Great Northern Bean Could Improve the Nutritional Value of Instant Noodles

Abstract

Instant noodles were prepared by substituting hard red winter (HRW) wheat flour with Great Northern bean powder (GNBP) at selected levels (0–60%) using a pilot‐scale noodle processing machine. The functional properties, water absorption, water solubility, and pasting profiles of flour mixtures were tested to verify the process tolerances of ingredients. Prepared noodle samples were evaluated for color, cooking quality, texture, and sensory properties. Slight color differences, an increased cooking loss, and reduced chewiness, cohesiveness, and hardness were observed in cooked noodles that were prepared with GNBP up to 25% of HRW wheat flour weight. The results suggest that HRW wheat flour could be replaced up to 20% (w/w) with GNBP, while still using the conventional processing conditions, to improve the product nutritional value (i.e., increased protein and fiber contents and reduced fat content) (P < 0.05).