Accelerated fermentation of 'idli' batter using soy residue okara.

The aim of this work was to reduce the natural fermentation period of 'idli' from the conventional 14 h to 10 h by adding underutilized okara for the preparation of 'idli'. Black gram was partially substituted with soy residue okara in the ratio of (1:1). After 14 h of natural fermentation, the pH and total acidity of control 'idli' batter was 4.

Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on quality and shelf life of 'Robusta' banana (Musa sp.) stored at low temperature.

Banana (Musa sp var. 'Robusta') stored under active and passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) at 12 ± 1°C and 85-90% RH for 2 seasons were evaluated for fruit quality and shelf-life. A steady state of about 8.

Antioxidant potential of bitter cumin (Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) Kuntze) seeds in in vitro models.

Background: Bitter cumin (Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) Kuntze), is a medicinally important plant. Earlier, we have reported phenolic compounds, antioxidant, and anti-hyperglycemic, antimicrobial activity of bitter cumin.

Photoabsorption and resonance energy transfer phenomenon in CdTe-protein bioconjugates: an insight into QD-biomolecular interactions.

Luminescent quantum dots (QDs) possess unique photophysical properties, which are advantageous in the development of new generation robust fluorescent probes based on Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) phenomena. Bioconjugation of these QDs with biomolecules create hybrid materials having unique photophysical properties along with biological activity. The present study is aimed at characterizing QD bioconjugates in terms of optical behavior.

Photoperiod influences endogenous indoleamines in cultured green alga Dunaliella bardawil.

Effect of light intensity and photoperiod on growth, indoleamines and carotenoid production was studied in unicellular green algae D. bardawil. Maximum biomass and carotenoid contents were found when cultures were grown in light (intensity of 2.

Studies on chemical and sensory parameters of coconut oil and its olein blends with sesame oil and palmolein during wheat flour-based product frying.

Blends of coconut oil-coconut oil with sesame oil (blend 1); coconut olein with sesame oil (blend 2); coconut olein with palmolein (blend 3) in 1:1 (v/v) ratio-were used in this study for frying Poori, a traditional Indian fast food prepared from wheat flour. Changes in oil quality were determined by chemical and sensory methods. Free fatty acid content did not change whereas peroxide value increased.

Purification of alkaline protease from chicken intestine by aqueous two phase system of polyethylene glycol and sodium citrate.

An aqueous two phase system of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and salts was evaluated for separation and purification of alkaline proteases from chicken intestine. Among the different salts evaluated potassium phosphate and sodium citrate gave higher enzyme yield (73.5% and 69.

An autolytic process for recovery of antioxidant activity rich carotenoprotein from shrimp heads.

Studies were carried out to utilize in situ proteases of shrimp heads to recover carotenoproteins possessing antioxidant activity. Highest protease activity of the buffer extract was found at pH 8.0 (9.

Isolation, structural elucidation and immunomodulatory activity of fructans from aged garlic extract.

Traditionally, garlic (Allium sativum) is known to be a significant immune booster. Aged garlic extract (AGE) possesses superior immunomodulatory effects than raw garlic; these effects are attributed to the transformed organosulfur compounds. AGE is also known to contain fructans; the amount of fructans in AGE represents a small fraction (0.

Pigment identification, antioxidant activity, and nutrient composition of Tinospora cordifolia (willd.) Miers ex Hook. f & Thoms fruit.

The stem, leaf, and root of Tinospora cordifolia (willd.) have been highly exploited for medicinal preparations; however, the nutritional and nutraceutical potential of its attractive red berries (fruits) have not so far been studied. Pigments, berberine (107.

Roasting green coffee beans using spouted bed roaster: changes in physical characteristics.

Pea-berry grade of green coffee (Coffea arabica) beans were roasted in a laboratory model spouted bed roaster at different temperatures (150-250°C) and times (30-300 s). The roasted samples were analysed for instrumental colour (hue, chroma and brightness) and texture. Brightness of the roasted samples varied between 5.

Hydrocolloids as thickening and gelling agents in food: a critical review.

Hydrocolloids are widely used in many food formulations to improve quality attributes and shelf-life. The two main uses are as thickening and gelling agents. As thickening agents, they find uses in soups, gravies, salad dressings, sauces and toppings while as gelling agents, they are extensively used in products like jam, jelly, marmalade, restructured foods and low sugar/calorie gels.

Behavioural pattern of vegetative cells and spores of Bacillus cereus as affected by time-temperature combinations used in processing of Indian traditional foods.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the behaviour of vegetative cells and spores of four potent native toxigenic food isolates of Bacillus cereus as affected by selected time-temperature combinations used in processing of Indian traditional foods. The vegetative cells of B. cereus when subjected to sublethal heat treatments, individually, in different heating menstra showed a sigmoidal inactivation pattern, with D-values in the range of 3.

