Nutritional evaluation of snacks obtained from chickpea and bovine lung blends

Chickpea snacks, containing 0, 5 and 10% of added bovine lung were obtained by extrusion at 130°C and 13% moisture content of the feed. These extruded products had improved contents of iron and protein compared to traditional ones, being able to provide up to 30% of the iron RDA in a 30g pack. Acceptability of these enriched snacks was assessed using a 9 point hedonic scale and was found high and comparable to commercial brands. Protein nutritional quality of these samples, measured by the NPR method, was similar and slightly lower than that of casein. The same behaviour was observed for the growth ratio of the experimental animals. Results indicate that it is possible to produce a highly acceptable snack of high nutritional quality that could be useful in feeding programs to counteract anaemia and malnutrition.     

Formulation of Corn-Based Snacks with High Nutritive Value: Biological and Sensory Evaluation

Three composite flours were formulated by linear-programming using corn, chickpea, soybean-meal and methionine to meet the FAO/WHO pattern for lysine and sulfur amino acids. Fried snack foods were manufactured with these flours. The experimental products showed higher protein contents (18.11, 15.69, 13.16%) than a commercial corn snack used as control (7.14%). PER values of experimental snacks (2.69, 2.65, 2.54) were not statistically different from that of casein (2.77) (p>0.05). Two of the formulated products (15.69% and 13.16% protein) showed no significant differences from the control with respect to typical odor and flavor, texture and acceptability (p>0.05). These nutritionally-improved products represent a good alternative to commercially available corn-based snacks.     

Fortified food made by the extrusion of a mixture of chickpea,corn and bovine lung controls iron-deficiency anaemia in preschool children

A fortified food that was rich in protein, vitamins and iron made of chickpea, bovine lung and corn was developed with the aim of controlling iron-deficiency anaemia in children from poorer areas. It was tested in Teresina, State of Piauí, Northeastern Brazil, on a population with high anaemia prevalence. Two local daycare units with similar characteristics were selected and the children at one of them received a 30 g pack three times a week, representing a total iron daily intake of 6.96 mg. The other daycare unit was followed as a control. The capillary haemoglobin concentration was determined for the children at both daycare units, at the beginning of the study and after a two-month intervention period. The mean haemoglobin concentration in the test group at the beginning of the intervention was 11.8 g/dL, which increased to 13.1 g/dL at the end of the intervention. In the control group these figures remained practically constant (11.6–11.8 g/dL). These represented a dramatic and significant drop in anaemia prevalence, from 61.5% to 11.5% in the test group, and an insignificant reduction (63.1–57.7%) in the control group. The acceptance of the fortified snack was excellent and no undesirable effects were observed.     

Gluten‐Free Snacks Using Plantain–Chickpea and Maize Blend: Chemical Composition,Starch Digestibility,and Predicted Glycemic Index

An increase in celiac consumers has caused an increasing interest to develop good quality gluten‐free food products with high nutritional value. Snack foods are consumed worldwide and have become a normal part of the eating habits of the celiac population making them a target to improve their nutritive value. Extrusion and deep‐frying of unripe plantain, chickpea, and maize flours blends produced gluten‐free snacks with high dietary fiber contents (13.7–18.2 g/100 g) and low predicted glycemic index (28 to 35). The gluten‐free snacks presented lower fat content (12.7 to 13.6 g/100 g) than those reported in similar commercial snacks. The snack with the highest unripe plantain flour showed higher slowly digestible starch (11.6 and 13.4 g/100 g) than its counterpart with the highest chickpea flour level (6 g/100 g). The overall acceptability of the gluten‐free snacks was similar to that chili‐flavored commercial snack. It was possible to develop gluten‐free snacks with high dietary fiber content and low predicted glycemic index with the blend of the 3 flours, and these gluten‐free snacks may also be useful as an alternative to reduce excess weight and obesity problems in the general population and celiac community.     

Effect of glutamate and inosinate on sensory and instrumental texture of extruded products

Expanded products have been developed by extrusion of non-conventional highly nutritious raw materials such as amaranth and chickpea blended with bovine lung. As sensory acceptance of these snacks is restricted, this study aimed at improving their texture, through the addition of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and disodium inosinate (IMP) flavor enhancers to the feeding material, or to the flavor added after the extrusion. Sensory and mechanical analyses showed that both enhancers affected texture, assessed by sensory and instrumental methods. Addition of IMP together with MSG to the chickpea-based snacks presented the best results. This beneficial effect was not observed in the amaranth-based snack, suggesting that IMP and MSG can favorably impact texture of extruded products depending on the amount and type of protein present.     

