Cooked Form Research Articles

Macro and Micro Nutrient Content in Raw and Cooked Forms of Black Rice and White Rice

This study was carried out to evaluate the nutrient values of black rice and white rice in raw and cooked forms. Macro and micro nutrients were analysed for the six rice samples. The total carbohydrate content of all samples were higher than 75 %, protein and fat contents in black rice and white rice samples ranged from 9.56 g to 7.43 g and 2.65 g to 1.89 g respectively. The high amount of fibre content was recorded in the pressure cooked sample of black rice (6.49 g). Vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin and niacin were found to be higher in black rice raw samples. In general, it was observed that the maximum loss of vitamins was seen in conventionally cooked samples of black and white rice followed by pressure cooked samples. Statistical interpretations revealed that there was a significant difference between the groups and within the groups in the values of macronutrients and micronutrients in black rice and white rice both in raw and cooked forms.

Narrowing Down a Major QTL Region Conferring Pod Fiber Contents in Yardlong Bean (Vigna unguiculata), a Vegetable Cowpea.

Yardlong bean (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. ssp. sesquipedalis), a subgroup of cowpea, is an important vegetable legume crop of Asia where its young pods are consumed in both fresh and cooked forms. Pod fiber contents (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) correlates with pod tenderness (softness/hardness) and pod shattering. In a previous study using populations derived from crosses between yardlong bean and wild cowpea (V. unguiculata ssp. unguiculata var. spontanea), three major quantitative trait loci (QTLs), qCel7.1, qHem7.1 and qLig7.1, controlling these fibers were identified on linkage group 7 (cowpea chromosome 5) and are co-located with QTLs for pod tenderness and pod shattering. The objective of this study was to identify candidate gene(s) controlling the pod fiber contents. Fine mapping for qCel7.1, qHem7.1 and qLig7.1 was conducted using F2 and F2:3 populations of 309 and 334 individuals, respectively, from the same cross combination. New DNA markers were developed from cowpea reference genome sequence and used for fine mapping. A QTL analysis showed that in most cases, each pod fiber content was controlled by one major and one minor QTLs on the LG7. The major QTLs for cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in pod were always mapped to the same regions or close to each other. In addition, a major QTL for pod shattering was also located in the region. Although there were several annotated genes relating to pod fiber contents in the region, two genes including Vigun05g266600 (VuBGLU12) encoding a beta glucosidase and Vigun05g273500 (VuMYB26b) encoding a transcription factor MYB26 were identified as candidate genes for the pod fiber contents and pod shattering. Function(s) of these genes in relation to pod wall fiber biosynthesis and pod shattering was discussed.

High amylose wheat starch structures display unique fermentability characteristics, microbial community shifts and enzyme degradation profiles.

A slower rate of starch digestion in the small intestine increases the amount of resistant starch (RS) entering the large intestine, which is associated with health benefits. Although increasing the amylose (AM) content of dietary starch intake is one way to increase RS, the processes involved in gut microbial hydrolysis and fermentation of high AM-RS substrates are poorly understood. In this study, five high AM wheat (HAW) starches ranging from 47% AM to 93% AM and a wild type (37% AM), in both native granular and cooked forms, were subjected to in vitro fermentation with a porcine faecal inoculum. Fermentation kinetics, temporal microbial changes, amylolytic enzyme activities and residual starch were determined. All granular starches showed similar fermentation characteristics, independent of AM level, whereas cooking accelerated fermentation of lower AM but slowed fermentation of high AM starches. HAW starches with a very high AM content (>85%) all had similar fermentation kinetics and short-chain fatty acid end-product profiles. Microbial α-amylase, β-amylase, pullulanase and amyloglucosidase enzymatic activities were all detected and followed fermentation kinetics. HAW starch promoted shifts in the microbial community, with increases of the family Lachnospiraceae and the genus Treponema observed, while the genera Prevotella and Streptococcus were reduced in comparison to 37% AM. Overall, these findings suggest that any HAW starch incorporated into high RS food products would be expected to have beneficial microbiota-mediated effects in terms of fermentation kinetics and end products.

