Effect of xanthan gum on processing and cooking quality of nontraditional pasta

The physicochemical properties of three different commercial sources of xanthan gum (XG) were determined, and its subsequent effect on the processing and cooking quality of pasta containing nontraditional ingredients was characterised. Commercial durum flour was fortified with nontraditional ingredients (soya flour or oat flour, 10% w/w) and XG (2% w/w). Protein content, ash content, bulk density, water‐holding capacity and total glucose content significantly varied among XG samples from different vendors. Xanthan gum increased dough strength of durum flour and the extent of strengthening varied with vendor of XG. For example, time‐to‐peak ranged from 2.75 to 4.25 min; peak width from 2.5 to 3.75 BU; and end width from 2 to 3 BU depending on the vendor of XG. Processing properties differed depending on commercial source. Commercial XG that had the finest particle size required the lowest mechanical energy (range 253–270 J s^?1) and had the greatest extrusion rate (range 3.38–3.65 g s^?1), both of which resulted in the lowest specific mechanical energy (range 69–79 J g^?1) required to extrude spaghetti samples.     

Effect of heat treatment of rye flour on rye‐wheat steamed bread quality

To study the effect of heat treatment on rye flour quality, rye flour was treated by steaming, high temperature and high pressure (HTHP) and extrusion and then the pasting properties of rye flour and rye‐wheat blend, the dough rheological and steamed bread (respectively, fermented by yeast and Chinese traditional starter – Laomian) making properties of rye‐wheat blend were investigated. All three kinds of heat treatment increased the viscosity of rye flour, with the peak viscosity value followed the order 1744 cP (by steaming) >823.5 cP (by HTHP) >669 cP (by extrusion) > 626.5 cP (untreated). Dough and gluten made from mRFh (HTHP‐treated rye flour and wheat flour blend) had higher storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″), which contributed to better extensibility and deformation capability. Steamed bread fermented by Laomian (LSB) made by mRFh had larger specific volume (2.26 mL g^?1), lower hardness (3510.93 g) and higher sensory scores (82.63), comparable to the quality of control samples, indicating the feasibility of adding rye flour into wheat flour for healthy product development without compromising the taste and texture.     

Physical,proximate, functional and pasting properties of four non‐ and γ‐irradiated bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean) cultivars

Effect of γ‐irradiation (2–30 kGy) on physical, proximate, functional and pasting properties of four bambara groundnut cultivars was investigated. Packed (0.74–0.75 g mL^?1) and loose (0.71–0.76 g mL^?1) density varied significantly among cultivars. Generally, CIE L and hue angle decreased, while CIE a, b, deltachroma and colour intensity increased with increased dose. Protein (21.23–23.77 g/100 g), fat (6.38–7.69 g/100 g), crude fibre (1.28–3.54 g/100 g), ash (1.50–4.50 g/100 g) and moisture (10.67–12.92 g/100 g) of non‐ and γ‐irradiated bambara varied with cultivars and dose. Loose (0.41–0.49 g mL^?1) and packed (0.54–0.74 g mL^?1) densities, water absorption (1.62–2.38 g/g) and swelling (10.50–18.00 g/g) increased marginally, while oil absorption (1.93–2.82 g/g), alkaline water retention (0.66–1.23 g/g), emulsion capacity (40.31–58.23%) and stability (31.67–46.49%) decreased with increased dose. Foam capacity (6.85–22.37%) and stability (1.80–22.37%) of γ‐irradiated flours were higher than their nonirradiated (2.03–18.26%) counterparts. Nonirradiated flours showed significantly higher viscosities than their γ‐irradiated counterparts. Flours showed slightly shear‐thinning behaviours.     

Genotypic diversity in physico-chemical,pasting and gel textural properties of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Twenty chickpea cultivars were evaluated for genetic diversity in seeds (physical, hydration and cooking), flours (composition, pasting and gel textural) and starch (swelling, thermal, amylose content and amylopectin structure) properties. Frequency distribution and principal component analysis revealed significant differences among the cultivars studied. Pasting temperature, peak viscosity, breakdown, final viscosity and setback of flours ranged from 75.0 to 87.1 °C, 564 to 853 cP, 32 to 123 cP, 573 to 969 cP, and 84 to 185 cP, respectively. Amylose content of starch ranged from 28.26% to 52.82%. Amylopectin unit chains of DP 6–12, 13–18, 19–24 and 25–30 ranged from 36.2% to 43.25%, 36.44% to 38.68%, 14.86% to 18.22% and 4.95% to 6.9%, respectively. To establish the relationships between different properties Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were computed. Cluster analysis for grain and flour characteristics was also done to see the association between chickpea cultivars.     

Emulsifying characteristics of commercial canola protein–hydrocolloid systems

Emulsifying properties of commercial canola protein isolate (CPI)–hydrocolloid-stabilized emulsions were evaluated under varied conditions (CPI, salt and hydrocolloid concentrations; pH, denaturants). Emulsifying activity index (EAI) and emulsion stability (ES) were determined by turbidimetric testing. The results showed that under complexing conditions (at pH 6), the addition of 1% (w/v) κ-carrageenan (κ-CAR) increased the EAI of CPI-stabilized emulsions from 162 to 201 m²/g and ES from 68% to 95%. Under conditions promoting incompatibility (at pH 10), the use of 1% (w/v) guar gum increased the EAI of CPI-stabilized emulsions from 68 to 177 m²/g and ES from 66% to 100%. The lower EAI and ES values observed in CPI–hydrocolloid-stabilized emulsions treated with sodium salts and denaturants support the involvement of hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonds and disulfide linkages in the emulsification of these systems. Interfacial properties of CPI–hydrocolloid mixtures were improved by electrostatic complexing and incompatibility, making these systems suitable for stabilizing food emulsions.     

Effect of sand roasting on beta glucan extractability, physicochemical and antioxidant properties of oats

The antioxidant properties, damaged starch, beta glucan extractability and physicochemical properties of ten different oat cultivars were studied after sand roasting at 280 °C for 15 s. The groat content within the cultivars varied from 6.59 to 7.76 g/10 g oats. Roasting lowered the length/breadth ratio and bulk density and resulted in puffing of the groats. Color characteristics a∗ indicating redness and b∗ indicating yellowness and nonenzymatic browning index significantly (p < 0.05) increased upon roasting. The total phenolic (μg FAE/g) and flavonoid content (μg/g) decreased significantly by 11.4–50.2% and 22.7–49.9%, respectively. An increase in reducing power (μmol AAE/g) ranging from 1.1 to 37.6% and metal chelating activity ranging from 13.2 to 180.2% was observed in the roasted groats. The DPPH radical scavenging activity in the roasted groats increased by 4.6–73.0%. The peak viscosity of the roasted groat flour decreased by 9.1–51.1% while the final viscosity decreased by 15.4–57.5%. The damaged starch content in the groats increased after roasting and the increase ranged from 72 to 82%. Roasting significantly increased the extractable beta glucan content in the groats by 9.8–61.1%. It was concluded that roasting significantly affects the physicochemical and pasting behavior of groats and increases the availability of phytochemicals like beta glucan and the total antioxidant activity.     

Indian water chestnut flour- method optimization for preparation, its physicochemical, morphological, pasting properties and its potential in cookies preparation

Various pre-treatments were given to water chestnut slices before drying in the process of optimizing method for flour preparation. Treatment of water chestnut slices with 0.1 g/100 g KMS (Potassium metabisulphite) and 0.5 g/100 g citric acid for 30 min before drying exhibited best results in terms color of the flour. The calculated mean particle size of water chestnut flour was 268.20 μm. The scanning electron microscopy revealed that the granules present in water chestnut flour were polyhedral, bearing smooth surface having diameter in the range of 5-20 μm. The water chestnut flour prepared by optimized method exhibited higher peak viscosity (PV) at 2611 cP than the water chestnut flour obtained from market at 1912 cP. The breakdown was too higher at 898 cP for water chestnut flour prepared by optimized method against value of 625 cP for market water chestnut flour. Cookies prepared from water chestnut flour exhibited good acceptance and excellent scope in future to be used as a specialized product in Indian market.     

Effect of preprocessing techniques on pearl millet flour and changes in technological properties

This study investigated the effect of some preprocessing techniques on the physicochemical and technological properties of pearl millet flour for possible industrial application. Pearl millet was processed into flour using different preprocessing techniques (blanching, debranning, fermentation and malting) and evaluated for physicochemical and functional properties, grain morphology and total viable count. The result showed that fermentation and malting brought about loosening of starch granules. Fermentation significantly reduced the bulk density by 22% and improved the colour lightness and paste viscosity properties of the preprocessed flour. Malting alone resulted in about 50% increase in protein content of the flour with improved solubility up to 64 g/100 g. Total viable count was highest in fermented sample in the order of 10⁸ cfu g^?1. Thus, the combination of fermentation and malting would give the best pearl millet flour with improved technological properties for application in the industries, thereby promoting food security in the region.     

Natural fermentation of lentils. Functional properties and potential in breadmaking of fermented lentil flour

The effects of fermentation on functional properties of lentil flour and rheological properties of doughs and breads produced from blends of wheat and fermented lentil flour were studied. Lentil protein solubility was higher at neutral pH than acid pH; the lowest and highest protein solubility values were observed at pH 4.0 and pH 7.0, respectively. Water hydration capacity and fat binding capacity of fermented lentil flour (FLF) were always higher than those of non-fermented lentil flour (NFLF), irrespective of fermentation temperature (28–42°C) and flour concentration (79–221 g/l). Emulsifying properties of NFLF were similar to the properties of other legume flours in the range used in experiment. In contrast, the emulsion capacity and stability of FLF were very low and flours fermented at 42°C did not even form emulsion. Rheological properties of doughs made from wheat-fermented lentil blends were similar to those from wheat flour with the addition of other legume flours such as pea and bean. Good quality breads were produced at 2.5 to 10% NFLF and FLF supplementation (except for bread with 10% FLF addition which was middle quality).     

Physicochemical and structural characteristics of starches from Chinese hull‐less barley cultivars

Fourteen hull‐less barley cultivars, collected from four major cultivated areas in China, were employed to investigate the structural and physicochemical properties of their starches in this study. Relatively wide variations in physicochemical properties of the starches were observed. Amylose content ranged from 23.1% to 30.0%, swelling power and water solubility index ranged from 12.8 to 19.9 g g^?1 and 12.7% to 23.7% respectively. Peak viscosity was from 170 to 346 Rapid Visco Unit (RVU), peak temperature (T_p) of starch gelatinisation was from 55.6 to 61.8 °C and enthalpy of starch retrogradation ranged from 0.3 to 3.1 J g^?1. Weight‐based chain‐length proportions of fa, fb₁, fb₂ and fb₃ in amylopectins ranged from 21.65% to 24.95%, 44.48% to 49.44%, 15.56% to 17.19% and 9.83% to 16.66% respectively. Correlation analyses showed that amylose content was inversely related to pasting parameters and enthalpy of gelatinisation. Pasting properties and amylopectin structures were the most important parameters to differentiate starch properties among different hull‐less barley cultivars in this study. This work will be useful for exploring applications of Chinese hull‐less barley starches in food and non‐food industries.     

Effect of virgin coconut oil cake on physical,textural, microbial and sensory attributes of muffins

A study was carried out to develop muffins by substituting refined wheat flour (RWF) with virgin coconut oil (VCO) cake (0–50 g/100 g flour blend). Progressive replacement of RWF with VCO cake resulted in significant (P < 0.05) decrease in peak viscosity of flour blends (from 2527.75 cP in the control to 389.5 cP in 50 g VCO cake/100 g flour blend) and the muffins height (from 34.26 mm in the control to 26.88 mm in 50 g VCO cake/100 g flour blend). Significant colour change was observed in the crust and crumb regions. Free fatty acid and microbial analysis revealed that the quality of muffin samples was unaffected by the addition of VCO cake during 16‐day storage at both refrigerated (4 ± 2 °C) and ambient temperature (35 ± 2 °C). Incorporation of 40 g VCO cake/100 g flour blend significantly (P < 0.05) increased the overall acceptability of the muffins (with a maximum score of 8.5). Muffins with 40 g VCO cake/100 g flour blend were enriched with protein (8.49 g/100 g), fat (18.46 g/100 g), crude fibre (1.14 g/100 g) and minerals (1.15 g/100 g).     

Effect of pin-to-plate atmospheric cold plasma on jackfruit seed flour functionality modification

The effect of atmospheric pressure cold plasma was investigated on jackfruit seed flour (JSF) for functionality modification. Dynamic radicals and reactive species of cold plasma tend to initiate effective interactions with the food matrix which incur significant changes in the properties. The prepared jackfruit seed flour was treated with varying plasma voltages of 170, 200, and 230 V for 5–15 min and then analyzed for various physicochemical (Moisture, pH, flour compressibility, color) and functional properties (Water holding capacity, water/oil binding capacity, gel hydration properties). The modification in the morphology with increased surface roughness, loss in the degree of crystallinity (25.75% to 21.31%), and starch-protein modifications were observed after plasma treatment with the increase in the intensity of plasma at higher input voltage and exposure time. Because of this, the increase in the hydration properties such as water solubility (9.65 g/g to 14.11 g/g), absorption (6.39 g/g to 7.66 g/g), swelling power (7.28 g/g to 8.79 g/g), water-holding (2.93 g/g to 3.48 g/g), and flowability (reduction in Hausner's ratio), decrease in the pH (6.59 to 6.05), moisture (8.14% to 5.26%), and paste viscosity was acquired. Such modified properties unfold wide application opportunities for the treated JSF. Thus, cold plasma treatment was identified as a potential technology for functionality modification to employ the underutilized ingredients.     

