Effect of incorporation of carrot pomace powder and germinated chickpea flour on the quality characteristics of biscuits.
The study on utilization of carrot pomace powder (CPP) and germinated chickpea flour (GCF) in biscuits was undertaken to upgrade the nutritional quality and assess the acceptability. The biscuits were prepared from composite flours by incorporating 5, 8 and 10 parts of germinated chickpea flour and similar corresponding parts of carrot pomace powder in to wheat flour. The biscuits were analyzed for their physical properties, chemical composition and sensory properties. The spread ratio of the biscuits increased from 6.1 to 8.4 with the increase of CPP and GCF in the blends. With the increase in the concentration of CPP and GCF, there was an increase in protein, ash and crude fiber contents. The crude fiber content of the biscuits supplemented with 10% CPP and GCF was the highest (3.2%). The biscuits supplemented with CPP and GCF up to 8% level were of acceptable sensory quality.
Preparation and quality assessment of fortified cookies by using wheat flour, flaxseed flour and carrot pomace
Bakery products are mainly prepared from wheat as its main ingredients. The present study was designed to develop fortified cookie using wheat flour blended with flaxseed flour and dried carrot pomace. Effects of fortification with 5% of carrot pomace and different levels of flaxseed flour were assessed on the nutritional and sensory quality of biscuit. The different formulations were T0-(100:0:0), T1(85:10:05), T2(80:15:05), T3(75:20:05) in which the ratio iswheat flour: flaxseed flour: carrot pomace. The samples were evaluated organoleptically by a group of five semi-trained panelists and rated the product using 9-point Hedonic scale. The samples of treatment T2 containing 15% flaxseed flour was found the best in aspects of colour & appearance, flavor & taste and overall acceptability. T1 sample containing 10% flaxseed flour was found to be best in body and texture. The chemical analysis result show that with the increase in the concentration of flaxseed flour, there was an increase in moisture, protein, fat, ash and crude fibber while there is decrease in the content of carbohydrate. Thus, compositing cookies with flaxseed flour and carrot pomace has proved to have improved nutritional properties as well as sensory attributes and it will help in increasing intake of protein, fats and fibers.
Inhibition of Root Growth and Polyamine Metabolism in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Seedlings Under Cadmium and Copper Stress
Although sunflower is usually regarded as a highly tolerant crop, impairment of root growth at initial stages of plant development may result in poor crop establishment and higher susceptibility to pathogen attack. In order to evaluate if Cd2+ and Cu2+ may impact on sunflower germination and initial root development, a pot experiment under controlled conditions was carried out. Possible involvement of polyamine metabolism in sunflower response to these stressors was also investigated. Although Cd2+ and Cu2+ treatments affect neither seed germination nor radicle emergence, sunflower seedlings grown in the presence of these heavy metals showed significant inhibition of root growth, being this inhibition greater for Cd2+. Both metals caused significant increases in proline contents at the highest concentrations tested (0.5 and 1 mM), and these increments were more pronounced for Cd2+ treatments, especially between days 3 and 10. Metals also increased putrescine (Put) contents at all concentrations assayed from the seventh day onward, causing no variations on this polyamine time-course pattern. Spermine and spermidine contents, however, were increased only by 1 mM Cd2+. Arginine decarboxylase seems to have been the enzyme responsible for Put increases under both metal treatments. This work demonstrates that initial root growth of sunflower seedlings may be significantly impaired in Cd2+ or Cu2+ contaminated soils. It also shows that polyamines are key biological compounds, which are probably involved in signaling pathways triggered under stress environmental conditions.