Phytochemical Quality Research Articles

Effect of Seaweed Aqueous Extracts and Compost on Vegetative Growth, Yield, and Nutraceutical Quality of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Fruit

The objective of this research was to evaluate the production and phytochemical quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) fruits, in response to the foliar application of different seaweed extracts. This study was carried out under shadow mesh conditions in the autumn–winter agricultural cycle at the Instituto Tecnológico de Torreón, Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico. The experimental design was completely random, using six treatments with six repetitions each. The treatments evaluated were: Macrocystis pyrifera, Bryothamnion triquetrum, Ascophyllum nodosum, Grammatophora spp., Macrocystis integrifolia, and a control treatment with inorganic fertilization. The substrate used was a mixture of sand and vermicompost. The yield, commercial size, and phytochemical compounds of the fruit were evaluated. Results showed that the yield using Steiner solution (6.75 kg m−2) was higher than that obtained with Bryothamnion triquetrum algae (6.07 kg m−2). Regarding the phenolic content, the extracts surpassed the control treatment, with Macrocystis pyrifera and Macrocystis integrifolia being statistically equal, with values of 47.37 and 43.73 mg equiv. of Ac. Gallic 100 g fresh weight, respectively. The antioxidant capacity by ABTS+ and DPPH+ methods was higher using the treatment with Macrocystis pyrifera algae with 149.4 and 454.1 μM equiv Trolox/100 g fresh base, respectively. This treatment also presented the highest value of vitamin C with 5.07 mg/100 g fresh base, being 27% greater than the control treatment. Algae extracts increased the quality of the fruits by obtaining the highest antioxidant capacity, making their use a viable option to minimize the application of conventional fertilizers, thereby attenuating the effects on the environment and improving the health of the population.

Effect of Three Years’ Application of Biogas Digestate and Mineral Waste to Soil on Phytochemical Quality of Rapeseed

Effect of Three Years’ Application of Biogas Digestate and Mineral Waste to Soil on Phytochemical Quality of Rapeseed

COSMECEUTICAL IMPORTANCE OF FERMENTED PLANT EXTRACTS: A SHORT REVIEW

Personal care products, especially cosmetics, are regularly used all over the world. The used cosmetics are discharged continuously into the environment that affects the ecosystem and human well-being. The chemical and synthetic active compounds in the cosmetics cause some severe allergies and unwanted side effects to the customers. Currently, many customers are aware of the product composition, and they are stringent in product selection. So, cosmetic producers are keen to search for an alternative, and natural active principles for the development and improvisation of the cosmetic products to attain many customers. Phytochemicals are known for several pharmacological and cosmeceutical applications. Fermentation process improved the quality of the active phytochemicals and also facilitates the easy absorption of them by human system. Recently, several research groups are working on the cosmeceutical importance of fermented plant extracts (FPE), particularly on anti-ageing, anti-wrinkle, and whitening property of FPE. The current manuscript is presenting a brief on cosmeceutical importance of FPE. COSMECEUTICAL IMPORTANCE OF FERMENTED PLANT EXTRACTS: A SHORT REVIEW

Comparing the analytical performance of near and mid infrared spectrometers for evaluating pomegranate juice quality

Near infrared (NIR) and mid infrared (MIR) spectral acquisition modes were compared for predicting organoleptic and phytochemical quality attributes of pomegranate juice. Three Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometers namely, a FT-NIR spectrometer, FT-MIR spectrometer in attenuated total reflection mode and FT-MIR spectrometer in transmission mode were used. Calibration models were constructed by subjecting the spectral data to partial least squares regression analysis. The models were assessed based on their overall performance (lower root mean square error of prediction, the number of latent variables and residual predictive deviation). The predictive abilities of the instruments for juice quality attributes were statistically compared using Bland and Altman, and Passing-Bablok. The outcomes are critically discussed, which showed the suitability of the FT-MIR spectrometer in transmission mode for predicting selected quality attributes of pomegranate juice.

Impact of Ohmic-Assisted Decoction on Bioactive Components Extracted from Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius Poepp.) Leaves: Comparison with Conventional Decoction.

Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius Poepp.) leaves are a potentially rich source of bioactive compounds, such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. In this study, the effect of the extraction method (ohmic-assisted decoction (OH-DE) and decoction (DE)), yacon cultivar (red and white), and leaf age (young and old) on the quality/quantity of extracted phytochemicals were investigated. Extraction yield, energy consumption, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were determined. Additionally, HPLC-DAD was used to identify the major individual phenolic and flavonoid compounds of yacon leaves. The results showed that a three-way interaction of process-variables (extraction method×yacon cultivar×age of leaves) influenced the extraction yield, TPC, TFC, ABTS, and DPPH radical scavenging activity, and FRAP, significantly (p < 0.05). However, energy consumption of the extraction process was only affected by method of extraction (p < 0.05) and was halved when OH-DE was applied as compared to DE alone. Additionally, the phytochemical quality of extracts was either improved or comparable when OH-DE was used for extraction. Also, it was shown that yacon leaves contained considerable amounts of caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferrulic acid, myricetin, p-coumaric acid, and rutin, while leaves of the red cultivar had higher contents of each compound compared to leaves of the white cultivar.

Effects of pre-harvest soil management practices and post-harvest processing on phytochemical qualities of turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Phytochemicals from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) have a plethora of beneficial, including medicinal uses. To increase their dietary intake, besides minimizing processing losses, exploring pre-harvest soil managements to increase their content naturally may be a suitable option. We made an attempt to assess the effect of pre-harvestsoil management by either organic manuring or inorganic fertilization with or without agricultural liming and postharvest processing through curing followed by drying at 60 ± 2° C on phytochemical properties of turmeric cultivar Meghaturmeric 1 grown in the acid soils of sub-tropical climate of northeast India. Pre-harvest management of soils significantly (P ≤0.001) influenced the phytochemical concentration of turmeric rhizomes. Curcumin concentration in fresh mother rhizome was 15-38% higher than the fresh finger rhizomes. Similarly, fresh mother rhizomes had 21-22% more β-carotene and 7-9% more anti-oxidants than the fingers. Post-harvest processing of fresh rhizomes (mother and fingers) to yield dry powder resulted in significant reduction of curcumin (by 2.0-8.0%), β carotene (by 8-28%) and anti-oxidant (by 43-64%) concentrations. Pre-harvest soil managements by poultry manuring with liming considerably increased the phytochemical concentrations in the turmeric rhizomes.

Rootstock-modulated yield performance, fruit maturation and phytochemical quality of ‘Lane Late’ and ‘Delta’ sweet orange

Graft combinations of sweet orange cultivars Delta and Lane Late on six rootstocks were established on calcareous clayey soil and evaluated for compatibility, yield, and fruit physicochemical quality attributes at three stages of harvest maturity. Citrumelo proved a deleterious rootstock to both scions, while GouTou was deleterious to Delta and had low compatibility with Lane Late. Most compatible rootstock for Delta was Sour Orange, whereas all rootstocks except GouTou were equally compatible with Lane Late. Yield and fruit weight were highest on Volkameriana. Titratable acidity was highest on Sour Orange and Carrizo and lowest on Volkameriana. Dominant acids were citric (8.5–11.3g/L), malic (1.8–1.9g/L) and succinic (1.3–1.4g/L). Citrate/malate ratio was lower in Lane Late and declined further with maturation. Acids were highest on Sour Orange and Carrizo. Increased levels of malate (2.07–2.21g/L) elicited by Volkameriana may constitute an index of inferior sensory quality. Soluble solids were highest on Sour Orange, Carrizo and Cleopatra (9.6–10.6%) and lowest on Volkameriana (9.3–9.7%). Sucrose was the most abundant soluble carbohydrate (33.9–39.9g/L) and sugar ratios were stable across rootstocks, however sucrose concentration in Delta increased with maturity at the expense of glucose and fructose. Increase in chroma paralleled increase in soluble solids during maturation of Delta but not Lane Late. Fruit phenolics were highest with the least compatible GouTou and lowest with the highly productive Volkameriana. Maximal ascorbate levels were attained at mid-maturity (380.4–450.2mg/L) and were lowest on Volkameriana (323.4–398.8mg/L). Considering its overall performance and resistance to Citrus Tristeza Virus, Carrizo appears as a promising rootstock alternative to Sour Orange particularly on calcareous soils.

Stimulation des défenses naturelles par l’application d’un Lombricompost. Effet sur les paramètres populationnels d’Aphis fabae scop. (Homoptera: Aphididae) et la qualité Phytochimique de la fève.

