Earticle

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of sesaminol glucosides (SG) on age-related cognitive deficits in senescence-accelerated mice P8 (SAMP8). Male SAMP8 (9 month-old) were randomly divided into 3 groups and received diets containing 0, 0.25, or 0.5% SG for 12 weeks. Step-through latency of the SAMP8 control group was higher than that of the senescence-accelerated resistant mice (SAMR) group, whereas it was lowered in the SG-supplemented group on the passive-avoidance test. In the Morris water maze, the escape latency of the SAMP8 control group was increased and recovered in the 0.5% SG-supplemented group. The SG supplementation significantly decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels in brains of the SAMP8. On the other hand, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in brains of the SG supplemented group decreased compared with the SAMP8 control group. These results suggest that SG could attenuate cognitive deficits caused by aging through its antioxidant capacity.

Multiple beneficial properties of Opuntia ficus indica (OPF) are well established. In the present study, we have investigated the immunological role of OPF extract (OPFE) on murine plenocytes. OPFE dose- and time-dependently enhanced the proliferation of splenocytes without cytotoxicity. Our results also showed that the number of CD4+ helper T cells and CD45R/B220+ pan B cells increased markedly, but not CD8+ cytotoxic T cells or CD11b+ granulocytes/macrophages. In addition, OPFE significantly decreased the production levels of T helper (Th) 1 type cytokines, interferon (IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, although had no significantly differences in those of interleukin (IL)-4, a Th2 type cytokine in concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated blastogenic cells. Furthermore, OPFE alone strongly increased IL-4 roduction and decreased TNF-α production even in the absence of Con A. On the basis of these results, this study suggests that OPFE enhances immunity by regulating the pro- and anti-inflammatory response, indicating that this extract exerts a marked immunomodulatory effect, confirming its usefulness as therapy for immune-related diseases.

The present study focused on the effects of peel contact on the volatile compounds of orange wines. The volatile compounds were analyzed by sensory and instrumental analyses. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was used for extraction of volatile compounds. A total of 19 and 27 volatile compounds were identified in without and with peel contact wines respectively. Esters were quantitatively the dominant group of volatile compounds in without peel contact wines, while terpenes were the most abundant compounds in peel contact wines. Totally 11 and 14 new formed compounds were found in without and with peel contact wines, mainly were esters, alcohols, and acids. According to sensory analysis, the peel contact wine showed a more citrus-like and fruity aroma than the wines without peel contact.

Although beneficial effects of dietary plant proteins on lipid metabolism are well documented, not much information exists on the influence of different seafood proteins on the lipid metabolism. The present study evaluated the effect of 2 marine proteins (tuna protein and scallop ovary proteins) in comparison to casein and soy protein in male Wistar rats. The concentration of total lipids in the plasma of rats fed experimental diets was significantly lower from that of control (278.2 mg/dL) group (p<0.05); and, the liver lipid content was not significantly different (p>0.05). Fecal excretion of cholesterol and bile acids was significantly higher in marine proteins and soy protein fed groups compared to casein only fed control (6.1 and 6.4 mg/day, respectively) group (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the mRNA concentrations of different transcriptional factors (p>0.05).

Quantitative changes in functional constituents of waxy corn (Zea mays L.) by 5 different thermal pretreatments, including roasting, steaming, microwave, puffing, and extruding, were determined and compared with those of the raw waxy corn. There were no significant differences in fatty acid compositions among the corn treated with 5 thermal treatments. Levels of α- and γ-tocopherols, soluble amino acids, and phytosterols decreased by thermal treatments, while those of pcoumaric and ferulic acids considerably increased by thermal treatments. In particular, the contents of tocopherols and phytosterols, and souble amino acid decreased significant in the steaming and puffing processes, respectively, whereas those of 2 free cinnamic acids increased significantly in the steaming and puffing processes. The extruding process showed smaller quantitative changes in tocopherols, phytosterols, and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives compared to other heat pretreatments. These results suggest that the extruding process have a positive effect on valuable phytochemicals in waxy corn.

