Antioxidant Properties of Gluten-Free Pasta Enriched with Vegetable By-Products.

The only therapy for coeliac disease patients is to completely avoid foods containing gluten, a protein complex common in several small-grain cereals. However, many alternative gluten-free foods available on the market present nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the composition and the antioxidant properties of gluten-free pasta enriched with 10% or 15% of tomato waste or linseed meal, two food industry by-products. The traits analysed were protein, lipid, ash and fibre content, heat damage, tocols, carotenoids and phenolics composition (by HPLC), antioxidant capacity, and pasta fracturability. The enriched pastas contained more fibre and lipids than the control, while the protein and ash values were similar. The addition of tomato and linseed waste improved tocols concentration but had no effect on carotenoids content. The free soluble polyphenols increase was similar for both by-products and proportional to the enrichment percentage, while the bound insoluble polyphenols were higher in linseed-enriched pastas. The samples with linseed meal showed the greatest antioxidant capacity and, at 10% addition, the highest fracturability value. In conclusion, the addition of tomato and linseed by-products significantly increases the presence of bioactive compounds (particularly polyphenols), improving the nutritional value of gluten-free pasta.

Protein Maps for Durum Wheat Precision Harvest and Pasta Production.

The quality traits of dough and dry pasta obtained from semolina (Triticum durum Desf. var. Biensur), harvested from a 13.6 ha field, subjected to variable-rate nitrogen (N) fertilization, were assessed to test site-specific pasta production for a short supply chain. Based on the grain quality spatial distribution, two distinct areas with protein content lower or higher than 13% were delineated and harvested selectively. The rheological properties of semolina samples obtained from those areas were evaluated. Furthermore, dry pasta was produced and characterized for its cooking behaviour and sensory characteristics. Semolina was demonstrated to have rheological characteristics (i.e., gluten aggregation time and energy, as evaluated by GlutoPeak test) positively related to the protein content as well as the related pasta, showing better cooking quality. These results are driven by the high amounts of gluten proteins, as well as by the glutenin/gliadin ratio, which are indicators of the technological quality of semolina. Overall, the results indicate that segregation of the grain with >13% of protein at harvest led to the production of semolina with a higher gluten protein content and a higher glutenin/gliadin ratio and, hence, to the production of pasta with better cooking quality. Therefore, site-specific pasta could be a potential asset for a short supply chain, aiming at improving traceability, as well as environmental and economic sustainability.

Evaluation of the phenolic profile and immunoreactivity of Mal d 3 allergen in ancient apple cultivars from Italy.

BACKGROUND: Since the second half of the 20th century, the cultivation of ancient and local apple cultivars has almost disappeared from orchards in Italy. Some of these ancient apple cultivars often possess high nutraceutical values and display lower allergenicity than the modern ones, supporting the so-called 'green revolution' theory. RESULTS: In this study, the phenolic composition and the antioxidant activity of five ancient apple cultivars ('Belfiore', 'Pomella Genovese', 'Gravenstein', 'Bella del Bosco', and 'Piatlin') were compared with a 'Golden Delicious' commercial cultivar. Additionally, apples were tested for their potential allergenicity by detecting the presence of Mal d 3, a non-specific lipid transfer protein that represents the main apples' allergen. All apples came from northern Italy (Trentino Region) and were organically produced. Results showed that, for all cultivars, the skins contained more polyphenols than the pulps. 'Bella del Bosco' had the highest amount of polyphenols and antioxidant activity, whereas 'Piatlin' had the lowest phenolic content. All ancient cultivars presented a higher amount of pulp phenolic compounds than 'Golden Delicious'. Immunoblotting techniques showed that 'Bella del Bosco' and 'Piatlin' had very low quantities of Mal d 3 allergen; hence, they can be considered hypoallergenic cultivars. CONCLUSIONS: The preservation of ancient apple cultivars would be of great importance, not only to maintain the biodiversity but also for their nutritional properties. The hypoallergenic activity of some of these cultivars could be of interest also for the preparation of different apple-based products. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Moringa oleifera L. Leaf Powder Addition on the Phenolic Bioaccessibility and on In Vitro Starch Digestibility of Durum Wheat Fresh Pasta.

