Saturday, January 19, 2019

NTU scientists turn durian seeds into food stabilisers and probiotics

Source Website: https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/ntu-scientists-turn-durian-seeds-food-stabilisers-and-probiotics
By Cheryl Tay, The New Paper, 18 January 2019 at 06:00 am


(From left) Professor William Chen, NTU director for food science and technology programme, and Dr Jaslyn Lee, an NTU research fellow.
PHOTO: (From left) Professor William Chen, NTU director for food science and technology programme, and Dr Jaslyn Lee, an NTU research fellow. NTU researchers believe process can also make probiotic compounds cheaper.
PHOTO: LIANHE WANBAO
Picture posted by Cheryl Tay, The New Paper on 18 January 2019 at 06:00 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0emTBHB-gjz5_3Gp6SfCsGo3uYSAEnT5NwviUVh-kmjiivYVCpqpzHinmW9pJznMEqEDdS5_okicAE0rbuN4G2fCb5iCcz-gVxK3pRJIN8F_gV4Pi2P8Sz_8_HZ8AzmmorCjRIQBHTk/s1600/NP_20190118_CTDURIAN18_4560411.jpg
https://www.tnp.sg/sites/default/files/styles/rl780/public/articles/2019/01/18/NP_20190118_CTDURIAN18_4560411.jpg?itok=p5PShRKG
https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/ntu-scientists-turn-durian-seeds-food-stabilisers-and-probiotics


A team of researchers at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) may have given durian fans another reason to hail the king of fruits.

The scientists have found a way to turn durian seeds into a food stabiliser (a binding ingredient used to give food items a uniform texture) and probiotics - a good bacteria that, when consumed, helps people to maintain a healthy digestive system.


The scientists have found a way to turn durian seeds into a food stabiliser (a binding ingredient used to give food items a uniform texture) and probiotics - a good bacteria that, when consumed, helps  people to maintain a healthy digestive system.
PHOTO: The scientists have found a way to turn durian seeds into a food stabiliser (a binding ingredient used to give food items a uniform texture) and probiotics - a good bacteria that, when consumed, helps people to maintain a healthy digestive system.
Picture posted by Ahmad Khan, Channel NewsAsia on 17 January 2019 at 11:43PM - NTU research fellow Dr Jaslyn Lee
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNPdJsFkfHuWZ6FgCkoUTz6a5NKUj5dAKtMb-3CXiaK8H8nb8L5f5STxnu1rauHBn-AqwggcTVcpiuglvpQJ6ZHZqvqEhoPf6ovMhDaLOr0Y5rKqK3abNtoP50jgqp4tXhT5MbnaoUtE/s1600/PE3O6Z9ojHeNSk7H4xMDoxOjRkO6LzcD.jpg
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/gum-in-durian-seeds-can-be-used-as-food-stabiliser-ntu-11136284


In the first half of 2018, Singaporeans consumed six million durians.

Professor William Chen, director of NTU's food science and technology programme, saw this as a golden opportunity to salvage by-products from the seeds of some 12 million durians eaten each year.

The seeds, each about 3cm to 4cm in diameter, are usually discarded after the flesh is eaten.

With a technique that has since been patented, Prof Chen's team has turned what would otherwise be food waste into usable products.


Making durian seeds great again: (L-R) NTU research fellow Dr Jaslyn Lee and Prof William Chen, NTU Director for the Food Science
PHOTO: Making durian seeds great again: (L-R) NTU research fellow Dr Jaslyn Lee and Prof William Chen, NTU Director for the Food Science
With a technique that has since been patented, Prof Chen's team has turned what would otherwise be food waste into usable products.
Picture posted by Nanyang Technological University on  17 January 2019
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOauemiKEYQPmTblItPj_9evM4rHEWj7MCaBpjIQRMxc3F5fRDrwsdPFVLkVcplq2P6Kfieol9PaQqOs6We4e-fKcheQJw-VcLG08PEiTCMk9vcjFHGxye4t3Ghd1AGrmUqHrgsvDZdU4/s1600/485043dd-86d2-4c9a-8be3-e7d586cb5c60-Image_4.jpg
https://www.alphagalileo.org//Uploads/images/485043dd-86d2-4c9a-8be3-e7d586cb5c60-Image_4.jpg
https://www.alphagalileo.org/en-gb/Item-Display/ItemId/173095?returnurl=https://www.alphagalileo.org/en-gb/Item-Display/ItemId/173095


