Changes in Protein, Nonnutritional Factors, and Antioxidant Capacity during Germination of L. campestris

The changes in SDS-PAGE proteins patterns, oligosaccharides and phenolic compounds of L. campestris seeds, were evaluated during nine germination days. SDS-PAGE pattern showed 12 bands in the original protein seeds, while in the samples after 1–9 germination days, the proteins located in the range of 28–49 and 49–80 kDa indicated an important reduction, and there was an increase in bands about 27 kDa. On the other hand, oligosaccharides showed more than 50% of decrease in its total concentration after 4 germination days; nevertheless after the fifth day, the oligosaccharides concentration increases and rises more than 30% of the original concentration. Phenolic compounds increased their concentration since the first germination day reaching until 450% more than the original seed level. The obtained results are related with liberation or increase of phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties, allowing us to suggest that the germination would be used to produce legume foods for human consumption with better nutraceutical properties

Squalene Extraction by Supercritical Fluids from Traditionally Puffed Amaranthus hypochondriacus

Extraction of squalene, a potent natural antioxidant, from puffed A. hypochondriacus seeds was performed by supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE); besides, to have a blank for comparison, extraction was performed also by Soxhlet method using organic solvents (hexane). Chemical proximal composition and seed morphology were determined in raw, puffed, and SCFE-extracted seeds. Extracts were obtained with a 500 mL capacity commercial supercritical extractor and performed between 10 and 30 MPa at 313, 323, and 333 K under constant CO2 flow of 0.18 kg CO2/h during 8 h. The squalene content was determined and the fatty acids present in the extracts were identified by GC-MS. The extract obtained by SCFE from puffed amaranth seeds reached 460 ± 28.1 g/kg squalene in oily extract at 313 K/20 MPa

Evaluation of Biological, Textural, and Physicochemical Parameters of Panela Cheese Added with Probiotics

Biological, physicochemical and textural parameters of a Panela cheese with and without probiotics (LSB-c and C-c) were analyzed during 15 days of storage at 4 °C. Changes in cohesiveness, hardness, springiness, and chewiness were measured by texture profile analysis. Additionally, moisture, pH, nitrogenous fractions (nitrogen soluble in pH 4.6, non-protein nitrogen, 70% ethanol-soluble nitrogen, and water-soluble extract) were evaluated. The peptide profile of nitrogenous fractions was also analyzed. Finally, biological activity was evaluated by ABTS (2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), as well as the Inhibition of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme. Analysis of variance showed significant differences for most of the evaluated parameters. By principal component analysis (PCA), two groups were separated, one corresponding to LSB-c and the other corresponding to C-c. The separation was given mostly by hardness, chewiness, and ABTS of all nitrogenous fractions. LSB-c showed higher biological activities than C-c

Changes in amino acid profiles and liver alterations in pregnant rats with a high carbohydrate/low protein diet

Introduction and aim: Intake of a high-carbohydrate, low-protein diet (HCD/LPD) during pregnancy promotes metabolic disturbances. It has been suggested that liver function during pregnancy contributes to the synthesis of proteins necessary for fetal development during this stage. The liver is a site of response to the synthesis of macronutrients such as proteins. However, it is unknown how HCD/LPD is associated with modifications to the amino acid profiles and hepatic alterations in the maternal environment during pregnancy. Materials and methods: A transverse longitudinal study was done in primiparous mothers during gestation (G) (G1 day 1, G5 day 5, G15 day 15, and G20 day 20). Histological analysis was used to assess hepatic alterations, and amino acid profiles in the liver were analyzed with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Food and water intake was quantified, and peripheral biochemical indicators in serum were measured. Results: Mothers with HCD/LPD had increased micro and macro vesicles of fat, necrosis, and inflammation in the liver on G5. The total concentration of hepatic amino acids increased by 40% on G1, 17% on G5, and 25% on G15; and, there was a 12% decrease on G20. The following increases were observed in the liver on G1: arginine 68%, histidine 75%, alanine 18%, methionine 71%, and phenylalanine 51% (p > 0.05); on G5: arginine 12%, methionine 34%, and phenylalanine 83% (p > 0.05); on G15: arginine and phenylalanine 66%, tryptophan 81% and histidine 60.4% (p > 0.05); and on G20: arginine 32% (p > 0.05). No weight loss, changes in food consumption, or hepatomegaly occurred. Conclusions: HCD/LPD during pregnancy in primiparous mothers may promote development of fat vesicles. Possibly, this condition causes metabolic adaptations and nitrogen management reflected in decreased levels of serum urea and altered amino acid profiles in the liver

Effect of roasting and boiling on the content of vicine, convicine and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine in Vicia faba L

The pyrimidine glycosides, vicine and convicine, are compounds of the genus Vicia, whereas their aglycone derivatives, divicine and isouramil, are responsible for favism occurrence, and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) is a nonprotein amino acid precursor of dopamine in healthy neurons. The present work evaluated the effect of thermal treatment, which consisted of roasting and boiling, on the content of vicine, convicine and L-DOPA in mature cotyledons of 10 varieties of Mexican Vicia faba L.;determined the concentration of glycosides and L-DOPA by high-performance liquid chromatography. The raw cotyledons showed 2.88-6.10, 0.63-1.68 and 0.28-0.44 vicine, convicine and L-DOPA, respectively. The 12 and 40% and 30 and 61% decrease in vicine and convicine content, respectively, were observed to be the effect of roasting and boiling the samples. L-DOPA was totally removed by both thermal processes. In all analyzed samples, vicine was the main compound; however, there were significant differences between varieties and thermal treatments. Practical Applications Vicine and convicine glycosides are strongly implicated in favism, a hemolytic anemia in humans, and in poor performance of laying hens. There are reports of decreased egg weight, increase in the fragility of the yolk and a number of blood stains, and decreased fertility and hatchability of eggs. The characterization of new varieties of faba bean in their content of potentially toxic glycosides allows selection of those with the lowest possible content of such compounds. Also, the application of heat treatments that reduce glycosides will allow the use of seeds or flour to develop harmless food and feed ingredients. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

C-26 and C-30 Apocarotenoids from Seeds of Ditaxis heterantha with Antioxidant Activity and Protection against DNA Oxidative Damage

Carotenoids are composed of isoprene units, whose conjugated double bonds are responsible for their distinctive color. Most of the structural variations of carotenoids are found in the rings, whose double bonds are sensitive to oxidation, leading to the formation of apocarotenoids. For a symmetrical carotenoid, such as â-carotene, there are nine possible outcomes of a single bond scission due to oxidation. Apocarotenoid formation may be the result of nonspecific mechanisms such as lipoxygenase oxidation and photo-oxidation, as well as of specific mechanisms where particular dioxygenases operate in the formation of compounds such as vitamin A, abscisic acid, aromatic compounds, and pigments