Cereal Bars Research Articles

Genótipos de sorgo para produção de barra de cereais

O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver uma barra de cereais com pipoca de sorgo e avaliá-la quanto à aceitação do produto por consumidores, assim como identificar genótipos de sorgo e distintos modos de processamento para a produção de pipoca visando maior rendimento. Foram avaliados os processamentos sem (STH) e com tratamento hidrotérmico (CTH) dos grãos antes do pipoqueamento. O tratamento CTH reduziu o percentual de piruás em cerca de 36% e aumentou o rendimento da produção de pipoca em cerca de 80%. No STH, os genótipos BRS 310, BR 501, BR 506 e CMSXS 283 produziram menor percentual de piruás e maior capacidade de expansão. No CTH, 'BRS 310' e 'CMSXS 283' apresentaram melhor desempenho. Uma pesquisa sobre a aceitação e a intenção de compra das barras de cereais foi realizada em Londrina, PR e no Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Verificou-se que o produto foi aceito por 98, 4 e 76, 5% dos consumidores, e a média de aceitação, em uma escala de 1 a 9, foi de 7, 7 em Londrina e de 7, 1 no Rio de Janeiro. Quanto à intenção de compra, verificou-se que 88, 8% dos londrinenses e 80, 6% dos cariocas atribuíram notas acima de 4 ("talvez não comprasse, talvez comprasse") na escala de 7 pontos utilizada.

Antioxidant activity and consumer acceptance of grape seed flour‐containing food products

SummaryGrape seed flour (GSF) is produced from the pomace waste generated during winemaking. The inclusion of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon GSFs in cereal bars, pancakes and noodles was evaluated using antioxidant activity measurements [2,2 diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging]. Each product (noodles, pancakes and cereal bars) was also evaluated on separate days for consumer acceptance (n = 100 per panel). In comparing antioxidant activities, the highest DPPH radical‐scavenging activity was in pancakes containing Cabernet Sauvignon GSF (25% and 30%), noodles containing Cabernet Sauvignon GSF (20%) and cereal bars containing Merlot GSF (5%). From consumer sensory evaluation, cereal bars made with Merlot GSF, control pancakes and control noodles had high consumer acceptance. Products with low consumer acceptance included pancakes containing 25% Cabernet Sauvignon GSF and noodles containing 20% Cabernet Sauvignon GSF. Overall, the cereal bar containing 5% Merlot GSF showed a good balance of high antioxidant activity with consumer acceptability, making this a promising GSF‐containing new food product.

IRRADIAÇÃO EM BARRAS DE CEREAIS INCORPORADAS COM CASCA DE ABACAXI

One of the major current concerns to the food industry is the management of residues generated in its production processes. Thus, several studies have been developed, seeking alternative uses for these residues, in order to minimize environmental impacts and add value to products previously discarded. Combining this idea with the increasingly search for healthy and practical products, by consumers, this study aimed the characterization of cereal bars irradiated with doses of 0 kGy, 1 kGy, and 2 kGy, incorporated with dried pineapple skin. The following analyses were carried out: moisture, proteins, lipids, ashes, carbohydrates, energetic value, antioxidant potential, phenolic content, organic acids, and fatty acids profile. The results observed for the centesimal composition did not vary as a function of the radiation doses used, reducing only the levels of antioxidants, phenolic compounds, and organic acids. The product showed potential for becoming an effective way of reusing a food industry residue and the irradiation interfered on the nutritional characteristics of the final product.

PTR-TOF-MS monitoring of in vitro and in vivo flavour release in cereal bars with varying sugar composition

In the present study, PTR-TOF-MS was applied to better understand the influence of sugar composition on flavour release in a strawberry flavoured cereal bar system. To achieve this, measurements were made both statically from the headspace above cereal bar samples (in vitro) and dynamically from flavour release in the nose space during consumption (in vivo). An artificial strawberry flavour of known constituents (17 flavour active volatile compounds) was used in the preparation of cereal bars. For in vitro measurements, eight samples varying in the glucose syrup solids 42DE to polydextrose ratio were assessed. Measurements clearly showed that the level of glucose syrup solids substitution by polydextrose influenced the release of the added flavour compounds. In addition, distinguishable differences were detected for the release of volatile compounds between samples with different levels of glucose syrup solids and polydextrose during in vivo measurements. The improved mass resolution, sensitivity and speed of PTR-TOF-MS enabled direct comparisons between the rate compounds reached the nose space, maximum nose space concentration of compounds, and the time after which compounds were no longer detected in the nose-space.

Observations of Marketing on Food Packaging Targeted to Youth in Retail Food Stores

There is growing evidence that exposure to food marketing influences dietary preferences among youth. Few studies exploring this association, however, have focused on the retail food store environment where families negotiate the influence of food and beverage marketing on purchasing practices. Consequently, we sought to examine: (i) the extent to which foods marketed on the internet and television to youth are also available and marketed in retail food stores, and (ii) whether differences exist in the marketing practices across store types and by neighborhood racial composition. In 2008, a cross-sectional survey of 118 food stores was conducted in four Midwestern cities in the United States. Results showed that 82% of stores assessed carried items commonly marketed to youth via television or the internet. The items most likely to have some type of marketing technique were noncarbonated drinks (97.7%), fruit and cereal bars (76.9%), and soda (62.2%). Grocery stores were significantly more likely than convenience stores to have marketing for breads and pastries (34.6% vs. 17.9%), breakfast cereals (52.0% vs. 22.9%), cookies and crackers (54.2% vs. 25.3%), dairy (70.8% vs. 42.7%), and ice cream (23.8% vs. 9.8%). Stores located in black neighborhoods were significantly more likely to have marketing, in comparison to white neighborhoods, for breads and pastries (35.7% vs. 17.1%), breakfast cereals (44.4% vs. 25.0%), and cookies and crackers (48.1% vs. 26.3%). Our results highlight the importance of examining food marketing techniques in the retail food store environment, where visual cues from television and the internet may be reinforced.

Enriched cereal bars are more effective in increasing plasma quercetin compared with quercetin from powder-filled hard capsules

The flavonol quercetin, is one of the major flavonoids found in edible plants. The bioavailability of quercetin in humans may be influenced by the food matrix in which it is consumed as well as by its chemical and physical form. The objective of the present study was to investigate the biokinetics of quercetin from quercetin-enriched cereal bars and quercetin powder-filled hard capsules. In a randomised, single-blinded, diet-controlled cross-over study, six healthy women aged 22-28 years took a single oral dose of approximately 130mg quercetin equivalents from either quercetin-enriched cereal bars (containing 93·3% quercetin aglycone plus 6·7% quercetin-4'-glucoside) or quercetin powder-filled hard capsules (100% quercetin aglycone). Blood samples were drawn before and after quercetin administration over a 24h period. The concentrations of quercetin and its monomethylated derivatives, isorhamnetin (3'-O-methyl quercetin) and tamarixetin (4'-O-methyl quercetin), were measured by HPLC with fluorescence detection after plasma enzymatic treatment. The systemic availability as determined by comparing the plasma concentration-time curves of quercetin was found to be five times and the cmax values six times higher after ingestion of 130mg quercetin by quercetin-enriched cereal bars than after ingestion by quercetin capsules. In contrast, tmax did not differ significantly between the two treatments. The cmax values for isorhamnetin and tamarixetin were four and nine times higher after ingestion of quercetin by quercetin-enriched cereal bars than after ingestion by quercetin capsules. In conclusion, quercetin from quercetin-enriched cereal bars is significantly more bioavailable than from quercetin powder-filled hard capsules.

