The nutritional value of non-traditional gluten-free flakes and their antioxidant activity

Nowadays, there is a growing interest for foods with a lower sugar content and rich in fiber and biologically active substances. The main purpose of this study was to prepare flakes from non-traditional pigmented cereals (Oryza sativa, Chenopodium quinoa, and Eragrostis tef ) and to analyze their fibre, sugar, and in vitro digestibility values. Regarding phenolic antioxidants (soluble, soluble conjugated, and insoluble bound fractions), their content and antioxidant activity were measured using spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. Hydrothermally treated grains resulted in flakes with higher total dietary fibre contents (11.1–24.4%), quinoa and teff flakes were rich in maltose (up to 42.0 mg/g). Non-traditional flakes had lower in vitro digestibility, but conversely, they exhibited the highest phenolic contents corresponding with the highest antioxidant activity values (up to 2.33 mg Gallic acid equivalent/g of total phenolic content and 1.59 mg Trolox equivalent/g for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) in case of brown teff). Among free phenolics, the main contributors to an antioxidant activity were p-coumaric, o-coumaric, and gallic acids (r > 0.8186); among the soluble conjugated fractions, they were epigallocatechin, epicatechin, caffeic, and vanillic acids (r > 0.5935); while caffeic, protocatechuic, and ferulic acids (r > 0.5751) were the main contributors among the insoluble bound phenolics. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.TOMAS BATA UNIVERSITY IN ZLIN [IGA/FT/2019/004

Black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum L.) flavonoids and their health promoting activity

Nowadays, much research attention is focused on underutilized berry crops due to the high antioxidant activity of fruits. Black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum L.) represents an important source of flavonols (quercetin, rutin, myricetin, naringenin, naringin, morin, and kaempferol) and anthocyanins. The fruit components could be utilised as natural colourants or as a part of functional foods and, because of the high antioxidant activity, the berries of black crowberry can be used in the treatment of diseases accompanied with inflammation, or as an effective antibacterial and antifungal remedy. Moreover, the reduction of lipid accumulation and total cholesterol as well as an improvement of postprandial hyperglycaemia have been proven. This review summarizes for the first time the main antioxidants (flavonoids) of black crowberry fruits, with a focus on their health promoting activity. © 2016 by the authors; licensee MDPI.TBU in Zlin [IGA/FT/2016/008, IGA 11/2016/591 ZF MENDELU, KEGA 038SPU-4/2014

Monitoring of bioactive compounds of tomato cultivars as affected by mulching film

The influence of varieties and the effect of mulching film on antioxidant capacity, polyphenol content, ascorbic acid content, and yield of tomato fruits were investigated. Results of two years (2012 and 2013) investigations were compared. The results proved a statistically significant effect of year, mulching film, and variety on the content of total polyphenols (0.92-1.49 g gallic acid equivalents per kg of fresh weight (FW), ascorbic acid (26.66-38.62 mg per 100 g FW), and antioxidant capacity (1.12-1.94 g ascorbic acid equivalents per kg FW), while the values were the highest in 2013 and in uncovered soil. Conversely, a higher yield was found in mulching film compared with uncovered soil, also in 2013 (48.65-120.38 t ha-1). There was a negative correlation between the yield and the content of bioactive compounds (BC) and antioxidant capacity. The content of bioactive substances, antioxidant capacity, and yield of tomato fruits is dependent on the vintage, agronomical interventions, and genotype. © 2018 M. Valšíková et al., published by Sciendo 2018

Dietary intakes of minerals, essential and toxic trace elements for adults from Eragrostis tef L.: A nutritional assessment

This study analysed the contents of thirty-six mineral and trace elements in teff (Eragrostis tef L.) grains. What is more, dietary intakes were calculated. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to assess mineral and trace element contents. Consequently, the appropriate Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) or adequate intake (AI), and provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) or provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI) values for adults were determined according to the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) and Institute of Medicine (IOM) regulations. Teff is a significant contributor to RDAs and AIs for females in the following order: Mn > Cu > Zn ≥ Mg > Fe ≥ P and Ca. For males, teff contributes in the order, Mn > Cu > Fe > Zn ≥ P ≥ Mg > and Ca. The concentration of arsenic (65–9 μg/kg) in brown teff originating in Bolivia exceeded the average acceptable value set by Reg. No. 1881 of 6–50 μg/kg in cereals consumed in the EU. The PTWIs or PTMIs for Al, Cd, Sn and Hg were all under 7%, which is below the limits of toxic element intake related to the body weight of 65 kg for adult females and 80 kg for males, set by the FAO/WHO. Teff grains can be recommended as a valuable and safe source of minerals and trace elements. © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.internal grant of TBU in Zlin [IGA/FT/2018/006

Fruits of black chokeberry aronia melanocarpa in the prevention of chronic diseases

In recent years, growing attention has been focused on the utilization of natural sources of antioxidants in the prevention of chronic diseases. Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) represents a lesser known fruit species utilized mainly as juices, purees, jams, jellies and wine, as important food colorants or nutritional supplements. The fruit is valued as a great source of antioxidants, especially polyphenols, such as phenolic acids (neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids) and flavonoids (anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavanols and flavonols), particularly cyanidin-3-galactoside and cyanidin-3-arabinoside, as well as (-)-epicatechin units. The berries of A. melanocarpa, due to the presence and the high content of these bioactive components, exhibit a wide range of positive effects, such as strong antioxidant activity and potential medicinal and therapeutic benefits (gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, antiproliferative or anti-inflammatory activities). They could be also contributory toward the prevention of chronic diseases including metabolic disorders, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, because of supportive impacts on lipid profiles, fasting plasma glucose and blood pressure levels. © 2017 by the authors.internal grant agency of Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA /FT/2017/006

Polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of fruit and vegetable beverages processed by different technology methods

The purpose of the natural drinks production is the preservation of biologically active compounds in maximal amount in prepared drinks. The issue is the loss of these substances due to conventional conservation methods, such as pasteurization. Pascalization, a conservation method using high pressure, performs a new trend in conservation. According to available research, it causes only a minimal loss of bioactive compounds. Influence of conservation technology of fruit and vegetable beverages on the content of bioactive substances - polyphenols, flavonoids and on their antioxidative activity has been investigated. Their content has been compared in fresh juice samples, in samples conserved by pasteurization and after the appliance of high pressure treatment - pascalization (HPP). HPP has a positive effect on total antioxidative capacity of juices - broccoli with apple (increase of the amount from 189.12 mg.100 mL-1 to 217.12 mg.100 mL-1) and beetroot and on total polyphenol content within all samples of beverages except from carrot juice. Decrease of the amounts of flavonoids has been observed within all beverages. For drinks after pasteurization treatment there is evident the decrease of total polyphenols content and total antioxidant activity, besides carrot juice, where the antioxidant capacity value had increased from 37.24 to 43.14 mg.100 mL-1. The flavonoid content of fruit and vegetable juices after heat treatment had increased only in the juice prepared from broccoli with apple (from 40.71 mg.100 mL-1 to 45.14 mg.100 mL-1), the content in other juices had decreased. However, the decrease of the flavonoid content is lower after heat treatment in comparison to HPP, except the samples of cabbage juice with apple. With the exception of flavonoids, HPP has been proved as a gentle conservation technology enabling preserving higher amounts of bioactive substances with antioxidative properties if compared with the heat treatment. For the samples treated by HPP there was observed statistically significant difference in comparison with fresh juice in all factors mentioned above (p < 0.05). © 2016 Potravinarstvo

Determination of fatty acid content in sheep milk by means of near infrared spectroscopy

The study focused on the use of the Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy in determining the content of selected fatty acids in raw non-homogenized sheep milk. The raw sheep milk sample spectra were scanned in reflectance mode using the FT NIR Antaris spectrophotometer. The reliable functional calibration models were created for estimation of the contents of myristic, oleic, lauric, palmitic, and stearic acids (with calibration correlation coefficients of R = 0.999; 0.999; 0.993; 0.992; 0.858) and with standard errors SEC = 0.056; 0.152; 0.066; 0.367; 1.36%.Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic [NAZV KUS QJ1230044

Free and bound amino acids, minerals and trace elements in matcha (Camellia sinensis L.): A nutritional evaluation

This study provides an overview of free and bound amino acids, minerals and trace elements content in matcha including evaluation of their dietary intakes. The analyses employed IEC and ICP-MS methods. Theanine followed by Glu, GABA, Thr and Me were the most abundant free amino acids. Considering bound amino acids, Glu, Asp, Leu, Lys, Arg and Val were the most frequent. The amino acid score (AAS) for matcha (40.2 %) is comparable to the AAS for wheat and sunflower proteins. Ile and Thr were evaluated as limiting amino acids. Regarding recommended daily allowance (RDA), the contributions of Cys and Met were up to 8%. Matcha is contributor to Adequate Intake (AI) or RDA for males in the following order: Mn (up to 15 %) > Cu > Fe (up to 7%). Similarly, for females, matcha contributes to RDA or AI values in this order: Mn (up to 19 %) > Cu > Zn (up to 5%). It has not been proved that matcha is a significant source of Se and Cr. A daily serving portion of 5 g does not contribute to PTWI (Provisional tolerable weekly intake) and PTMI (Provisional tolerable monthly intake) for Al, Sn, Cd and Hg. © 2020 Elsevier Inc

Physical characterization of a novel carrot juice whey-enriched beverage fermented with milk or water kefir starter cultures

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the selected physicochemical, rheological, and sensory properties of a new whey-enriched carrot juice beverage (carrot juice: whey ratios of 100:0; 95:5; 85:15; 75:25; 65:35) fermented with milk or water kefir starter cultures over a storage period of 21 days (at 4 ± 1 °C). In general, for all tested samples, the values of total soluble solids, pH, and density decreased with increasing storage time. In contrast, the values of ethanol, degree of fermentation, and total dissolved solids increased with the prolongation of the storage time. Furthermore, it was found that all the model samples exhibited pseudoplastic behavior. Based on the sensory analysis performed, samples containing 25% (w/w) whey were evaluated as the most acceptable. Last but not least, the present study can serve as a basis for optimizing the manufacturing technology of a novel fermented vegetable beverage enriched with whey. © 2023 by the authors.Univerzita Tomáše Bati ve Zlíně, (IGA/FT/2023/007

Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in different types of berries

Berries, especially members of several families, such as Rosaceae (strawberry, raspberry, blackberry), and Ericaceae (blueberry, cranberry), belong to the best dietary sources of bioactive compounds (BAC). They have delicious taste and flavor, have economic importance, and because of the antioxidant properties of BAC, they are of great interest also for nutritionists and food technologists due to the opportunity to use BAC as functional foods ingredients. The bioactive compounds in berries contain mainly phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, flavonoids, such as anthocyanins and flavonols, and tannins) and ascorbic acid. These compounds, either individually or combined, are responsible for various health benefits of berries, such as prevention of inflammation disorders, cardiovascular diseases, or protective effects to lower the risk of various cancers. In this review bioactive compounds of commonly consumed berries are described, as well as the factors influencing their antioxidant capacity and their health benefits. © 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA/FT/2015/010