Optimization of enzymatic hydrolysis of Pleurotus ostreatus derived proteins through RSM and evaluation of nutritional and functional qualities of mushroom protein hydrolysates

Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm., the second most widely cultivated oyster mushroom was grown on paddy straw, which is cheap and readily available waste material. After harvesting and drying, nutritional, and antinutritional composition of P. ostreatus were estimated using the standard assay methods. Tannin and phytic acid were present in very negligible amount (0.095 ± 0.027 mg/g and 0.150 ± 0.083 mg/g, respectively), whereas oxalate and cyanide were absent in whole mushroom. In fact, P. ostreatus was hydrolysed with commercially available proteinase K, pepsin and trypsin with different concentrations of the enzymes (0.05%, 0.10% and 0.15%), at different temperatures (30 °C, 40 °C and 50 °C) for different time periods (60, 90 and 120 min) to get the mushroom protein hydrolysates. Degree of hydrolysis and protein content varied from 4.29 ± 1.12% to 99.42 ± 0.02% and from 0.25 ± 0.07 mg/mL to 3.22 ± 0.12 mg/mL, respectively. Maximum degree of hydrolysis and the highest protein content of protein hydrolysate was obtained when using 0.15% proteinase K, at 50 °C for 120 minutes. Mushroom protein hydrolysates thus obtained exhibited improved functional characteristics such as foaming capacity, foaming stability and emulsifying property than the unhydrolysed mushroom. Based on the result of the present study, the mushroom protein hydrolysates could be served as useful ingredient for food and nutraceutical applications.

Improvement of Functional Properties of Jack Bean (Canavalia ensiformis) Flour by Germination and Its Relation to Amino Acids Profile

Jack bean as a source of vegetable protein had not been popular. Seed germination had been known to improve its nutritional quality, especially protein and amino acid profile. This study determined the effect of germination on the color, beany flavor, protein content, functional properties, and amino acid profile of jack bean flour. A complete randomized design was used for this experiment. Germination was carried out for 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours. The seed (control) and germinated jack bean flours were analyzed for oil absorption, water absorption, emulsifying and foaming capacities, as well as the soluble protein content to determine the best germination time. Furthermore, the amino acid profile of the jack bean flour produced from the best germination time was analyzed. The results of this study indicated that the total and soluble protein of the seed and germinated jack bean seeds for 0, 24, 48, 60, and 72 hours were 23.30 and 5.95; 22.61 and 7.61; 21.18 and 10.68; 23.26 and 10.22; 23.98 and 10.81%, respectively. Germination of jack bean improved the functional properties. A germination time of 72 hours increased the oil capacity, water absorption capacity, foaming capacity and decreased the emulsion capacity significantly. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic amino acids of the germinated jack bean flour increased to 3.21 and 2.12% of the seed flour, respectively. The increase of the foaming capacity was related to the increase in hydrophobic amino acids of germinated jack bean flour compared to seed flours, that were glycine 1.23 and 1.01; alanine 1.29 and 1.01; valine 1.16 and 1.00; leucine 1.84 and 1.09%, respectively. Germination of jack bean for 72 hours increased significantly the essential amino acids, namely: leucine, lysine, and valine.

Determination of the Functional Properties of Varieties of New Rice for Africa (NERICA) relevant to its Processing

Flour from rice can be applicable into several types of food, or be used directly as a food substitute, and this can have an impact on the final quality of the product. This aimed to determine the functional properties of some selected NERICA varieties, namely, FARO 44, FARO 52, FARO 57, FARO 60 and FARO 61. Results obtained showed that the functional properties, such as the water absorption capacity (WAC), swelling power, water solubility index (WSI), bulk density, oil absorption capacity (OAC), and the foaming capacity, ranged from 251.74 to 298.51 (%); 7.42 to 8.41 (g/g); 10.01 to 12.27 (%); 0.92 to 1.00 (%); 0.45 to 1.36 (%); and 7.29 to 11.76 (%) respectively. All recorded samples were significantly difference (p < 0.05). FARO 61 recorded highest point of 298.51 (%), and 1.36 (%), in WAC and OAC respectively. While FARO 57 recorded the highest swelling power of 8.41 (g/g). These determined results of the functional properties of NERICA flour samples, will be useful in determining their suitability in food and other relevant industries because the flour samples showed high quality range of functional properties that makes them favourable for such activities.

