Effect of boiling and roasting on the physicochemical properties of Djansang seeds (Ricinodendron heudelotii).

This study was aimed at determining the effect of boiling and roasting on physicochemical properties of Djansang seeds. Dried Djansang seeds were divided into three groups: one group was boiled for 5, 10, and 15 min; another group was traditionally roasted for 5, 10, and 15 min, and the last group was left unprocessed and served as the control. Polyphenols were extracted from the processed seeds using the maceration method, and their content and antioxidant activity were evaluated. Oils were extracted from the dried seeds by Maceration method, and the quality was analyzed by determining their peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid value (TBA), iodine value (IV), and acid value (AV). The changes in proximate composition and mineral content of the processed samples were also evaluated using standard methods. Results showed that traditional roasting significantly decreases (p < .05) the polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of Djansang seeds as compared to boiling. The analysis of oil showed that traditional roasting and boiling significantly reduce the quality of Djansang seed oil (PV: 10.85-38.49 meq O2/kg; TBA: 1.80-3.20 ppm; AV: 0.28%-0.82%; and IV: 104.27-98.11 g I2/g for roasted samples, and PV: 10.85-27.52meq O2/kg; TBA: 1.45-2.28 ppm; AV: 0.56%-0.96%; and IV: 105.87-102.96 g I2/g for boiled samples) compared to the control (PV: 9.96 meq O2/kg; TBA: 1.01 ppm; AV: 0.11%; and IV: 104.83 g I2/g) and that traditionally roasted samples were the most affected. The proximate and mineral composition of Djansang was also affected during processing. Boiling for 5 and 10 min (BNS 5 min and 10 min) and traditional roasting for 5 min (TRNS 5 min) appear to be the best processing methods of Djansang for production of Djansang-based foods like Djansang sauce.

Optimization of the extraction of natural antioxidants from Coffea robusta leaves and evaluation of their ability to preserve palm olein from oxidation during accelerated storage.

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the extraction of phenolic antioxidants of Coffea robusta leaves and to evaluate the effect of optimized extract and storage time on the stability of palm olein. The optimization of the extraction process was conducted, and the total polyphenol value of 127.06 mg GAE/g and scavenging activity of 90.65% were obtained under optimal extraction conditions. The phenolic antioxidants of the optimized extract and their thermal stability were determined using HPLC-DAD (high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector) and Rancimat test, respectively. The effect of concentration of the optimized extract and storage time on the stability of palm olein was also evaluated. Results showed that the optimized extract contains gallic acid, vanillic acid, cafeic acid and was efficient in retarding palm olein oxidation during 32 months at room temperature. Coffea robusta can be recommended as good source of antioxidants for stabilization of palm olein.

Effect of traditional and oven roasting on the physicochemical properties of fermented cocoa beans.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of oven and traditional roasting on the polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, lipid quality, proximate composition and mineral content of fermented cocoa beans. Results showed that traditional roasting significantly decrease (p < 0.05) the polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of cocoa beans. The analysis of oil showed that oven and traditional roasting significantly increase (p < 0.05) the peroxide and thiobarbituric acid values of cocoa butter and that traditional roasting samples were the most deteriorated. Oven and traditional roasting for 10 min reduce the iodine value of the oil, but increase its acidity. The proximate and mineral composition of cocoa beans was also seriously affected during cooking. Drying and oven roasting for 5 and 10 min; and drying and traditional roasting for 5 min appear to be the best processing methods of cocoa beans for production of cocoa based foods like chocolate.

Effect of Boiling and roasting on lipid quality, proximate composition, and mineral content of walnut seeds (Tetracarpidium conophorum) produced and commercialized in Kumba, South-West Region Cameroon.

The effect of boiling and roasting on the lipid quality, proximate composition, and mineral content of African walnut seeds (Tetracarpidium conophorum) was assessed. Results indicated that the quality of walnut oil significantly (p < .05) reduces with the treatments. Oils extracted from DBWN 60 min (Dried and boiled walnuts 60 min) and FBWN 60 min (Boiled fresh walnuts 60 min) were the most altered. The proximate composition and mineral content of walnut seeds was also significantly affected (p < .05) by the treatments. This study reveals that, thermal processing has significant effects on the nutrients and quality of lipids of walnut oil. DTRWN 60 min (Dried and traditionally roasted walnuts 60 min), DORWN 60 min (Dried and oven roasted walnuts 60 min), and TRFWN 30 min (traditionally roasted fresh nuts 30 min) are the best methods for cooking walnut because they preserve the quality of its lipids and some of the nutrients.

Effect of salinity stress on growth, lipid productivity, fatty acid composition, and biodiesel properties in Acutodesmus obliquus and Chlorella vulgaris.

