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The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of the popped amaranth flour on the rheology, chemical composition, protein digestibility and physical properties of hot-press tortillas elaborated with a wheat, oat and quinoa flour, compared with refined wheat flour. Mixolab C1 (dough stability) increased 33% with amaranth addition. Results showed that tortillas containing 5:5:20 oat:quinoa:amaranth increased 31.4% and 27.1% soluble dietary fiber and protein than control, respectively. Protein “in vitro” digestibility increased 1.02% and crude fat reduced 35.6%. Tortilla treatment 5:5:20 required same force to deform and to rupture at day 6, and showed a lower L* (16.1%) and higher a*(27.4) and b* (23.1%) than control. Texture acceptance was the same, and odor acceptance was lower for tortilla treatment 5:5:20, compared to control. The partial replacement of wheat flour with amaranth:quinoa:oat flour positively influences the protein content, total dietary fiber content and protein digestibility of tortillas.

Abstract Sorghum has been used for brewing European beers but its malt generally lower beer yields and alcohol contents. The aim of this research was to produce lager beers using worts from sorghum malted with and without Aspergillus oryzae inoculation. Worts adjusted to 15° Plato from the sorghum malt inoculated with 1% A. oryzae yielded 21.5% and 5% more volume compared to sorghum malt and barley malt worts, respectively. The main fermentable carbohydrate in all worts was maltose. Glucose was present in higher amounts in both sorghum worts compared to barley malt worts. Sorghum–A. oryzae beer had similar specific gravity and alcohol compared to the barley malt beer. Sorghum–A. oryzae beer contained lower amounts of hydrogen sulfide, methanethiol, butanedione, and pentanedione compared to barley malt beer. Sorghum–A. oryzae lager beer had similar yield and alcohol content compared to the barley malt beer but differed in color, key volatiles and aromatic compounds.

The study of emotional responses from consumers toward beer products is an important digital tool to obtain novel information about the acceptability of beers and their optimal physicochemical composition. This research proposed the use of biometrics to assess emotional responses from Mexican beer consumers while tasting top- and bottom-fermented samples. Furthermore, a novel emotional validation assessment using proven evoking images for neutral, negative, and positive emotions was proposed. The results showed that emotional responses obtained from self-reported emoticons and biometrics are correlated to the specific emotions evoked by the visual, aroma, and taste aspects of beers. Consumers preferred bottom-fermentation beers and disliked the wheat-based and higher-bitterness samples. Chemical compounds and concentrations were in accordance to previously reported research for similar beer styles. However, the levels of hordenine were not high enough to evoke positive emotions in the biometric assessment, which opens additional research opportunities to assess higher concentrations of this alkaloid to increase the happiness perception of low or non-alcoholic beers.

Powder beverage bases were developed using extruded and hydrolyzed chickpea supernatant through freeze-drying. This study evaluated the effects of spray-drying and adjuvant incorporation for producing powders and supernatant fermentation with LAB strains prior freeze-drying on the carbohydrate composition, structural integrity, and physical properties of chickpea beverage base powders. All powders had low insoluble (

BackgroundCognition and brain function is critical through childhood and should be improved with balanced diets. Incorporating bioactive ingredients such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 PUFAs) and probiotics into food formulations could be used as an approach to improve cognitive function. This study evaluated the effects on cognitive capacity of complementing rodent diets with chocolate, by itself and in combination with ω3 PUFAs from fish oil and probiotics.MethodsSpatial learning and memory in the rats were determined by the Barnes maze test in short- and long-term memory. Samples from the cecum were obtained to assess microbial counts (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterobacteriaceae, and total bacteria), and brains were recovered to analyze the neural morphology of the tissues. Also, glucose, brain weights, and epididymal tissue were analyzed.ResultsThe combination of chocolate with fish oil and probiotics improved the memory of rats compared to the result of each bioactive compound when evaluated separately. Treatments did not affect sugar level, epididymal adipose tissue, or brain weight. On the other hand, consuming probiotics alone or in combination with chocolate decreased Enterobacteria counts, while Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria counts were not affected. Neural morphological analysis showed that combining chocolate with probiotics and ω3 PUFAs increased the number of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions.ConclusionChocolate added with probiotics and ω3 PUFAs improved spatial memory and learning in the studied model.

