Effect of the Post-Harvest Processing on Protein Modification in Green Coffee Beans by Phenolic Compounds

The protein fraction, important for coffee cup quality, is modified during post-harvest treatment prior to roasting. Proteins may interact with phenolic compounds, which constitute the major metabolites of coffee, where the processing affects these interactions. This allows the hypothesis that the proteins are denatured and modified via enzymatic and/or redox activation steps. The present study was initiated to encompass changes in the protein fraction. The investigations were limited to major storage protein of green coffee beans. Fourteen Coffea arabica samples from various processing methods and countries were used. Different extraction protocols were compared to maintain the status quo of the protein modification. The extracts contained about 4–8 µg of chlorogenic acid derivatives per mg of extracted protein. High-resolution chromatography with multiple reaction monitoring was used to detect lysine modifications in the coffee protein. Marker peptides were allocated for the storage protein of the coffee beans. Among these, the modified peptides K.FFLANGPQQGGK.E and R.LGGK.T of the α-chain and R.ITTVNSQK.I and K.VFDDEVK.Q of β-chain were detected. Results showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) of modified peptides from wet processed green beans as compared to the dry ones. The present study contributes to a better understanding of the influence of the different processing methods on protein quality and its role in the scope of coffee cup quality and aroma.

Phase angle. Medical interpretations and applications.

The choice of the topic of this work is due to the interest of specialists using bioimpedance technology for assessing the rate of metabolic processes and body composition, to the possibilities of the clinical application of the phase angle. Phase angle (PhA) is a parameter specific only to the bioimpedance method of obtaining information about body composition. In the early 2000s, it was shown that low PhA values in catabolic diseases can be used to assess survival, while high values can be used to assess the fitness of the muscular system in athletes and other individuals who regularly exercise. Systematic reviews and meta-analyzes of subsequent years have summarized the evidence base of these provisions and identified a number of new applications - in sarcopenia, anorexia, and renal failure. In assessing nutrition, PhA is used to indirectly characterize both the protein fraction of the body and the rate of metabolic processes.

Determining the optimal parameters of ultra-high-frequency treatment of chickpeas for the production of gluten-free flour

This paper describes the materials and results of studying the properties of such a leguminous crop as the chickpea variety Miras 07 of Kazakhstan selection in order to obtain gluten-free flour and further process it to produce confectionery products. The research involved the ultra-high-frequency (UHF) treatment of chickpea grain to improve quality indicators and reduce anti-alimentary factors. A change in the protein fraction of chickpeas was determined under exposure to ultra-high-frequency processing. The study has proven the effectiveness of ultra-high-frequency treatment of chickpea for 180 seconds. Based on chemical analysis, it was found that the exposure to ultra-high-frequency treatment fully preserved the vitamin and mineral complex, compared with untreated chickpeas. When chickpea grain is heated for 180 seconds, up to 20 % of the starch contained in the grain passes into dextrin, which is easily absorbed by humans while the toxic substances are destroyed. The change in the protein fraction of chickpeas during ultra-high-frequency processing was determined. With ultra-high-frequency treatment of chickpea flour at 180 seconds of exposure, the protein fraction content remains unchanged at 79.8 %. The result based on the IR spectrum data indicates that ultra-high-frequency processing did not affect the protein-amino acid composition of the examined Miras 07 chickpea variety. The current study has confirmed the effectiveness of ultra-high-frequency chickpea treatment, which leads to the intensification of biochemical processes in the processed product due to the resonant absorption of energy by protein molecules and polysaccharides. Under the influence of ultra-high-frequency treatment, there is a decrease in the microbiological contamination of raw materials while the organoleptic indicators improve. According to the microbiological indicators of chickpea flour, the content of microorganisms was 1×103 CFU/g, which meets the requirements for sanitary and hygienic safety

Pre-Processing Unsellable Tomatoes into Separated Streams with the Intention of Recovering Protein

