Impact of Guar and Wheat Bran on the Physical and Nutritional Quality of Extruded Breakfast Cereals

Two non‐starch polysaccharides, guar gum and wheat bran, were used at 15% replacement level in a cereal base to produce an extruded breakfast cereal product from both wholemeal and high‐ratio wheat flour mixes. The inclusion of the non‐starch polysaccharides into the flour bases had no significant effect on the expansion ratio of the products. However, the product density and bulk density of the extruded products increased with guar gum and wheat bran addition. The pasting properties of the raw flour and polysaccharide base as well as the extruded products were altered with the incorporation of polysaccharides, with guar gum‐enriched products showing elevated peak and final viscosity readings. This appeared to be related to moisture manipulation and hence the regulation of gelatinisation. In vitro starch hydrolysis of the raw bases and the extruded samples illustrated that the extrusion process significantly increased the availability of carbohydrates for digestion. Additionally, the inclusion of non‐starch polysaccharides in the raw bases significantly reduced the rate and extent of carbohydrate hydrolysis. This potentially glycaemic reducing action was also evident in the extruded products where the incorporation of guar gum at 15% yielded a reduction of starch hydrolysis of 36% in the wholemeal base and 32% in the high‐ratio white wheat flour base.     

Use of starch granules melting to control the properties of bio‐flour filled polypropylene and poly(butylene succinate) composites: Mechanical properties

The feasibility and industrial potential of using bio‐flours from tropical crop residues, in particular starch containing bio‐flours, for the manufacture of bio‐composites was investigated. Polypropylene (PP) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) were compounded with bio‐flours from pineapple skin (P) and from non‐destarched (CS) and destarched (C) cassava root by twin‐screw extrusion. In CS composites, two levels of starch granules melting were achieved by adjusting the extrusion temperature, enabling control of morphological and mechanical properties. The use of bio‐flours reduced tensile strength by 26–48% and impact strength by 14–40% when the proportion of bio‐flour was increased to 40% w/w, while flexural strength initially increased upon addition of bio‐flours, before decreasing at higher loads. The use of compatibilizers, in particular maleic anhydride‐polypropylene (MAPP) in PP composites with 30% bio‐flour resulted in tensile strength similar to non‐compatibilized composites with 10% bio‐flour (34–35 MPa). MAPP also increased flexural strength to higher levels than pure PP, resulting in a stronger, but less flexible material.     

Rheological properties of wheat flour and quality characteristics of pan bread as modified by partial additions of wheat bran or whole grain wheat flour

The use of bran and whole grain flour changes dough rheology and causes difficulties in manufacturing bakery products. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of substituting refined wheat flour (WF) by wheat bran (WB; 5%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%) or whole grain wheat flour (WGWF; 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%) on dough rheological properties and pan bread quality characteristics. The addition of WB and WGWF increased water absorption and resistance to extension and decreased stability, extensibility and peak viscosity. Effects with WB were more pronounced. The presence of WB or WGWF increased crumb moisture content, firmness and hardness and decreased specific volume of pan bread. It is important to set new farinographic and extensographic standards when using WB and WGWF, allowing for a correct correlation between rheology and quality characteristics of bakery products, as the same standards used for WF are not valid.     

Gluten‐free pasta: effect of green plantain flour addition and influence of starch modification on the functional properties and resistant starch content

Green plantain flour (GPF) is rich in indigestible carbohydrates, especially in resistant starch (RS). The objective of this study was to improve the functional pasta properties and RS content by producing gluten‐free (GF) pasta based on rice flour with different amounts of GPF addition (15–60% of total flour blend). Egg albumen (3.5–6.0% of total flour) and dough moisture (36–40%, dough humidity%), at constant emulsifier (0.5% of total flour) addition, were optimised in the first trials. The results showed that an addition up to 30% GPF with higher amount of egg albumen (6%) at dough moisture of 38% provided pasta with acceptable cooking quality and high RS content. Some qualities and/or RS content of GF pasta samples was further improved by adding 30% pregelatinised flours from the native GPF or drum‐dried green banana flour (DDGBF) in combination with applying varied steps of cooking and/or cooling, which were applied after pasta extrusion prior to drying them. The study suggests that GPF, in its native form, but particularly when pregelatinised, is a promising ingredient to be used for the production of GF pasta.     