Effects of Dry Heat Treatment and Milling on Sorghum Chemical Composition, Functional and Molecular Characteristics

This study aimed to highlight the effects of grains dry heat treatment, flour particle size and variety on sorghum flour nutritional, functional, and molecular characteristics. The results obtained showed that dry heat treatment led to fat, fiber and water absorption capacity increase, while the moisture, protein, ash, water retention capacity, solubility index, foaming capacity, and FT-IR absorption bands characteristic to phytic acids decreased with temperature applied raised. Particle size reduction determined lower protein, solubility index, and emulsifying activity and higher fat content, oil absorption capacity, swelling power, and foaming capacity. White sorghum flour fractions presented lower protein content, except when they were treated at 140 °C, lower carbohydrates and fibers and higher fat content compared to those made of red sorghum. Moderate significant correlations (p < 0.05) were observed between some of the functional properties and proximate composition of flours. Thus, both dry heat treatment conditions and particle size exerted significant influences of sorghum flour chemical and functional properties. These results showed the importance of particle size and dry heat treatment on sorghum flours functionality, being helpful for further optimizations and choices for bakery products use.

Effect of Traditional Process Methods on the Physicochemical and Functional Properties of a Traditional Food Salt (Nikkih) Obtained from Waste Biomass Peels of Musa paradisiaca and Musa acuminate

In Cameroon, agrofood waste biomass such as peels of Musa paradisiaca and Musa acuminate is being valorized using various traditional processing methods to produce a traditional functional food salt, potash, locally called nikkih. Nikkih has been reported to have varying physicochemical and functional properties, which negatively affect the quality and stability of food prepared using it. This work aims at evaluating the effect of traditional process methods on the physicochemical and functional properties of nikkih produced from these peels in view of the optimization of the process. The peels were preprocessed using two methods: boiling at 90oC before drying and direct drying of raw samples. All samples were dried and combusted to ash at varying temperatures of 250oC, 300o C, and 350oC and times of 30 min, 60 min, and 90 min. The ash obtained was dissolved in varied volumes of water, filtered to obtain the nikkih. Yellow achu soup was prepared through the dry gum method using water and read palm oil, with nikkih as emulsifier. The physicochemical and functional properties of nikkih on yellow achu soup were evaluated using standard methods. The ash yield ranged from 10.62 ± 0.12% to 7.10 ± 0.05%, with the raw samples combusted at 3000C and 2500C having the highest and lowest values respectively. The pH of nikkih ranged from 10.95 ± 0 to 12.01 ± 0.056 while potash content ranged from 32.45 ± 0.905% to 72.29 ± 1.31%, with the highest and lowest values obtained from the raw sample combusted at 2500C and the boiled samples combusted at 3500C respectively. Alkaline content ranged from 61.7 ± 0.141% to 52.8 ± 0.141%, with boiled M. acuminate combusted at 3500C having the highest value and the lowest from raw M. paradisiaca combusted at 2500C. The foaming capacity and foam stability ranged from 6.9 ± 0.01% to 16.07 ± 2.51% and from 3.20 ± 0.07% to 11.205 ± 2.39% for M. acuminate and M. paradisiaca respectively. The emulsification index ranged from 85.62 ± 0.09% to 86.67 ± 1.141% after 24 hrs and from 26.0 ± 0.94% to 27.02 ± 2.390% after 48 hrs, with the highest value from the raw M. acuminate combusted at 350oC and the lowest from that combusted at 3000C. The potash source, pretreatment method, combustion conditions, and dilution factors all had an effect on the physicochemical and functional properties of nikkih.

Nutritional Evaluation of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc) From Lapai, Nigeria

The nutritional constituents of seeds of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean) were analyzed for their nutritional compositions using standard analytical methods. Results of proximate analysis obtained were moisture content (9.20±0.12 %), ash (3.40±0.09 %), carbohydrate (21.10±0.05 %), crude fibre (4.60±0.07 %) and calorific value (185.79±0.03 kcal/100 g). Mean concentrations of mineral elements were the order: zinc (139.00±0.04 mg/100 g) > potassium (31.50±0.12 mg/100 g) > copper (30.00±0.01 mg/100 g) > phosphorus (17.40±0.11 mg/100 g) > magnesium (3.90±0.07 mg/100 g) > calcium (3.50±0.17 mg/100 g) > sodium (0.11±0.03 mg/100 g) > iron (0.10±0.01 mg/100 g). Measured values for bulk density, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, foaming capacity and foaming stability were 0.85±0.07 g/cm3, 1.65±0.13 %, 0.70±0.03 %, 16.00±0.12 % and 7.50±0.22 % respectively. The amino acid profile revealed that glutamic acid had the highest value (12.56 g/100 g) while tryptophan had the lowest concentration (0.87 g/100 g). Results obtained indicate that the consumption of V. subterranean can contribute to the nutritional requirements of the body.

