Physical properties, chemical characterization and fatty acid composition of Mexican chia (Salvia hispanicaL.) seeds

Valorizing Astringent 'Rojo Brillante' Persimmon Through the Development of Persimmon-Based Bars

This study developed a new energy bar using the astringent 'Rojo Brillante' variety of persimmons to address postharvest losses. The bar was formulated with dehydrated persimmons, walnuts, hazelnuts, and chia seeds to enhance their nutritional profile. The proximate composition was evaluated and the mechanical and optical properties, soluble tannins, carotenoids, and antioxidant activities were monitored during storage. In addition, in vitro gastrointestinal digestion was performed to determine the recovery index of the bioactive compounds. The results showed that the formulated energy bar contained higher levels of healthy fats, proteins, and fibers than other fruit energy bars. The mechanical properties of dehydrated persimmon effectively supported the consistency of the bar, eliminating the need for hydrocolloids or syrups. During storage, soluble tannin content decreased, mitigating astringency issues commonly found in persimmon products, whereas carotenoid levels and antioxidant activity remained stable. In vitro digestion analysis revealed a higher recovery index for soluble tannins (180.08%) than carotenoids (9.87%). This persimmon-based energy bar offers a sustainable and nutritious option for the snack industry, catering to consumer preferences for natural products while contributing to the reduction of agricultural waste.

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.), a functional 'superfood': new insights into its botanical, genetic and nutraceutical characteristics

BACKGROUND

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds have become increasingly popular among health-conscious consumers owing to their high content of ω-3 fatty acids, which provide various health benefits. Comprehensive chemical analyses of the fatty acids and proteins in chia seeds have been conducted, revealing their functional properties. Recent studies have confirmed the high ω-3 content of chia seed oil and have hinted at additional functional characteristics.

SCOPE

This review article aims to provide an overview of the botanical, morphological and biochemical features of chia plants, seeds and seed mucilage. Additionally, we discuss the recent developments in genetic and molecular research on chia, including the latest transcriptomic and functional studies that examine the genes responsible for chia fatty acid biosynthesis. In recent years, research on chia seeds has shifted its focus from studying the physicochemical characteristics and chemical composition of seeds to understanding the metabolic pathways and molecular mechanisms that contribute to their nutritional benefits. This has led to a growing interest in various pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and agricultural applications of chia. In this context, we discuss the latest research on chia and the questions that remain unanswered, and we identify areas that require further exploration.

CONCLUSIONS

Nutraceutical compounds associated with significant health benefits, including ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins and phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity, have been measured in high quantities in chia seeds. However, comprehensive investigations through both in vitro experiments and in vivo animal and controlled human trials are expected to provide greater clarity on the medicinal, antimicrobial and antifungal effects of chia seeds. The recently published genome of chia and gene-editing technologies, such as CRISPR, facilitate functional studies deciphering molecular mechanisms of biosynthesis and metabolic pathways in this crop. This necessitates development of stable transformation protocols and creation of a publicly available lipid database, mutant collection and large-scale transcriptomic datasets for chia.

A review of the functional activities of chia seed and the mechanisms of action related to molecular targets

In recent years, as a functional potential pseudocereal, chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) has been of great interest for its comprehensive nutritional profile and attractive qualities after ingestion. It is reported that a reasonable dietary supplementation of chia seed (CS) contributes to the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic diseases (inflammation, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, kidney stone, etc.). CS contains a variety of bioactive macromolecular substances, such as oil, protein and gum, which manifest distinguished health-promoting activities in both in vivo and in vitro research studies. This article provides a comprehensive compendium on the functional importance of CS, in the context of biological activities and mechanism of actions of CS. Specifically, CS and its components alleviate inflammation and regulate glucose and fatty acid metabolism by regulating key influencing factors in the adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), peroxisome-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) pathways and the insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-mediated insulin signaling pathway. In the meantime, predictions of metabolic pathways of CS peptides based on the known tracks of newly researched active peptides were proposed, with the aim of emphasizing the enormous research space of CS peptides compared to other functional active peptides.

