Effect of preincubation of sorghum flour with enzymes on the digestibility of sorghum gruel

A low-tannin sorghum cultivar M-35-1 was used in this study. Sorghum was germinated for 6 days and protease and amylase activities were measured every 24 h. Results showed that the 5th day germinated sorghum had a higher protease activity and a lower amylase activity. Sorghum flour was incubated for 30 min with the extract from germinated sorghum or with 0.01, 0.05 or 0.1 mg ml⁻¹ papain or trypsin prior to cooking in water. Results showed increase in in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) with the 5th day germination extract. Pretreatment of sorghum flour with small amounts of papain or trypsin (0.01 mg ml⁻¹) improved the IVPD without affecting the paste viscosity, whereas the germinated sorghum extract led to very low paste viscosity. ©     

Nitrogen extractability and functional properties of defatted Erythrina variegata flour

Defatted Erythrina variegata flour was prepared from dehusked seed meal by hexane extraction of residual oil. The resulting flour had 403 g kg⁻¹ of protein as compared to 282 g kg⁻¹ in the whole seed-defatted meal. Nitrogen extractability of the defatted flour in water was not much influenced by the length of extraction period above 40 min, but an increased extraction was observed at a higher liquid to solid ratio up to a studied limit of 1:60; the optimal ratio was found to be 1:30. The minimum of 26.9% nitrogen was extracted in the pH range 3.0–4.0 and maximum of 94.8% at pH 12. Addition of sodium chloride (0.1 or 0.5 M) broadened the pH range of minimum nitrogen extractability and shifted it toward a lower pH region. At both concentrations of sodium chloride, a marked increase in nitrogen extractability, in the pH range 3.0–7.0, was observed. Precipitation of protein from an extract of pH 10.0 was maximum (85.3%) at pH 4.75. A higher buffer capacity of the flour was observed in the acidic medium (0.195 mmol HCl g⁻¹ flour) than in alkaline medium (0.093 mmol NaOH g⁻¹). Water absorption and oil absorption values for the whole E. variegata seed flour and the dehusked, defatted flour were 1.81, 1.43 and 1.02, 1.52 kg kg⁻¹, respectively.     

Wet separation of wheat flours into starch and gluten fractions: the combined effects of water to flour ratio–dough maturation time and the effects of flour aging and ascorbic acid addition

The process of making a dough, allowing time for maturation, dispersing the dough in water and wet sieving/washing to obtain a protein fraction and starch milk was studied using response surface methodology by changing the water to flour ratio in dough making (400–710 g kg^?1), maturation time (45–660 s) and the type of flour. Two grades of bread wheat flour and durum clear flour were studied. The effects of aging at ambient temperature for up to 29 days and the addition of ascorbic acid at 100 or 500 mg kg^?1 flour on separation behaviour were also studied for freshly milled high‐grade (65% extraction) bread wheat flours at constant maturation time, 600 s, and at optimum farinograph water absorption value. The quantities and dry matter contents of the protein fraction and starch milk were measured; a sample of starch milk was centrifuged to obtain decantate, tailings and prime starch fractions, and the dry matter contents of each were determined. All the dried samples were also analysed for protein content. The fractional recoveries of dry matter and protein in the protein fraction, prime starch, tailings and decantate were calculated for each experiment. The acid values of flour oils were also determined on some aged flour samples. The results indicated superior separation characteristics in high‐grade wheat flour compared with lower‐grade flours. The water to flour ratio was more influential than maturation time within the range studied. Contrary to the initial expectation, no statistically significant effect of flour aging was observed in the studies with no additive, and ascorbic acid addition was not found to improve the wet separation behaviour, the separation behaviour becoming even worse at the 100 mg kg^?1 level. Acid value showed a slight increase with time. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of extrusion conditions on the physicochemical properties of a snack made from purple rice (Hom Nil) and soybean flour blend

Soy flour was added at levels of 5%, 10%, and 15% of Hom Nil rice flour for extrusion at 190 °C barrel temperature and 350 rpm screw speed. The extruded snack qualities decreased inversely with soy flour. However, product qualities were considered to be optimised when soy flour at 5% was added. The effect of feed moisture content (15, 17, 19 g (100 g)^?1 wb), barrel temperature (150, 170, 190 °C) and screw speed (350, 400, 450 rpm) on physicochemical properties of the snack were then investigated. The physicochemical properties of the product including expansion ratio, density, water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI) and hardness were evaluated. All properties were related, as linear equations, in terms of feed moisture content, barrel temperature, screw speed with relative correlation (R²) at 0.83–0.94. The snack properties along with consumer acceptance were all highest when the extruded condition were 15 g (100 g)^?1 wb feed moisture content, 170 °C of barrel temperature and 450 rpm of screw speed.     

