Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) seed germ flour (SGF) is a by-product resulting from the extractionextraction of locust bean gum (E410), which is a texturing and thickening ingredient used for food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations. SGF is a protein-rich edible matrix and contains relatively high amounts of apigenin 6,8-C-di- and poly-glycosylated derivatives. In this work, we prepared durum wheat pasta containing 5 and 10 % (w/w) of SGF and carried out inhibition assays against type-2 diabetes relevant carbohydrate hydrolysing enzymes, namely porcine pancreatic α-amylase and α-glycosidases from jejunal brush border membranes. Nearly 70-80% of the SGF flavonoids were retained in the pasta after cooking in boiling water. Extracts from cooked pasta fortified with 5 or 10% SGF inhibited either α-amylase by 53% and 74% or α-glycosidases by 62 and 69%, respectively. The release of reducing sugars from starch was delayed in SGF-containing pasta compared to the full-wheat counterpart, as assessed by simulated oral-gastric-duodenal digestion. By effect of starch degradation, the SGF flavonoids were discharged in the water phase of the chyme, supporting a possible inhibitory activity against both duodenal α-amylase and small intestinal α-glycosidases in vivo. SGF is a promising functional ingredient obtained from an industrial by-product for producing cereal-based foods with reduced glycaemic index.

Multipurpose production of hemp has led to renewed interest for this crop cultivation, especially for human nutrition. To date, no information about the influence of nitrogen source on hemp seed quality is available. Hemp is also used for food and beverages due to its nutritional characteristics. This further use of hemp has led to an increase in hemp-grown areas. Therefore, it is important to get more information on the role of nitrogen on the quality production as well as to evaluate the environmental impact of the cultivation technique. In this work, we evaluate the influence of nitrogen source (i.e., NH₄NO₃ and urea) on the seed fatty acid composition of an edible hemp as well as on the environment in terms of soil N₂O emission. Nitrogen source modified seed quality very little. Even if characterized by a lower acidic profile, seed from plants grown under urea and NH₄NO₃ had a ω-3/ω-6 ratio (0.3) within the optimal range from the nutritional standpoint, being considered as the optimal proportion for human metabolism and health. Urea fertilization reduced soil N₂O emission. Our findings suggest that nitrogen source seems not to influence seed quality and that urea fertilizer might be more climate-friendly than NH₄NO₃ in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, in an extensive cultivation of hemp for industrial use.

Paraquat (PQ) and diquat (DQ), some of the most widely used herbicides in the world, both present a high mortality index after intentional exposure. In this paper, a fluorescence sensing method for PQ and DQ, based on host–guest molecular recognition, is proposed. Calix[6]arene derivatives containing anthracene or naphthalene as pendant fluorophore at their lower rim recognize DQ and PQ in hydroalcoholic solution with a broad linear response range at the μg L⁻¹ level concentration. The linear response ranges were found from 1.0 to 18 μg L⁻¹ with the detection limit of 31 ng L⁻¹ for paraquat, and from 1.0 to 44 μg L⁻¹ with the detection limit of 0.16 μg L⁻¹ for diquat. The recognition process is detected by following the decrease in the fluorescence emission consequent to complexation. The proposed quenching method has been applied to the determination of paraquat in drinking water samples.