Food Matrix Effects on in Vitro Digestion of Microencapsulated Tuna Oil Powder

Tuna oil, containing 53 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 241 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per gram of oil, delivered as a neat microencapsulated tuna oil powder (25% oil loading) or in food matrices (orange juice, yogurt, or cereal bar) fortified with microencapsulated tuna oil powder was digested in simulated gastric fluid or sequentially in simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid. The level of fortification was equivalent to 1 g of tuna oil per recommended serving size (i.e., per 200 g of orange juice or yogurt or 60 g of cereal bar). The changes in particle size of oil droplets during digestion were influenced by the method of delivery of the microencapsulated tuna oil powder. Lipolysis in simulated gastric fluid was low, with only 4.4-6.1% EPA and ≤1.5% DHA released after digestion (as a % of total fatty acids present). After sequential exposure to simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, much higher extents of lipolysis of both glycerol-bound EPA and DHA were obtained (73.2-78.6% for the neat powder, fortified orange juice, and yogurt; 60.3-64.0% for the fortified cereal bar). This research demonstrates that the choice of food matrix may influence the lipolysis of microencapsulated tuna oil.

Snack bars with high soy protein and isoflavone content for use in diets to control dyslipidaemia

The objective was to develop a cereal bar product rich in isoflavones and soy protein to be used in diets for controlling dyslipidaemia. A soy snack bar with 39.88 g/100 g dietary fibre, 34.25 g/100 g protein, 100.39 mg/100 g isoflavones and 245.47 kcal/100 g was produced. The shelf life of the product was tested over a period of 6 months. The hardness, water activity and darkness of the snack bars increased with storage time. Clinical trial was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the soy snack bar on the lipid profiles of 22 dyslipidaemic subjects for a period of 45 days. There was a decrease in levels of triglycerides (TGs) ( − 20%) and an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (+8%) comparing with baseline values. Therefore, relatively high intakes of soy protein and isoflavones in moderately hypercholesterolaemic subjects (>200 mg/dl) may have a moderately beneficial effect on plasma lipid profiles, as TG and HDL-c levels, without additional diet restrictions.

Composição de lancheiras de alunos de escolas particulares de São Paulo

OBJETIVO: Avaliar qualitativamente a composição das lancheiras de crianças do segundo ao quinto ano do ensino fundamental de escolas privadas de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: O delineamento do estudo foi transversal e a coleta de dados foi realizada em cinco unidades de uma rede particular de ensino, localizadas em regiões distintas da Grande São Paulo. A observação dos lanches ocorreu em três dias não consecutivos do ano de 2008 para cada criança. A amostra foi constituída pela totalidade de crianças do segundo ao quinto ano do ensino fundamental (n=501). Os alunos foram categorizados segundo a presença ou não de cada um dos grupos de alimentos nas lancheiras em pelo menos um dos três dias de observação. RESULTADOS: Dentre as crianças estudadas, 82% trouxeram cereais; 67% sucos artificiais e outras bebidas; 65% leite e alimentos lácteos; 51% bolo, bolacha e barra de cereais recheados e/ou com cobertura e 35% embutidos, em pelo menos uma dia de coleta. A frequência de frutas e sucos naturais foi de 33%, e de verduras e legumes foi de 4%. Meninas levaram para a escola com mais frequência frutas e hortaliças (p<0,05). Alunos maiores deixaram de levar lanche à escola mais frequentemente do que os menores nos três dias de observação (11 e 4%, respectivamente; p<0,05). CONCLUSÕES: A composição das lancheiras dos escolares, apesar de alguns aspectos positivos, mostrou-se inadequada. Houve excesso de alimentos industrializados, geralmente ricos em açúcares, gorduras e sódio e baixa presença de frutas, verduras e legumes.

