Seasonal Nutritional Profile of Gelidium corneum (Rhodophyta, Gelidiaceae) from the Center of Portugal

Gelidium corneum is a well-known agarophyte, harvested worldwide for its high agar quality. However, the species also exhibits an interesting nutritional profile, but with seasonal variations. Therefore, to evaluate the nutritional value of G. corneum, ash, crude protein, total lipids, and carbohydrates were analyzed at different times of the year. The heavy metals mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, and tin, as well as iodine were also measured. Finally, the seasonal antioxidant capacity of G. corneum extracts was evaluated. Our results indicate that the biomass is rich in protein (up to 16.25 ± 0.33%) and carbohydrates (up to 39.5 ± 3.29%), and low in lipids (up to 2.75 ± 0.28%), and especially in the summer, the AI, TI indexes, n-6/n-3 and h/H ratios (0.93, 0.6, 0.88 and 1.08, respectively) are very interesting. None of the contaminants exceeded the legally established limits, and the iodine values were adequate for a healthy diet. Finally, the antioxidant capacity is fair, with the DPPH £ 10.89 ± 1.46%, and ABTS £ 13.90 ± 1.54% inhibition, FRAP £ 0.91 ± 0.22 AAE.g−1, and TPC £ 6.82 ± 0.26 GAE.g−1. The results show that G. corneum is an attractive resource, with potential use as food or as a food supplement.

Estimation of Various Physicochemical Properties of Walnut Oil from Different Areas of Northern Kpk, Pakistan

In this study, the physicochemical properties of walnut (Juglans regia L.) oils collected from different sites in Khyber PakhtoonKhwa (KPK), Pakistan were investigated. The obtained walnut oils showed variation in viscosity, surface tension, density, acid, saponification, and iodine values. The oil obtained from the Madyan (Sample E) showed the lowest density (0.981 g/cm3), surface tension (34.76×10-3 N/m), viscosity (15.0595 cp) saponification values 84.15 (mg KOH/g of oil) and acid value 3.5 (mg KOH per gram oil) amongst all. The physicochemical properties of all the oils were also compared to olive oil (standard) where sample E showed similarities in such properties compared to olive oil. Moreover, higher concentrations of oleic acid (41 %) and linoleic acid (9 %) were detected in the walnut oil of sample E in GC/MS analysis. The similarities of walnut oil obtained from Madyan to that of standard (olive oil) thus affirm it as best quality oil and suitable for food processing purposes. Resumen. En este estudio se investigaron las propiedades fisicoquímicas del aceite de nuez (Juglans regia L.) recolectado de diferentes sitios en Khyber PakhtoonKhwa (KPK), Pakistán. Los aceites de nuez obtenidos mostraron variación en los valores de viscosidad, tensión superficial, densidad, acidez, saponificación e índice de yodo. El aceite obtenido del Madyan (Muestra E) mostró la menor densidad (0.981 g/cm3), tensión superficial (34.76 × 10-3 N/m), viscosidad (15.0595 cp), valores de saponificación 84.15 (mg KOH/g de aceite) y valor ácido 3.5 (mg KOH por gramo de aceite) entre otros. Las propiedades fisicoquímicas de todos los aceites también se compararon con el aceite de oliva (estándar); la muestra E mostró similitudes en las diferentes propiedades en comparación con el aceite de oliva. Además, se determinaron concentraciones más elevadas de ácido oleico (41 %) y ácido linoleico (9 %) en el aceite de nuez de la muestra E mediante el análisis GC/MS. Las similitudes del aceite de nuez obtenido de Madyan con el estándar (aceite de oliva) lo afirman como aceite de mejor calidad y adecuado para el procesamiento de alimentos.

Chemical Composition and Physicochemical Properties of Selected Seed Spices in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Monodora myristica (African nutmeg), Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) and Byrosocurpus dinklayer (Efu) are common spices used in the preparation of delicacies. The proximate composition of the seed flour and physicochemical properties of the oil were determined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition of the seed flours and physicochemical properties of the oil in order to know their domestics and industrial applications. The oil of M. myristica, M. fragrans and B. dinklayer were extracted with petroleum ether. The moisture, dry matter, crude fibre, fat, protein, ash and carbohydrate contents for M.myristica, M. fragrans and B. dinklayer ranged from 11.76-13.67, 88.24-89.30, 13.60-15.47, 5.28-14.65 7.90-10.41, 9.20-11.45 and 40.78-47.13% respectively. The acid values of M. myristica, M. fragrans and B. dinklayer were 0.70, 0.68 and 0.98 g/100g respectively. The values for oil under study suggested its edibility. The iodine values were 93.27, 89.30 and 106.72 g/100g respectively. Since the iodine values of the oil are lower than 100 (gI2/100 g sample) except B. dinklayer, the oils could be classified as non-drying oils. The peroxide values were 8.90, 5.12 and 9.60 g/100g respectively. The values indicate low levels of oxidative rancidity. The saponification values ranged from 179.03-188.64. The values suggested that the oils may be used in soap and shampoos.

