Calculated Protein Efficiency Ratio Research Articles

Nutritional characterization of quality protein maize (QPM) (Zea mays L.) protein concentrates

Maize is considered a staple food for the population; however, its protein contribution to the development of individuals is limited by its low quality. Quality protein maize varieties (QPM) have been developed to remedy this. The protein quality presents in protein concentrates obtained from two QPM varieties was evaluated: Sac Beh (SB) and Chichen Itza (ChI), which were compared with a traditional variety (Blanco Uxmal, BU) as a control. All were evaluated with non-nixtamalization (NN) and nixtamalization (N). Amino acid profile, in vitro digestibility, calculated protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS), calculated protein efficiency ratio (c-PER), and biological value (BV) were determined. The extraction process of the QPM concentrates and nixtamalization had important effects on the essential amino acids Lys and Trp. In vitro digestibility showed significant differences (p < 0.05). The predominant limiting amino acid was tryptophan. The QPMs were closer to the requirements of the FAO/WHO standard, since they obtained chemical score values higher than 100% for His and Leu. PDCAAS values decreased in the amino acid tryptophan of SB and BU nixtamalized maize compared with the NN. PER7 and PER10 values were statistically higher (p < 0.05) in the QPMs compared to the BU control. The estimated biological value showed an imbalance in the concentration of essential amino acids. Lys and Trp in the QPM varieties were not sufficient evidence of increased biological value the proteins, due to the effect of the extraction processes and the alkaline heat treatment to which the maize grains were subjected.

Development of Novel Foxtail Millet-Based Nutri-Rich Instant Noodles: Chemical and Quality Characteristics.

Noodles are a popular snack mainly produced from wheat flour; however, the low contents of protein, minerals, and lysine are a concern. Therefore, this research developed nutri-rich instant noodles by using foxtail millet (FTM) (Setaria italic) flour to improve the contents of protein and nutrients and increase its commercial importance. FTM flour was mixed with wheat flour (Triticum aestivum) at a ratio of 0:100, 30:60, 40:50, and 50:40, and the samples were named as control, FTM30, FTM40, and FTM50 noodles, respectively. Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) and rice bran (Oryza sativa L.) flour were added at a percentage of 5% to all the composite noodles (FTM30, FTM40, and FTM50 noodles). The contents of biochemicals, minerals, and amino acids, as well as the organoleptic properties of the noodles, were examined and compared with wheat flour as a control. The results revealed that the carbohydrate (CHO) content of FTM50 noodles was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than all the developed and five commercial noodles named A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, and A-5. Moreover, the FTM noodles had significantly higher levels of protein, fiber, ash, calcium, and phosphorous than the control and commercial noodles. The percentage of lysine calculated protein efficiency ratio (PER), essential amino acid index (EAAI), biological value (BV), and chemical score (CS) of FTM50 noodles were also higher than that of the commercial noodles. The total bacterial count was nil for the FTM50 noodles, and the organoleptic properties were consistent with those of acceptable standards. The results could encourage the application of FTM flours for the development of variety and value-added noodles with enhanced level of nutrients.

Tortillas made from nixtamalized maize and extruded chickpea flours: A product with improved in vitro nutritional and antihypertensive properties

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesIn this study, tortillas with improved in vitro nutritional and antihypertensive properties were developed using flours produced from nixtamalized maize (NixM) and extruded chickpea (ExtCP). The aims were (1) to find the optimal extrusion conditions to produce optimized ExtCP flour with high values of antioxidant activity (AoxA), total phenolic compounds (TPC), and in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), and (2) to evaluate the addition effect of 30% of optimized ExtCP flour over the nutritional, technological, sensory y nutraceutical properties of tortillas prepared from commercial NixM flour. A rotatable composite central experimental design with two factors (extrusion temperature [ET] = 50°C–170°C; screw speed (SS) = 50–240 rpm) and five levels was used to optimize the extrusion process.FindingsThe best combination of variables of the extrusion process to produce ExtCP flour was: ET = 143°C/SS = 138 rpm. The tortillas added with ExtCP flour had: proteins = 13.27%, total dietary fiber = 13.40%, protein chemical score = 85.42%, IVPD = 82.01%, calculated protein efficiency ratio (C‐PER) = 1.84, AoxA = 8031 µmol TE/100 g, and sensory acceptability = 8.51 (value located between I like it very much and I like it extremely).ConclusionsThe tortillas made from nixtamalized maize and ExtCP flours have better in vitro nutritional and antihypertensive properties than tortillas prepared from only nixtamalized maize flour.Significance and NoveltyThe addition of optimized ExtCP flour to commercial NixM flour allows obtaining functional tortillas with improved and sensory acceptable in vitro nutritional and antihypertensive properties.

