Static headspace analysis of odorants in commercial rice proteins

Accurate identification of the odor-contributing compounds in aqueous slurries of rice proteins is necessary to improve their overall flavor characteristics. The objective of this study was to identify the primary odorants in rice protein slurries using static headspace analysis. Five commercial rice protein (RP) products, RP-G, RP-O, RP-RM, RP-RS1, and RP-RS2, were analyzed. RP-G contained the lowest levels of most of the odorants. Acetaldehyde was present in the highest amount in RP-O (0.434mg/m³). RP-RM had the highest levels of hexanal (5.907mg/m³), methanethiol (0.138mg/m³), pentanal (1.575mg/m³), and 2-pentylfuran (5.702mg/m³). Corresponding odor values were, 111, 86, 22 and 21, respectively. In RP-RS1 and RP-RS2, the predominant odorants were dimethyl disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, and hexanal. The results showed the importance of the volatile compounds produced from amino acids, including the sulfur-containing compounds and acetaldehyde, as well as lipid oxidation derived odorants to the overall odor of rice proteins.

Reactive sulfur species act as prooxidants in liposomal and skeletal muscle model systems

Reactive sulfur species (RSS) are redox-active sulfur compounds formed under conditions of oxidative stress that may be capable of initiating oxidation reactions. The objective of this research was to determine if two RSS, sulfite radicals and disulfide S-oxides (DSSO), induce oxidation in n-3 liposomes and muscle homogenates. Sulfite radicals and DSSO caused an increase in secondary oxidation products compared to the unoxidized control within 5 min of addition to liposomes. In muscle homogenates, DSSO caused immediate oxidation of sulfhydryls, whereas sulfite radicals caused a slow and linear oxidation of sulfhydryls and lipid. These results suggest that if conditions exist in muscle foods that promote the formation of RSS, they could be a factor in the course of lipid oxidation by either weakening antioxidant defenses or directly oxidizing lipid molecules.

Carbon-centered radicals in isolated soy proteins

Solid-state electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of commercial samples of isolated soy proteins (ISP) revealed a symmetrical free-radical signal typical of carbon-centered radicals (g= 2.005) ranging from 2.96 x 10(14) to 6.42 x 10(14) spins/g. The level of free radicals in ISP was 14 times greater than similar radicals in sodium caseinate, 29 times greater than egg albumin, and about 100 times greater levels than casein. Nine soy protein powdered drink mixes contained similar types of free radicals up to 4.10 x 10(15) spins/g of drink mix, or up to 6.4 times greater than the highest free-radical content found in commercial ISP. ISP samples prepared in the laboratory contained trapped radicals similar to the levels in commercial ISP samples. When ISP was hydrated in 2.3 mM sodium erythorbate or 8.3 mM L-cysteine, frozen and dried, the level of trapped free radicals increased by about 17- and 19-fold, respectively. The ESR spectrum of defatted soybean flakes contained overlapping signals from the primary free-radical peak (g= 2.005) and a sextet pattern typical of manganese-II. The manganese signal was reduced in the laboratory ISP and very weak in the commercial ISP.