Physicochemical Properties of Casein‐Starch Interaction Obtained by Extrusion Process

Extruded samples of starch‐casein blends were processed by using a single‐screw extruder. The independent variables in the process were temperature (126–194°C), moisture content (18–29%) and starch‐casein blend (5–95%). These independent variables affected significantly the physicochemical and textural properties of the biopolymers. The highest values for expansion (EXP) and water absorption index (WAI) were found when a higher starch proportion was present in the blends, at 126°C barrel temperature and moisture content higher than 25%. By increasing the barrel temperature, from 126°C to 194°C, the water solubility index (WSI) and color parameter were increased. Initial viscosity (IV) and viscosity at 90°C (V90) were mainly affected by the barrel temperature at 194°C. However, the viscosity at 50°C (V50) was affected neither by the different extrusion variables nor by the biopolymer proportion in the blends. Compression force (CF) was strongly dependent on moisture content and casein proportion in the blend. The higher CF values were found at starch concentrations around 50% and 25% moisture content, for higher or lower values than these the obtained extruded products were softer and consequently had lower CF values.     

Effect of gamma‐ray irradiation on the physicochemical properties of flour and starch granule structure for wheat

Effect of gamma irradiation on the physicochemical properties of flour and starch granule structure of wheat was compared to non‐irradiated wheat. The moisture content of wet gluten and titratable acidity of wheat flour were significantly affected by gamma irradiation. This treatment also destroyed the starch granules of wheat grain and their breakage augmented as the dose of gamma irradiation increased, apparently resulting in the increase of small starch granules. Probably, these results were due to the disruption of large molecule, such as proteins, lipids and starch. The irradiated wheat flour for RVA pasting properties (flour viscosity) was also evaluated. Besides the difference in RVA profile, starch pasting curves showed a considerable decrease for six main parameters as gamma irradiation dose at different velocity increased.     

Effect of inclusion of soluble and insoluble fibres into extruded breakfast cereal products made with reverse screw configuration

Five dietary fibre rich ingredients were used at 5%, 10% and 15% replacement levels in a white flour cereal base to produce an extruded cereal product. The inclusion of the dietary fibres into the flour bases had no significant effect on the expansion ratio of the products. However, the bulk density of the extruded products increased with inulin addition. The pasting properties of the raw flour and fibre base as well as the extruded products were altered with the incorporation of dietary fibre, with guar gum enriched products showing elevated peak and final viscosity readings. This appeared to be related to moisture manipulation and hence the regulation of gelatinisation. In vitro starch hydrolysis of the raw bases and the extruded samples illustrated that the extrusion process significantly increased the availability of carbohydrates for digestion. Additionally, the inclusion of dietary fibres in the raw bases significantly reduced the rate and extent of carbohydrate hydrolysis of the extruded products. As such the addition of dietary fibres to extruded products reduced the amount of readily digestible starch components of breakfast products, and increased the amount of slowly digestible carbohydrates.     

Gluten‐Free Precooked Rice‐Yellow Pea Pasta: Effect of Extrusion‐Cooking Conditions on Phenolic Acids Composition,Selected Properties and Microstructure

Rice/yellow pea flour blend (2/1 ratio) was used to produce gluten‐free precooked pasta using a single‐screw modified extrusion‐cooker TS‐45. The effect of moisture content (28%, 30%, and 32%) and screw speed (60, 80, and 100 rpm) on some quality parameters was assessed. The phenolic acids profile and selected pasta properties were tested, like pasting properties, water absorption capacity, cooking loss, texture characteristics, microstructure, and sensory overall acceptability. Results indicated that dough moisture content influenced all tested quality parameters of precooked pasta except firmness. Screw speed showed an effect only on some quality parameters. The extrusion‐cooking process at 30% of dough moisture with 80 rpm is appropriate to obtain rice‐yellow pea precooked pasta with high content of phenolics and adequate quality. These pasta products exhibited firm texture, low stickiness, and regular and compact interne structure confirmed by high score in sensory overall acceptability.     

