Physicochemical, Quality and Flavor Characteristics of Starch Noodles with Auricularia cornea var. Li. Powder

Auricularia cornea var. Li., as an edible mushroom rich in various nutrients, could be widely used in noodle food. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Auricularia cornea var. Li. (AU) powder on the gel properties, structure and quality of starch noodles. Taking the sample without adding AU powder as a control, the addition of AU powder enhanced the peak viscosity, trough viscosity, final viscosity, breakdown, setback, peak time, gelatinization temperature, G' (storage modulus) and G'' (loss modulus). Meanwhile, the incorporation of AU powder significantly enhanced the stability of the starch gel structure and contributed to a more ordered microstructure also promoting the short-term aging of starch paste. In vitro digestion results displayed lower rapid digestibility (21.68%) but higher resistant starch content (26.58%) with the addition of AU powder and increased breaking rate, cooking loss, swelling index and a* and b* values. However, it decreased dry matter content and L*, particularly the reducing sugar content significantly increased to 4.01% (p < 0.05), and the total amino acid content rose to 349.91 mg/g. The GC-IMS library identified 51 VOCs, and the OPLS-DA model classified 18 VOCs (VIP > 1). Overall, the findings indicate that starch noodles with the addition of AU powder may provide greater nutritional quality, gel stability and starch antidigestibility.

Modelling dried noodle quality: Contribution of starch and protein physicochemical properties of 32 wheat cultivars

30 mainstream wheat breeds from China and 2 from Australian were evaluated to analyze the correlation between grain quality traits, protein/starch properties and the comprehensive quality of fine dried noodles (FDN), with a multiple regression analysis conducted to establish predictive equations. Results showed FDN quality was both determined by the protein content and quality, as well as the starch properties, especially pasting characteristics. The balance between gluten strength and starch swelling characteristics was a key point to produce high quality FDN. Zhoumai32 and APW were found to be excellent cultivars for FDN production. Gluten content and index, SDS sedimentation value, dough extensibility, setback and peak viscosity could be served as indicators for specializing FDN flour. The established predictive equations could well explain over 60% of the variation in noodle color, cooking time, hardness, chewiness, and extensibility. These results were hoped to be a fundamental step towards developing the related standards or regulations for specializing FDN flour and rapid noodle quality prediction.

Structure-activity relationship between gluten and dough quality of sprouted wheat flour based on air classification-induced component recombination

BACKGROUND

Air classification can separate sprouted wheat flour (SWF) into three types: coarse wheat flour (F1), medium wheat flour (F2) and fine wheat flour (F3). The gluten quality of SWF can be indirectly improved by removing inferior parts (F3). In order to reveal the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon, the composition and structural changes of gluten, as well as the rheological properties and fermentation characteristics of gluten in recombinant dough in the process of air classification of all three SWF types, were analyzed in this study.

RESULTS

Overall, sprouting significantly reduced the content of high-molecular-weight subunits, such as glutenin subunit and ω-gliadin. It also destroyed the structural content, such as disulfide bonds, α-helix and β-turn contents, which maintained the stability of gluten gel. Air classification made the above changes in F3 more severe but reversed them in F1. Moreover, rheological properties were more affected by gluten composition, whereas fermentation characteristics were more affected by gluten structure.

CONCLUSION

After air classification, particles rich in high molecular weight subunits from SWF are enriched in F1, and the gluten of F1 has more secondary structure that maintain gel stability, which ultimately lead to improved rheology properties and fermentation characteristics. F3 relatively exhibits the opppsite phenomenon. These results further reveal the potential mechanism of improvement of SWF gluten by air classification. Moreover, Thus, this study provides new perspectives for the utilization of SWF. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Radio-frequency treatment of medium-gluten wheat: effects of tempering moisture and treatment time on wheat quality

BACKGROUND

Wheat and wheat flour are important raw materials of staple foods. Medium-gluten wheat is now the dominant wheat in China. In order to expand the application of medium-gluten wheat, radio-frequency (RF) technology was used to improve its quality. Effects of tempering moisture content (TMC) of wheat and RF treatment time on wheat quality were investigated.

RESULTS

No evident change in protein content after RF treatment, but a reduction in wet gluten content of the sample with 10-18% TMC and RF treatment for 5 min, was observed. By contrast, protein content increased to 31.0% after RF treatment for 9 min in 14% TMC wheat, achieving the requirement of high-gluten wheat (≥30.0%). Thermodynamic and pasting properties indicated that RF treatment (14% TMC, 5 min) can alter the double-helical structure and pasting viscosities of flour. In addition, the results of textural analysis and sensory evaluation for Chinese steamed bread showed that RF treatment for 5 min with different TMC (10-18%) wheat could deteriorate wheat quality, while the wheat (14% TMC) treated with RF for 9 min had the best quality.

