Effect of Hydrogen-Enriched Solvents on the Extraction of Phytochemicals in Propolis

Propolis, one of the most important bee products, cannot be used in its raw form. The efficiency of the bioactive components of propolis increases with the extraction process. The choice of solvent to be used in the extraction of propolis is effective in determining the properties of the extract. Ethanol is the most widely used solvent, which significantly increases the efficiency of its bioactive components in the extraction of propolis. Effective nonalcohol-based extraction techniques have become important since alcohol-based extracts cause some discomfort and cannot be used in people with alcohol intolerance. The use of water in propolis extraction is less preferred than ethanol because it does not thoroughly dissolve the bioactive components. In this study, the effect of incorporating hydrogen into solvents (water, ethanol, and methanol) on the extraction of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activities, and phenolic compound profile of the propolis sample was evaluated. Incorporation of H₂ into water, ethanol, and methanol led to an increase in total phenolic content by 19.08, 5.43, and 12.71% and in the total flavonoid content by 28.97, 17.13, and 2.06%, respectively. Besides, the highest increases in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) scavenging activities were observed in hydrogen-rich water (4.4%) and hydrogen-rich ethanol (32.4%) compared to their counterparts, respectively. On the other hand, incorporation of H₂ into different solvents led to significant increases in different phenolics, and it was observed that the level of change was dependent on the type of the phenolic compound and the solvent used. This study is important in terms of using hydrogen-enriched solvents to extract phenolics from propolis for the first time. Using hydrogen-rich solvents, specifically hydrogen-rich water, was observed to be an effective method for the improvement of phytochemical extraction efficiency in propolis.

Evaluation of the impact of hydrogen-rich water on the quality attribute notes of butter

The effects of washing raw butter with hydrogen-rich water (HRW), prepared with hydrogen (H₂) and/or magnesium (Mg), on butter quality were investigated in this research paper. During the washing process, titratable acidity (TA) decreased by 12% for all washed samples. During the storage period, TA increased by 28% and 93% (control), 14% and 58% (H₂), and 10% and 66% (Mg) for the 60^th and 90^th days, respectively. Peroxide value (mEq O₂/kg) increased to 2.76 and 8.83 (control), 1.92 and 7.25 (H₂), and 2.02 and 8.12 (Mg) for the 60^th and 90^th days. HRW samples showed the lowest acid degree value (ADV) and the highest color notes (L*, C*, and h). The HRW treatment of raw butter has shown improving effects on the product without any harmful residuals in the final product or the environment.

Rheological and Microstructural Properties of Acidified Milk Drink Stabilized with Butternut Squash Pulp Hydrocolloids (BSPHs)

In this study, hydrocolloids from butternut squash pulp (BSPH) have been employed as stabilizers for the development of acidified milk drinks to evaluate their physicochemical, rheological, and microstructural properties. BSPH was obtained in the alkaline medium (yield of 630 mg of hydrocolloids/100 g of pulp), presenting 79.97 ± 0.240% carbohydrate and non-Newtonian-type shear thinning. Four acidified milk drinks (AMDs) were obtained with 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00% BSPHs and a control sample without BSPHs. The addition of BSPHs did not alter the proximal composition of AMDs with similar proximal values; also, the samples present typical behavior of non-Newtonian-fluid-type shear thinning adjusted to the Carreau-Yasuda model. Storage (G') and loss (G″) moduli values were slightly dependent on the frequency in most of the studied systems. Then, the addition of BSPHs retained their uniform internal structure and contributed to the stabilization of the products.

Composition, physicochemical properties of pea protein and its application in functional foods

Field pea is one of the most important leguminous crops over the world. Pea protein is a relatively new type of plant proteins and has been used as a functional ingredient in global food industry. Pea protein includes four major classes (globulin, albumin, prolamin, and glutelin), in which globulin and albumin are major storage proteins in pea seeds. Globulin is soluble in salt solutions and can be further classified into legumin and vicilin. Albumin is soluble in water and regarded as metabolic and enzymatic proteins with cytosolic functions. Pea protein has a well-balanced amino acid profile with high level of lysine. The composition and structure of pea protein, as well as the processing conditions, significantly affect its physical and chemical properties, such as hydration, rheological characteristics, and surface characteristics. With its availability, low cost, nutritional values and health benefits, pea protein can be used as a novel and effective alternative to substitute for soybean or animal proteins in functional food applications.

Rheological and physical properties of camel and cow milk gels enriched with phosphate and calcium during acid-induced gelation

The rheological properties of acid-induced coagulation of camel and cow milk gels following the addition of calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and hydrogen phosphate dehydrate (Na₂HPO₄*2H₂O) were investigated using a dynamic low amplitude oscillatory rheology. For a considered condition, the final values of storage modulus (G') and loss modulus (G″) of camel milk gels were significantly lower than those of cow milk gels. The increase of the added CaCl₂ levels improved significantly the gelation properties of camel and cow milk gels, since a reduction in the gelation time and an increase in the gel firmness were observed. Following the addition of Na₂HPO₄*2H₂O at 10 and 20 mM, no significant effect on the gelation rate and the firmness of camel milk gels was observed, while, a significant decrease in the gelation rate and firmness were observed for cow milk gels.