Fatty acid composition and tocopherol content of processed marine fish and contribution of omega-3 fatty acids

The present study analysed fatty acid composition and tocopherol content of raw, curried and fried fish. Of the saturated fatty acids, C12:0, C14:0 and C16:0 had significant increase in fried and curried fish than raw fish. Of monounsaturated fatty acids, C18:19c significantly increased in fried and cooked form whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids, C20: 5n3 (EPA) and C22:6n3 (DHA) showed significant decrease in fried and curried fish. In cooked and fried fish there was significant reduction of tocopherol content. There was increase in hypocholesterolaemic and hypercholesterolaemic fatty acid (HH) ratio in fried and curried fish. Fish fried in coconut oil and fish curry in coconut cream were not found to be healthy processing methods and both processing methods lead to significant reduction in potential health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in the fishes.

Development of Functional Lassi (Stirred Indian Yoghurt) Supplemented with Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) Juice

Beetroot, a very nutritious vegetable, used for human consumption in raw and cooked form is also a potential source of saponins, betacyanines, betanin and polyphenols. Due to presence of betalains, the natural color pigments, beetroot is also used in food industry as source of natural color in various food products. Besides this, beetroot is also having therapeutic properties such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and anti-mutagenic properties. Therefore, a functional lassi (stirred Indian yoghurt) supplemented with beetroot juice was developed in the present study. Beetroot with red bulb was procured from local market of mehsana, washed, peeled and shredded before subjecting it to blanching and roasting treatments. Based on sensory evaluation, the lassi supplemented with blanched juice got significantly higher (p<0.05) scores than the roasted one. Further, the physicochemical and anti-oxidative properties of the developed product were also evaluated and compared with control.

Antimicrobial and Antioxidative Effects of Plant Powders in Raw and Cooked Minced Pork.

It is a challenge for scientists to find new plant-based food constituents simultaneously possessing antimicrobial and antioxidative properties to prolong the shelf life of meat products. In this study, various plant powders and their blends were added to minced pork to carry out a complex study of their effect on sensory characteristics, microbial growth, and lipid oxidation of the meat in raw and cooked forms during storage. Microbiological shelf life parameters were evaluated by determining the total counts of microorganisms, yeasts, and molds. The growth potential of Listeria monocytogenes was estimated by challenge testing. The impact on lipid oxidation processes was assessed using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. The results showed that the blend of rhubarb petioles and tomato powder added a pleasant color and a combined taste to the product, similar to the taste of salt. In raw samples, considerable microbial growth inhibition was achieved with rhubarb petioles, tomato, and their mixture. Nine treatments of cooked samples had a stronger inhibitory effect on microbial growth compared to control treatments. Among all plant powders, tomato was the most effective inhibitor of yeast and mold growth. However, the challenge test revealed that L. monocytogenes growth in cooked samples was not inhibited during shelf life. In raw samples, rhubarb roots combined with blackcurrant or chokeberry berries effectively inhibited lipid oxidation, and in cooked samples, rhubarb petioles showed a similar effect. In conclusion, it was found that powdered plant materials are well suited for use as antimicrobial and antioxidative agents in minced meat products.

Scanning Electron Microscopy and Crystallinity of starches granules from cowpea, black and carioca beans in raw and cooked forms

Abstract Beans are a vital food for the population around the world because it contains a relatively high amount of protein, vitamins, fiber, and minerals, being an important vegetable source of iron, particularly when combined with ascorbic acid and cysteine. The starch content in the seed is between 45 and 60%. This paper evaluated the granular structure of starches from common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) in raw and cooked forms by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and their crystallinity by X-ray diffraction (DR-X). By SEM, was observed the occurrence of gelatinization phenomenon in cowpea and carioca beans, and the resistance to this event in black beans. By DR-X, the diffraction angles found in this work are more consistent with the classification of the standard polyphorm A. The Relative Crystallinity (RC) of black bean cowpea and carioca beans, observed by X-ray diffraction, varied significantly.

