Extraction and characterization of waxy and normal barley β-glucans and their effects on waxy and normal barley starch pasting and degradation properties and mash filtration rate

Exploring community succession and metabolic changes in corn gluten meal-bran mixed wastes during fermentation

Addressing the challenge of sustainable agricultural processing waste management is crucial. Protein sources are essential for livestock farming, and one viable solution is the microbial fermentation of agricultural by-products. In this study, the microorganisms utilized for fermentation were Pichia fermentans PFZS and Limmosilactobacillus fermentum LFZS. The results demonstrated that the fermented corn gluten meal-bran mixture (FCBM) effectively degraded high molecular weight proteins, resulting in increases of approximately 23.3%, 367.6%, and 159.3% in crude protein (CP), trichloroacetic acid-soluble protein (TCA-SP), and free amino acid (FAA), respectively. Additionally, there was a significant enhancement in the content of beneficial metabolites, including total phenols, carotenoids, and microorganisms. FCBM also effectively reduced anti-nutritional factors while boosting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances, such as dipeptides and tripeptides. The fermentation process was marked by an increase in beneficial endophytes, which was closely correlated with the enhancement of beneficial metabolites. Overall, FCBM provides a theoretical basis for substituting traditional protein resources in animal husbandry.

Cereal dietary fiber regulates the quality of whole grain products: Interaction between composition, modification and processing adaptability

The coarse texture and difficulty in processing dietary fiber (DF) in cereal bran have become limiting factors for the development of the whole cereal grain (WCG) food industry. To promote the development of the WCG industry, this review comprehensively summarizes the various forms and structures of cereal DF, including key features such as molecular weight, chain structure, and substitution groups. Different modification methods for changing the chemical structure of DF and their effects on the modification methods on physicochemical properties and biological activities of DF are discussed systematically. Furthermore, the review focusses on exploring the interactions between DF and dough components and discusses the effects on the gluten network structure, starch gelatinization and retrogradation, fermentation, glass transition, gelation, and rheological and crystalline characteristics of dough. Additionally, opportunities and challenges regarding the further development of DF for the flour products are also reviewed. The objective of this review is to establish a comprehensive foundation for the precise modification of cereal DF, particularly focusing on its application in dough-related products, and to advance the development and production of WCG products.

Fermentation enrichment, structural characterization and immunostimulatory effects of β-glucan from Quinoa

We developed an efficient mixed-strain co-fermentation method to increase the yield of quinoa β-glucan (Q+). Using a 1:1 mass ratio of highly active dry yeast and Streptococcus thermophilus, solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:12 (g/mL), inoculum size of 3.8 % (mass fraction), fermentation at 32 °C for 27 h, we achieved the highest β-glucan yield of (11.13 ± 0.80)%, representing remarkable 100.18 % increase in yield compared to quinoa β-glucan(Q-) extracted using hot water. The structure of Q+ and Q- were confirmed through Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. Q+ contained 41.66 % β-glucan, 3.93 % protein, 2.12 % uronic acid; Q- contained 37.21 % β-glucan, 11.49 % protein, and 1.73 % uronic acid. The average molecular weight of Q+(75.37 kDa) was lower than that of Q- (94.47 kDa). Both Q+ and Q- promote RAW264.7 cell proliferation without displaying toxicity. They stimulate RAW264.7 cells through the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, primarily inducing NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines by upregulating CD40 expression. Notably, Q+ exhibited stronger immunostimulatory activity compared to Q-. In summary, the fermentation enrichment method yields higher content of quinoa β-glucan with increased purity and stronger immunostimulatory properties. Further study of its bioimmunological activity and structure-activity relationship may contribute to the development of new immunostimulants.

Extraction, purification, structural characterization and pharmacological activities of polysaccharides from sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.): A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is an edible fruit with a long history in China as a medicinal plant. The fruits of H. rhamnoides are rich in a variety of nutrients and pharmacological active compounds. As one of the most important active ingredients in sea buckthorn, polysaccharides have attracted the attention of researchers due to their antioxidant, anti-fatigue, and liver protective qualities.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review summarizes recent studies on extraction, purification, structural characterization and pharmacological activities of polysaccharides from sea buckthorn. In addition, the relationship between the structure and the activities of sea buckthorn polysaccharides (SBPS) were discussed. This review would provide important research bases and up-to-date information for the future in-depth development and application of sea buckthorn polysaccharides in the field of pharmaceuticals and functional foods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

By inputting the search term "Sea buckthorn polysaccharides", relevant research information was obtained from databases such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, China Knowledge Network (CNKI), China Master Theses Full-text Database, and China Doctoral Dissertations Full-text Database.