THERMAL INACTIVATION OF PEA FLOUR LIPOXYGENASE

Lipoxygenase (LOX) was determined in pea flour (9.6% moisture) samples which had been exposed to 90–130°C for 5–45 min, and in crude aqueous extracts (5%; pH 6.7) of previously unheated pea flour which had been exposed to 40–80°C for 5–30 min. The rate of thermal inactivation of pea LOX was shown to follow first-order reaction kinetics. The rate constants, k(min^?1), ranged from 0.005 to 0.252 for the flour, and from 0.068 to 0.267 (60–80°C) for the crude extract. The respective thermodynamic values were: for the energy of activation (E_a), 126.2 and 64.6 kJmole^?1; for the enthalpy of activation (ΔH^?), 123.1 and 61.8 kJmole^?1; for the free energy of activation (Δ^?), 118.0 and 101.4 kJmole^?1. The greater thermostability of LOX in the pea flour under dry-heat conditions, and the observed differences in the E_a, ΔH^? and ΔS^? values, may be accounted for by its possible complexation with other macromolecules and by the structure of the water surrounding the native enzyme.     

The influence of oxidizing agents on water extracts of rye flour

The main constituents of rye flour extracts are proteins and pentosans. After cross-linking under the action of oxidizing agents those components are able to bind much more water than in their native (prior to modifications) state. As a consequence rheological properties of extract are changed.It was observed that kinematic viscosity of water extract of rye flour decreases rapidly with time. The reason for this behavior could be high enzymatic activity of flour extract.It was also found that the addition of hydrogen peroxide in the absence of additional peroxidase (which is naturally present in 1:9 or 1:1 water extracts of flour) causes the greatest increase in viscosity, due to the cross-linking of soluble polymers. Moreover after the addition of H₂O₂ to water extracts strong gels were obtained, which were characterized by tan δ = 0.5 (tan δ < 1). Moreover G′ was independent of frequency, which also suggests cross-linking of the pentosans.The addition of ascorbic acid, which is known to act preferably on gluten proteins, to 1:9 or 1:1 flour extracts had only a little effect on viscosity. In this case the values of tan δ = 0.9 were close to 1, which is typical for a weak gel.The application of inactivated rye flour extract, containing mainly proteins and pentosans, proved stronger effect of H₂O₂ in comparison to ascorbic acid on polymer cross-linking, but only after the addition of peroxidase. The gel obtained with H₂O₂ and peroxidase was also characterized by low tan δ = 0.4.The results indicate, that pentosans are the main subject of cross-linking reactions in rye flour water extracts.     

Optimisation of the determination of deoxynivalenol in wheat flour by HPLC and a comparison of four clean-up procedures

The determination of deoxynivalenol (DON) in wheat flour by liquid chromatography with photodiode array (PDA) detection was optimised. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the optimum chromatographic conditions for the determination of DON. The influence of three variables, acetonitrile (ACN) volume in mobile phase (9.5–24.5, v/v), flow rate (0.5–1.5 ml min^?1) and wavelength (215–221 nm) on DON peak area was evaluated. The best separation was achieved using a symmetry column (150 × 3.9 mm; particle size 5 µm) by isocratic elution (1.0 ml min^?1) and a mobile phase consisting of ACN/water in the ratio 17 : 83 (v/v). UV detection was performed at 218 nm. Linear calibration curves were constructed in the concentration range 1–1000 ng ml^?1. The detection limit measured as the signal-to-noise ratio (3 : 1) was 0.03 ng ml^?1. RSM results showed that the experimental data could be adequately fitted to a second-order polynomial model with multiple regression coefficients (R ²) of 0.968. The efficiency of four clean-up procedures for wheat flour extract was compared. Recovery of DON using a Mycosep #225 column was highest with a value of 99%, while that of Mycosep #227 was 65%. In contrast, DON recovery using immunoaffinity columns (IAC) and an Oasis® HLB column was only 53 and 42%, respectively. The trueness of the method using the Mycosep #225 column was established with a certified reference material CRM 379. The result obtained from three replicates was 0.66 ± 0.04 µg g^?1 and the certified value was 0.67 µg g^?1.     