Fresh pasta was formulated by replacing wheat semolina with 0, 5, 10, and 15 g/100 g (w/w) of Moringa oleifera L. leaf powder (MOLP). The samples (i.e., M0, M5, M10, and M15 as a function of the substitution level) were cooked by boiling. The changes in the phenolic bioaccessibility and the in vitro starch digestibility were considered. On the cooked-to-optimum samples, by means of ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight (UHPLC-QTOF) mass spectrometry, 152 polyphenols were putatively annotated with the greatest content recorded for M15 pasta, being 2.19 mg/g dry matter (p < 0.05). Multivariate statistics showed that stigmastanol ferulate (VIP score = 1.22) followed by isomeric forms of kaempferol (VIP scores = 1.19) and other phenolic acids (i.e., schottenol/sitosterol ferulate and 24-methylcholestanol ferulate) were the most affected compounds through the in vitro static digestion process. The inclusion of different levels of MOLP in the recipe increased the slowly digestible starch fractions and decreased the rapidly digestible starch fractions and the starch hydrolysis index of the cooked-to-optimum samples. The present results showed that MOLP could be considered a promising ingredient in fresh pasta formulation.

Is Site-Specific Pasta a Prospective Asset for a Short Supply Chain?

In the 2011-2012 season, variable-rate nitrogen (N) fertilization was applied two times during durum wheat vegetative growth in three field areas which differed in soil fertility in northern Italy. The quality traits of the mono-varietal pasta obtained from each management zone were assessed in view of site-specific pasta production for a short supply chain. To this purpose, semolina from cv. Biensur obtained from management zones with different fertility treated with N at variable rate was tested in comparison with a commercial reference (cv. Aureo) to produce short-cut pasta. Biensur semolina demonstrated to have technological characteristics positively correlated with the low-fertility zones treated with high N doses (200 and 200+15 kg/ha) and, to a lesser extent, with the high-soil-fertility zones (130 and 130 + 15 kg/ha of N). The lower quality parameters were obtained for pasta produced with wheat from medium-fertility zones, independently of the N dose applied. The derived pasta obtained from the low-fertility zones treated with high N doses had cooking and sensory properties comparable to those of pasta obtained using the reference cv. Aureo. These results are explained by the higher amounts of gluten proteins and by a higher glutenin/gliadin ratio in semolina, which are indicators of technological quality. Overall, the results indicate that segregation of the grain at harvest led to the production of semolina with higher protein content and, hence, to a higher pasta quality. Therefore, site-specific pasta could be a potential asset for a short supply chain, aiming to improve traceability and environmental and economic sustainability.

Effect of Grape Pomace Addition on the Technological, Sensory, and Nutritional Properties of Durum Wheat Pasta.

In this study, fortified pasta was prepared by replacing semolina with 0, 5, and 10 g/100 g of grape pomace (GP), a food industry by-product, rich in fiber and phenols. GP inclusion in pasta significantly reduced its optimum cooking time and the swelling index, while also increasing the cooking loss (p < 0.05). Furthermore, pasta firmness and adhesiveness were enhanced by the GP addition, as well as the total phenol content and the antioxidant activity, evaluated through ABTS and FRAP assays (p < 0.05). From a nutritional point of view, increasing amounts of GP resulted in a significative decrease in the rapidly digestible starch and an increase in the slowly digestible starch, while the predicted in vitro glycemic index was also reduced (p < 0.05). Sensory analysis showed that fortified spaghetti had good overall acceptability, and the results suggest that GP-fortified pasta could represent a healthy product with good technological and sensory properties.

Variations in yield and gluten proteins in durum wheat varieties under late-season foliar versus soil application of nitrogen fertilizer in a northern Mediterranean environment.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing demand for high-quality foodstuffs and concern for environmental sustainability, late-season nitrogen (N) foliar fertilization of common wheat is now an important and widespread practice. This study investigated the effects of late-season foliar versus soil N fertilization on yield and protein content of four varieties of durum wheat, Aureo, Ariosto, Biensur and Liberdur, in a three-year field trial in northern Italy. RESULTS: Variations in low-molecular-weight glutenins (LMW-GS), high-molecular-weight glutenins (HMW-GS) and gliadins were assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). It was found that N applied to the canopy did not improve protein rate compared with N application to the soil (general mean 138 mg g-1 ), but moderately increased productivity in the high-yielding varieties Liberdur and Biensur (three-year means 7.23 vs 7.13 and 7.53 vs 7.09 t ha-1 respectively). Technological quality was mainly related to variety choice, Aureo and Ariosto having higher protein rates and glutenin/gliadin ratios. Also found was a strong 'variety × N application method' interaction in the proportions of protein subunits within each class, particularly LMW-GS and gliadins. A promising result was the higher N uptake efficiency, although as apparent balance, combined with higher HMW/LMW-GS ratio in var. Biensur. CONCLUSION: Late-season foliar N fertilization allows N fertilizer saving, potentially providing environmental benefits in the rainy climate of the northern Mediterranean area, and also leads to variety-dependent up-regulation of essential LMW-GS and gliadins. Variety choice is a key factor in obtaining high technological quality, although it is currently associated with modest grain yield. This study provides evidence of high quality in the specific high-yielding variety Biensur, suggesting its potential as a mono-varietal semolina for pasta production. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Hen egg white lysozyme is a hidden allergen in Italian commercial ciders.

Hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) is an enzyme used in alcoholic fermentation for its ability to control the growth of Gram-positive and spoilage bacteria, without inhibiting yeast growth, and it allows a reduction in the use of sulphur dioxide. Nevertheless, considering the potential allergenicity of this protein, the presence of HEWL should be declared on the label of the final product. In this work, we analysed 18 commercial Italian ciders by LC-MS/MS and found traces of HEWL in 12 samples without label declaration. We used Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to verify the immunological activity of HEWL, and to quantify its content in the ciders. Two out of 18 samples were found to be positive both by immunoblot and ELISA. The results indicate the requirement of a more stringent control of commercial ciders and the need of label declaration for ciders treated with such compounds.

Old Apple (Malus domestica L. Borkh) Varieties with Hypoallergenic Properties: An Integrated Approach for Studying Apple Allergenicity.

Freshly consumed apples (Malus domestica L. Borkh) can cause allergic reactions because of the presence of four classes of allergens. Knowledge of the genetic factors affecting the allergenic potential of apples would provide important information for the selection of hypoallergenic genotypes, which can be combined with the adoption of new agronomical practices to produce fruits with a reduced amount of allergens. In the present research, a multiple analytical approach was adopted to characterize the allergenic potential of 24 apple varieties released at different ages (pre- and post-green revolution). A specific workflow was set up including protein quantification by means of polyclonal antibodies, immunological analyses with sera of allergic subjects, enzymatic assays, clinical assessments on allergic patients, and gene expression assays on fruit samples. Taken as a whole, the results indicate that most of the less allergenic genotypes were found among those deriving from selection processes carried out prior to the so-called "green revolution".

Structural and Nutritional Properties of Pasta from Triticum monococcum and Triticum durum Species. A Combined ¹H NMR, MRI, and Digestibility Study.

The aim of the present study was to characterize the structure of two different types of pasta, namely Triticum turgidum ssp. durum (cv. Saragolla) and Triticum monococcum ssp. monococcum (cv. Monlis), under different processing conditions. MRI analysis and NMR spectroscopy (i.e., T1 and T2 NMR relaxation times and diffusion parameters) were conducted on pasta, and (1)H NMR spectroscopic analysis of the chemical compounds released by pasta samples during the cooking process was performed. In addition, starch digestibility (enzimatically determined) was also investigated. The NMR results indicated that Saragolla pasta has a more compact structure, ascribed to pasta network and in particular to different technological gluten properties, that mainly determine the lower ability of Monlis pasta in binding water. These results correlate well with the lower rate of starch hydrolysis measured for Monlis pasta compared to Saragolla when both are dried at high temperature.

Digestibility of pasta made with three wheat types: a preliminary study.

The aim of this study was to assess the digestibility of the protein and starch in pasta made with different cereals, i.e. Triticum durum, Triticum polonicum and Triticum dicoccum, and to measure the glycemic index (GI) of the different types of pasta. The digestibility of the starch in T.polonicum pasta differed significantly from the others. It seemed to be less digested than dicoccum and durum wheat pasta. T.polonicum pasta also had a lower glycemic index, while there were no significant differences in the protein digestibility of the three types of pasta.

The proteins of the grape (Vitis vinifera L.) seed endosperm: fractionation and identification of the major components.

In the present study, grape (Vitis vinifera L.) seed endosperm proteins were characterized after sequential fractionation, according to a modified Osborne procedure. The salt-soluble fraction (albumins and globulins) comprised the majority (58.4%) of the total extracted protein. The protein fractions analysed by SDS-PAGE showed similar bands, indicating different solubility of the same protein components. SDS-PAGE in non-reducing and reducing conditions revealed the polypeptide composition of the protein bands. The main polypeptides, which were similar in all the grape varieties analysed, were identified by LC-MS/MS as homologous to the 11S globulin-like seed storage proteins of other plant species, while a monomeric 43 kDa protein presented high homology with the 7S globulins of legume seeds. The results provide new insights about the identity, structure and polypeptide composition of the grape seed storage proteins.

Extraction and mass spectrometry identification of a major peach allergen Pru p 1.

