Winemaking by-products fortification of flour formulations based on corn and lentil

Formulations based on a mixture of corn: lentil flours (70:30) (93.75%), salt (1.25%), sugar (5%), 5 or 20% of Hylon® V, were fortified with 5 and 20% of fermented Cabernet Sauvignon grape skin or seed, and unfermented Chardonnay grape seed flours, and evaluated for their functional components. The incorporation of winemaking by-products increased the dietary fibre content. Soluble sugars and arabinoxylans content depended only on corn:lentil flours presence. The total starch content varied between 42 .55 g/100g to 58.41 g/100g and the highest concentrations of resistant starch were determined in formulations with 20% Hylon® V. Total phenols, total flavonoids, and anthocyanins, were higher in all formulations with 20% fermented Cabernet Sauvignon skin or unfermented Chardonnay seed flours, regardless the content of corn:lentil flours. Winemaking by-products represent potential functional and prebiotic novel ingredients for new functional food products.

The Cardioprotective Properties of Pulses and the Molecular Mechanisms of Their Action

: Legumes and their seeds (pulses) have various nutritional and health benefits and form an important part of a healthy diet. The present work reviews recent studies from the literature concerning the cardioprotective properties of legumes, particularly pulses, and summarizes their molecular basis. The literature was gathered from electronic databases, including ScienceDirect, PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Knowledge, Sci Finder, and Web of Science, using the following terms: "legume seeds", "pulses", "beans", "peas", "broad beans", "chickpea", "lentils", "cardiovascular system", and "cardiovascular disease", and their combinations. The abstracts of any identified articles were initially analyzed to confirm whether they met the inclusion criteria. Pulses may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) by various mechanisms, including altering plasma lipid composition (especially lowering total and LDL cholesterol), increasing satiety, reducing inflammation, and decreasing oxidative stress and blood pressure. It is, however, unclear whether pulses maintain their cardioprotective properties after processing, and more research is needed in this area.

Physicochemical, nutraceutical, and sensory evaluation of a milk-type plant-based beverage of extruded common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) added with iron

Milk-type beverages are popular vegan products requiring iron and calcium fortification to improve their nutritional value, as iron deficiency is the world's most prevalent nutritional problem. This research aimed to develop and characterize an extruded common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)-based milk-type beverage added with bean protein isolate and iron. The formulations included flavors (non-flavored, vanilla, and nut) and two iron concentrations (2 and 3 mg FeSO4/100 mL). Extrusion increased the beverages' protein (+17.38 %) and starch digestibility, and reduced their antinutritional compounds (trypsin inhibitors, condensed tannins, and carbonates). Developed beverages' formulations differed from a commercial soybean beverage in their physicochemical properties but were more nutritious (protein: 3.33-3.44 %; fiber: 3.43-4.08 %). Iron-added beverages displayed a medium sensory acceptance (best overall likeness: 5.3-6.2). The developed beverage is a suitable, sensory-accepted, and nutritious bean-based beverage, suggesting novel research lines improving vegan beverage formulations to increase average daily iron intake.

Mild Approach for the Formulation of Chestnut Flour-Enriched Snacks: Influence of Processing Parameters on the Preservation of Bioactive Compounds of Raw Materials

Third-generation snacks were developed from a triad of flours made up of chestnut, spelt, and chickpea flour. Optimal snack formulations and processing parameters have been established to ensure acceptable workability of the raw dough while protecting the bioactive components of the raw materials. The parameters examined were mixing time, speed, and temperature. The properties of the snack were evaluated by analyzing the expansion ratio, hardness, moisture content, and phenolic and volatile compounds. The optimal mixing conditions that ensure maximum expansion were a temperature of 30 °C, a speed of 30 rpm, and a time of 6 min. The results showed that the proper percentage of water and sodium bicarbonate was 35% and 2%, respectively, and that the developed snacks had an alveolar and homogeneous structure. The proposed approach brings several advantages, including the preservation of bioactive compounds during the production process. Furthermore, the mild operating conditions prevented the development of unwanted or unpleasant compounds, as confirmed by the analysis of volatile compounds. Therefore, this study opens new perspectives in the food industry, satisfying the growing demand for functional products and healthy snacks.

