Gluten-free Nan-e-Fasaee: Formulation optimization on the basis of quinoa flour and inulin

Diversification of gluten-free (GF) bakery products is considerably important, as those who suffer from gluten intolerance should follow a GF diet their whole life. Regarding this study, it was aimed at optimizing the formulation of a quinoa-based GF traditional bakery product, i.e. Nan-e-Fasaee using inulin as a bifunctional agent (both a prebiotic compound and a structure-forming agent). Otherwise, its potential role as a fat and sugar replacer was also assessed. For this purpose, short (S)- and long (L)-chain inulin were used as sugar and fat replacers, respectively, at 0%-50% w/w in quinoa flour (QF)-based GF Nan-e-Fasaee and optimization was done based on rheological, textural, and sensory analysis. Results indicated that QF diet provided the batter with the dominance of elastic modulus and increased hardness (i.e. 5170.0 ± 22.50 g in the presence of QF compared to 1477.0 ± 20.81 g in wheat-based ones). Inulin inclusion reduced the hardness, as the lowest was observed at S-inulin substitution levels of 40% and 50% w/w, with values equal to 2422.0 ± 20.81 and 2431.0 ± 35.57 g, respectively (the most similar ones to control sample). The interference of S-inulin with the non-gelatinized starch structure is supposed to decrease the hardness. The highest score in texture was also perceived at F6 and F13, with values equal to 8.00 ± 0.10 and 7.97 ± 0.05, respectively. Using S- and L-inulin in combination is found to improve the textural characteristics due to preventing the competitive role of sugar in water absorption in formulations containing L-inulin. Regarding optimization of quinoa-based GF Nan-e-Fasaee with reduced sugar and fat levels using inulin, it is found to be feasible.

Development of Gluten-Free Bread Production Technology with Enhanced Nutritional Value in the Context of Kazakhstan

This research aims to enhance the nutritional value of gluten-free bread by incorporating a diverse range of components, including additives with beneficial effects on human health, e.g., dietary fibers. The research was focused on improving the texture, taste, and nutritional content of gluten-free products by creating new recipes and including novel biological additives. The goal was to develop gluten-free bread with less than 3 ppm gluten content that can be eaten by people suffering from gluten sensitivity. The physical and chemical properties of gluten-free rice, corn, green buckwheat, chickpea, amaranth, and plantain flours were examined to understand their unique characteristics and the possibility of their mixing combination to achieve the desired results. Initially, nine recipes were prepared, and in survey research, four baking recipes were selected and tested. The composition of amino acids in the prepared gluten-free bread was determined. The variant made of corn, green buckwheat flour with plantain was found to be top-rated. Changes in the nutritional content of the new product were analyzed, and general regulations and nutritional values were identified. Experimental baking processes were carried out, leading to the successful formulation of gluten-free bread containing corn, green buckwheat, and plantain flour in a ratio of 40:40:20, meeting gluten-free requirements and demonstrating improved nutritional properties, as well as consumption properties, confirmed by surveys conducted on a group of consumers.

Transglutaminase in Foods and Biotechnology

Stabilization and reusability of enzyme transglutaminase (TGM) are important goals for the enzymatic process since immobilizing TGM plays an important role in different technologies and industries. TGM can be used in many applications. In the food industry, it plays a role as a protein-modifying enzyme, while, in biotechnology and pharmaceutical applications, it is used in mediated bioconjugation due to its extraordinary crosslinking ability. TGMs (EC 2.3.2.13) are enzymes that catalyze the formation of a covalent bond between a free amino group of protein-bound or peptide-bound lysine, which acts as an acyl acceptor, and the γ-carboxamide group of protein-bound or peptide-bound glutamine, which acts as an acyl donor. This results in the modification of proteins through either intramolecular or intermolecular crosslinking, which improves the use of the respective proteins significantly.

Nutritional and bioactive characteristics of buckwheat, and its potential for developing gluten-free products: An updated overview

In the present era, food scientists are concerned about exploiting functional crops with nutraceutical properties. Buckwheat is one of the functional pseudocereals with nutraceutical components used in the treatment of health-related diseases, malnutrition, and celiac diseases. As a preferred diet as a gluten-free product for celiac diseases, buckwheat is a good source of nutrients, bioactive components, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. The general characteristics and better nutritional profile of buckwheat than other cereal family crops were highlighted by previous investigations. In buckwheats, bioactive components like peptides, flavonoids, phenolic acids, d-fagomine, fagopyritols, and fagopyrins are posing significant health benefits. This study highlights the current knowledge about buckwheat and its characteristics, nutritional constituents, bioactive components, and their potential for developing gluten-free products to target celiac people (1.4% of the world population) and other health-related diseases.