Determination of formulation and processing factors affecting slowly digestible starch,protein digestibility and antioxidant capacity of extruded sorghum–maize composite flour

High‐temperature high‐pressure extrusion of sorghum–maize composite flour, of potential for healthy food manufacture, was investigated by factorial experimental design to determine the effect of level of sorghum in dry mix (15–60%); final barrel zone temperature (120–150 °C); total moisture in barrel (21.4–25.8%); total input rate (2.3–6.8 kg h^?1); and screw speed (250–450 rpm) on extrudate slowly digestible starch (SDS), phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, protein digestibility, density and expansion ratio. Extrudate SDS increased with increasing sorghum level and decreased as the barrel temperature increased. Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were positively associated with sorghum level. Protein digestibility was associated negatively with sorghum level and positively with barrel temperature. Extrudate density was associated positively with total moisture and negatively with barrel temperature and input rate. Sorghum in dry mix, final barrel zone temperature and total moisture in barrel were the three most significant independent variables influencing extrudate dependant variables.     

Physico‐functional and antioxidant properties of purple‐flesh sweet potato flours as affected by extrusion and drum‐drying treatments

Effects of extrusion and drum‐drying treatments on physico‐functional and antioxidant properties of flours prepared from purple‐flesh sweet potato were evaluated. Extrusion variables were feed moisture contents (MC; 10%, 13%, 16%) and screw speeds (SS; 250, 325, 400 r.p.m.), whereas drum‐drying was done at 120, 130 or 140 °C. Effects of MC were generally greater than SS on flour properties. Extruded flours showed higher water absorption and water solubility indices compared with control nonextruded flours. Regardless of SS, total phenolic content and antioxidant activities (DPPH and ABTS) of flours processed at 10% MC were significantly higher than those at 13% and 16%. Both extruded and drum‐dried flours exhibited no peak viscosity, indicating complete gelatinisation of starch. Maximum phenolic content and antioxidant activities of drum‐dried flours were obtained at 140 °C. Although drum‐dried flours had higher antioxidant capacity than extruded flours, both flours could potentially be used as food ingredients.     

Amaranth,millet and buckwheat flours affect the physical properties of extruded breakfast cereals and modulates their potential glycaemic impact

Three non‐traditional pseudo‐cereal flours (amaranth, buckwheat and millet) were used in the manufacture of extruded breakfast cereal products as a replacement for wheat and maize flour. The use of these flours altered the physical and nutritional quality of extruded breakfast cereals. Extruded products made using the flours exhibited an increased product and bulk density. However the extruded products were not significantly different compared to the control sample in terms of expansion ratio (excepting Amaranth at the 65% inclusion rate). All of the extruded products made with the inclusion of pseudo‐cereals showed a significant reduction in readily digestible carbohydrates and slowly digestible carbohydrates compared to the control product during predictive in vitro glycaemic profiling. The results illustrate the potential use of these non‐traditional cereal flours in lowering the glycaemic response to the ingestion of extruded breakfast cereals.     

预处理-低温挤压对留胚米粉理化性质的影响

以留胚米为原料,焙炒预糊化粉碎后,在挤压机螺杆转速100 r/min,水分含量30%,挤压温度50～90℃的条件下对留胚米粉进行挤压。研究在预糊化-低温挤压过程中不同的挤压温度对留胚米粉理化性质的影响。结果表明：随着挤压温度的升高,留胚米粉的糊化度逐步提高;淀粉、脂肪、蛋白质、γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)含量均有所下降,而当温度超过70℃后,可溶性膳食纤维含量显著(P<0.05)升高;留胚米粉的吸水性指数显著下降(P<0.05),水溶性指数、膨胀势有所上升;总色差?E增大;粒径显著增大(P<0.05);差示扫描量热仪分析发现留胚米粉的起始温度(T₀)、峰值温度(T_P)和终止温度(T_C)逐渐升高,吸热焓由1.14 J/g下降至0.82 J/g,糊化程度逐步增加;傅里叶红外光谱分析表明,在所有挤压温度下留胚米粉的淀粉结构中并未产生新的基团或化学键。上述结果显示,预糊化-低温挤压对留胚米粉的理化特征具有显著影响,适宜的挤压温度减少了营养成分的损失。     

Response surface analysis and extrusion process optimisation of maize–mungbean‐based instant weaning food

This study was conducted to produce high‐quality weaning food from easily available and low‐cost raw materials by extrusion technology. Weaning mix was developed using extrudates of maize (Zea mays) and mungbean (Vigna radiata) flour with a twin‐screw extruder. Experiments were designed using three independent variables [feed moisture (12.6 – 19.4%), screw speed (349 – 601 rpm) and barrel temperature (108 – 192 °C)] and five dependent variables (specific mechanical energy, bulk density, water absorption index, water solubility index and degree of gelatinisation) at five levels of central composite rotatable design (CCRD). Optimisation results indicated that feed moisture of 14.33%, screw speed of 524 rpm and barrel temperature of 174 °C would produce maize–mungbean extrudates of preferable functional properties. The optimised weaning mix contained maize–mungbean extrudates 40%, skim milk powder 35% and sugar 25% (w/w). The nutrient content of the weaning mix was in accordance with the standards specified by PFA, (2004) with high protein and starch digestibility.     

