Development of Quick Cooking Rice: Application of Salts and Enzyme Pretreatments

Quick cooking rice (QCR) samples were prepared by pretreating the rice with different salts (calcium chloride, sodium chloride, acetic acid and sodium citrate at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 %) and pancreatin enzyme solutions, followed by hydrothermal treatment and drying. The effect of these pretreatments was studied on various quality parameters of QCR samples viz. amylose content, grain elongation ratio during cooking, optimum cooking time (OCT) and rehydration ratio (RR); pasting characteristics, colour quality and sensory attributes. The whiteness index (WI) of QCR samples ranged from 87.9 to 91.8 as compared to untreated (89.56) i.e. raw rice. The amylose content decreased due to the pretreatments of rice with salts and enzyme in soaking solution, which ranged from 24.18 to 25.35 % in pretreated samples as compared to 31.18 % in raw rice. The minimum RR (1.57) was observed for QCR pretreated with acetic acid while other salts and enzyme pretreatments showed only a little change in the RR. Solid loss in QCR samples was less than untreated rice. The OCT of different QCR samples ranged from 4.88 to 7.41 min as compared to 19.22 min for untreated rice. Overall sensory acceptability for calcium chloride pretreated QCR was maximum (7.42) than other pretreatments. In view of maximum sensory acceptability, higher WI, lower cooking time and solid loss in cooking water; soaking of rice in 0.5 % calcium chloride solution followed by hydrothermal treatment and drying may be considered for production of QCR.     

Impact of Germination Time and Temperature on Phenolics,Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Different Coloured Soybean

Germination of legumes results in some important biochemical and nutritional changes that may improve their nutritional status and be beneficial to human health. Present investigation reports the effect of germination time (3 and 6 days) and temperature (20 and 30 °C) on the phenolic constituents, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of germinating soybean genotypes varying in seed coat colour. Germination at 30 °C for 3 days resulted in highest total phenols, flavonols, tannins, saponins, ascorbic acid and tocopherols in most of the genotypes. Both germination time and temperature significantly influenced the antioxidant activity in germinated soybean flour as compared to raw seeds. 2,2-diphenyl, 1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, total reducing power and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity were positively correlated with the total phenolic content (p < 0.05). Maximum contents of ascorbic acid, tocopherols and anthocyanins along with highest mean antioxidant activities were observed in germinating flour of black genotypes. Studies suggested that black coloured soybean seeds germinated at 30 °C for 3 days can be considered better from nutritional point of view than soybean with yellow, brown and green seed coat colour due to high antioxidants and low anti-nutrients.     

Wheat Flour Replacement by Wine Grape Pomace Powder Positively Affects Physical,Functional and Sensory Properties of Cookies

Winemaking is a very old practice. Generation of different wastes during winemaking is well known. Efforts are needed for appropriate disposal of these wastes rather than dumping them in open fields and creating environmental problems. Wine grape pomace has been recorded with nutritional and antioxidant properties. Present study was carried out by replacing part of wheat flour with wine grape pomace powder (WGPP) at levels of 5, 10, 15 and 20 %. While in case of control cookies were made without adding WGPP. Cookies were prepared using two stage method of cooky making. Wine grape pomace powder was added to dry ingredients. The addition of wine grape pomace powder increased antioxidant properties comprising ferric reducing antioxidant power, total phenol content, flavonoid and anthocyanin. Wine grape pomace powder imparts brown colour to cookies as compared to control. The colour intensity was increased with increasing concentration of wine grape pomace powder in cookies. Maximum colour intensity was observed in cookies obtained from T5. Addition of 5 % of wine grape pomace powder (T2) was registered with maximum score in the organoleptic testing. However, the availability of various constituents in pomace is affected by many factors like variety, harvesting at particular stage, maceration duration, yeast strains or culture used for winemaking, winemaking conditions, pressure used for separation of wine from pomace and pomace drying temperature etc. Focused and right efforts are needed to increase the acceptance of cookies having more wine grape pomace powder as consumers will get more antioxidants with cookies.     

