Influence of almond and coconut flours on Ketogenic, Gluten-Free cupcakes

Effects of animal fat replacement with almond flour on quality parameters of beef patties

Almond is rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber and contains high fat and protein. For this reason, almond flour can be used as an additive in the production of various foods to increase nutritional value, improve texture and flavor, and produce healthier products. The purpose of this study is to determine the availability of almond flour as an animal fat replacer in the production of beef patties. For this purpose, beef patties were produced in five different formulations containing animal fat and/or almond flour, and pH, moisture content, color, and TBARS values were detected in both raw and cooked samples. In addition, cooking yield and shrinkage were calculated and fatty acid composition, texture profile, and sensory analyses were performed on cooked samples. Replacing animal fat with almond flour increased pH in raw and cooked beef patties but decreased moisture content, b* value, and TBARS in cooked samples compared to the control. While cooking yield increased in beef patties containing almond flour, shrinkage decreased. In addition, the cooking process caused decreases in L*, a*, and b* values. Using almond flour in beef patties decreased the SFAs and increased the amounts of oleic and linoleic acids. Hardness, cohesiveness, resilience, and chewiness were significantly affected by the use of almond flour (p < .01), and higher hardness and chewiness, and lower cohesiveness and resilience were determined in the samples containing almond flour compared to the control. On the other hand, the use of almond flour instead of animal fat in beef patties did not have a significant effect on the determined sensory properties (p > .05).

Walnut Flour as an Ingredient for Producing Low-Carbohydrate Bread: Physicochemical, Sensory, and Spectroscopic Characteristics

Walnut flour (WF) is a nutrient-rich source that can be used as an alternative for individuals on a gluten-free diet. This study aimed to assess the physical, chemical, and sensory changes in low-carbohydrate bread when supplemented with WF. Molecular-level changes were also examined using ATR-FTIR spectra. The bread recipe, containing buckwheat and flaxseed, was enriched with WF at levels ranging from 5% to 20%. The addition of WF resulted in increased loaf volume and decreased baking loss. Enriched bread samples showed higher protein content, while fat and available carbohydrate content decreased. Additionally, WF incorporation led to a decrease in crumb brightness and an increase in redness (from 23.1 to 25.4) and yellowness (from 23.8 to 26.7). WF also increased crumb hardness and chewiness. Moreover, the tested additives primarily influenced the intensity of FTIR spectra, indicating changes in protein, carbohydrate, and fat content, with increased band intensity observed in the protein region. We particularly recommend bread with a WF content of 15%. This type of bread is characterized by high consumer acceptance. Furthermore, compared to bread without the addition of WF, it has a higher content of phenolic compounds, protein, and fat by approximately 40%, 8%, and 4%, respectively. The antioxidant activity of this bread, determined using the ABTS and DPPH methods, is also significantly higher compared to the control bread.

Nutritional Quality of Gluten-Free Bakery Products Labeled Ketogenic and/or Low-Carb Sold in the Global Market

Gluten-free and ketogenic bakery products are gaining momentum. This study aims to develop a better understanding of the nutritional quality of gluten-free bakery products labeled ketogenic and/or low-carb. For this reason, the products available on the global market that were labeled ketogenic and/or low-carb (n = 757) were retrieved and compared to standard gluten-free products (n = 509). Overall, nutritionally, no significant differences were found among ketogenic and/or low-carb products due the high intra-variability of each type, but they differed from standard products. Compared to standard products, all ketogenic and/or low carb, irrespective of categories, showed lower carbohydrates that derived chiefly from fibers and, to a lesser extent, from sugars. They also had higher protein contents (p < 0.05) compared to standard products. Fats was higher (p < 0.05) in ketogenic and/or low-carb baking mixes, savory biscuits, and sweet biscuits than in their standard counterparts. Saturated fats were higher (p < 0.05) in low-carb savory biscuits and breads, as well as in ketogenic sweet biscuits than in the same standard products. Overall, median values of the nutrients align with the definition of the ketogenic diet. Nevertheless, several products did not align with any of the ketogenic definitions. Therefore, consumers need to carefully read the nutritional facts and not rely on mentions such as low-cab and ketogenic to make their decision of purchase/consumption.