Thermoreversible gels from grain.When it comes to cereals, most people think food--bread, baking, breakfast. But what about industrial and commercial packaging, biodegradable biodegradable /bio·de·grad·a·ble/ (-de-grad´ah-b'l) susceptible of degradation by biological processes, as by bacterial or other enzymatic action. bi·o·de·grad·a·ble adj. plastics and health products? The unique properties of grains provide plenty of opportunities to use renewable, biological resources to create new product opportunities. New Zealand's Crop and Food Research Institute has a number of strengths in cereal processing research. With industrial support, the institute's researchers have worked on improving the composition of grains for processing. They've also developed a greater understanding of how grain components behave during processing. And they have studied the nutrition of grain foods. Scientists are focusing on the components of grain and its special properties that can enhance food processing Food processing is the set of methods and techniques used to transform raw ingredients into food for consumption by humans or animals. The food processing industry utilises these processes. and lead to new products. Grain is being bred as a raw material for advanced food, health and commercial applications. The beta-glucan component of grain has drawn some particular attention. Beta-glucans, a major carbohydrate component of barley barley, annual cereal plant (Hordeum vulgare and sometimes other species) of the family Gramineae (grass family), cultivated by humans probably as early as any cereal. and oats oats, cereal plants of the genus Avena of the family Gramineae (grass family). Most species are annuals of moist temperate regions. The early history of oats is obscure, but domestication is considered to be recent compared to that of the other , are considered to be beneficial to the human diet. New Zealand New Zealand (zē`lənd), island country (2005 est. pop. 4,035,000), 104,454 sq mi (270,534 sq km), in the S Pacific Ocean, over 1,000 mi (1,600 km) SE of Australia. The capital is Wellington; the largest city and leading port is Auckland. scientists have developed a process for producing from barley grain a novel form of beta-glucan called Glucagel[TM]. This product forms soft thermoreversible gels thermoreversible gel AIDS A temperature-sensitive gel which, alone or in concert with anti-HIV agents may block entry of HIV in vaginal, cervical, or anal mucosa. Cf Contraceptive gel. that have favorable fa·vor·a·ble adj. 1. Advantageous; helpful: favorable winds. 2. Encouraging; propitious: a favorable diagnosis. 3. food functionality. The basic science that led to Glucagel began a decade ago. Researchers examining the components of grains found that the beta-glucan fraction of barley had special properties worthy of closer examination. Glucagel is patented and has a wide range of potential end uses. It can be a replacement for fat in foods, such as ice cream, mayonnaise and other processed products. Preliminary research also indicates that it reduces blood sugars, which is important for controlling diabetes. It also reduces blood cholesterol levels. Further information. Nigel Larsen, Crop and Food Research Institute, Private Bag 4704, Christchurch, New Zealand; phone: +64 03 325 6400; fax: +64 03 325 2074; email: larsenn@crop.cri.nz. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion