A Renewable Source as a Functional Food: Chia Seed

Improving fried burger quality and modulating acrylamide formation by active coating containing Rosa canina L. extract nanoemulsions

During the frying of foods, undesirable reactions such as protein denaturation, acrylamide formation, and so on occur in the product, which has confirmed carcinogenic effects. The use of antioxidants has been proposed as an effective solution to reduce the formation of these compounds during the process. The current study aimed to assess the impact of an edible coating holding within chia seed gum (CSG) and Rosa canina L. extract (RCE) nanoemulsions on the physicochemical properties, oil uptake, acrylamide formation, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (HMF) content, and sensory characteristics of beef-turkey burgers. The RCE-loaded nanoemulsions were prepared using the ultrasonic homogenization method, and different concentrations (i.e., 10%, 20%, and 40% w/w) were added to the CSG solutions; these active coatings were used to cover the burgers. CSG-based coatings, especially coatings containing the highest concentration of nanoemulsions (40%), caused a significant decrease in the oil uptake and moisture retention, acrylamide content, and HMF content of fried burgers. The texture of coated burgers was softer than that of uncoated samples; they also had a higher color brightness and a lower browning index. Field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that RCE concentration less than 40% should be used in CSG coatings because it will cause minor cracks, which is an obvious possibility of failure of coating performance. Coating significantly (4-10 times) increased the antioxidant activity of burgers compared to the control. In conclusion, it is suggested to use the active coating produced in this study to improve fried burger quality and modulate acrylamide formation.

Nutritional and Functional New Perspectives and Potential Health Benefits of Quinoa and Chia Seeds

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) and chia (Salvia hispanica) are essential traditional crops with excellent nutritional properties. Quinoa is known for its high and good quality protein content and nine essential amino acids vital for an individual's development and growth, whereas chia seeds contain high dietary fiber content, calories, lipids, minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc), and vitamins (A and B complex). Chia seeds are also known for their presence of a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Both quinoa and chia seeds are gluten-free and provide medicinal properties due to bioactive compounds, which help combat various chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic diseases such as cancer. Quinoa seeds possess phenolic compounds, particularly kaempferol, which can help prevent cancer. Many food products can be developed by fortifying quinoa and chia seeds in different concentrations to enhance their nutritional profile, such as extruded snacks, meat products, etc. Furthermore, it highlights the value-added products that can be developed by including quinoa and chia seeds, alone and in combination. This review focused on the recent development in quinoa and chia seeds nutritional, bioactive properties, and processing for potential human health and therapeutic applications.

Proximate composition, pasting and functional properties of composite flour blends from cassava and chia seeds flour

The study established the proximate composition, pasting, and functional properties of cassava flour (CF) blended with chia seeds flour (CSF). Composite flour was prepared by blending CF with CSF in the ratios of 95:05, 90:10, 85:15, 80:20, and 75:25 with CF and CSF used as controls, respectively. The effect of blending significantly (p < 0.05) increased protein, fat, fibre, and ash contents as CSF increased. On other hand, moisture and carbohydrate contents decreased significantly. Pasting properties of composite flour blends decreased significantly (p < 0.05) as the incorporation of CSF increased and a noticeable change was observed for composite flour (75:25) except for peak time and pasting temperature. Functional properties of water absorption capacity (WAC) of CSF were significantly different with CF and composite flour blends. Oil absorption capacity (OAC) of CF and CSF were significantly different, while the composite flour blends had varied OAC due to the inclusion of the different amounts of CSF. The swelling capacity (SC) of CF and CSF were not significantly different, but composite flour blends were significantly different from both CSF and CF. The least gelation concentration (LGC) and bulk density (BD) increased significantly as chia seeds increased. Increased concentration of chia CSF in the composite flour blends showed to alter the functional properties. This study recommends composite flour 75:25 for processing semiliquid products like porridge due to reduced pasting properties values that may be associated with increased energy density compared to CF.

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Seed Germination: a Brief Review

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is a seed native to northern Mexico and southern Guatemala that has started to be consumed in recent years in other regions of the world owing to its nutritional and functional properties. Germination of chia seeds seems to be able to further improve these properties, and it has been the subject of some studies. In general, germination has proven to be a simple and inexpensive process capable of improving the content of phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity of foods, as well as reducing antinutritional factors that interfere with nutrient absorption. A particular characteristic of chia seeds is that they produce mucilage when they are hydrated. For this reason, the germination conditions of the seed need to be adapted. The nutritional guidelines of some countries, such as Brazil, Germany and Sweden, recommend that the diet of the population should be more plant-based, thus encouraging the consumption of foods with a high content of bioactive compounds and nutrients, e.g., germinated seeds. This review briefly explored the germination conditions of chia seeds as well as the changes in phytonutrient content and antinutritional factors after their germination process. The main information available in the literature is that germination of chia seeds can increase the contents of protein, fiber, and total phenolic compounds. As a conclusion, germination of chia seeds is favorable for increasing their health benefits and nutritional value. However, chia germination parameters should be adjusted and microbiological risks should be properly evaluated.

Salvia hispanica L. seeds extract alleviate encephalopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats: Role of oxidative stress, neurotransmitters, DNA and histological indices

CONTEXT

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder and may lead to cognitive dysfunctions.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work is to evaluate the potency of Salvia hispanica L. seeds (S. hispanica L.) (chia seeds) petroleum ether extract in attenuating brain complications associated with streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Phytochemical composition of the seeds extract, macro and micro elements, vitamins, protein, carbohydrate and caloric values were estimated. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg body weight (b.wt)). Glibenclamide as a reference drug was also evaluated. The biochemical evaluation was done by measuring levels of glucose, insulin, α amylase, glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HD), noradrenaline (NE), acetylcholinesterase (AchE), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), DNA fragmentation pattern and the histopathological profile of the brain hippocampus region.

RESULTS

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis revealed the presence of twenty-five fatty acid esters and twenty-two compounds. Column chromatography led to the isolation of nine compounds. Treatment with the seeds extract revealed improvement of the measured parameters with variable degrees.

CONCLUSION

Chia seeds extract succeeded to attenuate the neurodegeneration in diabetic rats. Thereafter, it could be potentially used as a new dietary supplement against diabetic encephalopathy.