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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1984

Effect of wheat flour, Bengal gram flour and corn flour on lipid metabolism in rats.

Male albino rats were fed on respective diets of wheat flour, Bengal gram flour and corn flour for 8 weeks at the 59% level. It was observed that the increase in weight after wheat flour and Bengal gram flour feeding was 6.8 and 12.0% respectively and that the decrease after corn flour feeding was 5.2% as compared to the control animals on sucrose diet. Serum cholesterol and liver cholesterol levels were significantly (p less than 0.01) decreased after wheat flour, Bengal gram flour and corn flour feeding.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[Supplementation of wheat flour with chickpea (Cicer arietinum) flour. I. Preparation of flours and their properties for bread making].

The feasibility of adding chick-pea flour substituting part of wheat flour in yeast-leavened bread-making in order to increase the protein value, was studied. A 70% extraction chick-pea flour of commercial granulometry (150 mu) was prepared. Wheat flours of 74% and 78% extraction were then blended with 5%, 10% and 15% of chick-pea flour. Every flour and blend were subsequently analyzed to determine protein, ash, fiber, fat and maltose content, as well as sedimentation, farinogram and bread-making. Addition of chick-pea flour increased protein, fiber, ash and fat content in the blends, not causing a severe effect on quality, even at the 15% level of substitution. Blends showed an increase in maltose content, W value and bread specific volume. Furthermore, breads prepared were of good quality even without the use of maturing agents.

Bread↗
PubMed2003

Iron bioavailability and utilization in rats are lower from lime-treated corn flour than from wheat flour when they are fortified with different sources of iron.

Although iron bioavailability from wheat flour fortified with iron has been widely studied, the bioavailability of lime-treated corn flour has not been evaluated sufficiently. We compared iron bioavailability and utilization of lime-treated corn flour and wheat flour supplemented with various iron sources. Bioavailability and utilization were determined in Sprague-Dawley rats using the iron balance and hemoglobin depletion-repletion methods. Rats were iron depleted by feeding them a low iron, casein diet for 10 d. During the repletion period, the rats were fed diets based on lime-treated corn flour or wheat flour, both supplemented with ferrous fumarate, ferrous sulfate, ferric citrate and reduced iron for 14 d. Hemoglobin was determined at the end of depletion and repletion periods. The phytate concentration was lower in wheat flour (114 mg/100g) than in lime-treated corn flour (501 mg/100g). Iron bioavailability and utilization by rats were higher from fortified and unfortified wheat flour than from the lime-treated corn flour counterparts. Iron utilization was greater in rats fed wheat flour supplemented with ferrous sulfate, followed by fumarate and citrate than in rats fed reduced iron. In lime-treated corn flour, iron utilization by rats fed unfortified flour and flour fortified with reduced iron did not differ, but utilization was higher in rats fed corn flour fortified with iron sulfate, fumarate and citrate than with reduced iron. We conclude that fortification of lime-treated corn flour with reduced iron has no effect on iron bioavailability or utilization, probably due to the high phytate content. Other iron compounds must be selected to fortify lime-treated corn flour when intended for public nutrition programs.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Quantitative bronchial challenge tests with wheat flour dust administered by spinhaler: comparison with aqueous wheat flour extract inhalation.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative bronchial challenge tests with flour dust for the diagnosis of bakers' asthma may be performed by inhalation of flour delivered to the patient's respiratory tract by sophisticated equipment. OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to assess the diagnostic value of bronchial challenge tests with flour dust inhalation from capsules administered by a Spinhaler (Fisons Inc., Loughborough, U.K.) and to compare this method quantitatively with bronchial challenge tests with a commercially available wheat flour extract. METHODS: A highly selected group of 36 bakers with work-related symptoms of rhinitis or asthma were referred to our department, a tertiary referral center, from 1992 to 1995. Thirty-four of the subjects and 10 atopic control subjects were included in this study. After the assessment of bronchial hyperresponsiveness on day 1, subjects were randomized to inhale an aqueous wheat flour extract at concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 mg/ml by tidal volume breathing for 10 minutes or to inhale wheat flour dust filled in capsules on days 2 and 3. One, two, and four capsules (maximum of 7 cumulative capsules) of flour dust were administered by a Spinhaler. In addition, skin prick tests were performed with a battery of environmental and occupational allergens. Total serum IgE and specific IgE to wheat flour were measured by standard procedures. RESULTS: Seventeen bakers and two control subjects demonstrated a positive skin test response to wheat flour (wheal > or = 3 mm). Fifteen bakers demonstrated a fall of 50% or more in specific airway conductance after inhalation of the commercial wheat flour extract, and 11 demonstrated such a fall in specific airway conductance after inhalation of wheat dust. Three control subjects had a positive bronchial challenge response to the extract, but dust inhalation from the capsule did not cause positive bronchial reactions in control subjects. When a 50% fall of specific airway conductance was used as criterion for a positive bronchial provocation test result, sensitivity for the extract or dust inhalation was 0.44 and 0.32, respectively, and specificity was 0.7 and 1.0, respectively. If only subjects with a positive skin test response to wheat flour were considered, sensitivity of both tests was 0.65. With more stringent criteria for the gold standard, there was a trend for a higher sensitivity but a lower specificity of the extract inhalation. Both methods were safe. CONCLUSION: The validity of bronchial challenge tests with wheat flour dust inhaled from Spinhaler capsules was superior to that of tests done with a commercially available aqueous wheat flour extract. The higher specificity of the Spinhaler method might be an advantage if bronchial challenge tests are used as confirmation tests.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2000

