Techno-Functional, Nutritional and Environmental Performance of Protein Isolates from Blue Lupin and White Lupin

Comparative highlights of morphological, phytochemical and nutritional key characteristics of Mediterranean Lupinus species

Lupinus species are valuable for sustainable agriculture due to their high protein content, adaptability, and bioactive compounds. This study assessed the morphological, nutritional, and phytochemical diversity of Lupinus albus, L. luteus, and L. pilosus using 27 agro-morphological traits and analytical techniques (GC-MS, GC-FID, HPLC, and spectrophotometry). L. pilosus, with its dense leaf pubescence, thrives in arid environments, whereas L. luteus and L. albus, with glabrous leaves, are adaptable to humid conditions. L. albus has the shortest ripening period (208.61 ± 12.79 days) and the highest protein (37.18 ± 2.37 %) and nitrogen (5.95 ± 0.38 %) content. L. pilosus exhibits the strongest antioxidant activity (ABTS: 84.5 %) due to its rich flavonoid and phenolic profile, while L. albus differ with its nutraceutical potential. Additionally, 38.88 % of L. albus seeds are "sweet", improving edibility. These findings highlight L. albus as an optimal candidate for genetic improvement and sustainable agriculture, particularly in Mediterranean regions.

Effect of Ultrasound Time on Structural and Gelling Properties of Pea, Lupin, and Rice Proteins

Plant proteins are garnering interest due to the growing demand for plant-based products, but their functionality in gel-based foods remains limited. Ultrasound (US) technology may improve the technological properties of proteins. Thus, the effect of US treatment time (0-15 min) on the structure and gelling properties of pea, lupin, and rice proteins was evaluated. The results showed that the whiteness (~60%) of all freeze-dried proteins remained unchanged (p > 0.05), regardless of the US time. However, FT-IR analysis revealed progressive reductions in α-helix and β-sheet for pea and lupin proteins (~50%) with US time, indicating partial unfolding. In addition, microstructure analysis showed an ~80% reduction in aggregate size for these proteins, while rice protein exhibited minimal changes. Conversely, weak gels were formed with pea and lupin proteins treated after 5 and 10 min of US, respectively, whereas rice protein did not form gels. Furthermore, US treatment time significantly increased (p < 0.05) the mechanical moduli, resulting in more structured gels after longer treatment times (tan δ ~0.3 at 15 min of US). These findings suggest that US treatment enhances the gelling properties of pea and lupin proteins, making them more suitable for plant-based food applications such as yogurt or desserts.

Impact of Supercritical CO2 Treatment on Lupin Flour and Lupin Protein Isolates

Global population growth is putting pressure on the food supply, necessitating the exploration of new, alternative, and sustainable protein sources. Lupin, an underutilized legume in human nutrition, has the potential to play a significant role in addressing this challenge. However, its incorporation into the human diet requires thorough investigation, including exploring and optimizing functionalization processes to maximize its potential. This study aimed to optimize the parameters (pressure, time, and CO2 flow) for extracting anti-technological factors (ATFs) from lupin using supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) and to evaluate the effects of this extraction on both the flour and the protein isolate derived from it. Optimization revealed that the optimal SC-CO2 conditions were a CO2 flow rate of 4 kg/h at 400 bar for 93 min. Under these conditions, significant changes were observed in the flour composition, including a reduction in oil, polyphenols, and moisture content, along with an increase in ash content. Improved color parameters were also noted. These variations were attributed to the removal of oil and phenolic compounds during processing. Furthermore, this research demonstrated that SC-CO2 treatment improved lupin protein isolate (LPI) purity (93.81 ± 0.31% vs. 87.42 ± 0.48%), significantly reduced oil content (8.31 ± 0.09% vs. 14.31 ± 0.32%), and enhanced color parameters. The SC-CO2 procedure also resulted in a higher protein extraction yield (56.95 ± 0.45% vs. 53.29 ± 2.37%). However, the total extraction yield (g LPI/100 g of flour) was not affected by SC-CO2 treatment, remaining at 24.30 ± 0.97% for the control sample and 24.21 ± 0.26% for the treated sample. The extracted oil (2.71 ± 0.11 g/100 g of flour), a co-product of the SC-CO2 step, exhibited a fatty acid profile characterized by high levels of unsaturated fatty acids (62.8 ± 0.74 g/100 g oil), oleic acid (27.76 ± 0.77 g/100 g oil), linoleic acid (25.98 ± 0.73 g/100 g oil), and α-linolenic acid (5.32 ± 0.16 g/100 g oil), as well as a balanced ratio of essential fatty acids (n-6/n-3 = 4.89). The treatment had minimal to no effect on amino acid content or chemical score, and the protein was characterized by high amounts of essential amino acids (334 ± 3.12 and 328 ± 1.05 mg/g protein in LPI-control and LPI-SF, respectively). These findings demonstrate that both the LPI and the oil extracted using SC-CO2 possess high nutritional quality and are suitable for human food applications.