Formulation and Sensory Acceptance of Cereal-Bars Made with Almonds of chichá, sapucaia and gurguéia Nuts

The new trends for consumption of healthy, innovative and practical food have led to the growth of cereal-bar market in recent years. In the native Brazilian flora, there are some species still unknown, which have high potential for nut market, such as chicha, sapucaia and gurgueia. The aim of the present study was to produce cereal bars from those nuts, supplemented with pineapple peel. Cereal-bars made with chicha, sapucaia and gurgueia nuts were prepared by us- ing three formulations as follows: A, B and C, respectively, which differ according to the proportions of vegetal fat and pineapple peel powder used in the processing system. It was verified, by using the global appearance parameter, that among the different formulations tested, formulation B obtained the highest rate for the attribute 'acceptability'. Chicha and sapucaia cereal-bars were, in general, more accepted than gurgueia nut cereal-bar. It was observed that the use of al- monds of chicha, sapucaia and gurgueia nuts, and pineapple peel is feasible to produce nutritional cereal-bars.

Characterization and sensorial evaluation of cereal bars with jackfruit

The objective of this study was to elaborate a homemade and alternative cereal bar using dehydrated jackfruit and seed meal as fiber source, due to the availability of this fruit in the region, without reducing the nutritional values if comparing to those already existent in the market. In order to evaluate the centesimal content and the acceptance of the homemade bars, both light and traditional bars were used as reference. The results showed that the elaborated bar presented protein values very close with products already found in the market. However, the new bars presented higher content of fibers. Formulations of 30 and 40% of seed meal were the ones with the best acceptance.

Role of phytosterols in lipid-lowering: current perspectives

The cholesterol-lowering effect of plant sterols was first discovered in the early 1950s. However, it is only recently that plant sterols have become clinically important, when advances in food-technology have made it possible to combine sterols with a variety of food products including margarines, yogurts, fruit juices and cereal bars. We review the clinical trial evidence of lipid-lowering efficacy of plant sterols and discuss their implications in routine clinical practice. To generate the evidence we searched the Pubmed database for English language literature, using relevant keywords and medical subject heading (MeSH) terms, and extracted the findings from recently published studies and meta-analyses on this topic. Our findings suggest that the short-term use of food supplements rich in plant sterols is a safe and effective strategy; to maximize the benefits of dietary and lifestyle therapy, either with or without statin therapy, among majority of dyslipidemic patients with need for additional lipid-lowering.

Development of shelf stable protein rich composite cereal bar

Protein rich composite cereal bar based on cereal ingredients was prepared using semi automatic tablet making machine, packed in poly propylene (PP), paper aluminium foil polyethylene (PFP), metallised polyester (MP) followed by vacuum packing in metallized polyester films. Proximate composition, mineral contents as well as changes in peroxide value (PV), free fatty acid value (FFA), thiobarbituric acid value (TBA), browning, fatty acid profile, vitamins, effect of water activity on lipid peroxidation, fortification with vitamins and minerals, microbiological as well as sensory parameters during storage under ambient (15-34°C) and 37°C temperature conditions were studied. Composite cereal bar remained shelf stable for 3months in PP and 6months in PFP, MP and MP plus vacuum packing under ambient and 37°C temperature conditions.

Lycopene Supplementation Attenuates Oxidative Stress Parameters in the Plasma of Humans with Cad after Intense Exercise

To investigate the effects of moderate and intense exercise (ME,IE) and lycopene (L) supplementation on oxidative stress biomarkers in patients with CAD. Rehabilitation clinic.Thirty-two male volunteers with CAD (55.65 ? 2.27 years, 77.27 ? 3.95 kg, 171.9 ? 2.80 cm) were divided into four groups; ME-Placebo (n = 7), ME + L (n = 8), IE-Placebo (n = 8) and IE-L (n = 9). Blood samples (12 mL) were collected before supplementation (one cereal bars – 15 mg of syn-thetic lycopene) and exercise (45 min plus 15 min of stretching, 3/wk) and after five weeks of supplementation and 72 h after exercise. Nitrite/nitrate concentrations (NOx), lipoperoxidation (TBARS levels), protein carbonylation (PC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity were assessed in plasma. NOx decreased significantly in the ME-P, IE-P and ME-L groups at 72 h after exercise and increased in the IE-L 72 h after the last exercise session. The IE-L group demonstrated decreased TBARS at 72 h after the last exercise session. The level of PC increased only in EI-P at 72 h after the last exercise session, while only the EI-L group presented a reduction. SOD increased signifi-cantly in both placebo groups 72 h after the last exercise session and decreased in the ME-L group 72 h after in rela-tion to placebo groups. CAT increased in ME-P, IE-P and IE-L groups only at 72 h after the last exercise session. The lycopene supplementation attenuates some markers of oxidative stress associated with IE Lycopene also had dissimilar effects on some markers of oxidative stress in subjects undertaking ME versus IE.

