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.     

Application of common wheat bran for the industrial production of high‐fibre pasta

The study was conducted on the effect of the addition of common wheat bran on the chemical composition, physical properties, cooking quality and sensory traits of durum wheat pasta. The pasta was produced on an industrial scale, applying an addition of common wheat bran at doses ranging from 20 to 40%. The products obtained were compared to the pasta from whole‐grain durum wheat flour, produced under identical conditions and with commercially available whole‐grain durum wheat pasta. The increase in the content of wheat bran in the pasta caused a significant increase (Duncan test, P ≤ 0.05) of the content of protein, lipids, ash and total dietary fibre (TDF). The application of 25–30% addition of common wheat bran allowed obtaining the products which are as rich in dietary fibre as the pasta prepared at the same technological parameters from whole‐grain durum flour. The pasta containing up to 30% of bran was characterised with lower losses of dry mass and higher resistance to overcooking, in comparison with the pasta made of whole‐grain durum. Simultaneously, the products had very good sensory quality.     

A comparison of two instrumental techniques used to discriminate the cooking quality of spaghetti

Pasta is a popular food whose quality can be measured by appearance, flavour and texture. Several instruments have been devised to measure texture but there is little comparative information. This study compared the TA.XT2i texture analyser with the viscoelastograph of thirty spaghetti samples. There was a high correlation between these instruments and good agreement in ranks. While both instruments provide comparable data it is not the same. Two laboratories used the texture analyser to measure cooked spaghetti firmness using their own procedures. There was good agreement in firmness, however; there were differences in the ranks for samples that fell between the extremes in firmness. We attributed these differences to variations in the instrument settings, cooking method and sample presentation used by the laboratories indicating the need to standardise the method. Using a standard method greatly improved the correspondence between the laboratories improving the r ² to 0.99 with excellent agreement in the ranking of ten samples.     

Heat Denaturation of Durum Wheat Semolina β-Amylase Effects of Chemical Factors and Pasta Processing Conditions

The susceptibility to heat denaturation of durum wheat β-amylase was studied in aqueous solution at 50 to 65°C. The activation energy of the reaction of denatnration was 439 kJ/mole between 56 and 65°C. Additives were tested to determine their protective effects on enzyme activity (at 65°C) in aqueous solution. Maltose, resulting from degradation of starch by β-amylase, appeared to be the most protective. The β-amylase became more resistant to heat with higher concentrations of maltose, indicating an enzyme-maltose complex which was more stable to heat than the enzyme alone. The same mechanism occurred when durum wheat pasta was processed: maltose produced either during mixing and sheeting or during extrusion protected the enzyme. The degree of protection was proportional to the intensity of mechanical work imparted to the dough.     

Quality of spaghetti pasta containing Mexican common bean flour (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The objective of this research was to study the effect of the addition of common bean flour to semolina on the cooking quality and total phenolic content of pasta. Pasta was obtained at three temperatures (60, 70 and 80 °C) and two levels of added common bean flour (15% and 30%); plain pasta (100% semolina) was used as control. Moisture, optimal cooking time, cooking loss, water absorption capacity, colour change, firmness and total phenolic and furosine contents were measured. The cooking time and water absorption were diminished in spaghetti pasta with added common bean flour; cooking loss increased and firmness decreased as a function of the bean flour percentage. A linear relationship between colour change and common bean flour content in pasta was found. Increases of furosine and phenolic contents in pasta with the addition of bean flour were observed.     

Study of cooking quality of spaghetti dried through microwaves and comparison with hot air dried pasta

The aim of this work is to evaluate and compare the effects of microwave and conventional drying (hot air) on the quality characteristics of cooked pasta. Experiments were carried out on pasta type spaghetti.A huge difference was noticed between times necessary to dry samples by hot air and by microwaves, in fact in the first case, the drying time was on the average 204.5 min vs. 61.7 s of microwave treatment (average). The gelatinization degree of samples dried by hot air was faster than that of those dried by microwaves: the medium values of kinetic constant of gelatinization of samples dried by hot air and microwaves were 7.5 and 5.2, respectively. Similar total organic matter values suggest that the cooking quality of samples differently dried was comparable. Moreover, samples dried by microwaves were thicker than pasta dried by hot air (37.8 vs. 27.4).     