Use of supercritical CO2 to improve the quality of lupin protein isolate

Lupins are an excellent source of protein which can be used to obtain protein isolates with potential use in the food industry. Some studies use supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) to defat legume flours, but no study analyzes the effect of applying this technology directly to the protein isolate. This article has proposed the use of SC-CO2 to improve lupin protein isolate (LPI) quality. SC-CO2 increased the LPI purity while reducing oil and other antitechnological factors (saponins and polyphenols). The treatment significantly improved the LPI color due to the elimination of the lipid fraction and lipophilic pigments (carotenoids). No changes in amino acid contents or chemical score were observed due to the SC-CO2. Finally, the treatment improved or did not affect the main LPI technofunctional properties. Therefore, SC-CO2 is a promising technique to enhance the quality of protein isolates, without affecting or improving their functional properties.

Optimizing the fermentation parameters in the Lactic Acid Fermentation of Legume-based Beverages- a statistically based fermentation

BACKGROUND

The market for beverages is highly changing within the last years. Increasing consumer awareness towards healthier drinks led to the revival of traditional and the creation of innovative beverages. Various protein-rich legumes were used for milk analogues, which might be also valuable raw materials for refreshing, protein-rich beverages. However, no such applications have been marketed so far, which might be due to unpleasant organoleptic impressions like the legume-typical "beany" aroma. Lactic acid fermentation has already been proven to be a remedy to overcome this hindrance in consumer acceptance.

RESULTS

In this study, a statistically based approach was used to elucidate the impact of the fermentation parameters temperature, inoculum cell concentration, and methionine addition on the fermentation of lupine- and faba bean-based substrates. A total of 39 models were found and verified. The majority of these models indicate a strong impact of the temperature on the reduction of aldehydes connected to the "beany" impression (e.g., hexanal) and on the production of pleasantly perceived aroma compounds (e.g., β-damascenone). Positively, the addition of methionine had only minor impacts on the negatively associated sulfuric compounds methional, dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, and dimethyl trisulfide. Moreover, in further fermentations, the time was added as an additional parameter. It was shown that the strains grew well, strongly acidified the both substrates (pH ≤ 4.0) within 6.5 h, and reached cell counts of > 9 log10 CFU/mL after 24 h. Notably, most of the aldehydes (like hexanal) were reduced within the first 6-7 h, whereas pleasant compounds like β-damascenone reached high concentrations especially in the later fermentation (approx. 24-48 h).

CONCLUSIONS

Out of the fermentation parameters temperature, inoculum cell concentration, and methionine addition, the temperature had the highest influence on the observed aroma and taste active compounds. As the addition of methionine to compensate for the legume-typical deficit did not lead to an adverse effect, fortifying legume-based substrates with methionine should be considered to improve the bioavailability of the legume protein. Aldehydes, which are associated with the "beany" aroma impression, can be removed efficiently in fermentation. However, terminating the process prematurely would lead to an incomplete production of pleasant aroma compounds.

Compatibility of pulse protein in the formulation of plant based yogurt: a review of nutri-functional properties and processing impact

With the increased environmental concerns and health awareness among consumers, there has been a notable interest in plant-based dairy alternatives. The plant-based yogurt market has experienced rapid expansion in recent years. Due to challenges related to cultivation, higher cost of production and lower protein content researchers have explored the viability of pulse-based yogurt which has arisen as an economically and nutritionally abundant solution. This review aims to examine the feasibility of utilizing pulse protein for yogurt production. The nutritional, antinutritional, and functional characteristics of various pulses were discussed in detail, alongside the modifications in these properties during the various stages of yogurt manufacturing. The review also sheds light on pivotal findings from existing literature and outlines challenges associated with the production of pulse-based yogurt. Pulses have emerged as promising base materials for yogurt manufacturing due to their favorable nutritional and functional characteristics. Further, the fermentation process can effectively reduce antinutritional components and enhance digestibility. Nonetheless, variations in sensorial and rheological properties were noted when different types of pulses were employed. This issue can be addressed by employing suitable combinations to achieve the desired properties in pulse-based yogurt.

Effects of Laccase and Transglutaminase on the Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Hybrid Lupin and Whey Protein Powder

Plant-based protein is considered a sustainable protein source and has increased in demand recently. However, products containing plant-based proteins require further modification to achieve the desired functionalities akin to those present in animal protein products. This study aimed to investigate the effects of enzymes as cross-linking reagents on the physicochemical and functional properties of hybrid plant- and animal-based proteins in which lupin and whey proteins were chosen as representatives, respectively. They were hybridised through enzymatic cross-linking using two laccases (laccase R, derived from Rhus vernicifera and laccase T, derived from Trametes versicolor) and transglutaminase (TG). The cross-linking experiments were conducted by mixing aqueous solutions of lupin flour and whey protein concentrate powder in a ratio of 1:1 of protein content under the conditions of pH 7, 40 °C for 20 h and in the presence of laccase T, laccase R, or TG. The cross-linked mixtures were freeze-dried, and the powders obtained were assessed for their cross-linking pattern, colour, charge distribution (ζ-potential), particle size, thermal stability, morphology, solubility, foaming and emulsifying properties, and total amino acid content. The findings showed that cross-linking with laccase R significantly improved the protein solubility, emulsion stability and foaming ability of the mixture, whereas these functionalities were lower in the TG-treated mixture due to extensive cross-linking. Furthermore, the mixture treated with laccase T turned brownish in colour and showed a decrease in total amino acid content which could be due to the enzyme's oxidative cross-linking mechanism. Also, the occurrence of cross-linking in the lupin and whey mixture was indicated by changes in other investigated parameters such as particle size, ζ-potential, etc., as compared to the control samples. The obtained results suggested that enzymatic cross-linking, depending on the type of enzyme used, could impact the physicochemical and functional properties of hybrid plant- and animal-based proteins, potentially influencing their applications in food.

