Doctor of Philosophy / Food Science Institute / Fadi Aramouni / Scott Bean / Zein, the storage protein of corn, has been shown to form a wheat-like dough; however the exact mechanism is unknown since zein lacks the large polymeric proteins found in wheat. To understand how zein forms a dough, different reagents were added during mixing of zein. Salts from the Hofmeister series were used to determine how hydrophobic interactions influence zein’s dough forming ability. In addition, urea, ethanol, and beta mercaptoethanol (β-ME) were also tested to evaluate the effects of protein denaturation and disulfide bonds on zein dough formation and bread quality. Kosmotropic salts had a negative effect on zein dough formation indicating that increasing hydrophobic interactions prevented dough formation. Surface hydrophobicity was found to decrease significantly (p < 0.05) when zein was exposed to 1M or 2M of the kosmotropic salts. Conversely, chaotropic salts had a slight positive effect on zein dough formation as did urea and ethanol. Interestingly, -ME had little effect on zein dough formation demonstrating that disulfide bonds played no role in zein dough development, and that large disulfide linked polymeric protein complexes were not present as found in wheat dough. Specific volumes of zein-starch bread increased as NaCl content in the bread formula decreased. Likewise, including 5% ethanol (v/v) in the bread formula was found to increase bread quality. Experiments were also conducted to compare the functionality of isolated sorghum proteins (kafirins) to commercially available zein produced during wet milling of corn. The effect of steeping, the first step in wet milling, on kafirin functionality was investigated. Sorghum flour was steeped for 0, 72, or 96 hours. Unsteeped sorghum flour was digested with Alcalase for 90 min at 50°C. After steeping or digestion with Alcalase, kafirins were isolated from the remaining material. Both groups of Kafirins had the ability to form a zein-like visco-elastic resin when mixed with warm water by hand. This is the first time that kafirin has been reported to form a visco-elastic resin using only water as a plasticizer.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by the ingestion of gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, and rye. The only treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet (GFD), which eliminates common gluten-containing foods found in many cultures and cuisines. This research examined how families experienced celiac disease and the GFD in their households, focusing on the ripple effect of celiac disease for all members of the family and how families promoted adherence and quality of life (QOL). A mixed-methods approach used questionnaires, photographs, and semi-structured interviews with families recruited from the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center. Participants were 16 families with children ages 8-18 living at home who had physician-confirmed diagnoses of celiac disease. A total of 71 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted (n =16 reference children with celiac disease, 16 mothers, 15 fathers, 24 siblings). Results showed that the reference children with celiac disease had high GFD adherence (mean CDAT = 9) and QOL (mean CDPQOL 81 of 100). Mothers’ and fathers’ ratings of how their child’s celiac disease diagnosis affected their lifestyle, social life, and level of burden in caring for child’s dietary needs differed significantly (all p-values < 0.05), with mothers reporting more change and burden. Emerging themes related to a negative ripple effect included the burden of assuming the majority of food tasks related to GFD (mothers), the limited restaurant choices for the family (fathers), and feeling annoyed by having to limit certain foods at home (siblings). Emerging themes related to a positive ripple effect, included becoming more creative cooks (mothers), incorporating new family traditions (fathers), and developing empathy for others (siblings). Overall, there was substantial evidence of a ripple-effect of a child’s celiac disease diagnosis on other family members, including how mothers and fathers may experience the change in lifestyle and added responsibilities of maintaining the GFD differently. Including parents and siblings in research provides insight into the entire family experience and can help inform family-centered interventions on how to maximize QOL for everyone impacted by a child’s celiac disease diagnosis.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2005. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains v, 49 p. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 38-42).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Duquesne University, 2009. / Title from document title page. Abstract included in electronic submission form. Includes bibliographical references (p. 129-140) and index.

abstract: Celiac Disease (CD) is now widespread as one in 133 people are currently diagnosed, while there were only one in 150 in 2006. Much of the research concerning CD is still in the early stages, as formal epidemiological studies are relatively recent. CD is aggravated by the consumption of gluten, which is found mainly in wheat, rye, oats, and barley. Not surprisingly, the rising prevalence of CD has created a significant business opportunity for food manufacturers in developing products that are tailored to CD sufferers. While the entire Gluten-Free (GF) industry has been experiencing double digit growth rates, the expansion in available snack foods has outstripped all others. Observation of GF snack food prices suggests that food manufacturers are responding to high retail prices associated with GF foods. However, GF foods are often also advertised with other attributes that generally sell for a premium over conventional foods. Therefore, whether the high retail price for GF snack foods can be attributed specifically to the GF attribute is an empirical question. The objective of this research is to determine whether there is a retail-price premium for GF snack foods and, if there is, to estimate its magnitude. A hedonic pricing model is used to answer this question. Specifically, a hedonic pricing model was applied to a unique dataset of snack food products in order to estimate the marginal value for the GF attribute, while controlling for a number of other important attributes. Results show that the GF attribute is both economically and statistically significant, implying a premium of nearly $1.86 above gluten-containing products. Production costs for smaller manufacturers can be two to three times higher for GF foods relative to non-GF foods, but this still implies an excess premium of over $0.50 (assuming 40% margins). However, high premiums may not last as large retailers are utilizing their influence over suppliers to keep retail margins low. Therefore, the primary implication of the research is that the rapid growth in recent years can easily be explained on economic grounds for large agribusinesses, as this implies a major profit opportunity. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Agribusiness 2010