Functional gluten-free beverage elaborated from whole quinoa and defatted chia extruded flours: antioxidant and antihypertensive potentials

The current market demands gluten-free (GF) foods with better nutritional/nutraceutical value. In this study, a functional GF beverage (GFB) from a flours mixture of optimized extruded quinoa (OEQ) (70%) and extruded defatted chia (EDC) (30%) was developed. To obtain OEQ, a central composed experimental design with two factors (extrusion temperature [TE] = 60 °C-140 °C and screw speed [VT] = 60 rpm-240 rpm) and three responses (antioxidant activity [AoxA], total phenolic compounds [TPC], and in vitro protein digestibility [IVPD]) was used. The optimal extrusion conditions for OEQ were 138 °C/138 rpm, and for EDC they were 147 °C/237 rpm (obtained in a previous work). The mixture had calculated protein efficiency ratio (C-PER) = 2.28 and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory potential (IC50) = 0.271 mg/ml. 200 ml of functional GFB contains 5.61 g of good quality protein, 6.13 g of dietary fiber, 88 kcal, and AoxA = 5091 µmol TE. The functional GFB is a healthy alternative for celiac people.

TORTILLAS MADE WITH EXTRUDED FLOURS OF BLUE MAIZE AND CHÍA SEEDS AS AN NUTRITIOUS AND NUTRACEUTICAL FOOD OPTION

Tortillas with adequate nutrients and phytochemicals as a recommended option may improve health in older adults. In this research tortillas were prepared with native blue maize (Zea mays L.) and chía (Salvia hispanica) seeds processed by alkaline extrusion. The hypothesis was that alkaline extrusion would generate flours of both seeds with improved nutraceutical and nutritional characteristics compared to traditional products. The aim was then to evaluate extruded defatted chía flour addition on nutritional and nutraceutical properties of tortillas made with extruded native blue maize flour. Tortillas were prepared with a mixture 75% extruded blue maize flour +25% extruded defatted chía flour. Other tortillas from 100% extruded blue maize flour and commercial lime-cooked maize flour (Blue MASECA®) were used as control and reference. Nutritional, antioxidant, antihypertensive and hypoglycaemic properties of tortillas were evaluated in vitro. A completely randomized experimental design with one factor (type of tortilla) was used for data analysis. Tortillas added with extruded chía flour had higher protein, dietary fibre, essential amino acid (EAA) profile, in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), and calculated protein efficiency ratio (C-PER) than control and reference tortillas. Tortillas with addition of extruded chía flour also had better antioxidant activity [oxygen radical absorbance capacity, (ORAC) 18006 vs 15531 Trolox equivalent, (TE) μmol per 100g of dry weight, (DW) sample], and better antihypertensive [(ACE) angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, IC50=0.47 vs 0.65 extract mg mL-1] and hypoglycaemic (IC50=20.07 vs 25.81 extract mg mL-1 to α-amylase inhibition, and IC50=16.25 vs 19.69 extract mg mL-1 to α-glucosidase inhibition) potential than tortillas from 100% extruded blue maize flour. The use of extruded chía flour and blue maize flour allowed obtaining tortillas with enhanced nutritional, antioxidant, antihypertensive, and hypoglycaemic properties. The extrusion process consumes few water volumes without generating polluting effluents. An appropriate public policy in Mexico may promote these tortillas to be used to fight against malnutrition, and to reduce incidences of chronic degenerative diseases such as hypertension or diabetes.

