Optimum production, stability, partial purification and inhibitory spectrum of antimicrobial compounds produced by Pediococcus pentosaceus DI.

The optimum conditions for production of antimicrobial compounds by Pediococcus pentosaceus DI were studied. The antimicrobial compounds in cell free fermented medium were extracted (methanol-acetone), then tested for inhibitory activity against fourteen bacterial strains and its stability to heating, various pH and proteolytic enzymes. In addition, methanol-acetone extract was partial purified through Sephadex G-100 column and thin-layer chromatography. Production of antimicrobial compounds were maximized when P. pentosaceus DI was grown in lactobacilli MRS containing 0.05% L-cysteine-HCl medium at 30 degrees C for 48 h. The methanol-acetone extract showed relatively broad antimicrobial spectrum including lactic acid bacteria and some spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. Antimicrobial activity of methanol-acetone extract was retained after heating (100 degrees C for 30 min) at pH 2.5 to 6.0 but was lost after treating with several proteolytic enzymes at pH 6.5 and 7.0. Sephadex G-100 column revealed three peaks in methanol-acetone extract. The major peak was eluted at 40 ml and including three fractions, which exhibited inhibitory activity, while the other peaks were principally free from any antimicrobial compounds. Thin-layer chromatography of crude methanol-acetone extract and the three fractions, which exhibited inhibitory activity, showed that there was one main spot with Rf at 0.8.

Characteristics and composition of watermelon, pumpkin, and paprika seed oils and flours.

The nutritional quality and functional properties of paprika seed flour and seed kernel flours of pumpkin and watermelon were studied, as were the characteristics and structure of their seed oils. Paprika seed and seed kernels of pumpkin and watermelon were rich in oil and protein. All flour samples contained considerable amounts of P, K, Mg, Mn, and Ca. Paprika seed flour was superior to watermelon and pumpkin seed kernel flours in content of lysine and total essential amino acids. Oil samples had high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids with linoleic and oleic acids as the major acids. All oil samples fractionated into seven classes including triglycerides as a major lipid class. Data obtained for the oils' characteristics compare well with those of other edible oils. Antinutritional compounds such as stachyose, raffinose, verbascose, trypsin inhibitor, phytic acid, and tannins were detected in all flours. Pumpkin seed kernel flour had higher values of chemical score, essential amino acid index, and in vitro protein digestibility than the other flours examined. The first limiting amino acid was lysine for both watermelon and pumpkin seed kernel flours, but it was leucine in paprika seed flour. Protein solubility index, water and fat absorption capacities, emulsification properties, and foam stability were excellent in watermelon and pumpkin seed kernel flours and fairly good in paprika seed flour. Flour samples could be potentially added to food systems such as bakery products and ground meat formulations not only as a nutrient supplement but also as a functional agent in these formulations.

Effect of soaking process on nutritional quality and protein solubility of some legume seeds.

Legume seeds (soy bean, lupin and bean seeds) were soaked in 0.5% sodium bicarbonate in attempt to evaluate their nutritional quality and protein solubility index. Soaking process led to an increase in the hydration coefficient, seed weight, total protein, ash, fat, fiber, while non protein nitrogen, total carbohydrates, starch, stachyose, raffinose, reducing sugars, and minerals (except Na) were decreased. All antinutritional factors such as phytic acid, tannin, trypsin inhibitor and hemagglutinin activity were decreased during soaking in 0.5% sodium bicarbonate; it was the same for the protein solubility in different solutions, while the in-vitro protein digestibility and available lysine were increased.

Legumes-whey weaning food: storage studies.

Legume-whey weaning foods formulas were stored for 6 months in aluminum foil coated by polyester at room temperature (22-25 degrees C) and refrigerator (4 degrees C). Peroxide values and free fatty acids values of weaning food formulas reached to its maximum after 3 and 2 months, respectively, and after that continuously decreased during storage. Thio-barbituric acid values of all samples increased gradually throughout the storage period at different condition of storage (room temperature and refrigerator). The protein in-vitro digestibility of all samples was not affected during storage. Protein solubility index in distilled water, 5% NaCl and 5% sucrose decreased with different obvious rates, but bulk density of weaning food formula decreased within a very narrow ranges during storage period. Total bacterial counts as well as yeast and molds decreased gradually throughout the storage period at different conditions of storage, and cold stored samples became free from molds and yeast after 6 months of storage.

Effect of sesame seed proteins supplementation on the nutritional, physical, chemical and sensory properties of wheat flour bread.

Sesame products (sesame meal, roasted and autoclaved sesame meal, sesame protein isolate and concentrate) were added to Red wheat flour to produce blends at protein levels of 14, 16, 18 and 20 percent. Dough properties were studied using a Brabender Farinograph. Loaves were prepared from the various blends using the straight dough procedure and then evaluated for volume, crust and crumb colour, crumb texture, flavour and overall quality. The water absorption, development time and dough weakening were increased (p < 0.05) as the protein level increased in all blends; however, dough stability decreased. Sesame products could be added to wheat flour up to 18 percent protein level (sesame protein isolate) and up to 16 percent protein level (other sesame products) without any observed detrimental effect on bread sensory properties. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were recorded in loaf volume between control and breads containing sesame protein isolate (up to 18 percent protein level) and either autoclaved sesame meal or sesame protein concentrate (up to 14 percent protein level). Addition of sesame products increased the content not only of protein but also minerals and total essential amino acids, especially lysine. The addition also improved in-vitro protein digestibility.

Biochemical studies of some non-conventional sources of proteins. Part 7. Effect of detoxification treatments on the nutritional quality of apricot kernels.

Detoxification of apricot kernels by soaking in distilled water and ammonium hydroxide for 30 h at 47 degrees C decreased the total protein, non-protein nitrogen, total ash, glucose, sucrose, minerals, non-essential amino acids, polar amino acids, acidic amino acids, aromatic amino acids, antinutritional factors, hydrocyanic acid, tannins and phytic acid. On the other hand, removal of toxic and bitter compounds from apricot kernels increased the relative content of crude fibre, starch, total essential amino acids. Higher in-vitro protein digestibility and biological value was also observed. Generally, the detoxified apricot kernels were nutritionally well balanced. Utilization and incorporation of detoxified apricot kernel flours in food products is completely safe from the toxicity point of view.