Changes in Morphological and Physicochemical Properties of Waxy and Non-waxy Proso Millets during Cooking Process

Proso millet, a grain which is principally consumed in cooked form, is favored by consumers because of its rich nutritional value. However, the changes in morphological and physicochemical properties of proso millet grains occurring during the cooking process have rarely been reported. In this study, we investigated the changes in morphological and physicochemical properties of cooked waxy and non-waxy proso millets. During the cooking process, starch granules in the grains were gradually gelatinized starting from the outer region to the inner region and were gelatinized earlier in waxy proso millet than in non-waxy proso millet. Many filamentous network structures were observed in the cross sections of cooked waxy proso millet. As the cooking time increased, the long- and short-range, ordered structures of proso millets were gradually disrupted, and the ordered structures were fully disrupted by 20 min of cooking. In both waxy and non-waxy proso millets, thermal and pasting properties significantly changed with an increase in the cooking time. This study provides useful information for the processing of proso millet in the food industry.

Populations Collapses in Marine Invertebrates Due to Endocrine Disruption: A Cause for Concern?

In the beginning of the twenty first century, the International Program on Chemical Safety published a document entitled Global Assessment of the State-Of-The-Science of Endocrine Disruptors. The work indicated only weak evidence of endocrine-related effects in human populations, and in wild animal populations. This document was revised in 2012 (State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals−2012) (1). The new document and the extensive scientific evidence it provided showed clearly that ED effects could be a risk to human and wildlife health. These works, however, were focused in human health and related animal models, mainly vertebrates and particularly mammals. It can be argued that invertebrates and many other taxa are important parts of all ecosystems, and, in many instances, have been shown to be also vulnerable to endocrine disruption. Thus, this work is aimed to show some observations on important marine invertebrate taxa, from an ecological point of view. The most important example of endocrine disruption in marine wild populations is the imposex response of marine gastropods, known for more than 40 years, and worldwide used to evaluate marine antifouling pollution. Among the mollusks, other important natural resources are bivalve species, used as human food sources and cephalopods, free-living, highly specialized mollusks, and also human food sources. Effects derived from endocrine disruptors in these species indicate that consumption could bring these compounds to human populations in an almost direct way, sometimes without any form of cooking or preparation. While discussing these questions, this work is also aimed to stimulate research on endocrine disruption among the invertebrate taxa that inhabited our oceans, and on which these effects are poorly known today.

Determination of macronutrient compositions in selected, frequently consumed cereals, cereal based foods, legumes and pulses prepared according to common culinary methods in Sri Lanka.

Cereal grains, legumes and pulses comprise the largest proportion in a typical South-Asian diet plate. This research is mainly focusing on determining the macronutrient composition of major cereals, legumes and pulses commonly consumed in local Sri Lankan cuisine, in their cooked form. White samba, White Basmati, Red Kekulu and Nadu rice were selected as the main rice varieties and in addition maize, and wheat, finger millet flour-based foods too were analyzed. Red cowpea, green gram, chickpea and soya bean based foods were analyzed for macronutrient compositions as they are more frequently consumed by the local population, while the most preferred curry item; 'lentils', was analyzed along with soya curry; another preferred item by millions of locals. Wheat flour based items like bread were taken into analysis since, they have become the second most preferred food next to rice. Every item was cooked according to the common culinary practices in aim to determine the "realistic nutrient gain". Proximate analysis was carried out according to the AOAC standard guidelines for the determination of moisture, carbohydrate, fat, and protein whereas, insoluble dietary fiber and soluble dietary fiber were determined using enzymatic digestion in vitro models. Results revealed digestible carbohydrate level range from 64.6 ± 5.3 to 74.6 ± 7.2% among tested rice varieties, while protein content varies from 5.6 ± 2.2 to 8.9 ± 2.6. Insoluble dietary fiber was high in boiled raw rice (9.8 ± 0.2) and low in boiled White Basmati. Amongst tested leguminous beans, pressure cooked red cowpea elicited the highest protein level (24.5 ± 2.3%), while pressure cooked green gram had the lowest protein content (20.0 ± 0.6%). Pressure cooked chick pea was having higher insoluble dietary content (14.8 ± 1.3%) compared to other beans. Soybean curry elicited the highest protein (36.6%) and fat content (8.2%) among all the tested varieties. Pittu (puttu) and roti varieties made with wheat flour and finger millet flour resulted considerably higher levels of digestible fiber compared to roti made with whole wheat flour. It can be concluded that typical Sri Lankan diets are rich in fibre and protein, while they provide excellent macronutrient profiles due to the proper complementary mixing of food ingredients.