Effect of the extruded amaranth flour addition on the nutritional, nutraceutical and sensory quality of tortillas produced from extruded creole blue maize flour

Mexico suffers from issues with malnutrition, anemia, overweight, and obesity. Furthermore, chronic degenerative diseases (CDD) was the leading cause of mortality in 2018, with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes being the first two causes of death. Tortillas represent an excellent vehicle to enhance the nutritional status of tortillas consumers (Mexicans). The work's objective was to evaluate the effect of extruded amaranth flour (EAF) addition on the quality (nutritional, nutraceutical, sensory) of tortillas from extruded creole blue maize flour (ECBMF). Tortillas prepared with the addition of 30% of EAF to ECBMF. We evaluated the effect of the addition of amaranth flour on nutritional properties [essential amino acid (EAA) profile, in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), calculated protein efficiency ratio (C-PER)]. Additionally, we determined the nutraceutical properties of tortillas. Functional tortillas had higher proteins, dietary fiber, IVPD, C-PER, lower AoxA (13,187 vs. 15,398 mmol TE/100 g, DW), and better antihypertensive and hypoglycemic potentials than 100% ECBMF tortillas. The addition of EAF to ECBMF allows us to obtain functional tortillas with enhanced in vitro nutritional and nutraceutical properties and sensorily acceptable. As part of public policy, functional tortillas could reduce malnutrition and chronic degenerative diseases in Mexico.

Gaseous ozone treatment of chickpea grains, part I: Effect on protein, amino acid, fatty acid, mineral content, and microstructure

The effect of gaseous ozone (500–1000 ppm) treatment on the protein, amino acid, and fatty acid profiles, mineral content, and the microstructure of the chickpea grains were evaluated. Though protein content was not altered significantly, SDS PAGE profiling exhibited minor modifications in the protein bands of the treated chickpea. The essential amino acids (EAA) and total amino acids (TAA) slightly decreased, ratio of EAA to TAA increased, while the calculated protein efficiency ratio decreased. Significant decrease in the SH content and non-significant increase in SS content was observed at higher doses of ozone. The overall saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (%) were in the range of 13.05–13.49 and 86.51–87.61, respectively. The minerals were stable and the HCl extractability decreased in the ozonated samples. There was some minor degradation of intracellular cell wall and distribution of starch and protein bodies in the ozonated sample.

Improvement of Chia Seeds with Antioxidant Activity, GABA, Essential Amino Acids, and Dietary Fiber by Controlled Germination Bioprocess.

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) plant is native from southern Mexico and northern Guatemala. Their seeds are a rich source of bioactive compounds which protect consumers against chronic diseases. Germination improves functionality of the seeds due to the increase in the bioactive compounds and associated antioxidant activity. The purpose of this study was to obtain functional flour from germinated chia seeds under optimized conditions with increased antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds, GABA, essential amino acids, and dietary fiber with respect to un-germinated chia seeds. The effect of germination temperature and time (GT=20-35°C, Gt=10-300h) on protein, lipid, and total phenolic contents (PC, LC, TPC, respectively), and antioxidant activity (AoxA) was analyzed by response surface methodology as optimization tool. Chia seeds were germinated inside plastic trays with absorbent paper moisturized with 50mL of 100ppm sodium hypochlorite dissolution. The sprouts were dried (50°C/8h) and ground to obtain germinated chia flours (GCF). The prediction models developed for PC, LC, TPC, and AoxA showed high coefficients of determination, demonstrating their adequacy to explain the variations in experimental data. The highest values of PC, LC, TPC, and AoxA were obtained at two different optimal conditions (GT=21°C/Gt=157h; GT=33°C/Gt=126h). Optimized germinated chia flours (OGCF) had higher PC, TPC, AoxA, GABA, essential amino acids, calculated protein efficiency ratio (C-PER), and total dietary fiber (TDF) than un-germinated chia seed flour. The OGCF could be utilized as a natural source of proteins, dietary fiber, GABA, and antioxidants in the development of new functional beverages and foods.

PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF DRIED SOUP PRODUCED FROM DIFFERENT SWEET POTATO VARIETIES

this study was conducted in El-Kanater El-Khyria Research Station. Kalubia Governorate during two seasons 2014 and 2015 to evaluate three varieties of sweet potatoes, one was recorded at the Institute of Horticulture Research compared to two local varieties (V.B and V.C) cultivated in Egypt and the aim items for use in the work of sweet potato soup rich in nutrients. The results showed that the significant differences were found among three varieties in most traits. Significant differences for plant growth characters (number of branches and leaves on main stem, length of stem main and neck leaf and weight of vin), yield and its component (total yield per plant of tuber roots /Kg), average weight of one storage root (gm), number of tuber roots per plant and average of tuber root (length and diameter). Data showed that ether extract, protein and fiber were significantly higher in local V.B (orange sweet potato) than that found in local V.C (white sweet potato) and new V Min.6 (yellow sweet potato). The data showed that significant differences in total carotenoid and β- carotene were found among all the sweet potato cultivated. Mixing whole wheat, skimmed milk and lentil with sweet potato varieties improved the amino acid profile, nutritional quality, protein digestibility and bioavailability of β- carotene. The values of calculated protein efficiency ratio (PER) of the soup samples were 2.72 to 3.35. The findings show that acceptable soup could be produced from the tuber root of different varieties of sweet potato compared to the control soup (without sweet potato). In conclusion, soup sweet potato is recommended for the elderly and small children since it contains more protein and vitamin A which enhances eyesight. The new V Min 6. showed that the highest values in most traits under study could be recommended for using in commercial production and industrial soup.

Solid State Bioconversion for Producing Functional Flours from Whole Quality Protein Maize and Common Beans with Enhanced Nutritional Value, Antioxidant and Antihypertensive Potential

The aim was to develop functional flours with enhanced nutritional value, antioxidant and antihypertensive potential from quality protein maize and common beans throughout solid state bioconversion (SSB) process. The SSB processes were performed at 35°C/84h (maize) and 38°C/100h (beans) using a rhizopus oligosporus strain. The bioprocessed maize and bean (bioprocessed bean cotyledons blended with seed coats) samples were dried, cooled, and milled to obtain bioprocessed whole quality protein maize flour (BQPMF) and bioprocessed common bean flour (BCBF), respectively. SSB process increased the protein content (26.8 - 33.5%), soluble, insoluble and total dietary fiber contents (132-196%, 15-24%, and 40-43%, respectively), resistant starch (130-133%), calculated protein efficiency ratio (C-PER; 33-49 %), phenolic content (69.5- 127.02%), antioxidant capacity (AoxA) (38-75%) and angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitory (ACE-I) activity of quality protein maize and common beans. The mixture prepared from 60% BQPMF+40% BCBF had, in dry basis, 19.78% proteins, 24.65% total dietary fiber, 3.92% resistant starch, and C-PER 2.24, antioxidant activity 199.24 μmol Trolox equivalents/g sample, and IC 50 (antihypertensive potential) 25.12 µg peptide/mL suspension. The SSB bioprocess resulted in an effective strategy to improve nutritional value, phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and antihypertensive potential of quality protein maize and common beans. The flours developed in this work (BQPMF, BCBF and its mixture) can be considered functional foods of high nutritional value and with potential for prevention and control of degenerative diseases such as hypertension and those derived from oxidative stress.

Enhancement of nutritional properties, and antioxidant and antihypertensive potential of black common bean seeds by optimizing the solid state bioconversion process

The aim of this work was to obtain a functional flour with enhanced nutritional properties, and antioxidant and antihypertensive potential from black bean seeds by optimizing the solid state bioconversion (SSB) process using a Rhizopus oligoporus strain. Response surface methodology was applied as optimization technique. A central composite experimental design with two factors [fermentation temperature (FT) = 30–40 °C/fermentation time (Ft) = 6–108 h] and five levels was used (13 treatments). The bioprocessed cotyledons from each treatment were dried, milled, and blended with its previously dried-milled seed coats. The best combination FT/Ft of SSB to obtain the functional flour was 38 °C/100 h. SSB increased the calculated protein efficiency ratio (from 1.59 to 2.40), antioxidant activity (from 13 948 to 22 733 µmol ET/100 g, dw), total phenolic compounds (TPC) (from 190 to 432 mg EGA/100 g, dw) and antihypertensive potential (IC50 from 95.57 to 0.0321 µg/mL). SSB is an effective strategy to improve the TPC of common beans for enhanced functionality.

