Improvement of Texture, Nutritional Qualities, and Consumers’ Perceptions of Sorghum-Based Sourdough Bread Made with Pediococcus pentosaceus and Weissella confusa Strains

Enriched gluten-free products are in high demand owing to increasing celiac disease worldwide. Sourdough fermentation can improve the quality of gluten-free cereals, rendering the resulting product beneficial as a functional food. This study produced sorghum bread (SB) using sourdough technology and evaluated the texture, nutrition profile, bioactive components, and sensory attributes of the product. The base formula was composed of sorghum flour and corn starch. Sourdough made with Pediococcus pentosaceus LD7 (PL7), P. pentosaceus SA8 (PS8), or Weissella confusa SD8 (WS8) was added at a 20% substitution level for bread production, while bread without sourdough addition was used as the control sample. The texture profiles of the SB were significantly (p ˂ 0.05) softer than that of the control. The sourdough breads possessed higher crude protein, ash, and dietary fibre contents than the control bread. Tannin and total phenol contents were significantly (p ˂ 0.05) higher in the sourdough breads compared to the control sample. The specific volume of the sample made with PS8 sourdough was the highest at 2.50 cm3/g compared to the other samples (2.17–2.46 cm3/g). The sourdough samples had higher scores for taste, texture, aroma, and overall acceptability than the control, with PL7 SB exhibiting the best overall acceptability (6.56). This study established promising use of sourdough with starters as an ingredient for baked products with improved technological and nutritional attributes as well as consumer acceptability.

Effect of the Addition of Thyme “Thymus vulgaris” Leaves on the Sensory and Nutritional Quality of Lamb Meat

Background: The shelf life of meat products can be increased by adding synthetic antioxidants. These antioxidants have long been used, but their safety has recently come into dispute due to a suspected carcinogenic potential. This is why meat technologies have extracted new natural antioxidants from spices and herbs, which are the best alternatives to synthetic compounds. So, the addition of natural flavors (essential oils, powder or extract of aromatic plants) to the meat can improve organoleptic quality and consumer acceptability. Methods: This study was conducted to evaluate the physicochemical and organoleptic qualities of meat fortified with thyme powder. With this purpose, 16 samples from four muscles of legs from 4 lambs were used in this work. The muscles were divided into two groups, control group (meat without any supplementation) and thyme group (meat supplemented with thyme). In this later group, a dose of 5% of ground thyme dry leaves was added to the meat. Result: Results showed no significant differences were found among groups for cooking loss, but was slightly higher for meat treated with thymus (33.29 vs. 28.36%). No significant differences between the two groups were observed for the ash, fat and crude protein contents of the meat. At the same manner, no effect was observed on meat lightness (L) and yellowness (b*) (P greater than 0.05), on the contrary, redness (a*) of the meat was affected by addition of thyme (11.28±1.23 vs. 23.06±9.80). Also, significant (P less than 0.05) differences were observed in texture scores, flavor, color and taste between control and the 5% thyme-supplemented meat samples. The overall acceptability of supplemented meat samples was highest (P≤0.05) as compared to control (5.91±2.32 vs. 4.35±2.66). In conclusion, addition of thyme leaves did not affect the physical and chemical properties of meat, except for redness and improved sensory quality.

Fortification of cassava starch with coconut residue: effects on flours’ functional properties and products’ (Tapioca meals) nutritional and sensory qualities

Consumers are show interest in plant-based by-products due to their potential health-promoting properties. Coconut residue is food waste from coconut milk that is potentially rich in bioactive compounds, protein and dietary fibre. The effects of substituting cassava starch with coconut residue on the functional properties (bulk density, water absorption and swelling indexes), proximate composition, the energy value of flour, and sensory characteristics of tapioca grit's meal were studied. Cassava starch was mixed with coconut residue powder in five formulations that had 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% of coconut residue powder, before being made into tapioca grits. The results showed that the bulk density, water absorption and swelling indexes decreased, whilst protein increased with the increasing addition of coconut residue. The colour of tapioca meals did not have any pronounced change in colour due to added coconut residue. Sensory results showed that tapioca samples fortified with 30% coconut residue was the most preferred with ranking in terms of aroma (8.7), overall acceptability (8.7) and willingness to buy (8.6) compared to other samples. Fortifying cassava starch with food waste like coconut residue improved the protein and fibre contents, and enhanced value addition and food product (tapioca meal) sensory quality.