Habits, Health and Environment in the Purchase of Bakery Products: Consumption Preferences and Sustainable Inclinations before and during COVID-19

The aim of the research is to investigate whether purchasing decisions about bakery products (bread, snacks and biscuits) are influenced by concerns about health, climate change, biodiversity loss and food waste. The exploratory survey was carried out in two successive moments before and during the health emergency from COVID-19. Before the health emergency, face-to-face interviews were carried out using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed by factor analysis, reliability tests and descriptive analysis. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the research hypotheses. The results of the modeling analysis of the structural equations highlighted that health and the environment represent an important background in the consumer experience of the respondents and influence the attitude and intention to purchase safe and environmentally friendly bakery products. Furthermore, the results suggest that informed, modern and aware consumers have direct and indirect effects on the intentions to adopt sustainable attitudes. On the contrary, the perception relating to the shops where consumers buy bakery products does not always show a significant influence on the propensity for sustainability. During the health emergency, the interviews were conducted online. Families confined to their homes, buying less in stores, have prepared many baked goods manually at home. The descriptive analysis of this group of consumers shows a growing attention to points of sale and the tendency to use online shopping. Furthermore, the changes in the type of purchases and the importance attributed to the need to reduce food waste emerge.

A Cake Made with No Animal Origin Ingredients: Physical Properties and Nutritional and Sensory Quality

A gelled emulsion ingredient based on high oleic sunflower oil (20%) and an isolated soy protein suspension were used in the elaboration of a cake to avoid the use of ingredients of animal origin. The control product was elaborated with butter and milk. Sugar was used in both types of formulations, but it was partially replaced by maltitol in the reformulated product. Decreases of 25% in energy and 67% in fat supply were achieved, as well as a 36% reduction in the sugar content. The saturated fatty acid amount was 0.57 g/100 g product, in contrast with the 9.45 g/100 g product found in control products. Differences in color were observed both through instrumental and sensory analysis, especially in the crust, with lower values for the Browning index in the reformulated products. The hedonic test, carried out with 44 untrained panelists, showed a good score for general acceptability (6.1 in contrast to 7.2 for control products), and no significant differences from the control were found for flavor.

New alternatives from sustainable sources to wheat in bakery foods: Science, technology, and challenges

Ongoing research in the food industry is striving to replace wheat flour with new alternatives from sustainable sources to overcome the disease burden in the existing population. Celiac disease, wheat allergy, gluten sensitivity, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity are some common disorders associated with gluten present in wheat. These scientific findings are crucial to finding appropriate alternatives in introducing new ingredients supporting the consumer's requirements. Among the alternatives, amaranth, barley, coconut, chestnut, maize, millet, teff, oat, rye, sorghum, soy, rice flour, and legumes could be considered appropriate due to their chemical composition, bioactive profile, and alternatives utilization in the baking industry. Furthermore, the enrichment of these alternatives with proper ingredients is considered effective. Literature demonstrated that the flours from these alternative sources significantly enhanced the physicochemical, pasting, and rheological properties of the doughs. These flours boost a significant reduction in gluten proteins associated with food intolerance, in comparison with wheat highlighting a visible market opportunity with nutritional and organoleptic benefits for food producers. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: New alternatives from sustainable sources to wheat in bakery foods as an approach that affects human health. Alternatives from sustainable sources are important source of nutrients and bioactive compounds. Alternatives from sustainable sources are rising due to nutritional and consumer demand in bakery industry. New alternatives from sustainable sources improve physicochemical, pasting, and rheological properties of dough. Non-wheat-based foods from non-traditional grains have a potential to increase consumer market acceptance.

Gluten-Free Cereal Products and Beverages: A Review of Their Health Benefits in the Last Five Years

In the past decades, food products and beverages made from gluten-free cereals were initially created for certain groups of people who experience gluten-related disorders such as wheat allergies, gluten ataxia, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and the most well-known, celiac disease. Nowadays, the consumption of gluten-free products is not only restricted to targeted groups, but it has become a food trend for normal consumers, especially in countries such as the UK, the US, and some European countries, who believe that consuming a gluten-free product is a healthier choice compared to normal gluten-containing products. However, some research studies have disapproved of this claim because the currently available gluten-free products in the market are generally known to be lower in proteins, vitamins, and minerals and to contain higher lipids, sugar, and salt compared to their gluten-containing counterparts. The use of other gluten-free cereals such as sorghum, millet, and teff as well as pseudo cereals such as buckwheat and quinoa has gained significant interest in research in terms of their various potential health benefits. Hence, this review highlights the potential health benefits of some gluten-free cereals and pseudo cereals apart from corn and rice in the last decade. The potential health benefits of gluten-free products such as bread, pasta, crackers, and cookies and the health benefits of some other non-alcoholic beverages made from gluten-free cereals and pseudo cereals are reported.

