1. Introduction
Cereals and legumes are common staple food. These products represent an important source of nutrients from diet and have an irreplaceable role in nutrition [
1]. Cereals are frequently consumed as baked goods, such as bread or biscuits, among other products, with legumes gaining importance as total or partial substitutes of cereal flours in those types of products. In the 90´s decade, different aspects such as industrialization and changes in lifestyles, among other factors, favoured the production of under-nourishing baked goods based on refined flours, rich in sugars and saturated fatty acids, with poor fiber and naturally present antioxidants.
Traditionally, fruits and vegetables have been identified as major source of dietary antioxidants, but grains have gained interest due to the proved inverse association between whole grain consumption and risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer [
2,
3,
4,
5], due to their high content in fiber and free and bound phenolic compounds [
6,
7].
During the last years, the increasing awareness by consumers of the relationship between diet and health, and the industrial innovation to satisfy consumer demands, have driven the baked product sector to work on more nutritional and healthier formulations. The market of natural antioxidants, with high demand not only in the food sector but with other applications such as cosmetics and plastic, is expected to grow from
$321.4 million in 2022 to
$409.7 million in 2032, at a CAGR of 2.4% [
8].
Our body is naturally equipped with antioxidant mechanisms in order to control damage from ROS and RNS (Reactive Oxygen or Nitrogen Species); however, dietary antioxidants from food or nutritional supplements are believed to contribute to oxidative balance [
9]. Moreover, these compounds affect food quality by avoiding lipid and protein oxidation.
Food bioactive molecules are characterised by their chemical diversity, which complicates the measurement of single compound antioxidant capacity. The concept of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), including the synergic and redox interactions between the different molecules present in the food, was introduced in order to avoid these limitations. The appropriate use of TAC measurements provides support for the interpretation of complex phenomena and can be a tool for screening studies previous to in-depth research investigations [
10].
The broad types of chemical structures of antioxidant compounds in food complex matrices makes necessary the use of more than one measurement to assess their antioxidant capacity. One of the main aspects to select antioxidant assays is the reaction mechanism. There are two main mechanisms, single electron transfer (SET) and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). In SET antioxidant reactions, the free radical loses its condition by "pairing" its unpaired electron. In HAT reactions, the free radical is electronically stabilised through a mechanism that involves the direct transfer of a hydrogen atom [
11].
Different assays can be used to estimate the total capacity of foods to scavenge reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, free radicals, or to assess the content of reducing compounds. Among the most popular assays, ABTS+• (2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and DPPH• (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicals reduction methods can be found; both can be reported with Trolox (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid) as standard. ABTS+• assay is effective to estimate hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants, while DPPH• assay has important limitation for lipophilic compounds. Although they are used widely in screening studies, both have limitations associated to oxygen, pH or uncertain reaction kinetic endpoint, which can reduce their reproducibility. Also, both assays use synthetic radicals, which are not present in biological systems.
Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) is another widely adopted method; in this case, although the radical initiator is a synthetic compound, the peroxyl radicals produced, against which antioxidant capacity is evaluated, are of relevance for food oxidation mechanisms [
12]. Lipid and protein peroxidation have been linked to the pathogenesis of various diseases through different mechanisms, such as disturbance of membrane organization, functional loss of proteins and DNA, or accumulation of modified proteins in cells [
13].
The reducing capacity is also important in order to assess the TAC; the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) is based on the reduction of the 2,4,6-tripyridyl- -triazine (TPTZ)–Fe3+ to TPTZ-Fe2+ complex.
Wholegrain cereals and pulses contain a wide range of bioactive components with antioxidant effect such as proteins, dietary fiber (TDF), and phenolic compounds present in free and bound forms [
14,
15,
16], which contribute to product antioxidant capacity. Folin-Ciocalteau assay is generally used to measure total phenol content (TPC); it is not a specific method for phenolic compounds, although it is a quick and effective method to evaluate them. It is important to highlight that this method can also respond to amines and reducing sugars, which can interfere in the real value, but also it can be interesting in the case of processed foods, where Maillard reactions occur, as this method can evaluate the antioxidant capacity of Maillard Reaction Products (MRP) [
17].
During the last years (2010-2022), more than 8,000 articles have been published on the antioxidant capacity in foods area [
18]. However, there is a high variability of data published, which comes from different aspects such as complexity of food matrices, raw material variability, lack of standards in the assays of the antioxidant capacity, and extraction methodologies, among others.
One strategy to overcome the difficulties of the variability in antioxidant capacity evaluation is relying on extensive databases [
19] which can be used for comparison and reference. For example, USDA has developed two databases, one of reducing power values of more than 1100 food raw and processed products [
20] and a second of ORAC values, with 326 different food items [
21]. Another example would be the attempt for estimation of the daily intake of hydrophilic antioxidants of the Japanese population by Takebayashi and col. [
22].
The use of mathematical tools for assessing and predicting antioxidant properties of compounds can also be used as strategy for food antioxidant estimation. QSAR models (Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships) are used successfully to identify patterns in chemical structure data and correlate and predict with antioxidant capacity of compounds [
23]. However, these studies have limited applications to food matrices, where complex mixtures of different compounds are found.
For this reason, the objective of this paper was to develop a mathematical modelling tool based on proximal composition to predict total antioxidant capacity, as measured with three widely adopted methods integrating different aspects of antioxidant capacity assays (TP, ORAC, and FRAP). This work was intended to model the redox status of thermally-processed flours from different types of cereals and pulses, and provide an estimation of TAC of baked cereal and legume-based products to the food industry.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Raw material
A total of 136 varieties of 10 different grain types (cereals and pulses) were provided by Experimental Agronomic Programme (PEA) of ITACyL or obtained from local markets. The varieties provided by PEA were cultivated and harvested according to uniform protocols which reduce variability associated to agronomic aspects. The varieties and grains were the following:
Wheat (Chambo, LGWF 16 1321, RW72009, LGWF17 118, LGWE 18 8199, LGWF 17 5114, LGWF 5114, CF 14255, RW 21837, RW 72010, RW 72003, RW 72003, Marcopolo, RW 21846, Filón, Camargo, FDN 18 WW 0240, Nogal, Berdun, LG WE 178300, Boticelli, HAW 18-001, RW21968, LGW 178302, RW 72006, RW71804, Candeal PANE 247, Candeal and 12 commercial flours provided from local markets). Rye (Teodor, Igor, Loretto, Vinetto, Su Promotor, Petkus, Poseido, Arvid, Stannos and two commercial flours provided from local markets. Corn (LG3490, PO937, LG31545, SY Caarioca, Urbanix, 47M, Berlioz, KWS Selecto, RGT Huxxo and 4 commercial flours provided from local markets). Triticale (Kitsurf, Saleroso, Randam, Rivolt, RGTsuliac, Vivacio, RGT/Zaragozac., Trimour, Amarillo/105, LG Plutón, BELOTAC Cerraton (BU), RGT/KADJAC, RGT/COPLAC Cerraton, Bondadoso Cerraton). Oats (9 commercial flours provided from local markets). Rice (6 commercial flours provided from local markets). Sorghum (White: KSH9635W, KSH8G26, KWS Octavius, KSH9G37W, KSH9G32W, P1288Y20 and Brown: KWS Nemesis, PR88P68, Shamal, Foehm, Es Alize). Chickpea (Tauriton, Sultano, Turi, Villaturiel, Urbel, Ituci, Krema, Maragia L., Reale L, Vulcano, Pirón, Kasin and 3 commercial flours provided from local markets). Lentil (Guareña, Paula and 3 commercial flours provided from local markets). Soybean (Sirocca+, Sirocca-, SB8, ES Pallador, Luna, Pepita, Es Isidor, Es Mentor, S/19/12, Primus, SB07, SB44, Proteix, Panoramix, Casleis).
2.2. Sample preparation
Grain samples were reduced to uniform powder using a mill (Model Cyclotec 1093, Foss, Hilleroed, Denmark) fitted with a 0.5 mm screen, and then stored in sealed polyethylene/plastic bags in dark conditions to ensure stability until analysis.