This paper investigates the production and optimization of β-galactosidase enzyme using synthetic medium by Kluyveromyces lactis NRRL Y-8279 in stirred tank bioreactor. Response surface methodology was used to investigate the effects of fermentation parameters on β-galactosidase enzyme production. Maximum specific enzyme activity of 4,622.7 U/g was obtained at the optimum levels of process variables (aeration rate 2.21 vvm, agitation speed 173.4 rpm, initial sugar concentration 33.8 g/L, incubation time 24.0 hr). The optimum temperature and pH of the β-galactosidase enzyme produced under optimized conditions were 37oC and pH 7.0, respectively. The enzyme was stable over a pH range of 6.0-7.5 and a temperature range of 25-37oC. The Km and Vmax values for O-nitrophenol-β-D-galactopyranoside (ONPG) were 1.20 mM and 1,000 μmol/min·mg protein, respectively. The response surface methodology was found to be useful in optimizing and determining the interactions among process variables in β-galactosidase enzyme production. Hence, this study fulfills the lack of using mathematical and statistical techniques in optimizing the β-galactosidase enzyme production in stirred tank bioreactor.

KH-red ginseng/chlorella (KH-RG/C) is the mixed material of the Korean red ginseng powder (Panax ginseng, 75%) and extract of Chlorella vulgaris (25%). To evaluate the effects of KH-RG/C on endurance capacity and immune regulation, the forced swimming test (FST) was conducted. The immobility time in the FST was significantly decreased in KH-RG/C treated group compared with the DW-treated group at the 3 and 10 days, respectively. In the analysis of the blood biochemical parameters, KH-RG/C treatment significantly increased the glucose level. However, the lactic dehydrogenase level decreased. Although KH-RG/C increased aspartate aminotransferase, it was not different significantly. And KH-RG/C had no affects in the alanine aminotransferase, and blood urea nitrogen levels. In splenocytes and macrophages, KH-RG/C also did not affect the interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and IL-12 production. These results suggest that KH-RG/C may influence to immune regulation through increasing the physical endurance capacity without effect in activation of immune cells.

Electric polarity of working electrode and counter electrode was periodically switched at the intervals of 30 sec. Electric current generated by anodic and cathodic reaction of working electrode was reached to +30 and -12 mA in low intensity pulsed electric field (LIPEF). The yeast growth, ethanol production, and malate consumption in the initial cultivation time were more activated in the LIPEF than the conventional condition (CC). Polyphenol, total phenolic contents (TPC), and total flavonols (TF) were gradually decreased in all cultivation conditions during incubation for 2 weeks but antioxidation activity was not. TF was significantly lower in 3 and 4 V of LIPEF than CC and 2 V of LIPEF; however, the polyphenol, TPC, and antioxidation activity were a little influenced by the LIPEF. After ripening of the winemaking culture for 15 days, polyphenol, TPC, and TF were a little increased but the antioxidation activity was not.

Aspergillus kawachii extracellular pectinases were screened in liquid cultures with different carbon sources. The fungus grown on citrus pectin or lemon pomace produced at least one of these inducible pectinases: acidic polygalacturonase, pectin lyase, pectin methylesterase, α-L-arabinofuranosidase, α-1,5-endoarabinase, β-D-galactosidase/exogalactanase, and β-1,4-endogalactanase. The lemon-pomace filtrates also contained significant α-L-rhamnosidase and β-D-fucosidase activities. Most of the screened pectinases were active at pH 2.0-2.5, indicating that the A. kawachii enzymes were acidophilic. Under the culture conditions employed we could not detect enzymatic degradation of soybean rhamnogalacturonan. The A. kawachii pectinase-production-related regulatory phenomena of induction-repression resemble those described for other Aspergillus sp.

The aim of this study is to elucidate the anti-inflammatory activities of chopi (Zanthoxylum piperitum A.P. DC.) essential oil. Essential oil (EO) of chopi was extracted by steam distillation method, and its major constituents were limonene and geranyl acetate. Chopi-EO decreased approximately 38% of nitrite production, as compared to the lipopolysaccharde (LPS)-induced nitrite production. However, chopi-EO and its components did not quench nitric oxide (NO) chemically in cellfree system, and markedly inhibited approximately 40.4% of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA transcription. In addition, the inhibition of E-selectin gene transcription by chopi-EO caused the suppression of cellular adhesion. These results suggest that chopi-EO may exert potential anti-immunological inflammatory activity.

