Abir Mokni Ghribi

Structural, functional, and ACE inhibitory properties of water-soluble polysaccharides from chickpea flours

The present study aimed to characterize and investigate the functional and angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition activities of chickpea water-soluble polysaccharides (CPWSP). Physico-chemical characteristics were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis, and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Functional properties (water holding capacity: WHC, water solubility index: WSI, swelling capacity: SC, oil holding capacity: OHC, foaming, and emulsion properties) and ACE activities were also investigated using well-established procedures. The FT-IR spectra obtained for the CPWSP revealed two significant peaks, at about 3500 and 500 cm(-1), which corresponded to the carbohydrate region and were characteristic of polysaccharides. All spectra showed the presence of a broad absorption between 1500 and 670 cm(-1), which could be attributed to CH, CO, and OH bands in the polysaccharides. CPWSP had an XRD pattern that was typical for a semi-crystalline polymer with a major crystalline reflection at 19.6 °C. They also displayed important techno-functional properties (SWC, WSI, WHC, and OHC) that can be modulated according to temperature. The CPWSP were also noted to display good anti-hypertensive activities. Overall, the results indicate that CPWSP have attractive chemical, biological, and functional properties that make them potential promising candidates for application as alternative additives in various food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical preparations.

Effects of enzymatic hydrolysis on conformational and functional properties of chickpea protein isolate.

The impact of enzymatic hydrolysis by Alcalase on the conformational and functional properties of chickpea protein isolate (CPI) was investigated. The physicochemical, interfacial tension and surface characteristics of CPI and their hydrolysates (CPH) according to the degree of hydrolysis (DH) were also determined. These parameters were then related to the changes in the emulsification activity (EAI) and stability (ESI). The enzymatic hydrolysis was found to improve protein recovery and solubility, leading to a reduction in the molecular weight bands with a concomitant increase in the intensity and appearance of protein bands having apparent molecular mass below 20 kDa. The interfacial tension decreased from ∼ 66.5 mN m(-1) for CPI to ∼ 59.1 m Nm(-1) for CPH. A similar trend was observed for the surface charge which declined from -27.55 mV to -16.4 mV for the CPI and CPH, respectively. These changes were found to have a detrimental effect on the EAI and ESI values.

Nutritional and Compositional Study of Desi and Kabuli Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) Flours from Tunisian Cultivars

Two chickpea cultivars (Kabuli, Desi) were analyzed to determine and compare their physical characteristics, chemical composition and functional properties to one another. The main objective is to promote their use in food applications and open new opportunities for the development of effective techno-functional additives for use in a wide range of food for- mulations. Significant differences were revealed among the studied cultivars. Kabuli cultivar has significantly shown ( P≤0.05) higher protein content (24.51%), fiber content (21.86%) and lower Water Holding Capacity (WHC) compared to the Desi cultivar. The essential amino ac- ids were present in chickpea seeds except for tryptophan and cysteine. The sulphur-containing amino acid was the first limiting amino acid. The protein solubility-pH profile of chickpea powders revealed a minimum solubility in the pH between 4 and 5 ranging from 14% to 20% for Kabuli cultivar and 17% to 30% for Desi cultivar. Foaming capacity from different chickpea was observed in the range of 36.9-41% and found significantly different (P≥0.05). Emulsify - ing Activity (EA) decreased with the increase of flours concentration. Maximum EA (~20%) were observed for Kabuli cultivar. Gelation properties improved when flour concentration in - creased and the Least Gelation Concentration (LGC) was about 14% for Kabuli cultivar and 16% for Desi cultivar. Chickpea gels were evaluated for their instrumental textural properties. High-quality chickpea flour with improved nutritional properties and good functional proper - ties could beneficially be used in the formulation of food, such as meat, dairy and bakery prod - ucts.