Avaliação das propriedades nutricionais de barras de cereais elaboradas com farinha de banana verde

SANTOS, J.F. Evaluation of the nutritional properties of cereal bars produced with unripe banana flour. 2010. Dissertacao (mestrado) Faculdade de Ciencias Farmaceuticas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, 2010. Several alternatives have been proposed to improve the nutritional characteristics of foods, some of them using sources of dietary fiber that are still underused. Among these sources of dietary fiber (DF), unripe banana flour (UBF) has been considered a good alternative for its high concentration of resistant starch (RS), which can improve the nutritional value of different preparations. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in vivo and in vitro, the nutritional properties of cereal bars made with UBF. The samples consisted of two types of cereal bars, one made with UBF (UBF bars) and the other one without this ingredient (control bars). The chemical composition and carbohydrate profile of the bars were evaluated. The fermentability of the non-available fraction of bars was assessed in vitro using cecal contents of mice. The glycemic response of the bars was assessed after its ingestion by healthy volunteers (n = 16), being determined the glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL). The main feature that could be observed is that the UBF bars have higher RS content than the control bars (7.22 g/100g and 2.11 g/100g wet weight), a result of the addition of UBF. This addition reflects on the concentration of non-available carbohydrates (sum of DF and RS) in UBF bars, which is 18.19 g/100g wet weight. The UBF bars presented better in vitro fermentability in relation to control bars (p <0.05) according to the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA), yielding 4.04 mmol / g substrate, while the control bars produce only 3.51 mmol / g substrate. The UBF bars have a low GI (based on glucose) (41%) and CG (4), while the control bars show medium GI (60%) and low CG (5). According to these results, it is possible to conclude that the addition of UBF to cereal bars increases their non-available carbohydrate content, represented by RS and DF, resulting in a product of high fermentability and low postprandial glycemic response.

Composition and starch digestibility of whole grain bars containing maize or unripe banana flours

AbstractThe development of functional foods with low glycemic index and high levels of RS are of importance in the fight against the rapidly increasing rates of obesity and chronic diseases in modern societies. In this work, three cereal bars containing white maize, blue maize, or unripe banana flours were prepared. The proximal composition, in vitro starch digestibility and product acceptability were evaluated. The bar prepared with blue maize exhibited the highest level of protein and fat, and that containing white maize the highest dietary fiber and indigestible fraction contents. However, the product prepared with unripe banana flour showed the highest total and rapidly digestible starch levels, while that added with blue maize exhibited greater slowly digestible starch values. No difference in RS content was detected among the three bars. The starch hydrolysis indices and predicted glycemic indices of the three preparations were low (40–54% and 42–54%, respectively). Similar acceptation scores were recorded for the three experimental bars. Cereal bars with variable starch digestibility features and good acceptation by consumers may be prepared following the proper choice of functional ingredients.

Identification of multiple compartments present during the mastication of solid food

The particle size distributions (PSDs) of two portion sizes (2g and 4g) of five foods (cake, cereal bar, muesli bar, cooked pasta and peanuts) after human mastication were determined. The PSD of the expectorated bolus and residual ‘debris’ rinsed from the mouth were each determined by wet sieving. There were significant differences in the PSD between food types, between portion sizes in the debris fraction and between the bolus and debris fractions. The latter suggests the existence of a two compartment system where particles are comminuted in at least one compartment within the oral cavity.

