Is mushroom polysaccharide extract a better fat replacer than dried mushroom powder for food applications?

Introduction: ß-glucans found in the cell walls of mushrooms can be a beneficial food additive in replacing fat in commercial food products. Methods: Four commonly consumed mushroom species in Singapore, i.e., Pleurotus ostreatus spp., Lentinus edodes, Agaricus bisporus, and Flammulina velutipes were profiled for the ß-glucan content in the lyophilized form and ultrasonicated assisted extracted form. Both forms were added into chicken patties, which were characterized for the moisture, cooking loss, texture, color, and chemically analyzed for the protein, crude fat, and fatty acid profiles with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results and discussion: Pleurotus Ostreatus spp. had the highest ß-glucan of 29.8 ± 0.7 g/100 g in the pure powder form and 15.9 ± 0.3 g/100 g from the extract. Crude fat in 100% fat substituted patties was lowest in Flammulina velutipes extract enriched patties and least in A. bisporus pure powder patties. Additionally, fat replacement with A. bisporus extract and powder forms resulted in the highest polyunsaturated fatty acid profile of 49.6 ± 1.9 mg/100 g patty and 79.9 ± 4.5 mg/100 g patty, respectively. Chicken patties with added mushroom extract were notable in retaining moisture, cooking yield and its structure. Fat substitution with mushroom powder was also conducted, satisfactory results indicated a possibility as a better fat replacer that is easily processed and an efficient alternative to ß-glucan extract. With increasing demand for low fat foods with acceptable organoleptic properties, our study demonstrates that the inclusion of dry mushroom powder has the ability to mimic the "fattiness" of chicken patties.

Almond paste and dietary fibre: a novel way to improve postprandial glucose and lipid profiles?

Asia has become the epicentre of type 2 diabetes (T2D), predominately due to the consumption of carbohydrate-rich and high-glycemic-index (high-GI) diets. Previously, almond consumption has been reported to reduce the risk of T2D, obesity, and related diseases. The hypothesis of this randomised cross-over clinical trial was that almond paste consumption with bread would improve postprandial glycemic and insulinemic responses. Fifteen healthy Chinese men consumed four bread-based meals containing different amounts of almond paste and inulin. Our results show that co-ingesting bread with 15 g of almond paste and 4 g of inulin significantly reduced the postprandial glucose and insulin levels. The corresponding GI value was 44 (low GI), which was lower than the GI value of white bread, which was 60 (medium GI). However, co-ingestion of almond paste with bread increased the postprandial triglyceride levels. Further studies will be required to demonstrate these effects on a long term basis.Clinical trial registration No: NCT05504044.

Comparison of the molecular properties and volatile compounds of Maillard reaction products derived from animal- and cereal-based protein hydrolysates.

The changes in the molecular properties and volatile compounds of Maillard reaction products obtained from chicken bone extract (CBE), wheat protein (WP), and rice protein (RP) hydrolysates were compared in this study. Pressure cooking was used to prepare CBE, which was then filtered, defatted, and concentrated. The optimum enzyme-substrate (E/S) ratio of CBE, WP, and RP on Flavourzyme® using the Michaelis-Menten model was 4.0, 5.7, 4.8% w/w, respectively. The occurrence of the Maillard reaction was demonstrated by the lowering of pH, low molecular weight peptides (<1K Da), and total free amino acids after the samples were heat-treated. Volatile compounds were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in conjunction with headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) sampling. Pyrazines, furan, and thioethers were detected in the MRPs of CBE, WP and RP. It was concluded that the MRPs of CBE, WP, and RP could be used as potential natural flavours in food applications.

Energy Content and Nutrient Profiles of Frequently Consumed Meals in Singapore.

Singapore is a multi-ethnic country with a great variety of traditional ethnic cuisines. In this modern society where there is an increasing prevalence of obesity, it is important to know the nutritional content and energy density of our foods. However, there have been little data on the nutritional content of our local foods. The energy density and nutrient content of 45 commonly consumed meals by three ethnic groups in Singapore (Chinese, Malay, and Indian) were assessed in this study. Chinese, Malay, and Indian cuisines had an average energy density of 661, 652, and 723 kJ/100 g, respectively. Moreover, the macronutrient content is different between the different ethnic groups. Compared to Chinese and Malay cuisines, Indian cuisine contained lower protein but higher fat and carbohydrate content (p = 0.03). From the mineral analysis of the ethnic foods, we found out that Chinese cuisines contain significantly higher sodium (average of 238 mg/100 g) than Malay cuisines (p = 0.006) and Indian cuisines (p = 0.03). Knowing the caloric density and nutrition content of local ethnic foods may aid hawkers and government officials in developing healthier options to tackle Singapore's obesity epidemic.

Acrylamide Contents of Local Snacks in Singapore.

Acrylamide is a carcinogen that forms in foods processed at high temperatures. In this study, acrylamide contents of 30 local snacks commonly consumed by the three ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese, and Indian) in Singapore were analysed by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). These snacks were chosen because they were consumed regularly by people of different classes and age groups in Singapore. Our results showed that the average content of acrylamide in Indian snacks (102.23 ng/g) was higher than those in Malay (75.14 ng/g) and Chinese snacks (70.78 ng/g). The high acrylamide levels in several snacks was probably due to the processing methods and the usage of acrylamide-inducing raw materials. Same snacks prepared by different manufacturers contained different levels of acrylamide, suggesting the possibility of acrylamide reduction in these snacks. This study provides an insight into the acrylamide levels of snacks commonly consumed by the three different ethnic groups in Singapore.

Energy Density and Nutrient Contents of Selective Chinese New Year Snacks.

BACKGROUND: In this study, the energy density and nutrient contents of thirty Chinese New Year (CNY) snacks commonly consumed in the Asian region during the CNY festive season were measured. METHODS: Calorie Answer™, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were the main methods applied in this study. RESULTS: All snacks showed high energy density (kJ/100 g) and the nutrient content, including macro-and micronutrients of these snacks were remarkably different. The most abundant minerals in these snacks include sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Palmitic (C16:0), oleic (C18:1) and linoleic (C18:2) acids were the main fatty acids and trans-fat was only identified in Butter cookies. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a large database on macro- and micronutrient contents in CNY snacks consumed in the Asian region that has not been previously reported. Our results indicate that the snacks were generally energy-dense and nutrient-poor. This study provides necessary information to enable the reformulation of snacks with lower saturated fat and sodium content. It is also a source of information for consumers to select healthier snacks.