Effect of tigernut (Cyperus esculentus) flour addition on the quality of wheat-based cake

Functional and Antioxidative Characteristics of Soft Wheat and Tiger Nut (Cyperus esculentus) Flours Binary Blends

Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) or chufa is little known plant of high nutritious content. Popularized by a plant-based drink called "horchata de chufa," it still offers a lot to research, being abundant in fat, starch, fiber and minerals and vitamins. To properly adjust this raw material to new purposes, the knowledge of crucial properties of the most basic blends like with soft wheat flour is needed. This article evaluates the techno-functional, viscometrical and bioactive characteristics of soft wheat:tiger nut blends of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%. Granulometry, water-holding capacity (WHC), water absorption capacity (WAC), water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), oil absorption capacity (OAC), hydrophilic/lipophilic index (HLI), color, pasting properties, total polyphenol content (TPC), antioxidant activity (DPPH), reducing sugars content and dough-rising capacity were assessed. The addition of tiger nut improved total polyphenol content of blends, however, It was observed that the addition of tiger nuts raised the total polyphenol content of the mixtures, but this was not statistically significant despite as much as 25% of tiger nuts. Oppositely, antioxidant activity was gradually improved with increasing tiger nut content. Pasting properties were impacted by tiger nut addition, lowering both pasting viscosity and trough viscosity, however, final viscosity was not particularly affected, being lowered by less than 15%. The highest water absorption was noted for 100% tiger nut both for WHC and WAC, however, WAI was the lowest for this sample. All the blends with tiger nut revealed improved dough-rising profile.

Characterization of gluten-free cupcakes without sucrose based on defatted soybean flour and monk fruit

This study aimed to produce and characterize a novel gluten-free cupcake for celiac and diabetes people. For this purpose, wheat flour and sugar in the cupcake formulation were fully replaced with soy flour and monk fruit. Also, samples containing wheat flour with sugar and monk fruit were prepared for comparison. The gluten-free cupcake without sucrose had a less specific volume and porosity index. To improve these properties, Cydonia oblonga (Cydonia Vulgaris) and Plantago ovata (Plantago genus) were used individually and in combination at concentrations of 1 and 2%. The cake containing no gum was made as a control as well. It was observed that addition of gums had positive effects on the specific volume, porosity index, and weight loss of cakes, but their incorporation increased their hardness. Based on the results, the fabrication of a novel and successful gluten-free cupcake replaced with soy flour, monk fruit, and gum is possible.

Comparison of Physico-Chemical Properties, Phytochemical Compositions and Sensory Characteristics of Wheat Breads Enriched with Coriander Seed Powder

In this study, the physico-chemical properties, polyphenol and fatty acid profiles and sensory evaluations of breads made from wheat flour and coriander seed powder mixtures were investigated. The oil yields of breads with coriander were identified between 0.11% (control) and 1.25% (with 30% coriander). The highest and lowest L* values were observed in the control and bread with 30% added coriander, respectively. The addition of coriander caused an increase in a* and b* (except for the bread with 30% added coriander) values of breads. Total phenol and flavonoid values of the coriander bread samples were recorded between 43.13 (control) and 64.01 mg GAE/100 g (with 30% coriander) to 72.62 (control) and 130.71 mg/100 g (with 30% coriander), respectively. The antioxidant capacity values of breads produced by adding coriander at different levels were determined between 0.45 (control) and 1.32 mmol/kg (with 30% coriander). In general, the quantitative values of phenolic constituents of the bread samples with added coriander powder were low compared to the control (except catechin and rutin). Gallic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, catechin and rutin were found at the highest amounts in bread samples, followed by caffeic acid, syringic acid and p-coumaric acids in descending order. Gallic acid and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid amount values of bread samples were between 11.51 mg/100 g (with 30% coriander) and 45.21 (control), and 16.41 mg/100 g (with 10% coriander) and 29.39 mg/100 g (with 20% coriander), respectively. Additionally, the catechin and rutin contents of wheat breads produced by adding coriander seed powder at different concentrations were between 37.43 (with 10% coriander) and 70.12 mg/100 g (with 20% coriander), and 6.76 mg/100 g (with 10% coriander) and 29.45 mg/100 g (with 30% coriander powder), respectively. The phenolic components of the breads gradually decreased in parallel with the increase in the coriander concentration. The oleic and linoleic acid results of the oils of bread samples produced by adding coriander seed powder were between 23.15% (control) and 62.45% (with 30% coriander), and 26.67% (with 30% coriander) and 52.20% (control), respectively. In addition, with the increase in coriander concentration, the increase in the oleic acid contents of bread oils compared to the control and the decrease in the linoleic acid result gave the bread functionality for human health. In general, among the coriander bread samples, the bread sample with a 30% concentration of coriander powder was the most appreciated.

