The present study investigated the antioxidant properties of commercial regular- and whole- wheat spaghetti. The antioxidant properties comprise the total phenolic content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, oxygen radical absorbance capacity. The contents of ferulic acid, C-glycosyl flavones and SDG were measured by using LC/MS techniques. Whole wheat spaghetti showed significantly higher TPC and ORAC. The contents of ferulic acid, C-glycosyl flavones and SDG were significantly higher in whole wheat spaghetti. The TPC was found to decrease 48 – 78% after cooking. The results showed that consumption of whole grain is strongly recommended. The present study also compared the antioxidant properties of commercial infant cereals. Purple wheat and red rice were used in making home-made and lab-made infant cereals. Pigmented infant cereals showed higher TPC, total anthocyanin content (TAC) and ORAC then brown rice and commercial ones. Anthocyanins were found only in purple wheat while a C-glycosyl flavone was found at higher levels in purple wheat than in red rice samples. Home-made samples did not show significant differences in TPC, TAC and ORAC with lab-made ones; however, the contents of anthocyanins and C-glycosyl flavones were significantly different. Home-made purple wheat infant cereals showed higher cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) than lab-made purple wheat, red rice and commercial ones. Whole purple wheat holds potential to improve the antioxidant properties of infant cereals.

The present study investigated the antioxidant properties of commercial regular- and whole- wheat spaghetti. The antioxidant properties comprise the total phenolic content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, oxygen radical absorbance capacity. The contents of ferulic acid, C-glycosyl flavones and SDG were measured by using LC/MS techniques. Whole wheat spaghetti showed significantly higher TPC and ORAC. The contents of ferulic acid, C-glycosyl flavones and SDG were significantly higher in whole wheat spaghetti. The TPC was found to decrease 48 – 78% after cooking. The results showed that consumption of whole grain is strongly recommended. The present study also compared the antioxidant properties of commercial infant cereals. Purple wheat and red rice were used in making home-made and lab-made infant cereals. Pigmented infant cereals showed higher TPC, total anthocyanin content (TAC) and ORAC then brown rice and commercial ones. Anthocyanins were found only in purple wheat while a C-glycosyl flavone was found at higher levels in purple wheat than in red rice samples. Home-made samples did not show significant differences in TPC, TAC and ORAC with lab-made ones; however, the contents of anthocyanins and C-glycosyl flavones were significantly different. Home-made purple wheat infant cereals showed higher cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) than lab-made purple wheat, red rice and commercial ones. Whole purple wheat holds potential to improve the antioxidant properties of infant cereals.

Los cereales son empleados como dieta complementaria a la lactancia materna a partir del 4º mes ya que suministra nutrientes esenciales (especialmente hidratos de carbono, proteínas, minerales y vitaminas (particularmente tiamina). Los alimentos infantiles elaborados a partir de harinas procedentes de cereales pueden presentar compromiso en la biodisponibilidad de determinados minerales, por ello, es de gran importancia tratar de establecer los tratamientos tecnológicos necesarios para que la utilización de estos nutrientes esenciales sea la máxima. Se ha comprobado que el método más sencillo y eficaz de conseguir la eliminación del ácido fítico, es la adición de fitasa exógena. / Dietary minerals intake is of interest of human beings in general, but particularly for infant and young children in the first year of life, when growth is accelerated. Insuficient mineral intake in this period, mainly of iron, calcium and zinc, is responsible for diseases such as anaemia, rickets, osteoporosis or inmune diseases. Cereals are introduced to infants at the age of four to six months to supplement breastmilk and follow-on formula, since this is a period of rapid growth and development. Phytic acid (myoinositol hexa-phosphoric acid, IP6) is the major phosphorus storage compound of most seeds and cereal grains, and it has a strong ability to chelate multivalent metal ions, specially iron, zinc, and calcium.Based on this knowledge, complete phytate degradation by means of technological treatments is desirable, in order to overcome its negative effects on mineral bioavailability. Food processing-such as cooking, bread-making and fermentation-is known to reduce phytic acid content. However, the bioavailability of minerals can be considerably increased by dephytinization adding an exogenous phytase.