A Descriptive Study of Spanish and Ecuadorian Commercial Infant Cereals: Are They in Line with Current Recommendations?

Cereals are an important source of nutrients, especially used in complementary feeding. The objective of this study is to review the nutritional composition of cereal-based foods for infants from 4 months and toddlers that are offered in Spain and Ecuador, countries selected because of the opportunity to work in them, and due to their socio-economic differences (industrialized and developing countries, respectively). The number of these products was 105 cereals in Spain and 22 in Ecuador. The products were classified as gluten-free cereals, five cereals, eight cereals, multigrain cereals, and cookies. A 25 g serving was used to determine the percentage in which the samples analyzed can cover the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) for micronutrients in infants from 7 months and toddlers according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Nutritional information per 100 g of dry product was collected according to medium, minimum, and maximum units, and nutrient density was calculated. The age range in which these products are recommended is different in both countries. The nutritional composition presents some differences; Spanish cereals show a lower content of sodium, added sugars, hydrolyzed cereals, and maltodextrin than Ecuadorian cereals. Commercialized cereals could contribute to satisfying the nutritional needs of infants and toddlers; however, they can also be a source of non-recommended components.

Evaluation of Cookies Enriched with Osmodehydrated Wild Garlic from Nutritional and Sensory Aspects.

In the present study, the nutritional and sensory properties of spelt cookies without wild garlic, cookies with fresh wild garlic, cookies with osmodehydrated wild garlic in sugar beet molasses, and cookies with osmodehydrated wild garlic in an aqueous solution of sucrose and salt were evaluated and compared. The tested cookie samples were characterized in terms of total antioxidative activity, the total content of phenols, flavonoids, and thiosulfates, the presence of dominant phenols, the content of betaine and dietary fiber, antioxidant activity after in vitro digestion, and sensory attributes for appearance, taste, smell, and texture. The results proved that the addition of wild garlic leaves osmodehydrated in molasses provided the cookies with the best nutritional and bioactive properties: 1.75 times higher total phenols content, 2.4 times higher total flavonoids content, 1.52 times higher total thiosulfates content, and 1.56 times higher betaine content, and a total quality increase of 54% compared to the control cookies. The cookies enriched with osmodehydrated wild garlic in molasses were rated as pleasant and acceptable, but also more complex compared to other cookies. The production of this nutritionally and sensory-improved cookie would contribute to expanding the assortment of flour confectionery products, especially for consumers who care about health and nutrition.

Application of supercritical carbon dioxide to enhance the aroma of whole sorghum flour for use in 3D printing of sorghum cookies.

Sorghum is a promising ingredient for new food products due to its high fiber content, slow digestibility, drought resistance, and gluten-free nature. One of the main challenges in sorghum-based products is the unpleasant aroma compounds found in grain sorghum. Therefore, in this study, sorghum flour was treated via supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) to remove undesired aroma compounds. The resulting SC-CO2-treated flours were used to generate dough for 3D food printing. At the optimized conditions, sorghum cookies were 3D-printed using 60 % water and a nozzle diameter of 1.5 mm. All dough samples produced with untreated and SC-CO2-treated sorghum flours exhibited shear-thinning behavior. Changing the treatment pressure (8-15 MPa) or temperature (40-60 °C) did not significantly affect the viscosity of the dough samples. Moreover, the sorghum cookie doughs had higher G' and G″ values after the SC-CO2 treatments (G' > G″). Doughs generated from flours treated at 15 MPa - 40 °C and 8 MPa - 60 °C showed lower adhesiveness compared to the ones produced from untreated flour, whereas 15 MPa - 60 °C treatment did not affect the adhesiveness. After baking, the 3D-printed cookies from SC-CO2-treated flour exhibited significantly lower redness (a*), but the hardness of the cookies was not affected by SC-CO2 treatment. Overall, the SC-CO2 treatment of sorghum flour did not negatively affect the quality parameters of the 3D-printed cookies while enhancing the aroma of the flour.

Flour Functionality, Nutritional Composition, and In Vitro Protein Digestibility of Wheat Cookies Enriched with Decolourised Moringa oleifera Leaf Powder.

