Showing papers in "Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition in 1984"

Milk proteins: physicochemical and functional properties

Abstract: Because of the growing trend toward widespread use of protein ingredients in food formulation and fabrication, an understanding of the relationships between the physical properties of proteins and their behavior in food systems is desirable. A range of milk-derived protein preparations, i.e., dry milk, milk proteins, caseins, whey proteins, and lactalbumin, are used in a range of food products for their specific functional attributes. In this paper some of the apparent relationships between the properties of the protein components and specific functional properties are discussed. Thus, the roles of milk proteins in determining some important physical characteristics (i.e. color, bulk density, sinkability, dispersibility) of milk powders and their involvement in a range of functional properties (water holding, solubility, rheological behavior, gelation, film formation, emulsification, and foaming) are reviewed. Because of the various methods and conditions used in determining functional properties and the variability in composition of preparations it is difficult to compare data and/or reconcile differences in published information. The desirability of developing standard methods is emphasized.

Influence of time, temperature, moisture, ingredients, and processing conditions on starch gelatinization.

Abstract: Starch gelatinization phenomena is extremely important in many food systems. This review focuses on factors affecting gelatinization characteristics of starch. Important variables which must be considered in design of processes in which starch undergoes gelatinization are heat of gelatinization and temperature of gelatinization. Major interactions are reviewed for the effects of lipids, moisture content, nonionic constituents and electrolytes on these characteristics. Furthermore, treatment of starch-containing systems prior to heating into the gelatinization temperature range can have a significant effect on ultimate gelatinization characteristics.

Starch digestibility of foods: A nutritional perspective

Abstract: Dietary starch varies greatly in digestibility and its effects on the utilization of other nutrients. The variation appears to be due to differences in starch components and their crystallinity. Processing treatments, storage conditions, chemical modification, and genetic breeding influence the digestibility of starch. Cereal starches are generally more digestible than root/tuber and legume starches. Although cooking often significantly improves the digestibility of poor and intermediately digestible starches, some foods such as bananas with starches of these types are consumed uncooked. The efficient digestion of starch is especially important to specific groups of people such as infants under 6 months of age. Ruminants must also be provided with highly digestible starch to assure maximum production efficiency. Poor digestibility of starch may have negative effects on the utilization of protein and minerals but is likely to have positive effects on the availability of certain vitamins. Decreases in the rate of starch digestion may have therapeutic application. Most clinical studies have reported that starch blockers do not elicit a significant decrease in the digestion of starch in humans. Much remains to be learned, clarified, and understood about starch digestion and its effects on diabetes and weight control.

The role of collagen in the quality and processing of fish

Abstract: Collagen in the muscles of fish constitutes the main component of the connective tissue membranes joining individual myotomes and is responsible for the integrity of the fillets. The content of collagen in fish muscles is from about 0.2 to 1.4% and in squid mantel about 2.6%. Fish and invertebrata collagens contain slightly more essential amino acids than intramuscular bovine connective tissue collagen. The invertebrata collagens are exceptionally rich in sugars linked mainly O-glycosidically to hydroxylysine residues. During maturation of fish the proportion of collagen to total protein in the muscles increases while the extent of crosslinking does not change significantly. The thermal properties of fish collagens depend significantly on the content of hydroxyproline and proline residues which in turn is correlated to the temperature of the habitat. Generally the shrinkage temperature of fish skin collagens is about 20 degrees C lower than that of mammalian hide collagens. In several species of fish the weakening of the connective tissues post mortem may lead to serious quality deterioration that manifests itself by disintegration of the fillets, especially under the strain of rough handling and of rigor mortis at ambient temperature. Thermal changes in collagen are the necessary result of the cooking of fish, squid, and minced fish products and contribute to the desirable texture of the meat. However, they may lead to serious losses during hot smoking due to a reduction in the breaking strength of the tissues when heating is conducted at high relative humidity. Because of the high viscosity of gelatinized collagen, it is not possible to concentrate the fish stickwaters, a proteinaceous byproduct of the fish meal industry, to more than 50% dry matter. Better knowledge of the contents and properties of fish collagens could be helpful in rationalizing many aspects of fish processing.