Effect of supplementation of wheat flour with resistant starch and monoglycerides in pasta dried at high temperatures

Quality of pastas made from wheat flour (WF) and durum wheat semolina (DWS) with added resistant starch (RS) and distilled monoglyceride was evaluated through a central composite rotational design. A press extruder was used to produce the pasta. Water absorption index showed statistical difference between the WF and DWS indicating that proteins present in each samples were different. Pasta samples obtained with the WF presented a shorter cooking time and less solid loss than those obtained with DWS. Increase in volume and weight gain was similar for both samples. Instrumental texture responses showed that pasta made from DWS had higher values for firmness and springiness and lower for adhesiveness when compare to WF pastas. Nevertheless, pasta made from both samples showed similar behaviours of final RS contents of 4% after cooking. Therefore, they could be considered as a source of fibres according to the Brazilian Laws (3 g dietary fibre/100 g product).     

Relationship between gluten strength and pasta firmness in Indian durum wheats

Selected Indian durum wheats including five newly released varieties and seven landraces were studied for their grain quality, gluten strength (sodium dodecyl sulphate‐sedimentation and mixograph) and pasta making properties. Landraces were found to have good grain size, protein content, and gluten strength but they had lower test weight and semolina yield than released varieties. As protein composition affects gluten strength, landraces having combination of low molecular weight (LMW‐GS) with 5, 12, 15 and 19 linked to Gli‐B1 43.5 and high molecular weight (HMW‐GS) 2*, 14 + 15 provide a dough strength comparable with the 7 + 8 and LMW‐GS 2, 4, 6, 12, 15 and 19 (caa) allelic pattern, typically associated with good gluten strength. Landraces have rare combinations of glutenins and gliadins, which are not seen in commercial Indian durums, and in some cases, these rare alleles seem to favour good gluten strength and pasta firmness. Introduction of these alleles through breeding should improve the gluten strength and pasta making properties of Indian durum cultivars.     

Gluten‐free spaghetti made with chickpea,unripe plantain and maize flours: functional and chemical properties and starch digestibility

The development of gluten‐free spaghetti with a low amount of glycaemic carbohydrate was investigated. The goal of this study was to determine the chemical composition, cooking quality and starch digestibility of gluten‐free spaghetti elaborated with mixtures of chickpea, unripe plantain and maize flours. The gluten‐free spaghetti presented a higher protein, fat and ash content than the control semolina spaghetti. The solid loss among all the gluten‐free spaghetti was in the range of 10.04–10.91% and not significantly different from each other. These values were almost at the limit of acceptability to be considered as good cooking quality. Total starch in the gluten‐free spaghetti was lower than the control spaghetti. The lower available starch (AS) and higher resistant starch contents in the gluten‐free spaghetti were associated with their lower rate of hydrolysis and predicted glycaemic index. There is a potential for developing gluten‐free spaghetti with reduced amount of glycaemic carbohydrates from unconventional food ingredients such as chickpea, unripe plantain and maize flours.     

Chemical composition,sensory and cooking quality evaluation of durum wheat spaghetti enriched with pea flour

The goal of the study was to obtain spaghetti enriched with pea flour with sensory properties close to conventional pasta. To this aim, the study has been organised in two subsequent trials. In the first, the pea flour amount added to the spaghetti was continuously increased until the overall sensory quality reached its threshold value (pea flour concentration = 15%). In fact, the spaghetti samples supplemented with 15% pea flour (15%S‐P) showed less elasticity, unpleasant colour and higher firmness compared to the control sample (CTRL). The second step was aimed to improve the overall sensory quality of the 15%S‐P spaghetti by means of guar gum (GUAR). The sample with GUAR (15%S‐P/GUAR) showed a pleasant colour, odour and taste. Furthermore, the 15%S‐P/GUAR sample recorded a low starch digestibility value (i.e. 54) and a higher soluble fibre content with respect to the 15%S‐P sample.     

