Whole soybeans (Glycin max L.) were roasted by exposure to microwaves at a frequency of 2,450 MHz, and their hypocotyls were separated from other tissues (seed coat and cotyledons). The quality characteristics and composition in the hypocotyl oils were studied in relation to their tocopherol distributions and were evaluated as compared to an unroasted oil sample. Only minor increases (P < 0.05) in chemical and physical changes of the oils, such as carbonyl value, anisidine value and color development, occurred with increased roasting time. Significant decreases (P < 0.05) were observed in the amounts of phospholipids in the oils after microwave roasting. Nevertheless, compared to the original level, more than 80% tocopherols still remained after 20 min of roasting. These results suggest that the exposure of soybeans to microwaves for 6 to 8 min caused no significant loss or changes in the content of tocopherols and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the hypocotyls. Therefore, a domestic microwave oven would be useful as a simple and quick means for preparing hypocotyl oil of good quality.Paper no. J8997 in JAOCS 76, 915-920 (August 1999).
KEY WORDS:Anisidine value, carbonyl value, hypocotyl, microwave roasting, oxidative stability, peroxide value, soybeans, TBARS (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances), vitamin E homologs.Microwave ovens are found in the majority of homes in Japan, and today more people use microwaves for cooking and reheating than ever before. Microwave heating is considered to be the interaction of polar molecules with the electric component of the electromagnetic field, heat being generated by friction as the molecules attempt to orient themselves within the oscillating field. However, the differential heating behavior of food components can result in severely uneven heating of certain foods rich in fats and proteins (1). Consumers are concerned by reports that noxious compounds are produced in microwaved food (2). Little investigation has been conducted concerning the effects of microwave roasting on the oxidative stability of the oils in relation to tocopherol distribution in whole soybeans. We demonstrated the effects of microwave energy on the oxidative stability of the oils (3) or the fatty acid distribution (4) in whole soybeans. The distribution of lipoxygenase activity in whole soybeans is remarkable in the hypocotyl, followed by the cotyledons, and the seed coat (5). Therefore, Snyder and Kwon (6) reported that the hypocotyl is the source of beany off-flavors, and some processors of soymilk have tried to remove the hypocotyl to avoid off-flavors in soymilk. Microwaves were also applied to inactivate soybean lipoxygenase to prevent the formation of undesirable off-flavors (7). This work showed the interrelationship treatment time, enzyme inactivation, and protein extractability. However, no research has been reported on how microwave roasting affects not only the distribution of tocopherols but also the oxidative stability of the lipids, especially within each structural part (seed coat,...