Physico-Chemical and Nutritional Properties of Chia Seeds from Latin American Countries

In the last few decades, chia (Salvia hispanica L.) cultivation has expanded around the world, and the seeds have become well known due to their rich composition of nutrients and bioactive compounds. The aim of this work was to evaluate the physical, chemical, and nutritional profile of eight types of chia seeds grown in different Latin-American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, and Peru). The results showed that several nutritional parameters of the seeds, such as the protein content and amino acid profile, dietary fiber content, lipid content, mineral composition, and presence of phytate, depend on the location in which they were grown. Other parameters, such as ash content, fatty acid profile, or various physical parameters, were uniform across locations (except for color parameters). The results support the notion that the nutritional characteristics of seeds are determined by the seeds' origin, and further analysis is needed to determine the exact mechanisms that control the changes in the seed nutritional properties of chia seeds.

Multi-omic analyses reveal the unique properties of chia (Salvia hispanica) seed metabolism

Chia (Salvia hispanica) is an emerging crop considered a functional food containing important substances with multiple potential applications. However, the molecular basis of some relevant chia traits, such as seed mucilage and polyphenol content, remains to be discovered. This study generates an improved chromosome-level reference of the chia genome, resolving some highly repetitive regions, describing methylation patterns, and refining genome annotation. Transcriptomic analysis shows that seeds exhibit a unique expression pattern compared to other organs and tissues. Thus, a metabolic and proteomic approach is implemented to study seed composition and seed-produced mucilage. The chia genome exhibits a significant expansion in mucilage synthesis genes (compared to Arabidopsis), and gene network analysis reveals potential regulators controlling seed mucilage production. Rosmarinic acid, a compound with enormous therapeutic potential, was classified as the most abundant polyphenol in seeds, and candidate genes for its complex pathway are described. Overall, this study provides important insights into the molecular basis for the unique characteristics of chia seeds.

Selected plants producing mucilage: Overview, composition, and their potential as functional ingredients in the development of plant-based foods

The increase in the preference for vegan and vegetarian diets is directly related to changing eating habits and the need for plant-based alternatives to animal-based products, which are better for health, due to the high content of essential amino acids and lipid profile rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, and have lower environmental impacts. In this scenario, there is a growing demand for plant-based foods, making it necessary to find new plant-based ingredients for application in foods and beverages. Flaxseed, chia seed, and Barbados gooseberry contain mucilage, a component with potential application in plant-based products. These hydrocolloids can be used as gelling agents, texture modifiers, stabilizers, and emulsifiers in solid and semi-solid foods. This review presents the extraction, characterization, and application of flaxseed, chia seed, and Barbados gooseberry mucilage for use in plant-based foods. It was found that mucilage composition varies due to the extraction method used, extraction conditions, and geographic location of the seed or leaf. However, applications in plant-based foods are currently limited, mainly focused on applying chia mucilage in bakery products and packaging. Research on applying flaxseed and Barbados gooseberry mucilage to plant-based products is limited, though it has been shown to have potential applications in packaging. Mucilage may also increase the nutritional profile of the product and provide better technological, functional, and sensory characteristics. Therefore, because of mucilage's excellent functional and technological properties, it is a promising candidate to act as an ingredient in plant-based food products.

Risk/Benefit Evaluation of Chia Seeds as a New Ingredient in Cereal-Based Foods

Chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) is a food rich in protein, fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants. Consequently, its incorporation in food formulations may be desirable from a nutritional and healthy point of view. However, there is concern regarding the formation of process contaminants when they are subjected to thermal processing. The objective of this study was to incorporate different amounts of ground chia seeds in a biscuit model to evaluate the effect on the antioxidant capacity and formation of acrylamide and furfurals. Seven standard "Maria-type" biscuit formulations were prepared, replacing wheat flour with different amounts of ground chia seeds (defatted and non-defatted), from 0% (control biscuit) to 15% (respect to total solids in the recipe). Samples were baked at 180 °C for 22 min. Compared with the control biscuit, chia formulations increased the content of nutrients, antioxidant capacity (ABTS) and phenolic compounds (Folin-Ciocalteau method) but also doubled acrylamide levels and even raised more than 10 times furanic compound concentrations. Results indicate that the use of chia seeds as ingredients in new cereal-based formulations would improve the nutritional profile but also increase the occurrence of chemical process contaminants. This paradox should be carefully considered in the context of risk/benefit analysis.