The role of a low molecular weight glutenin fraction in the cooking quality of durum wheat pasta

Durum wheat glutenin fractions, composed of two low molecular weight proteins DSG-1 and DSG-2 (durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf) sulphurrich glutenin fractions) were extracted from semolina samples using a low concentration of Na tetradecanoate after extracting albumins, globulins and gliadins. DSG proteins have a high? SH plus S? S content. A highly significant correlation was found between the ? SH plus S? S content of this DSG-rich fraction and the cooking quality of pasta (0.63, P <0.01 with firmness and 0.86, P <0.001 with the state of the surface of the cooked pasta) and this seems to be a functional relationship. The use of acetic acid at various molarities showed the presence of high molecular weight glutenin fractions with differing solubility properties. In this respect, differences were found between varieties which are placed in the same group according to the classification of durum wheats based upon the composition of high molecular weight glutenin subunits.     

Effects of hydrocolloids on chemical properties and cooking quality of gluten‐free spaghetti

The effects of different hydrocolloids on chemical composition and cooking quality of spaghetti based on maize and oat flours were investigated. Rheological and texture properties of the gluten‐free dough were also assessed. Amount of 2% of gellan gum, carboxymethylcellulose, pectin, agar, egg protein powder, tapioca starch, guar seed flour and chitosan were separately added to the formulation. The samples enriched with hydrocolloids generally showed a different rheological behaviour compared with the control samples. As regards chemical composition, spaghetti with chitosan showed a value of insoluble dietary fibres (8.0%) higher than the control ones (3.9%). Moreover, results highlighted that most hydrocolloids improved cooking quality and texture properties of spaghetti (adhesiveness, cooking loss, hardness), thus supporting their application in gluten‐free pasta.     

Use of a toasted durum whole meal in the production of a traditional Italian pasta: chemical, mechanical, sensory and image analyses

The characterisation of traditional Italian pasta obtained by mixing amounts of toasted whole meal with re-milled semolina and other ingredients was obtained by means of physico-chemical, rheological, mechanical, sensory and image analyses. The toasted meal showed higher ash, fibre and protein contents than re-milled semolina. The replacement of percentages of re-milled semolina with the toasted meal and soft flour increased tenacity and decreased extensibility and strength, making the dough less suitable for pasta-making. The P / L values were indices of high starch damage. The replacement of part of re-milled semolina and water with toasted whole wheat meal, soft flour and eggs increased the optimal cooking time and the amount of water absorbed during cooking but made the other cooking parameters worse. The image analysis provided evidence of the changes induced by the use of toasted wholemeal, soft flour and eggs in the microscopic structure of pasta protein and starch.     

The impact of the protein network on the pasting and cooking properties of dry pasta products

Durum wheat semolina gluten and starch as well as processing conditions determine pasta cooking quality. This study investigated whether, for good organoleptic properties, a permanent protein network needs to be formed during pasta drying or can still be formed during cooking. The cooking quality of 16 spaghetti samples was related to the levels of sodium dodecyl sulphate extractable protein (SDSEP), starch gelatinisation temperatures as well as to the swelling properties of milled dry spaghettis. SDSEP levels in dry and cooked products varied between 31% and 56%, and 12% to 21% of total protein contents, respectively. The highest quality spaghettis had relatively higher levels of SDSEP in the dry product, low starch gelatinisation temperatures and swelling powers, and rigid particles. The lowest quality spaghettis had lower levels of SDSEP and higher gelatinisation temperatures. This work implies that high pasta quality results from an optimal degree of protein polymerisation during drying and/or the subsequent cooking.     

Effect of gaseous ozone treatments on DON,microbial contaminants and technological parameters of wheat and semolina

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is an important mycotoxin produced by several species of Fusarium. It occurs often in wheat grain and is frequently associated with significant levels of its modified form DON-3-glucoside (DON-3-Glc). Ozone (O₃) is a powerful disinfectant and oxidant, classified as GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe), that reacts easily with specific compounds including the mycotoxins aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, trichothecenes and zearalenone. It degrades DON in aqueous solution and can be effective for decontamination of grain. This study reports the efficacy of gaseous ozone treatments in reducing DON, DON-3-Glc, bacteria, fungi and yeasts in naturally contaminated durum wheat. A prototype was used to dispense ozone continuously and homogeneously at different concentrations and exposure time, in 2 kg aliquots of durum wheat. The optimal conditions, which do not affect chemical and rheological parameters of durum wheat, semolina and pasta, were identified (55 g O₃ h^?1 for 6 h). The measured mean reductions of DON and DON-3-Glc in ozonated wheat were 29% and 44%, respectively. Ozonation also produced a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of total count (CFU/g) of bacteria, fungi and yeasts in wheat grains.     