Potential of pulse-derived proteins for developing novel vegan edible foams and emulsions

Chefs around the world strive to go beyond ordinary and garnish dishes with edible foams and emulsions, generally made using proteins derived from soy or animal sources. However, the increasing number of consumers following a vegan diet has led to a higher demand for novel foods formulated using plant-derived proteins. The current study evaluated the functional properties of proteins obtained by alkaline solubilisation from common pulses. Water- and oil-holding capacities varied within the ranges 2.39–6.78 and 3.46–6.37 g of water or oil per g or protein concentrate, respectively. Emulsifying capacity and stability was higher at pH values 2.0 and 10.0. A similar trend was observed for foaming capacity and stability. Proteins isolated from fava beans showed the highest foaming capacity, calculated as 56.7 ± 2.9 and 56.7 ± 2.7% when measured at pH 2.0 and 10.0, respectively (P < 0.05). Overall, studied proteins showed potential for their use in edible foams, emulsions and other innovative products.     

Diversity in properties of seed and flour of kidney bean germplasm

The genetic diversity in seeds (physicochemical, hydration, textural and cooking properties) and flours (pasting and gel texture) among kidney bean lines was studied. A wide range of variation was observed for yield and yield-related traits. Seed weight, volume, density, hydration capacity, hydration index, swelling capacity, cooking time and amylose content ranged from 10.2 to 51.7 g/100 seeds, 14 to 46 ml/100 seeds, 0.51 to 2.15 g/ml, 0.03 to 0.62 g/seed, 0.16 to 0.97, 1.24 to 1.93 ml/seed, 50 to 120 min, and 0.09% to 5.02%, respectively. Hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, springiness and chewiness of hydrated seeds ranged from 0.81 to 2.03 g, 0.18 to 0.48, 0.20 to 0.97 g, 0.31 to 0.51 and 0.08 to 0.43 g, respectively. Pasting temperature, peak viscosity, breakdown, final viscosity and setback ranged from 79 to 95 °C, 402 to 3235 cP, 9 to 393 cP, 862 to 5311 cP, and 363 to 2488 cP, respectively. Hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, springiness, chewiness and adhesiveness of flour gels ranged from 3.9 to 5.3 g, 0.52 to 0.76, 1.47 to 23.52 g, 0.91 to 0.99, 3.21 to 23.91 and 13.2 to 178.5 g s, respectively.     

Effect of defatted almond flour on cooking,chemical and sensorial properties of gluten‐free fresh pasta

The aim of this work was to analyse the influence of defatted almond flour on soya bean‐based gluten‐free pasta. Optimal cooking time of pasta varied between 2.0 and 3.5 min, while cooking loss ranged 6.1% and 19.7%. The total protein content of samples varied from 30.4% to 41.0% (dry basis, db) in cooked pasta. The total phenols content of cooked samples varied between 1.66 and 2.99 mg ellagic acid equivalent/g, while the antioxidant activity (DPPH?) ranged between 19.1% and 41.9%. The sensory test showed no significant differences between the formulated pasta samples among brightness (3.20–3.27), surface appearance (1.14–1.20), hardness (2.14–2.36) and elasticity (1.56–1.71). Pasta developed is an innovative product that improves nutritional and functional properties of gluten‐free pasta compared to gluten‐free and traditional wheat flour pasta available on market.     

Processing Factors Affecting the Yield and Physicochemical Properties of Starch from Cassava Chips and Flour

Three processing factors, namely, raw materials type (RMT) (i.e. chips and flour) and raw material drying mode (RDM) (i.e. sun‐ and oven‐drying at 55 °C) were related to the yield and some physicochemical properties of starch in a 2³ factorial experiment. The quality characteristics investigated were: moisture content, pH, crude fiber content, peak viscosity and pasting temperature. Starch yields from oven‐dried chips and flour were significantly higher (at 5%) than from sun‐dried materials. The optimal yield of 55.9 g (per 70 g of dried product or 79.9%) was obtained from oven‐dried starch extracted from oven‐dried flour. The peak viscosities (PV) of starches extracted from flour and chips were similar while the observed pasting temperatures of flour‐extracted starches were not significantly different from those derived from chips.     

