The Effects of Hydrocolloids-Protein Mixture as a Fat Replacer on Physicochemical Characteristics of Sugar-Free Muffin Cake: Modeling and Optimization

Effect of Zein-Persian Gum Water-in-Oleogels on Quality Characteristics of Unsaturated Fatty Acid-Rich and Low-Fat Croissant

Water-in-oleogels are structured oils formed using gelators with varying gelation performance. In this study, the production of novel bigels and their consumption as a commercial shortening substitute in croissant formulation to reduce the fat and saturated fatty acid content and produce a healthier product are of concern. Water-in-oleogels of sunflower oil were prepared by consuming different combinations of gelators, monoglyceride, Zein protein (2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%), and Persian gum (0%, 1.5%). After assessing their thermal and rheological properties, they were substituted with shortening in the formulation of croissants to reduce fat and saturated fatty acid content. The qualitative properties of the products were assessed from different perspectives. Water-in-oleogels had solid, viscoelastic gel-like structure, with pseudoplastic behavior and an increase in the Zein concentration in the presence of hydrocolloids enhanced the viscoelastic properties and melting enthalpy of created crystals in the bigel structure. The moisture content and hardness of croissants produced with water-in-oleogels were higher and lower, respectively, than those in the control. Using hydrocolloid next to increasing the Zein concentration decreased the oil release of the product. The croissant prepared using water-in-oleogel containing 2.5% Zein had the lowest density compared to the other samples. The intensity of yellowness, chroma, and browning index were higher in samples produced with water-in-oleogels containing low levels of gelators. The water-in-oleogel prepared with 2.5% Zein was useful in the production of croissants with favorable quality properties and 15% lower fat compared to the control without significant difference in terms of peroxide value. The total volume of the saturated and essential unsaturated fatty acids in the developed product decreased by 47% and increased by 65%, respectively, next to maintaining the aroma, taste, color, and most of the organoleptic properties.

An Updated Review on Exploring Hydrocolloids Application in Food Matrix: Current Insights Into Fruit, Bakery, Meat, and Dairy Based Products

This concise review provides a current overview of hydrocolloid applications across various food products, including fruit, bakery, meat, and dairy products. Hydrocolloids are gaining popularity for their role in producing healthier and high-quality food products that meet consumer expectations. Hydrocolloids are used in fruit-based products such as purees, jams, jellies, fruit fillings, juices, and fruit leathers to enhance textural stability by preventing syneresis and improving nutritional value as well as their consumer appeal. In bakery products such as muffins, bread, cakes, and cookies, hydrocolloids enhance thermal stability, texture, and sensory properties while also supporting the development of low-fat formulations. Hydrocolloids act as fat substitutes and texture modifiers in meat-based products, enhancing water retention, emulsion stability, and overall quality. They also help in developing texture-modified foods suitable for individuals with dysphagia. The use of hydrocolloids in dairy products, particularly yoghurts, cheeses, ice-cream, and milk beverages, aims to reduce fat content while retaining creamy texture as well as viscosity and preventing phase separation. This review highlighted recent advancements in hydrocolloid applications, their mechanisms of interaction with food components, and their potential for improving nutritional, textural, and functional properties across various food matrices. By addressing current research gaps and challenges, this work highlighted the important role of hydrocolloids in bringing innovation and sustainability to food product development.

Pea protein - gum Arabic gel addition as ingredient to increase protein, fiber and decrease lipid content in muffins without impair the texture and intestinal microbiota

This study evaluated the use of a protein-polysaccharide gel (PGEL) as a muffin ingredient, and its effect on the nutritional, textural, and gut microbiome profiles. PGEL was generated by complex coacervation with Pea protein and Gum Arabic. A mixture design was performed with different flour, lipids, and PGEL proportions, where Tx9 (26 % PGEL) showed improved physicochemical characteristics. Optimization was performed using 3 variables, hardness, protein content, and in vitro protein digestibility, to generate an optimal muffin with PGEL (PGEL-Muffin). PGEL-Muffin had a positive effect in its nutritional content and texture (protein: 12.03 %, fiber: 7.90 %, lipids: 9.23 %, and hardness: 4.41 N) compared to a muffin without protein addition (Control) and a muffin with added pea protein powder (Powder-Muffin). PGEL-Muffin did not modify gut microbiome using an ex-vivo system after 4-days of administration. PGEL ingredient could be an opportunity to develop nutritionally improved products without a negative impact on textural properties.