Chemical composition,cooking quality,texture and consumer acceptance of pasta with Eruca vesicaria leaves

In this study, pasta with dried Eruca vesicaria leaves commonly known as Rocket salad and spinach leaves flours were prepared. Samples were evaluated for its chemical composition, cooking quality, textural, colour and consumer acceptance. Results showed that pasta with Eruca vesicaria had the highest dietary fibre content (5.30–9.50 g/100 g) and the lowest fat content (2.13–2.80 g/100 g). The optimally cooked pasta with 5% of leaves (stored 30 days) and pasta with 10% of leaves (stored 14 days) have good cooking quality with cooking loss ≤8%. The green colour and textural characteristics of pastas were stable during all period at 4 °C. Textural characteristics of pasta with rocket and spinach were similar. Pasta with 10% of rocket leaves has presented the highest overall acceptability score.     

Effect of semolina replacement with a raw:popped amaranth flour blend on cooking quality and texture of pasta

The replacement of semolina (SEM) with raw:popped (90:10) amaranth flour blend (AFB) in pasta making at 25, 50, 75, and 100 g/100 g levels (flour basis, 14 g of water/100 g) was carried out to evaluate the effects on cooking quality and texture of the supplemented pasta samples. Significant differences on cooking quality characteristics and texture of the pasta samples were observed. The pasta solid loss increased, weight gain and firmness decreased as the AFB level increased. The semolina pasta showed the lowest solid loss (7 g/100 g) and the highest weight gain (188.3 g/100 g) and firmness (1.49 N), whereas the amaranth blend pasta was the softer (around half of the firmness of semolina pasta) and lost the higher amount of solids (11.5 g/100 g). The raw and popped AFB was suitable for increasing the nutritional quality through dietary fiber and high quality protein and even to obtain gluten-free pasta with acceptable cooking quality (solid loss of 3.5 g/100 g higher than that considered as acceptable for semolina pasta). The amaranth blend used in this study enables the partial or total replacement of wheat semolina in pastas with acceptable cooking quality and texture.     

Quality factors and grades for the classification and standardisation of complex ready pasta meals

The aim of this study is to arrive at a new classification of ready pasta meals, through the evaluation of their global quality, since their growing number, present in the market, often may be cause of confusion to consumers, because the parameters that contribute to the quality level are not clearly identifiable and measurable. After having explored several possible quality factors, we arrived at the conclusion that at least five must be taken into consideration: degree of pulping of the pasta, capacity to hold the sauce, weight constancy, wholeness and defects. Then, three quality grades are here proposed and discussed. Particular emphasis should be given to the sauce, because it highly influences on the global quality of these foodstuffs.     

Chemical composition and cooking properties of beef forequarter muscles of Mexican cattle from different genotypes

Beef forequarter muscles biceps brachii (BRB), brachialis (BRA), complexus (COM), splenius (SPL), infraspinatus (INF), teres major (TER), rhomboideus (RHO), subscapularis (SUB), supraspinatus (SUP), triceps brachii long-head (TRB) and triceps brachii lateral-head (TRI) were obtained from Mexican beef carcasses originated from Bos indicus (Bi, n=10) or Bos taurus (Bt, n=10) young bulls. Muscles were analyzed for WBSF, cooking loss, and moisture and fat contents. INF had the lowest WBSF (37.23N) and cooking loss (31.78%) of all. RHO exhibited the lowest moisture (72.62%) and highest fat content (5.23%) of all. Bi genotype exhibited higher WBSF (53.78, 48.69N), higher cook loss (36.27, 34.32%), higher fat content (2.93, 2.35%), and lower moisture content (73.70, 75.07%) than Bt. Further research is needed to estimate the actual consumer acceptance of beef forequarter muscles and their marketing potential as individual cuts in the Mexican market.     

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.