Evaluation of Tomato Processing By‐Products: A Comparative Study in a Pilot Scale Setup

AbstractThis study aims at providing a comparative evaluation of tomato processing by‐products, i.e., seeds and peel. A pilot scale process has been demonstrated for extraction and drying (both freeze and cabinet drying) of tomato seeds and peel. Various aspects of dried tomato seeds such as its protein content, amino acid profile, calculated protein efficiency ratio (PER), presence of antinutritional factors, polyphenol contents and antioxidant activities were evaluated. In this study, the total polyphenol content in the hydrophilic extract as well as antioxidant activities of tomato peel were found to be 66.5 and 38.2% higher, respectively, than that of the tomato seed meal showing importance of the former from a functional point of view. Tomato seed protein isolate (92%) prepared from tomato seed meal had a calculated PER of 2.66. The protein isolate contained all essential amino acids (including lysine), meeting the minimum requirements of reference protein for preschool children aged 1–2 years (WHO/FAO/UNU). The tomato seed protein isolate showed negligible levels of phytate (3.48 μg/g) and trypsin inhibitory activity (2.655 TIU/mg). This study clearly highlights that tomato seed, a by‐product of tomato processing industry, is a rich source of high‐quality plant protein together with intrinsic polyphenols and antioxidant activities, although the functional properties being less dominant than the peel counterpart. Therefore, tomato seed meal with unique protein quality could be regarded as a potential source of protein‐rich adjunct in various food formulations.Practical ApplicationsWith the increased industrial demand of protein sources, there has been an upsurge of research efforts in recent years to extract dietary proteins from plant‐based sources. By‐products of oilseeds, fruits and vegetable‐processing industries can be sustainable low‐cost protein alternatives, which are available at no additional cost and can find commercial valorization in food formulations. As an example, this study identified a pilot plant setup to produce tomato seed protein isolate and investigated protein quality, antinutritional factors as well as compared the polyphenol content and antioxidant activities in the context of its counterpart by‐product tomato peel. This knowledge will facilitate the use of tomato seed protein isolate as a low‐cost protein‐rich adjunct with functional benefits in food formulation. Most importantly, this study highlights that high‐quality plant protein isolates can be recovered from agro‐industrial by‐products, thus adding commercial value to them and allowing their industrial exploitation.

Production of nixtamalized flour and tortillas from amarantin transgenic maize lime-cooked in a thermoplastic extruder

The potential use of quality protein transgenic maize (genetically modified maize with the cDNA of amarantin) for preparation of flour and tortillas through an extrusion lime cooking process was investigated. Tortillas from extruded transgenic maize flour had similar physicochemical and sensory properties than those from the commercial brand MASECA™; however, the former had the highest (P < 0.05) protein content (12.91 vs 8.93%, db), essential amino acids content, calculated protein efficiency ratio (C-PER; 2.27 vs 0.90) and protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS; 55.54 vs 30.18%) and therefore they were nutritionally better. The use of transgenic maize for flour and tortilla preparation through an extrusion lime cooking process may have a positive impact on the nutritional status of people from countries where maize is the basic staple food. It also represents an alternative process to nixtamalization that requires little energy and water, it does not generate wastewater, and all components of the maize kernel are retained.

Optimisation of the Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Blood Cells with a Neutral Protease

For utilizing the blood cells (BCs) effectively, enzymatic hydrolysis was applied to produce the enzymatically hydrolyzed blood cells (EHBCs) by using a neutral protease as a catalyst. The results of the single-factor experiments showed optimal substrate concentration, enzyme to substrate ratio (E/S), pH, temperature, and incubation period were 1.00%, 0.10, 7.00, 50.00°C, and 12.00 h, respectively. The optimized hydrolysis conditions from response surface methodology (RSM) were pH 6.50, E/S 0.11, temperature 45.00°C, and incubation period 12.00 h. Under these conditions (substrate concentration 1.00%), the degree of hydrolysis (DH) was 35.06%. The free amino acids (FAAs) content of the EHBCs (35.24%) was 40.46 times higher than BCs while the total amino acids (TAAs) content was lower than BCs. The scores of lysine (human 0.87; pig 0.97), valine (human 1.42; pig 1.38), leucine (human 1.50; pig 1.90), tyrosine (human 0.84; pig 1.09), and histidine (human 2.17; pig 2.50) indicated that the EHBCs basically fulfilled the adult human and pig nutritional requirements. The calculated protein efficiency ratios (C-PERs) of the EHBCs were 3.94, 6.19, 21.73, and 2.04. In summary, the EHBCs were produced successfully with optimized conditions and could be a novel protein source for humans and pigs.