Vegan gummy candies with low calorie based on celery (Apium graveolens) puree and boswellia gum (Boswellia thurifera)

Gummy candy is one of the main snacks for children, and conventional samples with high calorie illustrate no nutritional value; therefore, the aim of present research was to develop functional product on priority. Celery (Apium graveolens) puree (25%-50%), boswellia gum (10%-20%), lemon essential oil (0.25%-0.50%), and sugar (10%-20%) in two levels were considered for vegan gummy candy production. Based on central composite design, the 30 types of gummy candies were prepared; afterward, response surface methodology was applied to optimize results determined by texture (hardness, springiness, adhesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and elasticity characteristics), physicochemical attributes (pH, sugar content, water activity, antioxidant function, and calorie restriction), and also sensory evaluation. In general, elevated concentration of celery puree and boswellia gum-enhanced hardness, chewiness, and also gumminess for treated products. On the other hand, higher sugar with lemon essential oil improved adhesion, springiness, and elasticity features. More boswellia gum, celery, lemon essential oil, and reduction in sugar elevated water activity and also declined pH for treated samples. The celery puree, boswellia gum, and lemon essential oil significantly enhanced antioxidant function of treated gummy candies. According to attained results, sugar had a remarkable influence on acceptability and in treated samples calorie decreased. Based on all investigated factors, optimal formulation was achieved including 25% celery puree, 20% boswellia gum, 0.450% lemon essential oil, and 13.55% sugar. Regarding the results, obtained gummy candy with high nutritional value and low calorie demonstrated the potential to produce extensively in food sector.

Emulsion filled gel with oleogels as oil fraction to enhance nutritional properties of baked products (muffins)

In baked products, such as muffins, the fat reduction to decrease the caloric content is important without detrimental effects on product quality. Among the fat replacers, emulsion-filled gels imply lower fat depending on the oil fraction. The objective of this work was to replace soybean oil in muffins formulation with two different emulsion-filled gels, containing candelilla wax oleogel or ethylcellulose oleogel as oil fraction, to enhance nutritional quality. Colour, texture, crumb quality, moisture, fat, and protein were analysed. Emulsion-filled gels samples resulted in a darker colour, and a more hard and resilient texture, as a reflection of lower cells number developed in crumbs during baking; but there was a lower fat and an increase in protein content. Emulsion-filled gels with candelilla wax as oil fraction are a alternative to decrease caloric content without compromising the energetic values of the foods.

Gluten-free wafer formulation: Development, characterisation and addition of flavourings with antioxidant capacity

The incidence of celiac disease is increasing, therefore the demand for gluten-free products that also satisfy the nutritional requirements of celiac individuals is rising. Thus, the objective of the present work was to develop a gluten-free nutritionally balanced wafer formulation with a high content of antioxidants. First, the animal fat used in the traditional formulation was successfully replaced by high oleic sunflower. Second, the antioxidant content of several flavourings (cinnamon/honey/anise/vanilla) was measured and their addition to a gluten-free wafer formulation was evaluated. Third, multivariate statistical tools were used to select the formulation that properly mimicked the characteristics of a gluten-containing wafer. According to the results, anise and cinnamon were the most suitable flavourings to prepare gluten-free wafers, and the sensory analysis concluded that these formulations were highly acceptable (means>6.7 on the hedonic scale). Finally, the storage time analysis indicated that the texture of the gluten-free wafers was more susceptible to water absorption than gluten-containing wafers. Besides, cinnamon wafers presented a higher bioaccessible antioxidant capacity than anise wafers (43.5 ± 0.1 mg Trolox/g and 18.8 ± 0.9 mg Trolox/g respectively) (p < 0.05), which remained stable for four months. This indicates that during its shelf life, the product could be consumed with its beneficial effects intact.