Characterization of sheep tail fat dry fractionation at the pilot scale

Two-step dry fractionation was employed to prepare the liquefied sheep tail oil at the pilot scale. Sheep tail oil was separated into fat residuals, crude oil, stearin A, stearin B, olein A, and olein B. The extracted rates for crude oil, olein A, and olein B were 66.7, 45.9, and 35.0%, respectively. The ratios of saturated/unsaturated fats in the crude oil, olein A fractions, and olein B fractions were 0.62, 0.63, and 0.60, respectively. The olein B was liquid at ambient temperature and its melting point was 5.32 °C. The iodine values of stearin samples were significantly decreased compared to the crude oil samples (P < 0.05). For the stearin fractions, the polymorphic form was mainly β’ form, and the solid fat content was significantly higher than the olein fractions (P < 0.05), which can be used to make the shortening product.

Fatty acid, mineral content and antioxidant activities of Algerian fat bee pollen

Bee pollen is known for its nutritional value, and therefore it is used in the treatment of some health disorders as food supplements. Herein, the chemical fatty acid profile and mineral contents of two Algerian bee pollen collected from different regions were investigated, along with their physicochemical properties such as specific gravity, refractive index, and acid, saponification, and iodine values. In addition, their total phenolic contents (TPC) were also investigated. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis revealed that the bee pollens mainly contained palmitic (17.0 and 26.5 %), oleic (8.5 and 10.1 %), linoleic (15.7 and 12.6 %) and linolenic acids (27.2 and 26.3 %), respectively. The saponification values were 178.54 and 175.73 mg KOH.g-1, while the specific gravity 0.915 and 0.924, the refractive index 1.465 and 1.464, and acid values 22.04, and 10.01 mg KOH.g-1 oil. The iodine values were, however, 44.42 and 32.90 mg I2.g-1 fat, respectively. Potassium and sodium were the main detected elements in both pollen samples with variable percentages. In the DPPH assay, the IC50 was 4.88 and 1.73 mg.mL-1 for samples 1 and 2, respectively, ABTS and phosphomolybdenum assays supported DPPH assay results. It was concluded that the fat part of bee pollen by honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) is a promising source of naturally occurring antioxidants and nutrients.

Physicochemical Characteristics and Oil Keeping Quality of Two Cultivars of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Seeds

The work was conducted on sunflower seeds of two cultivars namely ‘Kironi’ and ‘Hysun-46’. Proximate composition of the seeds, chemical characteristics and fatty acid composition of the oils, and its keeping quality at different storage conditions were studied. Moisture content of Kironi seeds was nearly twice than Hysun-46 (8.03 vs 4.46%). Crude fat in Hysun-46 seeds was somewhat higher than Kironi. Kironi had significantly higher crude protein whereas Hysun-46 contained significantly higher percent of starch than Kironi (7.05 vs 3.90%). Physical characteristics of oil such as viscosity, colour and transparency changed with time during storage; specific gravity and smoking temperature, however, remained unchanged. Acid values of the freshly extracted oil from Hysun-46 were unexpectedly high (98.75). Iodine values were found to be higher in Kironi than Hysun-46, so the former had greater proportion of unsaturation. Saponification values of the oils decreased with the time in open vessel, in amber coloured bottle at 4°C and also in boiled oil kept at room temperature. However, these values registered an increase in oils stored in closed vessel and amber coloured bottle at room temperature. Peroxide values increased in oils under all conditions except in amber bottle at 4°C. The ratio of linoleic acid to oleic acid in Kironi (2.3:1) was higher than that in Hysun-46 (1.9:1), indicating that Kironi had more semidrying capacity and suitable for edible purpose. The freshly extracted oil had attractive appearance. Between the two oil samples, Kironi seems somewhat superior to Hysun-46.

