Effect of oat β-glucan fiber powder and vacuum-drying on cooking quality and physical properties of pasta

Abstract

Oat β-glucan fiber powder was added to pasta dough at levels of 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 g/kg. Pasta was dried at very high temperature and in a vacuum dryer. The cooking quality was evaluated based on the swelling index, water uptake, and cooking loss measurement. Further tests were carried out to determine the color, hardness, adhesiveness, total dietary fiber (TDF), and β-glucan content in pasta. The results showed that vacuum-drying had a significant impact on the cooking quality and physical properties of pasta. Water uptake and swelling index were higher and the cooking loss was lower in vacuum-dried pasta than in pasta dried using very high temperature (VHT) technology. The swelling index, water uptake, and cooking loss were significantly higher in samples with oat β-glucan fiber powder compared to control. Pasta with oat powder was darker, softer, and less sticky than semolina pasta. Lightness of vacuum-dried samples was higher while redness was lower than in conventionally dried samples.