Effect of Processed Chickpea Flour Incorporation on Sensory Properties of Mankoushe Zaatar

The occurrence of aflatoxins and labelling compliance of locally produced za'atar mix products

Za'atar mix products are mainly composed of the dried and ground leaves and/or blossoms of wild and cultivated plant species (Origanum, Thymbra, Thymus, and Satureja) with the addition of condiments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of aflatoxins, chemical composition (carbohydrates, fibre, fat, protein, moisture, ash, and acid contents), mineral content (Na, Ca, and K), and colour traits (L*a*b*) in relation to food label and food standards compliance. Measured and labelled fat content did not agree for approximately 91% of the samples. There was also no agreement between the measured and labelled fibre contents. The total content of aflatoxins in the tested samples ranged from 2 to 63.7 ng g-1. Eleven (69%) of the 16 analysed products had total aflatoxins higher than the maximum permitted limit of the European Commission. The KAS and LAZ products had significantly lighter colour (the highest L* values), while the ALAQ product had the darkest colour (lowest L* value). The range of sodium content in the tested products was 105.1-1425.3 mg/100 g. In conclusion, za'atar mix products that are available in local markets do not have accurate nutritional labelling information, and the occurrence of aflatoxins was very high. Further studies are needed to evaluate the reasons for these quality defects.

Development of energy-rich protein bars and in vitro determination of angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory antihypertensive activities

Three energy-rich protein (ERP) bars were prepared to meet the daily recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for the protein of Pakistani athletes. The bars were developed using dates, cheddar cheese (CC), whey protein isolate (WPI), roasted chickpea flour, and rice flour in different proportions. Bar #1 contained 64 g dates, 16 g dried apricots, 12 g WPI, and 8 g ripened CC. Bar #2 contained the same proportion of these ingredients with an addition of 12.5 g roasted chickpea flour, while bar #3 contained 6.25 g roasted rice and 6.25 g roasted chickpea flour. All the ingredients were homogeneously mixed into paste to form bars weighing 100-110 g per serving size. These bars were studied for the compositional analysis (moisture, protein, and lipid content), protein characterization through sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and in vitro determination of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE-I) antihypertensive activity. Moisture and lipid content in bars were 22% and 0.057%-0.313%, respectively, while protein, fiber, and ash contents varied from 22.3% to 23.6%, 6.66 to 5.81, and 2.12% to 2.44%, respectively. The minimum energy content was recorded (272.70 Kcal/100 g) in bar #1 while bar #3 showed the highest energy content 274.65 Kcal/110 g with the addition of (5%) roasted chickpea and rice flour, respectively. Electrophoresis analysis of proteins in bar # 1 (cheese +WPI) showed the four bands at 62, 24, 20, and 12 kDa. Bar #2 (10% roasted chickpea flour) showed some additional bands at 40, 36, 34, and 28 kDa while relatively lower antihypertensive activity than bars #1 and 3. The study revealed that adding 10% roasted chickpea flour (bar #2) increased the protein content and diversity in proteins. It provided 40% proteins to athletes and could be helpful to meet their R.D.A. by consuming two bars/day.

Sensory descriptors for pulses and pulse-derived ingredients: Toward a standardized lexicon and sensory wheel

The organoleptic quality of pulses and their derived ingredients is fundamental in human utilization and evolution of food. However, the widespread use of pulses is hindered by their inherent sensorial aspects, which are regarded as atypical by the consumers who are unfamiliar to them. In most studies involving sensory assessment of pulses and pulse-ingredients using classical descriptive analysis methods, assessors establish their own lexica. This review is a synthesis of descriptive terms by which sensations emanating from pea, chickpea, lentil, faba bean, dry bean, bambara groundnut, lupin, pigeon pea and cowpea, and their derived ingredients have been described in the literature. Studies involving sensory assessment of processed whole seeds, slurries of raw flour, slurries of protein extracted from raw flour, and food products containing components of pulses were considered. The terms are categorized into those denoting basic taste, aroma, flavor, and trigeminal sensations. Bitterness is the most widely perceived basic taste. Beany, which is broad and complex with subcharacter notes, is predominantly used to describe aroma and flavor. The frequency of use of the collated terms in the reviewed studies was used to establish a sensory wheel. Inconsistency in the use of descriptive terms in the literature necessitates establishment of a standard lexicon that can be applied in both classical and increasingly popular rapid descriptive methods (e.g., check-all-that-apply) throughout the pulse value chain. This review is timely considering the dominance of pulses in plant-based foods and their increasing appeal to the food industry.