After, wheat and rye flours were used as models for evaluation of thermal processing (temperature and time) on the antioxidant capacity (
Figure 1). Biscuit was used as model food. Biscuits were formulated with 9.5 g flour, with 3.6 g sunflower oil and 70 g 100 g
-1 of water. Each biscuit had a weight of 15 grams. After kneading, the doughs were cut using a round mould of Ø 9.5 cm and 0.5 cm height. Biscuits were baked at temperatures 180, 200 and 220 °C for a time range of 0-1500 s. The biscuits were frozen and lyophilised in order to stabilise the samples. After that, biscuits were milled to a particle size below 0.5 mm, and stored in sealed polyethylene/plastic bags in dark conditions to ensure stability until analysis.
2.3. Proximal composition
Moisture content was measured gravimetrically by drying samples at 100 °C for 24 h. Total protein content was determined by the Dumas method (AOAC method 990.03) [
24]. A conversion factor of 5.7 was used to calculate protein content from nitrogen values. Total fat content was determined using dried samples extracted with petroleum ether (BP 40–60 °C) during 4 h in a Soxtec fat extracting unit (AOAC 2005, method 2003.05) [
24]. Ash content was determined by sample incineration in a muffle furnace at 550 °C for 5 h (AOAC 2005, method 923.03) [
24]. Carbohydrates were estimated by difference. Total dietary fiber (TDF) content was evaluated using a kit provided by Sigma (TDF100A-1KT, St. Louis, MO, USA), in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, based on AOAC method 985.29 [
24]. All parameters were evaluated in duplicate. Proximal composition analysis was expressed in g 100 g
−1 dry matter (d.m.).
2.4. Colorimetric analysis
Colour parameters lightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) were measured using a colorimeter (CM-2600d, Konica Minolta Osaka, Japan) adjusted as D65 standard illuminate, 45/0 sensor and 10 ° standard observer. The colorimeter was standardised using a light trap and a white calibration plate. Measurements were taken directly on the samples.
2.5. Extract preparation
One gram of ground (mesh size 0.5 mm) sample was extracted with 8 mL of methanol: water (1:1, v/v; acidified to pH=2 with 0.1M HCl) in an orbital shaker (250 rpm, 30 min) using magnetic agitation. After centrifugation (2,057 xg, 10 min), the supernatant was collected, filtered (Filter lab paper n. 1249). The extraction was repeated three times. The combined methanol extracts were adjusted to 25 mL. All analyses were performed by duplicate. Extract aliquots were stored at -80 °C until further analysis.
2.6. Total phenol (TP) content
TP were measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu method as described by Slinkard and Singleton, with modifications [
25]. The absorbance was measured at 765 nm with a microplate reader (Fluostar Omega, BMG Ortenberg, Germany). Results were calculated using a calibration curve with Gallic acid as standard (9.8-70 mM) and expressed as mg Gallic Acid Equivalents (GAE) 100 g
-1 sample (d.m.).
2.7. Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC)
The procedure was based on a previously reported method by Ou et al. [
26], with slight modifications. Standard curve of Trolox (7,5-180 mM) and samples were diluted in phosphate buffer (10 mM, pH 7.4). Fluorescence was monitored between 100- 120 min with a microplate reader (Fluostar Omega, BMG, Ortenberg, Germany), using 485 nm excitation and 520 nm emission filters. Results calculated using the areas under the fluorescein decay curves, between the blank and the sample, and expressed as µmol Trolox Equivalents (TE) 100 g
-1 sample (d.m.).