The influence of carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose on physicochemical, texture, and sensory characteristics of gluten-free pancake

In this study, gluten-free pancakes were prepared using rice flour and potato starch at a ratio of 50:50. Due to a lack of gluten networks in these ingredients, the hydrocolloid gums including carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) at 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) at 1%, 2%, and 3% were added to improve the quality of the final products. The effects of these hydrocolloid gums on the physicochemical, textural, and sensory properties of the gluten-free pancakes were evaluated. Pancakes prepared with wheat flour were used as a control sample. The results showed that the addition of both gums decreased the hardness and chewiness of the gluten-free pancakes while increasing the springiness and their moisture content. Increasing the concentration of the gums resulted in an L* value (lightness) reduction, which produced a darker crust on the pancakes. Moreover, the gluten-free pancakes containing CMC and HPMC had higher specific volumes than the gluten-free samples made without CMC and HPMC. From a sensory point of view, the samples containing 2%, 3% HPMC and 1% CMC received the highest overall acceptance score. Thus, CMC and HPMC can be used as improvers in gluten-free pancakes.

Replacing animal proteins with plant proteins: Is this a way to improve quality and functional properties of hybrid cheeses and cheese analogs?

The growing emphasis on dietary health has facilitated the development of plant-based foods. Plant proteins have excellent functional attributes and health-enhancing effects and are also environmentally conscientious and animal-friendly protein sources on a global scale. The addition of plant proteins (including soy protein, pea protein, zein, nut protein, and gluten protein) to diverse cheese varieties and cheese analogs holds the promise of manufacturing symbiotic products that not only have reduced fat content but also exhibit improved protein diversity and overall quality. In this review, we summarized the utilization and importance of various plant proteins in the production of hybrid cheeses and cheese analogs. Meanwhile, classification and processing methods related to these cheese products were reviewed. Furthermore, the impact of different plant proteins on the microstructure, textural properties, physicochemical attributes, rheological behavior, functional aspects, microbiological aspects, and sensory characteristics of both hybrid cheeses and cheese analogs were discussed and compared. Our study explores the potential for the development of cheeses made from full/semi-plant protein ingredients with greater sustainability and health benefits. Additionally, it further emphasizes the substantial chances for scholars and developers to investigate the optimal processing methods and applications of plant proteins in cheeses, thereby improving the market penetration of plant protein hybrid cheeses and cheese analogs.

Physico-Chemical, Textural and Sensory Evaluation of Spelt Muffins Supplemented with Apple Powder Enriched with Sugar Beet Molasses

The present study investigated the effect of incorporating 10, 20, and 30% apple powder obtained by freeze-drying, and apple powder produced with osmotic pre-treatment in sugar beet molasses solution, into muffins. The powder was freeze-dried and introduced as a whole spelt wheat flour replacement in muffins. The obtained products were investigated for their chemical composition and technological properties, and were subjected to a sensory analysis as well as a consumer acceptance test. Increasing the substitution level from 0 to 30% apple powder lowered the protein, starch, and fat content, while moisture content, sugar, and cellulose showed the opposite trend. The sensory analysis results indicated that the addition of apple powder or apple powder with osmotic pre-treatment (apple OT+Lyo powder) to the ingredients of muffins positively affected the taste, smell, mastication, and appearance of the final product. Consumers rated the muffins with 30% apple OT+Lyo powder as the most acceptable. Principal component analysis, an artificial neural network, and global sensitivity analysis were utilized to differentiate among muffin samples, and to estimate the corresponding influence of the substitution of spelt flour with apple powder or apple OT powder on the observed quality and nutritional parameters of the muffins.