Effect of the rice flour particle size and variety type on water holding capacity and water diffusivity in aqueous dispersions

Gluten-free lentil cakes with optimal technological and nutritional characteristics

BACKGROUND

The celiac population usually struggle finding nutritive gluten-free (GF) baked goods. GF foods can be improved using legume flours. Eleven GF cake formulations were elaborated according to different percentages of lentil flour (LF), corn flour (CF) and rice flour (RF) using a simplex lattice design. Water holding capacity and particle size of flours were evaluated. Moisture, aw, pH, specific volume, texture profile, relaxation, color and alveolar characteristics were determined for crumbs of all formulations. An optimization process was used to enhance the technological and nutritional attributes, selecting the three best formulations containing LF: 46% LF + 54% RF (CLF+RF); 49% LF + 51% CF (CLF+CF); and 100% LF (CLF), evaluated in their proximal composition and sensory characteristics. Linear and quadratic models for predicting the behavior of GF lentil cakes were obtained.

RESULTS

LF and CF could favor water incorporation and show more resistance to enzymatic digestion than RF. Formulations with LF showed an improvement in specific volume and alveolar parameters, while use of RF led to better cohesiveness, elasticity and resilience but with a deterioration in chewiness and firmness. CLF can be labeled as high in protein and fiber and presented the lowest amounts of lipids, carbohydrates and energy content. Consumer preference leaned towards CLF+RF.

CONCLUSION

It was possible to elaborate GF cakes using LF, obtaining nutritive products that can be offered to people intolerant to gluten ingestion. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Plant-Based Emulsions as Dairy Cream Alternatives: Comparison of Viscoelastic Properties and Colloidal Stability of Various Model Products

In the context of growing interest in plant-based food products for their potential health benefits and sustainability, this study investigates the effect of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids application on physico-chemical properties of various plant-based cream products, compared to lecithin application in rice cream. Rheological and textural parameters, colour profile, and colloidal stability were analysed. The application of mono- and diglycerides modified the creams' viscoelastic behaviour, showing a decrease in viscoelasticity across the samples; although in oat-coconut cream resulted in a higher viscoelasticity, indicating the formation of a gel-like structure. Rice cream with lecithin emulsifier showed lower viscoelastic properties characterised by higher phase angle (tan δ). All samples behaved as pseudoplastic materials (with a flow behaviour index n < 1). For coconut and almond creams, the consistency coefficient increased and flow behaviour index decreased after emulsifier application. Interestingly, the emulsifier addition did not significantly affect the cream's colour profile, characterised by yellow hue angle (h*) as a dominant spectral component. The colloidal stability, indicated by a stability index (SI), was determined as well.

The Sensory Profiles of Flatbreads Made from Sorghum, Cassava, and Cowpea Flour Used as Wheat Flour Alternatives

Sorghum, cowpea, and cassava are underutilised gluten-free sources of flour that have the potential to be used in bread products in sub-Saharan Africa. Excessive wheat imports affect the economies of countries in sub-Saharan Africa, driving the search for wheat flour alternatives. To extend the use of sorghum, cowpea, and cassava flours toward bread production, it is vital that the sensory properties of these flours are better understood. A trained sensory panel evaluated and described the sensory properties of flatbread models prepared from red non-tannin sorghum, fractions (whole and dehulled) of two cowpea varieties, cassava starch, and designated flour composites. The composites were prepared using cassava starch and sorghum flour at 0%, 35%, and 70%, respectively, with 30% cowpea flour. The addition of sorghum intensified sorghum aroma in flatbread, while cowpea flours contributed a beany flavour. Flatbreads from cassava-cowpea composites had a chewier and rubberier mouthfeel, an intense fermented aroma and flavour, and a sour aftertaste compared to single flours, but were most similar to the wheat flatbread, with a residual beany flavour. Information from this study can guide food product developers toward developing new bread products from sorghum, cassava, and cowpea composite flours, thereby moving Africa towards a more sustainable food system. Further research on the effects of the sensory characteristics on consumer liking of the flatbreads is needed.