Bioactive, Mineral and Antioxidative Properties of Gluten-Free Chicory Supplemented Snack: Impact of Processing Conditions

This study aimed to investigate the impact of chicory root addition (20-40%) and extrusion conditions (moisture content from 16.3 to 22.5%, and screw speed from 500 to 900 rpm) on bioactive compounds content (inulin, sesquiterpene lactones, and polyphenols) of gluten-free rice snacks. Chicory root is considered a potential carrier of food bioactives, while extrusion may produce a wide range of functional snack products. The mineral profiles were determined in all of the obtained extrudates in terms of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu contents, while antioxidative activity was established through reducing capacity, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) tests. Chicory root addition contributed to the improvement of bioactive compounds and mineral contents, as well as antioxidative activities in all of the investigated extrudates in comparison to the pure-rice control sample. An increase in moisture content raised sesquiterpene lactones and minerals, while high screw speeds positively affected polyphenols content. The achieved results showed the important impact of the extrusion conditions on the investigated parameters and promoted chicory root as an attractive food ingredient in gluten-free snack products with high bioactive value.

Current Insights into Phytochemistry, Nutritional, and Pharmacological Properties of Prosopis Plants

Prosopis is a regional cash crop that is widely grown in arid, semiarid, tropical, and subtropical areas. Compared with other legume plants, Prosopis is underutilized and has great potentialities. Prosopis not only is a good source of timber, construction, fencing material, and gum, but also can be applied for food, beverage, feed, and medicine. Prosopis contains numerous phytochemical constituents, including carbohydrates, proteins, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins, while varieties of phenolic compounds have also been identified from different parts of Prosopis. Flavonoids (especially C-glycosyl flavonoids), tannins, catechin, 4'-O-methyl-gallocatechin, mesquitol, and quercetin O-glycosides are significant phenolic contents in Prosopis. Various extracts of Prosopis displayed a wide range of biological properties, such as antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, antibacterial, anthelmintic, antitumor, and anticancer. Additionally, Prosopis has the potential to be an ideal diet that contains abundant dietary fiber, minerals, galactomannans, and low-fat content. However, the bioactivity and pharmacological properties associated with Prosopis were influenced by the bioavailability of phytochemicals, various antinutritional compounds, and the interactions of protein and phenolic compounds. The bioavailability of Prosopis is mainly affected by phenolic contents, especially catechin. The antinutritional compounds negatively affect the nutritional qualities of Prosopis, which can be prevented by heating. The protein-phenolic compound interactions can help the human body to absorb quercetin from Prosopis. This literature review aimed to provide systematic information on the physical, biochemical, pharmacological, and nutritional properties and potential applications of Prosopis.

Extrusion Cooking Effect on Carbohydrate Fraction in Novel Gluten-Free Flours Based on Chickpea and Rice

Extrusion cooking allows the development of value-added products from pulses, such as gluten-free snacks with added functional properties. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the changes induced by the extrusion process on the carbohydrate fraction (total carbohydrates, soluble sugars and oligosaccharides, dietary fiber, and arabinoxylans) of novel flour formulations based on chickpeas and rice enriched with different dietary fiber sources. Moreover, the influence of the addition of fiber-rich ingredients, such as Fibersol^® and passion fruit, on the analyzed compounds was also evaluated. Sucrose was the main soluble sugar found in analyzed formulations, and raffinose was the prevalent oligosaccharide, followed by stachyose. The content of total α-galactosides tended to be higher after extrusion cooking. As a consequence of the extrusion treatment, the content of total and soluble dietary fiber was statistically increased in most of the analyzed samples. In general, no significant changes were observed in total arabinoxylan content as a consequence of the extrusion process, while the content of water-soluble arabinoxylans was significantly increased in extruded formulations. It was observed that the content of total available carbohydrates, stachyose, and water-soluble arabinoxylans were significantly influenced by the addition of passion fruit, Fibersol^®, and both. The incorporation of these ingredients in gluten-free formulations based on chickpeas and rice allows one to obtain suitable functional formulations for the development of innovative, gluten-free, extruded snack-type products, which could be an interesting alternative for people with celiac disease.

