Effect of the extruded amaranth flour addition on the nutritional, nutraceutical and sensory quality of tortillas produced from extruded creole blue maize flour

Abstract

Mexico suffers from issues with malnutrition, anemia, overweight, and obesity. Furthermore, chronic degenerative diseases (CDD) was the leading cause of mortality in 2018, with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes being the first two causes of death. Tortillas represent an excellent vehicle to enhance the nutritional status of tortillas consumers (Mexicans). The work's objective was to evaluate the effect of extruded amaranth flour (EAF) addition on the quality (nutritional, nutraceutical, sensory) of tortillas from extruded creole blue maize flour (ECBMF). Tortillas prepared with the addition of 30% of EAF to ECBMF. We evaluated the effect of the addition of amaranth flour on nutritional properties [essential amino acid (EAA) profile, in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), calculated protein efficiency ratio (C-PER)]. Additionally, we determined the nutraceutical properties of tortillas. Functional tortillas had higher proteins, dietary fiber, IVPD, C-PER, lower AoxA (13,187 vs. 15,398 mmol TE/100 g, DW), and better antihypertensive and hypoglycemic potentials than 100% ECBMF tortillas. The addition of EAF to ECBMF allows us to obtain functional tortillas with enhanced in vitro nutritional and nutraceutical properties and sensorily acceptable. As part of public policy, functional tortillas could reduce malnutrition and chronic degenerative diseases in Mexico.