The high rate of deaths around the world from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) (70%) is a consequence of a poor diet lacking in nutrients and is linked to lifestyle and environmental conditions that together trigger predisposing factors. NCDs have increased 9.8% of public health spending worldwide, which has been increasing since 2000. Hence, international organizations such as the WHO, the Pan American Health Organization, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations have been developing strategic plans to implement government and economic policies to strengthen programs in favor of food security and nutrition. A systematic review is presented to document an analysis of the origin and characteristics of obesity, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, and cancers affecting a large part of the world’s population. This review proposes a scientifically based report of functional foods including fruits, vegetables, grains, and plants, and how their bioactive compounds called nutraceuticals—when consumed as part of a diet—benefit in the prevention and treatment of NCDs from an early age. Multifactorial aspects of NCDs, such as culture and eating habits, are limitations to consider from the clinical, nutritional, and biochemical points of view of everyone who suffers from them.

This research aimed to characterize the physicochemical, in vitro digestion, and structural features of digestion residues of maize and sorghum starches subjected to thermoplastic extrusion, along with the influence of Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate (SSL), to obtain improved starches for food applications and to understand their behavior when consumed as a food ingredient. The morphology of the extruded materials showed remanent starch granules when SSL was used. A higher amount of medium and large linear glucan chains were found in these particles, influencing higher thermal stability (ΔH ≈ 4 J/g) and a residual crystallinity arrangement varying from 7 to 17% in the extrudates. Such structural features were correlated with their digestibility, where slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) fractions ranged widely (from 18.28 to 27.88% and from 0.13 to 21.41%, respectively). By analyzing the data with a Principal component analysis (PCA), we found strong influences of B2 and B3 type chains on the thermal stability of the extrudates. The amylose and smaller glucan chains (A and B1) also significantly affected the emulsifying and foam stability properties. This research contributes to the molecular knowledge of starch in extruded products with broad food applications.

Edible insects have been proposed as a good source of different nutrients including protein. However, the nutritional value of edible insects could be affected by several factors that must be considered in order to enhance their potential application in food. In this work, the effect of feeding two different diets, alfalfa and maize green fodder, on the chemical composition of edible grasshopper (Sphenarium purpurascens) consumed in Mexico was assessed. The dry matter, crude protein content, amino acid profile, in vitro protein digestibility, crude fat, and insoluble fiber content differed significantly between grasshoppers fed with alfalfa and maize (p-value < 0.05). Grasshoppers fed with alfalfa showed an increment of 10% in essential amino acid index and biological value compared to grasshopper fed with maize green fodder. Our results demonstrate that the nutritional composition of edible grasshopper S. purpurascens can be modified through diet resulting in an increase in its nutritional value.

Wounding stress induces the accumulation of phenolics in carrots. However, its effect on cell-wall constituents has not been studied. Extrusion generates modifications in high-fiber food matrices. In this study, the combined effect of wounding stress and extrusion on cell-wall constituents and functional properties of carrots was evaluated. Wounding stress was applied by shredding carrots and storing the tissue (48 h/15°C). The stressed tissue (wounding stress carrot, WSC) was dehydrated and then extruded at temperature, 60 or 100°C, and screw configuration, continuous or expansion. Extrudates were milled and analyzed for cell-wall constituents and other physicochemical parameters. Cellulose content increased (112%) as a response to wounding. Furthermore, extrudates obtained from WSC showed higher content of cell-wall components. For instance, insoluble and total lignin content increased (54–84%) with extrusion conditions. Furthermore, WSC showed higher oil absorption index and lower water solubility index (WSI); whereas extrudates showed the highest WSI.

In recent times, insects have gained attention because of their nutritional characteristics as well as the environmental advantages of their production. In this research, the effect of the diet of grasshoppers (Sphenarium purpurascens) under controlled conditions on their chemical and nutritional content was studied. The insects were divided into two groups: maize leaf-fed grasshoppers (MFG) and soy sprout-fed grasshoppers (SFG). To evaluate the changes in composition, chemical analysis (protein, fiber, fat, ashes, and chitin) was carried out in triplicate according to AOAC procedures, and a Student’s t-test was used to determine any significant differences. The results showed a higher content of crude protein, in vitro protein digestibility percentage, and sum of non-essential amino acids (NEAAs) in the MFG samples compared with the SFG samples. The total dietary fiber, insoluble dietary fiber, soluble dietary fiber, sum of the EAA, non-essential amino acid percentage (EAA%), and biological value percentage (BV%) were higher in the SFG than the MFG, while in the amino acid profile and chitin content, no significant differences were obtained, although an increase in oleic acid in the SFG was observed. In FTIR, a β-sheet appeared in the SFG, which could be related to the low in vitro protein digestibility. The use of a soy sprout diet caused changes in the chemical composition and nutritional content of grasshoppers. This represents an opportunity to improve their nutritional value for commercial interests.