Addressing astringency of grape seed extract by covalent conjugation with lupin protein

Astringency of phenolic-rich foods is a key tactile perception responsible for acceptability/rejection of plant extracts as ingredients in formulations. Covalent conjugation of phenolic extracts with plant proteins might be a promising strategy to control astringency, but suffers from a lack of mechanistic understanding from the lubrication point of view. To shed light on this, this ex vivo study evaluated the effect of conjugation of a phenolic grape seed extract (GSE) with legume protein (lupin, LP) on tribological and surface adsorption performance of GSE in the absence and presence of human saliva (ex vivo). Tribological results confirmed GSE had an inferior lubrication capacity as compared to LP. The lubrication performance of LP-GSE dispersions was comparable to their corresponding LP dispersion (p > 0.05) when covalently conjugated with LP (LP-GSE) with increasing LP:GSE ratio up to 1:0.04 w/w and at a specific degree of conjugation (DC: 2%). Tribological and surface adsorption measurements confirmed the tendency of GSE to interact with human saliva (ex vivo, n = 17 subjects), impairing the lubricity of salivary films. The covalent bonding of LP to GSE hindered GSE's interaction with human saliva, implying the potential influence of covalent conjugation on attenuating astringency. LP appeared to compete with human saliva for surface adsorption and governed the lubrication behaviour in LP-GSE dispersions. Findings from this study provide valuable knowledge to guide the rational design of sustainable, functional foods using conjugation of phenolics with plant proteins to incorporate larger proportions of health-promoting phenolics while controlling astringency, which needs validation by sensory trials.

Looking for a Novel Vegan Protein Supplement from Faba Bean, Lupine, and Soybean: a Dietary and Industrial Standpoint

Global population growth poses a threat to sustainable development. Meanwhile, the use of plant proteins as healthy and sustainable alternatives to animal proteins needs further research. Therefore, this investigation was designed to study the nutritive, structural, and thermal properties of isolated protein fractions from different legumes, i.e., faba bean (FPI), soybean (SPI), and lupine (LPI). As a prospective plant-based protein powder, an equal mixture (MPI) of the three prior legume samples was formulated to study its properties compared to each sole sample. The alkaline extraction and isoelectric precipitation (AE-IP) technique was used for protein isolation. Results showed that all protein isolates had reasonable levels of protein with maximum protein content in SPI (96.15%). The MPI sample, however, came out on top in terms of amino acid profile followed by FBI. Compared to SPI and LPI, it had the highest isoleucine content and higher methionine, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, and lysine. Moreover, MPI showed a median particle charge (-37.1 mV) compared to FPI, SPI, and LPI samples. MPI sample peak showed resistance to heat denaturation at a temperature greater than 200 °C when the DSC test was conducted. With respect to its rheological characteristics, it outperformed the other three protein isolates and exhibited the highest values of storage modulus G' and loss modulus G". Consequently, our study suggests that pulse-derived protein isolate mixture can be used as a unique type of nutritious dietary protein supplement. It could be a good nutritional alternative to proteins derived from animals.

Lupin as a Source of Bioactive Antioxidant Compounds for Food Products

Four species of lupin (white lupin, yellow lupin, blue lupin and Andean lupin) are widely cropped thanks to the excellent nutritional composition of their seeds: high protein content (28-48 g/100 g); good lipid content (4.6-13.5 g/100 g, but up to 20.0 g/100 g in Andean lupin), especially unsaturated triacylglycerols; and richness in antioxidant compounds like carotenoids, tocols and phenolics. Particularly relevant is the amount of free phenolics, highly bioaccessible in the small intestine. However, the typical bitter and toxic alkaloids must be eliminated before lupin consumption, hindering its diffusion and affecting its nutritional value. This review summarises the results of recent research in lupin composition for the above-mentioned three classes of antioxidant compounds, both in non-debittered and debittered seeds. Additionally, the influence of technological processes to further increase their nutritional value as well as the effects of food manufacturing on antioxidant content were scrutinised. Lupin has been demonstrated to be an outstanding raw material source, superior to most crops and suitable for manufacturing foods with good antioxidant and nutritional properties. The bioaccessibility of lupin antioxidants after digestion of ready-to-eat products still emerges as a dearth in current research.

Optimization and Characterization of Lupin Protein Isolate Obtained Using Alkaline Solubilization-Isoelectric Precipitation

The trend in today's society is to increase the intake of vegetable protein instead of animal protein. Therefore, there is a concern to find new sources of alternative protein. In this sense, legumes are the main protein source of vegetable origin. Of all of them, lupins are the ones with higher protein content, although they are currently undervalued as an alternative for human consumption. In this sense, it is vital to characterize and obtain protein isolates from this legume, which satisfies the growing demand. Therefore, in the present work, the procedure for obtaining a lupin (Lupinus luteus) protein isolate (LPI), based on basic solubilization followed by isoelectric precipitation, has been optimized and validated. The optimized LPI, as well as the lupin flour, were subsequently characterized. The chemical composition, physicochemical, as well as the technofunctional properties of the LPI were analyzed. The results show that the proposed procedure had a high yield (23.19 g LPI/100 g flour) and allowed to obtain high-purity protein isolates (87.7 g protein/100 g LPI). The amino acid composition and the chemical scores show high proportions of essential amino acids, being protein deficient only in methionine and valine. Therefore, it can be affirmed that it is a high-quality protein that meets the requirements proposed by the FAO. Regarding the lipid fraction, it is mainly composed of unsaturated fatty acids (C18:1n-9 and C18:2n-6), which is also advisable in order to follow a healthy diet. Finally, LPI showed interesting technofunctional properties (foaming, gelling, emulsifying, water and oil absorption, and solubility), which makes it especially attractive for use in the food industry.

