Renata Hernandez Barros Fuchs

Application of multi-block analysis and mixture design with process variable for development of chocolate cake containing yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) and maca (Lepidium meyenii): Chocolate cake development with yacon and maca

BACKGROUND In this study, a chocolate cake formulation was developed with partial substitution of wheat flour by yacon and maca flour. A simplex-centroid design was applied to determine the proportions of the three flours, and the amount of water was included as a process variable at three distinct levels. According to the overall acceptability of the cakes, the tasters were separated into two groups using k-means. RESULTS After segmentation, regression models were constructed for overall acceptability of each group; R2adjusted values of 92.5% for group 1 and 98.9% for group 2 were obtained. Using the sequential simplex method an optimized formulation was determined for group 1 (0.49 kgwheat kg-1total flour , 0.37 kgyacon kg-1total flour , 0.14 kgmaca kg-1total flour and 140.0 mL of water) and another for group 2 (0.35 kgwheat kg-1total flour , 0.65 kgyacon kg-1total flour and 120.0 mL of water). In addition to these formulations, a third formulation was proposed with a greater maca proportion (0.32 kgmaca kg-1total flour ), which does not significantly alter the overall acceptability of both groups. The three optimized formulations and two control formulations were evaluated through free-choice profiling. The data were evaluated using the multi-block method common components and specific weights analysis (CCSWA). CONCLUSION It was observed that a greater proportion of maca intensified brownness and burnt aroma and taste, whereas a larger proportion of yacon produced a better appearance, softness, sweetness and chocolate flavor.

Textural, Color, Hygroscopic, Lipid Oxidation, and Sensory Properties of Cookies Containing Free and Microencapsulated Chia Oil

Encapsulation of chia oil might protect omega-3 and omega-6 from lipid oxidation when producing baked foods. However, the actual gain in stability given by chia oil must be determined. In this work, chia oil or chia oil-loaded microparticles were added to a cookie formulation in order to evaluate the ability of the microcapsules in protecting chia oil from deterioration. Texture, color, water sorption isotherms, and sensorial properties were also evaluated. A hot homogenization technique was used with carnauba wax as an encapsulant, and the freeze-dried microparticles were incorporated into the cookie dough. Principal component analyses were carried out to evaluate lipid oxidation using the medium infrared spectra of the lipid fraction extracted from the baked cookies. It was found that the microencapsulated chia oil was better protected from oxidative deterioration during baking compared to the sample containing non-encapsulated chia oil. Textural analysis showed that chia oil (free and microencapsulated) acted as a coating on the wheat flour particles. Control cookies (no chia oil loaded) presented a more hydrophilic character. In the case of oil-loaded samples (free and microencapsulated), the isosteric heat of sorption behavior indicated an initial swelling step of the food polymers, resulting in the exposure of sorption sites of higher binding energies not previously available, and that this is because of the wheat particles being covered by the chia oil and the solid lipid microparticles. Furthermore, food acceptability did not change when the oil-loaded microparticles were added to the cookie formulation.

Formulation of mayonnaises containing PUFAs by the addition of microencapsulated chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and baru oils

There is an increasing demand for healthier foodstuff containing specific compounds such as Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs). In the case of PUFAs, protection against oxidative degradation is challengeable and microencapsulation emerges as an alternative. Mayonnaises containing microencapsulated oils could be a source of PUFAs. The objective was to formulate mayonnaises containing microencapsulated chia seeds oil, pumpkin seeds oil or baru oil. Micrometric particles with high encapsulation efficiency were produced and thermal analyses indicated an increased thermal stability of all oils after encapsulation. Rheology studies highlighted an increase in the mayonnaise viscosity when microparticles containing chia and pumpkin seeds oil were added. Mechanical texture was not affected by the presence of microparticles in the mayonnaise in all formulations tested. Nevertheless, samples containing microcapsules up to 5%wt were not distinguished from the base-mayonnaise in the sensorial test. Overall, enriched mayonnaises were successfully produced and encapsulation was efficient in protecting oils from oxidation.

Correction to: Textural, Color, Hygroscopic, Lipid Oxidation, and Sensory Properties of Cookies Containing Free and Microencapsulated Chia Oil

The original version of this article unfortunately a typo error on the name of Dr. Patrícia Valderrama. This was written as “Patrícia Velderrama” which is incorrect.

Chemical, sensory and microbiological stability of freeze-dried Nile tilapia croquette mixtures

The stability of tilapia croquette mixtures was evaluated for 240 days, through analyses of water activity (aw), lipid oxidation (TBARS) and sensory and microbiological assays. The control mixture was composed of tilapia mince, wheat and rye flours and seasonings while the enriched mixture also contained flaxseed flour. Aw increased significantly over time, from 0.1666 to 0.5392 for the control mixture and from 0.0554 to 0.5415 for the enriched mixture. TBARS values increased from 0.08 to 0.38 mg kg−1 for the control mixture and from 0.11 to 0.40 mg kg−1 malondialdehyde (MDA) for the enriched mixture. Appearance, texture and overall acceptance of the control mixture remained constant and the flavour improved during storage, while sensory attributes of the enriched mixture did not change. Overall acceptance was nearly 8 for the control mixture and 6 for the enriched mixture using a 9-point hedonic scale, where 9 = ‘like a lot’ and 1 = ‘dislike intensely’. Microbiological parameters did not exceed the legal limits allowed for consumption. Both mixtures remained suitable for consumption after 240 days.