Variation among physical,chemical and technological properties in three Sicilian cultivars of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Three Sicilian chickpea cultivars (‘Calia’, ‘Etna’ and ‘Principe’) were evaluated for physical, chemical and technological properties. Whereas no substantial differences were ascertained on seeds chemical composition, the cultivars greatly differed in terms of seed size, specific surface area (SSA) and seed coat incidence. These last two properties affected the technological properties of the seeds. In particular, a high SSA (‘Calia’) contributed to a faster softening, whilst a great coat thickness (‘Etna’) delayed both hydration and softening rate. The time required to obtain an acceptable firmness (cooking time) was greatly reduced by presoaking the seeds in salt solution (0.5% NaCl or NHCO₃). ‘Calia’ required the lowest cooking time when soaked in distilled water or in 0.5% NaCl. Presoaking seed in NaHCO₃ allowed halving the cooking time in all cultivars.     

Technological properties of chickpea (Cicer arietinum): Production of snacks and health benefits related to type-2 diabetes

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is one of the most consumed pulses worldwide (over 2.3 million tons enter the world market annually). Some chickpea components have shown, in preclinical and clinical studies, several health benefits, including antioxidant capacity, and antifungal, antibacterial, analgesic, anticancer, antiinflammatory, and hypocholesterolemic properties, as well as angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibition. In the United States, chickpea is consumed mostly in the form of hummus. However, the development of new products with value-added bioactivity is creating new opportunities for research and food applications. Information about bioactive compounds and functional properties of chickpea ingredients in the development of new products is needed. The objective of this review was to summarize available scientific information, from the last 15 years, on chickpea production, consumption trends, applications in the food industry in the elaboration of plant-based snacks, and on its bioactive compounds related to type 2 diabetes (T2D). Areas of opportunity for future research and new applications of specific bioactive compounds as novel food ingredients are highlighted. Research is key to overcome the main processing obstacles and sensory challenges for the application of chickpea as ingredient in snack preparations. The use of chickpea bioactive compounds as ingredient in food products is also a promising area for accessibility of their health benefits, such as the management of T2D.     

Microwave‐assisted extraction of bioactive saponins from chickpea (Cicer arietinum L)

Growing interest in plant secondary metabolites has brought with it the need for economical, rapid and efficient extraction protocols. Microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) was used to extract saponins from chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Several MAE conditions were tested, and the method proved to be superior to Soxhlet extraction with regard to amounts of solvents required, time and energy expended. The use of a butanol/H₂O mixture showed selectivity towards saponin extraction. Using TLC, two distinct saponins were observed in the various chickpea extracts. The identification of the major saponin as a DDMP‐conjugated saponin was verified using ¹H and ¹³C NMR, for the first time in chickpea. The MAE procedure most likely contributed to the conservation of the heat‐sensitive DDMP moiety. The pure chickpea saponin exhibited significant inhibitory activity against Penicillium digitatum and additional filamentous fungi. Two Fusarium strains tested were highly tolerant to the saponin. The potential for using MAE for the efficient extraction of natural products may assist in expediting the chemical analysis and characterization of the biological activities of such compounds. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of ripening and parching on the quality characteristics,the chemical composition and the nutritive value of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L)

Physical properties and various chemical constituents of chickpea seeds were determined before and after ripening (malana and dry seeds of Giza 1 cultivar) and before and after parching (dry and parched seeds of Giza 2 cultivar). The raw dry seeds of Giza 2 were much smaller, lighter in mass and higher in seed coat percentage than those of Giza 1. Malana (green seeds at physiological maturity) seeds were large and uniform in size; they became smaller with much variation in seed size upon ripening. Parching significantly reduced the seed mass, but increased the seed volume. Marked differences in the chemical composition of the raw dry seeds were observed between the two cultivars which were grown under different environmental conditions. Ripening resulted in significant decreases in crude protein and polyphenol content but significant increases in nonreducing sugars, raffinose, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), add detergent fibre, cellulose, and phytic acid content. A considerable increase in Ca and Cu, a significant increase in in-vitro protein digestibility, but significant reductions in NDF, trypsin inhibitor activity and phytic acid content occurred upon parching.     

