Research@Lincoln
Research@Lincoln is an open access institutional repository collecting the research produced by Lincoln University staff and students. You may also be interested in Data@Lincoln or Lincoln University Living Heritage.
Students wishing to submit a thesis or dissertation should see the Depositing theses and dissertations guide.
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Publication Open Access Unlocking the potential of faba bean blanching water: From waste to ingredient - Insights into composition, cholesterol-lowering property, and bakery application : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University(Lincoln University, 2024)The rising demand for sustainable food systems has driven interest in upcycling byproducts from legume processing. This thesis examines the potential of faba bean blanching water (FBBW), a byproduct commonly wasted in faba bean processing, as a source of bioactive compounds and its use in food production. The aims were to investigate the nutritional and bioactive composition of FBBW, evaluate its cholesterol-lowering properties, and assess its efficacy as an ingredient in baked goods. The research involved a compositional analysis of FBBW, including the quantification of carbohydrates, proteins, peptides, amino acids, phytochemicals, and minerals. In vitro assays were performed to test the inhibitory effects of FBBW on HMG-CoA reductase, as well as its impact on cholesterol micellization. Finally, FBBW was incorporated into sponge cakes to evaluate its effects on texture, sensory attributes, and consumer acceptance. The results indicated that bioactive compounds are abundant in FBBW dry matter, including peptides, saponins, and phenolic compounds, all of which contribute to its specific health-promoting attributes. Notably, the peptides in FBBW significantly inhibited HMG-CoA reductase, a key enzyme in cholesterol production, with the inhibitory activity at 64 – 70%. This enzyme inhibition is important for lowering cholesterol levels because it reduces the rate of cholesterol synthesis in the liver. Saponins, which were the predominant component of FBBW, also reduced cholesterol by decreasing cholesterol micellization, a mechanism required for cholesterol absorption in the gut, with the inhibition at 48 – 53%. Saponins significantly reduced cholesterol’s bioavailability, restricting its absorption and contributing to a decrease in overall cholesterol levels. This dual-action mechanism of FBBW shows that it has the potential to effectively manage cholesterol levels while also improving cardiovascular health. Furthermore, FBBW was investigated for its potential as a functional element in food applications, particularly baking products like sponge cakes. When FBBW was added to sponge cake formulations, it improved physicochemical aspects, including texture and adhesiveness. Textural improvements were observed as enhanced softness and cohesion, resulting in a more pleasant mouthfeel. Textural study utilizing instrumental analysis supported these findings, demonstrating that cakes containing FBBW had better adhesiveness (P < 0.05) and moisture retention (P < 0.05). Importantly, consumer sensory evaluations confirmed these instrumental findings, with desirable acceptance ratings for overall satisfaction (P > 0.05) and similar flavour and textural acceptance. Thus FBBW not only has potential for better health outcomes but also provides useful functional qualitites as a food ingredient. These findings highlight the adaptability of FBBW as a sustainable, functional ingredient that may promote health and reduces food waste.Item Restricted A microencapsulation method for delivering tetrodotoxin to bivalves to investigate uptake and accumulation(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2021-01)Most marine biotoxins are produced by microalgae. The neurotoxin tetrodotoxin (TTX) has been reported in many seafood species worldwide but its source is unknown, making accumulation and depuration studies in shellfish difficult. Tetrodotoxin is a water-soluble toxin and cannot be directly ingested by shellfish. In the present study, a method was developed which involved binding TTX to solid particles of humic acid and encapsulating them in agar-gelatin capsules. A controlled quantity of TTX-containing microcapsules (size range 20–280 μm) was fed to Paphies australis, a bivalve known to accumulate TTX in the wild. The TTX-containing microcapsules were fed to P. australis every second day for 13 days. Ten P. australis (including five controls fed non-toxic microalgae) were harvested after 7 days and ten after 13 days. Paphies australis accumulated TTX, reaching concentrations of up to 103 µg kg¯¹ by day 13, exceeding the European Food Safety Authority recommended concentration of 44 μg kg¯¹ in shellfish. This novel method will allow future studies to explore the effects, accumulation and depuration rates of TTX in different animals and document how it is transferred through food webs.Item Restricted Shifts in DNA yield and biological community composition in stored sediment: Implications for paleogenomic studies(Pensoft Publishers, 2022-02-01)Lake sediments hold a wealth of information from past environments that is highly valuable for paleolimnological reconstructions. These studies increasingly apply modern molecular tools targeting sedimentary DNA (sedDNA). However, sediment core sampling can be logistically difficult, making immediate subsampling for sedDNA challenging. Sediment cores are often refrigerated (4 °C) for weeks or months before subsampling. We investigated the impact of storage time on changes in DNA (purified or as cell lysate) concentrations and shifts in biological communities following storage of lake surface sediment at 4 °C for up to 24 weeks. Sediment samples (~ 0.22 g, in triplicate per time point) were spiked with purified DNA (100 or 200 ng) or lysate from a brackish water cyanobacterium that produces the cyanotoxin nodularin or non-spiked. Samples were analysed every 1–4 weeks over a 24-week period. Droplet digital PCR showed no significant decrease in the target gene (nodularin synthetase – subunit F; ndaF) over the 24-week period for samples spiked with purified DNA, while copy number decreased by more than half in cell lysate-spiked samples. There was significant change over time in bacteria and eukaryotic community composition assessed using metabarcoding. Amongst bacteria, the cyanobacterial signal became negligible after 5 weeks while Proteobacteria increased. In the eukaryotic community, Cercozoa became dominant after 6 weeks. These data demonstrate that DNA yields and community composition data shift significantly when sediments are stored chilled for more than 5 weeks. This highlights the need for rapid subsampling and appropriate storage of sediment core samples for paleogenomic studies.Item Open Access Item Restricted Promoting mental health through campus landscape design: Insights from New Zealand universities(MDPI AG, 2025-02-19)Mental health challenges among university students and staff are a pressing concern globally and in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Despite adopting frameworks like the Okanagan Charter to promote health and well-being, there is a lack of empirical research on how campus landscapes contribute to mental health promotion. This is a preliminary study based on a Ph.D. research project aiming to investigate the role of campus landscapes in supporting relaxation and internal recovery through everyday activities. We conducted a comparative multi-case study involving 66 participants from the University of Auckland, Lincoln University, and the University of Otago, exploring how they use and prefer campus landscapes for relaxation. Our findings indicate that ‘enjoying nature’ is the most preferred relaxation activity, with participants engaging both actively and passively with various spaces such as gardens, open lawns, and forested areas. Additionally, in campus settings, the proximity of relaxation spaces appears to be more important than design quality because of the limited time during working hours, which points to the importance of thoughtful campus planning. This study also found that university staff are often overlooked in discussions about healthy universities, despite their significant role in the campus setting. Overall, this study highlights the importance of biophilic design principles in creating health-promoting campus environments and offers initial insights for integrating natural elements into campus planning to enhance mental health and well-being.
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