Soybean milk powder (SMP) and amaranth flour (AF) can improve the nutritional profile of bakery products. Nonetheless, these ingredients can impart undesirable effects on batter rheology and product texture. In this study, the effect of three additives (carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC), sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL), guar–xanthan gum mix (GX)) was evaluated on batter rheology and the physical, chemical and textural parameters of muffins baked with SMP and AF. Protein content was increased in all muffins made with SMP–AF. SMP–AF also increased muffins’ hardness and chewiness, but additives distinctively counteracted this effect on texture, crumb total color difference and specific volume. Of all additives, SSL ameliorated the effect of SMP–AF on the batter’s rheology. Overall results indicate that muffins’ nutritional value can be improved by using ingredients such as SMP and AF. Moreover, SSL can be added to muffins’ formulations to compensate the effect of SMP and AF on textural and rheological characteristics.

Chocolate is an adequate matrix to deliver bioactive ingredients. However, it contains high sugar levels, one of the leading causes of chronic degenerative diseases. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of milk chocolate reformulation with alternative sugar sweeteners (Sw; isomalt + stevia), probiotics (Prob), and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on its physicochemical properties and consumers’ acceptability. Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (L. p299v) and Lactobacillus acidophilus La3 (DSMZ 17742) were added as Prob strains, and fish oil (FO) was added as the source of ω-3 PUFAs. Prob addition resulted in chocolates with >2 × 107 colony forming unit (CFU) per serving size (12 g). Except for Prob, aw values of all treatments were

Wounding stress was applied to carrot to obtain a nutraceutical-rich carrot powder (stressed-carrot powder, SCP) that contained 522, 225, and 23% more chlorogenic acid, total phenolics, and dietary fiber, respectively, compared to regular carrot powder. Tortillas were produced by substituting nixtamalized corn flour with 10% w/w dry weight (DW) of SCP, showing considerable sensory acceptability, and causing an increase in masa elasticity and deformation resistance. Furthermore, SCP substitution induced a change in color of tortillas to yellow, but did not affect cohesiveness and adhesiveness of masa, neither the dimensions, rollability, texture, nor shelf-life of tortillas. Unlike regular tortillas, 10% SCP tortillas had chlorogenic acid, β-carotene, α-carotene, and lutein (270, 39, 36, and 15 µg/g DW, respectively), 155% more total phenolics, and 35% more dietary fiber. SCP is a suitable ingredient for nutraceutical enhancement of foods, which could greatly aid in the prevention of chronic and degenerative diseases.

In this study, a milk chocolate formulation was developed to serve as vehicle of Omega-3 (ω3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and probiotics (L. plantarum 299v and L. rhamnosus GG). Fish oil (FO) was incorporated in chocolate as a source of ω3 PUFAs. Probiotics (Prob) and FO were added during tempering, obtaining chocolates with 76.0 ± 5.2 mg (FO1) or 195.8 ± 6.5 mg (FO2) of ω3 PUFAs, and >1 × 106 CFU of Prob per chocolate portion (12 g). The physicochemical properties (rheological analysis, texture, surface instrumental color, aw, and fatty acid profile), and sensory acceptability of the formulations were determined. Prob and FO generated a decrease in L* and white index (WI) values. Except for Prob + FO2, all treatments showed a decrease in aw. Rheological parameters of FO1 and Prob + FO1 presented the most similar behavior as compared with the control. Prob or FO1 addition did not affect the overall consumer’s acceptability of chocolate; and when both nutraceuticals were combined (Prob + FO1) the product showed adequate overall acceptability. FO2 formulations were not considered adequate to maintain physicochemical properties and sensory acceptability of chocolate. Results indicated that milk chocolate is a suitable vehicle for delivering ω3 PUFAs and Prob, which are essential to enhance cognitive development in children.