BACKGROUND: Peach allergy can be caused by the allergen Pru p 1. This occurs by cross-reactivity with the homologous birch pollen allergen Bet v 1. However, the direct identification of Pru p 1 as an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-binding protein extracted from peach fruit has never been reported. RESULTS: Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and phenol extractions were applied to solubilise the proteins from peach peel and pulp, and IgE immunoblotting with sera of individual peach-allergic patients was used to detect the potential allergens. Most of the patients showed binding to an 18 kDa band in IgE immunoblotting performed with the phenolic extracts of peach peel and pulp, but not when the PBS extracts were used. Mass spectrometry of the 18 kDa spot excised from a two-dimensional electrophoretic gel showed this protein to correspond to the peach allergen Pru p 1. CONCLUSION: Phenol extraction was necessary to detect by IgE immunoblotting a major peach allergen, which showed very low extractability with PBS, indicating the appropriateness of adopting different extraction procedures to identify plant allergens. The 18 kDa peach protein was definitively identified as the Bet v 1-homologous peach allergen Pru p 1.

Immunochemical and mass spectrometry detection of residual proteins in gluten fined red wine.

Recently, wheat gluten has been proposed as technological adjuvant in order to clarify wines. However, the possibility that residual gluten proteins remain in treated wines cannot be excluded, representing a hazard for wheat allergic or celiac disease patients. In this work, commercial wheat glutens, in both partially hydrolyzed (GBS-P51) and nonhydrolyzed (Gluvital 21000) forms, were used as fining agents in red wine at different concentrations. Beside immunoenzymatic analyses using anti-gliadin, anti-prolamin antibodies and pooled sera of wheat allergic patients, a method based on liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry has been proposed to detect residues of gluten proteins. Residual gluten proteins were detected by anti-prolamin antibodies, anti-gliadin antibodies and sera-IgE only in the wine treated with GBS-P51 at concentration 50, 150, and 300 g/hL, respectively, whereas no residual proteins were detected by these systems in the wine treated with Gluvital 21000. In contrast liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses allowed the detection of proteins in red wines fined down to 1 g/hL of Gluvital 21000 and GBS-P51. Our results indicate that MS methods are superior to immunochemical methods in detecting gluten proteins in wines and that adverse reactions against gluten treated wines cannot be excluded.

Application of near-infrared spectroscopy as an alternative to chemical and color analysis to discriminate the production chains of Asiago d'Allevo cheese.

A near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) application was developed to discriminate Asiago d'Allevo cheese coming from different production chains (alpine farms, mountain and lowland factories). One hundred wheels were collected in different seasons from all productive sites of Asiago d'Allevo: 14 alpine farms and 8 mountain and 13 lowland factories. Samples were analyzed for chemical composition and color and scanned by NIRS (1100-2500 nm). A factorial discriminant analysis based on chemical and color data showed a clear separation between alpine and factory products due to their different fatty acids profile and color. However, cheeses from lowland and mountain factories were undistinguishable. A discriminant analysis using NIRS spectra alone or combined with chemical and color data showed similar results. A final calibration based on NIRS spectra was developed and validated by a set of 7 external samples to discriminate alpine from factory products. This real-time analysis is a reliable alternative to expensive and time-consuming lab determinations.

Identification of the production chain of Asiago d'Allevo cheese by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and principal component analysis.

In the present work, a rapid and simple NMR method to discriminate Asiago d'Allevo cheese samples from different production chains is described. A fast and reproducible extraction of the organic fraction was employed. By applying chemometric analysis to NMR data, it is possible to differentiate PDO Asiago cheese produced in alpine farms from that produced in lowland and mountain industrialized factories. PCA of both (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra showed a good separation of alpine farm products from the other ones, whereas the lowland and mountain industrialized cheeses are undistinguishable. The samples were differentiated on the basis of a higher content of unsaturated fatty acids, principally oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and conjugated linoleic acids for the alpine farm cheeses and a higher content of saturated fatty acids for the industrialized products. Conjugated linoleic acid and 1-pentene are also discriminating components.

Contact urticaria and protein contact dermatitis from corn in a patient with serum IgE specific for a salt-soluble corn protein of low molecular weight.

Among the cereals, wheat, rye, barley and oats, have been reported to cause protein contact dermatitis. However, in these cases neither the involvement of an immunological mechanism nor the role of specific protein(s) has been demonstrated. We present a case of protein contact dermatitis from corn. The patient presented with a Type I sensitization to corn, as shown by the presence of specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E and positivity to prick tests with both a flour suspension and the salt-soluble protein fraction of this cereal. The same corn preparations induced a strong urticarial reaction on scratch testing. This reaction was followed several days later by the appearance of erythema and then eczema at the site of application. When boiled, these preparations became inactive on both prick and scratch testing. Patch tests were negative in all cases. Immunoblotting performed with the patient's serum showed the presence of a unique IgE-binding protein band with a molecular weight of around 14 kDa, belonging to the salt-soluble corn protein fraction. Our results give the first clear evidence that cornflour can induce protein contact dermatitis. The IgE-binding 14-kDa protein has characteristics identical to those of the trypsin/alpha-amylase inhibitors from cereals.