Quality changes of the slices processed from ‘Niitaka’ Asian pears (Pyrus pyrifolia) stored at 0oC for up to 4 months under controlled atmosphere (CA, 1% O2+1% CO2) and normal air have been investigated for 4 days at 10oC. Respiration rate of the slices was retarded by pre-slicing storage for 4 months in CA. Electrolyte leakage was lower in the slices from pears stored for short-term than long-term and under CA than air. L and a values of the slices from whole pears stored under CA were maintained higher and lower, respectively as compared to the other. Levels of acetaldehyde and ethanol in the slices were increased by CA and long-term storage of whole pears. Content of ascorbic acid and counts of total aerobic microbes in the slices were not affected by storage conditions of whole pears. These results show that storage atmospheres and durations of whole pears affected quality changes of the slices and the conditions of pre-slicing storage should be considered as an important factor for optimizing fresh-cut procedures.

Crude polysaccharides from rapeseed meal (PRM) were extracted with 0.3% NaOH aqueous solution, followed by further purifications and 2 fractions, namely PRM1 and PRM2, were separated with a DEAE-cellulose DE-52 column. Their primary compositions were analysed and antioxidant activity was determined, including scavenging activity toward superoxide anion radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and nitric oxide radicals, reducing power, and inhibitory effects against the microsomal lipid peroxidation, compared to that of L-ascorbic acid. The results indicated that PRM1 and PRM2 exhibited not only good reducing power and inhibitory effects on the microsomal lipid peroxidation, but also strong scavenging activity toward superoxide anion radicals, nitric oxide radicals, and hydroxyl radicals. In addition, positive correlations were also observed between the superoxide anion radical scavenging activity and the protein contents of the polysaccharides, and the reducing power and the sulfate contents. These findings thus clearly suggest the polysaccharides possess direct and potent antioxidant activity

This study was aimed at developing a low cost cold storage system for agricultural products. Three kinds of slurries: K1, K2, and K3 slurries were developed using phase change materials (PCMs) such as tetradecane, octadecane, and sodium polyacrylate to maintain the desired temperature ranges. The slurries were manufactured by in-situ polymerization. Tetradecane and octadecane were capsulated in a core with melamine at the surface. The thermodynamic characteristics of the slurries were measured and analyzed. The latent heats of the K1, K2, and K3 slurries at the melting points were 206.41, 186.88, and 147.91 kJ/kg, respectively. A transportable cold storage container was built to investigate the performance of the slurries as thermal storage media. The temperatures at the insides of the container could be maintained in the ranges of 0-5, 5-10, and 10-15oC for more than 23, 27, and 60 hr with the K1, K2, and K3 slurries, respectively.

Present study deals with variations of physicochemicals including γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), γ-oryzanol, free sugar, lipoxygenase activity, fat acidity, and germination rate from Korean brown rice cultivars. With increase of storage time and temperature, GABA, γ-oryzanol, lipoxygenase activity, and fat acidity increased, whereas free sugar and germination rate was reduced. Among cultivars, ‘Gopumbyeo’ exhibited the highest contents in GABA and γ-oryzanol during 12 weeks storage at 25oC (GABA: 28.6±5.6→170.4±4.6 mg/100 g, γ-oryzanol: 6.1±0.7→6.7±0.4 mg/g) and ‘Ilpumbyeo’ significantly decreased in free sugar during 12 weeks storage at 10oC (1,423.7→1,058.4 mg/100 g). Moreover, ‘Taebongbyeo’ exhibited the highest quality owing to low lipoxygenase activity, low fat acidity, and high germination rate. In free sugar compositions, sucrose exhibited the highest content (>70%), followed by fructose (>7%), raffinose (>5%), glucose (>3%), and maltose (>2%) during storage. Based on our results, changes of physicochemicals in stored brown rice may be important information in processing food and functional properties.

Chestnut flours (CFs) were produced from 3 chestnut samples (Aydin, Kutahya, and Bursa) by 2 different methods (boiled and oven-dried: BOD-CF and freeze-dried: FD-CF). Functional properties and effects of CF addition (10, 20, and 30%) on the qualities of regular and low-fat cookie were investigated. The freeze drying significantly increased water solubility of CFs but decreased their water binding capacity. The emulsion capacity and stability of FD-CFs were higher than those of BOD-CFs. At pH 4, 6, 8, and 10 FD-CFs had better gelation properties. Spread ratio (SR) values of BOD-CF supplemented regular or low-fat cookies decreased with increasing CF levels. Hardness values of CF supplemented regular cookies were generally lower compared to control. SR and hardness values of FD-CF supplemented cookies were higher than those of BOD-CF supplemented ones. Surface colors of the cookies were darker with FD-CF addition as compared to BODCF addition. In low-fat cookies, the sample supplemented with 10% Kutahya FD-CF had the highest taste-flavor value. FDCF supplementation generally resulted in higher appearance and taste-flavor scores than BOD-CF supplementation in cookies.