Effect of Die Configuration on the Physico-Chemical Properties, Anti-Nutritional Compounds, and Sensory Features of Legume-Based Extruded Snacks

Legumes are not valued by all consumers, mostly due to the prolonged soaking and cooking process they require. This problem could be solved by preparing legume-based ready-to-eat snacks. In this study, the effect of two different dies (circular and star-shaped, with cross-sections of 19.6 and 35.9 mm2, respectively) on the physico-chemical properties, anti-nutritional compounds, and sensory features of extruded breakfast snacks was determined. Extruded products were obtained from 100% legume flours of red lentil, faba bean, brown pea, and common bean. The extrusion-cooking conditions were 2.5 g/s feed rate; 160 ± 1 °C die temperature; 16 ± 1 g/100 g feed moisture, and 230 rpm screw speed. Star-shaped extrudates showed a lower expansion ratio, degree of starch gelatinization, and water solubility index, as well as higher bulk density, hardness, crunchiness, and lightness (L*) values. The oligosaccharides showed non univocal variations by changing the die, whereas phytates did not vary at all. The extrudates from lentil flour (richer in fiber) were the least preferred by sensory panelists, due to their hard texture. However, the spherical extrudates were preferred over the star-shaped product. These results emphasize the possibility of improving the physico-chemical and sensory properties of legume extrudates by selecting a proper die.

Extrusion Process as an Alternative to Improve Pulses Products Consumption. A Review

The development of new food products obtained by extrusion processing has increased in recent years. Extrusion is used by the food industry to produce a wide variety of food products, such as ready-to-eat foods (e.g., snacks), among others. Pulses have also gained popularity as novel food ingredients in the formulation of a variety of food and food products, due to their high content of macro and micronutrients, and bioactive compounds that improve the nutritional and functional properties of the final food products. In this review, the impact of extrusion variables on proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, phenolics and antinutritional compounds in pulses and pulse-based formulations are highlighted. Particularly, the impact of the specific mechanical energy. Also, the preservation, increase and/or reduction in those functional compounds, as a consequence of different extrusion processing conditions, are discussed.

Whole seed lentil flours from different varieties (Brewer, Crimson, and Richlea) demonstrated significant variations in their expansion characteristics during extrusion

The properties of flours and extrusion characteristics, of three lentil varieties (Brewer, Crimson, and Richlea) were studied. The effects of barrel temperature (110, 125, and 140 °C) and screw speed (150, 200, and 250 rpm) on process responses and extrudate characteristics were evaluated using a corotating twin-screw extruder. The three varieties of lentils had significant differences (p < 0.05) in their starch (48.7% to 50.9%), protein (20.4% to 22.7%), and fat content (1.3% to 1.9%), gelatinization temperature (71.7 to 74.6 °C), peak viscosity (123.3 to 179.7 mPa.s), and melting temperature (113.6 to 119.7 °C). The lentil variety, barrel temperature, and screw speed significantly impacted the process responses and extrudate properties. Whole lentil flours exhibited the highest expansion ratio (3.0 to 3.6) at the lowest temperature (110 °C) and the highest screw speed (250 rpm). Richlea variety had the highest expansion ratio (3.6) and the highest water solubility index (45.4%) as it had the highest starch content and peak viscosity, and the lowest protein content and melting temperature. Meanwhile, Brewer variety exhibited the lowest expansion ratio (1.9 to 3.0) compared to Richlea (2.5 to 3.6) and Crimson (2.4 to 3.0) in most of the extrusion conditions studied. Richlea variety was the most suitable for making direct-expanded extrudates among the varieties studied. The significant differences in the properties of flours from the three varieties of lentils resulted in significant impacts on the properties of their extrudates. Therefore, determining the properties of flours of different varieties is useful to select the appropriate varieties for extrusion processing. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The information from this study is useful for the food industry to select the appropriate lentil varieties and processing conditions for the development of direct-expanded products. The data prove the importance of understanding the chemical composition, pasting, and thermal properties to select the appropriate varieties for extrusion processing.

Autoclaved and Extruded Legumes as a Source of Bioactive Phytochemicals: A Review

Legumes have been consumed since ancient times all over the world due to their easy cultivation and availability as a low-cost food. Nowadays, it is well known that pulses are also a good source of bioactive phytochemicals that play an important role in the health and well-being of humans. Pulses are mainly consumed after processing to soften cotyledons and to improve their nutritive and sensorial characteristics. However, processing affects not only their nutritive constituents, but also their bioactive compounds. The final content of phytochemicals depends on the pulse type and variety, the processing method and their parameters (mainly temperature and time), the food matrix structure and the chemical nature of each phytochemical. This review focuses on the changes produced in the bioactive-compound content of pulses processed by a traditional processing method like cooking (with or without pressure) or by an industrial processing technique like extrusion, which is widely used in the food industry to develop new food products with pulse flours as ingredients. In particular, the effect of processing methods on inositol phosphates, galactosides, protease inhibitors and phenolic-compound content is highlighted in order to ascertain their content in processed pulses or pulse-based products as a source of healthy phytochemicals.