"A majority of consumer food contain food stabilisers, which are indispensable in ensuring that various ingredients that do not mix well can gel harmoniously. What we have done is to use something we often ignore when eating durians - their seeds - to produce a 100 per cent natural food stabiliser that can even keep our gut system healthy," said Prof Chen.

He said a majority of these stabilisers are now harvested from the gum of acacia trees. It is commonly imported from Africa and is not something that can be mass produced here.


What we have done is to use something we often ignore when eating durians - their seeds - to produce a 100 per cent natural food stabiliser that can even keep our gut system healthy
PHOTO: "What we have done is to use something we often ignore when eating durians - their seeds - to produce a 100 per cent natural food stabiliser that can even keep our gut system healthy," said Prof Chen.
Picture posted by mofad, Fan Art / Manga & Anime / Traditional / Books & Novels, ©2007-2019 mofad - kenduri durian
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWb0SGschf65rD8bEPpO1MKZrc0JYj6HVTUTtk5RszbP8J7wTijGEALWl3CpOk8ZOF0tVq6QlqY4ydpff_vGZ5lrTnRpooALc_PoPYjMMSLgGl38zjpyjI7vH87DktAqc5fiUrFzchzWU/s1600/kenduri_durian_by_mofad_d13lw4g-fullview.jpg
https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/intermediary/f/33e1f71e-bb6f-40da-9cd0-db98ec6968eb/d13lw4g-16692e68-1f41-4ada-af8c-7a65bf09d3eb.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_581,q_70,strp/kenduri_durian_by_mofad_d13lw4g-fullview.jpg
https://www.deviantart.com/mofad/art/kenduri-durian-66526432


Explaining the process, Prof Chen said the durian seeds are first sliced and boiled to extract the gum within. On its own, the gum can be used as a natural food stabiliser. These stabilisers, which contain sugar-protein biopolymers, are commonly used to give food products a smooth texture.

The durian gum stabiliser also holds together ingredients prone to separating - for example, when gelatin and a form of gum are added to soft candy and sweeteners. It can also act as an emulsifier in lotions and cosmetics, to prevent the ingredients from breaking apart.


The durian gum stabiliser also holds together ingredients prone to separating - for example, when gelatin and a form of gum are added to soft candy and sweeteners.

PHOTO: The durian gum stabiliser also holds together ingredients prone to separating - for example, when gelatin and a form of gum are added to soft candy and sweeteners. It can also act as an emulsifier in lotions and cosmetics, to prevent the ingredients from breaking apart.
Photo from NTU Singapore
Picture posted by Zoey Chong, cnet.com on 17 January 2019 at 2:27 AM PST - This isn't jam. It's an ingredient companies can use to bind other ingredients in your gummy bears and mayonnaise, amongst other food items.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaSaXZtI9uDx0unn1b6ZoH3XxnG5hyUF49irDkGrbB86yeM_Bj3YUF4nWQ-3Tq2BmS8lbOyGdIb1cNlURvn2gHHBFWx5NmPUZpBh9NbFYpXgRb7GzQMOpvkn7bTwYrRLLS8BWL2HmpqY/s1600/image-1.jpg
https://cnet2.cbsistatic.com/img/3PkuRxwoQPjIaLjaqKWhc-Ty6Vk=/970x0/2019/01/17/019007d1-9a45-4f23-a813-a0fe7579a9fa/image-1.jpg
https://www.cnet.com/news/scientists-found-a-way-to-add-durians-to-sweets-and-they-dont-stink/


But several more steps are needed to turn the gum, a cheap medium to grow bacteria, into a stabiliser with probiotics.