Resistant starch and thermal,morphological and textural properties of heat‐moisture treated rice starches with high‐, medium‐ and low‐amylose content

This study investigated the effects of heat‐moisture treatment (HMT) on the resistant starch content and thermal, morphological, and textural properties of rice starches with high‐, medium‐ and low‐amylose content. The starches were adjusted to 15, 20 and 25% moisture levels and heated at 110°C for 1 h. The HMT increased the resistant starch content in all of the rice starches. HMT increased the onset temperature and the gelatinisation temperature range (T_finish–T_onset) and decreased the enthalpy of gelatinisation of rice starches with different amylose contents. This reduction increased with the increase in the moisture content of HMT. The morphology of rice starch granules was altered with the HMT; the granules presented more agglomerated surface. The HMT affected the textural parameters of rice starches; the high‐ and low‐amylose rice starches subjected to 15 and 20% HMT possessed higher gel hardness.     

Extrusion conditions and zea mays endosperm hardness affecting gluten‐free spaghetti quality

The effects of extrusion temperature (80, 90 and 100 °C) and flour moisture content (27%, 31% and 35%) on corn spaghetti quality were evaluated according to a factorial experimental design. Flours obtained from a soft and hard endosperm were processed in a Brabender single screw extruder. Corn spaghettis with good cooking characteristics and resistance to overcooking were obtained by extrusion at 27% flour moisture content for the three temperatures used. They have higher resistance to hydration, long cooking time (around 11 vs. 7 min for poor quality) and low cooking loss (lower than 9% for a 10‐min overcooking). Softer endosperm allowed obtaining better spaghetti quality. Among different physicochemical properties, enzyme susceptibility could be used as an indicator of mechanical energy dissipated by friction. During extrusion cooking, the native structure is partially destroyed, and new crystalline ones, corresponding to the amylose–lipid complex, are formed.     

Effects of protein–lipid and starch–lipid complexes on textural characteristics of extrudates based on wheat flour with the addition of oleic acid

The knowledge of biopolymer changes by extrusion is very important for a wide range of industrial applications that spreads from extruded food to biodegradable packaging. In this article, the formation of starch–lipid and lipid–protein complexes that occurred during the extrusion cooking of wheat flour with the addition of fatty acids was studied. Results showed that the highest barrel temperature (128.3 °C) promoted the formation of starch–lipid complexes in samples made up of wheat starch and wheat flour with the addition of fatty acids. The maximum formation of protein–lipid complexes (68% fatty acid bound to protein) was observed at the highest barrel temperature and water feed content (<22%). This study is a prerequisite for the optimisation of production of expanded extrudates made up of wheat flour and fatty ingredients and for the study of a biodegradable packaging based on by‐product of milling wheat (and fat).     

Hull-less barley flour supplemented corn extrudates produced by conventional extrusion and CO2 injection process

The effects of feed moisture content (20, 25%), exit–die temperature (80, 130 °C), and extrusion-cooking method (with/without CO₂ injection) on β-glucan (BG) levels and physicochemical properties of hull-less barley flour (HBF) supplemented (15, 30, 45%) corn extrudates were investigated. The highest HBF supplementation level (45%) resulted in higher BG levels (2.87–3.28%) in all extrusion conditions. In general, increasing feed moisture content from 20 to 25% and exit–die temperature from 80 to 130 °C resulted in small increases in enzyme resistant starch type-3 (RS₃) levels. However, the investigated extrusion conditions did not form substantial amount of RS₃ and the highest RS₃ content was 540 mg/100 g. Lower feed moisture content and higher exit–die temperature resulted in higher water solubility (WS) and lower water-binding capacity (WBC) values. Cold-paste viscosity (CV) was observed in all extrudates. High WS and WBC values of extrudates and the existence of CV values in RVA curves indicated complete starch gelatinization.Industrial relevanceCO₂ injection has been proved as a reliable alternative method to the conventional extrusion process used in the breakfast cereals and snack food industry. The overall quality of the product processed by CO₂ injection was comparable to that of the current process. The extrudates produced by CO₂ injection method had more uniform expansion and smoother surface. CO₂ injection did not have a reducing effect on β-glucan levels; however, it is expected to result in a better retention of heat labile micronutrients and hence more healthy food products.     