A rapid method for the measurement of Leucaena spp proanthocyanidins by the proanthocyanidin (butanol/HCl) assay

Proanthocyanidin (PA) extraction, sample preparation and proanthocyanidin assay (butanol/HCl) reaction conditions were evaluated for measuring PA in Leucaena spp leaf material. The optimal conditions for extracting PA from leaf tissue are described, with short sequential sonications in 70% aqueous acetone being as efficient as prolonged sequential mechanical agitation. In methanol–based extracts, after back extraction to remove pigments, increasing the water content of the reagent/sample matrix suppressed colour development. The addition of low concentrations of Fe³⁺ to the butanol/HCl reagent enhanced colour yield, but higher Fe³⁺ concentrations suppressed colour development. The presence of ascorbic acid in the sample extract was shown to increase colour development. Varying the reagent: sample extract ratio from 4:1 to 6:1 significantly decreased colour yield, but neither ratio was different from 5:1. Optimum conditions for the PA assay were as follows: a water content of 8%, the omission of Fe³⁺, a reagent: sample extract ratio of 5:1 and the addition of ascorbic acid to the stock PA standard solution to match that contributed by the extract in the final mixture. Sample preparation procedures, using back extraction to remove pigments and non-PA phenolics with diethyl ether and ethyl acetate, respectively, were time-consuming and subject to PA losses. The measurement of PA directly in the 70% aqueous acetone extract eliminated these PA losses, but the PA assay required additional optimisation for direct analysis of crude acetone extracts. In the final optimised procedure, PA was extracted by sequential sonication with 70% aqueous acetone containing 5·26 mM sodium metabisulphite as the antioxidant. These extracts were directly analysed by the butanol/HCl reaction using a reagent: sample extract ratio of 5:1, the omission of Fe³⁺ from the butanol/HCl reagent and the addition of sodium metabisulphite to match that contributed by the extract. This produced consistent linear calibration curves over the range 25–1000 μg PA with an average recovery of 101%. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry.     

Effect of flour type on Maillard reaction and acrylamide formation during toasting of bread crisp model systems and mitigation strategies

Maillard reaction along with caramelisation are the main chemical reactions occurring in bakery products. They are referred to as non enzymatic browning. In this work, the effect of flour type (wheat, rye and whole-wheat flours) and process conditions were investigated by using a bread crisp model system made up of flour, water and yeast. The bread was toasted at different temperature for different times. In a second set of experiments several additives (glycine, 0.1% on flour; asparaginase, 2000 U kg⁻¹ of flour and an antioxidant extract from green tea) were added to the basic formulations in order to test their ability in reducing the formation of potentially harmful Maillard reaction compounds such as HMF and acrylamide. Browning development and water content along with antioxidant activity were also monitored.Rye model systems produced more HMF and acrylamide at all temperature tested, while wholewheat systems produced less HMF, but more acrylamide than wheat one. The addition of glycine was effective in reducing acrylamide formation, and it increased browning development, antioxidant activity and HMF formation. Asparaginase reduced acrylamide formation up to 88% and had no effect on browning development and antioxidant activity. The addition of exogenous antioxidant compounds from green tea did not produce clear effect on acrylamide formation, thus it was not useful as mitigation strategy in bakery products, likely because of the low fat content.     

Evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of finger millet polyphenols (Eleusine coracana)

Phenolic acids from finger millet (Eleusine coracana) milled fractions (whole flour, seed coat, 3%, 5% and 7%) were isolated and their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties were evaluated. Acidic methanol extracts from seed coat to whole flour were rich in polyphenol content and were found to be stable up to 48 h at pH 4, 7, and 9 as studied by ultraviolet spectroscopy. Diadzene, gallic, coumaric, syringic and vanillic acids were identified as major phenolic acids from the extracted phenolics. Diadzene content was highest in concentration in the 5% flour. The reducing power of seed coat extract was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of whole flour extract. Antioxidant activity (AA) as determined by the β-carotene–linoleic acid assay indicated that the AA was highest in seed coat extract (86%), whilst at the same concentration it was only 27% in the whole flour extract. The seed coat extract showed higher antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus and Aspergillus flavus compared to whole flour extract. From these observations, it can be inferred that the polyphenols are responsible for the microbial activity of the millet and the results indicate that potential exists to utilise finger millet seed coat as an alternative natural antioxidant and food preservative.     

Preparation and evaluation of pizza cheese made from blend of vetch–bovine milk

The objective of the study was to develop vetch–bovine milk (VBM) pizza cheese low in animal fat and its acceptability was determined through physico‐chemical, functional and sensory evaluations. Vetch (Lathyrus sativus) was detoxified by steeping in double its quantity of water for 8 h at 70 °C, changing the water seven times, draining and sun drying. Dried vetch was then treated with water at pH 4.0 at 90 °C for 60 min to deplete the beany flavour, then dried and milled into fine flour with Quadrumate Senior mill. The seed coat was separated as one of the mill fractions. Four types of VBM blends were prepared from vetch flour and bovine skimmed milk powder and were used to prepare cheese using 2.5% lactic acid bacterial culture of Streptococcus thermophillus and Streptococcus bulgaricus and rennet (0.15 mL L^?1, 1:40 ratio with water). The cheese was stored at 4 °C for 14 days and used as topping over the pizza shell. Physico‐chemical analyses, such as moisture, total solids, lactose, ash, fat, titratable acidity and pH, and sensory evaluations of both cheese and pizza were carried out at 0‐, 7‐ and 14‐day intervals. The stretchability and meltability of cheese increased significantly (P < 0.05) during storage. Commercial Mozzarella cheese was taken as a control. The results of this study suggested that VBM blend at the ratio of 12.5:87.5 (vetch flour:bovine milk powder) could be utilised to prepare a cheese of desirable characteristics for pizza topping.     

Nitrogen extractability and buffer capacity of defatted linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) flour

Defatted linseed flour was prepared from cold-pressed seed meal via hexane extraction of the residual oil, followed by removal of the major portion of the hulls through grinding and sieving (sieve size 0.25 mm). The resulting flour had 50% protein on a dry basis compared with 40% contained by the whole seed on an oil-free dry basis. Nitrogen extractability of the defatted flour in water was not influenced by the length of the extraction period but an increased extraction was observed at higher solid:liquid ratios up to the studied limit of 1:40. The smallest amount of nitrogen (20%) was extracted in the pH range 4.0–4.6 and the greatest (80%) at pH 12.0. Addition of NaCl (0.1–1.0 M) broadened the pH range of minimum nitrogen extractability and shifted it towards lower pH region. At higher concentrations (0.6 and 1.0 M) NaCl markedly increased nitrogen extractability in the pH range of 4.0 to 8.0. Precipitation of protein from an extract at pH 10.0 was maximum (77%) at pH 4.1. A higher buffer capacity of the flour was observed in the acidic medium (0.204 mmol HCl g^?1 flour) than in the alkaline medium (0.096 mmol NaOH g^?1 flour).     

Effect of Mesona Blumes gum on physicochemical and sensory characteristics of rice extrudates

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of Mesona Blumes gum (MBG) on some physical, chemical, sensory and antioxidant properties of rice extrudates. MBG was added to rice flour at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% (w/w). The water solubility index (WSI) increased from 4.19% to 15.32% with MBG addition. Both water absorption index (WAI) and moisture retention (MR) reached maximum at 15% MBG. Bulk density (BD) was the highest at 5% (131.22 g cm^?3) and the lowest at 15% MBG (121.44 g cm^?3). Hardness was maximal at 5% (8.44 N mm^?2) and minimal at 15% MBG (5.98 N mm^?2). Expansion ratio (ER) and lightness (L*) decreased for all extruded products with MBG. MBG at 5% or 10% level could improve sensory characteristics of final products. The extract of extrudates at 15% MBG had the highest antioxidation ability among those extrudates. Thus, it was possible to produce a new palatable rice extrudate with MBG.     

