Correlation Between Physicochemical Properties and Eating Qualities of Rice

Correlation among physicochemical properties, which include amylose content, alkali spreading values, gel consistency, water absorption, expansion rate, solid content of rice-water, protein content and fat content, and eating qualities of six kinds of rice samples planted in Heilongjiang Province were studied. Correlation analysis showed that amylose content, water absorption and expansion rate were negatively correlated with eating qualities, yet gel consistency, alkali spreading values, solid content of rice-water and fat content were positively correlated with eating qualities. Among them, eating quality had an obvious correlation with amylose content and gel consistency, but no significant correlation with protein content. The regression equation, which described the relationship of the eating quality scores and physicochemical indexes, was Y=94.439–12.711X1–23.721X2–0.701X3＋0.570X4＋186.938X5（X1, X2, X3, X4 and X5 represented amylose content, water absorption, expansion rate gel, consistency and fat content）. The single factor analysis of variance showed that six kinds of rice existed significant differences in quality category.

Traditional Processing and Characterization of “Alme Ardeb”, an Indigenous Beverage from Far North Region, Cameroon

“Alme ardeb” is a conventional beverage made from sugar and tamarind, season with other ingredients and highly prized by the population of the northern regions of Cameroon. Despite the importance of this traditional drink, the manufacturing process and quality attributes are still unknown. As such, a study was undertaken to describe the manufacturing process and characterise the quality of “Alme ardeb”. A survey was conducted in the Diamaré division of the Far north region. An ethnographical technique accompanied with semi-structured questionnaires and interviewing were used for collecting data needed to elaborate the production process. Forty-nine (49) samples of “Alme ardeb” were taken from 49 women producers in the different sites representing 10 samples per site and the sensory, physicochemical, phytochemical and microbiological properties were assessed according referenced techniques. The field survey reveals that the production of “Alme ardeb” is conventional and rudimentary involving two classical units of operation, caramelisation and boiling. The pH and titratable acidity of “Alme ardeb” were insignificant (p ≥ 0.05) except for the soluble solids, electrical conductivity and total sugar. The pH is acidic ranging between 4.06 ± 0.01 and 4.74 ± 0.05 with an oscillating titratable acidity ranging from 0.61% ± 0.022% to 0.65% ± 0.01% and an average soluble solids content of about 10.74 °Brix. Similarly, the total sugar content varies between 51.25 ± 0.18g·L-1 and 61.37 ± 0.18 g·L-1 with a conductivity that fluctuates around 351 μS·cm-1 and 707 μS·cm-1. In addition, the average polyphenol, flavonoid and tannin contents were 2.2g EAG·L-1, 0.58 g·EQL-1 and 0.36 g·ECL-1 respectively, with a free radical scavenging capacity of 52.18%. The beverage revealed a complete absence of Salmonella with a doubtful hygienic quality. The total aerobic plate count varied from (4.1 ± 0.014) × 104 CFU·mL-1 to (8.2 ± 0.007) × 107 CFU·mL-1, total coliforms from (4.3 ± 0.6) × 102 CFU·mL-1 to (1.05 ± 0.7) × 105 CFU·mL-1, faecal coliforms from non-detected to (4.1 ± 0.07) × 102 CFU·mL-1 and the fungal flora ranged from 0.0 to (6.5 ± 0.7) × 103 CFU·mL-1. However, the panelists judged the beverage as being acidic with a brownish colour and a sweet caramelized taste. Consequently, the beverage was highly palatable and consumed with an overall score that went from 13.48 ± 3.32 to 15.81 ± 4.47.