Assay of Nutritional Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Three Dioecious Momordica Species of South East Asia

Phytochemicals including minerals, total phenolics, total flavonoids and antioxidant capacity were measured with ferric reducing antioxidant power and radical scavenging capacity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl or DPPH) in fruits of three wild/semi domesticated Momordica species (Momordica dioica, M. subangulata subsp. renigera and M. cochinchinensis) of south east Asia. Momordica dioica had significantly high crude protein (1.86 g/100 g), crude fat (1.0 g/100 g), total sugar (11.36 g/100 g), reducing sugar (9.6 g/100 g) and starch (8.72 g/100 g) in comparison to other species. Among the minerals analysed, phosphorus, iron and copper content was maximum in M. subangulata subsp. renigera (0.37 %, 119.80 ppm, 10.80 ppm respectively) while magnesium and zinc content was maximum in M. dioica (0.18 %, 37.40 ppm respectively). Interestingly, in contrast to all other minerals, manganese content was significantly higher in M. cochinchinensis (178 ppm). The total phenol, total flavonoids, DPPH and FRAP values ranged from 26.08 to 106.89 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g, 0.99–12.45 mg catechin equivalent/100 g, 43.56–81.73 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/100 g, 5.75–65.84 mg ascorbic acid equivalent anti-oxidant capacity/100 g, respectively. Among the species studied M. dioica showed the highest antioxidant activity as it contains total phenol (106.89 mg/100 g), total flavonoids (12.45 mg/100 g), DPPH (81.73 mg/100 g) and FRAP (65.84 mg/100 g). From the present study, it is concluded that these traditional vegetables may contribute in a significant way to the food and nutritional security and balanced diets of both rural and urban households besides being a potential source of natural antioxidant.     

Assessment of Morphological and Biochemical Diversity in Seabuckthorn (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hippophae salicifolia</Emphasis> D. Don.) Populations of Indian Central Himalaya

A survey was conducted in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts of Garhwal division of Uttarakhand state to assess morphological and biochemical diversity of Hippophae salicifolia, which is widely distributed at an altitude of 2,229–3,287 m asl. Sixteen naturally growing populations selected for the study showed wide variation among qualitative traits viz. fruit shape, fruit colour at maturity, seed shape, seed colour and plant architecture. Maximum number of fruits per 10 cm of fruiting branch was recorded in Dharali-1 accession (102), while maximum fruits weight was observed in Bhyundar accession (24.8 g/100 fruit). Highest juice percentage (74.38 %) and highest total soluble solids (10.0°B) was recorded in Hanumanchatti and Rambara stands, respectively. Acidity, recorded as % citric acid (4.26–6.73 %) and ascorbic acid (261.37–748.15 mg/100 ml) content in fruit pulp also showed wide range of variation across the populations. To ascertain the extent of variability observed at the morphological level, dendrogram prepared using euclidean distance revealed presence of three major clusters. Based on the morphological observations it was evident that large diversity exists in naturally growing populations of H. salicifolia in the Indian Central Himalaya, and this morphological variation can be exploited for the further selection of suitable genotypes to accelerate the domestication process of this important species.     

Ascorbic acid as an antioxidant in measurements of catecholamines in plasma

Sodium metabisulfite, commonly used to prevent the oxidation of catecholamines during extraction from plasma onto alkaline alumina, does not prevent their subsequent degradation in acetic acid eluates. However, ascorbic acid, a potent antioxidant, is extracted with the catecholamines onto the alumina and prevents such destruction. However, ascorbic acid may interfere with the electrochemical measurement of catecholamines, unless sequential oxidation and reduction are used. Other methods of minimizing catecholamine oxidation in acetic acid eluates include refrigerating at 4 degrees C and capping the sample vials to exclude atmospheric oxygen.     

VITAMIN STABILITY IN A TPN MIXTURE STORED IN AN EVA PLASTIC BAG

In order to examine the stability of vitamins in a TPN admixture stored in 3-litre plastic (EVA) bags, two different stability studies were performed. In the first experiment the TPN admixture was stored in darkness at 2–8°C for 96 h and the stability of vitamins determined. The vitamins examined were retinyl palmitate, α-tocopherol, thiamine mononitrate, sodium ascorbate (analysed as reduced ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid), sodium riboflavin-5′-phosphate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, nicotinamide, folic acid, biotin, sodium pantothenate and cyanocobalamin. In the second test the stability of vitamins was determined during simulated infusion from the bag containing the admixture. The vitamins examined were retinyl palmitate, α-tocopherol, sodium riboflavin-5′-phosphate and sodium ascorbate (analysed as reduced ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid). The vitamin stability was found to be acceptable for all vitamins except ascorbic acid and folic acid. Total ascorbic acid is the sum of reduced ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA). It is important to estimate the total ascorbic acid concentration because DHA is also biological active. About 50% of the nominal total ascorbic acid remained after 96 h of storage at 2–8°C in darkness, or after 24 h of simulated infusion initiated immediately after mixing. With folic acid there appears to be assay interference which requires further investigation.     

