Anti-Nutritional Compounds in Cereals

Antinutrients in Cereals

Cereals are very healthy and nutritious due to the presence of fibers, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. In Addition to these nutrients, they contain substances called antinutrients. Antinutrients prevent the digestion of nutrients. These reduce digestibility and hinder the absorption of micro and macronutrients.

Major anti-nutritional factors, found in cereals and grains include saponins, tannins, phytic acid, gossypol, lectins, protease/amylase inhibitor, and goitrogens. Trypsin and phytates are inhibitors present in legumes and cereals, reducing the digestibility of proteins and minerals in the body. Hence causing micronutrient malnutrition and mineral deficiencies leading to different diseases.

Therefore, efforts are made to reduce or eliminate these antinutrients for proper assimilation. i.e.  Food processing techniques fermentation, de-branning, autoclaving, germination, malting, soaking, cooking, and extrusion can greatly reduce the number of antinutrients in cereal. Using these methods alone or in combination, it is possible to reduce the level of anti-nutrients in cereal commodities. Several anti-nutrients in cereals hinder the extrusion process and cooking process. Around the world, cereals are frequently eaten as a staple diet and offer vital elements such carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. However, some cereals include anti-nutritional substances that may hinder the absorption of nutrients or have negative health effects. Here are a few instances of anti-nutritional elements that can be found in cereals.

     Saponins:

Saponins are non-volatile secondary metabolites found in cereal crops.  Saponins are steroids or triterpenes having a sugar moiety in them. Triterpenoid saponins are usually found in legumes i.e. soybean, peanuts, chickpeas, beans, and lentils. Steroid saponins are generally present in food plants such as oats. Saponins show inhibitory activities for enzymes i.e. amylase, glucosidase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin causing indigestion-related health disorders.

These are not hydrolyzed by human digestive enzymes; therefore, gastrointestinal digestion can be severely affected. Hence saponins reduce the absorption of vitamins forming complexes with various sterols, which would interfere with sterol activity and its absorption in the intestine.

     Phytates:

Phytic acid is the main antinutrient found in cereals and grains. It binds to minerals and forms a complex i.e. calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc thus hindering the absorption in the intestines and digestive system. Phytates are present in whole grain cereals and their derivatives. i.e. Wheat, Oats, Brans, and their products.  Sequester minerals, mainly zinc and iron, thus act as thieves of minerals.

Previously phytates are considered harmful but a recent search shows that it is converted into inositol a source of Vitamin B. But proper treatments, i.e., soaking, roasting and autoclaving, etc., should be done to destroy its anti-nutrient capacity and enhance nutrient one.  

Tannins:

These are phenolic compounds having a molecular weight greater than 500 Dalton. They have the ability to precipitate proteins. These are secondary compounds that are formed in the leaves bark and fruit of plants. They form reversible and irreversible tannin protein complexes that reduce the protein digestibility as well as absorption of essential amino acids.  They are found in cereals i.e. sorghum and barley.

Research has shown that they accumulate mainly in the bran section of cereals and legumes. When ingested they form complexes with proteins, which lead to the inactivation of many digestive enzymes as well as decreased protein digestibility. Thus, dehulling and soaking seeds will leach down the tannins up to 60-90%. Hence increases the appearance, texture, and digestibility of the grain.

     Lectins:

These are sugar-binding proteins, which easily attach to RBCs and cause agglutination. Lectins are found in cereals and legumes and are known as glycoproteins. The transportation functions of the enterocyte would be affected by lectins. Lectins reduce nutrient absorption by binding to intestinal epithelial cells and damage the intestinal tract, increasing the bacterial population coming into contact with the bloodstream. 

Lectins are found in beans, pulses, lentils, and other cereals. Hinders bioavailability of nutrients by action on digestive enzymes. Preliminary soaking and autoclaving before cooking would eliminate the lectin contents.  Its consumption causes indigestibility, food poising, bloating, and gut leaky syndromes.

Ø Protease and Amylase Inhibitors:

It inhibits the proteolytic enzymes. It can bind to the target proteins in reversible or irreversible both ways. Mostly present in cereals, legumes mainly soybean. Moist heat and Soaking for 24 hours are effective in destroying trypsin inhibitors. It will enhance the nutritional value of proteins. The main protease inhibitor is a trypsin inhibitor in soybean and other cereals that inhibits the digestion of proteins. In the gut the hinders digestion and absorption of proteins.

Amylase inhibitors will reduce the activity of amylase, the digestive enzyme required to break down dietary starches into absorbable glucose amylase inhibitors will hinder this process. Many plants and plant food including cereals and legumes contain amylase-inhibiting compounds.  i.e. In white bean extract, inhibit the digestion of carbohydrates, so it may reduce the absorption of glucose in the body.

Ø Gluten:

Wheat, barley, and rye are all sources of a group of proteins known as gluten. Consuming gluten causes the small intestine to become injured in people with celiac disease, an autoimmune illness. As a result, there is inflammation, nutrient malabsorption, and a variety of digestive problems. Another illness that causes symptoms similar to celiac disease but without the immune response and intestinal damage is non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Cereals containing gluten must be avoided by anyone with certain diseases in order to stay healthy.

Strategies to reduce Anti-Nutrients:

Various Strategies are applied according to the nature of antinutrients i.e. Milling, Autoclaving, Germination of seeds, fermentation, etc.

It's crucial to remember that just because cereals contain certain anti-nutritional ingredients doesn't automatically make them unhealthy. Cereals are a source of vital nutrients and can be included in a diet that is balanced. To minimize any potential side effects of these substances and maximize nutritional absorption, it's important to make sure that food selections are varied, processing methods are acceptable, and that individual sensitivities are taken into consideration.