Second-generation snacks prepared from quinoa with probiotic. Physicochemical properties, in vitro digestibility, antioxidant activity and consumer acceptability.

Food security is a pressing issue, emphasizing the necessity for food designs that address the current geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges. This study evaluates the impact of including different percentages (10 %, 20 %, 30 %, and 60 %) of high protein quinoa flour (HPQF) in the development of a new rice-based snack. The aim is to create four snack formulations with a protein content enriched with probiotics, surpassing those currently available in the market. Probiotics Bacillus coagulans were added at a 0.1 % concentration. Once the rice flour and quinoa flour are mixed, they are mixed with the probiotic, to move on to the extrusion process. Following the incorporation of probiotics, the snacks were packaged in a modified atmosphere, and their physicochemical properties, Bacillus coagulans probiotic viability, tolerance to artificial gastroenteric juice (TAGJ), starch digestibility, and sensory acceptance were assessed. Significant differences were observed in the expansion index, with the 60 % inclusion snack exhibiting the least expansion. Despite having a higher density, this snack reached a porosity index similar to that of the 20 % HPQF snack. Achieving a 17 % protein content in the snacks was possible with a 60 % inclusion rate. Texture was notably affected by the inclusion of HPQF, with snacks having higher inclusion levels showing increased hardness. Probiotic viability evaluation consistently remained above 106 UFC/g of snack, while TAGJ exhibited a viability of 75 %. Although HPQF inclusion led to a decrease in the glycemic index (GI), snacks still maintained a GI above 70 %. Regarding antioxidant properties, snacks with 60 % HPQF inclusion displayed superior results, reaching 35.29, 5.52, and 13.74 µmol of AA/g, measured via ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP methods, respectively. These findings demonstrate a heightened antioxidant capacity compared to other formulations. Our results indicate that the new probiotic snack serves as a rich source of protein and probiotics and is well-received sensorially. However, it is worth noting that it falls within the category of high GI foods, prompting the need for future studies aimed at reducing this parameter.

Exploring Maillard reaction markers and melanoidins to investigate toxicological and antioxidant profiles of optimized expanded snacks from corn/common bean mixtures.

BACKGROUND: Extrusion cooking of cereal-legume flour mixture is an innovative strategy to introduce nutrient-enriched ready-to-eat snacks to the market. However, this thermal process triggers the formation of compounds that could impact safety aspects of these products. Maillard reaction markers and the end products known as melanoidins were evaluated to assess the toxicological and bioactive profiles of extruded snacks from corn-plus-common-bean-flour combinations. Different molecular weight fractions were isolated and purified to analyze their antioxidant activity and to investigate the role of melanoidins. RESULTS: The snack formulated with an 84:16 ratio of corn:common bean flours exhibited an enhanced toxicological profile. It displayed the lowest levels of acrylamide and furanic compounds, along with reduced blockage of lysine residues in the protein. Extrusion increased the antioxidant activity of uncooked flours (30 to 64%) and total phenolic compounds (26 to 50%), and decreased the available lysine (-72.7 to -79.5%). During the fractionation process, it was established that compounds within the range of 3-10 kDa made the greatest contribution to antioxidant activity. The fraction greater than 10 kDa, which included melanoidins, displayed 7 to 33% lower antioxidant activity. The purification of the fraction greater than 10 kDa revealed that pure melanoidins represented approximately one-third of the antioxidant activity in that fraction. Non-covalent adducts linked to the melanoidin core therefore had a relevant role in the antioxidant action of formulated snacks. CONCLUSION: This investigation illustrates the importance of considering both potential risks and associated benefits of compounds formed during the Maillard reaction while developing new extruded snacks. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Impact of accelerated aging cycles on the performance of extruded cement-based composites reinforced with non-bleached eucalyptus fibers.

