Effect of broad bean (Vicia faba) addition on starch properties and texture of dry and fresh pasta

Osborne fractionation and techno-functional properties of Faba bean flours from eight varieties grown under a temperate maritime climate

Faba bean (Vicia faba) is a high-protein crop, well-suited as a break crop for cereal rotations with high nitrogen-fixing ability. This study provides comprehensive characterisation encompassing agronomic, nutritional and techno-functional properties of faba bean varieties (4 spring-sown and 4 winter-sown) and explores different protein fractions recovery using Osborne fractionation method. All varieties investigated are suited to cultivate in a temperate maritime climate, especially the winter-sown varieties produced a higher average yield (6.0 t/ha) compared to spring-sown varieties (5.0 t/ha). 'CARTOUCHE' flour exhibited the highest protein content (33.01 %), and all flours were rich in lysine (1.75 to 1.43 g/100 g of flour). 'TUNDRA' flour showed highest peak viscosity (PV, 541 cP). The Osborne fractionation yielded albumins (15.08 to 19.45 %) along with the highest protein composition (84.17 to 88.79 %) of the total protein recovery. Overall, faba bean flours could be used as functional ingredient in addition to its source of alternative proteins.

Substitution of wheat semolina with intact chickpea cells: A study on extruded pasta quality

Intact cells, e.g. isolated from chickpea (intact chickpea cells, ICC) is getting attention as a new functional ingredient for lowering the glycaemic response. ICC applied to various foods, e.g. bread, biscuits and noodles, that do not require high shear, have shown improved nutritional functionality. However, the retention of cell intactness at high shear operation, e.g. extrusion, is not known. Thus, the manuscripts investigate the application of ICC in pasta replacing the wheat semolina (30 %) at three extrusion screw speeds of 200, 400 and 600 rpm. The control pasta was made from either 100 % semolina or 30 % semolina with chickpea flour (CF), where almost all intact cellular structure is broken. Based on the confocal laser microscopic observation, ICC retained cellular integrity at extrusion speeds from 200 to 600 rpm, leading to reduction in starch digestibility of pasta (55.28-64.46 %) compared to semolina (75.14-84.09 %) and CF-blended pasta (64.53-74.65 %). CF and ICC substituted pasta had higher protein and dietary fibre content, but lower starch content compared to semolina-based pasta. The physiochemical analysis including X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal properties and pasting properties for the starch structure in pasta samples showed that the shear force leads to the disruption of starch structure during the extrusion process and is dependent upon the screw speed. Cooking properties demonstrated reduced optimum cooking times and increased cooking loss with chickpea substitutions, influenced by different chemical compositions and weaker gluten networks. Overall, substituting semolina with CF and ICC alters pasta's nutritional profile and cooking behaviour, highlighting potential applications in functional food development.

Nutritional contributions and processability of pasta made from climate-smart, sustainable crops: A critical review

Total or partial replacement of traditional durum wheat semolina (DWS) by alternative flours, such as legumes or wholegrain cereals in pasta improves their nutritional quality and can make them interesting vector for fortification. Climate-smart gluten-free (C-GF) flours, such as legumes (bambara groundnut, chickpea, cowpea, faba bean, and pigeon pea), some cereals (amaranth, teff, millet, and sorghum), and tubers (cassava and orange fleshed sweet potato), are of high interest to face ecological transition and develop sustainable food systems. In this review, an overview and a critical analysis of their nutritional potential for pasta production and processing conditions are undertaken. Special emphasis is given to understanding the influence of formulation and processing on techno-functional and nutritional (starch and protein digestibility) properties. Globally C-GF flours improve pasta protein quantity and quality, fibers, and micronutrients contents while keeping a low glycemic index and increasing protein digestibility. However, their use introduces anti-nutritional factors and could lead to the alteration of their techno-functional properties (higher cooking losses, lower firmness, and variability in color in comparison to classical DWS pasta). Nevertheless, these alternative pasta remain more interesting in terms of nutritional and techno-functional quality than traditional maize and rice-based gluten free pasta.

Nutritional Composition and In Vitro Starch Digestibility of Crackers Supplemented with Faba Bean Whole Flour, Starch Concentrate, Protein Concentrate and Protein Isolate

The nutritional quality of common wheat-based foods can be improved by adding flours from whole pulses or their carbohydrate and protein constituents. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a pulse with high protein concentration. In this study, prepared faba bean (FB) flours were added to wheat based baked crackers. Wheat cracker recipes were modified by substituting forty percent wheat flour with flours from whole faba bean, starch enriched flour (starch 60%), protein concentrate (protein 60%) or protein isolate (protein 90%). Baked crackers were ground into meal and analyzed for their macronutrient composition, starch characteristics and in vitro starch hydrolysis. Faba bean supplemented crackers had lower (p ≤ 0.001) total starch concentrations, but proportionally higher protein (16.8-43%), dietary fiber (6.7-12.1%), fat (4.8-7.1%) and resistant starch (3.2-6%) (p ≤ 0.001) than wheat crackers (protein: 16.2%, dietary fiber: 6.3%, fat: 4.2, resistant starch: 1.2%). The increased amylose, amylopectin B1- chain and fat concentration from faba bean flour and starch flour supplementation in cracker recipe contributed to increased resistant starch. Flours from whole faba bean, starch or protein fractions improved the nutritional properties and functional value of the wheat-based crackers. The analytical analysis describing protein, starch composition and structure and in vitro enzymatic hydrolysis advance understanding of factors that account for the in vivo benefits of faba bean flours added to crackers in human physiological functions as also previously shown for pasta. The findings can be used to guide development of improve nutritional quality of similar wheat-based food products.

Effects of konjac glucomannan on the long-term retrogradation and shelf life of boiled wheat noodles

BACKGROUND

Starch retrogradation and moisture migration of boiled wheat noodles (BWNs) result in quality deterioration and short shelf life. The objective of this research was to investigate whether konjac glucomannan (KGM) could improve the quality of BWNs and further establish the shelf-life prediction model.

RESULTS

The moisture distribution, recrystallization, and thermal properties of BWNs during refrigerated or ambient temperature storage were determined. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance data showed that KGM addition induced left-shifts of T₂₁ and T₂₂ values, indicating that KGM limited the mobility of bound and immobile water among noodle matrices. X-ray diffraction spectra revealed that KGM did not change the crystal patterns of BWNs but could inhibit the starch recrystallization after refrigerated storage. The T_p and ΔH values of retrograded samples notably (P < 0.05) decreased with the increase of KGM addition, suggesting the hinderance of starch retrogradation behavior by KGM. The shelf life of BWNs was predicted by accelerated storage test combined with the Arrhenius equation. The present data displayed that the predicted shelf life of vacuum-packed and sterilized BWNs with 10 g kg^-1 KGM at 25 °C was 733 days, 2.4-fold that of the control group.

CONCLUSION

BWNs with KGM addition could inhibit starch retrogradation and improve the storage stability, consequently promoting noodle quality. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Spirulina platensis Protein as Sustainable Ingredient for Nutritional Food Products Development

Spirulina platensis, microalgae, is emerging as a sustainable source for highly nutritional food ingredient production to cover the food demands of the global population. This study aimed to characterize food prototypes supplemented with microalgae protein isolate to develop health-promoting food products. The nutritional composition (proximate composition, fatty acids, and mineral content) of the spirulina biomass, the structural characterization of spirulina platensis protein (SPP) isolates, and the physicochemical properties of SPP- developed food products were evaluated. High protein (47%), ϒ-Linolenic acid (24.45 g/100 g of fat), iron (16.27 mg/100 g), calcium (207 mg/100 g), and potassium (1675 mg/100 g) content in the spirulina biomass was found. SPP (76% of purity) with sodium alginate produced stable emulsions (>90%) during storage (14 days). Amaranth + SPP pasta resulted in good appearance, texture, color, and high nutritional value in protein (above 30%) and minerals, mainly iron (9–10 mg/100 g) and magnesium (300 mg/100 g), meeting the daily intake recommendations. In addition, the amino acid profile of the pasta was in line with the amino acid pattern requirements for adults. SPP can be considered as potential additive for emulsions stability and provided nutritional and physicochemical desired in the elaborated pasta.