To grow probiotics bacteria, the durian seed gum is allowed to ferment with some added bacteria cultures for several days and centrifuged - a process that removes all moisture from a solution. The result is a light pink probiotic powder.

The scientists said compared to regular powder-based probiotics found in commercial food stabilisers, what they developed has been found to be 20 per cent more effective in keeping probiotics in the stabiliser alive.

Prof Chen believes this process will make probiotic compounds more than four times cheaper: from 💲60 for one litre of growth medium now in the industry, to 💲13 a litre.

His NTU research team is currently exploring several industry partnerships with interested companies.


Professor William Chen and Dr Jaslyn Lee have in the past devloped method to help the planet in terms of sustainability of food production and reduction of agri-food waste.
PHOTO: "Professor William Chen and Dr Jaslyn Lee have (in the past) devloped method to help the planet in terms of sustainability of food production and reduction of agri-food waste." - Professor Vincenzo Fogliano of Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
Picture posted by Nanyang Technological University, last modified on 19 September 2017
The breakthrough was published in The Straits Times on 22 Apr 2016, titled "Turning soya bean waste into a medium for yeast to grow on". The Straits Times, page B12 (with photo of Prof William Chen and Dr Jaslyn Lee).
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_PD5jcFhYMunLT6lUh95ztXe2jip_MzdXESFiop2L_tY0H114qKKZIFKfl8kQSDaeQllhD4WO1j9p6vboQrbvEtRNQUZdjq-Jmb2_Fp8kOkg85KsnN-zRz80saszC9VU0DCePkwZk9o/s1600/Soya+bean+into+yeast.png
http://news.ntu.edu.sg/CoE-scbe/PublishingImages/Soya%20bean%20into%20yeast.png
http://www.scbe.ntu.edu.sg/NewsnEvents/Pages/News-Detail.aspx?news=881c61bd-4a43-486d-9e7c-01ee96fc0623
 

In the first half of 2018, Singaporeans consumed six million durians.
PHOTO: In the first half of 2018, Singaporeans consumed six million durians.
Professor William Chen, director of NTU's food science and technology programme, saw this as a golden opportunity to salvage by-products from the seeds of some 12 million durians eaten each year.
The seeds, each about 3cm to 4cm in diameter, are usually discarded after the flesh is eaten.
With a technique that has since been patented, Prof Chen's team has turned what would otherwise be food waste into usable products.
Picture posted by SAMLIM, Photography / Photojournalism / People, ©2018-2019 SAMLIM - DURIAN
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fXBCqB7rvtdt_2tdI9xMFvZAjyHvZ3FOS1wW_LN1hd0CxUcjPD4TVUcUFvWhKAKU9UCjT9wBvE4FshryWlGl-B2C4yl5SXNwOjz_aZ9X8kGDIY1nlVBrSqTJlbfVQRLxD36Twqhj6G8/s1600/durian_by_samlim_dcbtlw0-fullview.jpg
https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/intermediary/f/8a95c0f0-e57a-4868-a3cf-7bbd4199eefd/dcbtlw0-b7b874dd-9ea5-4c4b-aa40-9ee911e76ebf.jpg/v1/fill/w_1024,h_1536,q_70,strp/durian_by_samlim_dcbtlw0-fullview.jpg
https://www.deviantart.com/samlim/art/DURIAN-745451280

By Cheryl Tay, The New Paper, 18 January 2019 at 06:00 am
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Reference
[1] Cheryl Tay, The New Paper, NTU scientists turn durian seeds into food stabilisers and probiotics, posted on 18 January 2019 at 06:00 am, https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/ntu-scientists-turn-durian-seeds-food-stabilisers-and-probiotics


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