Simultaneous Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Olea europaea L. Leaves and Healthy Seed Oils Using Pressurized Propane

Olive leaves (OL) are products of olive cultivation with a high commercial value because they contain valuable bioactive compounds. Chia and sesame seeds have a high functional value because of their attractive nutritional properties. When combined in the extraction process, the two products constitute a product of high quality. The use of pressurized propane in vegetable oil extraction is advantageous because it provides solvent-free oil. This study aimed to combine two high-quality products to obtain oils with a unique combination of attractive nutritional properties and high levels of bioactive compounds. The mass percentage yields of the OL extracts with chia and sesame oils were 23.4% and 24.8%, respectively. The fatty acid profiles of the pure oils and their respective OL-enriched oils were similar. There was an aggregation of the 35% and 32% (v/v) bioactive OL compounds in chia and sesame oils, respectively. OL oils exhibited superior antioxidant capacities. The induction times of the OL extracts with the sesame and chia oils increased by 73% and 4.4%, respectively. Incorporating OL active compounds in healthy edible vegetable oils using propane as a solvent promotes the reduction of lipid oxidation, improves the lipid profiles and health indices of the oils, and forms a product with attractive nutritional characteristics.

Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.): A therapeutic weapon in metabolic disorders

The growth of functional components containing agricultural foods is enhancing because these components aid the human body against different chronic diseases. Currently, chia seeds basically belong to the mint family and are edible seeds of Salvia hispanica. These seeds are composed of different functional components including fiber, polyphenols, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acid vitamins, minerals, and peptides. Besides, these seeds are also a good source of vegetable protein, unsaturated fat, carbohydrates, and ash. Chia seed components are helpful in cardiovascular disease (CVD) by reducing blood pressure, platelet aggregation, cholesterol, and oxidation. In GI-tract-related diseases like diabetes and constipation, chia fiber reduces the blood glucose level and provides bulk to stool. However, antioxidants and polyphenols are protected beta cells of the pancreas from inflammation. These components are protected from the cell damage of the different body parts, which can provide help in different types of cancer including breast, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic. Conclusively, some pervious studies approved that chia seed components are played important role in chronic diseases.

Comprehensive Chemical Characterization of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Seed Oil with a Focus on Minor Lipid Components

A comprehensive chemical characterization of different lipid components, namely fatty acid composition after derivatization in fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), triacylglycerols (TAGs), phospholipids (PLs), free fatty acids (FFAs), sterols, carotenoids, tocopherols, and polyphenols in Chia seed oil, obtained by Soxhlet extraction, was reported. Reversed phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) coupled to UV and mass spectrometry (MS) detectors was employed for carotenoids, polyphenols, and TAGs determination; normal phase-LC in combination with fluorescence detector (FLD) was used for tocopherols analysis; PL and FFA fractions were investigated after a rapid solid phase extraction followed by RP-LC-MS and NanoLC coupled to electron ionization (EI) MS, respectively. Furthermore, gas chromatography (GC)-flame ionization (FID) and MS detectors were used for FAMEs and sterols analysis. Results demonstrated a significant content of bioactive compounds, such as the antioxidant tocopherols (22.88 µg mL^-1), and a very high content of essential fatty acids (81.39%), namely α-linolenic (62.16%) and linoleic (19.23%) acids. In addition, for the best of authors knowledge, FFA profile, as well as some carotenoid classes has been elucidated for the first time. The importance of free fatty acids in vegetable matrices is related to the fact that they can be readily involved in metabolic processes or biosynthetic pathways of the plant itself. For a fast and reliable determination of this chemical class, a very innovative and sensitive NanoLC-EI-MS analytical determination was applied.

The Effect of Chia Seed Extracts against Complete Freund’s Adjuvant-Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis in Rats

Background and Objectives. It is known that the oxidation of chia seeds is minimal or absent, due to the presence of bioactive compounds, having a great potential in the foods and pharmacological industry. This investigation was done to estimate the nutrition values and anti-oxidant activity of chia seed extracts. Materials and Methods. The protective effects of chia seed extract against complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) rheumatoid arthritis in rats were investigated with 100, 200, 300, and 400 ppm/kg BW rat/day chia seeds aqueous extract for 4 weeks. Results. The results obtained revealed that chia seed extract contained high proportions of protein and total dietary fiber values of 21.35% and 27.24%, respectively. Moreover, the results reported that the mineral contents were the greatest in phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium (450.09, 410.46, 245.22, 218.69, and 120.34 mg/100 g, respectively). Meanwhile, iron, zinc, and copper were the lowest in chia seeds (9.26, 4.67, and 3.66 mg/100 g, respectively). Besides, vitamins C and E reported 1.65 and 0.82 mg/100 g, respectively. Chia seed extracts were effective in vitro for the bioactive components such as phenolics, flavonoids, and anti-oxidant activities. The biomarkers of complete blood picture, lipid profile, anti-oxidant enzymes, TNF-α, and IL-10 had been improved. Histopathological examination of the rat knee confirmed health amelioration, revealing that chia seed extract consumption can lower pathological changes in injured rheumatoid arthritis rats. Conclusion. It could be seen that the chia seed extracts alleviated the harmful effect of rheumatoid arthritis CFA-induced rats.