Efek Pemanasan Skala Rumah Tangga terhadap Komponen Bioaktif Daun Kenikir (Cosmos caudatus)

Kenikir leaves ( Cosmos caudatus ) are one type of vegetable that is commonly consumed in Indonesia both in fresh or cooked forms. The research was aimed to investigate the effect of household scale heating (boiling, steaming, or microwave heating) on the total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, and bioactive components of kenikir leaves. The research was divided into several stages such as sample preparation, household scale processing method, extraction, TPC analysis by folin-ciocalteu method, antioxidant activity analysis by DPPH method, and bioactive components analysis (caffeic acid and ferulic acid) by a reversed-phase ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography. The TPC of fresh kenikir leaves extract was 148.29–262.36 mg/100 g WB. Boiling or microwave heating for 3 minutes significantly decreased (p<0.05) TPC and antioxidant activity of kenikir leaves, as well as caffeic acid and ferulic acid contents. The steaming or microwave heating for one minute didn’t show significant differences in TPC and antioxidant activity when compared to fresh kenikir leaves. Furthermore, the steaming or microwave heating for one minute could maintain caffeine acid and ferulic acid contents of kenikir leaves. The correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between TPC and antioxidant activity of kenikir leaves (r = 0.904).

Development of Solar Oven employed with Parabolic Concentrator

The main purpose of our project is to replace old stoves with an eco-friendly solar oven. This parabolic solar oven is a form of outdoor cooking and uses the energy of sunlight to heat food or drink or to sterilize it. They use no fuels and cost, nothing to operate; they reduce air pollution and deforestation. This device works on the principle of converting sun’s light energy into heat energy, which is retained for cooking and sterilizing the medical equipment. It reflects the sun light through a parabolic trough which surface is covered with a reflective film and concentrates it on the evacuated tube, which is fitted on the focus point of the parabolic trough. Parabola with a diameter of 600mm and depth 150mm is used to manufacture a parabolic trough. The evacuated tube’s inner surface is coated with aluminium, which generates heat inside the hollow region. Aluminium foil is used as a reflecting film to reflect sun light, which has a reflectivity of 90%. So that the heat generation increases inside the evacuated tube. Whatever the subject (e.g. Food, water, medical equipment, etc.,) we need to heated are placed inside the evacuated tube through a tray for heating. The maximum temperature achieved inside evacuated tube is 302°C.

Effect of different sources and forms of dietary carbohydrates on growth performance, body indices and lipogenesis activity of striped catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fingerlings

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine a suitable carbohydrate source and form for Pangasianodon hypophthalmus. Ten isoenergetic, isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets, including five carbohydrate sources (dextrin, potato starch, wheat starch, corn starch and sago starch) and two carbohydrate forms (raw and cooked), were formulated. Results showed that specific growth rate, weight gain percentage, whole‐body lipid and 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase enzyme activity of fish fed with cooked carbohydrates were significantly lower (p < .05) than those fed with raw carbohydrates (p < .05). Similarly, the fatty acid synthase enzyme activity of fish fed with the cooked form of carbohydrates was significantly lower (p < .05) than that fed with the raw form of carbohydrates except fish fed with cooked potato starch. The blood glucose level and malic enzyme activity of fish fed with cooked carbohydrate were significantly (p < .05) higher than those fed with raw carbohydrate. In summary, this study showed that cooked starch is an unsuitable dietary carbohydrate form for Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fingerlings. The raw forms of dextrin starch and potato are suitable dietary carbohydrate sources for further scientific studies on the carbohydrate utilization of P. hypophthalmus.