This study investigated the potential of decolourised Moringa oleifera leaf powder (D-MOLP) in cookies to meet consumer demand for healthier food options, addressing the issue of low acceptability due to its green colour. D-MOLP and its non-decolourised counterpart (ND-MOLP) were incorporated into wheat flour to produce cookies. The results showed that neither decolourisation nor addition level (2.5 or 7.5%) significantly affected water activity or flour functionality, though slight differences in cookie colour were observed. The Moringa-enriched cookies exhibited an improved spread ratio as well as higher protein, phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and in vitro protein digestibility compared to control cookies. The detected phenolic acids included chlorogenic, ferulic, and fumaric acids, with the D-MOLP cookies showing superior nutritional properties, likely due to nutrient concentration and reduced antinutrients. Notably, glutamic acid was the major amino acid in all the cookies, but only lysine significantly increased across the cookie types. This suggests D-MOLP could be a promising alternative for food enrichment. Future research should address the consumer acceptability, volatile components, and shelf-life of D-MOLP-enriched cookies.

Influence of Mulberry Leaf Powder Additive on Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Wheat and Rice Flour Butter Cookies.

People of all age groups consume cookies every day. Consumers' preferences for cookies supplemented with functional plant raw materials have recently increased. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the influence of a mulberry leaf additive on the proximate and mineral compositions, total phenolic and total chlorophyll content, antioxidant activity, and the hardness and color properties of butter cookies. Wheat and rice flour butter cookies were prepared by replacing the flour with mulberry leaf powder at 0, 4, 8, and 12% (w/w). The results revealed that the investigated chemical and physical characteristics of butter cookies depend on the flour used (rice or wheat) and the addition of mulberry leaf powder. Wheat and rice flour cookies with 12% mulberry leaf powder had the significantly highest contents of fiber (20.34 and 20.23%, respectively), ash (1.73 and 1.75%, respectively), K (170.22 and 160.22 mg 100 g-1, respectively), and Ca (170.45 and 160.68 mg 100 g-1, respectively). The rice flour cookies enriched with 12% leaf powder had the greatest amounts of total phenolics (1.48 mg 100 g-1), Zn (12.25 mg kg-1), Mn (6.28 mg kg-1), Cu (1.95 mg kg-1), and antioxidant activity (67.98%). However, the wheat cookies without mulberry leaf powder contained the most B (9.12 mg kg-1), while the no-added rice cookies contained the most Fe (14.30 mg kg-1). Replacing flour with leaf powder increased the cookies' hardness and decreased their lightness. In conclusion, enriching butter cookies with freeze-dried mulberry leaves can improve their nutritional value and antioxidant activity.

Utilization of Sustainable Ingredients (Cañihua Flour, Whey, and Potato Starch) in Gluten-Free Cookie Development: Analysis of Technological and Sensorial Attributes.

In recent years, the consumption of gluten-free products has increased due to the increasing prevalence of celiac disease and the increased preference for gluten-free diets. This study aimed to make cookies using a mixture of cañihua flour, whey, and potato starch. The use of a Box-Behnken design allowed for flexible ingredient proportions and physicochemical properties, centesimal composition, color, texture, and sensory attributes to be evaluated through consumer tests (Sorting and acceptability). The results highlighted significant variations in physicochemical data, composition, color, and texture across formulations. The blend with 38.51% cañihua flour, 10.91% sweet whey, 25.69% potato starch, 8.34% margarine, 11.10% sugar, 0.19% sodium chloride, 0.51% baking powder, 0.51% vanilla essence, and 4.24% egg exhibited superior sensory appeal. This formulation boasted excellent texture, aroma, flavor, color, and appearance, indicating high sensory and physicochemical quality. The use of cañihua flour, sweet whey, and potato starch not only provides a gluten-free option but also delivers a nutritious and sensorily pleasing choice for those with dietary restrictions. Future research could explore the commercial viability of producing these cookies on a larger scale, as well as investigating the potential health benefits of these ingredients.

Berry anthocyanins prevent α-dicarbonyls and advanced glycation end product formation in phosphate-buffered saline-based model systems, cookie and ground pork.

