Pasting, rheology, antioxidant and texture profile of gluten free cookies with added seed gum hydrocolloids

The study was carried out with the aim of developing gluten free cookies using rice-chickpea composite flour. Guar and locust bean gum were added to formulations at two test concentrations (0.5 and 1.0%). To study the impact of these hydrocolloids, pasting and rheometry of dough formulations was carried out. The cookies produced were subjected to colour, spread ratio, hardness and antioxidant analysis. Protein (7.56 g/100g), fat (1.78 g/100g), ash (1.25 g/100g) and carbohydrate (80.41 g/100g) content of composite flour varied significantly (p ≤ 0.05) from both rice and chickpea. Higher viscosity, viscoelasticity and antioxidant profile was shown by dough formulations with added gums. Control cookies prepared without gums showed the L*, a* and b* values of 54.62, 3.81 and 35.97, respectively. With the addition of guar and locust bean gum, colour of the cookies became lighter. Spread ratio and hardness of cookies with added gums was higher.

Optimum Boiling Duration and Its Effect on Nutritional Quality and Acceptability of Mechanically Dehulled Unfermented Locust Bean Seeds

Most locust bean processing is still carried out locally in Africa. Dehulling is one of the major challenges encountered in traditional processing of locust bean seeds. Boiling time prior to dehulling is vital for nutritional status of locust bean. Hence, this study explored the influence of boiling duration before dehulling on the nutritional quality of mechanically dehulled locust bean seeds. The samples were subjected to four different boiling durations (1∼4 h) and the resulting effects on the overall acceptability, proximate composition, mineral content, and pH were evaluated. Locust beans boiled for 2 h and dehulled at the speed of 398 rpm gave the highest crude protein content, crude fiber, crude fat, and ash content. The pH ranged from 5.48 to 5.77, while boiling improved the mineral content ranging from 0.25∼0.48 mg/100 g (potassium), 16.80∼28.00 mg/100 g (calcium), 3.85∼6.73 mg/100 g (sodium), and 40.00∼52.40 mg/100 g (magnesium). The tedious labour during dehulling of locust bean seeds can be reduced at 398 rpm dehulling speed without adversely affecting the slightly acidic status and nutritional quality; thus enhancing quality and overall acceptability. Adoption of boiling raw locust bean seeds for 2 h under pressure prior to dehulling is a valuable procedure to eliminate long hours of boiling and tedious labour during local and industrial production.

Impact of Different Gums on Textural and Microbial Properties of Goat Milk Yogurts during Refrigerated Storage

In this study, the impact of seven different gums on textural and microbiological properties of goat milk yogurt during refrigerated storage was investigated. The results showed that yogurt containing xanthan and locust bean gums had enhanced firmness, consistency, cohesiveness, and viscosity during four weeks of storage compared to the control and yogurt fortified with other gums (p < 0.05). The addition of gums also helped to maintain the microbial viability of the yogurt culture and the probiotic Bifidobacterium spp. This study thus demonstrated that these gums could be used in the production of goat milk yogurt with enhanced textural properties.