Antioxidant Phytochemicals in Pulses and their Relation to Human Health: A Review

Pulses are a staple food cultivated since ancient times, which play an important role in the human diet. From a nutritional point of view, pulses are very interesting foods as they are rich in proteins, carbohydrates and dietary fibre. Dietary antioxidants are a complex mixture of hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds usually present in foods of plant origin, including pulses. In the present study, the phytochemical composition of selected pulses (common beans, fava beans, lentils, chickpeas, peas and lupins) has been reviewed in terms of their content of antioxidant compounds. The content of hydrosoluble antioxidants (organic acids, phenolic compounds), liposoluble antioxidants (tocopherols, carotenoids) and other compounds which exert antioxidant properties, such as dietary fibre and minerals (zinc, selenium), has been studied, reporting that pulses are an interesting source of these compounds, which have important health benefits, including a preventing role in cardiovascular diseases, anticarcinogenic or neuroprotective properties. It is important to take into account that pulses are not usually consumed raw, but they must be processed before consumption in order to improve their nutritional quality and their palatability, therefore, the effect of different technological and heat treatments (germination, cooking, boiling, extrusion) on the antioxidant compounds present in pulses has been also reviewed. In this regard, it has been observed that as a consequence of processing, the content of phytochemicals with antioxidant properties is usually decreased, but processed pulses maintain relevant amounts of these compounds, preserving their beneficial health effect.

Physical properties, sensory acceptance, postprandial glycemic response, and satiety of cereal based foods enriched with legume flours: a review

Legumes are rich in proteins and widely consumed around the world. Their consumption has been associated with improved glycemic and lipidemic profile and positive alterations of gut microbiota. These beneficial effects have created a growing scientific interest in the role of legume-enriched foods on the promotion of human health. The aim of this review was to critically record the studies examining the nutritional value and textural properties of these products, as well as their efficacy on lowering postprandial glucose response and satiety. Reviewed data have shown that cereal products with high nutritional value are formulated when fortified with legume flours. The postprandial glucose response appears to be ameliorated and the enriched foods have a medium or a low glycemic index, however not enough data are presented referring to the appetite hormones responses. Textural properties are affected by the addition of legumes and occasionally, when substitution level is high, the final product has not acceptable odor and appearance. To overcome this barrier, particular food processes such as fermentation, extrusion and addition of hydrocolloids, are used and have shown great results on the textural and sensory properties of the final products. The development of healthy legume-enriched cereal-based products is of great importance for the increase of legume consumption and the promotion of public health.

Extrusion cooking of protein-based products: potentials and challenges

Extrusion cooking is receiving increasing attention as technology applied for the production of protein-based products. Researchers in this field showed that proteins from several sources are barely consumed because of their poor functionality and lack of acceptability related to the presence of some antinutritional factors. In this regard, extrusion is becoming of key importance thanks to its ability to improve protein functional properties. Based on this remarkable advantage, several studies have been published so far providing evidence of the enhanced functional, physicochemical and sensory properties of protein-based extruded products. The objective of the present review is to give a detailed overview of the potential of extrusion for the production of protein-based products. More specifically, the work describes all the studies published so far on vegetable and animal proteins including those recently released applying the technology on insect proteins. The aspects related to the functional properties of the extrudates together with the quality changes occurring during the process are also described to highlight the potential of the technology for future applications.