Therapeutic Applications and Effects of Lupinus angustifolius (Blue Lupin) and Its Components: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Lupinus angustifolius has a unique nutrient profile among legumes and may have beneficial health effects when included in the diet. The aim of this study was to investigate the biological properties of blue lupin (Lupinus angustifolius), its chemical components, and their relevance for monitoring biological and anthropometric health markers, including triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), BMI, weight, and glycemia, compared with control groups with other kinds of diets. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, updated to December 2023, were searched. Out of the 194 studies identified, a total of 7 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comprising 302 participants met the eligibility criteria. The results of our study indicated that the blue lupin diet has a direct relationship with parameters such as blood glucose, weight, and LDL-C but not with TGs or BMI. In conclusion, the research described in this review clearly indicates that L. angustifolius may play an important role in the dietary prevention of hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Therefore, it would be highly advisable to increase its consumption in diets. However, further studies, ideally in humans, are required to truly establish L. angustifolius's health-promoting properties.

Plant-Based Dairy Alternatives-A Future Direction to the Milky Way

One significant food group that is part of our daily diet is the dairy group, and both research and industry are actively involved to meet the increasing requirement for plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDAs). The production tendency of PBDAs is growing with a predictable rate of over 18.5% in 2023 from 7.4% at the moment. A multitude of sources can be used for development such as cereals, pseudocereals, legumes, nuts, and seeds to obtain food products such as vegetal milk, cheese, cream, yogurt, butter, and different sweets, such as ice cream, which have nearly similar nutritional profiles to those of animal-origin products. Increased interest in PBDAs is manifested in groups with special dietary needs (e.g., lactose intolerant individuals, pregnant women, newborns, and the elderly) or with pathologies such as metabolic syndromes, dermatological diseases, and arthritis. In spite of the vast range of production perspectives, certain industrial challenges arise during development, such as processing and preservation technologies. This paper aims at providing an overview of the currently available PBDAs based on recent studies selected from the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus. We found 148 publications regarding PBDAs in correlation with their nutritional and technological aspects, together with the implications in terms of health. Therefore, this review focuses on the relationship between plant-based alternatives for dairy products and the human diet, from the raw material to the final products, including the industrial processes and health-related concerns.

Structural and Thermal Characterization of Protein Isolates from Australian Lupin Varieties as Affected by Processing Conditions

Proteins from the full and defatted flours of L. angustifolius cv Jurien and L. albus cv Murringo were prepared using alkaline extraction and iso-electric precipitation. Isolates were either freeze dried or spray dried or pasteurized at 75 ± 3 °C/5 min before freeze-drying. Various structural properties were investigated to elucidate the varietal and processing-induced effect on molecular and secondary structure. Irrespective of processing, isolated proteins had a similar molecular size, with α-conglutin (412 kDa) and β-conglutin (210 kDa) being principal fractions for the albus and angustifolius variety, respectively. Smaller peptide fragments were observed for the pasteurized and spray dried samples, indicating some degree of processing-induced changes. Furthermore, secondary structure characterization by Fourier-transform-infrared and circular dichroism spectroscopy showed β-sheet and α-helical structure being the dominant structure, respectively. Thermal characterization showed two denaturation peaks corresponding to β-conglutin (T_d = 85-89 °C) and α-conglutin (T_d = 102-105 °C) fractions. However, the enthalpy values for α-conglutin denaturation were significantly higher for albus species, which corroborates well with higher amounts of heat stable α-conglutin present. Amino acid profile was similar for all samples with limiting sulphur amino acid. In summary, commercial processing conditions did not have a profound effect on the various structural properties of lupin protein isolates, and properties were mainly determined by varietal differences.

Functional Properties of Brewer's Spent Grain Protein Isolate: The Missing Piece in the Plant Protein Portfolio

Plant protein sources, as a part of developing sustainable food systems, are currently of interest globally. Brewer's spent grain (BSG) is the most plentiful by-product of the brewing industry, representing ~85% of the total side streams produced. Although nutritionally dense, there are very few methods of upcycling these materials. High in protein, BSG can serve as an ideal raw material for protein isolate production. This study details the nutritional and functional characteristics of BSG protein isolate, EverPro, and compares these with the technological performance of the current gold standard plant protein isolates, pea and soy. The compositional characteristics are determined, including amino acid analysis, protein solubility, and protein profile among others. Related physical properties are determined, including foaming characteristics, emulsifying properties, zeta potential, surface hydrophobicity, and rheological properties. Regarding nutrition, EverPro meets or exceeds the requirement of each essential amino acid per g protein, with the exception of lysine, while pea and soy are deficient in methionine and cysteine. EverPro has a similar protein content to the pea and soy isolates, but far exceeds them in terms of protein solubility, with a protein solubility of ~100% compared to 22% and 52% for pea and soy isolates, respectively. This increased solubility, in turn, affects other functional properties; EverPro displays the highest foaming capacity and exhibits low sedimentation activity, while also possessing minimal gelation properties and low emulsion stabilising activity when compared to pea and soy isolates. This study outlines the functional and nutritional properties of EverPro, a brewer's spent grain protein, in comparison to commercial plant protein isolates, indicating the potential for the inclusion of new, sustainable plant-based protein sources in human nutrition, in particular dairy alternative applications.

Effect of Debittering with Different Solvents and Ultrasound on Carotenoids, Tocopherols, and Phenolics of Lupinus albus Seeds

Lupin seeds represent a rich nutritional source of bioactive compounds, including antioxidant molecules such as carotenoids, tocopherols, and phenolics. However, before consumption, the lupin seeds must be debittered in order to remove their bitter and toxic alkaloids. This study analyzed the impact on the bioactive compounds of Lupinus albus seeds of a recent time- and water-saving debittering method, which employs alternative washing solutions (0.5% or 1% of either NaCl or citric acid), with or without the assistance of ultrasound. The results were compared with those of two control methods using water or a NaCl solution. The sonication, when it was significant, led to a large loss of bioactive compounds, which was most likely due to its extraction capability. The seeds that were debittered without ultrasound presented high concentrations of tocopherols (172.8-241.3 mg/kg DM), carotenoids (10.9-25.1 mg/kg DM), and soluble-free (106.9-361.1 mg/kg DM), soluble-conjugated (93.9-118.9 mg/kg DM), and insoluble-bound (59.2-156.7 mg/kg DM) phenolics. The soluble-free fraction showed the greatest loss after a prolonged treatment. Overall, debittering with citric acid or NaCl preserved the highest concentration of antioxidant compounds by shortening the treatment time, thus preventing extensive leaching.

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

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

Quality and health dimensions of pulse-based dairy alternatives with chickpeas, lupins and mung beans

Health and environmental issues regarding dairy consumption have been highlighted in recent years leading to tremendous consumer demand for plant-based substitutes. In this review, we focused on quality and health dimensions of pulse-based dairy alternatives (PuBDA) using chickpeas, lupins and mung beans. Appraisal of existing documents show that there is limited information on PuBDA with the said pulses compared to similar materials such as soy and pea. Most of the studies focused on milk or fermented milks, either in full or partial substitution of the dairy ingredients with the pulses. Issues on stability, sensory properties, shelf life and nutritional quality were underlined by existing literature. Although it was emphasized in some reports the health potential through the bioactive components, there is scarce data on clinical studies showing actual health benefits of the featured PuBDA in this paper. There is also a scant number of these PuBDA that are currently available in the market and in general, these products have inferior nutritional quality compared to the animal-based counterparts. Technological innovations involving physical, biological and chemical techniques can potentially address the quality problems in the use of chickpeas, lupins, and mung beans as raw materials in dairy alternatives.

Combining high-protein ingredients from pseudocereals and legumes for the development of fresh high-protein hybrid pasta: enhanced nutritional profile

BACKGROUND

The fortification of wheat-based staple foods, such as pasta, with pseudocereal and legume flours has received growing research interest in recent years. While it is associated with many challenges regarding technological and sensory quality of the products, it promises a substantial improvement of the nutritional value of pasta. However, investigations of the nutritional quality of fortified pasta often focus on the carbohydrate/starch fraction, and information on changes in protein quality is relatively scarce. This study evaluates the nutritional profile of a high-protein hybrid pasta (HPHP) formulation in which a combination of three high-protein ingredients (HPIs) from buckwheat, faba bean and lupin is used to partially replace wheat semolina. The formulation's macronutrient composition, protein quality and the content of antinutritional compounds are assessed in comparison to regular wheat pasta.

RESULTS

The HPHP formulation represents a more favourable macronutrient profile compared to regular wheat pasta, particularly in relation to the isocaloric replacement of wheat starch by non-wheat protein. Furthermore, a more balanced amino acid profile, improved N utilisation and increased protein efficiency ratio (in vivo) were determined for HPHP, which conclusively suggests a substantially enhanced protein quality. The cooking process was shown to significantly reduce levels of vicine/convicine and trypsin inhibitor activity originating from HPIs. The small remaining levels seem not to adversely affect HPHP's nutritional quality.

CONCLUSION

This significant upgrade of pasta's nutritional value identifies HPHP, and similar hybrid formulations, as a healthy food choice and valuable alternative to regular wheat pasta, specifically for a protein supply of adequate quality in mostly plant-based diets. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Texture, sensory properties and functionality of extruded snacks from pulses and pseudocereal proteins

BACKGROUND

The protein-rich fractions of pulses and pseudocereals exhibit a well-balanced amino acid profile, particularly when combined in different portions, and are therefore high-value ingredients for the production of extruded snacks. However, the impact of a combination of pulses and pseudocereals on the physical and sensory qualities of extruded snacks has not been investigated up to now. Native or preconditioned protein isolates and concentrates from pulses - as single ingredients or in combination with protein-rich flours of pseudocereals - were analyzed regarding their thermal and functional properties in relation to extrusion characteristics. Low moisture extrusion cooking was used to investigate the impact of protein source (lentil, lupin, faba bean), pseudocereal source (quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat) and protein content (30%, 50%, 70%) on sectional expansion, specific hardness, density and sensory properties of the snacks.