The integrated production in durable agriculture aims to improve the efficiency of biological inputs through formulations extending the remanence in the field or the incorporation of synergistic products which, being themselves nontoxic at used quantities, increase the protective action of the viabe cultivations. The lombricultivation represents an appropriate technology to enhance the value of the farm residues and manage, on a long term basis, plant health. The study focused on the stimulation of natural defenses of bean through the use of a lombricompost dilutions produced in two different seasons. The effect of lombricompost has been evaluated based on the Aphis fabae population density in relation to the phytochemical quality of the nutritional support. Variations of biochemical molecule contents and major mineral elements during the leaf expanding phase have been noticed. These changes affect the biological performance as well as the density of A. fabae population. The results allowed detecting a positive effect of lombricompost on plant chemistry. On the other hand, enrichment in proteins and proline under the effect of strong dilution was noticed. Finally, results related to the repressive effect of the different forms of lombricompost showed a marked difference between treatments and the control, with a stronger effect on the winged forms. Results also indicated some variability of the Aphis Fabae populational structure in relation to the phytochemical enrichments established by the application of lombricompost.

Antiproliferative activity of Ontario grown onions against colorectal adenocarcinoma cells

Cancer is the leading cause of mortality in Canada and other industrialized nations; the development of new/improved cancer therapies is desperately needed and continues to be a major focus of cancer research. Flavonoids, which are found in high levels in onions, have been shown to exert antiproliferative and potentially anti-cancer activities. To test their therapeutic potential, we assessed the antiproliferative, cytotoxic, apoptosis-inducing, and anti-migratory activities of five onion varieties grown in Ontario against human adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells. The properties of onion extracts were compared to pure extracts of flavonoids known to exhibit antiproliferative effects (quercetin, myricetin, and kaempferol). We compared more than one variety of onion, as agronomic and genetic factors influence the composition, as well as the quality of phytochemicals (e.g. flavonoids) in plant cultivars. We found that all onion varieties exhibited antiproliferative activity similar to purified flavonoids. The cytotoxic effects of the Stanley and Fortress onion varieties were strongest among the selected cultivars, as determined via lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays, while Safrane extracts showed the weakest activity. The Stanley and Lasalle cultivar extracts also had strong anti-migratory effects. Altogether these onion extracts may contain one or more compounds that may be effective anti-cancer therapies, while the Stanley extract showed the most comprehensive biological activities against Caco-2 cells.

Antioxidant capacity, phenolic composition and microbial stability of aronia juice subjected to high hydrostatic pressure processing

Abstract The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of high hydrostatic pressure (200–600 MPa/15 min) and storage (4 °C/80 days) on aronia juice quality. The total antioxidant capacity, phenolic content and composition were assessed using an updated analytical strategy. Microbial growth was also analyzed following juice storage. Among all the analyzed juices, the untreated aronia juice had the greatest reduction (36%) in total polyphenols over the entire storage period. At the end of the storage period, the pressurized juices demonstrated ABTS and FRAP values higher by 14% and 5% as compared to the untreated juices. The main antioxidants identified in the aronia juice were: chlorogenic acid; neochlorogenic acid; cyanidin 3-galactoside; cyanidin 3-xyloside; cyanidin 3-arabinoside; cyanidin 3-glucoside. Cyanidin 3-glucoside was the most stable compound during juice storage. Microorganism growth in juices pressurized at 400–600 MPa was below the detection limit ( − 1 ) upon storage. Industrial relevance Aronia berries are rarely consumed fresh since they give off several negative sensory attributes. Multiple health-promoting properties of aronia berries make them a valuable raw material for juice production. However, processing involves pasteurization or hot-filling strongly diminishes the product quality due to the changes in quantity and quality of thermolabile phytochemicals. The objective of this work was to characterize the effect of high hydrostatic pressure on the antioxidant capacity, polyphenol content and composition and microbial stability of aronia juice. Results of this study may be useful for the juice industry commercialize this technology for the development healthy, nonclarified aronia juices with desired level of quality.