α-Dicarbonyls and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are the heat-induced potential toxicants commonly found in thermally processed foods due to the Maillard reaction. Research has shown that both α-dicarbonyls and AGEs can cause oxidative stress and inflammation and have a positive link with several chronic diseases, such as diabetes. This study found that commonly consumed berry fruits exhibited excellent methylglyoxal (MGO)-trapping and antiglycative activities, positively associated with their total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Blackcurrant exhibited the strongest MGO-trapping and antiglycative activities among the tested berry fruits. In addition, we demonstrated that fortification with blackcurrant significantly reduced α-dicarbonyls and AGEs formation in the chocolate cookies and marinated ground pork. Delphinidin and cyanidin glycosides were identified as the primary bioactive compounds of blackcurrant that trapped MGO to form the corresponding mono- and di-MGO adducts. This study suggested that blackcurrant anthocyanins might serve as a novel additive to reduce the consumption of dietary reactive carbonyl species and AGEs from both animal- and plant-derived processed foods. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The levels of α-dicarbonyls and advanced glycation end products in ground pork and cookies were significantly reduced when fortified with blackcurrant. The blackcurrant anthocyanins might be a novel agent inhibiting α-dicarbonyls and dietary advanced glycation end products formation in thermally processed foods.

Evaluación de galletas a base de harina de quinua(Chenopodium quinoa) y maíz (Zea mays) empleandodiferentes hidrocoloides / Evaluation of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and corn (Zea mays) flour-basedcookies using different hydrocolloids

Introducción: La quinua (Chenopodium quinoa), es un pseudocereal andino, el maíz (Zea mays L.) es uno de los principales cultivos del mundo, en la antigüedad se empleaba para la alimentación de las personas de sectores rurales y para dieta animal, ambos cereales tienes las propiedades para poder ser industrializados en el área de repostería como es el caso de las galletas Objetivo: Evaluar las formulaciones de galletas a base de harina de quinua (chenopodium quinoa) y maíz (zea mays) empleando diferentes hidrocoloides Materiales y métodos: Para la elaboración de las galletas se empleó un Diseños Completamente al Azar (D.C.A), con modelo factorial AxB, donde Factor A= Tipo de harina (quinua y maíz), Factor B= Hidrocoloides Resultados: La concentración del 60 % harina de quinua + harina de maíz 40 % + goma xantana, situó los mejores valores para las características fisicoquímicas. Sin embargo, el T5= 40 % harina de quinua + harina de maíz 60 % + goma xantana, obtuvo la mejor valoración en los perfiles sensoriales (color, textura, sabor y aceptabilidad), en cuanto a los análisis microbiológicos no se encontró presencia de E. coli, levaduras y mohosConclusión: En cuanto los resultados fisicoquímicos, se demostró que los tratamientos presentaron una humedad dentro de límites permisibles por la Norma Técnica Ecuatoriana INEN 2 085:2005. Galletas, Requisitos. Por su parte, el T2 resalto en el contenido de proteína (8.12 %) y carbohidratos (64.46 %). El T5 obtuvo mejores atributos sensoriales, Así mismo el análisis microbiológico presentó ausencia en E. coli, levaduras y mohos.(AU)