Characterization of Physicochemical Properties and IgE‐Binding of Soybean Proteins Derived from the HHP‐Treated Seeds

The aim of this work was to evaluate the characterization of physicochemical properties and IgE‐binding of soybean proteins derived from the high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treated seeds. Soybean seeds were treated by HHP at different pressures, and changes in the physicochemical properties of soybean proteins were characterized by proteins solubility, free sulfhydryl (SH) content, surface hydrophobicity, and secondary structures. Sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and enzyme‐linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) were used to define the proteins patterns and IgE‐binding ability. The results showed that HHP treatment in the ranges of 0 to 500 MPa led to a slight but gradual decline in free SH content. The solubility and hydrophobicity of soybean proteins increased sharply from 100 to 200 MPa, and gradually decreased upon the further increase of pressure. The α‐helix and β‐sheets contents of soybean proteins decreased, while the random coil content increased. The SDS‐PAGE showed that HHP treatment of 100 to 200 MPa could dissociate the proteins, breaking the aggregates into smaller units, while the treatment ranging from 300 to 500 MPa could induce the proteins aggregation into larger units. Moreover, the ELISA revealed that the IgE‐binding of soybean proteins after HHP treatment at 200 MPa decreased 61.7% compared to the untreated group. Our findings suggested that HHP processing could not only modify the physicochemical properties of soybean proteins, but also significantly reduce its IgE‐binding at an appropriate pressure level.     

Milling performance in desi‐type chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.): effects of genotype,environment and seed size

BACKGROUND: Commercial experience suggests that desi chickpea cultivars vary in their milling quality. However, the relative effects of cultivar, growing environment and their interaction are unknown. This study examined the Australian pulse quality method for its effectiveness in comparing the milling quality of breeding lines. The main aims were (1) to determine if there were significant genotypic differences, (2) to quantify the effects of trial, testa content and seed size and (3) to determine if any of the milling quality or seed parameters were correlated. This information would then be used to improve the reliability and efficiency of testing breeding lines. RESULTS: Large genotypic differences were observed for the milling parameters dehulling efficiency (DE) and splitting yield (SY). The range was greater for SY (16.6%) than for DE (5.8%). Genotype × Trial interactions were significant for DE and SY, while genotype rankings were generally consistent between trials. Seed size and testa content were not significantly associated with either DE or SY. Environmental stresses that affected yield did not appear to influence milling results. CONCLUSION: The methodology used in this study was able to measure genotypic differences in milling quality. The results suggest that an efficient protocol for testing milling quality of chickpea genotypes would include analysis of at least two sites early in the breeding programme to discard very‐low‐SY genotypes, and further testing in subsequent years including at least one other site to identify high‐SY genotypes if desired. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Composition and properties of starches from Virginia‐grown kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars

Composition and properties of seeds and starches from five Virginia‐grown kabuli chickpea cultivars were investigated. The seeds had the average weight of 4.48 g per 10 g and volume of 641.2 mm³, and were rich in carbohydrate with starch as a principal constituent (59.2–70.9%). Resistant starch accounted for 7.7–10.4% of the total starch content. The composition and properties of the starches among the five cultivars were significantly different (P ≤ 0.05). All starches had a C‐type crystalline structure. The degree of crystallinity ranged from 21.1% to 27.4%, gelatinisation temperature from 7.97 to 11.2 °C and gelatinisation enthalpies from 2.18 to 3.76 J g^?1, and water absorption capacities from 90.7% to 117.5%. Different shapes and granule sizes were observed. Molecular weight of amylopectin was in the range of 6.35 × 10⁸–11.6 × 10⁸ Da. Cultivar ‘HB‐14’ was superior to the other cultivars, when combining larger seed size, higher resistant starch level and better properties.     