Acceptability of Extruded Corn Snacks as Affected by Inclusion of Soy Protein

Our objectives were to develop acceptable extruded snack products containing soy protein, and to evaluate the influence of soy protein type, soy level, and moisture content. Addition of soy protein increased die temperature and pressure while decreasing motor torque. Results of two consumer tests for 12 prototype products and the most acceptable three samples indicated positive responses. Acceptance correlated highly with consumer attitudes toward soy foods and prior information about health effects of soy protein. Differences between protein types suggested that formulation optimization could develop highly acceptable soy/corn extruded snacks.     

Quality and storage stability of extruded puffed corn-fish snacks during 6-month storage at ambient temperature

BACKGROUND: Cereal‐based snacks are usually low in protein and other nutrients. Increased health awareness of consumers has led the food industry to develop fortified snacks with functional ingredients. Three types of extruded corn‐fish snacks, containing 150 g kg^?1 carp mince and 150 g kg^?1 trout mince, 30 g kg^?1 freeze‐dried saithe protein and a regular corn snack (control). were produced to study quality changes and storage stability of the products during 6‐month storage at 27 ± 2 °C. RESULTS: All products had the same level of water activity and proximate composition except for protein. Fortified snacks had a protein content of 93–98 g kg^?1, compared with 65 g kg^?1 in the control. A significant increase was observed for peroxide value during storage (0.0 to 2.8 meq kg^?1). Scores for attributes describing oxidation and off odors and flavors increased after 5–6 months' storage but attributes describing puffed corn snack odor and flavor did not change during storage of any of the products. CONCLUSION: Extrusion of corn grits with fish flesh/fish protein can be used to produce high‐protein products that would be an option to provide nutrient snacks for consumers and to increase fish consumption. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Physical and nutritional properties of extruded products based on whole grain with the addition of wild legumes (Vicia lutea subsp. lutea var. hirta and Vicia sativa subsp. sativa)

Flour blends based on whole corn and rice with two added wild legumes at 15% level of cereal replacement were extruded to produce whole grain snacks. Extrusion temperature was 175 °C, and the moisture content was adjusted to 14%. The extruded products were evaluated for their physical, chemical and nutritional properties. Results showed that the addition of legumes produces a decrease in expansion in rice‐containing samples and an increase in solubility in corn‐containing samples. With only 15% of legume added to cereal, a significant increase in protein content and quality was obtained. An increase in fibre, polyphenol, iron and zinc content was also obtained. Protein digestibility was in the range of 81.8–85.3%. Mineral availability ranged from 6.4 to 16.3% for iron and 10–16.3% for zinc. The performance of each mixture during extrusion and the physical properties of the extruded products were considered to be similar to those expected for snack‐type products and described in the literature.     

Optimization of Extrusion Cooking Process for Chickpea (Cicer arietinum, L.) Defatted Flour by Response Surface Methodology

Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the production of a snack food from chickpea. The independent variables, process temperature (123–137°C) and feed moisture (13–27% d.s.b.) were selected at five levels (rotatable five level composite design: ?√2, ?1, 0, 1, +√2) in the extrusion of defatted chickpea flour. Response variables were expansion ratio, shear strength of the extra-date and sensory preference assessed by an untrained panel. Expansion ratio increased steadily with decrease in feed moisture similar to cereal extrusion. Regions of maxima were observed for sensory preference and shear strength, and these two product attributes were linearly related. The most acceptable chickpea snack was rated higher than a commercial corn snack.     