RESULTS

The main extraction methods of SBPS include hot water extraction (HWE), ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), flash extraction (FE), and ethanol extraction. More than 20 polysaccharides have been isolated from sea buckthorn fruits. The chemical structures of sea buckthorn polysaccharides obtained by different extraction, isolation, and purification methods are diverse. Polysaccharides from sea buckthorn display a variety of pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-fatigue, liver protection, anti-obesity, regulation of intestinal flora, immunoregulation, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Sea buckthorn has a long medicinal history and characteristics of an ethnic medicine and food. Polysaccharides are one of the main active components of sea buckthorn, and they have received increasing attention from researchers. Sea buckthorn polysaccharides have remarkable pharmacological activities, health benefits, and broad application prospects. In addition, further exploration of the chemical structure of SBPS, in-depth study of their pharmacological activities, identification of their material basis, characterization of disease resistance mechanisms, and potential health functions are still directions of future research. With the accumulation of research on the extraction and purification processes, chemical structure, pharmacological effects, molecular mechanisms, and structure-activity relationships, sea buckthorn polysaccharides derived from natural resources will ultimately make significant contributions to human health.

Heat-moisture treated waxy highland barley starch: Roles of starch granule-associated surface lipids, temperature and moisture

Roles of temperature, moisture and starch granule-associated surface lipids (SGASL) during heat-moisture treatment (HMT) of waxy highland barley starch were elucidated. Starch without SGASL showed a higher increase in ratio (1016/993 cm-1) (0.095-0.121), lamellar peak area (88), radius of gyration (Rg1, 0.9-1.8 nm) and power-law exponents (0.19-0.42) than native starch (0.038-0.047, 46, 0.1-0.6 nm, 0.04-0.14), upon the same increase in moisture or temperature. Thus, removing SGASL promoted HMT. However, after HMT (30 % moisture, 120 °C), native starch showed lower relative crystallinity (RC, 11.67 %) and lamellar peak area (165.0), longer lamellar long period (L, 14.99 nm), and higher increase in peak gelatinization temperature (9.2-13.3 °C) than starch without SGASL (12.04 %, 399.2, 14.52 nm, 4.7-6.1 °C). This suggested that the resulting SGASL-amylopectin interaction further destroyed starch structure. Starch with and without SGASL showed similar trends in RC, lamellar peak area, L and Rg1 with increasing temperature, but different trends with increasing moisture, suggesting that removing SGASL led to more responsiveness to the effects of increasing moisture. Removing SGASL resulted in similar trends (RC and lamellar peak area) with increasing moisture and temperature, suggesting that the presence of SGASL induced different effects on moisture and temperature.

Interaction between potato starch and barley β-glucan and its influence on starch pasting and gelling properties

The interactions between potato starch (PtS) and barley β-glucan (BBG) were investigated by preparing PtS-BBG mixtures, and the pasting, rheological, gelling and structural properties were evaluated. Rapid viscosity analysis suggested that BBG reduced the peak and breakdown viscosity, while increasing the setback viscosity of PtS. PtS-12%BBG showed the lowest leached amylose content (12.02 ± 0.36 %). The particle size distribution pattern of PtS was not changed with the addition of BBG, and the median diameter of PtS-12%BBG (88.21 ± 0.41 μm) was smaller than that of PtS (108.10 ± 6.26 μm). Rheological results showed that PtS and PtS-BBG gels exhibited weak gel behaviors, and BBG could remarkably affect the elastic and viscous modulus of PtS gels. Textural analysis suggested that the strength and hardness of PtS gels were increased when few BBG (<6 %, w/w) was present in the system. BBG improved the freeze-thaw stability of PtS gels. Structural analysis indicated that hydrogen bonds were the main force in the PtS-BBG systems. These results indicated that BBG interacted with starch via hydrogen bonds, which delayed starch gelatinization and improved gelling properties of PtS gels. Overall, this study gained insights into starch-polysaccharide interactions and revealed the possible applications of BBG in food processing.

