Effect of Incorporation of Oat Flour on Nutritional and Organoleptic Characteristics of Bread and Noodles

Abstract

Oat (Avena sativa L.) is an underutilized cereal and is considered as a rich source of protein, minerals, lipids, β-glucan and other phytochemicals. It has an immense scope for its application in preparation of various nutraceutical and functional foods. Oat flour was incorporated with wheat flour at different concentrations for preparation of breads and noodles. Breads were prepared by incorporation of oat flour (OF) in wheat flour (WF) at different levels (0, 10, 15, 20 and 25%). Overall acceptability of breads decreased with increase in level of oat flour. However, breads were moderately desirable up to 20% replacement of WF with OF and slightly desirable at 25% level of replacement. Significant decrease in loaf volume of oat incorporated bread (OIB) was observed with increase in level of incorporation of OF in WF. Oat incorporated noodles (OIN) were prepared by substitution of OF in WF at proportion of 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%. These were moderately desirable only up to 30% replacement of wheat flour with oat flour and slightly desirable thereafter. There was significant (P≤0.05) increase in proteins, crude fibres, ash and fat content but significant decrease in carbohydrate content and calorific value of processed products was recorded with increased incorporation of OF in WF. Results of organoleptic evaluation concluded that bread and noodles were moderately desirable up to 20 and 30% replacement of wheat flour with oat flour, respectively. Therefore, oat can be successfully substituted with wheat flour upto a level of 20% for bread and 30% for noodle preparation thereby, enhancing the nutritional components such as crude protein, fibre, fat and ash content in prepared products.