The diploma thesis deals with the gluten-free labelling placing emphasis on a trademark. The introductory chapter depicts specification of products suitable for gluten-free diet. The thesis assesses and compares commercial and legal aspects of trademark, quality mark and designation specified in public law. These are evaluated in connection with products suitable for gluten-free diet. The concluding part is devoted to an analysis of the European Licensing System.

Celiac disease is attributable to autoimmune diseases, where treatment is based on absolute respect for gluten-free diet. As the gluten used widely in all areas of food production, strict adherence to a gluten-free diet really can be difficult for people with celiac disease. Products suitable also for those suffering from the disease are usually expensive. Finally, patients that undergo exclusively on a gluten-free diet are robbing the important nutritional components. Therefore, interest in this type of products innovation enhance as to the nutritional, technological, as well as organoleptic properties. The aim of this final thesis was to draw up literature review of the celiac disease and gluten allergen, or his particular part of gliadin. In the experimental part, attention was focused on the first hydrolytic cleavage of starch, the substrate was sterilized wheat flour and water, where is incorporated spiral just gluten. The best ability of degrading the starch grains, the combination of enzymes and MT3K and GLUAMK concentration of 0, 1% over 4 hours of action, as indicated by a reduction in the starch content of the original amount of 72,65 % at a concentration of 29,00 %. The next item of work distribution used different proteases, to reduce the amount of gliadin to below 20 ppm per kilogram of final product. Low levels investigated allergen (10,79 ppm/kg) recorded by the enzyme combination exoprotease Flavourzyme (0,1 %) and endoprotease Neutral Protease (0,1 %) at 7 hours hydrolytic action. The conclusion of the thesis was prepared several alternatives gluten-free breads and through sensory evaluation assessed the characteristics of color, aroma and taste to predict the location of the products on the commercial market.

In the Czech Republic, 50 000 people are diagnosed with Celiac disease and the only known treatment for it is a gluten-free diet. For such patients, gluten consumption can provoke inflammation of a small bowel that can result in heavy consequences. Gluten is a protein contained in wheat, rye, barley, and oats and plays an important role in food production, because of its properties. Bakery and other gluten-free products are produced from other types of cereals. They also require a special technological process, separate spaces, and have a much smaller target group of consumers, which can increase their price at the end. People following a gluten- free diet have to be very careful while eating in restaurants and canteens because even a small amount of gluten can harm their health. Health insurance companies in the Czech Republic contribute various amounts to the GFD, however, mostly only for children. The goal of the research was to find out whether and for how much gluten-free food is more expensive than the ordinary one; and how the availability of gluten-free products and meals is assessed by people who have to eliminate gluten due to health reasons. To achieve the goal, quantitative research with a questionnaire survey was used. The questionnaire with 17 questions was filled in by a hundred...

This diploma thesis deals with the issue of celiac disease with a focus on the importance of micronutrients in treatment and clinical monitoring of patients with celiac disease. The thesis is divided into two parts, theoretical and practical. The theoretical part is divided into two chapters. The first chapter deals with celiac disease in general - history, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical classification, clinical manifestations, diagnostics and complications of celiac disease. Procedures for clinical monitoring of patients with celiac disease are also discussed. Last but not least, cereal proteins are analysed with a focus on gluten and its importance in the pathogenesis of celiac disease. The second chapter describes gluten-free diet as the only available possibility how to treat celiac disease. Furthermore, the pitfalls of the gluten-free diet and its possible nutritional imbalances associated with a gluten-free diet. The issue of gluten-free products is discussed, both in terms of legislation and in terms of selecting suitable foods. The possibilities of supplementation of micronutrients in celiac and other investigated possibilities of treatment of celiac disease outside the gluten-free diet are also mentioned. The practical part of this diploma thesis has two main goals. The first goal is...

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