Use of ion exchange resins in the extraction of proteins from defatted groundnut and soya flours

A novel method of extraction of proteins from defatted oilseed flours by anionic and cationic exchange resins is described. Extraction was performed under varying conditions with respect to type of resin, resin:flour ratio, flour:water ratio and temperature, and the optimum conditions determined. Amberlite IRC-50 (Na⁺) and Zeokarb-225 (Ca²⁺) extracted 92.0 and 96.5% of the proteins from defatted groundnut flour, respectively. Zeokarb-225 (Na⁺) extracted nearly 66.0% of the proteins from defatted soya flour. Ion exchange resins were superior to alkaline extractants for the solubilisation of proteins from these oilseed flours.     

AN APPROACH TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF A ß-GLUCAN SOLUBILASE FROM BARLEY1

A ß-glucan solubilase activity was demonstrated in barley extract. This enzyme catalyzed the dissolution of barley ß-glucan by releasing a product having a narrow molecular weight distribution and a molecular weight of about 20,000. The enzyme was partially purified by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and gel permeation chromatography on Bio-Gel P-100. Although carboxypeptidase activity was present in the crude extract of barley flour the partially purified ß-glucan solubilase did not hydrolyse N-CBZ-Phe-ala. Examination of extracts from different barley tissues indicated that the ß-glucan solubilase activity was associated with the husks only; a large portion of the activity was extractable from whole barley kernels. About 85% of the enzyme activity in crude extracts from barley flour was retained after 40 min at 62°C. However, the enzyme was much more heat-labile in extracts of whole barley kernels. The pH of maximal activity was found to be about pH 5.7 and results from column chromatography suggested that the enzyme had a low pl value and a MW between 5 × 10⁴ and 6 × 10⁴.     

Assessment of Antioxidant Properties of Tamarind Fruit Pulp and its Effect on Storage Stability of African Bread Fruit Seed dhal and Flour

This study evaluated the antioxidant activities of tamarind fruit pulp in scavenging 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydroxyl radical (DPPH) and in suppressing thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) formation, as a marker of lipid oxidation, in African breadfruit seed dhal and flour. Water and ethanol extracts of tamarind fruit pulp at different concentrations were used to scavenge DPPH radical. Parboiled (100°C; 15 min) breadfruit seeds were dehulled to seed dhal, oven-dried (50°C; 72 h), and half of the dhal milled into flour. Samples (100 g each) of the seed dhal and flour added and mixed together with aqueous suspensions (0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 or 5.0 g per 5 ml water) of tamarind fruit pulp were analysed for TBA values within 4 months of storage at 26 ± 2°C. The water and ethanol extracts scavenged DPPH in a dose-dependent manner. The ethanol extract had IC50 of 38.17 while the water extract had IC50 of 7.32, indicating much higher antioxidant activity of water extract. Tamarind fruit pulp inhibited lipid oxidation in breadfruit seed dhal and flour as evident from the mean thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value which decreased with increasing concentrations of the fruit pulp. Antioxidant activity of the fruit pulp was higher in the flour than in the dhal within 4 months of storage. Both seed dhal and flour treated with tamarind fruit pulp had lower mean TBA values ranging from 2.80 to 4.12 ppm Malonaldehyde as against 4.55 to 4.91 ppm for untreated samples. Tamarind fruit can thus be further studied for possible exploitation as a natural antioxidant for use in food, drug and cosmetic products.     