Freeze concentration of fruit juices

Abstract: Concentration of aqueous foods such as fruit juices, milk, beer, wine, coffee, and tea, is a major unit operation in the food industry. Technically feasible processes that are commercially available for the concentration of liquid foods include evaporation, freeze concentration, reverse osmosis, and ultrafiltration. Evaporation is considered to be the most economical and most widely used method of concentration. However, it is not suited for food products with very delicate flavors. Commercial processes for the concentration of such products by membrane separation techniques are not yet available. As compared to the conventional evaporation processes, concentration by freezing is potentially a superior and economic process for aroma-rich liquid foods. In the past, the process, however, was seldom used because of the investment cost and the considerable loss of concentrate in the withdrawn ice, and hence, the quality. Recent technological developments have minimized these two drawbacks associated with the earlier freeze concentration processes. In the coming decade, freeze concentration is seen as a potentially attractive method for the concentration of aroma-rich liquid foods, including fruit juices, coffee, tea, and selected alcoholic beverages. In this article, several aspects of the theoretical considerations behind freeze concentration of fruit juices, the development of new and cheaper designs, and commercially available freeze concentration processes are reviewed. The economics of the process and its application to several other areas of the food industry are also discussed.

Dry beans of Phaseolus. A review. Part 2. Chemical composition: carbohydrates, fiber, minerals, vitamins, and lipids.

Abstract: Beans of Phaseolus are an important food crop both economically and nutritionally, and are cultivated and consumed worldwide. With ever rising costs of meats and fresh fruits and vegetables, dry beans are expected to contribute more to the human nutrition in coming years. Traditionally, they have been referred to as "poor man's meat" and have contributed significantly to the diets of many people of several countries in Asia, Africa, Middle East, and South America. In recent years, a renewed interest in bean research in Western European countries and the U.S. is evident. In this review, certain biochemical, technological, nutritional, and toxicological aspects are discussed and the limitations and problems associated with dry beans of Phaseolus as human food are addressed.

Technology of removal of unwanted components of dry beans

Abstract: Dry beans are one of the inexpensive sources of reasonable quality proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Their underutilization has been attributed to the presence of several factors, such as proteinase inhibitors, flatus factors, tannins, phytates, phytohemagglutinins, and the beany flavor. Removal of these unwanted components promises improved utilization of dry beans for human food purposes. The current methodology of removing these factors includes several food processing techniques such as soaking, dry and moist heat treatment, filtration, germination, and fermentation. The commercial feasibility of these processes will be discussed. The current lack of knowledge about deleterious effects of the residual components (remaining after processing) will be addressed and the needs for the future will be discussed.

Dry beans of Phaseolus. A review. Part 1. Chemical composition: proteins.

Abstract: Beans of Phaseolus are important food crops both economically and nutritionally and are cultivated and consumed worldwide. With ever‐rising costs of meats and fresh fruits and vegetables, dry beans are expected to contribute more to the human nutrition in coming years. Traditionally, they have been referred to as “poor man's meat” and have contributed significantly to the diets of many people of several countries in Asia, Africa, Middle East, and South America. In recent years, a renewed interest in bean research in Western European countries and the U.S. is evident. In this review, certain biochemical, technological, nutritional, and toxicological aspects are discussed and the limitations and problems associated with dry beans of Phaseolus as human food are addressed.

Radiation preservation of foods of plant origin. Part 1. Potatoes and other tuber crops

Abstract: In Part 1 of a planned series of articles on preservation of foods of plant origin by gamma irradiation, the current state of research on the technological, nutritional, and biochemical aspects of sprout inhibition of potatoes and other tuber crops are reviewed. These include varietal responses, dose effects, time of irradiation, pre- and postirradiation storage, and handling requirements; postirradiation changes in carbohydrates, ascorbic acid, amino acids, and other nutrients; respiration; biochemical mechanisms involved in sprout inhibition; wound healing and microbial infection during storage; formation of wound and light-induced glycoalkaloids and identification of irradiated potatoes. The culinary and processing qualities with particular reference to darkening of boiled and processed potatoes are discussed. The prospects of irradiation on an industrial scale as an alternative to chemical sprout inhibitors or mechanical refrigeration are considered.

Dry beans of Phaseolus: a review. Part 3.

Abstract: Beans of Phaseolus are important food crops both economically and nutritionally, and are cultivated and consumed world wide. With ever rising costs of meats, fresh fruits, and vegetables, dry beans are expected to contribute more to the human nutrition in coming years. Traditionally, they have been referred to as "poor man's meat" and have contributed significantly to the diets of many people of several countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America. In recent years, a renewed interest in bean research in Western European countries and the U.S. is evident. In this review, certain biochemical, technological, nutritional, and toxicological aspects are discussed and the limitations and problems associated with dry beans of Phaseolus as human food are addressed.

Single-cell protein: current status and future prospects.

Abstract: The consumption of microorganisms by man and animals is not a revolutionary new idea. For thousands of years man has consumed, either intentionally or unintentionally, such products as alcoholic beverages, cheeses, yogurt, and soya sauce and, along with these products, the microbial biomass responsible for their production. The rapid growth rate and high protein content of microbes and their ability to utilize inexpensive feedstocks as sources of carbon and energy for growth have made microorganisms prime candidates for use as human food and animal feed protein supplements. Yet, in spite of their promise, only a limited number of commercial-scale, single-cell protein (SCP) processes have been seen. Recently, with the advent of recombinant DNA technology a rebirth of interest in SCP has resulted. This review analyzes the answers to two questions: (1) how far have we come?; and (2) what impact, if any, will the new biotechnologies have in this field?

