Evaluation of Pasting Properties of Whole Wheat and Whole Green Plantain Flour Blends and Quality Characteristics of Crackers Made from the Blends

Abstract

The demand for food products with functional attributes is on the increase worldwide. The present study was aimed at evaluating the effect of supplementing whole wheat flour with 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% whole green plantain flour on pasting properties of the flour blends, proximate composition, minerals and sensory characteristics of crackers made from the blends. The 100% whole wheat flour served as the control sample. The result showed that the peak viscosity (PV), trough viscosity (TV), breakdown viscosity (BDV), final viscosity (FV) and setback viscosity (SBV) were significantly affected by the level of plantain flour substitution. The 20% plantain flour substitution level recorded the minimum PV (264.00RVU), TV (248.00RVU), FV (531.00RVU) and SBV (263.00RVU) while the 50% plantain flour substituted blend recorded the highest PV (362.00RVU), TV (328.00RVU) and FV (603.00RVU). The control sample recorded the highest SBV (312.00RVU) and least BDV (3.00RVU). The peak times for all the blended samples were the same (7 min) while the time for the control sample was 5 min. There was insignificant difference (P>0.05) in the pasting temperature which ranged from 91.30 – 92.80oC. The crude protein, fat and calcium contents progressively decreased while the ash, crude fibre, carbohydrate, K, Mg, Fe and Zn contents in the prepared crackers progressively increased with increase in the proportion of plantain flour substitution. Cracker prepared from the blend of 80% whole wheat and 20% whole green plantain flours was the most preferred by the sensory evaluation panellists in terms of taste, texture and overall acceptability. It is evident from the study that acceptable crackers of enhanced nutritive value could be produced from blend of 80% whole wheat and 20% whole green plantain flours. The use of flour from unpeeled plantain as ingredient in cracker production would eliminate waste generation and its associated environmental problems.