High protein, gluten-free cookies made with rice, beans and avocado

Cookies are versatile foods that can supply specific needs and can be used as food vehicles to increase the intake of various nutrients. The objective was to create a gluten-free butter cookie based on rice flour (Oryza sativa). A central composite design 22 was used for analyzing the substitution of rice flour for bean flour (Phaseolus vulgaris, L.) (0-60%) and the substitution of butter for avocado puree (Persea americana) (0-100%). Response Surface Methodology were used to analyze the data with a significance of 10% (p<0.1) and a minimum R2 of 0.6. Variables analyzed were protein content (%), fat content (%), spread ratio, weight loss (%), water activity, moisture content (%), and ash content (%). Increases in the percentage of substitution of bean flour and avocado puree increased the amount of protein, ash, and moisture significantly. Fat content increased significantly following the decrease in avocado substitution. The minimum weight loss was obtained on intermediate values of bean flour. Water activity and spread ratio were not affected by changes in the variables measured. Three different formulas were obtained for the optimization: 46% bean flour and 86% of avocado puree, a formulation with an appropriate moisture range by reducing the lipid oxidation (59% bean flour and 82% avocado puree), and a formulation with 100% avocado (40% bean flour and 100% avocado puree). Sensory evaluation results of optimized treatments indicated that the formula with 46% bean flour and 86% avocado puree presented the highest global acceptance. Results from this study showcase the possibility of producing gluten-free cookies with good protein content.

Las galletas son alimentos versátiles que pueden suplir necesidades específicas y ser utilizados como vehículos para aumentar la ingesta de distintos nutrientes. El objetivo fue elaborar galletas de mantequilla libres de gluten a base de harina de arroz. Se realizó un diseño central compuesto 22 donde se estudió la sustitución parcial de harina de arroz por harina de frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris, L.) (0-60%) y la sustitución de la mantequilla por puré de aguacate (Persea americana) (0-100%). Los resultados fueron analizados por la Metodología de Superficie de Respuesta con un nivel de significancia del 10% (p<0.1) y con un mínimo R2 de 0.6. Las variables de respuesta fueron: proteína (%), grasa (%), diámetro/altura, pérdida de peso (%), humedad (%) y cenizas (%). A valores altos de las dos variables estudiadas la cantidad de proteína, de cenizas y de humedad aumentó significativamente. La cantidad de grasa se incrementó al utilizar bajos niveles de puré de aguacate. Los menores valores de pérdida de peso se obtuvieron en niveles intermedios de harina de frijol. La relación diámetro/altura no fue afectada por las variables estudiadas. Al optimizar se obtuvieron 3 formulaciones diferentes: 46% de harina de frijol y 86% puré de aguacate; 59% de frijol y 82% de puré de aguacate y otra (no estadística) 40% de frijol y 100% de puré de aguacate. Los resultados del análisis sensorial de las muestras optimizadas indicaron que la formulación con mayor aceptación global fue la elaborada con 46% de harina de frijol y 86% de puré de aguacate, concluyendo que es posible elaborar una galleta libre de gluten y con una adecuada cantidad de proteína.

Antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties of germinated and hydrolysed Brazilian soybean flours.

The effect of germination in combination with Alcalase hydrolysis of Brazilian soybean cultivar BRS 133 on the production of soybean flours with bioactive peptides as modulators of oxidative stress and markers of inflammation was monitored. The electrophoretic profile showed a weak protein breakdown during germination. However, a strong breakdown of the proteins can be observed after the first hour of hydrolysis with Alcalase. MALDI-TOF-MS analysis of the protein extracts showed differences in the intensity and profile of peptide mass fingerprint due to germination and hydrolysis. Germinated flour showed higher soluble protein concentration and antioxidant capacity. All soybean protein extracts and protein hydrolysates produced (G0, G18 and G72) showed a significant (p<0.05) inhibition on inflammatory markers such as nitric oxide (20.5-69.3%), iNOS (22.8-93.6%), PGE(2) (64.0-88.3%), COX-2 (36.2-76.7%), and TNF-α (93.9-99.5%) in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. However, protein extracts of flours with 18 h of germination were more potent in inhibiting pro-inflammatory responses when compared to 72 h. It can be concluded that a combination of 72 h of soybean BRS 133 germination and 1h Alcalase hydrolysis resulted in the formation of bioactive compounds with more potent antioxidant activity, and improvement in the reduction of some of the markers of inflammation.

Addition of green banana flour to instant noodles: rheological and technological properties / Adição de farinha de banana verde em macarrão instantâneo: propriedades reológicas e tecnológicas

Nowadays, there is considerable concern about the consumption of high fat and low fiber foods. The objective was to develop instant noodles (IN) with functional properties by adding 10 percent green banana flour (GBF), and determine the effect of this on the dough rheological properties. Noodles were obtained through sheeting, steaming and frying process. The IN were characterized for their moisture, fat, resistant starch (RS), texture and color. The proximate composition showed that GBF was rich in ash (3.16 percent), fiber (8.88 percent) and RS (45.70 percent), being an attractive raw material for the production of functional IN. When 10 percent GBF was added, rheological properties of dough changed because of dilution of gluten, making it weaker, but with enough extensibility and elasticity for functional IN production. The addition of 10 percent GBF significantly reduced the oil content in all the frying times, when compared to the control noodles, increasing also RS content. Ban10 noodles showed a lower L* value (78.12), indicating a darker color than the control noodles (92.36). In analyzing the firmness of Ban10 noodles, a decrease was observed due to dilution of gluten. However, Ban10 noodles showed a better nutritional profile due to the increase in ash and dietary fiber contents. In conclusion it can be affirmed that Ban10 noodles can be considered as functional IN, due to the presence of fiber (5.79 percent) and RS (3.98 percent) contents in the final product.

Atualmente, existe uma preocupação com relação ao consumo de alimentos com alto teor de gordura e baixo em fibras. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se desenvolver macarrão instantâneo com propriedades funcionais através da adição de 10 por cento de farinha de banana verde (FBV) e determinar os efeitos nas propriedades reológicas da massa. Os macarrões instantâneos foram obtidos por processos de laminação, cozimento a vapor e fritura. Os macarrões foram caracterizados quanto à umidade, gordura, amido resistente, textura e cor. A composição centesimal mostrou que a FBV contém alto teor de cinzas (3,16 por cento), fibras (8,88 por cento) e amido resistente (45,70 por cento), sendo uma matéria-prima interessante na produção de macarrão instantâneo funcional. Quando adicionado 10 por cento de FBV à farinha de trigo as propriedades reológicas da massa foram alteradas, em razão da diluição do glúten, tornando-o mais fraco, mas com extensibilidade e elasticidade suficiente para a produção de macarrão instantâneo funcional. A adição de FBV reduziu significativamente o teor de gordura em todos os tempos de fritura e aumentou o teor de amido resistente, quando comparado ao macarrão instantâneo controle. Os macarrões Ban10 apresentaram um menor valor no parâmetro L* (78,12), indicando uma coloração mais escura do que o controle (92,36). A adição de FBV diminuiu a firmeza dos macarrões, em decorrência da diluição do glúten. No entanto, os macarrões Ban10 apresentaram um melhor perfil nutricional, pelo aumento no teor de cinzas e fibra alimentar total. Em conclusão, pode ser afirmado que os macarrões Ban10 podem ser considerados funcionais, em razão do teor alto de fibra (5,79 por cento) e de amido resistente (3,98 por cento).