Characteristics of Oat and Buckwheat Malt Grains for Use in the Production of Fermented Foods

Malted gluten-free cereal grains and pseudo-cereals are interesting raw materials for producing fermented foods. The aim of the work was to assess selected technological quality characteristics and antioxidant properties of special malts in terms of use in the production of fermented foods. The research material consisted of malts made from oat, buckwheat, and brewing barley. Malting was performed on a microtechnical scale according to the standard scheme for brewing barley grain. The basic quality parameters of cereal grains obtained malts, and laboratory wort were assessed according to methods applicable in brewing. Atypical brewing malts were characterized by parameters such as malt extractability, protein solubilization, diastatic force, mash filtration time, and wort viscosity. The best results, comparable to barley malt, were obtained for naked oat malt. Malted buckwheat grains turned out to be the least biochemically modified, although their use in the production of beer and/or other fermented beverages is supported by the high content of bioactive substances and antioxidant potential. As the malting process of cereal plants improves their antioxidant properties and increases their nutritional value, oat and buckwheat malts can be successfully used to produce gluten-free fermented beverages or as an addition to fermented products, e.g., in baking and confectionery.

Assessment of the Starch-Amylolytic Complex of Rye Flours by Traditional Methods and Modern One

The properties of the starch-amylolytic complex of commercial low-extract rye flour were determined based on the traditional method, such as falling number and amylograph test as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The starch, pentosans and protein had a significant effect on the thermal properties of the tested rye flours. Based on the falling number, it was revealed that rye flours were characterized by medium and low alpha-amylase activity. The falling number and amylograph test are not sufficient methods to determine the suitability of currently produced rye flours for bread making. The gelatinization process of the rye flour starch could be evaluated by the DSC test, which, together with the falling number and amylograph test, may allow a better way to evaluate the usefulness of rye flours for bread making. Many significant correlations between parameters determined by DSC endotherm and quality parameters of rye bread, such as volume and crumb hardness, were reported. Breads made from flour with higher enthalpy in DSC were characterized by higher volume and softer crumb.

Bread making potential of Triticum aestivum and Triticum spelta species

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of two winter wheat species: Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare, and Triticum spelta, cultivated in different percentage of cereals in crop rotation, on their bread making potential. The analyzed grain samples were obtained from a field experiment conducted during three years 2014-2016 at the Experimental Station in Osiny (51°35’, 21°55’), Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute, Puławy, Poland. The experiment was established following different percentages of shared cereals in crop rotation (SCCR): 50, 75 and 100%. Wheat cultivation was performed in accordance with good agricultural practice standards. Protein content, gluten content, Zeleny sedimentation index and alveograph properties were determined. Wheat species strongly influenced bread potential. The Triticum aestivum compared to Triticum spelta was characterized by significantly higher gluten quality and Zeleny sedimentation index as well as better alveograph properties. Common wheat showed the highest baking value (W). Spelt wheat was characterized by the lowest tenacity (P) and the highest extensibility (L). Moreover, the percentage of cereals in crop rotation had an effect on grain and dough quality parameters. Cultivation of wheat in 100% share of cereals resulted in the lowest grain and dough quality.

Procedures for Breadmaking Quality Assessment of Rye Wholemeal Flour

The aim of this study was to evaluate the baking value of rye flours from industrial mills and to indicate which rye flour quality parameters are the most important predictors of wholemeal rye bread quality for commercially milled rye grains. Ten wholemeal rye flours, which were characterized by ash content ranging from 1.43% to 2.42% d.m. (dry mass), were used for the study. The parameters that characterize the flour properties and the baking test were assessed. The study revealed that for the analyzed commercial rye flours, the falling number test and the amylograph properties are insufficient parameters for predicting the quality of wholemeal rye bread. The manufacture of good quality wholemeal bread requires the use of rye flour with superior quality, such as fine granulation, low protein content, low total and insoluble pentosans content, and, in particular, a high percentage of water-soluble pentosans content. Breads with a higher volume were obtained from rye flours that were generally characterized by lower protein content, lower total and insoluble pentosans content, and higher water-soluble pentosans content. Flour granulation and the percentage of water-soluble pentosans content especially, had a significant impact on bread’s hardness of crumb and the hardness of crumb’s increase during bread storage.

Is c.1431-12G>A A common European mutation of SPINK5? report of a patient with Netherton Syndrome

Netherton Syndrome (NS) is a very rare genetic skin disease resulting from defects in the SPINK5 gene (encoding the protease inhibitor lympho-epithelial Kazal type inhibitor 1, LEKTI1). In this report, we provide a detailed clinical description of a Polish patient with two SPINK5 mutations, the novel c.1816_1820+21delinsCT and possibly recurrent c.1431-12G>A. A detailed pathogenesis of Netherton Syndrome, on the basis of literature review, is discussed in the view of current knowledge about the LEKT1 molecular processing and activity.