Impact of food source on survival of red flour beetles and confused flour beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) exposed to diatomaceous earth.

A series of experiments was conducted to determine the effect of a flour food source on survival of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), and confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum (DuVal), exposed to the labeled rate (0.5 mg/cm2) of Protect-It, a marine formulation of diatomaceous earth. Beetles were exposed at 27 degrees C, and 40, 57, and 75% RH in 62-cm2 petri dishes. When beetles were exposed for 1 or 2 d in dishes with the labeled rate (0.5 mg/cm2, or 31 mg per dish) of diatomaceous earth or in dishes containing flour at varying levels from 0 to 200 mg mixed with the labeled rate of diatomaceous earth, survival of both species increased as the amount of flour increased, and quickly plateaued at levels approaching 100%. In a second set of experiments, beetles were transferred to dishes containing flour at varying levels from 0 to 200 mg after they were exposed for 1 or 2 d in dishes with the labeled rate of diatomaceous earth alone. There were no significant differences in beetle survival among the levels of flour, however, survival in dishes with flour was usually greater than survival in dishes with diatomaceous earth alone. In a third test, beetles were exposed for 1, 2, and 3 d in dishes with either the labeled rate of diatomaceous earth alone (clean dishes), dishes with diatomaceous earth and empty straws, or dishes with diatomaceous earth and approximately 300 mg of flour packed in the straws. Survival was not significantly different between clean dishes or dishes with straws, but survival in dishes containing the straws with flour was usually 100%, regardless of exposure interval. In all experiments, confused flour beetles were less susceptible to diatomaceous earth than red flour beetles. In addition, survival was negatively related to exposure interval and positively related to relative humidity.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Physico-chemical properties and acceptability of yam flour substituted with soy flour.

Yam flour was substituted 10, 20 and 40% with defatted and full fat soy flour. The effect of the substitution on the proximate composition, swelling power, solubility, water binding capacity and Brabender visco amylograph cooking properties of the yam flour and acceptability of the cooked paste (amala), were evaluated. Protein contents of the mixtures were 23.0 and 25.5% on substituting 40% full-and defatted soy flours for yam flour, ash and crude fibre contents increased while carbohydrate content, swelling power, Brabender paste viscosities decreased with increase in soy flour substitution of yam flour. Colour, texture, taste and overall acceptability of pastes (amala) from the mixed flours were rated lower than that of yam flour. Up to 10% defatted and 20% full fat soy flour substitution for yam flour was acceptable for amala.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed2004

Rye flour induces a stronger early bronchial response than wheat flour in occupational asthma.

BACKGROUND: Our aims were to compare the doses of wheat and rye flour that induce early bronchial responses in occupationally exposed asthmatic subjects and to assess the effects of the dose of inhaled flour, the duration of exposure and the dose rate. METHODS: Ten patients underwent tests with lactose, wheat flour and rye flour. We compared the decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) observed during the challenge with flour and with lactose. We also calculated the amount of flour that was instantaneously active. RESULTS: Seven subjects had significantly decreased FEV(1) values following exposure to wheat and rye flour and two subjects only did so for rye flour. The provocative dose (PD, dose required to reduce FEV(1) by 15%) of rye was lower than that of wheat flour (geometric mean; PD(15) rye: 95 microg; wheat: 368 microg). The calculated doses of rye and wheat flour were better correlated with the change in FEV(1) than were the cumulative doses. CONCLUSION: The bronchial response was greater with rye than with wheat flour. The response was related to the dose of allergen inhaled and to the dose rate.

Asthma↗
PubMed2001

Susceptibility of last instar red flour beetles and confused flour beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) to hydroprene.