Introduction: Quinoa is a pseudocereal of high nutritionalvalue, rich in proteins, lipids, fiber, vitamins and gluten-free.On the other hand, corn is a cereal that is characterized by itshigh production and commercialization. In ancient times, it was used to feed people in rural areas and for animal feed. Itis important to point out that both cereals have the propertiesand characteristics to be used as raw material in the elabora-tion of food products.Objective: To evaluate the physicochemical and sensorycharacteristics of quinoa (C. quinoa) and corn (Z mays) flour-based cookies using different hydrocolloids.Materials and methods: For the production of the cook-ies, a completely randomized design (CRD) was used with anA*B factorial model, where factor A = quinoa flour/corn flourratio and factor B = hydrocolloids.Results: The concentration of 60% quinoa flour + 40%corn flour + xanthan gum gave the best values for the physic-ochemical characteristics. However, T5, which corresponds to40% quinoa flour + 60% corn flour + xanthan gum, obtainedthe best evaluation in the sensory profiles (color, texture, fla-vor and acceptability). In terms of microbiological analysis, noE. coli, yeasts or molds were found. For this reason, the safetyof the raw material and the final product is guaranteed.Conclusion: As for the physicochemical analyses, thetreatments presented a moisture content within the limits es-tablished by the Ecuadorian Technical Standard INEN 2085,requirements for cookies. Therefore, it is concluded that byincluding 60% quinoa flour + 40% corn flour + xanthan gum,the protein (8.12%) and carbohydrate (64.46%) content in-creased considerably. While the use of 40% quinoa flour +60% corn flour + xanthan gum allowed intensifying the sen-sory attributes, obtaining the best results. In addition, it wasdetermined that the raw material and final product is innocu-ous and free of microorganisms, being suitable for human consumption.(AU)

Production and Characterization of Snacks Utilizing Composite Flour from Unripe Plantain (Musa paradisiaca), Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis), and Cinnamon (Cinnamomum venum).

This study aimed to assess the characteristics of flour and cookies produced from composite plantain, breadfruit, and cinnamon blends. Six samples were created by combining the flours (Plantain, Breadfruit, and Cinnamon Composite (PBC)) in the following proportions: 100:0:0, 0:100:0, 65:30:5, 70:25:5, 75:20:5, and 80:15:5. The flours were subjected to proximate, functional, and color analyses using standard methods. The results obtained included moisture content (7.13-9.56%), ash (6.37-7.14%), protein (8.38-12.62%), fat (8.36-12.92%), crude fiber (6.54-7.52%), and carbohydrate (51.84-60.83%). The functional properties of the flour included bulk density (0.66-0.80 g/mol), water absorption capacity (1.91-2.87%), oil absorption capacity (0.88-1.91%), swelling power (3.89-5.30), solubility index (0.01-0.04%), dispersibility (48.55-66.05%), tannin content (1.71-3.98 mg/g), and phytate content (1.57-3.35 mg/g). The analyses revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the proximate composition of the cookie samples. The values ranged from 6.19 to 7.99% for moisture content, 16.06 to 24.75% for crude fat, 3.10 to 8.13% for crude ash, 3.62 to 7.15% for crude fiber, 8.18 to 10.99% for crude protein, and 43.82 to 59.03% for carbohydrates. Substantial changes (p < 0.05) in color analysis and sensory qualities were observed in the cookie samples, and sample B (100% breadfruit flour) had the most appreciable color attributes. However, the cookies produced from 75:20:5 plantain-breadfruit-cinnamon flour had the highest overall acceptability along with improved nutritional properties. These findings suggest that adding breadfruit and cinnamon flour to cookies could improve their nutritional content, particularly in ash, fiber, fat, and protein.

Comparative Study of the Nutritional, Phytochemical, Sensory Characteristics and Glycemic Response of Cookies Enriched with Lupin Sprout Flour and Lupin Green Sprout.

This study aimed to compare the nutritional, phytochemical, and sensory characteristics of wheat flour (WF) cookies enriched with different proportions of lupin sprout flour (LSF) and those with different proportions of lupin green sprout (LGS). To achieve this, a control cookie (CC); three cookies with 10%, 20%, and 30% of LSF, respectively, CLSF1, CLSF2, and CLSF3; and three other cookies (CLGS1, CLGS2, and CLGS3) with 10%, 20%, and 30%, respectively, were produced. The proximate composition of each cookie was analyzed using AOAC methods. Also, the measurements of the total polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, individual polyphenols, glycemic index, and a sensory analysis were carried out using recent and accurate methods. The contribution of the main nutrients from 100 g of product to the required daily dose was also calculated. Data analysis revealed that cookies with LSF were richer than cookies with LGS in protein, fat, and energy values. CLGS3 was 35.12%, 1.45%, and 5.0% lower in protein, fat, and energy content than CLSF3, respectively. On the other hand, CLSF3 was lower than CLGS3, with 48.2% and 12.4% in moisture and mineral substances, respectively. Both cookies were lower in carbohydrates than the CC (65.20 g/100 g). Still on the subject of micro- and macronutrients, cookies with LSF were richer than those with LGS in all the minerals analyzed. The study also revealed improvements in phytochemical properties, such as total and individual polyphenols and antioxidant activity with the percentage of lupin sprout flour addition. The sensory analysis revealed that, for LSF and LGS cookies, the 10% samples were the most appreciated by consumers, irrespective of the sensory attributes studied. The glycemic index of the CLSF2 product was lower compared to the CC. This study shows that the LSF cookies have better nutritional, phytochemical, and sensory values than the LGS cookies. LSF is, therefore, better suited than LGS to the enrichment of bakery products in general and cookies in particular. The paper provides significant information to estimate the contribution of the consumption of functional products based on lupin sprouts to the required daily dose of food nutrients and the impact on the glycemic index of fortified products.

