with lactic acid bacteria in quality and health effects of plant-based dairy analogues

The modern food industry is undergoing a rapid change with the trend of production of plant-based food products that are more sustainable and have less impact on nature. Plant-based dairy analogues have been increasingly popular due to their suitability for individuals with milk protein allergy or lactose intolerance and those preferring a plant-based diet. Nevertheless, plant-based products still have insufficient nutritional quality, undesirable structure, and earthy, green, and bean-like flavor compared to dairy products. In addition, most plant-based foods contain lesser amounts of essential nutrients, antinutrients limiting the bioavailability of some nutrients, and allergenic proteins. Novel processing technologies can be applied to have a homogeneous and stable structure. On the other hand, fermentation of plant-based matrix with lactic acid bacteria can provide a solution to most of these problems. Additional nutrients can be produced and antinutrients can be degraded by bacterial metabolism, thereby increasing nutritional value. Allergenic proteins can be hydrolyzed reducing their immunoreactivity. In addition, fermentation has been found to reduce undesired flavors and to enhance various bioactivities of plant foods. However, the main challenge in the production of fermented plant-based dairy analogues is to mimic familiar dairy-like flavors by producing the major flavor compounds other than organic acids, yielding a flavor profile similar to those of fermented dairy products. Further studies are required for the improvement of the flavor of fermented plant-based dairy analogues through the selection of special microbial cultures and formulations.

Fatty acid composition and genome-wide associations of a chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) diversity panel for biofortification efforts

Chickpea is a nutritionally dense pulse crop with high levels of protein, carbohydrates, micronutrients and low levels of fats. Chickpea fatty acids are associated with a reduced risk of obesity, blood cholesterol, and cardiovascular diseases in humans. We measured four primary chickpea fatty acids; palmitic acid (PA), linoleic acid (LA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and oleic acid (OA), which are crucial for human health and plant stress responses in a chickpea diversity panel with 256 accessions (Kabuli and desi types). A wide concentration range was found for PA (450.7-912.6 mg/100 g), LA (1605.7-3459.9 mg/100 g), ALA (416.4-864.5 mg/100 g), and OA (1035.5-1907.2 mg/100 g). The percent recommended daily allowances also varied for PA (3.3-6.8%), LA (21.4-46.1%), ALA (34.7-72%), and OA (4.3-7.9%). Weak correlations were found among fatty acids. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted using genotyping-by-sequencing data. Five significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified for PA. Admixture population structure analysis revealed seven subpopulations based on ancestral diversity in this panel. This is the first reported study to characterize fatty acid profiles across a chickpea diversity panel and perform GWAS to detect associations between genetic markers and concentrations of selected fatty acids. These findings demonstrate biofortification of chickpea fatty acids is possible using conventional and genomic breeding techniques, to develop superior cultivars with better fatty acid profiles for improved human health and plant stress responses.

Valorization of Local Legumes and Nuts as Key Components of the Mediterranean Diet

Legumes and nuts are components of high importance in the diet of many countries, mainly those in the Mediterranean region. They are also very versatile and culturally diverse foods found all over the world, acting as a basic protein source in certain countries. Their genetic diversity is needed to sustain the food supply and security for humans and livestock, especially because of the current loss of habitats, species, and genetic diversity worldwide, but also because of the ever present need to feed the increasing human population. Even though both legumes and nuts are considered as high-protein food and environmentally friendly crops, developed countries have lower consumption rates when compared to Asia or Africa. With a view to increasing the consumption of legumes and nuts, the objective of this review is to present the advantages on the use of autochthonous varieties from different countries around the world, thus providing a boost to the local market in the area. The consumption of these varieties could be helped by their use in ready-to-eat foods (RTE), which are now on the rise thanks to today's fast-paced lifestyles and the search for more nutritious and sustainable foods. The versatility of legumes and nuts covers a wide range of possibilities through their use in plant-based dairy analogues, providing alternative-protein and maximal amounts of nutrients and bioactive compounds, potential plant-based flours for bakery and pasta, and added-value traditional RTE meals. For this reason, information about legume and nut nutrition could possibly increase its acceptance with consumers.