Investigation of dielectric properties, total phenolic content and optimum formulation of microwave baked gluten-free cakes

This study discusses the production of microwave baked gluten-free cakes formulated by mixing buckwheat flour and rice flour at different concentrations. Three different ratios of buckwheat flour to rice flour (20:80%, 30:70%, 40:60%) and two different gum types (xanthan and guar gum) with a white layer cake recipe were employed. The batters were baked in microwave oven at different microwave powers (540 W, 450 W, 360 W) for different baking times (3 min, 3.5 min, 4 min). The effect of microwave power, baking time and buckwheat flour concentration on weight loss, color, specific volume, porosity, total phenolic content and dielectric properties were investigated. The optimum microwave power, baking time and buckwheat flour concentration were found as 432.77 W, 3 min, 40% for guar gum added cakes and 360 W, 3.70 min and 29.23% for xanthan gum added ones. It was found that weight loss and color values of the cakes that were baked at the optimal conditions were less than those of control cakes. On the other hand, total phenolic content, specific volume, porosity, dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor values were higher for guar gum added cakes compared to control samples. In addition, it was observed that the cakes prepared with guar gum had similar pore size distribution with control cakes. As a conclusion of the study, it can be declared that surface color and specific volume problems of microwave baking could be solved by addition of guar gum to the formulation which also enables the production of functional, phenolic rich microwave baked cakes.

Gluten-Free Products for Celiac Susceptible People

The gluten protein of wheat triggers an immunological reaction in some gluten-sensitive people with HLA-DQ2/8 genotypes, which leads to Celiac disease (CD) with symptomatic damage in the small intestinal villi. Glutenin and gliadin are two major components of gluten that are essentially required for developing a strong protein network for providing desired viscoelasticity of dough. Many non-gluten cereals and starches (rice, corn, sorghum, millets, and potato/pea starch) and various gluten replacers (xanthan and guar gum) have been used for retaining the physical-sensorial properties of gluten-free, cereal-based products. This paper reviews the recent advances in the formulation of cereal-based, gluten-free products by utilizing alternate flours, starches, gums, hydrocolloids, enzymes, novel ingredients, and processing techniques. The pseudo cereals amaranth, quinoa, and buckwheat, are promising in gluten-free diet formulation. Genetically-modified wheat is another promising area of research, where successful attempts have been made to silence the gliadin gene of wheat using RNAi techniques. The requirement of quantity and quality for gluten-free packaged foods is increasing consistently at a faster rate than lactose-free and diabetic-friendly foods. More research needs to be focused on cereal-based, gluten-free beverages to provide additional options for CD sufferers.

Influence of protein source on characteristics and quality of gluten-free cookies

Proteins are essential nutrients in the diet, with the recommended amount of daily protein consumption varying for people with different health status and activity level. Cookies could be an adequate carrier of proteins because of their great acceptability. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of flour substitution with different types of protein (pea, potato, egg white and whey) in gluten-free cookies. Hydration properties, dough rheology, cookie characteristics (protein content, dimensions, texture) and sensory acceptability were studied. The hydration properties of mixtures with protein were lower than the control, with the exception of pea protein. As for results from rheological analysis, G' and G″ values for pea and potato protein were similar to the control, while egg white and whey protein had lower values. Addition of egg white and whey protein respectively, produced harder and wider cookies. The addition of potato protein yielded cookies with darker edges, however, pea protein did not lead to any significant change in cookie parameters. Sensory evaluation showed that the addition of pea protein produced cookies with the same scores as the control sample, signifying that cookies with added pea protein had the best acceptability.

Optimization of gluten-free cake formulation enriched with pomegranate seed powder and transglutaminase enzyme

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder caused by a permanent intolerance of genetically susceptible persons to gluten proteins and intake of gluten-free diets throughout their life is the only treatment way. Therefore, studies dealing with the production and improvement of gluten-free food products, especially bakery products are of great importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of adding pomegranate seed powder (0-50%) and transglutaminase enzyme (0-1.2%) on physicochemical, sensory and textural properties of gluten-free cake made from rice flour. The results showed that pomegranate seed powder and transglutaminase had positive effects on fiber and ash contents, and porosity; whilst, the incorporation reduced the weight loss, volume and specific volume. Optimization process was performed and optimum gluten-free formulation contained 25.75% pomegranate seed powder and 0.97% transglutaminase. The optimized gluten-free cake showed higher total antioxidant activity, ash, fiber, protein and moisture contents and lower peroxide value, volume index and porosity compared to the control one. The porosity decrement was confirmed in the optimized cake by scanning electron microscopy images.