Effects of Wheat Grass Powder Incorporation on Physiochemical Properties of Muffins

Embracing nutritional, physical, pasting, textural, sensory and phenolic profile of functional muffins prepared by partial incorporation of lyophilized wheatgrass, fenugreek and basil microgreens juice powder

BACKGROUND

Muffins are delightful baked food products that have earned a prominent place in the daily diet of a majority of people around the world. The incorporation of microgreens juice powder (MJP) into muffins boosts their nutritional value. The influence of the incorporation of wheatgrass, fenugreek and basil MJP at 1.5% and 3.0% levels on the nutritional composition, physical properties, pasting, sensory, textural and phenolic profile of functional muffins was evaluated.

RESULTS

The results indicated a significant increase in the protein content, ash content, dietary fiber and total phenolic content of MJP incorporated muffins. The incorporation of MJP to the muffins led to a gradual reduction in the L*, a* and b* values. Baking characteristic such as bake loss decreased significantly as a result of MJP incorporation. Furthermore, the incorporation of various MJPs resulted in a significant decrease in the peak viscosity of the flour-MJP blends. Regarding texture, the hardness and chewiness of the muffins increased progressively with an increase in the level of MJP incorporation. The highest hardness (10.15 N) and chewiness (24.45 mJ) were noted for 3% fenugreek MJP incorporated muffins (FK 3.0). The sensory score of MJP incorporated muffins was acceptable and satisfactory. Additionally, 3% basil MJP incorporated muffins (BL 3.0) marked the dominant presence of majority of the detected phenolic acids such as ferulic acid, sinapic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, cinnamic acid, isothymosin and rosamarinic acid. The highest concentration of p-coumaric acid (11.95 mg kg-1), vanillic acid (26.07 mg kg-1) and kaempferol (8.04 mg kg-1) was recorded for FK 3.0 muffin.

CONCLUSION

MJP incorporated muffins revealed the pool of phenolic acids and the reduced bake loss is of industrial interest. The present study concludes that wheatgrass, fenugreek and basil MJP can be incorporated by up to 3% into baked products as a source of functional ingredients for health benefits. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of extrusion process on the obtention of a flour from coffee pulp Coffea arabica variety red Caturra and its use in bakery products

The main waste in the coffee industry is the coffee pulp (CP), an interesting source of fiber and phenolic compounds. An alternative for its harnessing can be its transformation into a flour for human consumption, generating added value for a circular economy. The aim of this study was to obtain flour from CP (CPF) using extrusion and the evaluation of its incorporation into a bakery product. Extrusion treatments to get a flour were explored by a factorial design 23, considering the temperature, moisture, and extruder screw revolutions (rpm). Treatments were evaluated for their effects on the proximal composition, phytic acid, caffeine, and phenolic compounds contents of the flours, and baking characteristics such as water absorption (WAI) and water solubility index (WSI). Once the best extrusion treatment was selected, bread formulations were developed, two wheat-based and two gluten-free, which were evaluated using "Flash Profiling". Extrusion treatment 110 °C, 35% moisture, and 17.5 rpm, was selected as the best one to get a flour with good functional properties (WAI:2.94 ± 0.13, WSI:21.02 ± 3.27) and a content of phenolic compounds: 55.14 mg/g and caffeine:14.23 mg/g. Sensorially, good acceptance, up to 15% substitution by flour, was achieved. Extruded CPF could be a food ingredient, at least in bakery products, contributing in the practice of a circular economy.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-023-05797-x.

Wheatgrass powder enriched functional pasta: Techno-functional, phytochemical, textural, sensory and structural characterization

Influence of semolina replacement with wheatgrass powder (WGP) (3-15%) was evaluated with reference to nutritional, techno-functional, phytochemical, textural and structural characteristics of functional pasta. Results showed that incorporation of WGP significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the pasting viscosity of flour blends, while it increases the water and oil absorption capacity and water solubility index. Increased levels of WGP significantly decreased the optimum cooking time from 6.00-4.22 min but increased the cooking loss (2.83-4.36%). Enrichment of pasta with WGP significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the protein (12.16-17.33 g/100 g), fiber (1.21-4.60 g/100 g), antioxidant activities in terms of DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS. The total phenolic and flavonoid content increased from 56.20-253.90 mg GAE/100 g and 47.41-202.90 mg QE/100 g in the functional pasta. Addition of WGP significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the lightness (L*) while greenness (-a*) of the pasta increased progressively owing to the total chlorophyll pigment. The firmness and toughness of the pasta increased up to 9% WGP level and decreased further, owing to the interaction between WGP protein and fiber with gluten protein matrix as evident from Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, cooking of pasta results in significant reduction in all the components in comparison to uncooked pasta. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy further confirmed the presence of phenols, flavonoids and chlorophyll in WGP incorporated pasta. Overall acceptability scores of pastas with 9% WGP found to have highest (7.57), and with increase in further level of WGP, sensory scores decreased (6.55). Moreover, principal component analysis also compliments the sensory results for 9% WGP incorporated pasta.

Muffins fortified with Dacryodes macrophylla L. fruit: quality and sensory evaluation

Introduction. Due to the increasing demand for natural and functional products, scientists together with industries are conducting research to improve the nutritional quality of food. One of the ways to enhance the functionality of food is to add fruits or vegetables to their formulations. In this study, we attempted to develop muffins fortified with Dacryodes macrophylla L. fruit as a value-added ingredient. Study objects and methods. Our study objects included D. macrophylla L. extract and six muffins: three eggless samples and three egg-containing samples. Each group included control and experimental samples. The experimental samples containing 0.5 and 1% of D. macrophylla L. extract instead of wheat flour were evaluated for muffin-making properties. All the samples were analyzed for their physicochemical, antioxidant, and sensory properties, as well as rheological parameters. Results and discussion. We found that D. macrophylla L. reduced the water activity, color values (L*, a*, b*), and firmness of muffins. It had no significant effect on baking loss, height, moisture, cohesiveness, springiness, gumminess or chewiness, but tended to decrease the specific volume of muffins. However, D. macrophylla L. fruit increased the specific gravity, improved rheology properties, and tended to increase adhesiveness and mineral contents. Na and K varied from 5.93 to 7.75 and 2.88 to 7.35 mg/g, respectively. Furthermore, D. macrophylla L. fruit significantly improved the muffins’ antioxidant activities. According to sensory evaluation, the muffins made with egg solids and 0.5% of D. macrophylla L. fruit had higher sensory scores than the other experimental samples. Conclusion. D. macrophylla L. fruit is a good potential ingredient for enriching muffins and developing new functional bakery products. However, further research is needed to improve the color reproduction of muffins and determine the optimal concentration of D. macrophylla L.