RESULTS

With increasing protein content from 30% to 50%, the sectional expansion decreased and the density and specific hardness of the extrudates increased, which could be counteracted by preconditioning of the protein-rich ingredients. Lupin protein-based extrudates exhibited satisfactory texture and sensory properties. Extruded mixtures of pulses and pseudocereals (70% protein) exhibited a smaller sectional expansion compared to pulses as single ingredients (30%, 50%), regardless of pseudocereal type. However, the texture and sensory properties of the extruded blends were satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONS

We show for the first time that protein-rich fractions of pulses and pseudocereals can be processed into expanded snacks with favorable texture and nutritional properties such as increased protein contents (70%) and balanced amino acid profiles. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Combining high-protein ingredients from pseudocereals and legumes for the development of fresh high-protein hybrid pasta: maintained technological quality and adequate sensory attributes

BACKGROUND

The fortification of cereal foods, like pasta, with pseudocereal and legume ingredients promises a substantial improvement of their nutritional quality. However, partial replacement of wheat by pseudocereals and legumes in pasta formulations bears challenges regarding the products' technological and sensory quality. This study investigates the partial replacement of wheat semolina by a combination of high-protein ingredients (HPIs) from buckwheat, faba bean and lupin to reach a protein level of 20% of calories provided by protein. This high-protein hybrid pasta (HPHP) formulation was subjected to a thorough evaluation of technological quality characteristics and compared to regular wheat pasta and pasta formulations containing the single HPIs. Additionally, descriptive sensory profiling was performed to compare organoleptic properties of HPHP with regular wheat pasta.

RESULTS

The quality of pasta formulations containing single HPIs was significantly reduced with regard to at least one of the determined quality characteristics. For the HPHP formulation containing all three HPIs, the technological quality was found to be equal to regular wheat pasta. No significant differences were detected for the most indicative quality characteristics cooking loss, firmness and stickiness. This was attributed primarily to compensating effects of the HPIs with respect to different quality characteristics. Sensory analysis revealed only slightly inferior overall quality of HPHP in comparison to regular wheat pasta, especially promoted by similar textural properties.

CONCLUSION

The combination of selected HPIs offers the opportunity to produce high-protein hybrid pasta with technological and sensory quality similar to regular wheat pasta at a level of wheat semolina replacement of 25%. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Evaluation of Plant Protein Hydrolysates as Natural Antioxidants in Fish Oil-In-Water Emulsions

In this work, we evaluated the physical and oxidative stabilities of 5% w/w fish oil-in-water emulsions stabilized with 1%wt Tween20 and containing 2 mg/mL of protein hydrolysates from olive seed (OSM–H), sunflower (SFSM–H), rapeseed (RSM–H) and lupin (LUM–H) meals. To this end, the plant-based substrates were hydrolyzed at a 20% degree of hydrolysis (DH) employing a mixture 1:1 of subtilisin: trypsin. The hydrolysates were characterized in terms of molecular weight profile and in vitro antioxidant activities (i.e., DPPH scavenging and ferrous ion chelation). After incorporation of the plant protein hydrolysates as water-soluble antioxidants in the emulsions, a 14-day storage study was conducted to evaluate both the physical (i.e., ζ-potential, droplet size and emulsion stability index) and oxidative (e.g., peroxide and anisidine value) stabilities. The highest in vitro DPPH scavenging and iron (II)-chelating activities were exhibited by SFSM–H (IC₅₀ = 0.05 ± 0.01 mg/mL) and RSM–H (IC₅₀ = 0.41 ± 0.06 mg/mL). All the emulsions were physically stable within the storage period, with ζ-potential values below −35 mV and an average mean diameter D[4,3] of 0.411 ± 0.010 μm. Although LUM–H did not prevent lipid oxidation in emulsions, OSM–H and SFSM–H exhibited a remarkable ability to retard the formation of primary and secondary lipid oxidation products during storage when compared with the control emulsion without antioxidants. Overall, our findings show that plant-based enzymatic hydrolysates are an interesting alternative to be employed as natural antioxidants to retard lipid oxidation in food emulsions.

Alternative protein sources of plant, algal, fungal and insect origins for dietary diversification in search of nutrition and health

This review aimed to compare alternative protein sources in terms of nutritional composition and health benefits with the purpose of disseminating up-to-date knowledge and contribute for diversification of the food marked and consumers decision-making. Plant-based is the most well-established category of alternative proteins, but there is still room for diversification. Less conventional species such as chia seeds are prominent sources of ω-3 (∼60% total lipids), while hempseed and quinoa are notable sources of ω-6 (up to 58% and 61%, respectively). Edible insects and microalgae are alternative foods rich in protein (up to 70%), fibers (∼30%), as well as peptides and polysaccharides with antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, antidiabetic, antidepressant, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activities. Additionally, lipid contents in insect larvae can be as high as 50%, on a dry weight basis, containing fatty acids with anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties. In contrast, edible fungi have low lipid contents (∼2%), but are rich in carbohydrates (up to 79%) and have balanced amino acid profiles. The results suggest that food formulations combining different alternative protein sources can meet dietary requirements. Further studies on flavoring and texturing processes will help to create meat and dairy analogs, thus helping to broaden acceptance and applicability of alternative protein sources.