What variety of rice is the most appropriate for the parboiling in Gogounou and Banikoara districts in the Northern-Benin?

Objective: Assessment of the parboiling ability of the three (03) most used varieties of rice (IR 841, Oroukokey and Burkina) in the districts of Banikoara and Gogounou (north Benin). Methodology and Results: Two approaches were used: (i) Parboiling test of the three varieties of paddy rice, (ii) Assessment of the physical quality of the parboiled rice just after husking and also after cooking. For each variety, 40 kg of paddy rice was parboiled by the processors and parboiling parameters were assessed. After husking, a sample of 1 kg of parboiled rice was taken and half (500 g) is cooked. The cooked and uncooked samples were submitted to the 20 consumer’s appreciation. The results obtained showed that no significant difference (p&gt;0.05) was observed between the three varieties of rice tested considering parameters: hot soaking duration, steaming duration, amount of water consumed during the hot soaking and during the steaming. The physical assessment of the uncooked rice samples obtained after the drying process showed that the IR 841 variety is more attractive (54.89 %) compared to the Burkina (31.57 %) and Oroukokey (13.54 %) varieties. IR 841 was found to have attractive aroma (50%) than the Oroukokey (20%) and Burkina (30%) varieties. Considering the cooked form of the three parboiled rice, the panellists preferred Burkina variety in the first position followed by the IR 841 variety and then third Oroukokey variety. Conclusions and application of findings: The three varieties tested (IR 841, Oroukokey and Burkina) can be used for parboiling. But the IR 841 variety is the best suitable for parboiling compared to the two other varieties because of its husking yield, attractive colour, natural flavour and its good taste highly appreciated by the women rice parboilers.

EFFECTS OF PROCESSING ON ESSENTIAL AND HEAVY METAL COMPOSITION OF POPULAR FISH SPECIES CONSUMED IN THE KARACHI COAST OF THE ARABIAN SEA

This study analyzed three popular species of fish in raw and cooked (curried and fried) form, commonly consumed in Karachi coast and overall in Pakistan for their essential and heavy metal composition. The outcomes revealed that the content of toxic heavy metal (Hg) was observed in all raw samples particularly in raw Mulla fish (Lethrinus nebulosus) but heat treatment by frying and curry preparation of fish led to a decrease of Hg content in the muscles of all selected species especially in L. nebulosus after frying. While in Acanthopagarus arabicus Hg content was below detectable level. In this study the levels of Cd and Cr were observed at below detectable levels in all selected species except in A. arabicus where Cd tend to decrease after frying while the content of Cr slightly increase after both types of cooking. In the present study the essential metals namely Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn tend to increase in all fin fishes after cooking, especially in curried form. The above-mentioned result determined that these customary culinary practices of fish have an influence on their essential and heavy metal constituents. Furthermore, eating variety of fin fish species by applying different procedures of cooking is the finest attempt to attain better-quality of dietetic ways, minimizing mercury revelation and increasing chance to obtain vital elements.

