Search Results (5)

Germination is an effective strategy to improve the nutritional and functional quality of Andean grains such as quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.); it helps reduce anti-nutritional components and enhance the digestibility and sensory aspects of the germinated. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of germination (0, 24, 48, and 72 h) on the physicochemical properties, content of bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacity of three varieties of quinoa: white, red, and black high Andean from Peru. Color, nutritional composition, mineral content, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were analyzed. Additionally, infrared spectra were obtained to elucidate structural changes during germination. The results showed color variations and significant increases (p < 0.05) in proteins, fiber, minerals, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity after 72 h of germination, attributed to the activation of enzymatic pathways. In contrast, the infrared spectra showed a decrease in the intensity of functional groups –CH–, –CH₂–, C–OH, –OH, and C–N. Correlation analysis showed that flavonoids mainly contributed to antioxidant activity (r = 0.612). Germination represents a promising alternative to develop functional ingredients from germinated quinoa flour with improved nutritional and functional attributes. Full article

Quinoa is a trend and a promising functional food ingredient. Following previous research into the impact of incorporating quinoa flour on the polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of bread, this study aimed to bridge an existing gap about the qualitative and quantitative polyphenolic profiles of such bread. The UPLC-MS/MS analysis showed that quinoa bread, made with 25% quinoa flour of a black variety, presented more compounds than refined-wheat bread, and levels were remarkably higher in many cases. Consequently, the quinoa bread presented clearly improved polyphenolic content than the wheat bread (12.8-fold higher considering the sum of extractable and hydrolyzable polyphenols), as supported by greater antioxidant activity (around 3-fold). The predominant compounds in the extractable fraction of quinoa bread were p-hydroxybenzoic acid and quercetin (50- and 64-fold higher than in wheat bread, respectively) and rutin (not detected in wheat bread), while ferulic and sinapic acids were the most abundant compounds in the hydrolyzable fraction (7.6- and 13-fold higher than in wheat bread, respectively). The bread-making impact was estimated, and a different behavior for phenolic acids and flavonoids was observed. Extractable phenolic acids were the compounds that decreased the most; only 2 of 12 compounds were enhanced (p-hydroxybenozoic and rosmarinic acid with increments of 64% and 435%, respectively). Flavonoids were generally less affected, and their concentrations considerably rose after the bread-making process (7 of the 13 compounds were enhanced in the extractable fraction) with especially noticeably increases in some cases; e.g., apigenin (876%), kaempferol (1304%), luteolin (580%) and quercetin (4762%). Increments in some extractable flavonoids might be explained as a consequence of the release of the corresponding hydrolyzable forms. The present study provides new information on the suitability of quinoa-containing bread as a suitable vehicle to enhance polyphenols intake and, hence, the antioxidant activity in daily diets. Full article

In this study, the quality of meat patty samples containing different black quinoa fractions (seed, flour and wet-milling coproducts) was evaluated during freezing preservation. Composition, physicochemical parameters (aw, pH, colour and texture), cooking properties, lipid oxidation and sensory characteristic were studied in four batches (control and 8% concentration of quinoa seed, flour and wet-milling coproducts added) at 30, 60 and 90 days of freezing (−20 ± 1 °C). Different black quinoa fraction addition affected (p < 0.05) physiochemical properties, improved cooking properties and reduced lipid oxidations during freezing storage. Batches with flour and wet-milling coproducts added were the most stable for texture parameters and lipid oxidation during freezing. The results obtained showed that quinoa wet-milling co-products could be considered a valuable sustainable and organic food ingredient, maintaining nutritional and global qualities of the fresh meat product. In addition, freezing storage is an effective way to prolong the shelf life of patties with different black quinoa fractions, added without affecting quality. Full article

Quinoa, a nutritional grain, can be used as an ingredient in gluten-free sourdoughs. This study characterizes quinoa flour spontaneous fermentation with emphasis in the isolation of exopolysaccharide (EPS) producer bacteria. Real, red and black grains were studied. Dough yield, microbiota composition and fermentation biochemistry were determined for a total of 36 quinoa flour fermentations. The fermentation biochemistry was monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, pH measurement and titratable acidity. Changes in the microbiota were monitored by plating on deMann Rogosa and Sharp 5 agar (MRS5) and yeast and mold agar (YMA) plates and with metagenetic analysis. The ability to produce exopolysaccharides was screened in selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolates. Production of organic acids in the spontaneous fermentation dropped the pH to 4.0 ± 0.3. The community of presumptive LAB reached 8.37 ± 0.01 log colony forming units (CFU)/mL by day 8 of back-slopped fermentations. The microbiota was composed of Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Leuconostoc, Lactococcus, Pediococcus and Weissella. P. pentosaceous, L. citreum and W. cibaria were able to produce EPS in a starch-rich medium. P. pentosaceous showed higher exopolysaccharide yield, rapid acidifying kinetics and was able to drop the dough broth pH to values below 4.0 and a positive fermentation quotient after 24 h of incubation. Therefore, the bacterium might be a potential candidate for quinoa sourdough production. Full article

The use of quinoa could be a strategy for the nutritional improvement of bakery products. The inclusion of this pseudocereal, with its suitable balance of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and minerals, could contribute to attaining the adequate intake values proposed by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and/or EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) for suitable maintenance and improvement of the population’s health. Bakery products made with white, red or black royal quinoa significantly improved the contribution to an adequate intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids) and dietary fibre, which produced an improvement in the soluble/insoluble fibre ratio. There was also an increase in the contribution to the average requirement of Fe and Zn, although the increase in the phytate/mineral ratio would make absorption of them more difficult. Inclusion of flour obtained from the three quinoas studied slightly improved the protein quality of the products that were prepared and positively affected the reduction in their glycaemic index. Full article