Roberto Gutiérrez-Dorado

Technological and Nutritional Properties of Flours and Tortillas from Nixtamalized and Extruded Quality Protein Maize (Zea mays L.)

ABSTRACT Nixtamalized and extruded flours from quality protein maize (QPM, V-537C) and tortillas made from them were evaluated for some technological and nutritional properties and compared with the commercial brand MASECA. Both QPM flours showed higher (P < 0.05) protein content, total color difference, pH, available lysine, and lower (P < 0.05) total starch content, Hunter L value, water absorption index, gelatinization enthalpy, resistant starch, and retrograded resistant starch than nixtamalized MASECA flour. Tortillas from nixtamalized and extruded QPM flours had higher contents of essential amino acids than tortillas from MASECA flour, except for leucine. Tortillas from processed QPM flours also showed higher (P < 0.05) values of the nutritional indicators calculated protein efficiency ratio (C-PER 1.80–1.85 vs. 1.04), apparent and true in vivo protein digestibility (78.4-79.1 vs. 75.6% and 76.4–77.4 vs. 74.2%, respectively), PER (2.30–2.43 vs. 1.31), net protein retention (NPR; 2.88–2.89 vs. 2.11),...

Technological properties, antioxidant activity and total phenolic and flavonoid content of pigmented chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars

Chickpeas are rich sources of highly nutritious protein and dietary fibre; the health benefits of consuming legumes such as antioxidant activity (AoxA) could be effective for the expansion of their food uses. The technological properties and antioxidant potential of five pigmented chickpea cultivars were evaluated. Protein content of the grains varied from 24.9 to 27.4 g/100 g sample (dw). The cooking time (CT) of the whole grains ranged from 90.5 to 218.5 min; the lowest CT corresponded to Black ICC3761 cultivar. The total phenolic content (TPC) and AoxA [oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value] varied from 1.23 to 1.51 mg GAE/g sample (dw) and from 5011 to 5756 μmol TE/100 g sample (dw), respectively; Red ICC13124 showed the highest ORAC value. The differences in technological properties and AoxA among cultivars could be used in chickpea breeding programmes. Chickpea cultivars could contribute significantly to the management and/or prevention of degenerative diseases associated with free radical damage.

Solid-state bioconversion of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) by Rhizopus oligosporus to improve total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and hypoglycemic functionality.

Abstract The objective of this investigation was to study the effect of time during solid state bioconversion (SSB) on total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AoxA), and inhibitory properties against α-amylase and α-glucosidase of chickpea. Chickpea cotyledons were inoculated with a suspension of Rhizopus oligosporus and incubated at 35 °C for 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96 and 108 h. The best time to produce bioprocessed chickpea (added with seed coats) flour with the highest AoxA was 108 h. SSB substantially increased TPC and AoxA of chickpea extracts in 2.78 and 1.80–1.94 times, respectively. At 36 and 96 h of fermentation, the SSB process improved in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition (AI and GI indexes) activities of chickpea extracts in 83 and 370%, respectively. SSB is a good strategy to enhance health-linked functionality of chickpea, due to improved TPC, AoxA and content of strong natural inhibitors of enzymes associated with diabetes.

Obtaining ready-to-eat blue corn expanded snacks with anthocyanins using an extrusion process and response surface methodology.

Extrusion is an alternative technology for the production of nixtamalized products. The aim of this study was to obtain an expanded nixtamalized snack with whole blue corn and using the extrusion process, to preserve the highest possible total anthocyanin content, intense blue/purple coloration (color b) and the highest expansion index. A central composite experimental design was used. The extrusion process factors were: feed moisture (FM, 15%–23%), calcium hydroxide concentration (CHC, 0%–0.25%) and final extruder temperature (T, 110–150 °C). The chemical and physical properties evaluated in the extrudates were moisture content (MC, %), total anthocyanins (TA, mg·kg−1), pH, color (L, a, b) and expansion index (EI). ANOVA and surface response methodology were applied to evaluate the effects of the extrusion factors. FM and T significantly affected the response variables. An optimization step was performed by overlaying three contour plots to predict the best combination region. The extrudates were obtained under the following optimum factors: FM (%) = 16.94, CHC (%) = 0.095 and T (°C) = 141.89. The predicted extrusion processing factors were highly accurate, yielding an expanded nixtamalized snack with 158.87 mg·kg−1 TA (estimated: 160 mg·kg−1), an EI of 3.19 (estimated: 2.66), and color parameter b of −0.44 (estimated: 0.10).

Enhancement of nutritional properties, and antioxidant and antihypertensive potential of black common bean seeds by optimizing the solid state bioconversion process

Abstract The aim of this work was to obtain a functional flour with enhanced nutritional properties, and antioxidant and antihypertensive potential from black bean seeds by optimizing the solid state bioconversion (SSB) process using a Rhizopus oligoporus strain. Response surface methodology was applied as optimization technique. A central composite experimental design with two factors [fermentation temperature (FT) = 30–40 °C/fermentation time (Ft) = 6–108 h] and five levels was used (13 treatments). The bioprocessed cotyledons from each treatment were dried, milled, and blended with its previously dried-milled seed coats. The best combination FT/Ft of SSB to obtain the functional flour was 38 °C/100 h. SSB increased the calculated protein efficiency ratio (from 1.59 to 2.40), antioxidant activity (from 13 948 to 22 733 µmol ET/100 g, dw), total phenolic compounds (TPC) (from 190 to 432 mg EGA/100 g, dw) and antihypertensive potential (IC50 from 95.57 to 0.0321 µg/mL). SSB is an effective strategy to improve the TPC of common beans for enhanced functionality.

