Comparison of Conventional and Microwave Assisted Heating on Carbohydrate Content, Antioxidant Capacity and Postprandial Glycemic Response in Oat Meals

Minimally processed cereal breakfast products from whole grain entered the market due to consumer demand of more nutritional food with more controlled sugar release. However, the subsequent processing of such products with different cooking methods in the consumer’s kitchen may lead to significant differentiation of their nutritional value. Therefore, the evaluation of the impact of frequently used cooking methods on a final quality of breakfast cereals meal is needed. The present study investigates how the two different methods of heating, conventional and microwave (MW) assisted, affect the carbohydrate content, profile and resulting glycemic index of so prepared food as well as the antioxidant activity of meals. Two products available on the market—oat bran and flakes—were used. The highest starch content in fluid phase of oatmeal was detected in samples heated for 3 min with microwaves, regardless the type. The lowest starch content was obtained for 5 min MW heated flakes sample. The total content of glucose was about 1.5 times lower in bran vs. flakes oatmeal. The highest β-glucan content in fluid fraction was also observed for bran meal but its release was independent of applied conditions

Acerola (<i>Malpighia emarginata</i>) Anti-Inflammatory Activity—A Review

The manuscript provides an overview of recent scientific reports on the properties and range of health-promoting effects of acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC) fruits and leaves. Acerola is a natural raw material that, in its unprocessed form, is known to be a rich source of vitamin C and polyphenolic compounds. For this reason, the consumption of acerola may provide a number of health-promoting benefits, particularly related to its strong anti-free radical effects. The review discusses anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of acerola fruit and leaves as well as its therapeutic effects on selected physiological processes in the human system. Their biochemical mechanisms are also explained. Recommendations for the consumption of acerola in the prevention of inflammatory and free radical diseases are presented. The part of the article devoted to anticancer effects of acerola describes the possibilities of using the edible parts of this raw material to obtain products and preparations of potential use in cancer prevention and therapy

Sensory quality of top-fermented light beers brewed homey and commercially

Jakość piwa jest kluczowym kryterium, które odgrywa coraz większą rolę na rynku browarniczym. Celem pracy było określenie jakości sensorycznej piw jasnych górnej fermentacji w stylu American Pale Ale (APA) i Witbier zarówno produkcji domowej (odpowiednio DA i DW), jak i komercyjnej pochodzącej z małych browarów rzemieślniczych (odpowiednio RA i RW) i dużych koncernów (odpowiednio KA i KW). Ocenę sensoryczną cech (zapach, smak, smakowitość, nasycenie CO2 oraz goryczka) metodą 5-punktową przeprowadzono z udziałem zespołu 15 ekspertów. Jakość sensoryczna piwa domowego APA charakteryzowała się porównywalną jakością do piw komercyjnych RA i KA. Ponadto piwo DA uzyskało statystycznie istotnie (p≤0,05) najwyższą ocenę (3,9) za zapach w porównaniu z piwem rzemieślniczym RA (3,2). W stylu Witbier piwo domowe uzyskało porównywalną jakość (3,4), lecz tylko w odniesieniu do piwa KW (3,8). Opracowana receptura piwa DA może stanowić recepturę wyjściową do uzyskania wyrobu o wysokiej jakości.Quality is the most important factor playing an increasingly important role on the brewing market. The aim of the study was the sensory quality evaluation of top-fermented light beers in both American Pale Ale (APA) and Witbier style, produced homey (DA and DW, respectively) and commercially by small craft breweries (RA and RW, respectively) and large breweries (KA and KW, respectively). Sensory analysis was applied with the 5-point scale rating method, by 15-person expert panel. The smell, taste, flavor, CO2 saturation and bitterness were assessed. APA home-made beer was characterized by the same quality as beer from small (RA) and large (KA) breweries. In addition, the smell evaluation of DA was significantly statistically (p≤0.05) the highest (3.9) in comparison with RA craft beer (3.2). In the Witbier style, the home-made beer was comparable quality (3.4), but only to KW beer (3.8). The developed recipe for DA can be the starting recipe to obtain the product of high quality

Microwave-Supported Modulation of Functional Characteristics of Gluten-Free Breads

Currently, the market for gluten-free products is experiencing a significant growth due to, mainly, the increase in the number of gluten-intolerant patients diagnosed and to the merging of a new niche market for consumers who optionally avoid gluten. Native flours are perceived as viable alternatives for industrially used starch and hydrocolloids blends, which lack in the vitamins and minerals that are in abundance in non-refined raw materials. This study delves into the potential of microwave technology in enhancing the functional and nutritional attributes of gluten-free breads. The research was conducted by employing 900 W microwave power for 8 min for buckwheat and teff flours modification with an initial moisture content of 30%. The modified flours were blended with rice flour and baked to verify the potential of microwave high moisture treatment for adjusting the texture and nutritional quality of the bread. The results revealed that microwave treatment of flours helped in retaining a higher level of essential nutrients and bioactive compounds in gluten-free breads

Non-Commercial Grapevines Hybrids Fruits as a Novel Food of High Antioxidant Activity

Non-commercial hybrid grapevine cultivars, usually used for dessert purposes or as ornamental garden plants, may contain a wealth of bioactive substances and thus can be regarded as highly valuable food resources. Antioxidant properties and selected groups of polyphenolic components in the three fractions of fruits: peel, pulp and juice; of five hybrid grape cultivars grown in Poland&mdash;Michigan, Alwood, Minnesota, V68021 and Beta&mdash;were analyzed and characterized. The liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-PDA-Q/TOF and UPLC-PDA), total polyphenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins, and DPPH, ABTS and FRAP were used for evaluation of antioxidant potential qualitatively and quantitatively as well as simple reductive sugars were measured. The antioxidant activity and polyphenols content depend mainly on the grape fruit fraction, while they depend to a lesser extent on the cultivar of the hybrid grapes studied. It was confirmed that grape skins are characterized by high antioxidant activity and their bioactive characteristics are similar to many hybrid grape cultivars grown in southern and Mediterranean regions of Europe. Especially grape skins of Alwood and Beta cultivars were characterized by a particularly high content of polyphenolic compounds, mainly from the flavonoid and anthocyanin group and a low content of simple sugars