The effect of Quinoa flour and enzymes on the quality of gluten-free bread.

Gluten-free products usually are produced by refined flours such as rice and corn flour, which the bran is separated during processing. These flours are not nutritionally as rich as gluten containing products. Moreover, gluten-free bread has several technical problems such as unfavorable texture, low volume, quick staling, and weaker color and taste compared with the wheat flour products. In this research, gluten-free bread with various substitution of quinoa (0%, 15%, and 25%) was produced and the effects of lipase and protease enzymes on the quality of bread were investigated. The gluten-free bread properties like physicochemical properties, rheological properties, and bread microstructure were evaluated. Moreover, the sensorial properties were assessed. The results have demonstrated that gluten-free bread with quinoa flour has favorable properties. Also, lipase and protease enzymes could improve the quality of the bread containing quinoa. Protease and lipase enzymes increased the bread volume, specifically in sample containing 15% quinoa substitution. Moreover, the staling was delayed in sample 25% quinoa substitution. The bread was accepted by consumers, and the highest score belonged to 25% substitution of quinoa flour.

Phytoremediation of stable Cs from solutions by Calendula alata, Amaranthus chlorostachys and Chenopodium album.

Uptake rate of (133)Cs, at three different concentrations of CsCl, by Calendula alata, Amaranthus chlorostachys and Chenopodium album plants grown outdoors was studied. These plants grow abundantly in semi-arid regions and their varieties exist in many parts of the world. When exposed to lowest Cs concentration 68 percent Cs was remediated by Chenopodium album.(133)Cs accumulation in shoots of Amaranthus chlorostachys reached its highest value of 2146.2 mg kg(-1) at a (133)Cs supply level of 3.95 mg l(-1) of feed solution. The highest concentration ratio value was 4.89 for Amaranthus chlorostachys, whereas for the other tests it ranged from 0.74 to 3.33. Furthermore uptake of (133)Cs by all three species increased with increasing metal concentrations. The results also indicated that hydroponically grown Calendula alata, Amaranthus chlorostachys and Chenopodium album could be used as potential candidate plants for phytoremediation of solutions contaminated with Cs.

Potential of Calendula alata for phytoremediation of stable cesium and lead from solutions.

Calendula alata plants were tested for their potential to remove stable cesium and lead from solutions in a 15-day period. The plants were grown hydroponically and placed in solutions containing CsCl and Pb(C2H3O2)2 at different concentrations (0.6, 2 and 5 mg l⁻¹). When plants were incubated in CsCl solutions 46.84 ± 2.12%, 41.35 ± 1.59%, and 52.06 ± 1.02% cesium was found to be remediated after 15 days. Moreover, more than 99% lead was removed from the Pb(C2H3O2)2 solution in all three concentrations after 15 days during the same period. When both CsCl and Pb(C2H3O2)2 were supplemented together in the solution, 9.92 ± 1.22%, 45.56 ± 3.52%, and 46.16 ± 1.48% cesium and 95.30 ± 0.72%, 96.64 ± 0.30%, and 99.02 ± 0.04% lead were removed after 15 days. The present study suggests that hydroponically grown C. alata could be used as a potential candidate plant for phytoremediation of cesium and lead from solutions; however, plants were found to be more efficient for the remediation of lead than cesium.