Physicochemical,microbiological and sensory characteristics of snacks developed from broken rice grains and turmeric powder

The aim of the present study was to develop extruded snacks from broken rice grains (BRG) and turmeric powder (TP). Different levels of substitution of BRG by TP (0%, 2%, 4%, 8% and 10% w/w) were used. Snacks were processed in a single-screw extruder with three heating zones (41, 61 and 84 °C, respectively), using a helicoidal grooved extrusion sleeve, a 4 mm (diameter) matrix, 3:1 screw compression ratio, screw rotation of 3600 ×  g and a feed rate of 335 g min⁻¹. Snacks were evaluated for their physicochemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics; as well as for the chemical composition, phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity of the selected savoury snack formulation. The selected snack, with the physical characteristics closest to the traditional corn product, was obtained with 6% substitution of BRG by TP and was constituted by 7.76% protein, 4.78% lipid, 5.84% dietary fibre, 75.3% available carbohydrates, and 174.75 mg gallic acid equivalent per100 g and 6.52% of DPPH• scavenging capacity. The selected snack was shown to be feasible, once TP is an ingredient that aggregates sensory (colour and taste), nutritional (dietary fibres and total energy value) and functional (antioxidants) values to the BRG-based snack, being an alternative for the production of gluten-free snacks.     

Physical evaluation of popped cereal snacks with spent hen meat

Various blends of spent hen meat and grains (potato starch, corn starch, and rice flour) were popped using a popping machine. Lowest bulk density was observed in the snack with 1:2 ratio of meat and potato starch. Except for the popped snack with meat and rice flour, as the starch content increased, bulk density decreased gradually. Popped snacks with grains only were higher in L* value than those with meat and grains. The a* and b* values increased with increasing meat content. All popped snacks were significantly different (P<0.001) in bulk density, color, and breaking force. As the grain content of snacks increased, the size of the air cells also increased. Results of scanning electron microscopic and optical microscopic observations revealed the popping degree of snack with starch and spent hen meat was affected by the presence of meat. The optimum ratios of meat to grain for high expansion ratio were determined to be 1:2 and 1:3 of meat to corn starch and potato starch.     

Organoleptic and shelf stability analysis of legume based gluten free snacks: its biochemical and immunochemical validation

Deep-fried Gluten free snacks were prepared using the composition of legumes flours with commercially available starches and evaluated for their proximate composition, nutritional quality and sensory properties. The maximum reduction in peak viscosity (414 BU) of blends was observed compared to refined wheat flour (860 BU). Proximal analysis indicated, protein content was improved from 6% (wheat snack) to 17% (red cowpea based snack) and also increased in mineral content such as iron and calcium. Difference in the iron content with highest in white cowpea based snack (FSW) (9.2 mg%), whereas calcium content was highest in red cowpea based snack (FSR) (65.5 mg%). On the basis of storage studies, there was a significant reduction in the crispiness indicated by instrumental and sensory analysis. The highest PV obtained for FSW and FSR was recorded to be 1.2 and 1.48 respectively at 30 days. Free fatty acid increased in all the three i.e. field bean based snack (FSF), FSW, FSR from 0.13, 0.12 and 0.13 to the highest of 0.35, 0.5 and 0.48 respectively at 0–60 days. Fat content in FSF, FSW and FSR decreased from 10.35 to 8.9%; 13.6–8.9% and 14.5–7.8%. Gluten free confirmation was carried out in the developed snacks by immunochemically. Immunochemical validation showed that, the extracted proteins were not reacted to wheat gliadin antibodies. Hence, the developed legume flours based gluten free snacks can be included in the diet of non-allergic to gluten sensitive population.     

Antioxidant Activities and Polyphenolic Properties of Raw and Osmotically Dehydrated Dried Mushroom (Agaricus bisporous) Snack Food

Total polyphenolics and free radical scavenging properties of extracts obtained from osmotically dehydrated, and spiced mushroom snack food with raw unprocessed mushrooms were studied. Sensorially acceptable mushroom snack was prepared in the laboratory by osmotically dehydrating Agaricus bisporous in 5% salt solution followed by addition of an adequate combination of spices and vacuum drying. The extracts of raw and dry snack-mushrooms were then evaluated for their scavenging activities against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and 2,2-azobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS). The scavenging activity of free extracts of raw and dry snack mushrooms on DPPH radical were 76% and 72%, respectively. The ABTS radical scavenging activity of the free extracts of raw sample expressed as ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant activity (AEAC) was 2.76 mg ascorbic acid equivalents/100 g and 2.67 mg ascorbic acid equivalents/100 g snack mushroom. Both free and bound polyphenolic contents in mushroom snacks were slightly higher than raw mushrooms whereas total flavonoids levels decreased marginally. No change in antioxidants status of the dry snack product was observed when dry snack stored at ambient temperature for up to 15 days. The results of this study suggested that mushroom snacks prepared using a combination of the above methods was able to retain a significant amount of antioxidants, phenols and flavonoids and mushroom snacks may prove to be an alternative nutritious snack.     