Physical, Compositional, and Wet-Milling Characteristics of Mexican Blue Maize (Zea mays L.) Landrace

Mexico has the largest diversity of genetic resources for maize in the world, with about 59 different landraces. However, little is known about their wet-milling characteristics. The aim of this study was to determine whether 15 Mexican blue maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes of Elotero de Sinaloa landrace collected in the northwestern region of Mexico have suitable wet-milling properties. Great variability of physical, compositional, and wet-milling characteristics among these blue maize genotypes was observed. The FAUAS-457 and FAUAS-488 maize genotypes had similar starch yield and starch recovery as reported for the wet-milling industry, which indicated that they may be useful as a source of extractable starch. Residual protein levels in the starch fractions were in the range of 0.39–0.68%, and total solids recovery exhibited a mean value of 98.8%, indicating acceptable efficacy of the wet-milling process. This process afforded starches from blue maize genotypes with low protein contents. Wet-milling fracti...

Effect of extrusion on the carotenoid content, physical and sensory properties of snacks added with bagasse of naranjita fruit: optimization process

ABSTRACT Extruded third-generation snack foods (TGS) can be produced adding materials rich in bioactive compounds, such as the bagasse of naranjita fruit (Citrus mitis B.). The aim of this work was to study the effect of extrusion temperature (ET; 89.8–140.2°C), moisture content (MC; 21.10–32.89%) and dehydrated naranjita bagasse (DNB) content (1.12–11.88%) on TGS properties, such as, carotenoids content, physical and sensory characteristics. For data analysis, response surface methodology was used. The highest expansion index and the lowest penetration force were presented at high ET and low MC, whereas the highest carotenoids content and ΔE were presented at high DNB. Also, the highest sensory acceptability was presented combining high ET and MC, and low DNB. The optimal processing conditions were ET = 125°C, MC = 23% and DNB = 8.03%. TGS with acceptable physical and sensory properties, in addition to important carotenoid levels, were obtained.

Bioprocessing of common beans in diets for tilapia. In vivo digestibility and antinutritional factors

BACKGROUND Bioprocessing of ingredients by solid-state fermentation is a low-cost technique for preparing diets. It is performed by adding microorganisms such as Rhizopus oligosporus to bean grains, achieving minimal degradation of nutrients and a significant improvement in digestibility. In particular, fermentation induces favorable changes in beans by reducing enzyme inhibitors, such as phytates and tannins. RESULTS Fermentation significantly (P < 0.05) increased the protein content and digestibility of dry matter and protein compared with whole bean grains, and decreased the content of lipids, ash and phytic acid. Hardening did not have a significant (P > 0.05) effect on the chemical content of beans and digestibility of diets. The dehulled bean meal significantly (P < 0.05) increased protein and lipid content and digestibility of dry matter and protein of beans, and decreased fiber, ash and tannin content. The chemical content of beans and digestibility of ingredients compare favorably with those reported by other authors, indicating the benefits of fermentation and dehulling. CONCLUSION We concluded that bean meal obtained from fermentation or dehulling represents a low-cost alternative for diets for tilapia.

Botanas expandidas a base de mezclas de harinas de calamar, maíz y papa: efecto de las variables del proceso sobre propiedades fisicoquímicas

RESUMEN El calamar gigante (Dosidicus gigas) es de interés comercial como fuente de proteína, y presenta potencial para el desarrollo de productos alimenticios listos para consumir, entre las que se encuentran las botanas expandidas por extrusión (BEE). El objetivo fue determinar el efecto de las condiciones del proceso de extrusión sobre las propiedades fisicoquímicas de BEE elaboradas con 40% de harina de calamar (HC) y 60% de mezclas de harinas de papa (HP)/maíz (HM) en relación (p/p) 10/50, 30/30 y 50/10. Los mejores valores de índice de expansión (2,87), densidad aparente (0,14 g/cm3), firmeza (7,22 N), índice de solubilidad (27,76%) y de absorción (5,64 g H20/g muestra) en agua, fueron obtenidos con la mezcla de mayor contenido de harina de papa. Se concluye que es posible elaborar botanas expandidas listas para consumir a partir de harina de calamar, ricas en proteína (>40%) y con buenas propiedades fisicoquímicas.

Apparent digestibility coefficient of chickpea, maize, high-quality protein maize, and beans diets in juvenile and adult Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus )

The objective of our study was to assess the apparent digestibility of plant ingredients in diets for juvenile (50 g) and adult (220 g) Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Dietary dry matter and protein apparent digestibility coefficients of four plant-derived feedstuffs (chickpea, maize, high-quality maize protein, and beans) were tested. The beans diet had the lowest apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matter (ADCDM) (69.41%), while no significant differences were detected in ADCDM among the other diets; ADCDM was significantly higher in adults compared with juveniles (77.02 vs. 73.76%). Apparent dry matter digestibility coefficient of ingredients (ADCI) was significantly higher in the chickpea (70.48%) and high-quality protein maize (71.09%) ingredients, and lower in the beans (52.79%) ingredient. Apparent dry matter digestibility coefficient of ingredients was significantly higher in juveniles compared with adults (72.56 vs. 56.80%). The protein digestibility of diet (ADCCP) was significantly higher in the reference diet (93.68%), while the lowest corresponded to the maize (87.86%) and beans (87.29%) diets. Significantly lower apparent digestibility coefficient of protein (ADCICP ) was obtained with the high-quality maize protein (59.11%) and maize (49.48%) ingredients, while higher ADCICP was obtained with the chickpea and beans ingredients (71.31 and 63.89%, respectively). The apparent digestibility coefficient of ingredient crude protein ADCICP was significantly higher in juveniles compared with adults (67.35 vs. 53.46). Digestibility is generally higher in juveniles, and we recommend using chickpea as an ingredient in diets for Nile tilapia.