Utilization of shallot bio-waste (Allium cepa L. var. aggregatum) fractions for the production of functional cookies

Shallot harvesting and processing produce various waste streams, and the current study aims to investigate the effects of shallot bio-waste powder (SWP) substitution on different flour properties. Increased SWP to 50% substitution of stalk and petiole showed a rise in swelling capacity (43.33%) and water absorption (342.22%), and oil absorption (320.73%), respectively. Foaming capacity improved from 48.00% in control to 60.26% in 30% flower substitution and further decreases to 51.28% at 50%. Pasting properties reduced at higher SWP substitution and the highest drop in peak viscosity was observed at Stalk-50 (457.33 cP). Subsequently, developed functional cookies showed enhanced fiber, ash, total phenol, and total flavonoids with 3, 2, 7, and 5 fold, respectively. Cookies developed with higher substitution were of darker color and higher hardness and fracturability. Sensory evaluation with fuzzy analysis revealed better acceptance for stalk and petiole (10%) and peel (5%) of final cookies with elevated nutritional value.

Production and Quality Evaluation of Cookies Using Cassava-Grey Speckled Palapye Cowpea Composite Flour

Objective: The study aimed at production and quality evaluation of composite flours and cookies from cassava (Maniholt esculenta) -grey speckled palapye cowpea (Vigna sinensis). Methods: Flour was respectively produced from cassava and palapye cowpea. The flours of cassava and palapye cowpea were mixed in the ratios of 100:0, 90:10, 80:20 and 70:30 respectively before being analyzed for antinutrient and functional properties. Cookies were produced from the flours and then evaluated for their respective nutrient and organoleptic attributes. Data was analysed using using spss version 21.0. Results: The anti-nutrient concentration ranged from 0.83 to 1.25% (phytate), 0.07 to 0.19% (phenol), 0.12 to 0.17% (tannin), 0.09 to 0.21 Tiu/mg (trypsin inhibitor) and 0.28 to 0.88 mg/kg (hydrogen cyanide). The functional properties were found to be within 0.47 to 0.58 g/ml (bulk density), 1.62 to 2.04 g/g (capacity), 1.58% to 2.06 g/g (oil absorption capacity), 1.26 to 1.74 g/ml (swelling capacity) and 10.47 to 14.86% (foaming capacity). Proximate composition of the cookies samples showed 9.43 to 10.77% (moisture), 2.03 to 6.88% (protein), 1.03 to 1.91% (fat), 1.24 to 2.55% (ash), 3.22 to 4.26% (fibre) and 76.01 to 80.82% (carbohydrate). The sensory scores of the cookies ranged from 6.2 to 7.3 on the hedonic scale. Conclusion: The cassava-grey speckled cowpea flour proved satisfactory in cookies production and could also serve well in formulations for other food products.

Comparative assessment of nutritional, thermal, rheological and functional properties of nine Australian lupin cultivars

Lupin holds an important place among the legumes and the utilization of lupin as a dietary protein source is an excellent environmentally friendly alternative to animal-based products for human nutrition. In the present study, nutritional, thermal, rheological and functional properties of nine Australian lupin cultivars have been assayed in order to find the most valuable one, both nutritiously and industrially. The set comprised six Lupinus angustifolius L. viz., Barlock, Gunyadi, Jenabillup, Jindalee, Jurien, Mandelup and three Lupinus albus L. viz., Luxor, Rosetta, WK388 cultivars. The tests included analysis of color, macronutrient and micronutrient composition, pasting, textural and thermal properties, electrophoretic profile of protein isolates, swelling power, water and oil absorption capacity, emulsifying capacity, emulsion stability, creaming stability, foaming capacity and stability of the cultivars’ dehulled seed flours. The results indicated substantial variation in macro and micro-nutritional value as well as satisfactory swelling ability, solubility, surface hydrophobicity, foaming ability, emulsifying capacity and gelation property of lupin flours. Superior nutritional, thermal, rheological and functional potential was demonstrated by the L. albus cultivars compared to the L. angustifolius cultivars with the exception of Mandelup.

Effect of the Processing Parameters on the Fabrication of MgAl2O4 Foams

Stable MgAl2O4 foams (7–21 vol.%) were manufactured using a natural extract from the pericarp of the soap-nut fruit, saponin being the main component, as the foaming agent. The soap-nut extract is soluble in water, biodegradable, non-toxic, and has similar properties to commercial tensoactives. The stability and characteristics of the porous structure of the ceramic foams were evaluated in terms of the amount of foaming agent, content of MgAl2O4 particles, time and speed of stirring of the slurry, type of agitator, and drying temperature. It was found that the foaming capacity decreased with the percent of foaming agent and ceramic, whereas the time and speed of stirring enhanced the foamability. Foaming trials showed that stirring aqueous slurries with 3 wt.% of soap-nut extract for 2 min at 1070 or 2120 rpm, depending on the type of agitator, produced stable MgAl2O4 foams when drying at 60 °C. The mechanism of foaming is discussed. The foams were sintered at 1400 °C for 1 h under an Ar atmosphere. Observation of the sintered foam structures in the scanning electron microscope revealed nearly spherical cells with very good interconnectivity and strength to be manipulated, making them suitable as preforms for manufacturing Al-based composites by pressureless infiltration.