Physicochemical and sensory characteristics of no-bake wheat-soy snack bars

Health and wellness is a trend observed throughout ready-to-eat cereals, cereal health bars. Therefore, the main objectives of this research were to produce a low cost, acceptable, nutritious and healthy wheat- and soy-based bar under no-bake conditions. Also, the physical, chemical, microbial, acceptability and the nutritional value of this product were studied. Six different bars were produced: a wheat bar (WB), a wheat bar with coating (WBC), a wheat and soy bar with coating (WSBC), a soy bar with coating (SBC), a wheat bar with 3% glycerin (WB3%), and a wheat bar with 6% glycerine (WB6%). WB and WBC had the highest water activities while WSBC had the lowest. The three bars with coating had higher L and lower b values, which indicates that they were lighter and not as highly yellow coloured as the wheat samples. WSBC had the lowest value for hardness while the SBC and WBC had the highest. SBC received the highest scores for overall acceptability, appearance, sweetness, flavour and texture while WSBC received the second highest score in all categories. It appears that consumers prefer the soy varieties to the wheat bars. These types of bars can aid in feeding the general population, which is becoming increasingly concerned with nutrition and convenience.

Food bars formulated with soy residue

&lt;p&gt;The present work aimed to study an alternative for the use of the &lt;em&gt;okara&lt;/em&gt; residue derived from the soymilk production process. The residue was employed in the elaboration of cereal bars, which constitute a class of food with functional appeal and potential consumer market. Three formulations containing different concentrations of &lt;em&gt;okara&lt;/em&gt; flour (10 %, 20 % and 30 %) were elaborated and studied. All formulations presented good microbiological and physical-chemical quality. Furthermore, the consumer sensory acceptance was up to 76 % higher in all set attributes. The sample with 20 % of &lt;em&gt;okara&lt;/em&gt; flour was selected as the best formulation, presenting an 83.74 % acceptability index, besides good nutritional characteristics (5,94 % of lipids, 12,16 % of proteins, 67,82 % of carbohydrates and 17,21 % of alimentary fiber). The results of this work showed the possibility using the &lt;em&gt;okara&lt;/em&gt; in the elaboration of a food product with potential market, and it demonstrated a strategy for the use of a high nutritional value agro-industrial process remainder.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14685/rebrapa.v1i2.22&lt;/p&gt;

Food choices of Mexican high‐school students deviate from their perceptions of food healthiness

School interventions should consider food sensory, availability, financial, and nutrition perceptions to successfully promote healthy food choices. This study identified Mexican high‐school students' food choices and perceptions about food healthiness. A 7‐day food‐frequency dietary survey (n=660) and 20 focus groups (n=180) were conducted with 15–19 year‐old male and female students of 20 Mexico City public high schools. Half of daily energy intake was provided by sweetened and natural beverages (17.3%, 95% CI: 15.5–18.2), salty and sweet snacks (13.6%, 12.8–14.3), whole‐milk dairy products (13.5%, 12.8–14.1), fruit (6.9%, 6.5–7.3), and vegetables (2.5%, 2.3–2.7). Unhealthy foods were perceived as high sugar/fat or low nutritious foods that contain “chemicals”, such as soda, fast food, snacks, fried food, and diet products. Reasons for consumption were good taste, low price, availability, readiness to eat, and filling capacity. Healthy foods were nutritious and hygienic foods such as home‐made food, natural fruit/vegetable, whole milk/yogurt, juice, plain water, and cereal bars. Reasons for consumption were high vitamin, fiber, and protein content; low fat content; weight control; and parental recommendation. Students consumed unhealthy foods despite considering other foods as healthy, and also misperceived nutritional properties of foods. Funding: Mexico's Ministry of Education.