Last instar larvae of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), and the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val, were either exposed for 8-144 h on concrete treated with 1.9 x 10(-3) mg(AI)/per cm2 hydroprene, or continually exposed on concrete treated with 9.8 x 10(-4) to 1.9 x 10(-3) mg[AI]/per cm2 hydroprene. In both tests, larvae were exposed and held at 27 or 32 degrees C and 40, 57, or 75% RH. When larvae were exposed with no food to hydroprene for different time intervals, then transferred to untreated concrete containing flour, consistent effects were produced only at 144 h. At this exposure interval, the percentage of beetles arrested in the larval stage after 3-4 wk was generally greater at 75% RH compared with 40 and 57% RH, but there were no differences between species or temperature. The percentages of dead adult red flour beetles and live adults with morphological deformities were also greatest at 75% RH, and defects were more prevalent in red flour beetles than in confused flour beetles. When larvae were continually exposed to different concentrations of hydroprene on concrete that contained flour, the percentage of arrested larvae, dead adults, and live adults of both species generally increased with concentration. There were more deleterious effects at 75% RH compared with either 40 or 57% RH, and effects were more pronounced in the red flour beetle compared with the confused flour beetle. In both experiments, temperature effects were variable and inconclusive. Results indicate that continual exposure of last instar red flour beetle and confused flour beetle to hydroprene can limit population development, but exposure intervals of >6 d may be required for maximum effectiveness.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Wholewheat flour ensures higher mineral absorption and bioavailability than white wheat flour in rats.

Consumption of unrefined whole flour is thought to affect mineral bioavailability because it contains high levels of fibre and phytic acid. The present experiment was designed to study the absorption of minerals from diets based on wholewheat flour and white wheat flour in rats. Two groups of male Wistar rats were fed on the diets for 3 weeks and absorption and tissue retention of minerals were studied. The rats fed on the wholewheat flour diet had significantly greater food intake, weight gain, faecal excretion and intestinal fermentation than those fed on the white flour diet. Mineral intakes, except for Ca, were significantly greater in rats fed on the wholewheat flour diet (4-fold for Mg, 2-fold for Fe and Zn). A significant rise in the apparent absorption of Fe (%) and a significant decrease in the apparent absorption of Zn (%) were observed. The amounts of minerals absorbed (mg/d) were significantly enhanced (excepted for Ca) with the wholewheat flour diet. Moreover, plasma and tibia levels of Mg and plasma, liver and tibia levels of Fe were significantly increased in rats fed on the wholewheat flour diet compared with those fed on the white flour diet. In conclusion, wholewheat flour, rich in phytic acid and minerals, did not have a negative effect on mineral absorption, but rather improved the bioavailability of some minerals. Human studies are needed to confirm these rat results before extrapolation to human nutrition.

Absorption↗
PubMed2003

Exposure to inhalable flour dust in Canadian flour mills.

In 1999, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH(R)) proposed a Threshold Limit Value (TLV(R)) of 0.5 mg/m(3) for flour dust with a sensitization notation. The Labour Program of the Department of Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC), following notice of the intention to set a TLV, conducted a study of the levels of exposure to flour dust in flour mills across Canada to verify existing conditions, as well as to decide whether to adopt the proposed TLV or reference some other value. As part of the study, a relationship between flour dust concentrations obtained by using Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) samplers and closed-face 37-mm cassettes was examined and the literature on the health effects of exposure to flour dust was reviewed. A total of 104 millers, packers, sweepers, bakery mix operators, and others (mixed tasks) from 14 flour mills were sampled over an 8-hour work shift using IOM samplers. The results indicate that 101 employees (97.1%) were exposed to levels exceeding 0.5 mg/m(3), 66 employees (67.3%) to levels exceeding 5 mg/m(3), and 44 employees (42.3%) to levels exceeding 10 mg/m(3). For comparison purposes, flour dust measurements were also taken in a highly automated flour mill using state-of-the-art technology. The results suggest that even with the most up-to-date technology and proper cleaning operations in place, the flour milling industry may not be able to reduce the flour dust levels to below the TLV of 0.5 mg/m(3). According to the measurements of inhalable and total dust concentrations, the IOM sampler appears to be a more efficient collector of inhalable airborne particles up to 100 microm than the closed-face 37-mm cassette.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1994

Chemical, nutritional and technological characteristics of buckwheat and non-prolamine buckwheat flours in comparison of wheat flour.

Chemical, nutritional, and technological characteristics of buckwheat and non-prolamine buckwheat flours in comparison to wheat for celiac patients use have been studied. The results suggested the following conclusions: the 56.5% extraction value for flour obtention is considered good; the buckwheat flour presents methionine and cystine as first limiting amino acids followed by threonine as the second limiting amino acid; the buckwheat flour presents higher content of lysine amino acids than the wheat flour; the buckwheat flour is superior to the wheat flour regarding iron, copper, and magnesium minerals; the buckwheat flour does not present haemagglutinin activity and the tannin content is negligible. Rheological assays indicate that the buckwheat flour does not contain gluten.

Brazil↗
PubMed1999

Quality attributes of fermented yam flour supplemented with processed soy flour.