High Antioxidant Activity Mixture of Extruded Whole Quality Protein Maize and Common Bean Flours for Production of a Nutraceutical Beverage Elaborated with a Traditional Mexican Formulation

The objective of this study was to determine the best combination of extrusion process variables for the production of whole quality protein maize (EQPMF) and common bean (ECBF) flours to prepare a high antioxidant activity mixture (EQPMF + ECBF) suitable to produce a nutraceutical beverage with high acceptability elaborated with a traditional Mexican formulation. Processing conditions were obtained from a factorial combination of barrel temperature (BT = 120-170°C) and screw speed (SS = 120-200rpm). Response surface methodology was applied to obtain maximum values for antioxidant activity (A ( ox ) A) of the flour mixture (EQPMF + ECBF) and acceptability (A) of the nutraceutical beverage. The best combinations of extrusion process variables for EQPMF and ECBF to prepare an optimized mixture (60%EQPMF + 40%ECBF) were BT = 98°C/SS = 218rpm and BT = 105°C/SS = 83rpm, respectively. The optimized mixture had A ( ox ) A = 14,320μmol Trolox equivalent (TE)/100g sample dry weight (dw) and a calculated protein efficiency ratio (C-PER) of 2.17. A 200ml portion of a beverage prepared with 25g of the optimized flour mixture had A ( ox ) A = 3,222μmol TE, and A = 89 (level of satisfaction "I like it extremely"). This nutraceutical beverage could be used as an alternative to beverages with low nutritional/nutraceutical value, such as those prepared with water, simple sugars, artificial flavoring and colorants, which are widely offered in the market.

Production of high protein quality noodles using wheat flour fortified with different protein products from lupine

Physicochemical, cooking quality and sensory characteristics of noodles fortified by whole lupine meal (WLM) and defatted lupine meal (DLM) as different protein products were evaluated. Optimum cooking time significantly decreased with increasing the replacement levels. The prepared noodles contained 10% WLM or DLM had swelling indices similar to that in the control sample. The higher cooking yield was observed in prepared noodles using 20% WLM or DLM. The cooking loss was improved when using DLM with significant (p<0.05) lower values at all replacement levels than that in control sample. Used the WLM and DLM at levels 5% and 10%, respectively gave low nitrogen loss values. Calculated protein efficiency ratio, proportion of essential amino acid to the total amino acids, essential amino acid index, biological value, chemical score and limiting amino acid were improved. The received scores from sensory evaluation showed that WLM or DLM noodles at levels 5–10% or 5–20%, respectively had higher flavor and overall acceptability values with non-significant (p>0.05) differences compared to the control sample.

Functional and nutritional characteristics of protein recovered during isolation of chitin from shrimp waste

Shrimp shells are a good source of chitin when processed into chitosans. Only about 10% of the raw material dry matter is recovered as chitosan. The objective of this work is to isolate the protein (during de-proteinization of chitin) using nitric acid 30% (this designated as acidic protein) and 1M sodium hydroxide (this designated as alkaline protein). The functional properties, amino acid contents and nutritional quality of both isolated protein were evaluated. The acidic protein had significantly (p<0.05) higher emulsification activity (51.58), emulsification stability (48.15) and foam capacity compared to the alkaline protein. The acidic protein also exhibited a broader range of minimum solubility at pH range 4–6 (from 11.21% to 12.54%). Meanwhile, the minimum solubility (22.89%) of the alkaline shrimp waste protein was quite sharp at pH 4. The highest emulsification activities of acidic protein extract were observed at pH 2 (63.82) and pH 10 (68.76) while the lowest were observed at pH 6 (44.32). The same trend was noticed for the emulsification stability. The emulsification activity of the alkaline protein extract ranged from 31.25 (at pH 4) to 52 (at pH 10) and its stability ranged from 44.21 to 51.12 at the same pHs. The alkaline protein is rich in isoleucin and valine compared to the FAO/WHO reference pattern, while leucine and lysine are slightly deficient compared with the same reference. On the other hand, the acidic protein contains higher amounts of lysine, therionin and valine compared to the reference pattern. The alkaline protein had a higher chemical score and calculated protein efficiency ratio (51.46% and 1.94, respectively) compared to 42.10% and 1.75, respectively for acidic protein.