PurposeA large proportion of the European Union’s tomato crop is discarded during harvesting and there is a valorisation potential to recover proteins from this waste. MethodsCherry tomatoes were segregated into three separate components: juice, pomace (peels and skins), and seeds. The peels and skins, and seeds were separately hydrolyzed with carbohydrases to determine whether protein recovery could be increased. In addition, a strategy to fractionate the seeds using sequential washing of milled tomato seeds followed by low-speed centrifugation to remove the denser seed hulls and to collect the protein rich kernels remaining in suspension. ResultsThe protein content of the seeds was highest with 27.4% while the peels and skins contained 7.6%. Carbohydrase mediated hydrolysis revealed a minor increase in protein recovery from seeds by 10% using Filta 02L (cellulase, xylananse and β-glucanase), and the quantity of protein recovered from peels and skins increased by 210% using Tail 157 (pectinase, hemicellulase). The strategy to separate the seeds into two fractions, revealed that a higher proportion of the fibre (65%) was associated with the hull fraction compared with the original seeds (47%). A significant proportion of the fibre in this fraction was composed lignin although the protein contents between both fractions was similar ranging from 27.4% to 29.9%. ConclusionsThese results reveal that carbohydrases were quite effective in protein extraction from peels and skins, but not from seeds. An alternative strategy was developed to remove the seed hulls from the milled seeds and to collect a crude protein fraction where the protein content could be further improved.

Shift in Circulating Serum Protein Fraction (SPF) Levels of Pregnant Jennies and Nutritional Related Aspects at Early-, Mid- and Late Gestation

A viable tool for the monitoring of the systemic condition of the pregnant jenny may be the determination of serum protein fraction (SPF) levels, including metabolic profiling. Tissue development and composition of the growing fetus requires the mother to provide adequate nutrients to its body parts and organs. In this regard, body fluid distribution and strategic molecule transportation can be screened using SPF electropherograms and analysis of intermediate metabolites. The nutritional and health status of 12 jennies (age: 5–8 years; BW at the start: 135–138 kg; Body Condition Score, BCS [1 to 5 points] = 2.25–2.50; 4th month of gestation) were monitored throughout gestation (approximate gestation period 350–356 d). All animals were pasture-fed and were offered hay ad libitum. Individual blood samples were collected within the 4th, 7th, and 10th month following conception (ultrasound scanning). Serum biochemistry, in particular, the analysis of 6 fractions of serum proteins was carried out. The significant decrease in circulating albumin in jennies from mid- to late-gestation (p < 0.001) suggests a considerable role of dietary amino acids in the synthesis of protein for fetal tissue formation as well as body fluid distribution and blood pressure control of the jenny in those stages. Moreover, α1-globulin decreased significantly in late gestation (p < 0.047), corresponding to major organ development in the terminal fetus and supported by lipid transportation in the bloodstream of the jenny. Similarly, α2-globulin decreased in late gestation (p < 0.054) as haptoglobin, an important component for the transport of free circulating hemoglobin, is likely used for fetal synthesis. Mid-gestation, appears to be a crucial moment for adequate dietary nutrient supplementation in order to prevent homeostasis perturbation of jennies, as observed in this trial.

Integration of Membrane Processes for By-Product Valorization to Improve the Eco-Efficiency of Small/Medium Size Cheese Dairy Plants

Goat and second cheese whey from sheep’s milk are by-products of the manufacture of goat cheeses and whey cheeses from sheep. Due to their composition which, apart from water—about 92%—includes lactose, proteins, fat, and minerals, and the elevated volumes generated, these by-products constitute one of the main problems facing to cheese producers. Aiming to add value to those by-products, this study evaluates the efficiency of ultrafiltration/diafiltration (UF/DF) for the recovery of protein fraction, the most valuable component. For a daily production of 3500 and using the experimental results obtained in the UF/DF tests, a membrane installation was designed for valorization of protein fraction, which currently have no commercial value. A Cost–Benefit Analysis (CBA) and Sensitivity Analysis (SA) were performed to evaluate the profitability of installing that membrane unit to produce three new innovative products from the liquid whey protein concentrates (LWPC), namely food gels, protein concentrates in powder and whey cheeses with probiotics. It was possible to obtain LWPC of around 80% and 64% of crude protein, from second sheep cheese whey and goat cheese whey, respectively. From a survey of commercial values for the intended applications, the results of CBA and SA show that this system is economically viable in small/medium sized cheese dairies.