Red cactus pear has significant antioxidant activity and potential as a colorant in food, due to the presence of betalains. However, the betalains are highly thermolabile, and their application in thermal process, as extrusion cooking, should be evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of extrusion conditions on the chemical components of red cactus pear encapsulated powder. Cornstarch and encapsulated powder (2.5% w/w) were mixed and processed by extrusion at different barrel temperatures (80, 100, 120, 140 °C) and screw speeds (225, 275, 325 rpm) using a twin-screw extruder. Mean residence time (trm), color (L*, a*, b*), antioxidant activity, total polyphenol, betacyanin, and betaxanthin contents were determined on extrudates, and pigment degradation reaction rate constants (k) and activation energies (Ea) were calculated. Increases in barrel temperature and screw speed decreased the trm, and this was associated with better retentions of antioxidant activity, total polyphenol, betalain contents. The betacyanins k values ranged the −0.0188 to −0.0206/s and for betaxanthins ranged of −0.0122 to −0.0167/s, while Ea values were 1.5888 to 6.1815 kJ/mol, respectively. The bioactive compounds retention suggests that encapsulated powder can be used as pigments and to provide antioxidant properties to extruded products.

The bioconversion of brewers’ spent grain into bioethanol was investigated in the present study using thermoplastic extrusion and the use of fiber degrading enzymes. The extrusion conditions i.e. tempering moisture, screws speed, and temperature of last zone of the barrel were taken into account in order to optimize the yield of C5 and C6 sugars during the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis step of the fibers. The most important variable that affected the sugar yield was the extrusion temperature, followed by the screws speed. The best extrusion conditions were 20% tempering moisture, 200 rpm and 50 °C. No enzymatic and yeast inhibitors were detected in any of the enzymatically-treated fiber hydrolyzates. The fermentation resulted in 5.43 mL bioethanol per 100g of extruded brewers’ spent grain (dry weight basis). The only sugar consumed was glucose. The free amino nitrogen amount quantified in the hydrolyzates was as low as >20 mg L-1, negatively affecting sugars consumption during the fermentation and consequently the ethanol yield.

The addition of flaxseed and amaranth on the physicochemical, functional, and microstructural changes of instant-extruded products was evaluated. Six mixtures with different proportions of amaranth (18.7−33.1%), flaxseed (6.6−9.3%), maize grits (55.6−67.3%) and minor ingredients (4.7%) were extruded in a twin-screw extruder. Insoluble and soluble fiber contents in extrudates increased as the proportions of amaranth and flaxseed increased. However, the highest flaxseed proportion had the highest soluble fiber content (1.9%). Extruded products with the highest proportion of flaxseed and amaranth resulted in the highest dietary fiber content and hardness values (5.2 N), which was correlated with the microstructural analysis where the crystallinity increased, resulting in larger, and more compact laminar structure. The extruded products with the highest maize grits proportion had the highest viscosity, expansion, and water absorption indexes, and the lowest water solubility index values. The mixtures with amaranth (18.7−22.9%), flaxseed (8.6−9.3%), and maize grits (63.8−67.3%) resulted in extruded products with acceptable physicochemical and functional properties.

Encapsulated powder of the red cactus pear is a potential natural dye for the food industry and a known antioxidant. Although the use of this powder is possible, it is not clear how it alters food properties, thus ensuing commercial acceptability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of encapsulated powder of the red cactus pear on the physicochemical properties of extruded cereals. The powder was mixed (2.5, 5.0, and 7.5% w/w) with maize grits and extruded (mix moisture 22%, temperature 100°C, and screw speed 325 rpm). The physical, chemical, and sensory characteristics of the extruded cereal were evaluated; extruded cereal without encapsulated powder was used as a control. All cereal extrudates pigmented with the encapsulated powder showed statistically significant differences (P

Effects of extrusion cooking and low-temperature storage on the physicochemical changes and resistant starch (RS) content in cornstarch were evaluated. The cornstarch was conditioned at 20%–40% moisture contents and extruded in the range 90–130 °C and at screw speeds in the range 200–360 rpm. The extrudates were stored at 4 °C for 120 h and then at room temperature. The water absorption, solubility index, RS content, viscoelastic, thermal, and microstructural properties of the extrudates were evaluated before and after storage. The extrusion temperature and moisture content significantly affected the physicochemical properties of the extrudates before and after storage. The RS content increased with increasing moisture content and extrusion temperature, and the viscoelastic and thermal properties showed related behaviors. Microscopic analysis showed that extrusion cooking damaged the native starch structure, producing gelatinization and retrogradation and forming RS. The starch containing 35% moisture and extruded at 120 °C and 320 rpm produced the most RS (1.13 g/100 g) after to storage at low temperature. Although the RS formation was low, the results suggest that extrusion cooking could be advantageous for RS production and application in the food industry since it is a pollution less, continuous process requiring only a short residence time.