Addition of Chickpea Flour in Durum Wheat Flour Makes Tortilla More Nutritious and Palatable, and Technologically Acceptable.

In order to contribute to the reduction of nutritional deficiencies in Morocco, this study was undertaken to develop a healthier tortilla with higher iron and protein, while maintaining adequate technological and sensory qualities. Composite durum wheat flour enriched with 20, 25, 30, and 35% chickpea flour was assessed for nutritional, functional, and technological properties. Then, we selected two composite blends of 75:25 and 70:30 of durum wheat and chickpea flours for making tortillas to study nutritional, technological, and sensorial qualities. In addition, we studied the effects of making and cooking process and storage time. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used for data analysis, and GraphPad Prism was used to create graphs. The results showed that composite tortilla had significantly higher nutritional value than durum wheat tortilla, and the best ratio was 30% chickpea flour. At this ratio, the results showed the best cooking time and the best yellowness, but tortilla fluffiness and puffiness decreased. Tortilla processing significantly increased protein at 30% chickpea flour, while minerals except sodium, weight, and diameter decreased. Adding 30% chickpea flour to durum wheat tortilla improved flavor. Then, storage decreased the weight resulting in decreased flexibility, and sanitary quality was lost early for 30% chickpea flour. In conclusion, adding 30% chickpea flour to durum wheat flour results in a healthier and tastier tortilla, which should be consumed fresh.

Nutritional and Technological Optimization of Wheat-Chickpea- Milk Powder Composite Flour and Its Impact on Rheological and Sensorial Properties of Leavened Flat Bread.

Flour quality is influenced by the nature of the gluten and its various components. Gluten free flour made of pulses is known to enhance the nutritional quality of wheat flour. However, its addition can compromise the rheological and sensorial attributes of the bread. We used mixture design to optimize nutritional and technological qualities of a wheat-chickpea flour blend by adding milk powder as a natural organoleptic improver. A total of thirteen flour blends were prepared by incorporating 10 to 30% chickpea flour and 10 to 20% milk powder to wheat flour. Our results showed that the optimal flour blend consisted of 60% wheat, 24% chickpea, and 16% milk powder. Farinographic parameters of the optimal dough blend remained on par with those of the control dough (100% wheat flour), thereby preserving its bread-making quality. Sensory analysis of breads made from the optimal flour blend revealed no significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) from wheat flour for crumb and chewiness. Appreciation was brought to the appearance, crust, aroma, and taste in the optimized bread. This study suggests that chickpea flour can be suitably incorporated into bread wheat flour up to a percentage of 24% with 16% milk powder to produce bread with optimal nutritional quality while improving its sensory attributes and consumer acceptability.

Nutritional and technological assessment of durum wheat-faba bean enriched flours, and sensory quality of developed composite bread.

Faba beans are acknowledged as a good source of proteins, minerals, fibers, vitamins and antioxidants. A blending study was undertaken in order to prepare naturally bread from enriched flours with added nutritional value, mainly in terms of Iron and proteins. Enriched flours were prepared with varied levels (25, 30, 35 and 40%) of whole faba bean flour to assess the effects of this substitution on their nutritional and technological properties. Then, whole durum wheat bread (regular) and enriched bread at 40% substitution level (composite bread) were prepared and subjected to sensory evaluation. The substitution level of composite bread was selected on the basis of Iron and proteins contents and technological results of the flour blends. Nutritionally, except for moisture, fibers, fat, zinc and sodium values, significant (p < 0.05) increases were showed in ash, proteins, minerals, total phenolic compounds, condensed tannins, total flavonoids and anti-radical activity values. Technologically, significant (p < 0.05) decreases were recorded for lightness and whiteness index. The gluten strength value revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease as whole faba bean flour was added. On the sensory level, the level of substitution (40%) chosen for the manufacture of composite bread resulted in acceptable bread by consumers. Moreover, composite bread was most preferred in aroma as it imparts a feeling of satiety. The observed nutritional improvements could be useful for malnourished people, including those having Iron and proteins deficiencies. Technologically, the observed changes didn't present limitations since composite bread was accepted by consumers even at 40% substitution level. Besides, the slight preference of composite bread aroma might encourage its consumption by consumers. Also, its promotion of satiety is important for gluten sensitivity sufferers. Our results suggested that 40% is the appropriate ratio to increase, at the same time, Iron and proteins contents of enriched flours as well as their overall nutritional quality. Also it was possible to produce natural composite bread at this level (40%) while maintaining adequate technological and sensory quality.

Characterization of genetic diversity and population structure of Moroccan lentil cultivars and landraces using molecular markers.

Knowledge of genetic diversity and population structure is a crucial step for an efficient use of available material in a plant breeding program and for germplasm conservation strategies. Current study undertakes an assessment of the genetic variations and population structure of Moroccan lentil including nine landraces and eight released varieties using sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) and random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD) markers. Results revealed that the two markers used have a good efficiency to assess genetic diversity in lentil. A total of 115 and 90 bands were respectively scored for SRAP and RAPD, of which 98.3% and 93.3% were polymorphic. The polymorphic information content values were 0.350 with SRAP and 0.326 with RAPD. Analysis of molecular variance based on the combined data sets of both markers revealed lower variations within (35%) than among (65%) landraces (PhiPT = 0.652), implying significant genetic differentiation between landraces. Principal coordinate analysis and the ascendant hierarchical classification clustered samples into groups that were consistent with the geographical origin of the cultivars. Population structure corroborated the main groups and confirmed the high differentiation among them. Moroccan lentil germplasm showed a wide genetic diversity that might be conserved and assessed for tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses.