Effect of Hydrothermal Cooking and Germination Treatment on Functional and Physicochemical Properties of Parkia timoriana Bean Flours: An Underexplored Legume Species of Parkia Genera

Impact of Different Drying Techniques on Parkia timoriana Pods: Physicochemical, Nutritional, and Bioactive Insights Through In Vitro and In Silico Approaches

Parkia timoriana (Yongchak) is a nutrient-rich, underutilized tree bean widely consumed in northeast India and used traditionally against various ailments. In this study, the different parts of P. timoriana pods (outer pulp [OP], seeds, and whole pods) were processed through four different drying techniques: sun-, oven-, microwave-, and freeze-drying. Further, the study aimed to evaluate the effect of these drying techniques on the physicochemical and nutritional properties of P. timoriana pods, along with the antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of their extracts. In addition, a computational approach, incorporating molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation, was conducted on 42 previously reported bioactive compounds of P. timoriana pods against α-amylase as target protein, with acarbose as reference. The findings indicated that the seeds of P. timoriana showed the highest protein (31.73 mg/100 g dry weight [DW]) and fat (21.48 mg/100 g DW) contents, whereas carbohydrate (42.59 mg/100 g DW), crude fiber (22.40 mg/100 g DW), and ash (10.40 mg/100 g DW) contents were highest in OP. Moreover, highest phenolic contents (47.68 mg GAE/g), with stronger 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging (IC50: 19.12 µg/mL) and α-amylase inhibitory (IC50: 319.55 µg/mL) activities, were observed in OP extracts. Among the drying methods, sun- and freeze-drying provided higher yield, better rehydration, physical stability, enhanced antioxidant properties, and α-amylase inhibition. All the dehydration methods showed good retention of all the minerals. Further, molecular docking and MD simulation determined stigmasterol (-9.5 kcal/mol) as the potential inhibitor against α-amylase. This study can be helpful in the future utilization of the pods as food additives and as dietary supplements for managing diabetes. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study validated the nutritional, physicochemical, and antidiabetic properties of Parkia timoriana pods through in vitro and in silico approaches. These pods can be helpful in the future utilization in functional food development as nutrient-rich food additives and dietary supplements for managing diabetes. This study also concluded that sun- and freeze-drying techniques proved to be commercially beneficial in increasing the shelf life and preserving the nutritional quality of P. timorina pods.

Impact of choline choride and sugar natural deep eutectic solvents on structure and functionality of treebean (Parkia timoriana) seed protein

This study explores the impact of natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) on the structure and functionality of treebean (Parkia timoriana) seed protein, a novel approach to enhancing protein stability and functionality for sustainable bioprocessing. The research aims to evaluate the dynamic interactions between protein and choline chloride-sugar-based NADES, focusing on their effects on thermal properties, emulsification behaviour, and rheological characteristics. NADES were formulated using different sugars, and protein-NADES dispersions were analysed for their physicochemical and functional properties. Key findings include improved thermal stability, with sorbitol-based NADES showing the highest onset temperature (124.2 °C) and peak degradation temperature (330 °C), indicative of enhanced resistance to high-temperature processing. The sorbitol-NADES-protein dispersion also exhibited superior emulsification activity (50.42%) and stability (42.55%) compared to other formulations. Rheological analysis demonstrated non-Newtonian shear-thinning behaviour, with sorbitol-NADES providing the highest zero-shear viscosity (14.32 mPa s) and relaxation time (3.17 s). These results highlight the ability of NADES to stabilize protein structures while maintaining functionality under processing conditions. The novelty of the study lies in demonstrating the potential of NADES to sustainably enhance the structural and functional attributes of plant proteins, paving the way for innovative applications in food and bioprocessing industries. By employing green solvents, this study presents a sustainable solution for high-temperature food processing, addressing environmental concerns associated with conventional solvents.

Study of the Physical-Chemical, Thermal, Structural, and Rheological Properties of Four High Andean Varieties of Germinated Chenopodium quinoa

Chenopodium quinoa, a high Andean grain with excellent nutritional value and complex molecular structure, presents significant challenges in the bioavailability of nutrients and the functionality of its components. Germination as a biotechnological strategy generated significant modifications in four varieties of quinoa. The ungerminated and germinated samples' physical-chemical, thermal, structural, and rheological properties were determined. Results showed increases in protein bioavailability (14.13% in Black Collana Quinoa (BCQ) and 12.79% in Red Pasankalla Quinoa (RPQ)), phenolic compounds (30.81 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent/100 g in RPQ), flavonoids (108.53 mg Quercetin Equivalent/100 g in Yellow Marangani Quinoa (YMQ)), and antioxidant capacity (up to 241.43 μmol Trolox Equivalent/g in BCQ). Thermal analysis showed increases in gelatinization temperature (57.53 °C to 59.45 °C in RPQ) and a reduction in enthalpy (1.38 J/g to 0.67 J/g). Structural analysis showed similar functional groups, but variation in spectra intensity was related to starches and proteins. Rheological properties exhibited pseudoplastic behavior at 80 °C. Principal component analysis showed a clear difference between germinated and non-germinated samples. The germination process significantly modified quinoa, improving its nutritional and functional properties and generating new opportunities for its application in the development of biodegradable materials and functional foods.

Techno-functional, physicochemical and thermal characteristics of black chickpeas aquafaba under ultrasound pre-processing

Aquafaba is the liquid that remains from the cooking of beans in the canning industry, generally discarded as wastewater. This research aimed to optimize ultrasound pretreatment to enhance this by-product and introduce it as a high-added value product (known as liquid gold) in the food industry. The results showed that with the increase in the sonication time and amplitude, the extraction efficiency, soluble protein content, the density, and dry matter content of black chickpeas aquafaba increased significantly (p < 0.05). The results also demonstrated that foaming ability (in short ultrasonication times) and foam stability significantly increased with higher amplitude. The results of numerical optimization showed that ultrasound pre-treatment for 30 min with an amplitude of 72 % on black chickpeas before the cooking process created the best conditions for aquafaba extraction. Under these optimized conditions, the results yielded the highest values so that extraction efficiency, protein content, density, dry matter, foaming ability, and foam stability were 212.07 %, 3546.7 mg/kg, 1.038 g/mL, 4.76 %, 243.57 %, and 44.50 % respectively. Thermogravimetric and FT-IR analysis showed that the pre-sonication process not only makes aquafaba thermally stable, but also does not cause any structural changes in its chemical components. According to the favorable physicochemical characteristics of aquafaba, this product can benefit the food industry. It can be a material with high added value, profitable for the canning industry.

Physicochemical, Nutritional, and Antioxidant Properties of Traditionally Fermented Thai Vegetables: A Promising Functional Plant-Based Food

Fermented plant-based products were gathered from various regions in Thailand and categorized into 10 types of traditional commercial vegetables. Different vegetable materials and natural fermentation methods influence the diverse physical, chemical, nutritional, and functional attributes of the products. All the traditionally fermented Thai vegetable samples collected showed physicochemical properties associated with the fermentation process, contributing to the nutritional and functional quality of the final products. Achieving consistent research results is challenging due to the intricate nature of food matrices and biochemical processes during fermentation. The roles of microorganisms, especially probiotics, are crucial in delivering health benefits through fermented foods. Traditionally fermented Thai vegetable foods contain high levels of total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and salinity in pickled shallot and ginger as a result of the natural fermentation process and the ingredients used. The research findings were confirmed using a hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA)-derived dendrogram pattern. The nutritional compositions, total phenolic contents, and antioxidant activities varied among the different types of vegetables. The correlations among lipid, protein, fiber, total soluble solid (TSSs), total titratable acidity (TTA), and salinity as potential biomarkers in fermented vegetable products were examined. The results suggest that traditionally fermented Thai vegetable products significantly impacted food research by enhancing the quality and preserving the authenticity of traditionally fermented Thai vegetables.

Modification of Physiochemical and Techno-Functional Properties of Stink Bean (Parkia speciosa) by Germination and Hydrothermal Cooking Treatment

Stink bean, Parkia speciosa, is recognized as a significantly underutilized legume with versatile utility and diverse benefits. However, information on the impact of different processing methods, such as germination and hydrothermal cooking, is scarce on stink beans (SBs). Therefore, the current research aimed to explore the efficacy of germination (G) and hydrothermal cooking (HTC) on the physiochemical properties, proximate composition, techno-functional properties, and antioxidant potential of SB flour. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were employed to assess structural and morphological changes. The results revealed that the physiochemical properties of SB were significantly enhanced through processing, with more pronounced improvements observed during germination. Additionally, SBG exhibited a significantly higher protein content and lower fat content compared to SBHTC and stink bean raw (SBR). Moreover, techno-functional properties such as color intensity, least gelation concentration, and pasting properties were significantly improved in SBG compared to SBHTC and SBR. FTIR analysis of SBG and SBHTC indicated structural modifications in the lipid, protein, and carbohydrate molecules. FESEM examination revealed morphological changes in SBG and SBHTC when compared to SBR. Importantly, SBG exhibited higher antioxidant activity and total phenolic content in comparison to SBHTC and SBR. Therefore, processed SB flour can be incorporated and utilized in product development, highlighting its potential as a plant-based protein source for protein-rich breakfast bars and cookies.