Enzymatic synthesis of cholecalciferol glycosides using β-glucosidase from sweet almond.

β-Glucosidase from sweet almond (Amygdalus communis var. 'Dulcis') entrapped on to calcium alginate beads catalysed the synthesis of water soluble 17-O-(D-glucopyranosyl)cholecalciferol. Optimum conditions for the reaction were: 60% (w/w D-glucose) β-glucosidase, 0.

Bacopa monnieri modulates endogenous cytoplasmic and mitochondrial oxidative markers in prepubertal mice brain.

Bacopa monnieri (BM) an herb, found throughout the Indian subcontinent in wet, damp and marshy areas is used in Ayurvedic system of medicine for improving intellect/memory, treatment of anxiety and neuropharmacological disorders. Although extensively given to children as a memory enhancer, no data exists on its ability to modulate neuronal oxidative stress in prepubertal animal models. Hence in this study, we examined if dietary intake of BM leaf powder has the propensity to modulate endogenous markers of oxidative stress, redox status (reduced GSH, thiol status), response of antioxidant defenses (enzymic), protein oxidation and cholinergic function in various brain regions of prepubertal (PP) mice.

In vitro antioxidant and antibacterial properties of hydrolysed proteins of delimed tannery fleshings: comparison of acid hydrolysis and fermentation methods.

Proteins in delimed tannery fleshings were fermentatively hydrolysed using Enterococcus faecium NCIM5335 and also hydrolysed using mild organic acids (formic acid and propionic acid). The liquor portion containing hydrolysed proteins was spray dried, in both the cases, to obtain a powder. The spray dried powder was evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activities with respect to scavenging different free radicals and antibacterial properties against nine different pathogens.

Effect of processing paddy on digestibility of rice starch by in vitro studies.

Paddy (Oryza sativa L) (variety 'IR - 64'), was parboiled, puffed by sand roasting and flaked by edge runner and roller flaker and variations in physical and physicochemical properties were studied. Moisture contents were lower (5.8-10.

Lipid classes and fatty acid profile of selected Indian fresh water fishes.

Lipid extracts from meat, head and viscera of Indian fresh water fishes, viz., catla, rohu, mrigal, common carp and tilapia were analyzed for lipid class distribution and fatty acid profile. The yield of meat ranged from 66.

Influence of natural coagulants on isoflavones and antioxidant activity of tofu.

Tofu (instead of preparing using synthetic coagulant) was prepared using coagulants of plant origin (Citrus limonum, Garcinia indica, Tamarindus indica, Phyllanthus acidus and Passiflora edulis). Total crude protein and fat contents were highest in tofu prepared using G. indica and T.

Characterization of functional intermediates of endoglucanase from Aspergillus aculeatus during urea and guanidine hydrochloride unfolding.

Low concentrations of urea and GuHCl (2 M) enhanced the activity of endoglucanase (EC 3.1.2.

Effect of ensiling and organic solvents treatment on proteolytic enzymes of layer chicken intestine.

Effect of ensiling and organic solvents on the protein extractability and on the activities of the proteolytic enzymes of layer chicken intestine was evaluated. The protein content of water extract of layer chicken intestine was 2.45 mg/ml.

Relationship of starch changes to puffing expansion of parboiled rice.

'Intan' variety of paddy (Oryza sativa) was tested for puffing. It was parboiled under a wide range of paddy moisture content, steaming pressure and time, as also temperature and time of sand heating. The resulting milled rices were studied for their diverse properties including puffing.

Effect of processing of dates into date juice concentrate and appraisal of its quality characteristics.

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is widely cultivated in Kutch district of Gujarat and the fruits are harvested at immature stage before the onset of monsoon to prevent spoilage. The immature date fruits with less commercial value were used for processing into date juice concentrate. Immature dates were crushed and treated with 0.

Radical scavenging and singlet oxygen quenching activity of extracts from Indian seaweeds.

Free radicals and singlet oxygen are responsible for oxidative stress related diseases and many natural compounds are known to have antioxidant properties. In this study, extracts from brown and red seaweeds of Indian origin were evaluated for their ability to scavenge different radicals and quench singlet oxygen. The crude extract in methanol and its fractions in different solvents were evaluated for their activity.

Stability of carotenoids recovered from shrimp waste and their use as colorant in fish sausage.

The stability of carotenoids recovered from shrimp waste using organic solvents and vegetable oils as affected by antioxidants and pigment carriers was evaluated during storage under different conditions. Solvent extracted carotenoid incorporated into alginate and starch as carriers was stored in metallised polyester and polypropylene pouches. Oil extracted carotenoids were stored in transparent and amber bottles.