CONCLUSION

RF treatment for 9 min can improve wheat quality when the TMC was 14%. The results are beneficial to the application of RF technology in wheat processing and improvement of wheat flour quality. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of Incorporation of Porous Tapioca Starch on the Quality of White Salted (Udon) Noodles

White salted (udon) noodles are one of the major staple foods in Asian countries, particularly in Japan. Noodle manufacturers prefer the Australian noodle wheat (ANW) varieties to produce high-quality udon noodles. However, the production of this variety has reduced significantly in recent years, thus affecting the Japanese noodle market. Noodle manufacturers often add tapioca starch to compensate for the flour scarcity; however, the noodle-eating quality and texture are significantly reduced. This study, therefore, investigated the effect of the addition of porous tapioca starch on the cooking quality and texture of udon noodles. For this, tapioca starch was initially subjected to enzyme treatment, ultrasonication, and a combination of both to produce a porous starch where a combined enzyme (0.4% alpha amylase)-ultrasound treatment (20 kHz) yielded a porous starch with increased specific surface area and better absorbent properties which are ideal for udon noodle manufacturing, Later, udon noodles were prepared using three varieties of ANW, a hard Mace variety, and commercial wheat flour by incorporating the prepared porous tapioca starch at a concentration of 5% and 10% of dry ingredients. Adding this porous starch resulted in a lower cooking time with higher water absorption and desirable lower cooking loss compared to the control sample with 5% of the porous starch chosen as the optimum formulation. Increasing the level of the porous starch reduced the hardness of the noodles whilst maintaining the desired instrumental texture. Additionally, a multivariate analysis indicated a good correlation between responses' optimum cooking time and water absorption capacity as well as turbidity and cooking loss, and a cluster analysis grouped noodle samples prepared from different varieties into the same clusters based on the porous starch added, indicating the possibility of different market strategies to improve the quality of the udon noodles produced from different wheat varieties.

The end-use quality of wheat can be enhanced by optimal water management without incurring yield loss

In China, water-saving irrigation is playing important roles in ensuring food security, and improving wheat quality. A barrel experiment was conducted with three winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes and two irrigation pattens to examine the effects of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on wheat grain yield, water-use efficiency (WUE), and grain quality. In order to accurately control the soil water content, wheat was planted in the iron barrels set under a rainproof shelter, and the soil water content in the iron barrel was controlled by gravity method. The mechanisms whereby water management influences the end-use functional properties of wheat grain were also investigated. The results revealed that RDI improved the end-use functional properties of wheat and WUE, without significant yield loss (less than 3%). Moderate water deficit (60% to 65% field capacity) before jointing and during the late grain-filling stage combined with a slight water deficit (65% to 70% field capacity) from jointing to booting increased grain quality and WUE. The observed non-significant reduction in wheat yield associated with RDI may be attributed to higher rate of photosynthesis during the early stage of grain development and higher rate of transfer of carbohydrates from vegetative organs to grains during the later stage. By triggering an earlier rapid transfer of nitrogen deposited in vegetative organs, RDI enhances grain nitrogen content, which in turn could enhance dough elasticity, given the positive correlation between grain nitrogen content and dough midline peak value. Our results also indicate that the effects of RDI on grain quality are genotype dependent. Therefore, the grain end-use quality of some specific wheat genotypes may be enhanced without incurring yield loss by an optimal water management.

Effects of the different waxy proteins on starch biosynthesis, starch physicochemical properties and Chinese noodle quality in wheat

Noodles are an important food in Asia. Wheat starch is the most important component in Chinese noodles. Loss of the waxy genes leads to lower activity of starch synthesis enzymes and decreased amylose content that further affects starch properties and noodle quality. To study the effects of different waxy (Wx) protein subunits on starch biosynthesis and processing quality, the high-yielding wheat cultivar Jimai 22 was treated with the mutagen ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) to produce a population of Wx lines and chosen 7 Wx protein combinations. The amylose content increased but swelling power decreased as the number of Wx proteins increased. Both GBSS activity and gene expression were the lowest for the waxy mutant, followed by the mutants with 1 Wx protein. The combinations of these mutant alleles lead to reductions in both RNA expression and protein levels. Noodles made from materials with 2 Wx protein subunits had the highest score, which agreed with peak viscosity. The influence of the Wx-B1 protein on amylose synthesis and noodle quality was the highest, whereas the influence of Wx-A1 protein was the lowest. Mutants with lower amylose content caused by the absence of 1 subunit, especially the Wx-B1 subunit, had superior noodle quality. Additionally, the identified mutant lines can be used as intermediate materials to improve wheat quality.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-022-01292-x.