The suppressive effects of glutathione-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae FF-8 strain (FF-8 GY) on alcoholinduced hepatotoxicity have been studied. FF-8 GY (256 mg/L) from the fermentation at a large scale bioreactor was used. Either of 5% FF-8 GY or 5% commercial glutathione-enriched yeast extract (GYE) with or without 30% alcohol was tested with rats for 4 weeks. FF-8 GY and GYE were found to reduce those alcohol-elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities. Blood alcohol and acetaldehyde were also decreased by FF-8 GY and GYE. Interestingly, FF-8 GY drastically increased both hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activities in comparison to GYE group, thus FF-8 GY would be more effective in blood alcohol and acetaldehyde reduction. Attenuated lipid droplet accumulation in hepatocytes was observed in both FF-8 GY and GYE when alcohol stimulated the accumulation. Therefore, FF-8 GY may be useful to protect liver from alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of ultrasound with ascorbic acid on the quality of fresh-cut apples. Prepared apple cubes were dipped in distilled water (US) or in 1% ascorbic cid solution (AS), both were treated with ultrasound at 40 kHz, while the other sample was just dipped in 1% ascorbic acid solution for 1 min (AA). All samples were stored at 4oC for 12 days. AS treatment had an effect on apple cube color as indicated by its significantly higher L values and lower ΔE value whereas AA- and US-treated samples showed a considerable browning. Higher inhibition rate on browning and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity of 46 and 98%, respectively, were observed after AS treatment. The highest total phenolic content of AS-treated samples was shown during whole storage periods. This investigation revealed that the use of ultrasound in combination with ascorbic acid had a positive effect on quality maintaining of fresh-cut apples.

Rhizopus oryzae KSD-815 was isolated from nuruk that has been used to make Korean traditional wines. This study was performed to investigate the effect of cultures of R. oryzae KSD-815 on cardiovascular disorders and cancer metastasis. Firstly, these cultures were sequentially fractionationed with n-hexane (TAHe), ethylacetate (TAE), n-butanol (TAB), and H2O (TAW). The TAE inhibited the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and TAB suppressed platelet aggregation in vitro. TAE and TAB inhibited cell motility of human breast cancer cells. Furthermore, TAW interrupted the formation of neovasculature and tube-like structure, and down-regulated the expression of angiogenic factors, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in breast cancer cells. These results indicated that cultures of R. oryzae KSD-815 display the inhibitory activities on hypertension, platelet aggregation, and metastasis, and suggest that these cultures might be further probed for the purposes as therapeutic agents or dietary supplements.

The present study used the liquid extraction pretreatment method and developed a liquid chromatographyultraviolet detector (LC-UV) for the simultaneous determination of 14 sulfonamides (SAs) residues in porcine and chicken muscle. Linearity within a range of 50-150 μg/kg was obtained with the correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.9673-0.9997. The mean recovery of SAs was 55.9-109.7% (relative standard deviations; RSDs 1.7-17.3%) in porcine muscle and 52.8-112.4% (RSDs 2.3-16.9%) in chicken muscle. The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) were 2-32 and 7-96 μg/kg in porcine muscle, and 4-32 and 13-97 μg/kg in chicken muscle, respectively. These values were lower than the maximum residue limits (MRLs) established by the European Union. The sum of all SAs residues present should be less than 100 μg/kg.

Hydrothermal treatment of rice hull was hydrothermal carried out at 105, 110, 121oC for 15, 30, 60 min, respectively, using a conventional autoclave. Antioxidant activity of the hydrothermal treated rice hull extract was evaluated by determining total phenol contents (TPC), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (RSA), reducing power, and ABTS RSA. TPC, DPPH RSA, reducing power, and 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylenebenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) RSA of the extract were significantly increased with increasing treated temperature and time. For example, hydrothermal extracts at 121oC for 60 min increased the TPC, DPPH RSA, reducing power, and ABTS RSA to 0.840 mg/mL, 64.77%, 1.437, and 92.11%, respectively, while those of the extracts treated at 105oC for 60 min were 0.508 mg/mL, 51.23%, 0.819, and 45.22%, respectively. The results indicated that hydrothermal treatment of rice hull was very effective to increase phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of rice hull extract.