Effect of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) Supplementation on Physical and Chemical Properties of Semolina (Triticum durum) Based Fresh Pasta

Taking into account that many advantages have been associated with the consumption of spirulina (microalgae) in terms of antioxidant capacity, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging activities, the study focuses on spirulina supplementation of semolina-based pasta. Fresh pasta was prepared by mixing semolina flour (Triticum durum) with an addition of 3, 5, 7, and 10% (w/w) of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) powder. Physicochemical and nutritional analyses were done on raw materials, and on fresh pasta before and after cooking. Sensorial analysis was done shortly after cooking pastas. Spirulina had a high content of protein (71.34%), with all the essential amino acids, a high total fiber (8.45%), as well as ash content (5.93%), which significantly increased the nutritional value of the obtained fresh pasta. Supplemented pastas have a significantly better amino acid profile and higher total fiber content (up to 2.99 g/100 g d.m.) than the control sample. Moreover, the addition of spirulina had a significant effect on the pasta's color, weight gain, and cooking loss after being cooked. The addition of spirulina also affected the scores obtained for the individual parameters (texture, color, flavor, taste, and overall acceptability) of the sensory evaluation.

Effects of Storage Conditions on Quality Change of Minimally Dried Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) Bulbs

Quality of minimally processed jackfruit bulb was evaluated during storage at different storage times, temperatures, and types of packaging. The jackfruit pulps were first dried at 45 °C, stored in polypropylene plastics, zipper bags and plastic boxes. Quality parameters were evaluated every 5 days and based on phytochemical changes such as vitamin C, polyphenol, and antioxidant activity. Results revealed that polypropylene plastics were the best packaging product for retention of vitamin C content (5.837 mg/100g) antioxidant activity (7.458%) and phenolic compounds (2526.603mg/100g) after 30 days of storage. Figures for plastic boxes were 5.641 mg/100g, 5.249% and 2361.657 mg/100g, respectively. Similarly, zipper bags were 5.32 mg/100g, 5.895 % and 2173.867 mg/100g respectively. Sensory evaluation in terms of taste, color, texture, and overall acceptability showed that polypropylene packaging gave favorable scores and the products were highly accepted by trained evaluators.

Physical, nutritional, textural and sensory qualities of Turkish noodles produced with siyez wheat (Triticum monococcum), kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) and chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.)

In this study, physical (cooking time, water ab-sorption, cooking loss and color), chemical (proximate composition, pH, total phe-nolic content, mineral mat-ter (Ca, K, Fe, Mg and Zn)), textural (hardness and adhe-siveness) and sensory (col-or, taste, flavor, appearance, hardness, adhesiveness and overall acceptability) attrib-utes were determined in dif-ferent types of noodles pro-duced from siyez wheat flour, kale powder and chia seed mucilage. Results were statistically evaluated using SAS software. The optimal cooking time for the noo-dles were 20 min and cook-ing loss varied between 8.36-12.22%. Kale powder and chia mucilage addition decreased L* and a* values of the noodles. Ash, crude fiber, mineral matter and total phenolic contents of the noodles were higher and fat contents of the noodles were lower than the control sample. Hardness and adhe-siveness of the noodles were decreased by addition of the kale powder at 10%. The noodles with higher hard-ness and lower adhesiveness were preferred by the panel-ists in sensory evaluation. Increasing the kale powder level in the noodle formula-tion from 5% to 10% result-ed in higher color scores. However, the control sam-ple was the most preferred sample in terms of taste.