Black, pinto and white beans lower hepatic lipids in hamsters fed high fat diets by excretion of bile acids

Abstract

Hypolipidemic and anti-obesity properties of extruded black, pinto and white beans were examined in male Syrian hamsters fed high fat diets for 3 weeks. The efficiency and effectiveness of extruder processing to eliminate heat-labile antinutrients were also determined. Hamsters fed a high fat diet containing 40% extruded black beans gained the same amount of weight as animals on a low-fat chow diet (based on AIN-93G). Total plasma cholesterol of the hamsters fed bean flour- based diets tended to be lower, ranging between 298 and 356 mg/dL, compared to 365 mg/dL for the control group and total and free liver cholesterol was about 50 and 33% lower, respectively, in the livers (freeze-dried) of hamsters fed the black turtle bean (BB) and pinto bean (PB) diets. The nitrogen content of the feces from hamsters fed the PB and white bean (WB) diets were 2.6x higher than the control and the excretion of deoxycholic acid (DCA) and lithocholic acid (LCA) was higher in all legume fed hamsters The results show that extrusion efficiently and economically reduces anti-nutritive factors that inhibit the digestion and absorption of proteins and carbohydrates.

Graphical abstract

Historical Reflection of Food Processing and the Role of Legumes as Part of a Healthy Balanced Diet

The purpose of food processing has changed over time. High-intensity industrially processed food often exhibits higher concentrations of added sugar, salt, higher energy, and lower micronutrient density than does similar food or meals prepared at home from raw or minimally processed food. Viewing the evolution of food processing from history, one could make out three major transitions related to human socioeconomic changes. The first transition was marked by the change from hunting and gathering to settled societies with agriculture and livestock farming. The second and third transitions were associated with the Industrial Revolution and with market liberalization, global trade and automation, respectively. The next major transition that will influence food processing and shape human nutrition may include the exploitation of sustainable and efficient protein and food sources that will ensure high-quality food production for the growing world population. Apart from novel food sources, traditional food such as legumes and pulses likewise exhibit great potential to contribute to a healthy balanced diet. The promotion of legumes should be intensified in public dietary guidelines because their consumption is rather low in high-income countries and increasingly displaced as a traditional staple by industrially processed food in low- to middle-income countries.

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.

Influence of microalgae addition in formulation on colour, texture, and extrusion parameters of corn snacks

Extrusion is a more and more popular technique for snack production using interesting raw ingredients, to produce snacks improving their nutritional value. The aim of this study was to obtain corn extrudates enriched with different concentration levels of Arthrospira platensis, Chlorella vulgaris, and Nannochloropsis gaditana biomass and to compare their expansion parameters and physicochemical properties with control corn extrudates. Expansion, physicochemical, and compositional parameters were analysed. Microalgae addition to formulations gave extruded snacks and provoked no major changes compared to control corn extrudate. Addition of microalgae in extrudates formulation implies a slight reduction of water absorption index, swelling index, bulk density, and hygroscopicity and a slight increase in water solubility index, expansion index, and porosity. Noticeable changes for the addition of microalgae changed the extruded snack from translucent to opaque and total colour difference values of were perceptible by human eye.

Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant Activity, and Sensory Analysis of Rice-Based Extruded Snacks-Like Fortified with Bean and Carob Fruit Flours

Generally, extruded gluten-free foods are mostly phytochemically deficient. In this study inositol phosphates, α-galactosides, lectins, protease inhibitors, and phenols, their antioxidant activity and sensorial analysis of some rice/bean/whole carob fruit flour blends were determined in unprocessed (controls) and extruded formulations. The fortification of rice-based extrudates with both legumes has a positive influence on both their bioactive compound content and their acceptability by consumers. The extruded formulations contained around twice as much (p < 0.05) total α-galactosides than their unprocessed counterparts. Extrusion significantly reduced the phytic acid content (10%) and significantly increased the less phosphorylated forms (16%-70%). After extrusion, the lectins and protease inhibitors were eliminated. The different phenolic compounds mostly increased (11%-36%), notably in the formulations with carob fruit. The antioxidant activity and the different groups of phenols showed a positive correlation in the extrudates. All the experimental extrudates had higher amounts of bioactive compounds than the commercial extruded rice. Considering the amount of phytochemicals determined in the novel gluten-free extrudates and the scores of sensorial analysis, formulations containing 20%-40% bean and 5% carob fruit could be adequate in promoting health-related functions, helping to increase pulse consumption, and allowing the food industry to satisfy consumers' requirement for functional foods.

