Natalia Bączek

Application of dairy proteins as technological and nutritional improvers of calcium-supplemented gluten-free bread.

Effect of dairy proteins on gluten-free dough behavior, and nutritional and technological properties of gluten-free bread was evaluated. Experimental doughs, containing dairy powders, showed low consistency. Obtained gluten-free breads were rich in proteins, and, regarding the energy value delivered by proteins, they could be considered as a source of proteins or high in proteins. Applied dairy proteins affected the technological properties of experimental breads causing a significant (p < 0.05) increase of the specific volume, crust darkening, and crumb lightness, depending on the dairy supplementation level, rather than the protein type. Dairy proteins incorporated at a 12% level, significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the hardness; nevertheless, the highest amount of proteins tested led to the opposite effect. These results indicate that milk proteins tested could be successfully added to gluten-free bread with beneficial effects on technological and nutritional properties.

Effect of liquid-state fermentation on the antioxidant and functional properties of raw and roasted buckwheat flours

The influence of liquid-state fermentation (LSF) by selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Rhizopus oligosporus fungi on the content of rutin and total phenolic compounds (TPC), antioxidant capacity measured by ABTS test, FRAP assay and photochemiluminescence technique, and the inhibitory activity against formation of fluorescent advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in vitro of raw and roasted buckwheat flours was studied. LSF caused a slight, specific LAB-dependent increase in TPC and a decrease in rutin content. Fermented raw buckwheat flours contained higher amounts of rutin and TPC with one exception when the highest increase in TPC was noted in roasted flour fermented by fungi. A LAB-dependent difference in the antioxidant capacity of buckwheat flours was noted while the inhibitory activity of fermented flours against AGEs formation was generally reduced. It can be concluded that LSF with selected LAB and fungi may improve the antioxidant and functional properties of buckwheat flours.

The effect of tropospheric ozone on flavonoids and pigments content in common buckwheat cotyledons

Abstract Tropospheric ozone forms in photochemical reactions or by refuse burning and combustion of exhaust gases from engines, and during some industrial processes. The mean ambient ozone concentration doubled during the last century, and in many urban areas has reached the phytotoxic level. In the present study, there was determined the effect of ozone fumigation on levels of individual flavonoids, chlorophylls, carotenoids and total phenols in the cotyledons of four common buckwheat cultivars (Hruszowska, Panda, Kora and Red Corolla). Six-day-old buckwheat seedlings were grown in controlled conditions and treated with an elevated dose of ozone (391 μg · m−3) during 5 days for 1 h each day. After the experiment, the cotyledons of the seedlings were analysed for individual flavonoids, chlorophylls, carotenoids and total phenols. Shoot elongation was also measured. Individual types of flavonoids in buckwheat cotyledons were found to respond to an elevated ozone dose in various ways. The response was also dependent on the cultivar evaluated. In the cotyledons of ozonized buckwheat seedlings, contents of C-glucosides of luteolin and apigenin decreased or did not change depending on the cultivar examined. In the case of flavonols, the contents of quercetin-3-O-rhamnosyl-galactoside and rutin (quercetin-3-O-rhamnosyl-glucoside) were markedly reduced in most cultivars. O3 had no effect on the level of anthocyanins and chlorophylls but it decreased carotenoids, and tended to inhibit buckwheat growth. In conclusion, a thesis can be formulated that, due to high reduction in important flavonoids, an elevated level of ambient ozone decreases the nutritional value of common buckwheat seedlings.

Enhanced light intensity increases flavonol and anthocyanin concentrations but reduces flavone levels in the cotyledons of common buckwheat seedlings

The effects of two light intensities on the concentration of several flavonoids were investigated in the cotyledons of common buckwheat seedlings. The study was performed on four days old seedlings of cvs. Hruszowska, Panda, Kora and Red Corolla. One group of seedlings was grown under exposure to 180 ± 20 μmol · m−2 · s−1 photosynthetically active radiation, whereas the other group was exposed to 360 ± 20 μmol · m−2 · s−1. The experiment lasted 5 days. The results revealed that light intensity induces changes in the levels of flavonols and flavones. Increased light intensity contributed to a decrease in the concentrations of all flavone C-glucosides: orientin (luteolin-8-C-glucoside) and iso-orientin (luteolin-6-C-glucoside), and apigenin: vitexin (apigenin-8-C-glucoside) and iso-vitexin (apigenin-6-C-glucoside). Simultaneously, a substantial increase in the content of flavonols, i.e. quercetin O-glycosides, was found. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence to demonstrate the contrary responses of plant flavonols and flavones to light intensity. The content of anthocyanin also increased under exposure to higher light intensity. Our results indicate that quercetin O-glycosides can play a similar role to anthocyanins in the cotyledons of common buckwheat seedlings. Results of correlation analysis indicate that the increase in flavonol and anthocyanin concentrations in response to higher light intensity is maintained through reduced accumulation of flavones and proanthocyanidins.

Knowledge about coeliac disease: Results of survey conducted among persons screened using a self-administered transglutaminase-based test

Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune, gluten-related disorder occurring in genetically predisposed individuals. The keystone to CD management is a gluten-free diet (GFD). Recently, media have been promoting the application of a GFD, however, this is necessary only in gluten-related disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge on CD among individuals, who conducted a self-administered coeliac disease test. Three hundred adult volunteers took part both in the anti-tissue transglutaminase screening and the survey concerning knowledge on CD. Five positive CD tests were obtained, representing 1.67% of the analysed population. In general, the questionnaire respondents were familiar with the issue of CD. The majority of them correctly defined CD as gluten intolerance, and realized that it may occur at any age. Gastrointestinal problems were easily associated with CD, however, extraintestinal symptoms were less frequently recognized as a manifestation of this disease. A GFD was properly ...

UV-B radiation increases anthocyanin levels in cotyledons and inhibits the growth of common buckwheat seedlings

The impact of short-term UV-B treatment on the content of individual flavonoids and photosynthetic pigments in cotyledons and the growth of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) seedlings was investigated. Seeds of four common buckwheat cultivars were germinated in darkness over a period of 4 days and acclimatized for 2 days under a 16/8 h light/dark photoperiod at 24/18 °C day/night, and exposure to 100-120 μmol ∙ m-2 ∙ s-1 of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Seedlings were divided into three batches, including two batches subjected to different doses of UV-B (5 W ∙ m-2 and 10 W ∙ m-2, one hour per day) for 5 days, and a control group exposed to PAR only. Exposure to UV-B increased anthocyanin levels in the cotyledons of all examined cultivars, it inhibited hypocotyl elongation, but did not affect the content of photosynthetic pigments. Flavone concentrations increased in cv. Red Corolla and Kora, remained constant in cv. Panda and decreased in cv. Hruszowska. Exposure to UV-B decreased rutin levels in cv. Hruszowska, but not in the remaining cultivars. Cultivars Hruszowska, Panda and Kora appeared to be less resistant to UV-B than Red Corolla. Higher resistance to UV-B radiation in Red Corolla can probably be attributed to its higher content of anthocyanins and rutin in comparison with the remaining cultivars.