The surfaces of different-sized endosperm, bran, and husk rice powders were modified using carboxymethylation. Carboxymethylation was carried out using aqueous alkalization and neutralization. After the carboxymethylation process, the centrifuged products were milled and classified by size: particles passed through sieves of 45, 106, and 300-μm width. The effect of carboxymethylation on physical properties such as solubility and dispersibility of endosperm, bran, and husk particles were studied. Overall, carboxymethylation increased solubility of the particles, while size reduction increased dispersibility. In particular, carboxymethylation created good aqueous suspensions by minimizing interparticle agglomeration. Our results show that the combination of size reduction and carboxymethylation improves solubility and dispersibility, resulting in better stability of the suspension. This study may be helpful for expanding the use of rice and its byproducts as ingredients in a variety of food and beverage applications.

Volatile extracts obtained from traditional Chinese-type soy sauces prepared with soybean (SSSB) and defatted soy meal (SSDSM) by solid phase microextraction (SPME) and direct solvent extraction (DSE) were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The volatile flavor compounds and relative contents of different chemical classes detected in SSSB and SSDSM were compared for their differences. Results showed that significant differences in both constituents of volatile flavor compounds and relative contents of different chemical classes were observed for both kinds of soy sauces. A total of 152 and 131 compounds were identified in SSSB and SSDSM, respectively, and 102 volatile flavor compounds were common in both kinds of soy sauces. Moreover, relative contents of acids, aldehydes, esters, furan(one)s, miscellaneous compounds, phenols, pyrazines, pyrrol(idinon)es, and sulfur-containing compounds in both kinds of soy sauces were all significantly different.

The specific objective of this study was to determine the changes in grain quality of lodged rice with respect to the duration of lodging time and compare the changes with those of unlodged one. The rice ‘Janganbyeo’ was cultivated and half of paddy field was totally lodged at 30 days after heading. Both lodged paddy and unlodged paddy were harvested at intervals and used for the grain quality determination. The lodged rice did not show any remarkable changes in grain quality until the 4th day of lodging for rough rice and until the 2nd or the 4th day of lodging for brown rice and white rice. The overall grain quality of lodged rice could be kept for 2 to 4 days of lodging.

Jiwhang (Rehmannia glutinosa), one of the most widely used medicinal herbs, was dried with various methods such as sun drying, hot air drying, vacuum drying, and freeze drying methods, and their effects on the antioxidant capacity in relation with the content of total phenolic compounds were studied with a steamed-and-dried rehmannia (sookjiwhang) for comparison. Generally, total phenolic contents decreased significantly by all of the drying treatments except the steamed-anddried rehmannia, in which total phenolic contents increased 2.4 fold compared with fresh rehmannia. Content of verbascoside, a functional phenolic compound, was the highest in the freeze-dried rehmannia (177.97±0.02 μg/g d.m.) followed by vacuumdried (105.55±0.07 μg/g d.m.), hot air-dried (23.01±0.02 μg/g d.m.), and sun-dried (4.89±0.13 μg/g d.m.) ones comparable to the fresh rehmannia (80.15±1.26 μg/g d.m.). Antioxidant capacity determined by both 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) methods agreed with the result of total phenolic contents, that is, the antioxidant capacity was the highest in the steamed-and-dried rehmannia followed by fresh rehmannia, vacuumdried, hot air-dried, sun-dried, and freeze-dried ones. Conclusively, the total phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity of rehmannia were greatly affected by the drying methods used.

The seed coat of the black soybean contains 3 main anthocyanins such as delphinidin-3-O-β-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside, and petunidin-3-O-β-glucoside. As a part of our effort on discovering and breeding new black soybean cultivars which possesses specific anthocyanin component rich, we determined the anthocyanin profiles of the 2 cultivars recently developed soybean cv. Gaechuck #1 and cv. Gyeongsang #1, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and compared their content and identity with those of previously known 10 cultivar controls. The Cosmosil- 5C18-AR-II column were selected for the analysis because of the best peak separation. The column temperature was set up at 35oC. The mobile phase consisting of water containing 0.5%(v/v) formic acid and methanol gave good separation between the 3 anthocyanin analytes and internal standard (quercetin 3-O-β-rutinoside) and peaks with suppressed tail. The MS/MS spectra of each individual anthocyanin standard were detected in positive electron spray ionization (ESI) modes. It was disclosed that the anthocyanin contents of the soybean cv. Gaechuck#1 and cv. Gyeongsang#1 are roughly higher than those of the 10 controls.