Preparation and textural properties of white salted noodles made with hard red winter wheat flour partially replaced by different levels of cross-linked phosphorylated RS4 wheat starch

BACKGROUND

Resistant starch (RS) has health benefits and can be used as a functional ingredient in various food products. Kansas hard red winter (HRW) wheat is conventionally used for bread making and this is attributed to its strong gluten network. To develop Asian white salted noodles with a high RS content, HRW wheat flour was partially replaced with cross-linked phosphorylated RS4 wheat starch. Vital wheat gluten or wheat protein isolate was added to compensate for textural changes due to the addition of RS.

RESULTS

The maximum recommended level of RS4 starch to replace HRW wheat flour was 40%. The substitution of 10-40 parts of RS4 for flour did not change hardness in cooked noodles but it did reduce their extensibility, cohesiveness, and springiness, which was probably due to the non-swelling properties of RS4. At 40 parts of RS4 replacement, supplementation of 2-8 parts of vital wheat gluten or wheat protein isolate in the composite flour notably enhanced the hardness and extensibility of cooked noodles, whereas cohesiveness and springiness were minimally affected. Supplemental vital wheat gluten produced a thicker protein network than endogenous protein or added wheat protein isolate, giving cooked noodles greater breaking force and distance.

CONCLUSION

RS4 could be used as a functional ingredient to replace up to 40% of hard wheat flour for making Asian noodles while maintaining their hardness after cooking. The extensibility of cooked noodles with high RS4 could be noticeably enhanced by supplementation with vital wheat gluten in the composite flour (RS/flour = 40/60). © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Behavioral Changes in Glutenin Macropolymer Fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum LB-1 to Promote the Rheological and Gas Production Properties of Dough

Glutenin macropolymer (GMP) plays a pivotal role in improving dough quality. In this study, a novel Lactobacillus plantarum LB-1 (LB-1) on the fermentation characteristics of dough were investigated from the perspective of GMP. The results showed that the ordered secondary structure (α-helices and β-sheets) content of GMP in dough synergistically fermented by yeast and LB-1 (DYLB-1) was 20.5% more than that in dough fermented by yeast (DY), and the average particle size was 2.46 μm smaller. Moreover, the higher level of total free amino acids and lower free sulfhydryl group (SHf) content in the DYLB-1 indicated that the network structure strength was enhanced. Furthermore, the protein and starch in the DYLB-1 were uniformly and closely connected, which endows the DYLB-1 with excellent rheological and gas production properties. Therefore, the method used to produce the DYLB-1 was recommended as a new strategy for producing high-quality dough.

Quality Enhancement Mechanism of Alkali-Free Chinese Northern Steamed Bread by Sourdough Acidification

Alkali was used to adjust the pH and neutralize the excess acids of dough in the processing of Chinese northern steamed bread (CNSB). However, extra alkali addition generally resulted in alkalic flavor and poor appearance. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of proofed dough pH on the texture of CNSB. Correlation analysis demonstrated that the pH value of proofed dough has a significant effect on the textural properties of CNSB. The mechanism studies found that gradual acidification of dough by lactic acid bacteria is a critical factor affecting the process. Conversely, chemical acidification weakened the texture property of products and reduced the dough rheology. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis showed that fermentation with starter for 12 h produced a continuous and extensional protein network in the proofed dough. Furthermore, the decreasing pH of proofed dough increased the extractability of protein in a sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-containing medium and the content of free sulfhydryl (SH). The structure and content of gluten, especially influenced by gradual acidification level, change the quality of the final product. It is a novel approach to obtain an alkali-free CNSB with excellent quality by moderate gluten adjustment.

Protein polymerization in dumpling wrappers influenced by folding patterns

The influences of folding patterns on the protein polymerization in dumpling wrappers were investigated. The dumpling dough sheet after the compounding rollers was folded with various patterns (control with no angle, 15°, 25°, 35° and 45° folding), before going through the sheeting and reduction rolls. Protein secondary structure, free sulfhydryl content, protein electrophoretic profiles, and texture of dumpling wrappers were determined. Results showed that folding could increase the proportion of α-helix conformation, and produce dumpling wrappers with enhanced toughness but reduce wrapper extensibility. The wrapper with 45° folding showed lower -SH content than the control and other folding angles. However, only a few variations in SDS band pattern and intensities were observed at the molecular weight position of around 35 kDa. Briefly, folding process could influence the gluten formation during the preparation of dumpling wrappers; the folding angle at 45° produced stronger gluten network and tougher wrappers.

Effect of physicochemical and rheological properties of flour from different local wheat varieties on the quality of varanphal: an Indian traditional product

Varanphal is an Indian traditional product which is similar to pasta. The suitability of four local varieties of wheat flour (Lokwan, Sharbati, MP cross S.H.R. and MP Lokwan) was determined by evaluating their physicochemical and rheological properties. The rheological properties such as farinographic characteristics, dough hardness, stickiness, and spreadability of dough were also evaluated for the same. Flour and dough properties of wheat varieties were correlated with varanphal quality characteristics. The correlation coefficient data indicated that amongst the physicochemical properties of flour such as protein, dry gluten, and damaged starch content were the indices in predicting the varanphal quality. The rheological properties such as farinograph water absorption, dough stability, hardness and spreadability were found to be highly correlated with varanphal quality. The strong relationship were observed between dry gluten content with spreadability, L* value flour with dough stickiness, dough hardness with protein content, dough hardness with overall acceptibility and cohesiveness of dough with the cohesiveness of varnaphal.

Proteins of Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), Buckwheat (Fagopyrum spp.), and Quinoa (Chenopodium spp.): A Food Science and Technology Perspective

There is currently much interest in the use of pseudocereals for developing nutritious food products. Amaranth, buckwheat, and quinoa are the 3 major pseudocereals in terms of world production. They contain high levels of starch, proteins, dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins, and other bioactives. Their proteins have well-balanced amino acid compositions, are more sustainable than those from animal sources, and can be consumed by patients suffering from celiac disease. While pseudocereal proteins mainly consist of albumins and globulins, the predominant cereal proteins are prolamins and glutelins. We here discuss the structural properties, denaturation and aggregation behaviors, and solubility, as well as the foaming, emulsifying, and gelling properties of amaranth, buckwheat, and quinoa proteins. In addition, the technological impact of incorporating amaranth, buckwheat, and quinoa in bread, pasta, noodles, and cookies and strategies to affect the functionality of pseudocereal flour proteins are discussed. Literature concerning pseudocereal proteins is often inconsistent and contradictory, particularly in the methods used to obtain globulins and glutelins. Also, most studies on protein denaturation and techno-functional properties have focused on isolates obtained by alkaline extraction and subsequent isoelectric precipitation at acidic pH, even if the outcome of such studies is not necessarily relevant for understanding the role of the native proteins in food processing. Finally, even though establishing in-depth structure-function relationships seems challenging, it would undoubtedly be of major help in the design of tailor-made pseudocereal foods.

Evaluation of texture differences among varieties of cooked quinoa

Texture differences of cooked quinoa were studied among 13 different varieties. Correlations between the texture parameters and seed composition, seed characteristics, cooking quality, flour pasting properties, and flour thermal properties were determined. The results showed that texture of cooked quinoa was significantly differed among varieties. 'Black,' 'Cahuil,' and 'Red Commercial' yielded harder texture, while '49ALC,' '1ESP,' and 'Col.#6197' showed softer texture. '49ALC,' '1ESP,' 'Col.#6197,' and 'QQ63' were more adhesive, while other varieties were not sticky. The texture profile correlated to physical--chemical properties in different ways. Protein content was positively correlated with all the texture profile analysis (TPA) parameters. Seed hardness was positively correlated with TPA hardness, gumminess, and chewiness at P ≤ 0.09. Seed density was negatively correlated with TPA hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness, whereas seed coat proportion was positively correlated with these TPA parameters. Increased cooking time of quinoa was correlated with increased hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness. The water uptake ratio was inversely related to TPA hardness, gumminess, and chewiness. Rapid Visco Analyzer peak viscosity was negatively correlated with the hardness, gumminess, and chewiness (P < 0.07); breakdown was also negatively correlated with those TPA parameters (P < 0.09); final viscosity and setback were negatively correlated with the hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness (P < 0.05); setback was correlated with the adhesiveness as well (r = -0.63, P = 0.02). Onset gelatinization temperature (To ) was significantly positively correlated with all the texture profile parameters, and peak temperature (Tp ) was moderately correlated with cohesiveness, whereas neither conclusion temperature (Tc ) nor enthalpy correlated with the texture of cooked quinoa.