Can a Fraction of Flour and Sugar Be Replaced with Fruit By-Product Extracts in a Gluten-Free and Vegan Cookie Recipe?

Certain food by-products, including not-good-for-sale apples and pomegranate peels, are rich in bioactive molecules that can be collected and reused in food formulations. Their extracts, rich in pectin and antioxidant compounds, were obtained using hydrodynamic cavitation (HC), a green, efficient, and scalable extraction technique. The extracts were chemically and physically characterized and used in gluten-free and vegan cookie formulations to replace part of the flour and sugar to study whether they can mimic the role of these ingredients. The amount of flour + sugar removed and replaced with extracts was 5% and 10% of the total. Physical (dimensions, color, hardness, moisture content, water activity), chemical (total phenolic content, DPPH radical-scavenging activity), and sensory characteristics of cookie samples were studied. Cookies supplemented with the apple extract were endowed with similar or better characteristics compared to control cookies: high spread ratio, similar color, and similar sensory characteristics. In contrast, the pomegranate peel extract enriched the cookies in antioxidant molecules but significantly changed their physical and sensory characteristics: high hardness value, different color, and a bitter and astringent taste. HC emerged as a feasible technique to enable the biofortification of consumer products at a real scale with extracts from agri-food by-products.

Comparative analysis of LC-MS/MS and real-time PCR assays for efficient detection of potential allergenic silkworm.

The silkworm (Bombyx mori) has long been valued food and feed in East Asia for its abundant nutritional and medicinal attributes, conversely, it can elicit allergic responses in susceptible individuals. Therefore, the development of silkworm detection method is required to avert allergenic incidents. In this study, two methodologies, tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and real-time PCR, were developed to achieve effective silkworm detection. These methods exhibited exceptional sensitivity in identifying silkworm presence in processed foods. Furthermore, model cookies spiked with silkworm were used to validate the sensitivities of LC-MS/MS (0.0005%) and real-time PCR (0.001%). Overall, these techniques were useful for trace silkworm detection in food products; therefore, they may help prevent allergic reactions. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first comparison of LC-MS/MS and real-time PCR methods for silkworm detection, marking an important contribution to the field. Data are available from ProteomeXchange under identifier PXD042494.

Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Testing of Golden Rice Cookies With Piper Crocatum Active Extract for Preventing Foot Ulcers in Patients With Diabetes: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) present a formidable challenge to both patients and health care systems. DFUs significantly reduce the quality of life for patients, prolong hospital stays, and are the cause of approximately 70,000 lower limb amputations across the globe annually. Prevention of DFUs primarily involves the optimization of blood sugar levels and the effective management of complications, particularly peripheral neuropathy. Golden Rice has been proven to lower blood sugar levels due to its beta-carotene content, and Piper crocatum (P. crocatum) has been found to be effective in reducing the risk factors of DFUs through biomolecular regulation because of its polyphenol content. OBJECTIVE: The principal objective of this study is to identify the efficacy of P. crocatum-enriched cookies, with Golden Rice as their primary ingredient, in preventing DFUs. The evaluation will center on their impact on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a pivotal factor in the development of DFUs. METHODS: This study is an experimental clinical research that follows the randomized controlled trial method and uses a single-blind design. The participants in the study are outpatients from primary health centers in Makassar, Indonesia, who have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. The sample for the study will be randomly selected and subsequently categorized into 2 groups: the intervention group and the control group. The intervention group consumes P. crocatum-enriched Golden Rice cookies, while the control group receives cookies without these additives. The participants from both groups will consume their respective cookies (packaged identically) twice a day for 14 days. The cookies will be prepared according to a modified recipe with an emphasis on low glucose content, resulting in 51 calories per cookie, comprising 1% carbohydrates, 6% fat, 4% cholesterol, and 4% fiber, excluding gluten, sugar, and salt. They will be baked at 158°C for 20 minutes. The process involves the addition of 20% Golden Rice and 10% P. crocatum ethanol extract, both prepared via maceration with 96% ethanol. The dependent variable in this study is the expression of gelatinases matrix metalloproteinase, to be assessed at 2 distinct time points-preintervention (pretest) and postintervention (posttest)-with the evaluation conducted through the western blotting method. RESULTS: The recruitment and testing phase started in January 2024. The study is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2024. Data analysis will commence in April 2024, and the publication of the results is anticipated in the same year (2024). The study will report on the changes in primary data, encompassing gelatinases matrix metalloproteinase, as well as secondary data, including the ankle-brachial index, neuropathy score, and random blood glucose level. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this trial are expected to significantly impact the selection of strategies by health care practitioners to enhance diabetes self-management, particularly in the domain of therapeutic snacking, for patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Thai Clinical Trials Registry TCTR20230502001; https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20230502001. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/49940.

Development of functional cookies form wheat-pumpkin seed based composite flour.

To develop high quality cookies, even seemingly smallest changes depended on factors that can affect taste, texture, and nutritional value. In this light, this study aimed to investigate the upshot of refined wheat flour and pumpkin seed flour on properties of cookies such as antioxidant activity, thermal and oxidative stability. In view of the foregoing, the roasted pumpkin seeds of particle size below 500 µm were blended with wheat flour at different ratios (BR) to bake at selected pre-determined temperatures (T) and time durations (TD). The synergetic effect of aforesaid parameters on cookie development, BR, T, and TD was studied by varying the parameters between the range 6-15 %, 180-200 °C and from 8 to 12 min, respectively, for the baking process of cookies. Further, the process was modelled and scrutinized using numerical optimization to achieve a highly acceptable product. On that account, it was deduced that the optimal condition for BR, T, and TD were 12.87 %, 186 °C and 9.5 min, respectively, that could pave to beget the excellent quality cookies with overall acceptance score of 8, protein content 14.28 %, fat 17.85 %, ash 2.23 %, moisture 2.46 %, fiber 2.38 % and total color difference 12.01. The optimized cookies (OCs) were found to have higher protein (11.49-14.28 %), fiber (0.93-2.41 %), ash (2.19-1.77 %), total antioxidant activity (38.7158-43.1860 %), oxidative stability (28.61-51.24 h), Zn (1.42-2.63 mg/100g), and Fe (2.12-3.20 mg/100g) content as compared to the control. Laconically, the study results provided the optimized processing condition for developing high quality cookies with respect to improved nutritional value and comparable overall acceptability.

Investigation of antioxidant and sensory properties and in vitro bioaccessibility of low-fat functional cookies substituted with wheat germ flour and coffee silverskin.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to produce new functional cookies with high nutritional properties and low calorie content. It investigated the effects of incorporating wheat germ flour (WGF) at levels of 10-30% as a substitute for whole wheat flour (WWF), along with coffee silver skin (CSS) in the same proportions, serving as natural functional additives to substitute for fat in cookie formulations. RESULTS: The total phenol content of the cookies with added WGF-CSS ranged from 1813.72 to 1838.45 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per kilogram of dry weight (mg GAE kg-1 ), whereas the total phenolic bioaccessibility values ranged between 53.39 and 56.84%. Of the three methods used to determine antioxidant capacity (AC), the cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) method gave higher bioaccessibility values (44.55-51.19%) than the 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhidrazyl (DPPH) scavenging methods. The contribution of WGF-CSS supplemented cookies to the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) (%) of K, P, Mg, and Ca increased depending on the number of cookies consumed and the WGF and CSS ratio. The general acceptability scores of the cookies varied between 5.66 and -7.08, and the 10% WGF cookie (F2) (6.48) sample received the score that was closest to that of the control. Moderately strong positive relationships (r > 0.90, P < 0.05) were detected between the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of the cookies. CONCLUSION: As a result, WGF and CSS food additives with high nutritional properties can be recommended as potential enriching ingredients and fat substitutes in the development of new products in the functional food industry. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Impact of Fermentation, Autoclaving and Phytase Treatment on the Antioxidant Properties and Quality of Teff Cookies.