Development and Chemical-Sensory Characterization of Chickpeas-Based Beverages Fermented with Selected Starters

Legume protein ingredients are receiving continuous interest for their potential to formulate plant-based dairy analogs. In this study, a legume-based slurry was produced from an Apulian black chickpeas (BCP) protein concentrate and fermented with three starter cultures, Streptococcus thermophilus (ST), a co-culture of ST with Lactococcus lactis (STLL) and a co-culture of ST with Lactobacillus plantarum (STLP). The effect of fermentation on the biochemical, texture and sensorial parameters was evaluated. The same beverage without inoculum was used as a control (CTRL). All the obtained fermented beverages were characterized by high protein (120.00 g kg−1) and low-fat contents (17.12 g kg−1). Fermentation contributed to a decrease in the contents of phytic acid by 10 to 79% and saturated fatty acids by 30 to 43%, with the STLP fermentation exercising the major effect. The three culture starters influenced the texture and sensorial attributes and the profile of the volatile compounds differently. Fermentation increased the lightness, consistency, cohesivity and viscosity of the formulated beverages. On a sensorial level, STLL had a major effect on the acidity, sourness and astringency, while both ST and STLP affected the creaminess, solubility and stickiness. Legumes and grass aromas were masked in LAB-fermented samples, probably due to a new VOC formation. The functional properties of LAB fermentation, along with the high protein content of the black chickpeas concentrate, provide the opportunity to formulate a clean label and safe plant-based fermented beverage with higher nutritional value compared to the others currently found in the market.

Optimization of formulation and physicochemical, nutritional and sensory evaluation of vegan chickpea-based salad dressings

The formulation of a vegan salad dressing supplemented with chickpea flour (VC-SD) was optimized by D-optimal mixture design, evaluating the effect of chickpea flour, water and oil on the textural properties of the product. The linear models showed the best fitting and predictive ability, as highlighted by high R² _adj and Q². The Cox-effects of the textural parameters were significant for water and chickpea flour contents, but not for oil. Sensory evaluation indicated that all the VC-SD were characterized by the predominance of pungent/acid odor notes, whereas sourness was the most perceived fundamental taste, together with a sensation of a grainy texture in mouth due to flour particles. Overall, the product can be consumed by vegans and vegetarians because produced without animal-derived ingredients, and is in synergy with the healthful characteristics of Mediterranean diet, in which pulses and extra-virgin olive oil play beneficial roles.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-021-05288-x.

Kabuli and Apulian black Chickpea Milling By-Products as Innovative Ingredients to Provide High Levels of Dietary Fibre and Bioactive Compounds in Gluten-Free Fresh Pasta

Gluten-free (GF) products, including pasta, are often characterised by nutritional deficiencies, such as scarce dietary fibre and excess of calories. Chickpea flour is increasingly being used by the food industries. Hulls, rich in dietary fibre and bioactive compounds, are discarded after milling. The aim of this work was to evaluate the quality features of short-cut GF fresh pasta added of hull (8% w/w) derived from kabuli (KH) or Apulian black (ABH) chickpeas, in comparison with control GF pasta prepared without hull. The enriched pasta, which could be labelled as "high fibre", was characterised by a higher level of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity than the control. ABH-enriched pasta showed the highest anthocyanins (33.37 ± 1.20 and 20.59 ± 0.11 mg/kg of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside on dry matter in raw and cooked pasta, respectively). Hull addition increased colour intensity and structural quality of GF pasta: ABH-enriched pasta had the lowest cooking loss and the highest water absorption capacity; KH-enriched pasta showed the highest firmness. No significant differences in sensory liking were found among the samples, except for "aftertaste". Chickpea hull can be used as an innovative ingredient to produce potentially functional GF pasta, meeting the dietary needs of consumers without affecting quality.

Effect of Mineral and Organic Fertilization on desi and kabuli Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.): Plant Growth and Production, Hydration Properties, Bioactive Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity

Composting is a strategic technology to convert organic waste into environmentally friendly soil improvers, mitigating the pressure on landfills and contributing to sustainability. This research evaluates the effects of different doses of mineral/organic fertilizers on two chickpea types: desi and kabuli. A randomized block design with three replications and six conditions was adopted: non-fertilized control, two mineral fertilizations (M1, M2), and three organic fertilizations (B1, B2, B3). M1 and B1 provided for comparable NPK amounts. Fertilization and variety significantly influenced plant growth and production, and seed hydration. Fertilization had a lower influence on bioactive compounds. The highest seed yields were obtained with M2 (30–40–100 kg ha⁻¹ of N, P₂O₅, and K₂O, respectively. An addition of 40 kg ha⁻¹ of P₂O₅ (M1) had no effect on seed yield. B1 (10 Mg ha⁻¹ of Bio Vegetal) and M1 led to the same yield, which did not increase using higher doses of green compost. Mineral and organic fertilizations favored hydration and swelling of chickpeas. Desi chickpea showed a significantly higher seed yield but a lower seed weight than kabuli. Organic fertilization, combined with the recovery of peculiar chickpeas, which are more productive and richer in bioactive compounds, promotes a more sustainable food system.