2.8. Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)
The procedure was based on a previously reported method by Benzie and Strain [
27], with slight modifications. A 300 mM acetate buffer, pH 3.6 (mixing a solutions of 300 mM sodium acetate and 300 mM glacial acetic acid until pH 3.6), a 10 mM TPTZ (2,4,6-tripyridyl-triazine) solution in 40 mM HCL, and a 20 mM FeCL
3.6H
2O solution were prepared. The FRAP working solution was prepared by mixing the acetate buffer, TPTZ solution and FeCl
3.6H
2O solution in a volume ratio of 10:1:1. The absorbance was measured at 593 nm with a microplate reader (Fluostar Omega, BMG Ortenberg, Germany) using a calibration curve with FeSO
4.7H
2O (100-1000 µM). The results were expressed as mmol Fe Equivalents (FeE) 100 g
-1 sample (d.m.).
2.9. Statistical analysis and mathematical modelling
Chemical composition and antioxidant capacity were shown using average and standard deviation, ANOVA one-way analyses were carried out to find differences between groups, and results displayed in stacked bars and box-plots graphs. In addition, prior centred and standardised data, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Distributed Stochastic Neighbour Embedding (t-SNE) were used to visualise the chemical composition profiles of the grains, and Pearson correlation coefficients were performed to elucidate the relationships among chemical variables and antioxidant biomarkers. All statistical analyses were performed with both R (R: The R Project for Statistical Computing (r-project.org) and Python (Welcome to Python.org) software packages.
Modelling of the antioxidant capacity of the grains based on their proximal composition was performed with the RJAGS package (R Project, rjags: Bayesian Graphical Models using MCMC, 2023). Models were tested using scikit-learn packages from Python and lme4, nlme and e1071 libraries from R.
Figure 1.
Biscuits prepared before and after thermal treatment (baking process) at different temperatures (180, 200 and 220 °C and times (0-1500 s).
Figure 1.
Biscuits prepared before and after thermal treatment (baking process) at different temperatures (180, 200 and 220 °C and times (0-1500 s).
Figure 2.
Stacked bar graph representing the proximal profile according to grain type. Letters of each colour denotes statistical differences between means (one-way ANOVA, post hoc Duncan’s test, p ≤ 0.05). Data was express in percentage (g 100 g-1 d.m.).
Figure 2.
Stacked bar graph representing the proximal profile according to grain type. Letters of each colour denotes statistical differences between means (one-way ANOVA, post hoc Duncan’s test, p ≤ 0.05). Data was express in percentage (g 100 g-1 d.m.).
Figure 3.
Box-Plot distribution for (I) Protein, (II) Fat and (III) Fiber (Total Dietary Fiber) according to the grain. Data was express in percentage (g 100 g-1 d.m.). Letters denotes statistical differences between means (one-way ANOVA, post hoc Duncan’s test, p ≤ 0.05).
Figure 3.
Box-Plot distribution for (I) Protein, (II) Fat and (III) Fiber (Total Dietary Fiber) according to the grain. Data was express in percentage (g 100 g-1 d.m.). Letters denotes statistical differences between means (one-way ANOVA, post hoc Duncan’s test, p ≤ 0.05).
Figure 4.
Box-Plot distribution for (I) Luminosity, (II) a* and (III) b* according to the grain. Letters denotes statistical differences between means (one-way ANOVA, post hoc Duncan’s test, p ≤ 0.05).
Figure 4.
Box-Plot distribution for (I) Luminosity, (II) a* and (III) b* according to the grain. Letters denotes statistical differences between means (one-way ANOVA, post hoc Duncan’s test, p ≤ 0.05).
Figure 5.
Box-Plot distribution for TP (mg GAE 100 g-1) according to the grain. Data are mean values. Letters denotes statistical differences between means (one-way ANOVA, post hoc Duncan’s test, p ≤ 0.05).
Figure 5.
Box-Plot distribution for TP (mg GAE 100 g-1) according to the grain. Data are mean values. Letters denotes statistical differences between means (one-way ANOVA, post hoc Duncan’s test, p ≤ 0.05).
Figure 6.
Box-Plot distribution for (I) ORAC (µmol Eq. Trolox 100 g-1) and (II) FRAP (µmol reduced iron 100 g-1) according to the grain. Data are mean values. Letters denotes statistical differences between means (one-way ANOVA, post hoc Duncan’s test, p ≤ 0.05).
Figure 6.