Flavor challenges in extruded plant-based meat alternatives: A review

Demand for plant-based meat alternatives has increased in recent years due to concerns about health, ethics, the environment, and animal welfare. Nevertheless, the market share of plant-based meat alternatives must increase significantly if they are to support sustainable food production and consumption. Flavor is an important limiting factor of the acceptability and marketability of plant-based meat alternatives. Undesirable chemosensory perceptions, such as a beany flavor, bitter taste, and astringency, are often associated with plant proteins and products that use them. This study reviewed 276 articles to answer the following five research questions: (1) What are the volatile and nonvolatile compounds responsible for off-flavors? (2) What are the mechanisms by which these flavor compounds are generated? (3) What is the influence of thermal extrusion cooking (the primary structuring technique to transform plant proteins into fibrous products that resemble meat in texture) on the flavor characteristics of plant proteins? (4) What techniques are used in measuring the flavor properties of plant-based proteins and products? (5) What strategies can be used to reduce off-flavors and improve the sensory appeal of plant-based meat alternatives? This article comprehensively discusses, for the first time, the flavor issues of plant-based meat alternatives and the technologies available to improve flavor and, ultimately, acceptability.

Effect of Fractionation and Processing Conditions on the Digestibility of Plant Proteins as Food Ingredients

Plant protein concentrates and isolates are used to produce alternatives to meat, dairy and eggs. Fractionation of ingredients and subsequent processing into food products modify the techno-functional and nutritional properties of proteins. The differences in composition and structure of plant proteins, in addition to the wide range of processing steps and conditions, can have ambivalent effects on protein digestibility. The objective of this review is to assess the current knowledge on the effect of processing of plant protein-rich ingredients on their digestibility. We obtained data on various fractionation conditions and processing after fractionation, including enzymatic hydrolysis, alkaline treatment, heating, high pressure, fermentation, complexation, extrusion, gelation, as well as oxidation and interactions with starch or fibre. We provide an overview of the effect of some processing steps for protein-rich ingredients from different crops, such as soybean, yellow pea, and lentil, among others. Some studies explored the effect of processing on the presence of antinutritional factors. A certain degree, and type, of processing can improve protein digestibility, while more extensive processing can be detrimental. We argue that processing, protein bioavailability and the digestibility of plant-based foods must be addressed in combination to truly improve the sustainability of the current food system.

FODMAP modulation as a dietary therapy for IBS: Scientific and market perspective

A diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) is a promising therapeutic approach to reduce gastrointestinal symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, a shift toward a more sustainable, healthy diet with higher inclusion of whole-grain cereals (i.e., wheat, rye, barley) and pulses, naturally rich in FODMAPs, poses a severe challenge for susceptible individuals. Dietary restriction of fermentable carbohydrates (commonly called the "low FODMAP diet") has received significant consideration. Hence, the development of functional low FODMAP products is emerging in food science and the food industry. In this review, we evaluate the most promising yet neglected (bio)-technological strategies adopted for modulating the FODMAP contents in complex food systems and the extent of their uptake in the global food market. We extensively investigated the global low FODMAP market, contrasted with the status quo in food science and discussed the key principles and concomitant challenges of targeted FODMAP reduction strategies. Powerful tools are available which are based either on the use of ingredients where FODMAPs have been physically removed (e.g., by membrane filtration) or biotechnologically reduced during the food processing, mediated by added enzymes, microbial enzymes during a fermentation process, and seed endogenous enzymes. However, <10% of the small market of functional products with a low FODMAP claim (total ∼800 products) used any of the targeted FODMAP reduction techniques. The global market is currently dominated by gluten-free products, which are naturally low in FODMAPs and characterized by inferior sensory attributes.

Nutritional and Rheological Features of Lentil Protein Isolate for Yoghurt-Like Application

The substitution of animal protein with proteins of plant origin is a viable way to decrease the negative impact caused by animal husbandry on the environment. Pulse consumption has been widely promoted as a nutritious contribution to protein supplementation. In this study, an emulsion of lentil (Lens culinaris) protein isolate is fermented with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to manufacture a yoghurt alternative and the techno-functional properties compared to a dairy- and a soy-based product with similar protein contents. The yoghurt-like products are subjected to large and small deformation analysis, quantification of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP), water holding capacity tests, protein profile analysis and the gel structure is visualised by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The lentil yoghurt alternative shows good water holding capacity, high firmness and consistency values in large deformation analysis, with cohesiveness and viscosity not significantly different from that of dairy yoghurt. The high gel strength and rigidity of the lentil yoghurt gels measured by small deformation analysis is well-reflected in the dense protein matrix in the CLSM graphs. FODMAP content of the lentil yoghurt is very low, making it suitable for consumption by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. Our results show that lentil protein isolate is an excellent base material for producing a plant-based yoghurt alternative.

Contribution of S. xylosus and L. sakei ssp. carnosus Fermentation to the Aroma of Lupin Protein Isolates

Aroma-active compounds of lupin protein isolate and lupin protein isolate fermented with Staphylococcus xylosus and Lactobacillus sakei ssp. carnosus were investigated. The changes in aroma-active compounds were determined by application of aroma extract dilution analysis in combination with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/olfactometry for identification, and by stable isotope dilution assays for quantification. A total of 30 aroma-active compounds for non-fermented and fermented samples were identified. The aroma profile of LPI fermented with Lactobacillus sakei ssp. carnosus was characterized as roasty and popcorn-like. Staphylococcus xylosus generated cheesy impressions, being in line with the fact that the main aroma compounds acetic acid, butanoic acid, and 2/3-methylbutanoic acid could be identified. Quantification of butanoic acid further confirmed these findings with the highest concentration of 140 mg/kg for LPI fermented with Staphylococcus xylosus. Our study provides insights into how fermentation utilizing different fermentative microbial strains, namely Staphylococcus xylosus and Lactobacillus sakei ssp. carnosus alters the aroma profile of lupin protein isolates. This demonstrates the potential of shaping fermented protein-based foods via targeted microbiological refinement.

