Quality protein maize based muffins: influence of non-gluten proteins on batter and muffin characteristics

The Impacts of Standardized Flaxseed Meal (XanFlax) on the Physicochemical, Textural, and Sensory Properties of Muffins

Flaxseed is becoming increasingly popular as a superfood due to its many health benefits. While flaxseed is considered an oilseed, flaxseed meal (the by-product of flaxseed oil extraction) also contains many nutritional compounds not found in the oil. This study explored the use of a Canadian flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) meal product to fortify bakery foods and improve their nutritional properties. Muffins were made using a control recipe as well as four different formulations that included varying amounts of a standardized flaxseed meal supplement called XanFlax (5, 10, 20, and 40%). The physicochemical properties of the muffins, including their texture, color, sugar content, pH, specific gravity, loss rate, and moisture, were evaluated. Additionally, the sensory attributes contributing to muffin quality were thoroughly examined. The lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) of the muffins, which were highest in the control group at 82.22 and 34.69, respectively, decreased as the amount of XanFlax increased (p < 0.05). Additionally, the redness (a*) of the muffins increased as the amount of XanFlax increased (p < 0.05). The muffins' sugar content (2.00 brix%) remained consistent across all treatments and controls except for those prepared with 20% XanFlax (2.17 brix%). As the amount of XanFlax powder increased, the pH of the muffins increased significantly. The moisture content in the muffins was highest at 23.71 ± 0.79% in the 10% XanFlax treatment and lowest at 22.06 ± 0.30% in the 40% XanFlax treatment. The muffins enriched with 5% XanFlax had an average height of 5.35 cm and volume of 131.33 mL, surpassing the results for the muffins made with other formulas (p < 0.05). Additionally, the cohesiveness and gumminess of the muffins tended to increase with the addition of XanFlax. The most favorable attributes, namely the appearance, flavor, taste, texture, and overall acceptance, were consistently associated with the 5% and 10% XanFlax treatments (p < 0.05). This study marks the first time a standardized flaxseed gum product, XanFlax, has been described in a functional baking application.

The Rheological Performance and Structure of Wheat/Acorn Composite Dough and the Quality and In Vitro Digestibility of Its Noodles

Wheat flour was partially replaced by debittered acorn flour (DAF) with 0%, 10%, 15%, 20% as well as 25%. Rheological properties of wheat/acorn dough and quality and in vitro digestibility of its noodles were determined. Results showed that DAF addition significantly improved pasting viscosity and dough stability time while excessive addition weakened the protein network and decreased maximum fermentation height. Furthermore, noodles with substitutions exhibited promising technological properties as a food ingredient for noodle making (higher hardness, chewiness, gumminess, firmness, and less cooking time) but poor extensibility, smaller lightness values, and a slight deterioration in cooking quality. Furthermore, PCA and correlation analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between textural and cooking properties and pasting and mixing parameters. Moreover, SEM images of acorn noodles presented coarser surfaces but a tighter cross-section structure. Finally, in vitro digestibility results indicated that DAF addition significantly reduced the susceptibility of the starches to enzyme hydrolysis, while the addition of acorn flour slightly decreased the overall acceptability. Thus, the partial substitution of wheat flour with acorn flour can favorably be used in noodles formulation.