Antioxidant activities of mulberry leaf extracted with different concentrations of EtOH were investigated. Total phenolic content and electron donating abilities of extract from 70% EtOH were the highest. Extracts obtained from EtOHwater mixture were shown to be significantly higher superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activities than other treatment (p<0.05). Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition was the greatest at 50% EtOH concentration (p<0.05). The extracts from 30-70% EtOH exhibited higher ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) value than rest of the concentration (p<0.05). In case of nitrite scavenging activity, much higher scavenging activities were observed when the extraction was performed with EtOH or EtOH-water mixture (p<0.05). The results indicate that concentration of EtOH as extraction solvents can affect the antioxidant activity of mulberry leaf, which may provide useful information on the optimal solvent conditions for the extraction.

The immunomodulating effect of Salicornia herbacea polysaccharides on BALB/c mice splenocytes was investigated. Crude (CS) and fine polysaccharide (PS) extracts with potential biological activity were prepared from S. herbacea. For in vitro experiments, splenocytes and separated T cells were treated with CS and PS (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/mL). For in vivo experiments, the CS and PS were orally administered to BALB/c mice every day for 2 weeks. For basic data analysis, physiological parameters were recorded. Cell proliferation of splenocytes and T cells was used as an index for immunomodulating activity. The proliferation of splenocytes and separated T cells was 3.2 and 3.5 times higher than the control, respectively. Moreover, when splenocytes were treated with mitogen, the highest proliferation rate was observed in splenocytes cultured with PS. Interestingly, the stimulative activity of PS was more strongly exerted through CD4+ T cells than through CD8+ T cells.

The effects of drying temperature (55, 60, and 65oC) and addition levels of maltodextrin (MD) (10, 20, and 30%) on the physicochemical properties and nutritional quality of purple sweet potato flour were investigated. MD-added flours had higher L* values, water soluble index, total phenolic, and anthocyanin contents than untreated flour. However, a*, b* values, water absorption index, and swelling capacity were dependent on the drying temperature and MD concentration. On the other hand, untreated flour had a higher ascorbic acid content compared to the MD-treated flour. Ascorbic acid contents decreased, whereas anthocyanin content was not significantly different, with increasing drying temperatures. MD was positively correlated with phenolic content, anthocyanin, hue angle, and water soluble index. However, there was no correlation between quality parameters and glass transition temperature. The best quality product was obtained when samples were pretreated with MD before drying, regardless of drying temperature.

The volatiles formed from the reactions of L-ascorbic acid with L-alanine at 5 different pH (5, 6, 7, 8, or 9) and 140±2oC for 2 hr was performed using solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) analysis were identified to be 25 different kinds. The reaction between L-ascorbic acid and L-alanine led mainly to the formation of pyrazines. Many of these were alkylpyrazines, such as 3-ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine, 3,5-diethyl-2-methylpyrazine, methylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-6-methylpyrazine, and 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine, other compounds identified were furans, phenols, benzoquinones, 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine, and 2-methylbenzoxazole. The studies showed that furans, such as furfural and benzofuran were formed mainly at acidic pH. In contrast, higher pH values could promote the production of pyrazines.

Effects of methanol extract from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) (CME) on underlying mechanisms of lipolysis were investigated in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Compared to the control, lipid accumulation with 72 hr treatment of CME at the concentration 20 μg/mL was significantly decreased by 19.9% as quantified by Oil red O dye. Intracellular triglyceride (TG) content was also lowered by 19.3%. To determine the mechanism for TG content reduction, glycerol release level was measured. Incubation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with 15 and 20 μg/mL of CME significantly elevated the level of free glycerol released into the cultured medium by 20.4 and 28.6%, respectively. In subsequent measurements using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), mRNA levels of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) were significantly increased by 21.2 and 24.9%, respectively, at the concentration 20 μg/mL. Results indicated that CME stimulated lipolysis through induction of HSL and ATGL mRNA expressions, resulting in increased glycerol release.