Project Number: 5325-41000-053-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Jul 08, 2010
End Date: Jul 07, 2015

Objective:
Objective 1: Characterize the physical, chemical, functional properties and biological activity of raw materials and food products from legumes, almonds, grapes, olives, and wild rice. • Sub-objective 1.1. Pinpoint and identify impact aroma compounds of raw materials and food products from legumes, almonds, grapes, olives, and wild rice using GC-Olfactometry (GC-O) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Study flavor variation in different varieties. • Sub-objective 1.2. Isolate and characterize phytonutrients in raw materials and food products from legumes, almonds, grapes, olives, and wild rice. Determine the effects of processing on the levels of these constituents and also monitor changes in biological activity (i.e., antioxidant activity). Objective 2: Add value to legumes, barley, rice, and potatoes and their fractions using extrusion, concentration and size reduction technologies to modify, control or enhance their nutritional, functional and sensory properties for the development of convenient and desirable gluten containing and gluten-free products with higher quality, shelf life and health benefits. • Sub-objective 2.1. Develop healthy, nutritious, and convenient snack foods from legumes, barley, rice, wheat, apple, and potatoes, and their fractions using extrusion processing and forming technologies. • Sub-objective 2.2. Develop legume-based beverages formulated with conventional and non-conventional food ingredients, flours and protein powders from rice, wheat, and barley cooked by extrusion processing, drum drying, open kettle, pressure cooking, microwave cooking, and infrared cooking. The resulting cooked legume-based products in the form of powders will be used directly or pretreated by high pressure, microfluidizer processing, and high shear technology, as the base component for beverages with functional properties. This project involves the production of novel snack foods and beverages from legumes, barley, rice, potatoes and other agricultural products. The development of nutritious and tasty foods requires knowledge about the phytonutrients and flavor precursors present in the raw materials. The effects of processing on phytonutrient and flavor concentrations will be studied and processing parameters will be optimized to preserve these constituents. The scientists on this project have expertise in their respective areas and will work closely to achieve the objectives.

Approach:
Extrusion processing will be used to produce new value-added foods with enhanced nutritional and sensory properties. Extrusion operational parameters such as moisture content, temperature, feed rate, screw speed and screw element configuration will be optimized. Ingredients from barley, rice, and potato will be added to legume flours to enhance the physicochemical properties of the extruded products including both snacks and beverages. To understand the influence of processing on flavor, phytonutrients and antioxidant activity, qualitative and quantitative studies will be performed on the agricultural products before and after processing. Impact flavor constituents will be localized, characterized and quantified using aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), calculation of odor units, and preparation of aroma models. Aroma compounds responsible for desirable and undesirable flavor characteristics will be identified and formation pathways will be elucidated. Phytonutrients will be separated, characterized and quantified using HPLC-DAD, HPLC-MS and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Antioxidant activity will be measured by the DPPH and ABTS assays.