Analysis of allergen-specific T cell and IgE reactivity in milk and egg allergic children in response to progressive forms of baked milk and egg food extracts

Abstract Egg and milk allergy are among the most common food allergies in young children and are commonly outgrown. Developing tolerance is often clinically monitored by food challenge with cooked forms of egg and milk. This study characterizes IgE and T cell reactivity to four progressively cooked food extracts from egg and milk. Egg and milk-containing food extracts were prepared from most to least cooked foods: egg muffin, meat balls frittata and raw egg; milk muffin, pizza cheese, custard and raw milk. IgE reactivity against extracts was determined by western blot and protein-specific IgE reactivity was quantified. T cell reactivity against the extracts was determined by FluoroSpot (IL-5, IFNγ and IL-10) after 24h restimulation following a two week in vitro expansion culture. IgE reactivity varied between extracts, in a protein-specific manner. For milk, a protein band at 14 kDa corresponding in size to Bos d 4 is observed most strongly in raw milk and cheese extract, while being less reactive in custard and milk muffin. In contrast, a band at 67 kDa, corresponding to Bos d 6 in size, is most intense in milk muffin compared to raw milk, cheese and custard. For egg, trends are more consistent across the different proteins, with egg muffin showing most IgE reactivity throughout. Analysis of T cell responses showed highest IL-5 production for raw milk extract compared to custard (p=0.058), cheese (p=0.039) and muffin (p=0.097). No differences were observed for IFNγ and IL-10. For egg, no differences between extract-induced T cell reactivity was observed. Both IgE and T cell reactivity is readily detectable against food extracts from baked forms of egg and milk. Immunological reactivity is not necessarily associated with the degree of cooking.

Comparative Studies on Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant and Antimutagenic Activities of Crassocephalum crepidioides (Bent) Leaf Cold and Hot Water Extracts

Aim: To investigate the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and genotoxicity activities of Crassocephalum crepidioides leaf.&#x0D; Study Design: Comparative investigations of the medicinal value and toxicity profile of cold water (CW) and hot water (HW) extracts of C. crepidioides leaf.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. January 2015-October 2016.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: CW and HW of C. crepidioides were analyzed for anti-inflammatory activity via red blood cell membrane stabilization technique and in vitro methods using DPPH radical scavenging activity, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and inhibition of oxidative haemolysis were employed to evaluate the antioxidant property. Allium cepa chromosomal assay was adopted to investigate the genotoxic effect of the extracts. Total flavonoid and phenolic contents of the extracts were estimated spectrophotometrically.&#x0D; Results: Both extracts stabilized stressed red blood cell membranes with maximum percentage stability of 50.97±0.06 and 90.90±0.02 at 0.5 and 2.0 mg/ml for CW and HW extracts respectively. The CW extract elicited no DPPH radical scavenging (IC50 -0.63±0.02 mg/ml) and lipid peroxidation (IC50 -0.32±0.00) activities. HW extract had IC50 of 0.29±0.02 and 0.17±0.00 mg/ml for DPPH and lipid peroxidation. CW and HW extracts exhibited FRAP activity of 1186.96±0.01 and 1015.54±0.01 µmol AAE/g respectively. CW extract displayed a weaker protection (29.01±0.01%) against oxidative haemolysis compared to HW extract (68.70 ± 0.00%). CW extract contained higher phenolic contents (2.16±0.03 µmolGAE/g extract) while the HW extract contained higher flavonoids (0.61±0.05 µmolQE/g extract). CW and HW extracts inhibited A. cepa root growth to 71.40±0.02 and 59.10±0.02% respectively. A. cepa mitotic index was reduced to 8.85±0.01 and 8.67±0.02 for CW and HW extracts as compared with control (26.62%).&#x0D; Conclusion: The study concluded that consumption of C. crepidioides leaf in cooked form has more medicinal values however, both CW and HW extracts are capable of causing cellular damage at high doses.