Dietary fiber sources and human benefits: The case study of cereal and pseudocereals

Dietary fiber (DF) includes the remnants of the edible part of plants and analogous carbohydrates that are resistant to digestion and absorption in the human small intestine with complete or partial fermentation in the human large intestine. DF can be classified into two main groups according to its solubility, namely insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) that mainly consists on cell wall components, including cellulose, some hemicelluloses, lignin and resistant starch, and soluble dietary fiber (SDF) that consists of non-cellulosic polysaccharides as non-digestible oligosaccharides, arabinoxylans (AX), β-glucans, some hemicelluloses, pectins, gums, mucilages and inulin. The intake of DF is associated with health benefits. IDF can contribute to the normal function of the intestinal tract and it has an important role in the prevention of colonic diverticulosis and constipation. SDF is extensively fermented by gut microbiota and it is associated with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, with important health benefits due to its hypocholesterolemic properties. Due to these nutritional and health properties, DF is widely used as functional ingredients in food industry, being whole grain cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables the main sources of DF. Also some synthetic sources are employed, namely polydextrose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or cyclodextrins. The DF content of cereals varies depending on cultivars, their botanical components (pericarp, emdosperm and germ) and the processing conditions they have undergone (baking, extrusion, etc.). In cereal grains, AX are the predominant non-cellulose DF polysaccharides followed by cellulose and β-glucans, while in pseudocereals, pectins are quantitatively predominant.

Influence of extruded lentil containing high chromium nutritional yeast on the main physiological factors associated with metabolic syndrome in rodent models

Insulin resistance, obesity and dyslipidemia are the main physiological factors associated with metabolic syndrome. The objectives of this study were to understand the effects of diets containing extruded lentil fortified with high chromium nutritional yeast (YCr) or chromium picolinate on glucose tolerance, clearance and fasting blood glucose concentrations in Normal and Obese (Ob/Ob) mice and to determine the effects of the diets on the mice plasma lipid profiles. Diets A, B and C contained YCr in different doses and concentrations, as follows: Diet A = 15.7 g and 16 ppm, B = 157.1 g and 16 ppm, and C = 299.3 g and 27 ppm, respectively. Diet D contained chromium picolinate at a dose and concentration of 15.7 g and 16 ppm, respectively. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests and intraperitoneal insulin tolerance tests were conducted at 4-weeks and 8-weeks post diet initiation, in addition to, plasma lipoprotein profiles and organ weights. Normal mice showed only slight variability with respect to the studied biological parameters compared to the Ob/Ob mice group. Results indicated that following 4-weeks of diet supplementation, Ob/Ob mice fed diets A, C and D had significantly (p < 0.05) lower fasting blood glucose (FBG) than Ob/Ob mice fed Diet B. However, after 8-weeks Ob/Ob mice fed Diet C, containing YCr, had a significantly (p < 0.05) lower FBG than mice supplemented with Diet D, containing chromium picolinate. Therefore, based on these findings, it was concluded that YCr at the highest concentration and dose was more effective than chromium picolinate. These results indicate that ready-to-eat snacks and breakfast cereal type products supplemented with chromium in the form of YCr could be used as vehicles for the amelioration of main physiological factors associated with metabolic syndrome.

Nutritional Characterization of Prosopis laevigata Legume Tree (Mesquite) Seed Flour and the Effect of Extrusion Cooking on its Bioactive Components

Mesquite (Prosopis laevigata) is a legume tree widely distributed in Aridoamerica. The mature fruit of this legume is a pod, which is currently underutilized and has high nutritional potential. In the present work, mesquite seed flour is described in terms of its nutritional value, as well as the effect of extrusion cooking on its bioactive components. Mesquite seed flour is rich in fiber (7.73 g/100 g) and protein (36.51 g/100 g), with valine as the only limiting amino acid. Total phenolic compound contents in raw and extruded seed flour were 6.68 and 6.46 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g (mg GAE/g), respectively. 2-2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity values in raw and extruded seed flour were 9.11 and 9.32 mg of ascorbic acid equivalent/g (mg AAE/g), respectively. The absorbance at 290 nm, as an indicator of generation of Maillard reaction product (MRP), was the same for raw and extruded samples. Apigenin was the only flavonoid found in mesquite seed flour (41.6 mg/kg) and was stable in the extrusion process. The water absorption index (WAI) and water solubility index (WSI) were changed significantly during extrusion. The expansion of mesquite seed flour extrudates was null due to the high protein and fiber content in the sample. Extrusion cooking of mesquite seed flour is a useful form of technology for the industrialization of this underutilized and nutritionally valuable legume.

