Folates in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), amaranth (Amaranthus sp.) and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum): Influence of cooking and malting

Effects of processing on the contents of five folate vitamers in quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat were analysed using a trienzymatic extraction method followed by LC–MS/MS. Total folate (TF) content, corresponding to the sum of folic acid (FA), 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) and 10-formyltetrahydrofolate (10-CHOTHF) expressed as folic acid equivalent, in raw quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat were 309 ± 8.07, 228 ± 24.2 and 153 ± 12.4 μg/100 g dw, respectively, being dominantly 5-MTHF. Boiling and steaming reduced the TF in amaranth by 58% and 22%, respectively, whereas up to a 10–15% increase was observed in quinoa. Boiling and steaming did not significantly alter the TF content in buckwheat although significant changes were observed in some individual folate vitamers. Malting, on the other hand significantly increased TF content in amaranth by 21% (276 ± 14.2 μg/100 g dw) and buckwheat by 27% (193 ± 20.0 μg/100 g dw), whereas no significant change in quinoa was observed. Based on the EFSA recommendations, a portion of amaranth and quinoa (either boiled, steamed or malted) may contribute up to more than 25% of the dietary reference value for folates, whereas buckwheat may contribute only 14% when cooked and 19% when malted. Results demonstrate that quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat are good sources of folates, regardless of processing.The scientific work was funded by the Portuguese Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) under the scope of the strategic project UID/EMS/00667/2013. The analytical work has been financially supported by Project ELEMENTARIA funded by the Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, I.P. Lisbon, Portugal (2013DAN850) and PRO-METROFOOD project, funded by European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 739568.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Probiotic-loaded microcapsule system for human in situ folate production: Encapsulation and system validation

This study focused on the use of a new system, an alginate | -poly-l-lysine | alginate | chitosan microcapsule (APACM), able to immobilize a folate-producing probiotic, Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris (LLC), which provides a new approach to the utilization of capsules and probiotics for in situ production of vitamins. LLC is able to produce 95.25 ± 26 g·L 1 of folate, during 10 h, and was encapsulated in the APACM. APACM proved its capacity to protect LLC against the harsh conditions of a simulated digestion maintaining a viable concentration of 6 log CFU·mL 1of LLC. A nutrients exchange capacity test, was performed using Lactobacillus plantarum UM7, a high lactic acid producer was used here to avoid false negative results. The production and release of 2 g·L 1 of lactic acid was achieved through encapsulation of L. plantarum, after 20 h. The adhesion of APACM to epithelial cells was also quantified, yielding 38% and 33% of capsules adhered to HT-29 cells and Caco-2 cells, respectively.Fundacão para a Ciência e Tecnologia, POPH-QREN and FSE (FCT, Portugal) through grants, SFRH/BD/80800/2012 and SFRH/BPD/101181/2014, respectively. The authors thank the FCT Strategic ProjectPEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013 and the project “BioInd—Biotechnology and Bioengineering for Improved Industrial and Agro-Food Processes”, ref. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000028 co-funded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2–O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER

Voluntary fortification of breakfast cereals with folic acid : contribution to dietary intake in Australia

Ready-to-eat breakfast cereals have been voluntarily fortified with folic acid since 1995, with the purpose of reducing the prevalence of neural tube defects in utero. Using data from the recent Australian Health Survey, this study aimed to estimate folate intake from one serving of breakfast cereals (median amount). Various commercial brands were purchased in 2002 (n = 19) and in 2014 (n = 14); folate was determined by microbiological assay and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Total folate (μg/100 g) in 2002 and 2014 selections were 144–633 and 147–564, respectively, and mostly comparable to nutrition labels. Folic acid (2014 selection) using HPLC, ranged from 85 to 411 μg/100 g. Intake of 51 g cereals/serving by individuals ≥2 years could contribute 75–288 μg dietary folate equivalent. It seems that folic acid intake among children (2–3 years) exceeds the recommended dietary intake, when certain brands of breakfast cereals are consumed. Accordingly, the benefits and potential detrimental effects of the voluntary fortification need to be further explored

Influence of cooking and malting on content of folates in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa)

O folato ou vitamina B9 é essencial ao organismo sendo a alimentação a maior fonte deste nutriente. A deficiência nesta vitamina pode provocar alterações no crescimento e desenvolvimento de doenças como a anemia. A quinoa é um pseudocereal isento de glúten conhecido essencialmente pelo seu elevado valor nutritivo. Neste trabalho avaliou-se o efeito do processamento no teor em folatos naturais das sementes de quinoa. As amostras de quinoa recolhidas foram sujeitas a cozedura tradicional, cozedura a vapor e maltagem. A determinação simultânea de formas naturais de folatos, ácido fólico, 5-metiltetrahidrofolato, tetrahidrofolato, 5-formiltetrahidrofolato e 10-formiltetrahidrofolato foi realizada por cromatografia de ultra eficiência com deteção por espectrometria de massa com triplo quadrupolo (UPLCMS/ MS). A forma predominante encontrada em todas as amostras foi o 5- metiltetrahidrofolato. O teor de folatos totais mais elevado foi obtido nas amostras cruas (294 μg/100 g edível). A quinoa maltada apresenta uma redução significativa do teor de 5-metiltetrahidrofolato e um aumento significativo do 10-formiltetrahidrofolato. Na quinoa cozida e cozida a vapor o 5-metiltetrahidrofolato é o vitâmero que apresenta o fator de retenção mais elevado. Uma dose equivalente de quinoa independentemente do processamento, representa cerca de 32% da dose diária recomendada de folato podendo, por isso, ser classificada como rica em folatos.Folates or B9 vitamin is essential for numerous body functions being food the main source of this nutrient. The deficiency in this vitamin can cause changes in growth and in development of diseases such anaemia. Quinoa is a known gluten-free pseudocereal known by his high nutritional value. This study evaluated the effect of processing on the content of natural folates of quinoa seeds. The quinoa samples were submitted to traditional cooking, steaming and malting. The simultaneous determination of natural forms of folates, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, tetrahydrofolate, 5-and 10-formiltetrahidrofolato formiltetrahidrofolato and folic acid was accomplished by ultra efficient chromatography with detection by mass spectrometry in a triple quadrupole (UPLC-MS/MS). The predominant form of folate found in all samples was 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. The highest total folate content was obtained in the raw samples (294 μg/100 g edible portion). Malted quinoa, evidence a significant reduction of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate content and a significant increase in 10-formiltetrahidrofolato. In boiled and steam quinoa, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate is the vitamer with the highest retention factor. An equivalent portion of quinoa, apart of processing, represents about 32% of the recommended daily intake of folate and may, for that reason, be classified as rich in folates

