Food Science and Technology Research 

About: Food Science and Technology Research is an academic journal published by Karger Publishers. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Chemistry & Fermentation. It has an ISSN identifier of 1344-6606. Over the lifetime, 2109 publications have been published receiving 23772 citations. The journal is also known as: FSTR.

Reactions of Plant Phenolics with Food Proteins and Enzymes under Special Consideration of Covalent Bonds

Abstract: Secondary plant metabolites are important native food components, which are becoming more and more interesting due to their physiological effects on human beings. One of the largest groups of these compounds is represented by plant phenols. This review summarizes the structure, classification and distribution of the phenolic compounds in plant foods, their chemistry and signification with regard to food processing and -storage as well as their physiological effects. This work focuses mainly on such reactions of the phenolic substances with proteins and enzymes that lead to covalent bonds. The derivatives formed have been characterized in terms of changes in their physicochemical and structural properties. The effect on the proteolytic in vitro digestion has been also illustrated. Further aspects reported include the influence on enzyme activity and -kinetic parameters. The different aspects of the nutritional-physiological consequences of such reactions in food and body, especially considering their significance to food science and technology are discussed.

Industrial Applications of Maillard-Type Protein-Polysaccharide Conjugates

Abstract: This review summarizes the properties of Maillard-type protein-polysaccharide conjugates through naturally occurring reaction in a dry state from the viewpoint of the development of new industrial proteins. Maillard-type protein-polysaccharide conjugates showed excellent emulsifying properties superior to conventional commercial emulsifiers, heat stability, and antimicrobial activity. Therefore, the conjugates can be useful for industrial applications as natural emulsifiers, antimicrobial agents devoid of toxicity. The possibility has also been proposed that conjugation of the allergen protein with polysaccharides may be effective to reduce the allergenicity. The molecular mechanism of the improvement of functional properties of proteins by attachment with polysaccharide was elucidated using the genetically glycosylated lysozyme constructed in the yeast expression system. The polymannosylation of lysozyme was effective in improving these functional properties, while oligomannosylation was not. Although single polyglycosylation of lysozyme was adequate to improve the functional properties, double polyglycosylation was even better.

Applications of Electrolyzed Water in Agriculture & Food Industries

Abstract: Microbial control of postharvest diseases has been extensively studied and appears to be a viable technology. Food safety must be ensured at each postharvest processing step, including handling, washing of raw materials, cleaning of utensils and pipelines, and packaging. Several commercial products are available for this purpose. The time is ripe for developing new techniques and technologies. The use of electrolyzed water (EW) is the product of a new concept developed in Japan, which is now gaining popularity in other countries. Little is known about the principle behind its sterilizing effect, but it has been shown to have significant bactericidal and virucidal and moderate fungicidal properties. Some studies have been carried out in Japan, China, and the USA on the pre- and postharvest application of EW in the field of food processing. EW may be produced using common salt and an apparatus connected to a power source. As the size of the machine is quite small, the water can be manufactured on-site. Studies have been carried out on the use of EW as a sanitizer for fruits, utensils, and cutting boards. It can also be used as a fungicide during postharvest processing of fruits and vegetables, and as a sanitizer for washing the carcasses of meat and poultry. It is cost-effective and environment-friendly. The use of EW is an emerging technology with considerable potential.

Apoptosis-Inducing Effect of Fucoxanthin on Human Leukemia Cell Line HL-60

Abstract: The apoptosis-inducing effect of fucoxanthin on human leukemic HL-60 cells was investigated. Fucoxanthin, which was obtained from the brown alga Undaria pinnatifida, inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells and induced DNA fragmentation on agarose gel electrophoresis, a typical characteristic feature of apoptotic cells. The results of sandwich ELISA using anti-biotin-antibody and anti-DNA-antibody also demonstrated DNA fragmentation in accordance with the increase in fucoxanthin concentration and incubation time. Since the level of DNA fragmentation did not increase after 24 h incubation, fucoxanthin appeared to have some effect on cell cycle. In contrast, β-carotene did not show an apoptosis-inducing effect on HL-60 cells. These results suggested that a carotenoid structure might be crucial for inducing apoptosis.

Food Components in Fractions of Quinoa Seed

Abstract: Whole quinoa grain was separated into bran and milled grain, and the milled grain into perisperm and embryo. The proximate composition of the milled grain was similar to that of whole grain. The protein and lipid content of the embryo was 57% of total protein and 49% of total lipid, respectively. Mineral analysis showed that the quinoa grain was rich in K, Mg, Ca, P and Fe. The perisperm contained large oval starch aggregates 20–30 μm in diameter and polygonal granules around 1 μm in diameter. Differential scanning calorimetry data indicated a gelatinization temperature of 54.0 to 71.0°C and enthalpy of 11.0 J/g starch. The water-soluble protein and NaCl-soluble protein fractions composed 28.7–36.2% and 28.9–32.9% of total protein in each fraction. Unsaturated fatty acid accounted for 87.2–87.8% of total fatty acid. Phytate, a trypsin inhibitor activity and lipoxygenase activity in the embryo were highest. The saponin content of the bran was 86% of total saponin.