Development and utilization of functional KASP markers to improve rice eating and cooking quality through MAS breeding

There is a steady demand for high-quality rice varieties though consumers’ preference for high-quality rice varies from regions. The improvement of the quality of rice, especially its eating and cooking quality (ECQ), is an important breeding target as rice is mainly consumed in cooked form. The development and utilization of breeder-friendly and high-throughput marker systems play a pivotal role in marker-assisted breeding of rice cultivars, with pyramids of valuable genes affecting rice ECQ. In this study, we developed functional markers based on the Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) method for three principal genes, Wx, BADH2 and ALK, affecting ECQ in rice. The accuracy of all KASP markers was verified and confirmed with Sanger sequencing. A diverse rice panel consisting of 38 indica cultivars, 9 japonica cultivars and 1 Javanica cultivar were used to assess the validity of these markers for genotyping. The results showed that the functional KASP markers of Wx, ALK and BADH2 could effectively distinguish the different alleles. The genotyping results highly coincided with the phenotypic traits of rice eating and cooking quality. Eight rice entries harboring 3 favorable alleles were identified and superior rice restorers with improved ECQ were bred via functional marker genotyping. Breeders can develop rice cultivars that have desirable ECQ, customized to meet the market requirements in target regions. Hence, the development of these 3 applicable KASP functional markers based on allelic variation would be valuable for improving rice eating and cooking quality through maker-assisted selection to carter various consumer preferences especially in Asian areas.

Cooking has the potential to decrease the antitumor effect of fresh Betong watercress.

Betong watercress (Nasturtium officinale R.Br.) contains phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), derived from myrosinase-mediated hydrolysis of glucosinolates. Effects of fresh and cooked Betong watercress (FBW & CBW) on N-demethylation and C-8-hydroxylation of caffeine (CF) in rats were investigated. Wistar rats received a single dose of CF before and after pretreatments with a single or five-day administration of PEITC, FBW, and CBW dry powders. Plasma CF metabolic ratios (CMRs) were compared between before and after pretreatments. Single pretreatment with PEITC, FBW, but not CBW, significantly decreased CMRs. Five-day pretreatment with PEITC, FBW, and CBW significantly decreased CMRs. The decreases in CMRs after multiple doses of PEITC, FBW, and CBW were significantly higher than after a single dose. The decrease in CMRs caused by CBW was significantly lower than those by FBW, both single- and multiple doses. Cooking decreases the activity of FBW in inhibition of CYP1A2 mediating CF metabolism. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: PEITC and fresh watercress possess chemoprotective effects due to the inhibitory activity of PEITC on cytochrome P450s mediated bioactivation of carcinogens. Several clinical trials of the therapeutic uses of PEITC for cancer and other diseases are still in the pipeline. Betong watercress is a common ingredient in hot soup and stir-fried Thai recipes. Cooking heat inactivates plant myrosinase involving the production of PEITC. Consumption of watercress in cooked form may contribute less chemoprotective benefit. More appropriate preparation to deliver PEITC is needed to be evaluated.

Characterization of Proximate, Phytochemical and Antioxidant Analysis of Banana (Musa Sapientum) Peels/Skins and Objective Evaluation of Ready to Eat /Cook Product Made With Banana Peels

Banana (Musa sapientum) is usually consumed as a ripe fruit or cooked form. The peels/skins are considered as a waste product. It is important to determine any potential uses for these peels as they contribute to environmental problem due to its nitrogen and phosphorous content. The present study was aimed to evaluate and compare the nutritional compounds such as proximate principles, total phenols, flavonoids and tannin according to AOAC methods between the two varieties of banana peels from USA and India. The study also identified the anti-nutrients like saponin in the banana peel. It could also be used as a functional food.The proximate principles of USA variety peels estimated were 9.4% 6.7% and 11.5% for protein, fat and fiber The India variety peel indicate the percentage of 11.7, 3.6 and 14.4 for protein, fat and fiber respectively. These peels also had a significant amount of total phenols, flavonoids and tannin. Therefore these peels could be incorporated into value-added foods and can serve as a functional food. Extruded product and pasta were formulated using the banana peel powder at 5 % level of incorporation. Colour and texture profile analysis of the developed extruded product and pasta was determined by selected objective method.The results from the present research showed that the banana peel powder showed an improved nutritional composition. The incorporation of 5% banana peel powder in the production of extruded product and pasta were not significantly affected the color and texture profile analysis.