Effect of Heat Processing on IgE Reactivity and Cross‐Reactivity of Tropomyosin and Other Allergens of Asia‐Pacific Mollusc Species: Identification of Novel Sydney Rock Oyster Tropomyosin Sac g 1

1 Scope

Shellfish allergy is an increasing global health priority, frequently affecting adults. Molluscs are an important shellfish group causing food allergy but knowledge of their allergens and cross‐reactivity is limited. Optimal diagnosis of mollusc allergy enabling accurate advice on food avoidance is difficult. Allergens of four frequently ingested Asia‐Pacific molluscs are characterized: Sydney rock oyster (Saccostrea glomerata), blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), saucer scallop (Amusium balloti), and southern calamari (Sepioteuthis australis), examining cross‐reactivity between species and with blue swimmer crab tropomyosin, Por p 1.

2 Methods and results

IgE ELISA showed that cooking increased IgE reactivity of mollusc extracts and basophil activation confirmed biologically relevant IgE reactivity. Immunoblotting demonstrated strong IgE reactivity of several proteins including one corresponding to heat‐stable tropomyosin in all species (37–40 kDa). IgE‐reactive Sydney rock oyster proteins were identified by mass spectrometry, and the novel major oyster tropomyosin allergen was cloned, sequenced, and designated Sac g 1 by the IUIS. Oyster extracts showed highest IgE cross‐reactivity with other molluscs, while mussel cross‐reactivity was weakest. Inhibition immunoblotting demonstrated high cross‐reactivity between tropomyosins of mollusc and crustacean species.

3 Conclusion

These findings inform novel approaches for reliable diagnosis and improved management of mollusc allergy.     

Hard‐to‐cook tendency of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) varieties

Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L) develop the hard‐to‐cook (HTC) defect during storage at high temperatures (>25 °C) and high relative humidities (RH>65%). The objective of this work was to assess the tendency of chickpea varieties to become HTC. Three samples of chickpeas (Surutato 77, Mocorito 88 and Blanco Sinaloa 92) were grown under irrigation conditions. Two hardening procedures were used: (1) storage hardening—samples were stored at 33–35 °C and 76% relative humidity for 160 days; (2) chemical hardening—materials were soaked in 0.1 M acetate buffer (pH 4.0) at 37 °C for 1–7 h. The cooking time curves generated by chemical hardening had shapes similar to those obtained by storage hardening; both procedures were equally capable of discriminating chickpea varieties based on their susceptibility to develop the HTC condition. Chemical hardening might be useful for screening new chickpea varieties; its advantage over the storage method is its rapidity. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Study of selected quality and agronomic characteristics and their interrelationship in Kabuli‐type chickpea genotypes (Cicer arietinum L.)

Impact of genotype on quality, agronomic characteristics and their interrelationship in Kabuli‐type chickpea was investigated to provide significant feedback to breeder for selection/evolution of the most suitable varieties. Seven genotypes were studied for seventeen physical, chemical and agronomic characteristics. The effect of Kabuli‐type chickpea genotype on the physicochemical parameters, cooking time and agronomic characteristics were significant. Maximum seed size and volume were recorded for CC98/99 (0.32 g and 0.26 mL seed^?1, respectively), density and swelling index for the genotype FLIP97‐179C (having minimum seed size and volume), while the rest of the genotypes were statistically the same. Weight, volume after hydration, hydration capacity and swelling capacity followed the same pattern. Maximum moisture, protein and mineral concentration were noted in CC98/99. Seed protein concentration for the remaining genotypes was statistically non‐significant from one another. Longer period was taken by CM 2000 for flowering and maturity (130 and 181 days, respectively). Minimum time to flowering and maturity was taken by CC98/99. Genotype CC 98/99 outyielded all other genotypes (2107 kg ha^?1). Seed size and seed volume were strongly and positively correlated with protein content, weight after hydration, volume after hydration, hydration and swelling capacities (r = 0.83–1.0). Strong correlation was also noted among different agronomic characters.     