Evaluation of hydrogen sulfide supply to biostimulate the nutritive and phytochemical quality and the antioxidant capacity of Cabbage ( Brassica oleracea L. ‘Bronco’)

The potential effects of the hydrogen sulfide on shoot biomass, nutritional quality and antioxidant capacity of Brassica oleracea , were investigated through the application of increasing doses of NaHS (H2S donor NaHS; 0.5, 1, 2.5, and 5 mM). The results showed that the 0.5 and 1 mM NaHS treatments increased biomass and the quality composition of ‘Bronco’ cabbage (i.e. chlorophylls, carotenoids, anthocyanins, flavonols, total phenolics and sinigrin). On the other hand, there was an increase in lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide content with the application of doses higher than 2.5 mM NaHS. Therefore, we selected the 0.5 and 1 mM NaHS dosages as optimal for cabbage. The 2.5 and 5 mM NaHS produced an excessive lipid peroxidation, decreases in plant biomass and losses of chlorophylls, being all considered negative effects, and clear evidences of stressful situation for the plants. For practical purposes, this study suggested that exogenous application of H2S donor NaHS at 0.5 and 1 mM may be useful as bio-stimulant to boost the yield and the health-promoting composition of ‘Bronco’ cabbage ( Brassica oleracea L.). The online version of theis article (doi: 10.5073/JABFQ.2016.089.038) contains a supplementary file .

Nutritional quality of baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) as affected by nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilisation

Baby spinach is a nutritious vegetable rich in phytochemicals and minerals. Cultural practices such as fertilisation have an impact on the nutritional composition of vegetables. Hence, the current study investigated the responses of the chemical composition of baby spinach to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilisation. Three parallel trials for N and P treatments (0, 45, 75, 105 and 120 kg N and P ha−1) and K (0, 60, 85, 100, 125 and 145 kg K ha−1) arranged in a randomised complete block design with four replicates were conducted. Thereafter, a NPK combination trial was also carried out. Nitrogen, P and K increased the concentrations of total phenols, total antioxidants activity, total flavonoids and vitamin C with maximum concentrations observed at 45 kg N ha−1, 45 kg P ha−1 and 85 kg K ha−1. Interactive effects of NPK fertilisers improved the total phenolic content, total antioxidants activity, total flavonoids and vitamin C content at 35 + 35 + 60 kg ha−1 of NPK. Thus, varying fertiliser application significantly influenced the phytochemical properties and nutritional quality of baby spinach.

Surface decontamination of spinach by intense pulsed light treatments: Impact on quality attributes

Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments constitute an emerging non-thermal technology proposed to decontaminate food surfaces. In this study, the bactericidal effect of IPL against Listeria innocua and Escherichia coli inoculated on spinach leaves was evaluated and mathematically modeled. Also, the impact of IPL treatments (20 and 40kJm−2) on headspace gas composition, microbial quality, antioxidant properties and color of spinach was assessed immediately after treatment and during refrigerated storage. IPL treatments were effective for reducing the naturally-occurring microbial load on the raw material by 0.4–2.2LogCFUg−1, depending on the applied fluence. IPL treatments also reduced the growth rates of microbial populations through storage. Changes in the package headspace composition were significantly affected by IPL treatments. In-package production of CO2 increased at a higher rate than for untreated spinach leaves, while O2 concentrations decreased. Total polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity of spinach exhibited significant increases in the range of 5–10% and 32–34% for the samples treated with 20 or 40kJm−2, respectively. Despite these initial increases, treated spinach leaves presented an accelerated decrease in these quality indicators during refrigerated storage. At the end of storage, IPL-treated samples presented a slightly lower phytochemical quality but significant better microbial quality than control samples.

Variety-specific responses of lettuce grown under the different-coloured shade nets on phytochemical quality after postharvest storage

ABSTRACTThis study illustrates the effects of light quality as influenced by photo-selective shade nets (red, yellow, and pearl with 40% shade) and the widely used commercial black net (25% shade) on overall retail quality and phytochemical contents of three lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) varieties (two green varieties, Ashbrook and Aquarell, and a red variety, Exbury) at after postharvest storage. Variety-specific responses were observed with respect to different coloured shade nets with regards to the accumulation of β-carotene, ascorbic acid, flavonoids (kaempferol, isorhamnetin, quercetin, myricetin, anthocyanin), and antioxidant activity at harvest. Growing var. Ashbrook under the pearl net improved the ascorbic acid and myricetin contents after postharvest storage. Var. Exbury (red) produced under the black net showed higher retention of ascorbic acid, and anthocyanin contents after postharvest storage. Also pearl net production improved the β-carotene content after postharvest storage in var. Aquarell. All lettuce types produced under the pearl nets showed less weight loss, and overall acceptance after postharvest storage. Spectral quality under the shade nets enabled us to improve the phytochemical content and antioxidant properties in light-sensitive varieties Ashbrook Aquarell and Exbury, during winter season.