Lupin Protein Isolate Structure Diversity in Frozen-Cast Foams: Effects of Transglutaminases and Edible Fats

This study addresses an innovative approach to generate aerated foods with appealing texture through the utilization of lupin protein isolate (LPI) in combination with edible fats. We show the impact of transglutaminases (TGs; SB6 and commercial), glycerol (Gly), soy lecithin (Lec) and linoleic acid (LA) on the micro- and nanostructure of health promoting solid foods created from LPI and fats blends. 3-D tomographic images of LPI with TG revealed that SB6 contributed to an exceptional bubble spatial organization. The inclusion of Gly and Lec decreased protein polymerization and also induced the formation of a porous layered material. LA promoted protein polymerization and formation of homogeneous thick layers in the LPI matrix. Thus, the LPI is a promising protein resource which when in blend with additives is able to create diverse food structures. Much focus has been placed on the great foamability of LPI and here we show the resulting microstructure of LPI foams, and how these were improved with addition of TGs. New food applications for LPI can arise with the addition of food grade dispersant Lec and essential fatty-acid LA, by improved puffiness, and their contributing as replacer of chemical leavening additives in gluten-free products.

Fermentation of Lupin Protein Hydrolysates-Effects on Their Functional Properties, Sensory Profile and the Allergenic Potential of the Major Lupin Allergen Lup an 1

Lupin protein isolate was treated using the combination of enzymatic hydrolysis (Papain, Alcalase 2.4 L and Pepsin) and lactic acid fermentation (Lactobacillus sakei ssp. carnosus, Lactobacillus amylolyticus and Lactobacillus helveticus) to investigate the effect on functional properties, sensory profile and protein integrity. The results showed increased foaming activity (2466–3481%) and solubility at pH 4.0 (19.7–36.7%) of all fermented hydrolysates compared to the untreated lupin protein isolate with 1613% of foaming activity and a solubility of 7.3 (pH 4.0). Results of the SDS-PAGE and Bead-Assay showed that the combination of enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation of LPI was effective in reducing L. angustifolius major allergen Lup an 1 to a residual level of <0.5%. The combination of enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation enables the production of food ingredients with good functional properties in terms of protein solubility and foam formation, with a balanced aroma and taste profile.

Nutritional and anti-nutritional properties of lentil (Lens culinaris) protein isolates prepared by pilot-scale processing

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Two lentil protein isolates (LPIs) and a lentil flour (LF) were prepared in pilot-scale.

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Nutritional and anti-nutritional properties of LPIs were examined in comparison to LF.

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Total galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) contents of LPIs were reduced by 58–91%.

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Trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) levels of LPIs were reduced by 81–87%.

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In vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) values of LPIs were improved by 35–53%.

Lentil (Lens culinaris) is a high-protein crop with a promising potential as a plant-based protein source for human nutrition. This study investigated nutritional and anti-nutritional properties of whole seed lentil flour (LF) compared to lentil protein isolates (LPIs) prepared in pilot-scale by isoelectric precipitation (LPI–IEP) and ultrafiltration (LPI–UF). Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) profiles showed significant reductions in total galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) contents by 58% and 91% in LPI–IEP and LPI–UF, respectively, compared to LF. Trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) levels based on dry protein mass were lowered by 81% in LPI–IEP and 87% in LPI–UF relative to LF. Depending on the stage of digestion, the in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) of LPIs was improved by 35–53% compared to LF, with both products showing a similar long-term protein digestibility to that of bovine serum albumin (BSA). This work supports the use of purified LPI products as a novel source of high quality protein for food applications.

The Effect of Fermentation with Kefir Grains on the Physicochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Beverages from Blue Lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) Seeds

Plant derived fermented beverages have recently gained consumers' interest, particularly due to their intrinsic functional properties and presence of beneficial microorganisms. Three variants containing 5%, 10%, and 15% (w/w) of sweet blue lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L. cv. "Boregine") seeds were inoculated with kefir grains and incubated at 25 °C for 24 h. After processing, beverages were stored in refrigerated conditions (6 °C) for 21 days. Changes in microbial population, pH, bioactive compounds (polyphenolics, flavonoids, ascorbic acid), reducing sugars, and free amino acids were estimated. Additionally, viscosity, firmness, color, and free radicals scavenging properties were determined. Results showed that lactic acid bacteria as well as yeast were capable of growing well in the lupin matrix without any supplementation. During the process of refrigeration, the viability of the microorganisms was over the recommended minimum level for kefir products. Hydrolysis of polysaccharides as well as increase of free amino acids was observed. As a result of fermentation, the beverages showed excellent DPPH, ABTS+·, ·OH, and O2- radicals scavenging activities with a potential when considering diseases associated with oxidative stress. This beverages could be used as a new, non-dairy vehicle for beneficial microflora consumption, especially by vegans and lactose-intolerant consumers.