Optimized spaghetti pasta from amaranth, partially deoiled sesame and modified sorghum starch composite: bioactive, nutritional and physico-functional characterization

Purpose Pasta is popularly consumed in developed and developing countries. Many low-income homes that could not afford protein-rich foods consumed pasta without further supplements as a meal. However, pasta is deficient in protein and some other health-promoting substances. Deoiled sesame and amaranth flours are rich in protein, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants and many non-nutrient-based health benefits. Formulating a nutrient-dense pasta product (spaghetti) would reduce protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and improve the health status of pasta consumers. This study aims to investigate some bioactive, nutrients and non-nutrient components of developed and optimized spaghetti pasta from deoiled sesame, amaranth and modified sorghum starch blend. Design/methodology/approach Amaranth, sorghum and sesame grains were sorted, wet-cleaned and dried. Sesame grain was roasted while starch was extracted from sorghum grain. The innate starch was modified by heat-moisture treatment. The prepared grains and starch were milled into flours and formulated into different flour mixtures using the Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology and the process was modeled and optimized. The flour mixtures were made into spaghetti pasta. Proximate, mineral, amino acids, biological value, protein efficiency ration, phytochemical, antioxidant activity, physico-functional and sensory properties of the formulated spaghetti were evaluated using standard procedures. Findings An optimal mixture of deoiled sesame (31.12g/100g), amaranth (56.56g/100g) and modified sorghum starch (12.32g/100g) were established, which yielded protein (25.79g/100g), appearance (96.65%), taste (94.57%) and acceptability index (97.37%). The spaghetti was significantly (p-values ranged from 0.001 to 0.018) superior in protein, ash, fat, fiber, calcium, magnesium, zinc, alkaloids, total phenolic, flavonoids, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazl (DPPH) and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) relative to the control (100% wheat flour). Amino acid showed that the product is rich in histidine, isoleucine, phenylalanine and threonine. The high essential amino acid index of the product indicated that it is a good protein source. The spaghetti was significantly (p-values ranged from 0.001 to 0.021) superior in aroma, taste and acceptability index relative to the control. Originality/value This study showed the feasibility of developing spaghetti pasta from deoiled sesame, amaranth grains and modified sorghum starch. The production process described in this study is scalable; and the process could be applied on a small scale for the development of self-entrepreneurs and industrially. The high protein content of the product indicated that it could be used to reduce PEM in developing countries.

Development of a frozen drink based on prebiotic lactic beverage: physicochemical, microbiological and sensory aspects

The improper disposal of residual whey from dairy production represents a serious environmental problem in Brazil, causing a lot of effort applied in the development of dairy products with partial replacement of milk by whey. In this study, three formulations of a frozen dairy drink containing whey and different amounts of fructooligosaccharides, in replacing saccharose, were developed and evaluated in relation to physicochemical, microbiological and sensory properties. All physicochemical and microbiological parameters were within Brazilian regulations for frozen edibles. Evaluated by 120 volunteers, the Acceptability Index was above 80% for all formulations and attributes and the purchase intention favourable the acquisition of the product. The tested formulations represent a nutritious and safe alternative for the use of residual whey from dairy farms and an innovation on the market of functional frozen edibles.

ADDITION OF PUMPKIN PEEL FLOUR AFFECT PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF BOVINE BURGER

The current study aimed to evaluate the influence of the addition of pumpkin peel flour (PPF) on physicochemical, cooking and sensory characteristics of bovine burger. Five hamburgers were formulated: F1 - standard (0% PPF) and the others added 1% (F2), 2% (F3), 3% (F4) and 4% (F5) of PPF. The PPF was characterized by high contents of minerals, carbohydrate and dietary fiber, which improved nutritional profile of hamburger. There was an increase on cooking yield, moisture retention and reduction of shrinkage and fat retention, as the level of PPF addition increased. The incorporation of PPF at 3% and 4% in the product increased significantly (p<0.05) the values of L*, a* and b*. Similar acceptability to the standard sample was verified on products with addition of up to 3% PPF. All formulations showed an acceptability index greater than 70%. Thus PPF is a potential ingredient for the formulation of bovine burger to improve its nutritional and technological properties without modification of the sensorial characteristics.

Preparation of jellies of umbu in standard and zero sugar formulations: sensory analysis and acceptability index

Northeast region characteristic of the brazilian plant, the umbu has several possibilities, such as jams, juices, jams, due to your characteristic bittersweet. Fruit processing can be accomplished using standard form conventional sugar, and to meet the need of people with diseases requiring restriction on sugar consumption, it can be replaced by culinary sweetener. In order to reduce the losses of the fruit in post-harvest, and to ensure that the product can be consumed by people restricted to the sugar, this work aims to produce traditional jams and zero sugar so that it can be evaluated and sensory analysis index of acceptability of these products on the market. In order to analyze the acceptance of standard and zero sugar jam was performed sensory analysis, performing the procedure with the collaboration of 50 untrained for completing the evaluation form. The participants were distributed in 52% of the audience was female and 48% male. The parameters analyzed presented in results for the analysis of conventional jams, as a result of greater adaptation of assessors for conventional products. With this it should be noted at the end of the analysis for all parameters analyzed the umbu jelly zero sugar formulation. Although both formulations have presented good acceptances by the evaluators, that may be good investment options for market diversification, since the use of fruits in the cerrado is unusual for the production of by-products.