Composition and properties of starches from Virginia‐grown kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars

Composition and properties of seeds and starches from five Virginia‐grown kabuli chickpea cultivars were investigated. The seeds had the average weight of 4.48 g per 10 g and volume of 641.2 mm³, and were rich in carbohydrate with starch as a principal constituent (59.2–70.9%). Resistant starch accounted for 7.7–10.4% of the total starch content. The composition and properties of the starches among the five cultivars were significantly different (P ≤ 0.05). All starches had a C‐type crystalline structure. The degree of crystallinity ranged from 21.1% to 27.4%, gelatinisation temperature from 7.97 to 11.2 °C and gelatinisation enthalpies from 2.18 to 3.76 J g^?1, and water absorption capacities from 90.7% to 117.5%. Different shapes and granule sizes were observed. Molecular weight of amylopectin was in the range of 6.35 × 10⁸–11.6 × 10⁸ Da. Cultivar ‘HB‐14’ was superior to the other cultivars, when combining larger seed size, higher resistant starch level and better properties.     

Process optimisation and physicochemical characterisation of enzymatic hydrolysates of proteins from co‐products of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) and Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi)

The aim of this study was to develop an enzymatic hydrolysis process of protein co‐products for two major commercial fish species in Australia: Atlantic salmon (AS) and Yellowtail kingfish (YTK). The outcomes are to produce high protein recovery of fish protein hydrolysates within controlled molecular weight ranges that display enhanced physicochemical properties of oil binding and emulsification. Three enzymes (Flavourzyme, Neutrase and Alcalase) were applied to processing co‐products. Protein recovery and physicochemical properties were evaluated with increasing hydrolysis time from 30 min to 180 min and ratio of enzyme to substrate (E/S) from 0.5% to 3.0%. In order to achieve a product with optimum emulsifying capacity (50 ± 0.6 m² g^?1), an E/S ratio of 0.6–1.3% Flavourzyme was applied for 30–111 min with a protein recovery of 55%; in order to achieve a product with optimum oil‐binding capacity (8.3 ± 0.3 g oil g hydrolysates^?1), an E/S ratio of 2.3–3.0% Flavourzyme was applied for 25–64 min with a protein recovery of 70%. YTK protein hydrolysates were further membrane‐fractionated into five fractions (>100 kDa, 50–100 kDa, 30–50 kDa, 10–30 kDa and <10 kDa), and of these, the 10–30 kDa exhibited the best properties of oil binding (19 ± 0.3 g oil g hydrolysates^?1) and emulsification (57 ± 0.7 m² g^?1). These results demonstrate the importance of enzymatic hydrolysis of seafood co‐products into high‐value ingredients for food products and processing.     

Physicochemical properties of rice flour as affected by alkaline soaking and washing treatments

Effects of alkaline [NaOH, saturated Ca(OH)₂ and/or limewater] soaking and subsequent washing (with water vs. without washing) treatments on physicochemical properties of rice flour were investigated. Alkaline soaking treatment generally caused a loss of granule angularity but some birefringence was observed for unwashed alkali-soaked flour granules. After soaking, protein content of the flours significantly (P < 0.05) decreased but swelling power significantly (P < 0.05) increased compared to the control (soaked in water). The washed flours had lower protein content than unwashed flours (3.77–6.87% vs. 5.26–7.87%). The NaOH-soaking treatment yielded higher swelling power and solubility, respectively, for unwashed and washed flours. Alkaline soaking increased breakdown but decreased pasting temperature, trough viscosity, final viscosity and setback of the paste compared to the control. Compared to the control, hardness of soaked flour paste was lower due to lower final viscosity and setback. Overall, physicochemical properties of rice flour could be modified by alkali-soaking and washing treatments.     

Milling behavior of hulled barley and its thermal and pasting properties

Eight commonly grown Indian hulled barley cultivars were studied for their dehusking, pearling, physico-chemical, β-glucan, pasting and thermal behavior. Milling of the hulled barley at 14% moisture significantly lowered the dehusking and pearling time as compared to milling at 10% moisture content. The extraction rate ranged from 55.05% to 62.35% and significantly (p < 0.05) differed among the cultivars. Particle size distribution of flours was significantly different among the cultivars with flour from RD-2552 and RD-2035 cultivars having the most even particle size distribution. The colour difference (ΔE) was not significantly different among cultivars. The extractable β-glucan content varied from 1.93% to 3.81% among the cultivars and was highest in PL-172. The final pasting viscosity was significantly different among cultivars while the pasting temperature did not vary significantly. The enthalpy (ΔH) of gelatinization of barley flour varied from 4.45 to 7.08 J/g and gelatinization temperature (T_p) varied from 64.23 to 66.26 °C.