Impact of moisture content on microstructural, thermal, and techno-functional characteristics of extruded whole-grain-based breakfast cereal enriched with Indian horse chestnut flour

The use of non-conventional seed flour is of interest in obtaining healthy breakfast cereals. The research aimed to study the physico-functional, bioactive, microstructure, and thermal characteristics of breakfast cereals using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and differential scanning calorimeter. The increase in feed moisture content (16 %) enhanced the bulk density (5.24 g/mL), water absorption index (7.76 g/g), total phenolic content (9.03 mg GAE/g), and antioxidant activity (30.36 %) having desirable expansion rate (2.84 mm), water solubility index (48 %), and color attributes. The microstructure showed dense inner structures with closed air cells in extruded flours. Extrusion treatment rearranged the crystalline structure from A-type to V-type by disrupting the granular structure of starch, reducing its crystallinity, and promoting the formation of an amylose-lipid complex network. Increasing conditioning moisture enhanced the degree of gelatinization (%), peak gelatinization temperature (Tp), and starch crystallinity (%) and reduced the gelatinization enthalpy (ΔHG) and gelatinization temperature ranges. The results reported in this study will help industries to develop innovative and novel food products containing functional ingredients.

Characterization of jackfruit seed enriched pasta

This study aims to investigate the potential of mixing jackfruit seed flour (JFSF) with pasta and its effects on techno-functional properties, cooking behavior, textural characteristics, morphology, macromolecular interactions, and secondary structure of proteins of pasta. The results showed with increase in the addition of JFSF from 6 to 24% caused significant (P < 0.05) improvement in the functional properties, decline in the minimum cooking time (7.07 to 6.20 min), and an increase in the cooking loss (5.13 to 11.26%) as well as firmness of the pasta. Organoleptic evaluations indicated the incorporation of JFSF up to 18% without affecting the flavor. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that after cooking bell-shaped starch granules were embedded in the protein matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectra analysis of the secondary structure of protein showed that the major protein fractions were β-sheets, followed by β helix. Positive correlations between cooking losses and water solubility index and several other parameters were established using principal component analysis. Therefore, incorporating JFSF into pasta could be a promising way for developing protein-rich, high-quality pasta with improved nutritional and functional properties.

Physiochemical, sensorial and rheological characteristics of puree developed from Kashmiri peaches: influence of sugar, KMS and storage conditions

The present investigation was undertaken to develop puree from peaches and to study the effect of peel, sugar, KMS concentrations and storage conditions on the acidity, pH, total soluble solids, total sugar and rheological behavior of purees. Two types of Purees (Peeled and unpeeled) were prepared by adding sugar (10% and 15%) and KMS (100ppm, 200ppm, 300ppm). A decrease in viscosity with an increase in shear rate was observed. The developed purees were stored at refrigerated and ambient conditions for 45 days and were analyzed at 15 days interval. During the storage period, there was a change in G' and G"and the changes in pH and TSS were observed. The highest decrease in G' and G" was observed in P_{1 and} P₀ at ambient storage. The overall organoleptic score of all samples was acceptable, however, the organoleptic score of the P₇ at refrigerated conditions was highest.