Influence of carrot puree incorporation on quality characteristics of instant noodles

Vegetable Waste in the Retail Sector: Evaluation and Possibilities for Use in New Product Development

Food waste is a significant concern when it comes to food safety. It is a well-known fact that fruit and vegetable wastage is high worldwide; however, quantitative data, especially on such waste in the retail sector, are limited. Wasted vegetables are sources of essential dietary compounds, benefiting from their revalorization. Studies related to the evaluation of the quantity and quality of these vegetables discarded in the retail sector can allow for the proposal of relevant alternatives for their use and the guarantee of food safety. This study aimed to assess wasted vegetables (beetroot, carrot, chayote, and cucumber) in the city of Pirassununga (Brazil) and characterize the purees obtained from these vegetable wastes. The purees were characterized in terms of microbiological aspects, color, proximal and mineral composition, phenolic concentration, and antioxidant activity. It was observed that 90% of the discarded vegetables were free from microbiological contamination and could be considered suitable for consumption according to the adopted classifications. Additionally, the purees had high nutritional levels, such as phenolics and fiber. Thus, considering the high levels of vegetable waste generated in the retail sector, and high value nutritional, vegetable waste could be viable in the development of new products, making it an important retail strategy for the circular economy.

Effects of purple cabbage anthocyanin extract on the gluten characteristics and the gluten network evolution of high-gluten dough

BACKGROUND

Anthocyanins are polyphenolic pigments that have hypoglycemic, antioxidation, anti-aging, and other effects. Research has shown that polyphenols can optimize the processing of dough and improve the texture and nutritional characteristics of dough products. The formation of gluten networks is decisive for the quality of flour products. The effects of purple cabbage anthocyanin (PCA) extract on the structure, microscopic morphology, and network formation of gluten protein were studied, and the types of cross-linking between PCA and gluten protein are discussed.

RESULTS

The results show that PCA extract increased the free sulfhydryl (SH) group content and the free amino group of gluten proteins, stimulated an increase in the β-sheet ratio and the decrease of α-helix ratio, and increased the gluten index significantly (P < 0.05). The PCA extract also induced gluten protein aggregation, increased the height of protein molecular chains, and stimulated the formation of gluten networks. When PCA extract concentrations were 4 g kg-1 and 8 g kg-1, the gluten network was more homogeneous, continuous, and dense.

CONCLUSION

Appropriate anthocyanins have a positive effect on the properties of gluten and promote the formation of gluten networks. Excessive anthocyanins destroy gluten protein interaction and harm gluten cross-linking. This study may provide a useful source of data for the production of functional flour products rich in anthocyanins. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Sensory, Physicochemical, and Cooking Qualities of Instant Noodles Incorporated with Red Seaweed (Eucheuma denticulatum)

Instant noodles are consumed worldwide, but instant noodles are often unhealthy. Therefore, in the current study, instant noodles were produced with composite flour (a blend of wheat flour and potato starch at weight ratios of 9:1, 8:2, and 7:3) incorporated with red seaweed powder (Eucheuma denticulatum) in proportions of 0, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15%. The noodles’ sensory, physicochemical, and cooking properties were then determined. The incorporation of 7.5−15% of seaweed powder significantly (p < 0.05) increased the cooking yield, reduced the cooking loss, lengthened the cooking time, and decreased the pH values and water activity. The addition of seaweed powder weakened the tensile strength and softened the noodles. Seaweed noodles were denser and greener than control noodles. Among the three seaweed noodles (F2, F5, and F12) selected through the ranking test, panelists preferred F2 and F5 (both scoring 4.63 on a 7-point hedonic scale for overall acceptability) more than F12. Overall, F5 (at a wheat flour: potato starch ratio of 9:1; 15% seaweed powder) is the best-formulated seaweed noodle in this study, owing to its highest cooking yield and lowest cooking loss even with prolonged cooking, lowest water activity, and acceptable sensory qualities.

Influence of Wheatgrass Juice on Techno-Functional Properties and Bioactive Characteristics of Pasta

Pasta is an excellent source for fortification of ingredients and wheatgrass juice (WGJ) as a natural source of vital nutrients and antioxidants; the study was taken to develop WGJ-rich functional pasta. Wheatgrass juice (WGJ) was added at the rate of 33, 66, and 100% by replacing water during the mixing process of pasta. The samples were assessed by cooking quality, proximate composition, antioxidant properties, color, texture attributes, and sensory evaluation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed. Incorporation of WGJ significantly ( $p<0.05$ ) decreased the optimum cooking time of pasta, whereas water absorption capacity was increased. Cooking loss in pasta increased from 2.89 to 3.21% with increasing levels of WGJ from 33 to 100%. The addition of wheatgrass juice to pasta improved the nutritional and antioxidant profile significantly ( $p<0.05$ ), as evidenced by increases in protein, phenolics, flavonoids, chlorophyll, and antioxidant activities (FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS). The incorporation of wheatgrass juice reduced the L value, whereas $a^{\ast }$ of the pasta enhanced gradually. With the addition of WGJ, the stiffness and hardness of the pasta changed dramatically. FTIR spectra validated the existence of bioactive compounds and chlorophyll pigments in pasta. Sensory data revealed that pasta containing 100% of WGJ was acceptable with the highest overall acceptability score of 7.72.