Cecilia E. Lupano

Properties of gels from whey protein concentrate and honey at different pHs

Abstract Structural and functional properties of heat-induced gels from whey protein concentrate (WPC)-honey prepared at pHs 3.75, 4.2 and 7.0 were analyzed. Gel structure was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the apparent transition temperature for protein denaturation was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The solubility of the protein components in different extraction media, and the water-holding capacity, firmness, elasticity, relaxation time, adhesivity, cohesiveness and color of gels were determined. Results show that disulfide interchange reactions are important in determining the elasticity, water-holding capacity, relaxation time and cohesiveness of WPC gels. Honey decreases the relaxation time of gels prepared at pHs 7.0 and 4.2, and increases the browning and the water-holding capacity of gels, the apparent transition temperature of WPC dispersions at the three pHs assayed, and the adhesivity of acidic gels. The solubility of the protein constituents of gels in a pH 8.0 buffer increases slightly at honey concentrations of 27.5% or more, which correlates with a decrease in the gel cohesiveness, having these gels a structure with smaller pores. The products obtained could be utilized in the formulation of different desserts, such as flans and cake and tart fillings.

Gelation of mixed systems whey protein concentrate–gluten in acidic conditions

Abstract Gels of whey protein concentrate (WPC)–gluten were prepared by heating WPC–gluten dispersions (10% whey protein/0–5–10% gluten protein, w/w; pH 3.75 or 4.2). Gels were characterized through solubility assays in different extraction solutions, measures of water-holding capacity (WHC), firmness, elasticity and relaxation time, and light microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of WPC–gluten dispersions was also performed. Gluten increases the firmness and elasticity of gels, mainly at pH 4.2. The WHC also increases with gluten content, being higher at pH 3.75 than at pH 4.2. Solubility assays indicate that electrostatic forces, hydrophobic and H bindings would be involved in maintaining the gel structure of WPC gels at pH 3.75 and 4.2, whereas in mixed gels of WPC–gluten, the principal forces responsible for the maintenance of the gel structure at these pHs would be hydrophobic and H bindings, and in gels prepared at pH 4.2 also disulfide bonds, but in a minor extent. The presence of gluten shifts the apparent transition temperature for whey protein denaturation towards lower temperatures. Gels with gluten present a smooth network with gaps and a more elastic appearance, as observed by light microscopy.

Crystallization of Honey at −20°C

Honeys from different regions of the province of Buenos Aires were stored at −20°C, and factors that affect crystallization were analyzed. Crystals were observed by light microscopy. Firmness, adhesivity and viscosity of the samples were measured. Honey was characterized by determining the water activity, turbidity, moisture, fructose, and glucose contents. Results show that the viscous characteristics of the samples depend on the number, size, and disposition of crystals. Various honey samples exhibited Newtonian, pseudoplastic, and thixotropic behaviors. Crystallization was favored at higher moisture contents, suggesting that the parameters that affect honey crystallization at room temperature have a different effect at freezing temperatures. Honey that presented higher values of firmness had a moisture content lower than 17%, and a linear inverse relationship was observed between the adhesivity and firmness of honey samples.

In vivo effects of Maillard reaction products derived from biscuits

The antioxidant activity, antihypertensive effect and prebiotic activity of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) derived from biscuits were investigated in Wistar rats. Animals were fed the following diets for 6 weeks: control (AIN-93 diet); Asc-diet (AIN-93 diet with ascorbic acid in the drinking water); HT-B diet (containing high amount of MRP derived from biscuits) and LT-B diet (containing negligible amounts of biscuit MRP). Serum antioxidant activity (FRAP, ABTS), as well as lipid peroxidation (TBARS) were determined at the end of the experiment. Results showed that dietary MRP reduced the food efficiency, increased the antioxidant activity of serum, increased the ratio between lactic and total aerobic bacteria, increased water-holding capacity of faeces and reduced blood pressure, but did not reduce mineral absorption. Therefore, the biscuit MRP functional claims could be demonstrated by an in vivo study.