Quality Evaluation of Bread Prepared from Wheat-Chufa Tuber Composite Flour

The oil amounts of breads were measured between 0.13% (control) and 4.90% (with 40% 6 chufa). The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the breads enriched with chufa tuber flours (powders) were reported as between 37.42 (control) and 99.64 mg GAE/100 g (with 20% chufa) to 61.19 (control) and 120.71 mg/100 g (with 20% chufa), respectively. The antioxidant activities of the bread samples were recorded as between 0.20 (control) and 3.24 mmol/kg (with 20% chufa). The addition of chufa flour caused a decrease in L* values of breads with the addion of tigernut flour. Oleic and linoleic acid contents of the oils extracted from the bread samples enriched with chufa tuber powders were identified as between 61.88 (control) and 66.64% (with 40% chufa) to 14.84% (with 40% chufa) and 17.55% (control), respectively. As a result of the evaluation of sensory properties of breads made from pure wheat flour and composite flours containing 10%, 20%, and 40% chufa tuber flour, the best result was obtained in bread fortified with chufa powder at a concentration of 40%, followed by concentrations of 20 and 10% in decreasing order.

Hoop House and Field Evaluation of Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck) Selections in New Jersey, USA

Tigernut or ‘chufa’ (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus) is gaining popularity in the United States as a high energy tuber crop known for sweet and chewy taste, 40–45% gluten-free digestible carbohydrate, high dietary fiber content, healthful fatty acid profile (73% monounsaturated, 18% saturated, 9% polyunsaturated—similar to olive oil), high oleic acid, and high P, K, and vitamins C. E. Tigernut tubers were obtained from specialty crop markets in central NJ and purchased online from commercial distributors as propagules for transplants for hoop house and field production studies. Nine tigernut selections were also evaluated under NJ hoop house culture conditions for growth habit and in the field for adaptation and productivity We concluded that tigernut production is feasible in NJ based on the results of these experiments. The growth patterns of three selections (GH, MV and SK) were studied and characterized. Foliage growth was similar in the three selections. Plant height ranged from an average of 90 cm in GH to 110 cm in MV and SK; side shoot production capacity ranged from 13 shoots per propagule in GH to 20 or more in MV and SK over 14 weeks. Over 99% of tubers in MV and SK were located within the upper 5 cm of the growth media (Pro-Mix BX brand) but tubers of GH were observed at greater soil depths (~20 cm). Tubers varied from spherical (round) in shape in GH and SK to oblong (elongated) in MV. In the field the best growth and tuber yields from NG3 and T-USA selections were obtained under black or white-over-black plastic mulch in conventionally managed plots. Tubers showed high levels of Fe (168–218 ppm) and Zn (39–50 ppm) implying that they should be a good source of these essential elements in human diet. Studies also showed that the tigernut tuber cannot survive the cold winter months in the field in NJ, therefore minimizing the fear of “tigernut invasion” of agronomic fields in NJ and similar agroecosystems.

Role of Hydrocolloids in the Structure, Cooking, and Nutritional Properties of Fiber-Enriched, Fresh Egg Pasta Based on Tiger Nut Flour and Durum Wheat Semolina

The aim of this work concerns the manufacturing process of fresh egg tagliatelle labeled as a "source of fiber" based on tiger nut flour and wheat semolina. An attempt to improve the quality attributes and cooking properties of the obtained product was made by means of structuring agents. More specifically, a combination of three hydrocolloids (carboximethylcellulose, CMC; xanthan gum, XG; and locust bean gum, LBG) was tested. A Box-Behnken design with randomized response surface methodology was used to determine a suitable combination of these gums to achieve fewer cooking losses, higher water gain and swelling index values, and better texture characteristics before and after cooking. Positive effects on textural characteristics were observed when incorporating XG into the pasta formulation. Cooking and fiber loss also significantly diminished with the XG-CMC combination over 0.8%. No significant effect was found for the other evaluated parameters. A synergistic interaction between LBG and XG was only significant for the water absorption index. The cooked pasta was considered a source of fiber in all cases.

