ABSTRACT
This study explores the pivotal roles of microbiological safety, sensory qualities, packaging efficiency, and consumer preferences in determining the success of roasted pickled fish powder (RPFP) variants in the online marketplace. The comparison of the nutritional composition of the developed RPFP variants with a commercial benchmark reveals significant differences: the protein content in the herbal flavor variant is found to be 28.97%, which is lower than the 40.17% found in the commercial benchmark, while the fat content in the spicy flavor variant is measured at 19.51%, exceeding the 10.60% present in the benchmark. Additionally, the herbal flavor boasts a superior dietary fiber content of 14.23%, highlighting the intricate relationship between nutritional content and sensory attributes, which is critical in online retail, where physical product evaluation is not possible. Our comprehensive approach, evaluating both nutritional and sensory dimensions, introduces a novel perspective to the adaptation of traditional food products for e-commerce, addressing a gap in the literature. Despite this study's limitations, including a focused market analysis and constrained sample size, our findings offer valuable insights into enhancing product quality and integrity in the digital marketplace, positioning RPFP for competitive success while suggesting directions for future research.
ABSTRACT
An extrusion process was used to improve the physical and textural characteristics of an extruded snack supplemented with soybean residue (okara). An extreme vertices mixture design with a constraint for okara flour (0−50%), mung bean flour (20−70%), and rice flour (20−80%) resulted in the production of eleven formulations. The color, radial expansion index (REI), bulk density, tribological behavior, and instrumental and sensory texture of the extruded snacks were evaluated. Increasing the quantity of okara resulted in an extrudate with a darker, redder color, decreased REI, increased bulk density, and decreased crispness. The tribological pattern of the snack was determined by its dominant composition (protein, starch, or fiber) in the flour mixture, which contributed to the stability of the lubricating film under rotational shear. A principal component analysis of sensory data captured a total of 81.9% variations in the first two dimensions. Texture appeal was inversely related to tooth packing (r = −0.646, p < 0.05). The optimized formulation for texture preference had an okara content of 19%, which was 104% crispier and 168% tougher than an okara content of 40%. This by-product of soybean milk processing can thus be used to develop gluten-free snacks with desirable physical characteristics and texture.