Salvia hispanica L. Seed Oil: Effect on Cell Viability in Colon Cancer Line Caco2 and Breast Cancer Line MCF7

Cancer is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide, which does not have a fully effective medical treatment. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of lipidically characterized and hydrolyzed chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) oil on in vitro colon cancer (Caco2 cell line) and breast cancer cells (MCF7 cell line) cell viability. Cancer cells were treated with different hydrolyzed oil concentrations (12.5-400 μg/mL) for 48 h; then cell viability was assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay. All chia seed oil concentrations significantly reduced cell viability in the Caco2 line, with the best reduction being 23.88% with the 25 μg/mL concentration. However, in the breast cancer line the highest concentrations (200 and 400 μg/mL) increased the viability of malignant cells. Chia seed oil significantly reduces the viability of Caco2 cells, although at the higher concentrations it can increase the viability of breast cancer cells.

Overexpression of PvFAD3 Gene from Plukenetia volubilis Promotes the Biosynthesis of α-Linolenic Acid in Transgenic Tobacco Seeds

The ω-3 fatty acid desaturase (FAD3) gene encodes a rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of α-linolenic acid. In this study, homologous cloning was used to obtain the full-length sequence of the PvFAD3 gene of Plukenetia volubilis. The full-length DNA sequence was 1871 bp long, with 8 exons and 7 introns. The structural analysis of the amino acid sequence revealed that the PvFAD3 protein contained three histidine-conserved regions and an endoplasmic reticulum retention signal. The real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction performed for determining the expression patterns of the PvFAD3 gene in different tissues of P. volubilis showed that PvFAD3 expression was highly expressed in the fast oil accumulation stage of seed. The analysis of subcellular localization assay in epidermal cells of tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) leaves showed that the PvFAD3 protein was mainly localized in the endoplasmic reticulum. Seed-specific overexpression vectors were constructed, and Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation was performed to obtain transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing PvFAD3. The results of fatty acid assays performed using harvested seeds showed a significant increase in α-linolenic acid content, a dramatic decrease in linoleic acid content, and an obvious increase in oil content in transgenic tobacco seeds. Collectively, the PvFAD3 gene of P. volubilis was confirmed as a key enzyme gene for α-linolenic acid synthesis; thus, indicating that the PvFAD3 gene can be used for fatty acid fraction improvement in oilseed plants.

Pressurized liquid extraction to obtain chia seeds oils extracts enriched in tocochromanols. Nanoemulsions approaches to preserve the antioxidant potential

The objective of this study was to use accelerated-solvent-extraction to achieve antioxidant extracts from chia seeds oils, enriched in tocopherols and tocotrienols, namely tocochromanols. Nanotechnology applications have been also incorporated to develop an innovative formulation of chia seeds oil nanoemulsion that preserve its antioxidant potential after conditions of oxidative stress. Chia seeds oils proved to be a valuable source of tocochromanols, from 568.84 to 855.98 μg g^-1, depending on the geographical provenance. Quantitative data obtained by LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS showed outstanding levels of γ-Tocopherol, over 83%, followed far behind by Tocopherols-(α, β, δ) and Tocotrienols-(α, β, δ, γ)-tocotrienols. The characteristic tocochromanols fingerprint of chia seeds oils was positively correlated with the FRAP and DPPH antioxidant activity of the extracts (between 18.81 and 138.48 mg Trolox/g). Formulation of the Chia seeds oils as nanoemulsions did not compromised the antioxidant properties of fresh extracts. Interestingly, nanoemulsions retained about the 80% of the initial antioxidant capacity after UV-induced stress, where the non-emulsified oils displayed a remarkable reduction (50-60%) on its antioxidant capacity under the same conditions. These antioxidant chia seeds formulations can constitute a promising strategy to vectorizing vitamin E isomers, in order to be used for food fortification, natural additives and to increase the self-life of food products during packing.

