Characterization and utilization of nixtamalised rice flours in the production of cake

In an attempt to provide an alternate rice processing technique and enhance its nutritional quality, Faro 52 (Upland) and Nerica 8 (Lowland) rice grains were subjected to nixtamalisation involving cooking and soaking in a lime solution. The proximate composition, functional properties and pasting characteristics of the nixtamalised and nonnixtamalised rice flours were evaluated. Cakes produced with the rice flours were also subjected to sensory evaluation. Nixtamalisation significantly increased the protein content of upland (NUPRF) and lowland (NLLRF) rice flours by 28.19% and 27.80%, respectively. Nixtamalisation also enhanced the water absorption capacity of the rice flours, while the oil absorption capacity increased significantly. Pasting viscosities of all the nixtamalised flours were lower than their non-nixtamalised samples, while the pasting temperature increased. Nixtamalised rice cakes were not significantly different in colour, texture, flavour and overall acceptability from non-nixtamalised rice cakes. Nixtamalisation may be beneficial in rice processing for enhanced nutritional content and functionality, and the flour may be useful as a thickener and binder in food systems and the production of acceptable cakes.

Effect of Alternative Preservatives on the Quality of Rice Cakes as Halal Food

The halal food market is steadily increasing. The use of alcohol for any reason is strictly prohibited in halal foods; however, ethanol is widely used as a preservative for commercial rice cakes (tteok). The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of natural substances as alternative preservatives for rice cakes. Four different solutions were tested: distilled water (control), ethanol, grapefruit seed extract (GSE), and a mixture of citric extracts and organic acids (MCO). We investigated the total plate count (TPC), yeast and mold counts, color, texture profile assays (TPA), and sensory evaluation. Significant reductions of 3.65 log CFU were observed in TPC in rice cake treated with MCO solution after 28 days of storage. However, mold and yeast counts were only reduced by ethanol treatment. Among the physical texture properties analysis, hardness was maintained for the 28 days in all samples. The total color difference values (ΔE) revealed no significant color changes in any rice cake compared to the controls. The ethanol-treated rice cake scored the lowest for overall preference and desired hardness.

Residual characteristics of etofenprox in the processing stages of rice cakes and cookies

The changes in residual amounts of an insecticide (etofenprox) in processed rice cakes and cookies were investigated in this study. Test samples were sprayed with etofenprox during rice cultivation, and brown rice samples were dipped in a pesticide solution to investigate the effects of washing and processing. A multiresidue method for multiclass pesticides was employed for etofenprox analysis using a high-performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet detector setup. Etofenprox was not detected in polished rice that was processed into rice cakes and cookies. The etofenprox residue levels were 2.13 mg/kg in each processing stage of brown rice products that were dipped in 400 mg/kg etofenprox solutions. The residual amounts of etofenprox in washed/polished rice and rice flour obtained by grinding were 1.25 and 0.77 mg/kg, respectively. The residual levels were 0.38 mg/kg in rice cakes prepared by cooking rice flour in a steamer for 20 min (a decrease of 82.1% compared to that in polished rice), 0.47 mg/kg in rice cookies baked in an oven for 20 min (a decrease of 78.0%), and 0.21 mg/kg in fried rice cookies (a decrease of 90.2%). Overall, the residual levels of etofenprox decreased in a range of 40–100% during the processing of rice cakes and cookies.