Protein Concentrate from Chickpea: Nutritive Value of a Protein Concentrate from Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) Obtained by Ultrafiltration and Its Potential Use in an Infant Formula

A protein concentrate from chickpea (Cicer arietinum) obtained by ultrafiltration for special infant formulas was evaluated for nutritive value with and without methionine supplementation. An infant formula prepared with the concentrate was also evaluated. The Adjusted Protein Efficiency Ratio (A-PER) (official method) values, were 1.86 and 2.14 for the concentrate and concentrate plus methionine, respectively (p < 0.05). Relative Net Protein Ratio (R-NPR) values were 77.4% for the concentrate, and 81.3% of ANRC-casein for the supplemented concentrate. Apparent protein digestibility values were significantly higher concentrates with respect to raw chickpea (p < 0.05). An infant formula based on the concentrate had a R-NPR value of 83.6% that of ANRC-casein, compared to 81.3% in the concentrate, indicating no apparent change in protein quality during processing. The infant formula met Codex Alimentarius Commission Standards (FAO/WHO).     

Reduction of raffinose oligosaccharides in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) flour by crude extracellular fungal α-galactosidase

The efficiency of crude extracelluar α-galactosidases from Cladosporium cladosporides, Aspergillus oryzae and A niger in reducing the raffinose and stachyose content in chickpea flours was studied and compared with other traditional treatments. The optimum pH for α-galactosidase activity was found to be 4·5 for A oryzae and 5·0 for Cl cladosporides and A niger, while the optimum temperature of enzyme activity was 40°C for Cl cladosporides and 50°C for A oryzae and A niger. The specific activities of α-galactosidase from Cl cladosporides, A oryzae and A niger were 3·35, 3·94 and 5·94 units μg⁻¹ protein, respectively. The enzyme activity was stable between pH 4·0 and 7·0 for A oryzae and A niger and between pH 5·0 and 7·0 for Cl cladosporides. The enzymes were thermostable when incubated at temperature ranges of 40–60°C for Cl cladosporides and 40–50°C for A oryzae and A niger. The optimum conditions for removing the raffinose and stachyose were obtained by incubating chickpea flours with 30 ml of crude fungal α-galactosidase extract (290, 210 and 130 units ml⁻¹ for Cl cladosporides, A oryzae and A niger, respectively) for 3 h at the optimum conditions of each strain. Crude fungal α-galactosidases reduced the raffinose oligosaccharides content in chickpea flours by 100%, while germination reduced the raffinose content by 69% and stachyose content by 75%. Other traditional techniques reduced the raffinose content by 13–49% and stachyose content by 10–32%. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry     

Sensory and Physicochemical Studies of Thermally Micronized Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and Green Lentil (Lens culinaris) Flours as Binders in Low‐Fat Beef Burgers

Pulses are known to be nutritious foods but are susceptible to oxidation due to the reaction of lipoxygenase (LOX) with linolenic and linoleic acids which can lead to off flavors caused by the formation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Infrared micronization at 130 and 150 °C was investigated as a heat treatment to determine its effect on LOX activity and VOCs of chickpea and green lentil flour. The pulse flours were added to low‐fat beef burgers at 6% and measured for consumer acceptability and physicochemical properties. Micronization at 130 °C significantly decreased LOX activity for both flours. The lentil flour micronized at 150 °C showed a further significant decrease in LOX activity similar to that of the chickpea flour at 150 °C. The lowering of VOCs was accomplished more successfully with micronization at 130 °C for chickpea flour while micronization at 150 °C for the green lentil flour was more effective. Micronization minimally affected the characteristic fatty acid content in each flour but significantly increased omega‐3 and n‐6 fatty acids at 150 °C in burgers with lentil and chickpea flours, respectively. Burgers with green lentil flour micronized at 130 and 150 °C, and chickpea flour micronized at 150 °C were positively associated with acceptability. Micronization did not affect the shear force and cooking losses of the burgers made with both flours. Formulation of low‐fat beef burgers containing 6% micronized gluten‐free binder made from lentil and chickpea flour is possible based on favorable results for physicochemical properties and consumer acceptability.