Immigrant Latinos face conditions which over time negatively impact their nutritional behaviors and health outcomes. Our objective was to evaluate associations between environmental and lifestyle factors and both protective dietary patterns (e.g., intake of fruits and vegetables) and harmful dietary patterns (e.g., consumption of salty snacks and fast food). Surveys were individually and orally administered to 105 foreign-born Latina mothers living in rural locations in a Midwestern state. Principal component analysis created composite variables for each construct and Spearman correlations were conducted to determine associations. Protective dietary patterns were positively associated with access to food and information (ρs = 0.21) and language acculturation (ρs = 0.24), and negatively associated with family challenges (ρs = -0.31). Food insecurity was negatively associated with harmful dietary patterns (ρs = -0.24). Findings suggest that rural Latino dietary interventions should be complemented with comprehensive strategies addressing environmental and lifestyle factors across ecological domains.
Isomaltodextrin (IMD) is a novel highly branched a-glucan ingredient that has potential applications in foods as a promising source of dietary fibre. In this study, we assessed the incorporation of IMD in baked products and its effect on dough rheology and physico-textural characteristics of wheat breads. IMD was added to wheat flour to reach the US FDA level of 'good' source of fibre (10% IMD). Use of the straight-dough method with IMD and regular dough mixing time (8 min) resulted in less elastic doughs and resulting breads displayed lower cohesiveness, springiness and chewiness compared to the control bread. A modified straight-dough method, with longer mixing time (36 min) and adjusted water level (70%), and a sponge-and-dough method were used to allow gluten structure to more fully hydrate and develop. With IMD addition, the modified straight-dough (36 min dough mixing time) and sponge-anddough methods yielded enhanced dough elasticity compared to the original straight-dough method. Breadmaking methods were identified (improved straight-dough and sponge-and-dough) whereby IMD could be added at a 'good source' of fibre level with loaf appearance and texture similar to breads without IMD.
Pearl millet flour, particularly wholegrain flour, is highly susceptible to development of rancid aromas and flavors during storage. Grain decortication and extrusion cooking using a friction-heated single-screw extruder were investigated as potential flour stabilization processes. Raw and extruded wholegrain and decorticated grain pearl millet flours were stored at ambient (25 • C) and elevated (40 • C) temperatures for 6 months. A trained descriptive sensory panel developed a lexicon of 44 attributes to profile the aroma, flavor, and texture of porridges prepared from the flours. Grain decortication alone did not show an effect on the aroma and flavor profile of porridge. Extrusion cooking of both wholegrain and decorticated flours increased cereal-like aromas (branny, canned sweetcorn, sweet, and wheaty) and flavor (starchy), as well as stiffness and cohesiveness of the porridges. The porridges from the extruded pearl millet flours stored for up to 6 months at ambient and elevated temperatures did not show any indications of rancidity. In contrast, rancidity-associated aromas (chemical, painty, and soapy) and flavor (chemical) increased in porridges from the raw flours stored for 4 weeks and longer. These results indicate that grain decortication did not sufficiently reduce fat content to prevent oxidation, while extrusion cooking stabilized the pearl millet flours. In addition, intensified "cereal-like" aromas and flavors were probably due to Maillard reactions occurring during extrusion cooking. Resulting aroma compounds could have been immobilized in the extruded matrix and not released during flour storage. The application of extrusion cooking with a simple friction-heated single-screw extruder is a viable process for both precooking and extending the shelf life of pearl millet flours.Practical Application: This study demonstrates the potential of extrusion cooking to precook wholegrain pearl millet while preventing fat rancidity in wholegrain pearl millet flour, thereby improving the sensory quality and stability of pearl millet food products. The extensive sensory characterization of pearl millet porridge-type foods can serve as a guidance tool for development, improvement, and quality control of pearl millet foods. Furthermore, it establishes the efficacy of simple friction-heated, single-screw extruders for commercial manufacture of 3824
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