Macromolecular Changes in Extruded Starch‐Films Plasticized with Glycerol,Water and Stearic Acid

Native corn starch, plasticized with water, glycerol and stearic acid, was extruded in a conical twin‐screw extruder and sheeted into 0.4–0.6 mm thick films. The effects of extrusion and plasticizers on gelatinization, as well as the molecular and structural changes, in thermoplastic starch were analyzed. The onset and peak gelatinization temperatures of extruded starch varied from 42–46°C and 52.9–56.9°C, respectively, depending on the glycerol content. The enthalpy of gelatinization of extruded thermoplastic starch in excess water varied from 3.6–7.6 J/g, which also increased with plasticizer content. Amylose‐lipid complexes were formed during extrusion, and their enthalpies depended on the initial stearic acid and moisture contents. High‐performance size‐exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) data revealed that the starch underwent fragmentation during extrusion even under highly plasticized conditions, but the degradation was not severe as compared to previous findings. The relative percentages of amylopectin and amylose in native starch were 76.9 and 23.1%, respectively, which were changed to 71.3–76.6% and 23.4–28.7% in the extrudates. The average molecular weights of amylopectin and amylose in the extrudates ranged from 1.55×10⁷–2.07×10⁷ and 4.35×10⁵–7.39×10⁵, respectively. On the other hand, the molecular weights of amylopectin and amylose in native corn starch were observed as 2.27×10⁷ and 4.68×10⁵, respectively. Cross‐polarization magical angle spinning (CP/MAS) and high‐power decoupling (HP‐DEC) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of thermoplastic starch revealed the characteristics of amylomaize starch, confirming HPSEC results that the amylopectin macromolecules underwent fragmentation into amylose‐like fractions. In the extrudates, glycerol was found to be less mobile and entrained within the starch network.     

Occurrence of acetic acid and formic acid in breakfast cereals

Breakfast cereals are usually manufactured by extrusion followed by drying and toasting steps in which thermal treatments are applied. In addition, owing to the low water activity and the content in cereals of proteins and carbohydrates, precursors of the Maillard reaction, this reaction and degradation of sugars are favoured during processing. Acetic and formic acids have been identified as final products of Maillard reaction (MR) and sugar caramelisation. Acetic and formic acid contents have been determined by ion exchange high‐performance liquid chromatography in 56 commercial breakfast cereals. Results were evaluated taking into account the sample formulation. Acetic and formic acids were detected in all samples, and significant variations were observed for acetic acid depending on the protein and fibre content. Acetic acid, originating from 1‐deoxyglucosone cleavage during MR, proved to be a good indicator of processing in cereals enriched with or based on wheat flour because of their high protein content. Fibre addition increased acetic acid concentration. The application of acetic acid as a chemical marker of processing in breakfast cereals and its possible generation pathways are discussed. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Changes of chemical composition and dough rheology in two fractions of sieve‐classified Polish spring wheat flour

The study of chemical composition and dough rheology changes in sieve‐classified two fractions (up to 60 and 60–240 μm particles) of wheat flour was the subject of this study. The straight grade flours were obtained by the milling of three Polish varieties of spring wheat, differing in ?? abbreviation? (PSI) values. The flours were separated with the use of a SZ‐1 laboratory sifter. The yield of fine fraction was in the range 50.0–55.7%. The obtained fractions were assayed for the content and composition of free lipids, gluten proteins, damaged starch, ash, water absorption and amylograph viscosity. Dough rheology (extrusion in OTMS cell, alveograph and farinograph tests) and baking trials were also performed. The content of free lipids, including the non‐polar and phospholipids was lower and the content of glycolipids was higher in fine flours. Those fractions were more rich in linoleic acid but the lower content of oleic and linolenic acids resulted in a higher oxidizability index of free lipids. Fine flours contained less ash and significantly more damaged starch. At the same time, they were characterized by a higher content of wet gluten, water absorption, amylograph viscosity and better dough parameters. This was reflected in the bread volume, which was higher by 6.3–10.7%. The influence of the changes in composition and the content of free lipids upon the rheology of the dough after the 90 days flour storage has not been defined unambiguously and requires further research.