Two microalgae strains including Chlorella vulgaris and Acutodesmus obliquus were grown on BG11 medium with salinity stress ranging from 0.06 to 0.4 M NaCl. Highest lipid content in C. vulgaris and A. obliquus was 49 and 43% in BG11 amended with 0.4 M NaCl. The microalgal strains C. vulgaris and A. obliquus grow better at 0.06 M NaCl concentration than control condition. At 0.06 M NaCl, improved dry biomass content in C. vulgaris and A. obliquus was 0.92 and 0.68 gL-1, respectively. Stress biomarkers like reactive oxygen species, antioxidant enzyme catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase were also lowest at 0.06 M NaCl concentration revealing that both the microalgal strains are well acclimatized at 0.06 M NaCl concentration. The fatty acid composition of the investigated microalgal strains was also improved by increased NaCl concentration. At 0.4 M NaCl, palmitic acid (37%), oleic acid (15.5%), and linoleic acid (20%) were the dominant fatty acids in C. vulgaris while palmitic acid (54%) and stearic acid (26.6%) were major fatty acids found in A. obliquus. Fatty acid profiling of C. vulgaris and A. obliquus significantly varied with salinity concentration. Therefore, the study showed that salt stress is an effective stress that could increase not only the lipid content but also improved the fatty acid composition which could make C. vulgaris and A. obliquus potential strains for biodiesel production.

Valorization of soursop flowers (Annona muricata L.) as potent source of natural antioxidants for stabilization of palm olein during accelerated storage.

This study investigates the effect of soursop flowers methanolic extract on the physicochemical characteristics of palm olein during accelerated storage. After analysis of the extract by determining its total phenolic content by colorimetry and identification of some of its phenolic antioxidants by HPLC-DAD(Diode Array Detector), preliminary antioxidants tests have been done. After that, the extract was added in palm olein at concentrations 200-1800 ppm. BHT, at 200 ppm served as standard besides the Control. Induction time, peroxide, p-anisidine, Total oxidation (TOTOX), thiobarbituric acid and iodine values, as well as changes in linoleic acid profile Gas Chromatography/Flamme Ionization Detector (GC/FID) of oil during the storage were evaluated. Results showed soursop flower extract to be rich in phenolic antioxidants and to be efficient, at all concentrations, in delaying palm olein oxidation on Rancimat and accelerated Schaal oven test of 30 days at 70°C. Soursop flowers might be used as potent source of antioxidants for the stabilization of palm olein.

Stage-Specific Fatty Acid Fluxes Play a Regulatory Role in Glycerolipid Metabolism during Seed Development in Jatropha curcas L.

The present study describes the changes in lipid profile as well as fatty acid fluxes during seed development in Jatropha curcas L. Endosperm from 34, 37, and 40 days after anthesis (DAA), incubated with [(14)C]acetate, showed significant synthesis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) at seed maturation. The fatty acid methyl ester profile showed PC from 34 DAA was rich in palmitic acid (16:0), whereas PC from 37 and 40 DAA was rich in oleic acid (18:1n-9). Molecular species analysis of diacylglycerol (DAG) indicated DAG (16:0/18:2n-6) was in abundance at 34 DAA, whereas DAG (18:1n-9/18:2n-6) was significantly high at 40 DAA. Triacylglycerol (TAG) analysis revealed TAG (16:0/18:2n-6/16:0) was abundant at 34 DAA, whereas TAG (18:1n-9/18:2n-6/18:1n-9) formed the majority at 40 DAA. Expression of two types of diacylglycerol acyltransferases varied with seed maturation. These data demonstrate stage-specific distinct pools of PC and DAG synthesis during storage TAG accumulation in Jatropha seed.

Synthesis and Anti-microbial Activity of Novel Phosphatidylethanolamine-N-amino Acid Derivatives.

The study involved synthesis of five novel amino acid derivatives of phosphatidylethanolamine isolated from egg yolk lecithin employing a three step procedure i) N-protection of L-amino acids with BOC anhydride in alkaline medium ii) condensation of - CO2H group of N-protected amino acid with free -NH2 of PE by a peptide linkage and iii) deprotection of N-protected group of amino acids to obtain phosphatidylethanolamine-N-amino acid derivatives in 60-75% yield. The five L-amino acids used were L glycine, L-valine, L-leucine, L-isoleucine and L-phenylalanine. The amino acid derivatives were screened for anti-baterial activity against B. subtilis, S. aureus, P. aeroginosa and E. coli taking Streptomycin as reference compound and anti-fungal activity against C. albicans, S. cervisiae, A. niger taking AmphotericinB as reference compound. All the amino acid derivatives exhibited extraordinary anti-bacterial activities about 3 folds or comparable to Streptomycin and moderate or no anti-fungal activity against Amphotericin-B.