Winged bean in human nutrition.

Abstract: Protein calorie malnutrition is prevalent in many developing countries of the tropics and subtropics. Improvement of protein supply to meet the demand of a growing population necessitates utilization of unconventional protein sources. Winged bean, a high protein crop, is one of the important underexploited legumes of the tropics. All the plant parts, viz., seeds, immature pods, leaves, flowers and tubers are edible. Mature seeds contain 29 to 37% proteins and 15 to 18% oil. It has fairly good amounts of phosphorus, iron, and vitamin B. Essential amino acid composition of winged bean is very similar to that of soybean. The fatty acid composition is very much comparable to groundnut. It contains relatively high amounts of behenic acid and parinaric acid. The trypsin inhibitor in winged bean has been shown to be heat resistant. Other toxic factors such as hemagglutinins and cyanide have also been reported. Winged bean seeds are hard to cook. Soaking of seeds in the Rockland's soak solution containing sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium chloride, and sodium pyrophosphate reduces cooking time significantly. The potential uses of this important crop in human nutrition and future research needs are discussed.

Radiation preservation of foods of plant origin. Part 2. Onions and other bulb crops.

Abstract: The various factors contributing to post harvest losses in onions and other bulb crops are briefly outlined in terms of the current storage methods. The present status of research on sprout inhibition by irradiation is reviewed in detail with respect to dose requirements, effect of time interval between harvest and irradiation, and the influence of environment on sprouting during storage. Biochemical mechanisms of sprout inhibition, metabolic and compositional changes (particularly sugars, anthocyanins, flavor and lachrymatory principles), and the culinary and processing qualities of irradiated onions are discussed. The future prospects for the commercial irradiation for sprout inhibition of bulb crops are considered.

Optimization methods and available software. Part 1.

Abstract: Optimization theories and generally applied optimization techniques are reviewed. The versatility and the complexity anticipated in actual problems are simplified to enable the food practitioners interested in the subject to overcome some of the barriers which prevented full utilization of optimization. The paper summerizes the various mathematical methods available for solving problems of product and process optimization and provides information and advice concerning the advantages and limitations of each technique. A compiled list of optimization subroutines, guidelines and criteria for choosing the proper software are furnished.

Nondestructive optical methods of food quality evaluation

Abstract: Quality control is an important aspect of food production and processing from the point of view of providing foods of acceptable nutritional value, and for providing safety of products. Several characteristics such as size, shape, density, maturity, moisture content, oil content, flavor, firmness, tenderness, color, defects, blemishes, etc., are routinely used in the quality control of agricultural and biological food products. Until recently, most analytical techniques used in quality control required isolation of the food component of interest. The original properties of the product are, therefore, destroyed during sample preparation and analysis. Oftentimes, such analyses are expensive, time consuming, and require sophisticated instrumentation, and hence are not suited for “on‐line” quality control of food products. Recent progress in the development of instrumentation utilizing the optical properties of food products has provided several nondestructive techniques for quality evaluation. Most optical m...

Modification of plant proteins by immobilized proteases.

Abstract: A potential application of plant proteins could be a replacement of animal proteins now in use in the food industry on the basis of certain specific functional properties plant proteins have. Modification of the chemical structure of selected plant proteins is needed to replace more expensive animal proteins as food ingredients that have specific functional characteristics. Structure modification may be achieved by physical, chemical, or microbiological methods, or by a combination of these. Immobilized enzyme techniques offer significant advantages for protein modification. Knowledge of the molecular properties of plant proteins is essential to understand the basis of protein functionality, to modify proteins so that they acquire desirable functional properties, and to predict potential applications of modified plant proteins. This paper reviews all the above mentioned aspects of plant protein chemistry and potential utilization.

Age, species, breed, sex, and nutrition effect on hide collagen

Abstract: The hide of an animal previously used for leather may be upgraded in value through its expanded use as a food additive. While not a complete protein, collagen — the main protein of hide — may provide desirable functional properties within a food system. This protein is now abundant and will increase as new forms of meat become prevalent. Along with hide, collagen is being generated from hand‐separated meat for restructuring, desinewed meat, and bone. This review paper is designed to learn more about the effect of animal age, species, breed, sex, and nutrition on hide collagen. There is general agreement that age not only causes an increase in physical strength of the collagen fiber, through altering the degree of cross‐linking, but the quantity of soluble and insoluble collagen also changes.