New plant-based fermented beverage made of baru nut enriched with probiotics and green banana: composition, physicochemical and sensory properties.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of potential functional ingredients-green banana starch, green banana pulp flour or whole green banana flour-on the composition, physicochemical and sensory properties of plant-based fermented beverages made of baru nuts. The incorporation of green banana-derived ingredients, especially the whole flour, increased protein (2.44-2.81 g/100 g), fibre (1.53-2.32 g/100 g), resistant starch (0.15-0.33 g/100 g) and ash (0.36-0.61 g/100 g) content in fermented beverages. The total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were higher in beverages added with pulp or whole flour. The main polyphenols identified were catechin (0.75-4.97 mg/100 g), gallic acid (0.29-0.52 mg/100 g) and ferulic acid (0.17-0.64 mg/100 g). All beverages showed to be rich in unsaturated fatty acids (68%) as omega-3, omega-6, and conjugated linoleic acid. The incorporation of green banana in beverages enhanced the probiotic bacteria growth indicating the potential prebiotic effect of the unripe fruit. The sensory acceptance of fermented beverages was also improved after adding green banana. Overall, whole green banana flour stood out as the main factor that increased the nutritional value of baru nut fermented beverage. Green banana was used for the first time as a potential prebiotic ingredient in a plant-based beverage. This novel product represents a potential symbiotic non-dairy alternative that could offer health benefits to consumers. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-023-05781-5.

High fiber content snack bars made with maize biomass flour, rice flakes and oat flakes: Physicochemical properties and sensory acceptance.

The aim of this study was to assess physicochemical properties and sensory acceptance of snack bars (SBs) made with different levels of maize biomass flour (MBF), rice flakes (RF) and oat flakes (OF). A simplex design was used, with 6 mixtures and 2 repetitions. The different levels of MBF, RF and OF used in the SBs influenced all physicochemical properties evaluated (moisture, water activity, specific volume, hardness and instrumental color). SB4 (containing 14.85:5:10.85% of MBF:RF:OF, respectively) and SB6 (containing 14:8:8% of MBF:RF:OF, respectively) were the closest to the desirable formulation according to the desirability diagram for the physicochemical properties of the SBs. SB1 (containing 20:5:5% of MBF:RF:OF, respectively) was also selected for sensory analysis as it showed the highest MBF content among all formulations. None SBs presented a microbiological risk. The SB6 presented the highest sensory acceptance and purchase intent, highlighting its rich content of dietary fiber (16.45 ± 0.1 g/100 g) and protein (7.04 ± 0.02 g/100 g) besides its low-calorie characteristic (1421.22 kJ/100 g/339.68 kcal/100 g). The development of SBs using MBF is feasible in relation to their physicochemical and sensory properties, which can stimulate the sustainable production of new goods from this by-product.

Pasting and thermal properties of fermented cassava (Manihotesculenta Crantz).

Cassava (Manihotesculenta Crantz) is used in various applications and recipes worldwide. The natural fermentation of this root flour produces the "puba", a typical food from the north of Brazil. The evaluation of the qualities of the puba flour is little explored, thus, this study aimed to evaluate the pH (of the fermentation liquid), the texture of cassava pieces after a fermentation process, puba flour instrumental color parameters and its thermal and pasting properties. The pH and the force decreased with the incubation time. Puba flour from 3 to 7 days had the highest lightness, being good for food application. "a" and "b" values showed that the roots tended to a light blueish green due to post-harvest degradation and fermentation. The results of DSC analyses demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the gelatinization initial temperature between days 1-7, as well, no significant changes were observed in gelatinization peak temperature, conclusion temperature and gelatinization enthalpy. For the paste properties, the viscosity peak and breakdown slightly increased, and no significant changes as observed in final viscosity, setback and paste temperature on the days of fermentation. Therefore, the fermentation conditions (size of the pieces), the microorganisms (intrinsic of the material), and the time of seven days was not enough to promote drastic changes in the granules of cassava starch.

Physicochemical quality and sensory acceptance of toasts with partial replacement of wheat flour by maize biomass flour.

The aim of this study was to assess physicochemical and sensory viability of toasts developed from the partial replacement of wheat flour (WF) by maize biomass flour (MBF). Different levels of MBF (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g 100 g-1) were used. Data obtained were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. The level of replacement of WF by MBF influenced all physicochemical properties of the toast. Moisture (5.67-7.12 g 100 g-1), hardness (56.67-131.66 N), chroma of crust and crumb (29.86-30.27 and 19.76-25.83, respectively), and hue angle of crust and crumb (60.32°-64.79° and 81.41°-82.06°, respectively) were increased; and area (2286.4-1658.1 mm2), specific volume (3.47-1.83 mL g-1) and luminosity of crust and crumb (62.39-59.67 and 65.49-62.54, respectively) were decreased as the level of substitution of WF by MBF increased. The toasts did not present microbiological risk. The formulations with higher sensory acceptance were 5 and 15 g 100 g-1 of MBF, being considered rich in proteins (16.25 and 15.43 g 100 g-1, respectively) and rich in dietary fibers (12.10 and 16.02 g 100 g-1, respectively), therefore with high nutritional and functional values. The production of toasts with partial replacement of WF by MBF is feasible in relation to physicochemical and sensory characteristics, which it may stimulate exploitation of this by-product and sustainable production of baked goods.