Effect of ultrasonicated lupin flour and resistant starch (type 4) on the physical and chemical properties of pasta

In this study, two different lupin flour obtained from debittered seeds by ultrasound application and traditional method (at 0-20% ratios), and resistant starch type 4 (RS4) (at 0-10% ratios) were used in pasta preparation to improve its nutritional quality. Experiments conducted at (2 × 4 × 3) × 2 factorial design. Use of ultrasonicated lupin flour in pasta revealed similar chemical, thermal and sensory properties to lupin flour debittered by traditional method. The replacement of semolina with lupin flour enhanced protein, dietary fiber and mineral content of pasta. Addition of lupin flour or RS4 increased cooking loss and firmness values of pasta. Pasta containing 20% lupin flour and 10% RS4 had higher gelatinization onset temperature values, and lower enthalpy than 100% semolina pasta. Use of RS4 in pasta reduced in vitro glycemic index without having any adverse effect on the sensory properties. The current findings indicate that it is possible to produce pasta with acceptable cooking quality and sensory properties and improved nutritional quality by adding 15% ultrasonicated lupin flour with 5-10% RS4.

Faba bean meal, starch or protein fortification of durum wheat pasta differentially influence noodle composition, starch structure and in vitro digestibility

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) flour, starch concentrate (60% starch), protein concentrate (~60% protein) and protein isolate (~85% protein) were added to replace one-quarter of durum wheat semolina to enrich the nutritional quality and physiological functions of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) pasta. The raw pasta samples prepared with protein concentrate or isolate had higher (p ≤ 0.001) protein and lower (p ≤ 0.001) total starch concentrations, along with increased total dietary fiber and slowly digestible starch (p ≤ 0.001) than durum wheat semolina control or those with added whole faba-bean flour or isolated starch. The faba bean fortified pasta had altered starch with increased proportion of medium B-type glucan chains and long C-type glucan chains, reduced starch digestibility and were associated with glycaemia related effects in the human diet. The faba bean fortified pasta had increased protein and dietary fiber that influenced food intake and satiety. The results suggest differential contributions of food ingredients in human health outcomes.

Thermal Properties of Semolina Doughs with Different Relative Amount of Ingredients

The impact of the relative amount of ingredients, wheat variety, and kneading time on the thermal properties of semolina doughs were investigated by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The doughs were prepared by mixing water, semolina, yeast, and salt in different proportions. The gelatinized flour fraction plays an important role in the thermal properties’ definition, while the water amount influences the development of the dough network and, consequently, the starch gelatinization phenomena. Furthermore, the amount of yeast and salt influences the dough network force and, consequently, the thermal properties. The TGA technique was applied in order to evidence the mass loss as a function of the increasing temperature, considering that this behavior depends on the dough network force and extension. In such a way, it was possible to find some information on the relationship between the dough characteristics and the thermogravimetric analysis outputs. The study is devoted to acquiring deeper knowledge about the thermophysical characteristics of doughs in the breadmaking industrial processes, where the controllability and the energy performances need to be improved. A deeper knowledge of the dough properties, in terms of measurable parameters, could help to decrease the amounts of off-specification products, resulting in a much more energy-efficient and sustainable processing.

Effects of Transglutaminase on the Protein Network and In Vitro Starch Digestibility of Asian Wheat Noodles

Wheat noodles are a staple commonly consumed in Asia, but high intakes have been associated with type 2 diabetes due to its rapid starch digestibility. We hypothesised that protein network-binding via transglutaminase (TG) would form a stronger barrier encapsulating the starch granules to limit enzymatic access and digestion. The amount of glucose release decreased significantly with increasing TG concentration, with a reduction of approximately 16% with 2% TG after 120 min of digestion. The slower rate of glucose release during the first 60 min of digestion for 2% compared to 0% TG suggested impeded first stage enzymatic access rather than second stage starch hydrolysis into glucose. Upon increasing the TG concentration, confocal microscopy revealed a denser protein network with increased connectivity, supported by a decrease in protein solubility and gelatinisation enthalpy, and increased firmness and work of shear. Therefore, transglutaminase can potentially be used to reduce starch digestibility in wheat noodles via protein network-binding.