Effect of Bleaching on the Physico-chemical Properties of Two Selected Vegetable Oils Using Locally Sourced Materials as Adsorbent

The quality and stability of palm kernel oil (PKO) and cottonseed oil (CTSO) as affected by bleaching using modified oyster shell powder (OSP) and periwinkle shell powder (PSP) were evaluated by analysing their physicochemical properties. The two adsorbents potential was improved on by modification using 5 M HCl and H2SO4. The determinations of the parameters were carried out by titration, while the refractive index was determined using a refractometer. The results indicate that the saponification values (SV) of PKO and CTSO increase after bleaching. However, the result further shows that the peroxide values (PV) of bleached PKO using OSP and PSP modified with 5 M HCl decreased (17.49±0.01 and 20.04±0.08 respectively) and also the iodine values decreased (3.15±0.13 and 3.41±0.02 respectively). The same decrease in PV and IV values is observed in PKO bleached using 5 M H2SO4. The values of PV for OSP and PSP are 4.99±0.005 and 12.77±0.77 respectively while the IV values for OSP and PSP are1.85±0.01 and 12.53±0.09 respectively. Also, 5 M HCl and H2SO4 modified OSP and PSP reduced the IV content in CTSO. (5 M HCl OSP and PSP are; 3.15±0.13 and 3.41±0.02 respectively while 5 M H2SO4 OSP and PSP values are; 3.33±0.04 and 3.13±0.06 respectively). The study revealed that the bleaching through the use of OSP and PSP influenced the components and properties of the PKO and CTSO, improved on their qualities and therefore, the adsorbents can serve as alternatives to the costly adsorbents available in the markets.

Analytical evaluation of the new Seal Autoanalyzer 3 High Resolution for urinary iodine determination

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the analytical performance of the new colorimetric, automatic analyser, Seal AutoAnalyzer 3 High Resolution (Seal AA3 HR) (Seal Analytical, Wisconsin, USA) for urinary iodine measurement. Materials and methods: This study included testing of several analytical features of the method involving: imprecision (within-run %CVr, between- run %CVb and total laboratory precision %CVl), measurement uncertainty, carryover, linearity and method comparison, with 70 urine samples including the measuring range (20 - 700 μg/L). Results: Within-run, %CVb and %CVl of two control levels were 2.03% and 3.04%, 0.51% and 2.61%, and 2.09% and 4.01%, respectively. Carryover effect was less than 1%. The linearity was good in the range of urinary iodine values between 60 and 500 μg/L (R2 = 0.99). Good agreement of urinary iodine values was found between manual technique and Seal AA3 HR, using Passing-Bablok regression (y = 7.84 (- 3.00 to 15.29) + 0.95 (0.90 to 1.00) x) and Blant-Altman test. Cusum test for linearity indicates that there is no significant deviation from linearity (P > 0.1). Conclusions: The obtained results proved excellent precision, reproducibility and linearity, comparable to the already used, manual method. The New Seal AA3 HR automatic analyser is acceptable for urinary iodine measurement with very good analytical characteristics and can be used for urinary iodine epidemiological studies of the Croatian population.

Determination of Yield and Quality Parameters of Lecithin Produced from Some Elite Varieties of Nigerian Sesame (Sesamum indicum)

Lecithin is usually derived as a by-product of vegetable oil processing. It is also known as phosphotidycholine, it is important for its wide use in food manufacturing, product development as well as pharmaceutical products formulation. The quantity of lecithin being imported into Nigeria for use in several industrial sectors is steadily increasing; the attendant effects of such huge importation can be minimized by sourcing lecithin from Nigerian varieties of oil bearing seeds such as sesame. Sequel to a careful selection of seeds, oil was extracted from four varieties of Nigerian sesame using soxlet extraction method. Lecithin was later produced from the extracted oil through oil degumming process. Lecithin quality parameters such as Iodine Values (I.V), Peroxide Values (P.V), Saponification Value (Sap.V), Acid Values (A.V) and Free Fatty Acid (FFA) values were subsequently evaluated for all oil and lecithin samples extracted. Percentage yield of lecithin isolated from the selected varieties of sesame namely: NCRIBEN 01M, NCRIBEN O2M, NCRIBEN 04E and NCRIBEN 05E: are 3.57%, 3.64 % 2.85% and 3.14% respectively. Values of some quality indices such as the iodine values, peroxide values, Acid Values and Free Fatty Acid evaluated in this research project were found to fall within the FAO/WHO recommendations for lecithin. This study has therefore, contributed to the availability of detailed information from the characteristics stand point and quality index of oil extracted from the selected varieties of sesame and lecithin isolated from their oils. This study therefore concludes that lecithin may be sourced from some Nigerian varieties of sesame and their quality may be enough to meet various industrial applications.