Preparation of Whey-Based Banana Beverage and its Quality Evaluation

A value-added functional beverage was formulated utilizing unprocessed whey with excellent nutritional qualities and bland flavors; along with banana juice and the required amount of sugar. Five different formulations were prepared with varying proportions of whey, banana juice, and sugar. Sensory analysis was carried out for all five formulations and based on statistical analysis the one which showed the highest value for body, color, flavor, taste, and overall acceptability was selected for further analysis (85% liquid whey and 15% banana juice). The shelf-life of the final product was observed for 30 days at room temperature (25±5°C) and refrigerated temperature (7±1ºC). A significant variation in body, color, flavor, taste, and overall acceptability were observed by varying the composition of whey and banana juice (p<0.05). The beverage was pasteurized at 82.5°C for 20 min and stored at normal (25±5°C) and refrigerated (7±1°C) for 30 days. The effects of storage time and temperature on physicochemical (TSS, pH, acidity) and microbial (TPC, yeast & mold count) properties were evaluated. Out of five formulations, the one selected via sensory analysis had TSS of 12.4°Bx, total solids 14.21%, 0.302% acidity, pH 5.72, 5.087% reducing sugar, 0.53% protein, 0.56% ash, 0.87% crude fiber, 184.43mg potassium (mg/100gm) and 0.912mg vitamin C in 100 ml. The prepared beverage was stored for 30 days under refrigerated and normal conditions, and changes in TSS, pH and acidity were observed: 12.413.3%, 5.72-5.214, 0.32-0.43%, and 12.4-13.8%, 5.72-4.64, 0.32-0.68% respectively. Overall analysis showed that the beverage prepared with 85% liquid whey and 15% banana juice could be stored for 30 days under refrigerated conditions without the addition of preservatives.

Effect of Proteolytic Enzymes (Bromelain and Papain) on Sensory and Chemical Quality of Sukuti (an Indigenous Dried Meat Product of Nepal)

The present work was undertaken to compare the effect of bromelain and papain on the sensory quality of sukuti (Nepalese indigenous dried buffalo meat). Buffalo lean meat (round cut) was purchased from the local market of Dharan and used for the preparation of sukuti after injection of 10% m/m enzyme (bromelain and papain) solution at the concentration (0-100 mg/L) and resting for 4h followed by drying at 65°C up to the moisture of 5%. The optimized concentration of each enzyme was selected by sensory evaluation based on color, flavor, texture, and overall acceptability. The proximate composition, collagen content, and collagen solubility were studied for two optimized samples with enzyme treatment and control. The best tenderizing effect of papain and bromelain enzyme was found at 40 mg/L and 10 mg/L respectively from the sensory analysis and the sensory attributes for these concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) higher than other samples. The soluble collagen content increased from 0.44 mg/g tissue in untreated meat to 0.52 for bromelain treated and to 0.98 mg/g for papain treated samples. The collagen solubility for the untreated sample was 4.74% which increases to 7.80% for bromelain and 13.82% for papain-treated samples. The protein content of optimized papain and bromelain treated samples was significantly decreased (p<0.05) from 82.44 to 80.25% and 81.43% respectively for papain and bromelain treated samples. There were no significant changes in fat, ash, and moisture on enzyme treatment.

The Effect of Cooking Method and Cooked Color on Consumer Acceptability of Boneless Pork Chops

The objective was to determine the effects of sous-vide cooking and degree of doneness on consumer eating experience of pork chops when cooked color was expected to differ. The hypothesis was consumers would prefer a cooked brown color and would rate grilled chops more acceptable than sous-vide chops. Chops were cooked to 63 °C or 71 °C using either an open-hearth grill or a sous-vide device. Participants evaluated four samples for tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and overall acceptability. Participants rated a greater percentage of chops cooked sous-vide at 63 °C as tender (82.82%), juicy (55.83%) and acceptable (60.34%) compared with all other cooking method and degree of doneness combinations. Participants rated a greater percentage of sous-vide chops as tender and acceptable compared to grilled chops. Participants rated a greater percentage of chops cooked to 63 °Cas tender, juicy, flavorful, and acceptable when compared to 71 °C. Even when participants could visualize cooked color, they preferred chops cooked to 63 °C compared with chops cooked to 71 °C. Overall, participants preferred chops cooked to 63 °C compared to 71 °C regardless of the cooking method and preferred chops cooked to 63 °C using the sous-vide cooking method the most among all treatments.

Aloe vera based cookies as a functional food

Cookies are one of the most widely consumed food products that are high in demand worldwide. Based on this fact, an attempt was made to develop the cookies by adding aloe vera gel due to its functional properties. The study was focused on the quality characterization of aloe vera-based cookies in terms of nutritional and sensory attributes. To find out the best formulation, the proximate composition and sensory analysis of biscuits containing 10%, 20% and 30% aloe vera gel were determined. For overall acceptability, cookies with 20% aloe vera gel were found best compared to the cookies containing 20% and 30% aloe vera gel. Aloe vera-based biscuits may also be helpful for most vulnerable populations in developing countries due to their functional properties. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.56(4), 293-298, 2021