Changes in Volatile Organic Compounds from Salt-Tolerant <i>Trichoderma</i> and the Biochemical Response and Growth Performance in Saline-Stressed Groundnut

Soil salinity is one of the major obstacles that is limiting the growth and yield of groundnut. This study aims to investigate the effect of growth-promoting fungi, Trichoderma, on groundnut plants that were cultivated in saline conditions. Five different Trichoderma isolates were grown in four different NaCl concentrations. Selected Trichoderma were then applied to the groundnut seeds and their growth and development were monitored during the study. Growth inhibition, volatile organic compounds, chlorophylls, carotenoids, total phenolics and flavonoids, and minerals were assessed between the Trichoderma treatments. Increasing the salt concentration from 0.25–0.75 M decreased the growth of the Trichoderma isolates. The amounts and profiles of the volatile organic compounds from the T. asperellum isolate were significantly different to those in the T. virens isolate. In the vegetative growth stage, increased chlorophyll content was recorded in both the T. asperellum and T. virens-treated groundnut. The leaves that were obtained from the groundnut that was treated with T. virens T.v4 contained significantly higher indole-3-acetic acid (420 µg IAA/g) than the same plants’ roots (113.3 µg IAA/g). Compared to the control groundnut, the T. asperellum T.a8-treated groundnut showed increased phenolics (31%) and flavonoids (43%) and increased shoots and biomass weight at the generative growth stage. This study demonstrates that Trichoderma, with their plant growth promotion ability, could potentially be used to improve the growth of groundnut growing under salinity stress. Importantly, salt-tolerant Trichoderma could be regarded as a beneficial and sustainable way to improve the survival of salt-sensitive crops

Effect of Germination and Fermentation on Carbohydrate Composition of Australian Sweet Lupin and Soybean Seeds and Flours

This study investigated the effect of germination and fermentation on the composition of carbohydrates in Australian sweet lupin. Specifically, the amount of sugars (sucrose, fructose, and glucose), starch, oligosaccharides (verbascose, stachyose, and raffinose), and dietary fiber were measured in germinated lupin seeds and fermented lupin flour, and compared with those in soy. High performance liquid chromatography coupled with refractive index was employed for quantitation of sugars, starch, and oligosaccharides, and gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector was used for quantitation of simple sugars in total, and soluble, and insoluble dietary fiber. The enzyme activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase were compared before and after germination or fermentation. The α-amylase activity in germinated lupin increased to  ∼17 nmol/mL/min/0.1 g and in germinated soy∼32; in fermented lupin, the activity increased to ∼52, while in fermented soy it decreased to ∼20. In general, germination or fermentation decreased the oligosaccharide content, and increased the total sugar in samples (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Total oligosaccharides in lupin after uncontrolled germination were reduced by 98% to 6 mg/g, and after controlled germination reduced by 44% to 86 mg/g. Fermentation with yogurt culture lowered the content of total oligosaccharides due to 94% decrease in stachyose. Total oligosaccharides in soy flour prior to fermentation were 180 mg/g and significantly decreased to ∼124 mg/g in fermented soy. Germination did not affect the starch content. There was no significant change in the amounts of total, soluble, and insoluble dietary fiber after germination or fermentation of lupin except for galactose, which was significantly reduced in germinated lupin seeds. Soluble dietary fiber in germinated soy significantly increased. Germination and fermentation are simple and effective techniques to reduce the oligosaccharides while maintaining the composition of dietary fibers

Voluntary fortification of breakfast cereals with folic acid: contribution to dietary intake in Australia

Ready-to-eat breakfast cereals have been voluntarily fortified with folic acid since 1995, with the purpose of reducing the prevalence of neural tube defects in utero. Using data from the recent Australian Health Survey, this study aimed to estimate folate intake from one serving of breakfast cereals (median amount). Various commercial brands were purchased in 2002 (n = 19) and in 2014 (n = 14); folate was determined by microbiological assay and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Total folate (μg/100 g) in 2002 and 2014 selections were 144–633 and 147–564, respectively, and mostly comparable to nutrition labels. Folic acid (2014 selection) using HPLC, ranged from 85 to 411 μg/100 g. Intake of 51 g cereals/serving by individuals ≥2 years could contribute 75–288 μg dietary folate equivalent. It seems that folic acid intake among children (2–3 years) exceeds the recommended dietary intake, when certain brands of breakfast cereals are consumed. Accordingly, the benefits and potential detrimental effects of the voluntary fortification need to be further explored