Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2016-02-15"
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- Protein content and amino acids profile of pseudocerealsPublication . Motta, Carla; Santos, Mariana; Mauro, Raul; Matos, Ana; Torres, Duarte; Castanheira, IsabelQuinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus) and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) represent the main protein source in several diets, although these pseudocereals are not currently present in the FCDB nutrient profile information. The aim of this work is to characterise the AA profile of these pseudocereals and compare them with rice. Total protein content revealed to vary from 16.3 g/100 g (quinoa Salta) to 13.1 g/100 g (buckwheat) and lower values were found in rice samples (6.7 g/100 g). For pseudocereals the most abundant essential AA was leucine. Quinoa-Salta evidences the highest leucine content (1013 mg/100 g) and the minor methionine content (199 mg/100 g). Buckwheat was the cereal with the highest phenylalanine content (862 mg/100 g). Rice (Oryza sativa) presents the lowest content for all AA. Results showed pseudocereals as the best source of AA. EuroFIR guidelines where strictly followed and proved to be a crucial tool to guarantee data interchangeability and comparability.
- EuroFIR quality approach for managing food composition data; where are we in 2014?Publication . Westenbrink, Susanne; Roe, Mark; Oseredczuk, Marine; Castanheira, Isabel; Finglas, PaulA EuroFIR quality management framework was developed to assure data quality of food composition data, incorporating several recommendations developed or improved during the EuroFIR projects. A flow chart of the compilation process with standard operating procedures to assure critical steps was the starting point. Recommendations for food description, component identification, value documentation, recipe calculation, quality evaluation of values, guidelines to assess analytical methods, document and data repositories and training opportunities were harmonized as elements of the quality framework. European food composition database organizations reached consensus on the EuroFIR quality framework and started implementation. Peer reviews of the European compiler organizations were organized to evaluate the quality framework, focusing on what was achieved and on improvements needed. The reviews demonstrated that European food database compilers have made good use of standards and guidelines produced by EuroFIR, as well as a common understanding that a quality framework is essential to assure food composition data quality.
- EuroFIR guidelines for assessment of methods of analysis: GAMAPublication . Castanheira, Isabel; Saraiva, Marina; Rego, Andreia; Ollilainen, VelimattiAnalytical methodology is a key factor in food composition databases and specific criteria, at the component level, is needed for comparison of analytical data from different sources. The aim of this work is to describe how EuroFIR guidelines for assessment of methods of analysis are created and made available to users. Comprehensive information for macronutrients, vitamins, minerals and trace elements addressing all aspects of analytical procedures was obtained from international standards, and scientific literature. Documentation was compiled in a confluence wiki format provided for each component: background information, description of reference methods of analysis and critical steps, available reference materials, proficiency testing schemes, other analytical methods and relevant references. The information for each nutrient was collated, edited and presented with hypertext links to additional pages where more detailed information can be accessed using full text searches. The wiki format is a useful tool for preparing information and disseminating to users.
- Nutritional and phytochemical composition of Annona cherimola Mill. fruits and by-products: Potential health benefitsPublication . Albuquerque, T.G.; Santos, F.; Sanches-Silva, A.; Oliveira, M.B.; Bento, A.C.; Costa, H.S.Annona cherimola Mill., commonly known as cherimoya, is a tropical fruit well known due to its tasty flavour. In the present study the antioxidant activity of pulp, peel and seeds of four cultivars from A. cherimola Mill. from Madeira Island (Madeira, Funchal, Perry Vidal and Mateus II) was analysed. Moreover, nutritional composition (proximates and vitamins) and bioactive compounds content were determined. The peel of Madeira cultivar showed the highest antioxidant capacity, with an EC50 of 0.97 mg/mL, and total flavonoids (44.7 epicatechin equivalents/100 g). The most abundant carotenoid was lutein, with values ranging from 129 to 232 μg/100 g. The highest l-ascorbic acid content (4.41 mg/100 g) was found in the peel of Perry Vidal cultivar. These results highlight A. cherimola Mill. antioxidant properties, especially in its by-products and encourage their application in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food processing industries, as added value natural extracts.