Pretreated soy flour was used to replace 10, 20, 30 and 40% of fermented yam flour as a protein supplement. The effect of the supplementation on the physicochemical and sensory properties of 'amala', a popular West African food made from rehydrated yam flour, was investigated. Blanching (10 min in boiling water) and subsequent fermentation (24 h) as pretreatment methods produced flour that was lighter in color than the unfermented samples. Protein content of the yam-soy mixture increased from 3.5% in the control to 19.7% for 40% soy fortification. Water binding capacity increased from 212.6 g/100 g for the yam flour control to 257.3 g/100 g for the blend with 40% soy flour. However, swelling capacity and solubility were adversely affected with increased soy flour addition as dough became sticky and soft. There was no significant difference in color, taste, flavor or overall acceptability when compared with the control up to 20% soy substitution. Dough with 20% soy flour is a possibility for increasing the protein content of yam flour in human feeding.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2000

Respiratory symptoms and wheat flour exposure: a study of flour millers.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and their relationship to sensitization to wheat flour allergens and fungal amylase, in a group of workers from the UK flour milling industry. A cross-sectional study was used to evaluate symptoms, using a structured interview technique, and sensitization, using skin prick test findings, from 679 employees in flour milling and packing operations at 18 flour mills. A total of 147 workers (147/679, 22%) described upper respiratory tract symptoms of some kind. In the majority (139/147, 95%) these symptoms were of an occasional or transitory nature and were related to short-term exposures to high levels of dust. Three individuals (3/679, 0.4%) were identified whose symptoms were thought to be the result of allergy to wheat flour. The prevalence of positive skin prick tests to wheat flour allergens and to fungal amylase was 1.2% (8/678) and 0.9% (6/678), respectively. Measurements of total inhalable dust exposure for personnel exposed to flour dust were taken at 10 of the sites (116 samples). For production personnel the levels were typically between 1 and 10 mg/m3 (8-h time weighted average), with a median of 6.2 mg/m3. Hygiene operatives had appreciably higher exposure than production personnel, with a median of 18.7 mg/m3. Overall, 43% (50/116) of all samples exceeded 10 mg/m3 (8-h time weighted average). The findings suggest that the risk of sensitization to wheat flour allergens from current dust exposures in flour mills is very low. Wheat allergy was responsible in only a small proportion of the total who had respiratory symptoms. The principal causation of symptoms experienced by the workforce was considered to be a non-specific irritant effect related to short-term exposures to high levels of total inhalable dust.

Amylases↗
PubMed1993

[Possibility of using flour of pigeon pea in products prepared with rice or wheat flour].

The present study reports on the development of foods containing processed pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) flour. The pigeon pea flours described in a previous publication were prepared from dehulled pigeon peas by cooking in autoclave, by extrusion-cooking and by cooking/dehydration by drum-drying. Mixtures of cooked pigeon peas and rice were first evaluated biological through a protein complementation design using NPR. The results of this study showed that the two products had high protein quality and were similar when mixed in ratios of 80:20 to 40:60. For the evaluation of the processed pigeon pea flour, mixtures with rice (80:20) were used. All pigeon pea flours gave similar protein quality values. On the basis of these results three products were developed and tested. One was a gruel ("atole"), a second a fruit-flavored thick drink with and without 15% milk. Cookies were also prepared with a series of blends of pigeon pea flour (extrusion-cooked) and wheat. The gruel and the fruit flavored products had high acceptability based on a sensory evaluation test. Cookies with 100% pigeon pea flour were unacceptable, however, mixtures of 75% wheat flour and 25% pigeon pea flour gave cookies of attractive appearance and good taste. The study showed the possibility of preparing and utilizing tropical grain legume flours for food products of relatively high acceptability and nutritive value.

Fabaceae↗
PubMed2004

Prediction of sensorial properties (color and taste) of amala, a paste from yam chips flour of West Africa, through flour biochemical properties.

Color and taste are permanent features of amala, a traditional thick paste obtained from yam chips flour. To assess these attributes, 23 yam chips presenting various quality attributes were processed. The sensory attributes of their derived amala were determined and some biochemical characteristics of yam flours measured. A panel defined five main taste attributes for amala: sweetness, bitterness, acidity, fermented, and roasted tastes. Amala color was measured instrumentally and sensory scores were highly correlated with flour biochemical analyses; amala sweetness was positively correlated with glucose and fructose content of the flour, whereas amala acidity and fermented taste were linked to organic acids and lactic acid contents of flour, respectively. In addition, darkness, bitterness, and roasted tastes of amala could be tightly predicted by multiple regression analysis from phenolic compound and glucose-fructose contents. Phenolic content of yam flour plays thus a key role on sensorial quality of amala. However, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities were almost null in yam flours and their specific role on yam flour phenolic content needs to be clarified.

Africa, Western↗