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Amaranth hydrolysates inhibited LPS-induced inflammation in human and mouse macrophages by preventing activation of NF-κB signaling. Extrusion improved anti-inflammatory effect of amaranth hydrolysates in both cells, which might be attributed to the production of bioactive peptides during processing.

Whole white corn was ground, and lime, water and xanthan gum (XG, 0.5% w/w), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC, 0.5% w/w), guar gum (GG, 0.5% w/w) or a gums mix (XG, 0.25% w/w; CMC, 0.15% w/w; GG, 0.10% w/w) were added. Blends were extruded, dried and ground to obtain nixtamalized corn flour (ENCF), and they were used to make tortillas. The particle size distribution, particle size index, water absorption capacity (WAC) and water absorption index (WAI) were determined in flour; moisture content and viscoelastic characteristics (G′, G′′, tan δ) were determined in corn masa; tortillas were made, and texture (cutting force and rollability) and sensory evaluation were carried out. ENCF with XG and gums mix had the highest WAC, and tortillas were softer (33%) than tortillas from ENCF without gums. Corn masa viscoelasticity (tan δ) correlated negatively with tortilla firmness (r = −0.84). Corn tortillas made with XG and gums mix had acceptable organoleptic characteristics. PRACTICAL APPLICATION The extrusion process allows the using of the whole corn to make tortillas and reduce processing costs and the contaminant effluents (cooking liquor). The addition of a mix of gums during extrusion makes the corn masa retain more water and modify its rheological properties, improving masa handling characteristics and tortilla textural quality. The evaluation of masa viscoelasticity with the dynamic method makes it possible to differentiate corn masas and to select the best treatments.

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Cereal Chem. 85(6):808-816Nixtamalized and extruded flours from quality protein maize (QPM, V-537C) and tortillas made from them were evaluated for some technological and nutritional properties and compared with the commercial brand MASECA. Both QPM flours showed higher (P < 0.05) protein content, total color difference, pH, available lysine, and lower (P < 0.05) total starch content, Hunter L value, water absorption index, gelatinization enthalpy, resistant starch, and retrograded resistant starch than nixtamalized MASECA flour. Tortillas from nixtamalized and extruded QPM flours had higher contents of essential amino acids than tortillas from MASECA flour, except for leucine. Tortillas from processed QPM flours also showed higher (P < 0.05) values of the nutritional indicators calculated protein efficiency ratio (C-PER 1.80-1.85 vs. 1.04), apparent and true in vivo protein digestibility (78.4-79.1 vs. 75.6% and 76.4-77.4 vs. 74.2%, respectively), PER (2.30-2.43 vs. 1.31), net protein retention (NPR; 2.88-2.89 vs. 2.11), and protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS; 54-55 vs. 29% based on preschool children and 100 vs. 85% based on adults) than MASECA flour. The use of QPM for flour and tortilla preparation may have a positive effect on the nutritional status of people from countries where these products are widely consumed.