Proteomic analysis of stachyose contribution to the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus CICC22162

Stachyose is a functional oligosaccharide, acting as a potential prebiotic for colonic fermentation.

Bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of extruded snack-type products developed from novel formulations of lentil and nutritional yeast flours

Pulses are well known to be gluten-free functional foods that provide a rich source of nutritional and healthy compounds with antioxidant-promoting activity.

Influence of processing conditions on apparent viscosity and system parameters during extrusion of distiller's dried grains-based snacks

A combination of different levels of distillers dried grains processed for food application (FDDG), garbanzo flour and corn grits were chosen as a source of high-protein and high-fiber extruded snacks. A four-factor central composite rotatable design was adopted to study the effect of FDDG level, moisture content of blends, extrusion temperature, and screw speed on the apparent viscosity, mass flow rate or MFR, torque, and specific mechanical energy or SME during the extrusion process. With increase in the extrusion temperature from 100 to 140°C, apparent viscosity, specific mechanical energy, and torque value decreased. Increase in FDDG level resulted in increase in apparent viscosity, SME and torque. FDDG had no significant effect (p > .5) on mass flow rate. SME also increased with increase in the screw speed which could be due to the higher shear rates at higher screw speeds. Screw speed and moisture content had significant negative effect (p < .05) on the torque. The apparent viscosity of dough inside the extruder and the system parameters were affected by the processing conditions. This study will be useful for control of extrusion process of blends containing these ingredients for the development of high-protein high-fiber extruded snacks.

The impact of extrusion on the nutritional composition, dietary fiber and in vitro digestibility of gluten-free snacks based on rice, pea and carob flour blends

Consumers and the food industry are demanding healthier products. Expanded snacks with a high nutritional value were developed from different rice, pea and carob flour blends. The proximate composition, starch (total and resistant), amylose and amylopectin, dietary fiber (soluble and insoluble) contents, and the in vitro protein digestibility of different rice-legume formulations, were evaluated before and after the extrusion process. Compared with the corresponding non-extruded blends (control), the extrusion treatment did not change the total protein content, however, it reduced the soluble protein (61-86%), the fat (69-92%) and the resistant starch contents (100%). The total starch content of all studied blends increased (2-19%) after extrusion. The processing increased the in vitro protein digestibility, reaching values around 88-95% after extrusion. Total dietary fiber was reduced around 30%, and the insoluble fraction was affected to a larger extent than the soluble fraction by the extrusion process. Because of its balanced nutritional composition, high dietary fiber content, as well as low energy density, these novel gluten-free snack-like foods could be considered as functional foods and a healthier alternative to commercially available gluten-containing or gluten-free and low nutritional value snacks.

Current and Forward-Looking Approaches to Technological and Nutritional Improvements of Gluten-Free Bread with Legume Flours: A Critical Review

The gluten-free market currently offers a range of products which can be safely consumed by patients affected by celiac disease. Nevertheless, challenges for optimal formulation remain on the way in terms of appreciable texture, flavor, and adequate nutritional characteristics. Within that framework, legumes have recently attracted attention among scientists as structure- and texture-forming agents, as source of nutrients and bioactive compounds, and as a low-glycemic-index ingredient. This work aims at providing an updated and comprehensive overview of the advantages and disadvantages in the use of legumes in gluten-free breadmaking. It also shows how legumes can contribute to tackling the main technological, nutritional, and organoleptic challenges. From this critical analysis, it emerged that viscoelastic properties of gluten-free bread batter can be enhanced by the use of carob germ, chickpea, lupin, and soybean. Gluten-free bread organoleptic acceptability can be improved by incorporating leguminous flours, such as carob, chickpea, lupin, and soybean. Moreover, a better nutritional quality of gluten-free bread can be obtained by the addition of chickpea and soybean. Gaps and needs in the use of legumes in gluten-free breadmaking emerged and were gathered together to have a sound basis for future studies. The technological and nutritional potential of sourdough should be more extensively exploited. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo studies should be prompted to understand the health benefits of bread formulated with legumes. A holistic approach, interfacing food science, nutrition, and health might help to have, on the market, products with improved sensory properties and nutritional profile.

The effect of extrusion on the functional components and in vitro lycopene bioaccessibility of tomato pulp added corn extrudates

The effect of processing on functional ingredients and theirin vitrobioaccessibility should be investigated to develop better food products.