Nutritional and Phytochemical Quality of Some Tropical Aquatic Plants

This study investigates the nutritional and phytochemical composition of some selected aquatic plants to serve as indexes of nutritional values for both domesticated aquatic and terrestrial animals. Freshly harvested Nympheaa lotus (water lily), Pistia stratioties (water lettuce), Eichorrnia crassipes (water hyacinth) and Ipomoea aquatica (water spinach) were collected from Upper Jebba Basin, Niger State, Nigeria. The plants were cleaned to remove dirt, air-dried, grind and analysed for the proximate, minerals (macro and micro elements) contents and phytochemical properties (quantitative) using standard procedures. The result show that water spinach had the least mean moisture content of 6.25 ± 0.87% while water lily has the highest mean concentration of 8.78 ± 1.09% and significantly difference from other sampled plants (p>0.05). The percentage ash content of the samples shows a high value for water lettuce (16.20 ± 0.46) and also significant among the plant samples. The water lily recorded the lowest value of 9.0 ± 0.50% for crude fibre with water spinach having the highest (18.38 ± 0.88%) at a significant level (p>0.05). The crude protein of (26.45 ± 1.12%) in water spinach and (23.27 ± 0.85) in water lettuce are comparatively higher to17.93 ± 1.02% and 17.23 ± 0.02 recorded in water lily and water hyacinth respectively. Crude fat of 14.10 ± 1.15% in water lettuce is significantly lower to other plants. The carbohydrate level of 34.92 ± 1.53 is the highest in all plants analysed while the lowest content (22.12 ± 0.03%) was found in water spinach. For minerals content; K concentration was the highest of all macro-mineral elements, though varied among the sampled plants. Water spinach has the highest concentration of all analysed elements (9.82 for K; 4.24 ± 0.01 for Mg; 3.35 ± 0.01 for Ca and 3.23 ± 0.02 for Na)g/kg followed water lettuce, water hyacinth and water lily. The amount of Fe found in all sample was higher and range from 186.30 ± 0.10 μg/g in water lily to 197.5 ± 0.05 μg/g in water spinach while Cu, Mn and Zn are also constituted. The presence of some important phytochemical such as alkaloids (2.68 ± 0.01 μg/mg - 4.12 ± 0.01 μg/mg), saponin (1.27 ± 0.03 μg/mg - 1.38 ± 0.01 μg/mg), etc in all the plant samples could also makes the plants pharmacologically active and could be considered as good feed supplement by virtue of their proximate composition.

Phytochemical quality of tomato Saladette produced with organic substrates under greenhouse conditions

El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la producciony calidad fitoquimica de frutos de tomate producidos endiferentes sustratos organicos bajo condiciones de invernadero. Lostratamientos aplicados (sustratos organicos) fueron: T1 (80% Arena+ 20% Vermicompost; T2 (90% Arena + 10% Compost); T3 Testigocon Solucion Steiner (80% Arena + 20% Perlita); T4 (80% Arena +5% Suelo + 15% Vermicompost); T5 (85% Arena + 15% EstiercolSolarizado), y T6 (80% Arena + 5% Suelo + 15% Estiercol Solarizado).Se utilizo un diseno experimental completamente al azar,con cuatro repeticiones de tratamientos. Las variables evaluadas fueronrendimiento, contenido relativo de clorofila en hojas (unidadesSPAD), contenido fenolico total, contenido de licopeno, y capacidadantioxidante. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron diferencia significativa(P≤0,05) para el rendimiento, contenidos de clorofila y fenolico,y capacidad antioxidante. Los resultados de rendimiento mostraronque el Tratamiento con solucion Steiner obtuvo un rendimientode 8,75 kg/m2, mientras que el Tratamiento 4 obtuvo un rendimientoestadisticamente igual (8,70 kg/m2, P>0,05). Por otra parte, la capacidadantioxidante del tomate producido fue de 142,28-276,57 μmolTrolox/g ms, y el contenido fenolico fue de 16,4-28,9 mg equiv. deAc. galico/100 g de fruto fresco. Asimismo, el contenido de licopenoen el tomate producido con los sustratos organicos fue de 2,05-2,77mg/100 g de tomate fresco, mientras que el fruto producido bajofertilizacion quimica (Solucion Steiner) fue de 2,93 mg/100 g detomate fresco. Los resultados obtenidos indican que los sustratos organicosevaluados pueden ser utilizados para la produccion de tomatecon alta calidad fitoquimica.