An acceptability index based approach for solving shortest path problem on a network with interval weights

Based on the acceptability index for comparison of any two imprecise values, efficient algorithms have been proposed in the literature for solving shortest path (SP) problem when the weights of connected arcs in a transportation network are represented as interval numbers. In this study, a generalized Dijkstra algorithm is proposed to handle the SP problem with interval weights. Here it is shown that once the acceptability index is chosen, the interval SP problem is converted into crisp one, which is easily solved by the standard SP algorithms. The main contribution here is the reduction of the computational complexity of the existing algorithm for solving interval SP problem. To show the advantages of the proposed algorithm over existing algorithm the numerical example presented in literature is solved using the proposed algorithm and the obtained results are discussed. Moreover, an small sized telecommunication network is provided to illustrate the potential application of the proposed method. Finally, the practical relevance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated by means of a large scale pilot case where a pharmaceutical shipment between the cities in Iran should be transported.

Effect of fat replacement by fructooligosaccharide in hamburger: physicochemical, technological and sensorial analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of fat substitution by fructooligosaccharide on physicochemical, technological and sensory characteristics of hamburgers. Five hamburgers formulations were prepared: F1 - standard (0% FOS) and the others added 1.25% (F2), 2.50% (F3), 3.75% (F4) and 5% (F5) of FOS. The Acceptability similar to standard sample was found for hamburgers with up to 3.75% prebiotic addition. However, all formulations had acceptability index above 70%. Cooking yield, moisture retention, shrinkage and fat retention have been increased as FOS was added. Substitution of fat by FOS increased carbohydrate and fiber content and decreased lipid and calorie hamburgers content. FOS addition did not change red and yellow values, however it increased brightness of product. FOS is an ingredient with potential for addition in beef hamburger, improving physicochemical and technological parameters and with little influence on sensory characteristics.

Sweet potato peel flour in hamburger: effect on physicochemical, technological and sensorial characteristics

The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of sweet potato peel flour (SPPF) on the physicochemical, technological and sensorial characteristics of bovine hamburger. Four hamburger formulations were prepared added SPPF: F1 (0%), F2 (0.75%), F3 (1.5%) and F4 (2.25%). The flour was characterized by high levels of minerals, carbohydrate and dietary fiber, which improved the nutritional profile of the hamburger. There was an increase in moisture retention and shrinkage, as well as a reduction in fat retention and cooking yield, as the level of SPPF addition increased. The addition of flour in the product significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the values of L*, a* and b*. Similar acceptability to the standard sample was checked for the hamburger with the addition of up to 1.5% SPPF. However, all formulations had an acceptability index greater than 70%. It is concluded that SPPF is a potential ingredient to be added in bovine hamburger, improving nutritional and technological parameters and with low influence on the sensorial characteristics.

MEASURING AND MONITORING THE EFFICIENCY OF MARKETS

Market efficiency is measured by arbitrage proximity. The level of efficiency is calibrated by extent of a distortion of probability required to neutralize the drift. Simulations of bilateral gamma models estimated from past returns deliver for each asset on each day an empirical acceptability index. The assets covered include equities, commodities, currencies, volatility and hedge fund returns. It is observed that efficiency in equity is related to the process for up moves having more frequent and smaller jumps than its down side counterpart. For commodities the situation is reversed. Volatility indices trade more efficiently than equities, commodities, or currencies. Hedge fund returns reflect lower levels of efficiency supportive of hedge funds effectively exploiting market inefficiences. The relative inefficiency of the absence of trading is noted on comparing close to open with open to close returns. Small capitalization stocks trade more efficiently than the large ones. Sector exchange traded funds trade more efficiently than the S&P 500 index. Furthermore, economic activity reflected in greater high low spreads enhance market efficiency.

Isolation and screening lactic acid bacteria for riboflavin production and their use for bioenrichment of curd

As many as 47 lactic acid bacteria were isolated from various vegetables and fruits and raita collected from local households and characterized. All of them were Gram positive and catalase negative. The isolates were screened for riboflavin production. The riboflavin production varied from 0.86 to 10.90 mg L-1. The isolate Ra1 produced the highest riboflavin (10.90 ppm). Incidentally, it also produced 5.6 per cent lactic acid and 21.4 ppm exopolysaccharide (EPS). Similarly, N2 and F2 isolates produced 10.90 and 10.20 ppm riboflavin and 21.17 and 21.24 ppm EPS, respectively. These three selected isolates were used for preparing a functional curd andevaluated. The curd produced by inoculating N2 and Ra1 were of very good quality with excellent flavor, taste and texture and smooth cutting quality. Ra1 produced a functional curd with the highest riboflavin content (13.97 ppm). N2 and RA1 resulted in very high acceptability index of 95.37 and 94.44 per cent, respectively. The betterorganoleptic parameters of the functional curd may also be due to high lactic acid and exopolysaccharide production by these isolates. Thus, by inoculating riboflavin synthesizing LAB isolates to curd, riboflavin-enriched functional curd with enhanced consumer appeal, can be produced.