Chia, Quinoa, and Their Coproducts as Potential Antioxidants for the Meat Industry

Chia and quinoa have gained popularity among consumers worldwide due to the wide variety of nutrients but also to the bioactive compounds that they contain. Lately, their processing has generated different coproducts (non-commercial grains, flour, partially deoiled flour, rich-fiber fraction, and oil, among others), which could be reincorporated to the food chain with important technological properties, antioxidant activity included. Both sets of ingredients have been revealed a great technological potential for meat product development and innovation, taking into account that oxidation is one of the main reactions responsible for their deterioration and shelf life reduction. This review focuses on the antioxidant compounds of chia and quinoa coproducts and on the strategies used to add them to meat products highlighting their effect on the lipid oxidation control. Apart from the different ways in which quinoa and chia can be incorporated into meat products and their antioxidant properties, innovative approaches for increasing this antioxidant effect and counteracting any negative alterations they may cause will be discussed.

Effect of Chia as Breadmaking Ingredient on Nutritional Quality, Mineral Availability, and Glycemic Index of Bread

Chia seeds and chia flour could be used as ingredients to enrich foods owing to their high amount of nutrients. The goal of this investigation was to provide further information about how replacing wheat flour with chia ingredients (seeds, whole flour, semi-defatted, and low-fat flours) affects the nutritional and functional value of bread. The higher levels of proteins, lipids and minerals determined in raw chia flours directly affected the increase of these nutrients. High levels of phytates were found in chia ingredients (5.1-6.6 μmol/g d.b.), which affect Zn and Fe bioavailability, as predicted by phytate/mineral molar ratios. Bread with chia had a high amount of linoleic acid, especially in bread with chia seeds, owing to protection of seed integrity during baking. Chia ingredients did not show limiting essential amino acids such as lysine, which is deficient in cereals. Glycemic index was lower in bread with chia ingredients compared to control. The beneficial effects on glucose metabolism together with the nutritional and functional characteristics could be clinically important for prevention of metabolic diseases.

Exogenous p-Coumaric Acid Improves Salvia hispanica L. Seedling Shoot Growth

: p-Coumaric acid (p-CA) belongs to a family of natural esters of hydroxycinnamic acid compounds that have been shown to modulate plant growth and metabolism. In this study, we investigated the effect of exogenous p-CA on plant growth, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative damage, photosynthetic metabolism, osmolyte content and changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymatic activity. Exogenous p-CA improved Salvia hispanica (chia) growth by significantly enhancing shoot length, fresh and dry weights coupled with augmented levels of total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. Furthermore, p-CA also triggered an induction in proline, glycine betaine (GB) and superoxide (O2∙-) levels while no changes were observed for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and downstream malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Also, no change in SOD activity was observed in the p-CA treatment relative to the control. Therefore, the results suggest that exogenous p-CA improves chia seedling growth possibly via activation of a ROS-signalling pathway involving O2∙- under the control of proline accumulation.

Chemical Fingerprinting of Seeds of Some Salvia Species in Turkey by Using GC-MS and FTIR

Six species of Salvia seeds cultivated and grown in Cumra/Konya (Turkey) were evaluated using headspace gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) combined chemometrics of hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). The major volatile compounds in the Salvia species are determined as n-hexanal (present in seven samples), sabinene (present in three samples), α-pinene (present in 13 samples), α-thujone (present in four samples), borneol (present in 11 samples), linalyl acetate (present in 10 samples), β-pinene (present in 13 samples), camphene (present in 13 samples), α-thujene (present in four samples), 2,4(10)-thujadien (present in two samples), β-myrcene (present in seven samples), limonen (present in 12 samples), 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) (present in 13 samples) and camphor (present in nine samples). The most abundant (%) volatile compounds among all were detected as α-pinene, camphene, β-pinene and eucalyptol. For the first time, chemometrics of HCA and PCA is applied to FTIR and GC-MS data. The classification of all samples is performed on the basis of their chemical similarities and differences.

Production of omega 3-rich oils from underutilized chia seeds. Comparison between supercritical fluid and pressurized liquid extraction methods

Chia seeds constitute a promising source of α-linolenic acid (ALA). In the present work, an underutilized and cheaper set of chia seeds, which were discarded after the harvest according to quality criteria - named in this work as low oil content seeds (LOCS) - have been evaluated as a potential source for obtaining PUFA-enriched oils against the commonly studied high-quality chia seeds denoted as high oil content seeds (HOCS) in this study. Two efficient and environmental friendly techniques, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), were evaluated to optimize the extraction process of chia oil. At 60 °C, by using pressurized food-grade ethanol, recoveries close to 100% were achieved from both sets of seeds in a short extraction time (10 min). By using SFE, the greatest oil extraction yield (>95%) was attained at the highest pressure and temperature conditions (45 MPa and 60 °C) after 240 min. At the early stage of SFE extraction, both LOCS and HOCS exhibited a similar kinetic behavior, reaching oil extraction rates of 0.59 g oil/min and 0.64 g oil/min, respectively. No differences were found between the fatty acid profile of the oils extracted from LOCS and HOCS both by PLE and SFE. ALA and linoleic acid (LA) concentrations ranged between 65-68% and 17-23% respectively, and a predominance of high molecular weight triglycerides (≥ CN50), was found in all extracted oils. In conclusion, LOCS might constitute a new suitable raw material for the production of ALA-enriched oils. Concerning the extraction methods assayed, the oil was almost entirely recovered by both PLE and SFE at the used conditions.

Application of chia (Salvia hispanica) seeds as a functional component in the fortification of pineapple jam

This study aimed at producing chia seed-fortified pineapple jam and evaluation of its physicochemical and sensory characteristics. Five pineapple jam formulations were developed, starting with the basic formulation (jam 1/control) containing sucrose and added pectin. The other jams (jam 2, jam 3, jam 4, and jam 5) had sucrose and pectin but with chia seeds added at rates of 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50% w/w, respectively. Crude protein of the jams was analyzed through macro Kjeldahl method, and the crude fiber was estimated by the Weende method. Thirty-two semi-trained panelists performed sensory evaluation test of the developed jams using 5-point hedonic scale. Chia pineapple jam had golden color compared to control pineapple jam, which had yellow color. The fresh chia pineapple jams had significantly (p < 0.05) different protein and crude fiber contents in each sample. The protein content in the control was 0.53%, while it ranged between 1.60 and 8.60% for the chia seed-fortified jams. For crude fiber, the values were 4.83% for the control and 5.38, 9.08, 13.33, and 21.02% for jam 2, jam 3, jam 4, and jam 5, respectively. General acceptability and sensory evaluation (flavor, color, and texture) showed significant (p < 0.05) differences compared to the control, while spreadability had no significant (p > 0.05) differences. The information obtained from this study indicates that chia-fortified pineapple jam could be produced with favorable sensory attributes that could be used for jam making and other processed products to benefit from the functional components in the chia seeds.

Chia Oil Extraction Coproduct as a Potential New Ingredient for the Food Industry: Chemical, Physicochemical, Techno-Functional and Antioxidant Properties

The aim of this work was to characterize the coproduct obtained from chia oil production (cold-pressing) with a view to its possible application in new food product development. For this characterization, the following determinations were made: proximate composition, physicochemical analysis, techno-functional properties, total phenolic and flavonoid content, polyphenolic profile and antioxidant capacity (using four different methods). Chia coproduct showed significantly higher levels of proteins and total dietary fiber and lower levels of fats than chia seeds, pointing to the promising nature of this coproduct as an ingredient of food formulations since it remains a source of high biological value proteins and total dietary fiber (as chia seeds themselves) but with a lower energy value. This chia coproduct presents similar techno-functional properties to the original chia seeds and significantly higher levels of polyphenolic compounds and, consequently, higher antioxidant activity.

Development of gluten-free bread formulations containing whole chia flour with acceptable sensory properties

Increasing the variety of better‐tasting and healthier gluten‐free products is important for consumers with gluten‐related disorders. This work aimed to develop a gluten‐free bread formulation containing whole chia flour with acceptable sensory properties. A mixture design for three ingredients and response surface methodology were used to identify the proportions of potato starch, rice flour and whole chia flour to achieve the best physical properties and result in sensory‐accepted products. The physical properties and visual appearance showed that whole chia flour alone is not suitable for bread production. Nevertheless, it is possible to add up to 14% whole chia flour to a rice flour‐based gluten‐free bread formulation while negligibly diminishing the loaf volume, crumb firmness and crumb moisture. The best formulations were prepared from rice flour blends with 5, 10, and 14% whole chia flour, which received overall acceptability scores of 8.7, 8.1 and 7.9 on a 10‐cm scale, respectively, similar to those of their white gluten‐free bread and wheat bread counterparts. Incorporating 5%–14% whole chia flour in the formulation increased the levels of ash, lipid, protein and dietary fiber compared to those of the white gluten‐free bread.

