Modeling the Influence of Okara Flour Supplementation from Time-Temperature Drying Treatment on the Quality of Gluten-Free Roll Produced from Rice Flour.

Okara, an unassuming residue, is emerging as a notable reservoir of essential nutrients, encompassing an abundant supply of protein, dietary fiber, and potent antioxidant components. Hence, the incorporation of okara as an ingredient in the production of rice flour-based rolls held a considerable interest in nutritional and functional aspects. Okara flour supplement was prepared by drying at 100 °C for 2 h and selected based on the highest antioxidant level. Gluten-free rolls were prepared containing 0, 5, and 10% okara flour dried at 100 °C for 2 h, and their physicochemical properties were analyzed. Okara flour addition reduced the deformation of gluten-free batter roll by improving solid and liquid-like behavior, as evaluated with rheological measurements. Rolls containing okara flour processed at 100 °C for 2 h had increased firmness and decreased specific volume compared to the control. However, there were no significant differences in the sensory evaluation scores, suggesting that the consumers' acceptance of the control and the Okara rolls was similar. Okara flour supplement at 10% addition led to the nutritional improvement of the gluten-free rolls (increase of 2.4% protein and 1.32 times dietary fiber, dry basis). In contrast, there were no significant differences in the antioxidant level compared to the control. Okara flour is a functional ingredient with potential use in gluten-free products and a variety of novel products where enrichment is desirable.

Physical and Dynamic Oscillatory Shear Properties of Gluten-Free Red Kidney Bean Batter and Cupcakes Affected by Rice Flour Addition.

Red kidney bean (RKB) flour is a nutrient-rich ingredient with potential use in bakery products. The objective of this study was to investigate the viscoelastic properties and key quality parameters of a functional RKB flour in gluten-free cupcakes with different rice flour levels. A 10 g model batter was developed for analyzing the viscoelastic properties of RKB with rice incorporation, in a formula containing oil, liquid eggs, and water. Rice flour was added at five levels 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 25% (w/w, g rice flour/100 g RKB flour). Rice flour increased RKB batter consistency, solid- and liquid-like viscoelastic behavior and revealed a heterogeneous structure, based on the sweep frequency test. Rice flour at the 25% level increased the shear modulus and activation energy of gelatinization, compared to 0% rice flour addition. Rice flour levels in the RKB batter decreased the inflection gelation temperature from 63 to 56 °C. In addition, the texture of RKB cupcakes with 25% rice flour were 46% softer, compared to the control. The scores from all sensory attributes of cupcakes increased with the addition of rice flour. Rice flour addition improved solid- and liquid-like behavior of the RKB batter and improved the cupcake's macro-structural characteristics. Overall, 25% rice flour addition performed better than the lower levels. This study confirmed the potential of RKB as a functional ingredient and its improvement in cupcake application with the addition of rice flour.

The challenges and perspectives of the selection of starter cultures for fermented cocoa beans.

Fermentation is an essential process step to develop precursor compounds for aroma and flavour characteristics of chocolate, as well as preventing germination of the cocoa bean. Despite the importance of the role of microorganisms during the chocolate production, to date, there are some discrepancies of the "cocobiota" community found during fermentation and the impact of starter culture in fermented cocoa beans. This review provides both a detailed overview of the starter cultures used in fermented cocoa beans and the microbial diversity involved during this process, and an in-depth discussion of the methods used to identify these microorganisms. In this review, we included only published articles from 2008 to 2018 in English language. A total of forty-seven studies contributed to the description of the cocobiota from 13 different countries. In detail, we observed that the most common fermentation method used is the wooden box, followed by heap. Interestingly, 37% of the studies cited in this review did not mention the type of cocoa variety studied. Most of the techniques used to identify the microbiota are fingerprinting based (DGGE); however, few studies have been using next-generation technologies to elucidate the possible functions and interactions among microbes. Our results showed a greater diversity of yeasts if compared with bacterial involved in the fermentation. This review will help researchers seeking to design starter cultures to drive cocoa bean fermentation, and thus achieve a homogenous mass of fermented cocoa beans as well as serve as a guide for assessing methodologies for the identification of microorganisms.