Box-Plot distribution for (I) ORAC (µmol Eq. Trolox 100 g-1) and (II) FRAP (µmol reduced iron 100 g-1) according to the grain. Data are mean values. Letters denotes statistical differences between means (one-way ANOVA, post hoc Duncan’s test, p ≤ 0.05).
Figure 7.
Representation of the proximal profile (I) and colourimeter parameters (II) of the grain types based on principal components analysis (PCA).
Figure 7.
Representation of the proximal profile (I) and colourimeter parameters (II) of the grain types based on principal components analysis (PCA).
Figure 8.
Distributed Stochastic Neighbour Embedding (T-SNE) distribution of type of grains based on their antioxidant parameters (TP, ORAC and FRAP).
Figure 8.
Distributed Stochastic Neighbour Embedding (T-SNE) distribution of type of grains based on their antioxidant parameters (TP, ORAC and FRAP).
Figure 9.
Effect of temperature and time in TP (mg GAE 100 g-1), ORAC (µmol Eq. Trolox 100 g-1) and FRAP (µmol reduced iron 100 g-1) for wheat (Berdun) and rye (Teodor, Loreto e Igor).
Figure 9.
Effect of temperature and time in TP (mg GAE 100 g-1), ORAC (µmol Eq. Trolox 100 g-1) and FRAP (µmol reduced iron 100 g-1) for wheat (Berdun) and rye (Teodor, Loreto e Igor).
Figure 10.
Level curves of Total Phenols predicted with the first level model for the series according to baking temperature
Figure 10.
Level curves of Total Phenols predicted with the first level model for the series according to baking temperature
Figure 12.
Schematic representation of the global model.
Figure 12.
Schematic representation of the global model.
Table 1.
Values corresponding to the parameters 'ϴ, 'α1' and 'α2' of TP, ORAC and FRAP models.
Table 1.
Values corresponding to the parameters 'ϴ, 'α1' and 'α2' of TP, ORAC and FRAP models.
Setting |
|
TP |
|
|
ORAC |
|
|
FRAP |
|
|
ϴ |
Alpha1 |
Alpha2 |
ϴ |
Alpha1 |
Alpha2 |
ϴ |
Alpha1 |
Alpha2 |
Berdun 180 °C |
0.605 |
1.985 |
0.100 |
0.291 |
0.826 |
0.117 |
0.296 |
0.297 |
0.059 |
Igor 180 °C |
1.497 |
0.850 |
0.573 |
0.317 |
0.588 |
0.106 |
0.231 |
0.246 |
0.061 |
Teodor 180 °C |
1.391 |
0.375 |
1.013 |
0.112 |
0.926 |
0.566 |
0.186 |
0.409 |
0.292 |
Berdun 200 °C |
0.431 |
1.960 |
0.265 |
1.875 |
0.134 |
0.564 |
1.285 |
0.045 |
1.020 |
Loretto 200 °C |
1.717 |
0.938 |
1.022 |
0.873 |
1.016 |
3.034 |
1.131 |
0.090 |
2.658 |
Berdun 220 °C |
0.309 |
1.976 |
0.566 |
1.371 |
0.220 |
0.450 |
1.278 |
0.034 |
0.680 |
Loretto 220 °C |
1.462 |
1.020 |
2.516 |
1.140 |
0.062 |
0.686 |
0.836 |
0.025 |
0.755 |
Table 2.
R2 of SRV models.
Table 2.
R2 of SRV models.
Temperature |
Variety |
R2_TP |
R2_ORAC |
R2_FRAP |
180 °C |
Berdun |
0.807 |
0.655 |
-0.372 |
180 °C |
Teodor |
0.021 |
0.500 |
0.387 |
180 °C |
Igor |
0.396 |
-0.404 |
-2.081 |
200 °C |
Berdun |
0.893 |
0.716 |
-0.266 |
200 °C |
Loretto |
0.952 |
-2.051 |
0.935 |
220 °C |
Berdun |
0.632 |
0.712 |
0.423 |
220 °C |
Loretto |
0.919 |
0.844 |
0.881 |