Resistance-modifying Activity in Vinblastine-resistant Human Breast Cancer Cells by Oligosaccharides Obtained from Mucilage of Chia Seeds (Salvia hispanica)

The multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype is considered as a major cause of the failure in cancer chemotherapy. The acquisition of MDR is usually mediated by the overexpression of drug efflux pumps of a P-glycoprotein. The development of compounds that mitigate the MDR phenotype by modulating the activity of these transport proteins is an important yet elusive target. Here, we screened the saponification and enzymatic degradation products from Salvia hispanica seed's mucilage to discover modulating compounds of the acquired resistance to chemotherapeutic in breast cancer cells. Preparative-scale recycling HPLC was used to purify the hydrolysis degradation products. All compounds were tested in eight different cancer cell lines and Vero cells. All compounds were noncytotoxic at the concentration tested against the drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant cells (IC₅₀  > 29.2 μM). For the all products, a moderate vinblastine-enhancing activity from 4.55-fold to 6.82-fold was observed. That could be significant from a therapeutic perspective. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Addition of chia seed mucilage for reduction of fat content in bread and cakes

In this study, breads and chocolate cakes were prepared with different levels of chia mucilage dried at 50°C or lyophilized as fat, resulting in healthier products. Results indicated that breads and chocolate cakes made with chia mucilage can replace up to 50% of fat without affecting the technological and physical characteristics. The replacement of 75% of fat, for both types of mucilage, had a significant reduction in fat content of 56.6% in breads and 51.6% in cakes, producing a slight decrease in the technological characteristics of the products. Sensorial parameters showed good acceptability, with greater purchase intent for both products when added with chia mucilage dried at 50°C. Therefore, chia mucilage proved to be a new alternative for replacing fat in food products, preserving the quality attributes and making them healthier foods.

Fatty acids characterization, oxidative perspectives and consumer acceptability of oil extracted from pre-treated chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds

Background

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds have been described as a good source of lipids, protein, dietary fiber, polyphenolic compounds and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The consumption of chia seed oil helps to improve biological markers related to metabolic syndrome diseases. The oil yield and fatty acids composition of chia oil is affected by several factors such as pre-treatment method and size reduction practices. Therefore, the main mandate of present investigate was to study the effect of different seed pre-treatments on yield, fatty acids composition and sensory acceptability of chia oil at different storage intervals and conditions.

Methods

Raw chia seeds were characterized for proximate composition. Raw chia seeds after milling were passed through sieves to obtain different particle size fractions (coarse, seed particle size ≥ 10 mm; medium, seed particle size ≥ 5 mm; fine, seed particle size ≤ 5 mm). Heat pre-treatment of chia seeds included the water boiling (100 C°, 5 min), microwave roasting (900 W, 2450 MHz, 2.5 min), oven drying (105 ± 5 °C, 1 h) and autoclaving (121 °C, 15 lbs, 15 min) process. Extracted oil from pre-treated chia seeds were stored in Tin cans at 25 ± 2 °C and 4 ± 1 °C for 60–days and examined for physical (color, melting point, refractive index), oxidative (iodine value, peroxide value, free fatty acids), fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, α-linolenic) composition and sensory (appearance, flavor, overall acceptability) parameters, respectively.

Results

The proximal composition of chia seeds consisted of 6.16 ± 0.24 % moisture, 34.84 ± 0.62 % oil, 18.21 ± 0.45 % protein, 4.16 ± 0.37 % ash, 23.12 ± 0.29 % fiber, and 14.18 ± 0.23 % nitrogen contents. The oil yield as a result of seed pre-treatments was found in the range of 3.43 ± 0.22 % (water boiled samples) to 32.18 ± 0.34 % (autoclaved samples). The oil samples at day 0 indicated the maximum color (R and Y Lovibond scale) value for oven drying while at storage day 60 (25 ± 2 °C), the highest color value was found for autoclave pre-treatment. The slightly increasing trend of color values for all treatments was observed during the storage period. The lowest iodine value (182.83 ± 1.18 g/100 g at storage day 0 & 173.49 ± 1.21 g/100 g at storage day 60, 25 ± 2 °C) was calculated for autoclaved samples while the maximum iodine value (193.42 ± 1.14 g/100 g at storage day 0 & 190.36 ± 1.17 g/100 g at storage day 60, 25 ± 2 °C) was recorded for raw chia samples. The significant increasing trend for all treatments was observed in case of peroxide value and free fatty acids production during storage. Maximum decrease in linoleic (35 %) and α-linolenic (18 %) fatty acids was observed in autoclaved samples. The oil from pre-treated seed samples obtained decreasing scores for sensory parameters throughout the storage period at different conditions.

Conclusions

As a result, chia seeds are an important source of lipids and essential fatty acids. The water boiling and high temperature processing of chia seeds provides instability to lipids during storage at room temperature. However, detailed investigation is required on the processing performance and storage stability of food products supplemented with pre-treated chia seeds and furthers their effect on biological system.

Spray dried microparticles of chia oil using emulsion stabilized by whey protein concentrate and pectin by electrostatic deposition

Chia seed oil has a high content of α-linolenic acid (60%) and linoleic acid (20%). Use of this oil in different products is limited due to its liquid state, and the presence of insaturation is a trigger for oxidation. In this context, to facilitate the incorporation of chia oil in food products and increase its protection against oxidation, the aim of this work was to produce chia oil microparticles by spray drying using emulsions stabilized by whey protein concentrate (ζ-potential +13.4 at pH3.8) and pectin (ζ-potential -40.4 at pH3.8) through the electrostatic layer-by-layer deposition technique and emulsions prepared with only whey protein concentrate. Emulsions stabilized by whey protein concentrate and stabilized by whey protein concentrate-pectin were prepared using maltodextrin (10 DE) and modified starch (Hi-Cap® 100). They were characterized in relation to stability, droplet size, ζ-Potential and optical microscopy. The microparticles were characterized in relation to moisture content, water activity, particle size, microstructure and oxidative stability by the Rancimat method. Emulsions stabilized by whey protein concentrate-pectin with added maltodextrin 10 DE and emulsions stabilized by whey protein concentrate with added modified starch (Hi-Cap® 100) were stable after 24h. Emulsions stabilized by whey protein concentrate and by whey protein concentrate-pectin showed droplets with mean diameter ranging from 0.80 to 1.31μm, respectively and ζ-potential varying from -6.9 to -27.43mV, respectively. After spray drying, the microparticles showed an mean diameter ranging from 7.00 to 9.00μm. All samples presented high encapsulation efficiency values, above 99%. Microparticles produced with modified starch showed a smoother spherical surface than particles with maltodextrin 10 DE, which presented a wrinkled surface. All microparticles exhibited higher oxidative stability than chia oil in pure form.

Chia (Salvia hispanica): A Review of Native Mexican Seed and its Nutritional and Functional Properties

In this chapter, a review is made on various aspects of chia seed in order to provide an overall, yet comprehensive view, about this important commodity with the aim of updating the current state of knowledge on its composition, possible nutraceutical properties, and potential benefits for human health. Based on this approach, the discussion includes some comments on the main historical aspects, morphology of the seed, its importance in the diet of humans and stresses the main results issued from investigations on its three main components; lipid, protein, and fiber. The chapter closes with a discussion on the potential benefits for human health, highlighting the contradictions that still exist in this area and the need for continued research in this direction and considerations on the role of chia seed as a functional food.

A new insight in desiccation tolerance and cryopreservation of mazzard cherry (Prunus avium L.) seeds

A variable response of Prunus avium L. seeds to desiccation and storage in liquid nitrogen (LN) has been reported in the literature. The majority of these experiments were conducted on initially dried seeds. The desiccation and LN exposure tolerance of fresh P. avium seeds is unknown. In the present study, fresh seeds were used to determine seed response to desiccation and cryopreservation. Desiccation of seeds from a moisture content (MC) of 19.7-20.2% to 10.1-10.9% or 07.6-8.5% reduced seedling emergence from approximately 73 to 19 and 16% for first provenance; and from approximately 89 to 10-12% for second provenance of seeds. After exposure to LN, seeds had the highest seedling emergence when seed MC was the highest (19.7 and 20.2%, respectively) prior to cryostorage. Results indicated that P. avium seeds should be classified as intermediate. For cryopreservation in seed banks, we recommend that seeds be dried directly after extraction from fruits in the range of 16.8-20.2% of MC (0.21-0.25 g·g