Research background: Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is an underutilised cereal crop grown mainly in Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is an excellent source of dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds. However, it also contains a high amount of phytic acid, which is an antinutrient and reduces the bioavailability of minerals and proteins. To improve the nutritional quality of teff, the phytic acid content should be reduced by an effective dephytinisation method. Experimental approach: In this study, various dephytinisation methods (fermentation, autoclaving and phytase treatment) were used to dephytinise teff flour. Undephytinised and dephytinised teff flour was mixed into wheat flour (0-40 %) to improve the functional properties of cookies. Twenty different cookie formulations were prepared according to 4x5x2 factorial design. The physical, chemical, nutritional and sensory properties of the cookies were investigated. Results and conclusions: Among the dephytinisation methods, fermentation produced the most effective reduction in phytic acid mass fraction (181 mg/100 g), followed by phytase treatment (198 mg/100 g). The protein, fat, Fe and Zn content and antioxidant activity of cookies enriched with dephytinised teff flour were comparable to cookies fortified with undephytinised teff flour. Moreover, the dephytinised teff cookies had lower phytic acid mass fractions. The cookies containing 40 % teff flour had higher antioxidant activity and nutritional quality than the control wheat cookies. The use of dephytinised teff flour reduced the spread ratio and the a* and b* values of cookies compared to undephytinised flour. Cookies containing fermented and phytase-treated teff flour had a harder texture than cookies containing undephytinised flour. In addition, as the amount of teff flour increased, the spread ratio values of cookies gradually incrased while their hardness decreased. Overall acceptability scores of cookies containing 10-20 % teff flour were similar to the control. Novelty and scientific contribution: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to determine the quality of cookies containing dephytinised teff flour. The data highlight the potential of dephytinised (especially autoclaved and phytase-treated) teff flour (up to 20 %) as a functional ingredient to enrich the mineral content and antioxidant capacity of foods. Furthermore, this study shows that fermentation, autoclaving and phytase treatment can be used to improve the nutritional quality of grains.

Effect of Bioactive Compounds from Pumpkin Powder on the Quality and Textural Properties of Shortbread Cookies.

The problem of food with functional ingredients, characterized by low energy intake and a variety of phytonutrients with biological activity, is one of the concerns of the population. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of pumpkin powder and its bioactive components on the quality, color and textural properties of shortbread cookies. In the drying process of pumpkin powder (Cucurbita moschata) at 60 ± 2 °C, the physicochemical parameters did not change significantly in relation to fresh pulp. The chromatic parameters L*, a* and b* showed that the pumpkin powder was brighter than the pulp, with a greater presence of yellow pigments. Pumpkin powder presented a rich source of bioactive compounds (polyphenols flavonoids, carotenoids) with an antioxidant potential of 161.52 mmol TE/100 g DW and 558.71 mg GAE/100 g DW. Antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus), Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Salmonella Abony and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria and high antifungal activity against Candida albicans were attested. The sensory, physicochemical, texture parameters and color indicators of shortbread cookies with yellow pumpkin powder (YPP) added in a proportion of 5-20% were analyzed. The optimal score was given to the sample of 15% YPP. The use of 15-20% YPP contributed to improved consistency due to the formation of complexes between starch and protein.

Extraction and characterization of starch from low-grade potatoes and formulation of gluten-free cookies containing modified potato starch.

