The major storage globulins (vicilins) of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and pea (Pisum sativum) seeds were purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, and a semipurified cowpea protein isolate (CPI) was prepared by isoelectric precipitation. Some of the functional properties of these proteins, including solubility, foaming, and emulsifying capacities, were investigated and compared. The solubility of purified cowpea vicilin was reduced at pH 5.0, increasing markedly below and above this value. Pea vicilin exhibited poor solubility between pH 5.0 and pH 6.0, and CPI was little soluble in the pH range from 4.0 to 6.0. At neutral pH, the emulsifying activity indexes (EAI) of purified pea vicilin and CPI were 194 and 291 m(2)/g, respectively, which compare quite favorably to EAIs of 110 and 133 m(2)/g for casein and albumin, respectively. Remarkably, purified cowpea vicilin exhibited an EAI of 490 m(2)/g, indicating a very high emulsifying activity. Purified cowpea and pea vicilins exhibited lower foaming capacities and foam stablity indexes (FSI) than CPI. FSI values of 80 and 260 min were obtained for purified pea and cowpea vicilin, respectively, whereas a FSI value of 380 min was obtained for CPI. These results are discussed in terms of the possible utilization of purified vicilins or protein isolates from pea and cowpea in the food processing industry.
Social relationship research among Mexican-origin adults often focuses on the positive exchanges and supportive functions that close relationships provide, with growing attention directed at understanding the less positive side of these relationships. To gain a more nuanced understanding of important social relationships among Mexican-origin adults, we examined both positive (social support) and negative (social undermining) aspects of these relationships, and how they function directly and in interaction with each other and with life stress to contribute to psychological well-being. We tested four social relationships models (main-effects, stress-buffering, stress-exacerbation, and joint-effects) in a sample of 248 (124 women, 124 men) Mexican-origin adults using a cross-sectional design. Multiple regression analyses showed support for the main-effects, stress-buffering, and joint-effects models, and no support for the stress-exacerbation model. Social support, but not social undermining, was directly and positively associated with psychological well-being (main effects). High social support (vs. low social support) buffered against life stress (stress buffering), but in the face of high social undermining (vs. low social undermining) was associated with poorer psychological well-being (joint effects). The results of this study are discussed in the context of the cultural importance of establishing and maintaining strong harmonious relationships among Mexican-origin adults. The findings highlight the prominence of social support, especially from family, in important relationships for adults of Mexican origin, and the simultaneous damaging role that social undermining from these same relationships plays in their psychological well-being. Implications for prevention and intervention programs with Mexican-origin adults are offered.
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