Purpose
Keeping in view the diabetes status that has affected about 415 million people globally and is the leading cause of death in many countries along with therising demand for low Glycemic Index (GI) foods, the purpose of this paper is to optimize the extrusion process for the development of low GI snacks from underutilized crops like water chestnut and barley.
Design/methodology/approach
The extrusion parameters (screw speed and barrel temperature), feed moisture and water chestnut flour, barley flour proportion, were varied and their effects on system and product responses (specific mechanical energy, water absorption index, water solubility index, bulk density, expansion ratio and breaking strength) were studied.
Findings
All the system and product responses were significantly affected by independent variables. Response surface and regression models were established to determine the responses as function of process variables. Models obtained were highly significant with high coefficient of determination (R2=0.88). The optimum processing conditions obtained by numerical optimization for the development of snacks were 90°C barrel temperature, 300 rpm screw speed, 14 per cent feed moisture and WCF-to-BF ratio as 90:10. Shelf life studies confirmed that the developed snacks can be safely stored in HDPE bags for a period of six months under ambient conditions.
Originality/value
Water chestnut and barley flour did not blend till date for extrusion cooking. Such snacks shall be a viable food option for diabetic people and can act as laxative due to high fibre and β-glucan content from barley.
The present research was conducted with an aim to explore underutilized crops like water chestnut and barley for the development of low glycemic index (GI) muffins. Incorporation of barley flour (BF) had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on quality attributes and glycemic response of muffins. The resistant starch content of final product (43.5%) was also found to be higher than water chestnut (40.24%) and BF (5.18%). The study confirms that replacement of 30% of water chestnut flour (WCF) with BF is feasible for development of low GI muffins with desired sensory attributes. During storage, firmness, water activity, free fatty acid, and peroxide value of the muffins prepared from 70% WCF and 30% BF were found to increase, whereas moisture content and overall acceptability were decreased. Inference drawn from storage studies was that linear low‐density polyethene is suitable packaging material for safe storage of muffins up to 35 days.
Practical applications
Diabetes is the third largest noncommunicable disease and affects a large section of population globally. Diabetic patients are not able to consume bakery products because of their high GI which leads to upsurge in blood glucose levels. Water chestnut and BF are low in GI and can be utilized for development of low GI bakery products. Muffins prepared from water chestnut and BF can prove as a viable food item for people suffering from hyperglycemia. The modification of baking process and replacement of table sugar with nonnutritive sweeteners (mannitol and sucralose) further reduces the GI and improves its commercial applicability in the therapeutic diets. Moreover, water chestnut‐based muffins incorporated with BF can act as a laxative because of its high dietary fiber and β‐glucan content provided by BF.
PurposeThe purpose of the present study was to develop low Glycemic Index (GI) crackers from water chestnut flour (WCF) and barley flour (BF).Design/methodology/approachFive blends were prepared by mixing WCF with BF in the proportion of 100:0, 70:30, 50:50, 30:70 and 0:100, respectively. The baking process as well as ingredients were modified for the production of low GI crackers.FindingsBF incorporation had significant (p < 0.05) effect on physical characteristics, organoleptic attributes and glycemic response of crackers. The resistant starch content of final product was found to be higher than WCF and BF. The research confirmed that replacement of 30 percent WCF with BF is feasible for development of low GI crackers with desired sensory attributes. The inference drawn from storage studies was that the developed crackers can be stored safely (with an overall acceptability score of greater than three on a 5-point scale) in metallized polyethylene up to 35 days under refrigerated conditions and 28 days under ambient conditions.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough low GI crackers were developed successfully from WCF and BF in the present study. However, detailed storage studies of such crackers can be done in future so as to perform the tests of type-intensity and temporal dominance of sensation. Also, in view of their low GI, these crops need to be evaluated in future for development of other bakery products like bread, cake, muffins, etc.Practical implicationsWater chestnut and barley despite having good nutritional profile and low GI are still considered as underutilized crops. In the present study, these crops were explored for development of low GI crackers especially for people suffering from diabetes. The outcome of this study will open up a new window in the baking sector to develop low GI crackers viz-a-viz will add value to these crops which will help to provide remunerative returns to those who are directly or indirectly involved in trade of these underutilized crops.Originality/valueThis was the first reported innovative attempt to develop low GI crackers from WCF and BF. For development of crackers having desired sensory characteristics, it was found feasible to blend WCF and BF in the ratio of 70:30.
A study was conducted to develop brown rice flour (BRF) incorporated wheat-based crackers. Central composite rotatable design with three independent variables-BRF (10-40%), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (1-3%), and shortening (5-12%)produced 20 different combinations. Response surface methodology was used to study the effect of different levels of BRF, CMC, and shortenings on product characteristics like spread ratio, volume index, density, width, thickness, and puffiness. All the three independent variables significantly (p < 0.05) affected the product characteristics. However, BRF had more pronounced effect on product characteristics than other two independent variables. The optimum level of ingredients obtained by numerical optimization for development of crackers was-BRF to wheat flour ratio (10:90), CMC (1.8%), and shortening (5%). The optimized product packed in cellophane bags was found shelf stable for a period of 3 months under ambient conditions. The present study, therefore, confirms the feasibility of BRF incorporation (10%) in development of wheat-based crackers.
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