Nutritional and Functional Characteristics of Protein-Fortified Pasta from Sweet Potato

Despite being a healthy low glycaemic index food, the production and consumption of sweet potatoes are decreasing globally. The global production trends indicated a decline from 130.47 million tonnes (MT) in 2004 to 107.64 MT in 2009, while the production in China, having the largest share towards world production of sweet potatoes, witnessed a decrease from 105.84 MT in 2004 to 81.21 MT in 2009. There is an interest in increasing consumption of healthy low glycaeimic index foods, especially in the context of a projected alarming rise in the diabetic population in the developing world by 2025. The objective of this study was to enhance the utilization of sweet potato as a low glycaemic food, mainly through its use in the development of high protein pasta. Among three protein sources, whey protein concentrate (WPC), defatted soy flour (DSF), and fish powder (FP), WPC gave high quality pasta with strong starch-protein network formation, as evidenced from scanning electron microscopic studies and low in vitro starch digestibility. Protein nutritional quality was also high for WPC-fortified sweet potato pasta, with very high scores for lysine and leucine as well as high essential amino acid index and calculated protein efficiency ratio. Fractionation of starch showed that the WPC-fortified sweet potato pasta had the lowest rapidly digested starch (RDS) and the highest resistant starch (RS) content, indicating its potential as a low glycaemic food.

Physicochemical, Nutritional and Antioxidant Properties of Tempeh Flour from Common Bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The effects of solid state fermentation (SSF) on physicochemical, nutritional and antioxidant properties of common bean flour were studied. SSF increased protein content (21.7%) and decreased lipids (-38.4%), carbohydrates (-3.5%) and phytic acid (-58.3%). Fermented (tempeh) flour showed higher dispersability, lower water solubility index and pH than unfermented flour. Fermentation also increased an average of 0.21 g/100 g protein, six of the essential amino acids (EAAs), including total sulfur (Met + Cys), the limiting EAAs in unfermented flour (score = 0.91); Lys and Trp decreased 0.21 and 0.09 g/100 g protein, respectively. SSF improved the in vitro protein digestibility and the calculated protein efficiency ratio. Tempeh flour had 2.2-fold more phenolics than the bean flour and exhibited antiradical activity (43%) and antioxidant activity (38%) correlated with total phenolics content. Common bean tempeh flour may be considered for the fortification of widely consumed legume-based food products and also for the prevention of pathologies associated with oxidative stress.

Technological and Nutritional Properties of Flours and Tortillas from Nixtamalized and Extruded Quality Protein Maize (Zea mays L.)

ABSTRACTNixtamalized and extruded flours from quality protein maize (QPM, V‐537C) and tortillas made from them were evaluated for some technological and nutritional properties and compared with the commercial brand MASECA. Both QPM flours showed higher (P &lt; 0.05) protein content, total color difference, pH, available lysine, and lower (P &lt; 0.05) total starch content, Hunter L value, water absorption index, gelatinization enthalpy, resistant starch, and retrograded resistant starch than nixtamalized MASECA flour. Tortillas from nixtamalized and extruded QPM flours had higher contents of essential amino acids than tortillas from MASECA flour, except for leucine. Tortillas from processed QPM flours also showed higher (P &lt; 0.05) values of the nutritional indicators calculated protein efficiency ratio (C‐PER 1.80–1.85 vs. 1.04), apparent and true in vivo protein digestibility (78.4‐79.1 vs. 75.6% and 76.4–77.4 vs. 74.2%, respectively), PER (2.30–2.43 vs. 1.31), net protein retention (NPR; 2.88–2.89 vs. 2.11), and protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS; 54–55 vs. 29% based on preschool children and 100 vs. 85% based on adults) than MASECA flour. The use of QPM for flour and tortilla preparation may have a positive effect on the nutritional status of people from countries where these products are widely consumed.