Development of low glycemic index muffins using water chestnut and barley flour

Abstract

The present research was conducted with an aim to explore underutilized crops like water chestnut and barley for the development of low glycemic index (GI) muffins. Incorporation of barley flour (BF) had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on quality attributes and glycemic response of muffins. The resistant starch content of final product (43.5%) was also found to be higher than water chestnut (40.24%) and BF (5.18%). The study confirms that replacement of 30% of water chestnut flour (WCF) with BF is feasible for development of low GI muffins with desired sensory attributes. During storage, firmness, water activity, free fatty acid, and peroxide value of the muffins prepared from 70% WCF and 30% BF were found to increase, whereas moisture content and overall acceptability were decreased. Inference drawn from storage studies was that linear low-density polyethene is suitable packaging material for safe storage of muffins up to 35 days. Practical applications Diabetes is the third largest noncommunicable disease and affects a large section of population globally. Diabetic patients are not able to consume bakery products because of their high GI which leads to upsurge in blood glucose levels. Water chestnut and BF are low in GI and can be utilized for development of low GI bakery products. Muffins prepared from water chestnut and BF can prove as a viable food item for people suffering from hyperglycemia. The modification of baking process and replacement of table sugar with nonnutritive sweeteners (mannitol and sucralose) further reduces the GI and improves its commercial applicability in the therapeutic diets. Moreover, water chestnut-based muffins incorporated with BF can act as a laxative because of its high dietary fiber and β-glucan content provided by BF.