Effect of Pulsing on Postharvest Longevity of Cut Leaves of Lace Fern/Bridal Fern (Asparagus setaceus syn. Plumosus)

Loss of appealing quality characteristics and rapid desiccation within a short period after detaching from mother plants is one of the major problems in cut foliages. Effect of pulsing with benzyl adenine (BA), 8-Hydroxy Quinoline citrate (8-HQC) and sucrose on vase life of cut leaves of Asparagus setaceus syn. Plumosus was investigated. Two durations of pulsing viz., 12 and 24 h were employed. Pulsing for 12 h with BA (25 ppm) + 8-HQC (200 ppm) + 10 % sucrose resulted in higher fresh weight at senescence.The lowest physiological loss in weight was registered by the cut foliages pulsed for 24 h with BA (25 ppm) + 8-HQC (200 ppm) + 10 % sucrose. Pulsing the cut foliages for 24 h with BA (25 ppm) + 8-HQC (200 ppm) + 10 % sucrose resulted in the maximum uptake of water and registered the highest water balance. The lowest transpirational loss of water was found to be associated with foliages pulsed with 10 % sucrose alone for 24 h. The foliages pulsed with BA (25 ppm) + 8-HQC (300 ppm) + 10 % sucrose for 24 h registered lowest ratio between water loss and water uptake. Results suggest that application of 10 % sucrose+BA (25 ppm) + 8-HQC (200 ppm) as a pulse treatment for 24 h can be recommended to prolong the postharvest life (28.50 days) through delayed leaf senescence and thus enhance the marketability of cut leaves of Asparagus setaceus syn. Plumosus.     

Quantification of Antioxidant Contents in Sweet Pepper as Influenced by Planting Time and Fruit Picking Stage

The present study reports the quantification of changes in the contents of plant pigments and ascorbic acid as influenced by the planting time and fruit picking stages in sweet pepper. The crop was planted on five different dates at 10 days interval in randomized block design under open field conditions in temperate area to quantify the changes which took place in the contents of plant pigments and ascorbic acid in green and red fruits. The results showed that the planting time and fruit picking stage had significant (p ≤ 0.05) influence on plant pigments and ascorbic acid contents in sweet pepper. The last week of May was observed as the optimal planting time when fruits exhibited higher contents of lycopene, β-carotene and ascorbic acid. The red fruit picking stage had significantly higher concentration of these phytonutrients than the green picking stage. In order to pick-up fruits at right stage and time with high plant pigments and ascorbic acid contents, these results would help meet out the increasing demand of sweet pepper quality fruits.     

The use of fentanyl buccal tablets for breakthrough pain by using doses proportional to opioid basal regimen in a home care setting

The dose of rapid onset opioids to be given for breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) is controversial. Dose proportional to the basal opioid regimen seem to be safe and effective in hospital units. However, data in other less protected settings, like home care, are lacking. The aim of this open-label study was to assess the efficacy and safety in a group of patients with BTcP followed at home, after giving a dose of fentanyl buccal tablets (FBT) proportional to the opioid basal regimen, skipping the steps for dose titration. Consecutive patients admitted to a home care program presenting BTcP episodes and receiving stable doses of opioids for background pain were selected. Data from four consecutive episodes of BTcP were collected. For each episode, patients were instructed to routinely collect changes in pain intensity and severe adverse effects when pain got severe (T0) and to reassess the same items 15 min after FBT, given as a rescue medication in doses proportional to the daily opioid doses used for background pain (T15). One hundred twenty episodes of BTcP were recorded in 30 patients. One hundred eight episodes were defined as successfully treated, while 12 episodes required a further administration of opioids. Pain intensity significantly decreased at T15 (p?<?0.001). In 95.5 and 90.8 % of episodes treated, there was a reduction in pain intensity of more than 33 and 50 %, respectively. No relevant adverse effects were recorded, even in older patients. This study suggests that FBT given in doses proportional to the basal opioid regimen for the management of BTcP is very effective and safe in clinical practice in the home care setting.