Structure and Functionality of Whey Protein Concentrate-Based Products with Different Water Contents

Properties of different heated mixtures of whey protein concentrate, starch, gelatin, and sucrose with different water contents were studied. The water activity of samples was determined. The structural properties were analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy, solubility assays in different extraction solutions, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and differential scanning calorimetry. Color, texture, and water-holding capacity of samples were also determined. Results show that a certain water content it is needed to form a structure with solid characteristics in these mixtures. The temperature for starch gelatinization is lower than the temperature for whey proteins denaturation, but when sucrose is present, whey proteins are denatured, before the gelatinization of starch. Sucrose is major contributor to the adhesiveness of the samples and to the decrease of their water activity. Also, sucrose decreases the firmness and cohesiveness of the samples. The main component that contributes to the browning of the samples during the heat treatment is whey protein concentrate, whereas starch is the main component responsible for the water-holding capacity in these samples. Gelatin does not modify appreciably the properties of the mixtures in the proportion used in these assays.

Influence of Milk, Corn Starch, and Baking Conditions on the Starch Digestibility, Gelatinization, and Fracture Stress of Biscuits

ABSTRACT Dough for nontraditional semisweet biscuits—prepared with wheat flour or replacing part of the wheat flour with corn starch, with or without skim milk—was baked at two oven temperatures, 120 or 170°C, until reaching moisture content and water activity lower than 6% and 0.5, respectively. Assays of fracture stress, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and starch digestibility were performed. Results showed that biscuits containing milk had the highest fracture stress, and biscuits baked at low temperature were harder than biscuits baked at high temperature. The degree of starch gelatinization during baking was higher when dough was baked at 170°C, compared with dough baked at 120°C. The decrease in gelatinization coincides with the decrease in the height and surface of peaks at 15 and 23° in the X-ray diffraction patterns. Milk and corn starch did not affect the starch digestibility of biscuits, but biscuits baked at 170°C presented lower fracture stress and higher starch digestib...

Volatile compounds of Argentinean honeys: Correlation with floral and geographical origin

The determination of the botanical/geographical origin of honey provides assurance of the products quality. In the present work, honeys from different ecoregions of Argentina were analysed, and the possible link between the complete pollen profile of honey samples and their volatile composition was evaluated by multivariate statistical tools. A total of 110 volatile compounds were found and semiquantified in honey samples. Redundancy analysis showed significant correlations between the volatile profile of honeys and their production region (P = .0002). According to the present results, 3,8-p-menthatriene; cyclopropylidenemethylbenzene; 1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene; 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene; α-pinene; isopropyl 2-methylbutanoate; cymene; 2,6-dimethyl-1,6-octadiene; 3-methyloctane; 1-(1,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexen-1-yl)ethanone; terpinolene; ethyl 2-phenylacetate; naphthalene and 7 unknown compounds could be used to classify Argentinean honeys according to their geographical origin with a prediction success of 96%. Moreover, it could be concluded that honeys with Eucalyptus sp., Aristotelia chilensis and T. Baccharis pollen types presented some characteristic volatile compounds which could be used as floral markers.

Sensory and texture properties of “chipá”: Influence of ingredients and storage conditions of batter

Abstract “Chipá” is a gluten-free bread made with cassava starch and cheese. Usually, the batter is baked immediately and the product is eaten warm. In this study, the effect of refrigeration and freezing of batter, and the role of cheese upon “chipás” prepared with cassava or corn starch were analyzed. This may offer alternatives to the storage of batter, and contribute to the knowledge of the effect of refrigeration and freezing of batter in gluten-free baking products. Texture and colour were analyzed in batter and baked products. Volume, sensory quality and in vitro starch digestibility of “chipás” were also determined. The refrigeration or freezing of batter turned darker mainly the baked products containing cheese, probably due to the Maillard reactions between proteins and products of lipid oxidation. The “chipá” made with cheese and cassava starch was bigger, softer and gummier than that prepared with corn starch, and these properties did not change when the batter was frozen. No differences were found in the in vitro starch digestibility of “chipás” due to the batter storage conditions. Cassava starch was more digestible than corn starch. Freezing would be a good alternative to storage the batter of cassava starch and cheese.