Proximate, phytochemical and sensory quality of instant pepper soup mix

ABSTRACTInstant pepper soup mix (IPM) was developed. Its proximate, fiber, water-soluble vitamins (ascorbic acid, riboflavin, thiamine and folic acid,), phytochemical (Tannin, total phenol flavonoid, carotenoid, anthocyanin and alkaloids) were determined. The pepper soup from the IPM (20% w/v) was subjected to sensory quantitative acceptance test. Data obtained were analyzed using weighted means and analysis of variance, and Duncan multiple range test was used to separate the means. Protein content ranged from 1.85 to 2.48. The values for ascorbic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, and folic acid in the formulations were from 0.58 mg/ml, 5.15 mg/g, 0.62 mg/g, and 0.0 mg/g to 0.88 mg/ml, 7.69 mg/g, 53.75 mg/g, and 21.86 mg/ml, respectively. Tannin, total phenol, flavonoid, carotenoid, anthocyanin, and alkaloid contents in the formulations ranged from 84.25 to 104.40 mg/100 g, 800.89 to 889.39 mg/100 g, 635.24 to 8.18.44 mg/100 g, 0.67 to 1.73 µg/ml, 8.88 to 10.79 µg, and 5.93 to 10.78%, respectively. There were no significant (p < 0.05) difference in the sensory attributes of the formulations.

Physical and chemical characteristics of melon in organic farming

Melon farming is characterized as an important family agriculture activity and the organic production of fruits and vegetables has shown a large growth in terms of areas in Brazil and around the world. This work aimed to study the postharvest quality of melon cultivated in an organic system. The organic treatments constituted of base fertilizer with cattle manure vermicompost (recommended dose, ½ dose and double dose) plus the use of biofertilizer (sprayed or sprayed + irrigated), and an additional treatment with chemical fertilization. The postharvest quality was evaluated through physico-chemical and phytochemical attributes. The organic management with half the recommended dose of vermicompost plus the sprayed biofertilizer and the chemical fertilization management produced fruits with higher levels of sugar, total carotenoids, ascorbic acid and folates, obtaining more balanced fruits, with a better phytochemical quality. The antioxidant capacity was defined mainly by the presence of the phenolic compounds, which were influenced by the type and the dose of the evaluated fertilizers, with superiority in the organic treatments with double the dose of cattle manure vermicompost.

Effect of degree of milling on phenolic profiles and cellular antioxidant activity of whole brown rice

The impact of increasing degree of milling (DOM) on free and bound phenolics and flavonoids and on cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) of japonica and indica brown rice was investigated. As the average DOM increased from 0 to 2.67, 7.25 and 9.60%, the average total phenolic content decreased by 21.1, 42.6 and 55.6%, and the average total CAA value decreased by 37.4, 84.0 and 92.8%, respectively. Furthermore, the percentage contributions of bound forms to total phenolics and flavonoids decreased with increasing DOM. The contents of nine phenolic compounds significantly decreased with increasing DOM, including quercetin, ferulic and coumaric acids. Interestingly, as the DOM increased to 9.6%, free ferulic and coumaric acids were undetectable in japonica rice, while neither free nor bound caffeic acid was detectable in indica rice. These findings indicate that DOM should be carefully controlled for acceptable sensory quality and retention of phytochemicals during brown rice milling.

Preparation and Evaluation of “Aloo wari”-a novel nutritious traditional fermented product

Aloo waris were prepared by blending dehydrated potato flour with black gram flour. The developed product was analyzed for sensory, physico-chemical, phyto-chemical and shelf-life quality and the results have been compared with dhal waris (control). Protein content was significantly higher in control waris compared to the potato supplemented waris. Bioactive compounds including ascorbic acid, total phenolics and total antioxidant activity measured as DPPH radical scavenging activity increased significantly on incorporation of potato flour. Between the cultivars, waris enriched with Kufri Pukhraj flour (a table variety which is considered unfit for processing), displayed the highest phyto-chemical content and total antioxidant activity. Sensory evaluation indicated higher overall acceptability scores of aloo waris compared to dhal waris. Storage studies showed that the potato waris can be stored safely for 12 months with its nutrient constituents intact.