Chickpea protein ingredients: A review of composition, functionality, and applications

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a pulse consumed all over the world, representing a good source of protein, as well as fat, fiber, and other carbohydrates. As a result of the growing global population the demand for the protein component of this pulse is increasing and various approaches have been proposed and developed to extract same. In this review the composition, functionality, and applications of chickpea protein ingredients are described. Moreover, methods to enhance protein quality have been identified, as well as applications of the coproducts resulting from protein extraction and processing. The principal dry and wet protein enrichment approaches, resulting in protein concentrates and isolates, include air classification, alkaline/acid extraction, salt extraction, isoelectric precipitation, and membrane filtration. Chickpea proteins exhibit good functional properties such as solubility, water and oil absorption capacity, emulsifying, foaming, and gelling. During protein enrichment, the functionality of protein can be enhanced in addition to primary processing (e.g., germination and dehulling, fermentation, enzymatic treatments). Different applications of chickpea protein ingredients, and their coproducts, have been identified in research, highlighting the potential of these ingredients for novel product development and improvement of the nutritional profile of existing food products. Formulations to meet consumer needs in terms of healthy and sustainable foods have been investigated in the literature and can be further explored. Future research may be useful to improve applications of the specific coproducts that result from the extraction of chickpea proteins, thereby leading to more sustainable processes.

Dishes Adapted to Dysphagia: Sensory Characteristics and Their Relationship to Hedonic Acceptance

Dishes whose texture has been modified for dysphagia undergo changes in other sensory characteristics as well. Therefore, it is necessary to identify these characteristics in adapted dishes and their relationship to hedonic acceptance. In the present work, the sensory characteristics of five dishes adapted to dysphagia associated with cerebral palsy were investigated using the check-all-that-apply method. A hedonic evaluation with a panel of non-dysphagic judges was performed to relate the degree of acceptance with the sensory characteristics of the adapted dishes. The identification of the original non-adapted dish as well as the relationship between the hedonic evaluation by non-dysphagic judges and dysphagic judges were explored. The main attributes of the dishes adapted to dysphagia were "homogeneity" and "easy-to-swallow". Attributes that increased the hedonic evaluation were "flavorful", "flavor of the original dish", "soft texture", "easy-to-swallow", and "odor of the original dish". The attributes that decreased the hedonic evaluation were "thick mash" and "bland". The fish dish was the only one correctly identified more than 62.5% of the time. The adapted dishes received scores above 4.7 out of 9.0 in the hedonic evaluation. The most accepted dishes were the chicken stew and the chickpea stew. Except for the pasta dish, the test yielded similar results to those obtained with dysphagic judges. The texture-modified dishes were correctly characterized and accepted. This study shows that all the sensory characteristics of the adapted dishes are crucial for acceptance and identification.

Oxidative stability of direct-expanded chickpea-sorghum snacks

In contrast to other pulses, chickpea has a relatively high fat content (3%-10%). This study was designed to investigate direct-expanded chickpea-sorghum extruded snacks (50:50, 60:40, and 70:30 chickpea:sorghum, w/w) with respect to: their oxidative stability and sensory properties during accelerated (55°C) and room temperature (25°C) storage; correlations between chemical markers (peroxide value and p-anisidine value) and sensory data during accelerated storage; and the shelf-life of snacks extruded at the optimal expansion point as determined by a rotatable central composite design. Peroxide values and p-anisidine values were in the range of 0-2.5 mEq/Kg and 5-30, respectively, for both accelerated and room temperature storage, and increased during storage (p < .05). 70:30 and 60:40 (w/w) chickpea-sorghum snacks had higher peroxide and p-anisidine values compared to the 50:50 snack during storage at either temperature (p < .05). Rancid aroma and off-flavor of 60:40 and 70:30 chickpea-sorghum snacks (slightly intense = 6) also were higher than that of the 50:50 snack (moderately weak = 3) (p < .05). Significant correlations (p < .05) were found between chemical markers and sensory attributes (p < .05). The study illustrated that shelf-life decreased as the percentage of chickpea in the blend increased. Therefore, in terms of shelf-life, a 50:50 chickpea-sorghum blend is preferable.