Pulse Probiotic Superfood as Iron Status Improvement Agent in Active Women-A Review

Active women or women of reproductive age (15–49 years old) have a high risk of suffering from anaemia. Anaemia is not solely caused by iron deficiency, however, the approaches to improve iron status in both cases are greatly related. Improving the iron status of active women can be done by dietary intervention with functional food. This review aims to provide insights about the functional food role to increase iron absorption in active women and the potency of pulse probiotic superfood development in dry matrices. Results showed that the beneficial effect of iron status is significantly improved by the synergic work between probiotic and prebiotic. Furthermore, chickpeas and lentils are good sources of prebiotic and the consumption of pulses are related with 21st century people’s intention to eat healthy food. There are wide possibilities to develop functional food products incorporated with probiotics to improve iron status in active woman.

Modification of In Vitro and In Vivo Antioxidant Activity by Consumption of Cooked Chickpea in a Colon Cancer Model

Chickpea has been classified as a nutraceutical food due to its phytochemical compounds, showing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activity. To investigate this, we evaluated the effect of cooking on the nutritional and non-nutritional composition and the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of chickpea seed. The latter was determined by the variation in the concentration of nitric oxide (NO), oxidized carbonyl groups (CO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and the expression of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) in the colon of male BALB/c mice fed with a standard diet with 10 and 20% cooked chickpea (CC). We induced colon cancer in mice by administering azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS); for the evaluation, these were sacrificed 1, 7, and 14 weeks after the induction. Results show that cooking does not significantly modify (p < 0.05) nutritional compounds; however, it decreases the concentration of non-nutritional ones and, consequently, in vitro antioxidant activity. The in vivo evaluation showed that animals administered with AOM/DSS presented higher concentrations of NO, CO, MDA, and 4-HNE than those in animals without AOM/DSS administration. However, in the three evaluated times, these markers were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) with CC consumption. The best effect on the oxidation markers was with the 20% CC diet, demonstrating the antioxidant potential of CC.

Use of Legumes in Extrusion Cooking: A Review

The traditional perception that legumes would not be suitable for extrusion cooking is now completely outdated. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have been conducted to assess the behavior of various types of legume flours in extrusion cooking, proving that legumes have excellent potential for the production of extruded ready-to-eat foods by partially or totally replacing cereals. This review identifies the optimal processing conditions for legume-based and legume-added extruded foods, which allow the improvement of the expansion ratio and give the extrudates the spongy and crisp structure expected by consumers. In particular, the effect of the individual processing parameters on the physical-chemical and nutritional properties of the final product is highlighted. The extrusion cooking process, indeed, has a positive effect on nutritional characteristics, because it induces important modifications on starch and proteins, enhancing their digestibility, and reduces the content of trypsin inhibitors, lectins, phytic acid, and tannins, typically present in legumes. Therefore, the extrusion of legume flours is a viable strategy to improve their nutritional features while reducing home preparation time, so as to increase the consumption of these sustainable crops.

The Effect of the Addition of Apulian black Chickpea Flour on the Nutritional and Qualitative Properties of Durum Wheat-Based Bakery Products

Historically cultivated in Apulia (Southern Italy), Apulian black chickpeas are rich in bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins. This type of chickpea is being replaced by modern cultivars and is at risk of genetic erosion; therefore, it is important to explore its potential for new food applications. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of the addition of Apulian black chickpea wholemeal flour on the nutritional and qualitative properties of durum wheat-based bakery products; namely bread, “focaccia” (an Italian traditional bakery product similar to pizza), and pizza crust. Composite meals were prepared by mixing Apulian black chickpea wholemeal flour with re-milled semolina at 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, and 40:60. The rheological properties, evaluated by farinograph, alveograph, and rheofermentograph, showed a progressive worsening of the bread-making attitude when increasing amounts of chickpea flour were added. The end-products expanded less during baking, and were harder and darker than the corresponding conventional products, as assessed both instrumentally and by sensory analysis. However, these negative features were balanced by higher contents of fibre, proteins, and bioactive compounds, as well as higher antioxidant activity.