Potatoes are among the leading staple crops due to nutritional value and high demand. The undersized and damaged potatoes are considered low grade and mainly dumped as a waste or used in animal feed. The study aimed to extract starch from low grade potatoes, its modification to improve the starch properties and formulation of gluten free cookies using modified starch (MS). The starch was extracted from low-grade potatoes of three varieties known as Asterix, Kruda and Mosaic, using the water steeping method. The native starch (NS) was modified using lintnerization and repetitive autoclaving. MS contains high amylose content which is associated with health benefits. NS and MS were characterized for amylose content, color attributes, granular morphology, water solubility index (WSI), water absorption index (WAI), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) analysis. Gluten-free cookies were formulated by adding potato NS and MS. The cookies were characterized by sensory evaluation, proximate and textural analysis. The starch yield extracted from three different varieties of potatoes i.e. Asterix, Kruda, Mosaic was 11.53%, 11.32% and 11.24%, respectively. The amylose content of potato starch was significantly (p < 0.05) increased for all varieties (33.61-37.74%) after modification of NS, which was in the range of 25.71-26.60% for different potato varieties. The granules of MS were observed as amorphous structures in comparison to NS granules with smooth surfaces. The addition of MS significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the hardness of the cookies in comparison to NS. Overall, no significant difference was observed in the sensory attributes of control, NS and MS containing cookies. Therefore, in comparison to other dietary fibers, MS can be used as a functional ingredient in food products without compromising the texture and sensory attributes.

Pulp from Colored Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) as an Ingredient Enriching Dessert Cookies.

Freeze-dried pulp from colored potatoes, obtained after starch isolation, is a rich source of polyphenols. Therefore, it can be used to fortify cookies, contributing to a reduction in industrial waste, aligning with the zero-waste technology. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of adding 5% and 10% pulp from two varieties of colored potatoes on the content of polyphenols, antioxidant activity, physical characteristics, nutritional composition, and the levels of hydroxymethylfurfural and acrylamide of the fortified cookies. The findings revealed that colored potato pulp is an outstanding additive for fortifying cookies with polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and flavonols (even two to four times in comparison to control). Cookies containing pulp exhibited even two times higher fiber and protein content (up to 17% more), while the fat and ash content remained unchanged compared to control cookies. Furthermore, they contained 30% less HMF and 40% more acrylamide. These cookies also exhibited good physical properties in the final products. The study demonstrated that pulp from the "Magenta Love" potato variety was significantly more effective in enriching cookies with health-promoting compounds and nutrition value compared to pulp from Marleta Blue.

On the Valorization of Arbutus unedo L. Pomace: Polyphenol Extraction and Development of Novel Functional Cookies.

The fruits of Arbutus unedo L. have a crimson colour and are enriched with remarkable concentrations of bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins and polyphenols. These fruits are commonly used in the production of a Portuguese Protected Geographical Indication distillate called "Aguardente de Medronho". During this process, a solid pomace is generated and presently discarded without valuable applications. In this work, two strategies have been developed for the valorisation of A. unedo pomace. The first approach considers the extraction of polyphenols from this by-product through the optimization of an ultrasound-assisted method using a Box-Behnken design coupled with response surface methodology. The results indicate that the temperature and the percentage of methanol, along with their interaction, significantly influence the total concentration of polyphenols and the antioxidant activity of the extracts obtained. The optimal conditions identified consider the extraction of 0.5 g of sample with 20 mL of a solvent containing 74% MeOH (aq), at a pH of 4.8, maintained at 70 °C for 15 min. On the other hand, the second valorisation strategy considered the use of A. unedo pomace in the development of functional cookies. The incorporation of 15-20% pomace in the cookie formulation was well-received by consumers. This incorporation results in an intake of ca. 6.55 mg of polyphenols per gram of cookie consumed, accompanied by an antioxidant activity of 4.54 mg Trolox equivalents per gram of cookie consumed. Overall, these results encourage the employment of A. unedo pomace either as a reliable source of extracts enriched in polyphenols or as a nutraceutical active ingredient in functional cookies, thereby positively impacting human health.