Bioactive compounds, nutritional and sensory properties of cookies prepared with wheat and tigernut flour

This study aimed to evaluate cookies made with wheat (0%, 80%, 60%, and 50%) and tigernut flour (0%, 20%, 40%, and 50%) from two different sources. Standard methods were applied to determine the chemical properties, phenolic component, fatty acid composition, mineral content, and sensory properties of cookies. Tigernut flour from both sources was rich in oil, and total and individual phenolics, but with low antioxidant activity compared to wheat flour. The addition of tigernut flour to wheat resulted in increase of the content of bioactive compounds, minerals, and fatty acid contents of cookies. The cookies produced by formulating wheat with tigernut had a comparable organoleptic quality scores to wheat flour cookies. The production of cookies with both wheat and tigernut flour showed that this mixture is an interesting opportunity to have a functional product rich in bioactive compounds and considered satisfactory by consumers.

High Fibre Gluten-Free Fresh Pasta with Tiger Nut, Chickpea and Fenugreek: Technofunctional, Sensory and Nutritional Properties

Gluten-free pasta production with a low glycaemic index and improved nutritional profile is still a challenge for the food industry. In this study, pasta was produced from fenugreek (FF), chickpea (CPF) and tiger nut (TNF) flours. CPF and FF are interesting for a balanced contribution of soluble and insoluble fibre by combining the health benefits of each type of fibre that promotes health. TNF, also rich in insoluble fibre, can provide additional healthy properties. The partial substitution of TNF for FF (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10% w/w solids) was assessed, and the relation linking chemical composition, structure, cooking and rheological properties and predictive in-vitro starch digestion (eGI, expected glycaemic index) was analysed. The results revealed that FF, rich in galactomannans, not only improves the nutritional profile and lowers the eGI but also helps to naturally enhance the structure of the pasta product and, thus, cooking behaviour (higher swelling index and fewer cooking losses).

Physicochemical and Sensory Characteristics of Sponge Cakes with Rubus coreanus Powder

To develop new type of sponge cake, the effects of partial (0~40%) replacement with Rubus coreanus powder (RCP) on the quality characteristics of sponge cakes were investigated. The pH level and moisture content ranged from 4.05~8.23 and 28.49~36.59, respectively, and significantly decreased upon addition of RCP (P<0.05). Baking loss rate and cake firmness significantly increased with higher RCP content in the formulation, whereas morphological characteristics of cakes such as height, volume, and symmetry indices significantly decreased (P<0.05). For crumb color values, L*- and b*-values significantly decreased while a*-value significantly increased as a result of RCP substitution (P<0.05). Hedonic sensory results indicated that sponge cakes supplemented with 30~40% RCP showed the most favorable acceptance scores for most of the sensory attributes evaluated. Overall, Rubus coreanus sponge cake could be developed with comparable physicochemical qualities without sacrificing consumer acceptability.

Effect of tiger nut-derived products in gluten-free batter and bread

Tiger nut is a tuber used to produce tiger nut milk that yields a high quantity of solid waste, which can be dried and used as fiber source. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the quality of gluten-free bread formulated with different tiger nut-derived products in order to substitute soya flour (which is an allergen ingredient) and, at the same time, increase the use of tiger nut-derived products. Four gluten-free formulations based on corn starch and containing tiger nut milk, tiger nut milk by-product, tiger nut flour, or soya flour (as reference formulation) were studied. Tiger nut milk increased G′ of gluten-free batter and rendered breads with the softest crumb (502.46 g ± 102.05), the highest loaf-specific volume (3.35 cm3/g ± 0.25), and it was mostly preferred by consumers (61.02%). Breads elaborated with tiger nut flour had similar characteristics than soya flour breads (except in color and crumb structure). The addition of tiger nut milk by-product resulted in a hard (1047.64 g ± 145.74) and dark ( L* = 70.02 ± 3.38) crumb bread, which was the least preferred by consumers. Results showed that tiger nut is a promising ingredient to formulate gluten-free baked products.