Antioxidant potential and quality characteristics of Mediterranean fruit‐based extruded snacks

‘Mediterranean snacks’ (dried fruits and nuts as principal ingredients), a little known food product with a high nutritional value, might be considered a good alternative for consumers looking for healthy snacks. The aim of this research was to determine the physicochemical properties and nutritional value of this type of food stuff (traditionally called ‘fruit cakes’ in Mediterranean countries) and to evaluate their phenolic content and antioxidant activity. All the fruit‐based extruded snacks studied are shelf‐stable at room temperature (because of their pH and water activity values). The final product has a low moisture (<32%) and high sugar content (>30%), the only sugars being those naturally present in the food. All the fruit‐based extruded snacks had a dietary fibre content higher than 10% (high‐fibre foods). Date extruded snack and apricot extruded snack showed the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content and also the highest antioxidant activity as determined by the DPPH and FRAP methods.     

EFFECT OF CONCURRENT CALORIC INTAKE ON THE RESPONSE TO ORAL MONOSODIUM L-GLUTAMATE IN SUSCEPTIBLE SUBJECTS

A study was undertaken to assess the susceptibility of a population of proven reactors to a standard 5g dose of MSG given as part of a lunch-type snack. The study was also designed to test the response to naturally occurring L-glutamic acid in amounts comparable with the test dose of MSG. Results show the latency of symptom onset to be consistently longer when MSG is administered in juice accompanied by a snack. Response rate to snacks containing 5g MSG is significantly lower for high protein, high natural L-glutamic acid and high carbohydrate snacks than for the high-fat snack or MSG administered without a snack. The high-fat snack (also low in bulk) afforded no protection.     

Liking and consumption of high-fiber snacks in preschool-age children

Increased consumption of fiber has been associated with better diet quality and lower risk for chronic diseases. Most preschool-age children in the US do not meet the recommended intake level of fiber, however, many daycare administrators struggle with the decision to provide high-fiber foods because children may not eat them. This study was a prospective community-based trial designed to explore whether children would like and eat high-fiber snacks that were served at daycare. We provided novel high-fiber snack foods to 2-5 year olds participating in two day-care centers (n = 41). Overall liking ratings were obtained using a three-level age-appropriate likert-scale. Snack consumption was measured using the plate-waste method. Results showed that children consumed normal amounts of energy from snacks. There was no association between mean energy consumed from snacks in the groups of children who liked and those who were neutral or did not like the snack, indicating that liking did not influence consumption or that intakes did not vary enough between the two groups to detect a significant difference. The implication of our study is that fiber intake in young children could potentially be increased by serving high-fiber snacks at daycare centers.     

Mothers choose a snack for their 2–3-year-old children based on different health perceptions

Healthiness is an often-reported consideration related to the snack choice of mothers for their children. Mothers’ perceived healthiness of a certain snack could be diverse and different compared to the actual nutritional healthiness of that specific snack. Diary studies and in-depth interviews with 22 Dutch mothers were conducted. During the interviews, four different types of cookies were presented and discussed. Data from the diaries and the interviews were transcribed, coded and grouped and presented in tables. All mothers mentioned health as a consideration while providing snacks both in the interviews and in the diaries. For more than two-thirds of the mothers, health was the most important consideration. Three types of mothers were defined according to healthiness perception: “product mothers”, who related the healthiness of a snack to the intrinsic product properties, the “balancing mothers” who related the healthiness of the snack to the whole diet and the context, and the “not that important mothers”, for whom the healthiness of a snack was not that relevant because the healthy foods were already eaten during the main meals. The results of this study could be used for efficient communication to help mothers meet children’s dietary requirements and they could be relevant for the design of new snack products.     

第三代休闲食品的生产——谈谈双螺杆挤压技术如何提高休闲食品的质量和花色品种

<正> 随着生活水平的不断提高,消费者对食品的质量和花色品种都有了更高的要求,对休闲食品的要求亦然。为适应市场的需要,休闲食品生产厂家多年来都在搜寻合适的生产工艺,挤压加工就是其中一项较受欢迎的技术。目前,采用挤压技术生产的食品主要有直接膨化的休闲食品(玉米和马铃薯)、玉米片及第三代休闲食品坯料。本文重点介绍增长较快速的组别——第三代