ABSTRACT 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.

RESUMEN 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.

Abstract Ecuador has one of the highest soursop productions worldwide; however, as this fruit represents a promising market to the country, its organic waste is becoming a major problem. The aim of the study was to use the Mixolab to predict the quality of wheat flour partially substituted by soursop residues flour for bread making. The experiment was performed through a process mixture design; 21 premixes were made, and 10 significant variables were chosen. Using a desirability function, three criteria were optimized: 1) to maximize the use of soursop residues flour (SRF) (20% SRF substitution), 2) to form a loaf with strong gluten network characteristics (5% SRF substitution), and 3) to form a loaf with weak gluten network characteristics (13.2% SRF substitution). Results showed with a 95% confidence level that the new formulation with strong gluten network characteristics, 5% soursop residue flour and 95% wheat flour, was statistically equal to a control bread in moisture, pH and total ashes content. Additionally, an affective test was performed in order to identify the acceptability of the bread among potential consumers.

Resumo Preocupações com o consumo de produtos de alto teor de gordura e também com a ingestão de fibras são importantes para os consumidores. A fritura a vácuo é um processo alternativo que pode aumentar a qualidade de produtos desidratados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um macarrão instantâneo visando à redução tanto da absorção de óleo quanto do teor de carboidratos, por meio da adição de isolado proteico de soja (IPS) e amido resistente (AR3), utilizando os processos de fritura convencional e a vácuo. Para obtenção dos macarrões instantâneos, foram realizados dois delineamentos do tipo Composto Central Rotacional 22, um com cada tipo de fritura, otimizando a formulação por intermédio da Metodologia de Superfície de Resposta. Os macarrões foram caracterizados quanto à absorção de gordura, ao tempo de cozimento, ao teor final de amido resistente e à firmeza, e, finalmente, foi escolhida uma formulação ótima. Os macarrões produzidos no ponto ótimo foram caracterizados também quanto ao teor de isoflavonas, perfil de aminoácidos e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). As superfícies de resposta demonstraram que, ao adicionar AR3 e IPS à formulação, a absorção de gordura e os valores de firmeza diminuíram significativamente. Ao comparar os dois processos de fritura, convencional e a vácuo, foi possível observar que os macarrões obtidos pelo processo a vácuo absorveram 3% a menos de gordura da massa total, contudo apresentaram valores de firmeza menores que os macarrões obtidos pelo processo de fritura convencional. A análise de MEV demonstrou que os macarrões obtidos pelo processo de fritura convencional tiveram uma estrutura mais porosa, deixando a gordura penetrar mais facilmente, enquanto os macarrões obtidos pelo processo a vácuo apresentaram uma estrutura mais fechada, mas com mais gordura impregnada na superfície. Finalmente, foi possível, independentemente do processo utilizado, obter macarrões com melhor valor nutricional, pois eles contiveram alto teor de fibras (aproximadamente 8%) e proteínas (aproximadamente 11%), teor considerável de isoflavonas (8,20 mg / 100 g) e um perfil mais completo de aminoácidos por causa do aumento significativo de quase todas eles, especialmente de lisina.

Abstract Health concerns with the consumption of high-fat products and with respect to the intake of fibre are important for consumers. Vacuum frying process is an alternative frying process that increases the quality of foods. The objective was to develop instant noodles aiming to reduce carbohydrate and fat content by adding soy protein isolate (SPI) and resistant starch (RS3), using conventional and vacuum frying processes. A 22 central composite rotational design was used for each type of process, and the formulations were optimized using the Response Surface Methodology. The noodles were characterized with respect to fat absorption, cooking time, final resistant starch content and firmness. The noodles produced at the optimized point were also characterized for their isoflavone content, amino acid profile and by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The response surfaces showed that the addition of SPI and RS3 to the formulation resulted in reduced fat absorption and texture. Comparing both frying processes it was found that noodles obtained by vacuum frying absorbed 3% less fat and were less firm than those produced by conventional frying process. The SEM analysis showed that the noodles obtained by conventional frying had a more porous structure, which allowed an easier fat penetration, whereas those produced by vacuum frying showed a more closed structure with fat impregnated on the surface. Regardless of the process used, it was possible to obtain noodles with improved nutritional value, since they showed high fibre (8%) and protein (approximately 11%) contents, considerable isoflavone content (8.20 mg/100 g) and a complete amino acid profile, due to a significant increase in nearly all the amino acids, especially lysine.