β-Glucan extracts as high-value multifunctional ingredients for skin health: A review

β-Glucans, which are naturally present in cereals, yeast, and mushrooms, have gained attention as a potential natural source for functional foods and pharmaceuticals. Due to the availability of β-glucans from several sources, different extraction methods can be employed to obtain high purity extracts that can be further modified to enhance their solubility or other biological properties. Apart from their known ability to interact with the immune system, β-glucans possess specific properties that could benefit overall skin health and prevent age-related signs, including soothing and antioxidant activities. As a result, the use of β-glucans to mitigate damage caused by environmental stressors or skin-related issues that accelerate skin aging or trigger chronic inflammation may represent a promising, natural, eco-friendly, and cost-effective approach to maintaining skin homeostasis balance. This review outlines β-glucan extraction methodologies, molecular structure, functionalization approaches, and explores skin-related benefits of β-glucans, along with an overview of related products in the market.

Comparison of quinoa and highland barley derived dietary fibers influence on the physicochemical properties and digestion of rice starch

This study investigated the potential of highland barley and quinoa dietary fibers, rich in β-glucan and pectin respectively, as cost-effective and nutritionally valuable physical modifiers for rice starch (RS). HPAEC revealed differences between the monosaccharide composition of soluble and insoluble dietary fibers sourced from highland barley and quinoa (HSDF, HIDF, QSDF and QIDF). Results from both RVA and DSC analysis revealed that the addition of low amounts of dietary fiber significantly modified the pasting properties of RS. Notably, the addition of quinoa soluble dietary fiber (QSDF) significantly inhibits the formation of a stable gel network in rice starch, even at low concentrations (0.1 %), as confirmed by rheological measurements. Furthermore, the incorporation of QSDF effectively reduces the content of rapidly digestible starch in rice starch by 15.6 % and increases the content of slowly digestible starch, from 23.36 % ± 3.02 % to 31.07 % ± 3.98 %. By leveraging the compositional richness of these fibers, this research opens up novel opportunities for developing functional food products with improved nutritional profiles, as well as for improving texture and reducing glycemic index (GI) in starch-based foods.

Effects of particle size on quality characteristics of stone-milled whole wheat flour

BACKGROUND

Whole wheat flour (WWF) prepared by the direct crushing method preserves all the components of the whole wheat grain. WWF with different particle sizes (180, 150, 125, 106, and 96 μm) was obtained by combining stone milling and particle size sieving technology. The effects of particle size on the proximate composition, farinograph, pasting, thermal, and functional properties, starch microstructure, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of stone-milled WWF were investigated.

RESULTS

The smaller the particle size of WWF, the higher the damaged starch content. The water absorption, degree of softening, pasting temperature, solubility, and syneresis of WWF increased steadily as the particle size decreased, whereas the peak viscosity, final viscosity, swelling power, water holding capacity, and enthalpy of gelatinization decreased. The scanning electron microscope micrographs revealed that the larger the particle size of WWF, the denser the distribution of starch granules. The β-sheet and β-turn contents of WWF with particle size 180 μm were the highest, reaching up to 33.85% and 39.79%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The particle size exerted influence on the quality characteristics of stone-milled WWF, and the overall properties of WWF were better at medium particle size. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Highland Barley Starch: Structures, Properties, and Applications

Highland barley (HB) is a nutritious crop with excellent health benefits, and shows promise as an economically important crop with diverse applications. Starch is the main component of HB and has great application potential owing to its unique structural and functional properties. This review details the latest status of research on the isolation, chemical composition, structure, properties, and applications of highland barley starch (HBS). Suggestions regarding how to better comprehend and utilize starches are proposed. The amylopectin content of HBS ranged from 74% to 78%, and can reach 100% in some varieties. Milling and air classification of barley, followed by wet extraction, can yield high-purity HBS. The surface of HBS granules is smooth, and most are oval and disc-shaped. Normal, waxy, and high-amylose HBS have an A-type crystalline. Due to its superb freeze-thaw stability, outstanding stability, and high solubility, HBS is widely used in the food and non-food industries. The digestibility of starch in different HB whole grain products varies widely. Therefore, the suitable HB variety can be selected to achieve the desired glycemic index. Further physicochemical modifications can be applied to expand the variability in starch structures and properties. The findings provide a thorough reference for future research on the utilization of HBS.