Separation of bread wheat flours into starch and gluten fractions: effect of water temperature alone or in combination with water to flour ratio

Two different commercial bread wheat flours (BF‐I, 65% extraction and BF‐V, 86% extraction) were separated into gluten and starch milk by making a dough, allowing some time for maturation, dispersing the dough in water and wet sieving/washing. The effect of using of warm water (20–45 °C) for dough making and washing on separation was studied for BF‐I flour at 640 g kg^?1 water to flour ratio of and 300 s maturation time, and the separation was found to improve with increase in temperature. The combined effects of water temperature (20–50 °C) and water to flour ratio (640–780 g kg^?1 for BF‐I and 620–870 g kg^?1 for BF‐V) were studied at 600 s maturation time. The quantities and dry matter contents of the gluten fraction and starch milk were measured; a sample of starch milk was centrifuged to obtain decantate, tailing and prime starch fractions, and the dry matter contents of each were determined. All the dried samples were also analysed for protein content, and the fractional recoveries of dry matter and protein in the gluten fraction, prime starch, tailings and decantate were calculated. The results indicated the optimum point for BF‐I flour to be the combination of optimum farinograph water absorption and 40 °C. BF‐V showed very poor separation behaviour within the ranges studied. At the optimum farinograph water absorption the use of warm water for dough making and 20 °C water for washing steps was also tried, but no significant improvement over the 20 °C results was obtained. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Polygonum cognatum Meissn extracts

The antioxidant activities, reducing powers, 2,2‐diphenyl‐l‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging activities, total phenolic compound contents and antimicrobial activities of ether, ethanol and hot water extracts of Polygonum cognatum Meissn were studied in vitro. The highest antioxidant activity was found in the water extract. However, there were no statistically significant differences among 15 µg ml^?1 extract‐containing samples in linoleic acid emulsion (0.02 M , pH 7.0) during 120 h of incubation (P > 0.05). The reducing power of the water extract was the highest, but its reducing power was markedly lower than that of ascorbic acid. The highest DPPH radical‐scavenging activity was found in the water extract, with 50% DPPH radical scavenging at a concentration of 100 µg ml^?1 dried water extract, while at the same concentration of dried ethanol extract the value was 12%. Surprisingly, no DPPH radical‐scavenging activity was observed in the ether extract. The concentrations of phenolic compounds found were 0.48, 0.50 and 0.01 µg ml^?1 gallic acid equivalent in 10 µg ml^?1 water, ethanol and ether extracts respectively. The ether and ethanol extracts showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The water extract did not show antimicrobial activity against the studied micro‐organisms. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation of Anti-Sticking Substance for Cooked Noodles by Fungal Hydrolysis of Potato Pulp

Potato pulp containing starch, cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin is an agricultural by-product in the starch industry. Potato pulp was hydrolyzed by semiaerobic growth of the fungus Amylomyces rouxii, mixed with water, and filtrated to separate water-soluble materials. The obtained extract had the capability to significantly reduce stickiness in the gel made with wheat flour. Similar effects were observed in the extract of potato pulp hydrolyzed by a commercial pectinase. When covered with the extract, the cooked noodles were easily disentangled by shaking after overnight refrigeration. The effective components obtained from the extract by precipitation included pectin predominantly composed of uronic acid and galactose with a molecular weight of 10⁵ to 10⁶. The extract from potato pulp is useful as an anti-sticking substance for cooked noodles sold in retail stores.     

Studies on the quality of fried snacks based on blends of wheat flour and soya flour

Wheat flour and defatted soya flour blended in the ratio of 65:20, 60:25, 55:30 and 45:40 were studied in respect of dough characteristics and quality of fried savoury and sweet snacks prepared from them. Farinograph characteristics of flour blends showed that as the proportion of soya flour increased there was a slight increase in water absorption and decrease in dough stability. In fried savoury snacks the protein content increased gradually from 20.75 to 27.50%. When the proportion of soya flour was raised from 20 to 40% in the blend, the corresponding rise in protein content in fried sweet snack was from 15.75 to 21.75%. The products were subjected to sensory evaluation by adopting preference ranking test and analyzing the data using Friedman's test and Wilcoxon Mann–Whitney U Test. No significant difference (P⩽0.05) was found among the samples for overall acceptability. In sweet snack, irrespective of levels of soya flour significant difference was not found (P⩽0.05) for all the attributes namely color and appearance, texture, aroma and taste. Color values expressed as L¹, a¹, b¹ showed that development of color during deep fat frying of snacks was not markedly affected by the levels of soya flour. Hardness of fried snacks was measured as force required for 50% compression. Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) of the texture values showed a significant increase in hardness (P⩽0.05) with the level of soya flour.