Thermo-mechanical pulping produces well-individualized fibers compared to wood particles and less fragile fibers compared to Kraft pulping, besides presenting higher volume, higher yield, and lower production cost, which can be an exciting alternative for the fiber-cement industries. This study evaluated the impact of soak and dry-aging cycles on the performance of extruded composites reinforced with non-bleached eucalyptus fibers. The cement matrix comprised cement (70%) and limestone (30%). Composites were reinforced with 1 to 5% of eucalyptus fiber by cement mass and tested on the 28th day of cure at 99% relative humidity and after 400 accelerated aging cycles. The water absorption and apparent porosity gradually increased with the reinforcement level. Composites with 4 and 5% fibers showed the highest toughness (0.21 and 0.23 kJ/m2, respectively). The aging by 400 soak-dry cycles reduced the composites' water absorption and apparent porosity. The modulus of elasticity (MOE), rupture (MOR), and toughness increased, except for toughness for composites reinforced with 1 and 5% fibers, explained by the cementitious matrix's continuous hydration, fiber mineralization, and natural carbonation. In general, eucalyptus thermo-mechanical fibers were suitable for producing cementitious composites. Cementitious composites with 3% fibers presented a higher MOR, MOE, low water absorption, and apparent porosity after 400 accelerated aging cycles. In addition, the composites with 4% fibers also presented remarkable improvements in these properties. The aging cycles did not result in composites with less resistance, a positive fact for their application as tiles and materials for external use in civil construction.

Detoxificação de milho (zea mays L.) contaminado com aflatoxinas através do processamento por extrusão termoplástica / Detoxificação de milho (zea mays L.) contaminado com aflatoxinas através do processamento por extrusão termoplástica

Experiments were conducted to study the efficiency of the thermoplastic extrusion process in reducing aflatoxin levels on naturally contaminated yellow dent corn. Quantification was accomplished by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The extration method used was efficient, since recovery of added anatoxins B1, B2, G1 e G2 (10 ppb each) was 104,0; 102,7; 92,5 and 77,0% respectivaly. Subjecting contaminated yellow com flour samples at 35% moisture the thermoplastic extrusion process reduced aflatoxin B1, B2 and G2 levels below the FDA guideline of 20 ppb total aflatoxin.  

Foram realizados experimentos com a finalidade de se estudar a detoxificação de milho, naturalmente contaminado com aflatoxinas, através do processamento por extrusão termoplástica. A quantificação foi realizada por Cromatografia Liquida de Alto Desempenho (CLAD). O método de extração utilizado foi bastante eficiente pois apresentou percentuais de recuperação de 104,0; 102,7; 92,5 e 77,0% para as aflatoxinas B1r B2, G1 e G2 respectivamente. O processamento por extrusão termoplástica de farinha de milho a 35% umidade reduziu o teor das aflatoxinas contaminantes da amostra (B1, B2, G2) inferiores aos limites permitidos pela legislação Americana (FDA) que é de 20 ppb.    

Detoxificação de milho (zea mays L.) contaminado com aflatoxinas através do processamento por extrusão termoplástica / Detoxificação de milho (zea mays L.) contaminado com aflatoxinas através do processamento por extrusão termoplástica

Experiments were conducted to study the efficiency of the thermoplastic extrusion process in reducing aflatoxin levels on naturally contaminated yellow dent corn. Quantification was accomplished by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The extration method used was efficient, since recovery of added anatoxins B1, B2, G1 e G2 (10 ppb each) was 104,0; 102,7; 92,5 and 77,0% respectivaly. Subjecting contaminated yellow com flour samples at 35% moisture the thermoplastic extrusion process reduced aflatoxin B1, B2 and G2 levels below the FDA guideline of 20 ppb total aflatoxin.

Foram realizados experimentos com a finalidade de se estudar a detoxificação de milho, naturalmente contaminado com aflatoxinas, através do processamento por extrusão termoplástica. A quantificação foi realizada por Cromatografia Liquida de Alto Desempenho (CLAD). O método de extração utilizado foi bastante eficiente pois apresentou percentuais de recuperação de 104,0; 102,7; 92,5 e 77,0% para as aflatoxinas B1r B2, G1 e G2 respectivamente. O processamento por extrusão termoplástica de farinha de milho a 35% umidade reduziu o teor das aflatoxinas contaminantes da amostra (B1, B2, G2) inferiores aos limites permitidos pela legislação Americana (FDA) que é de 20 ppb.