Physical, Textural and Sensory Characteristics of Gluten Free Muffins Prepared with Teff Flour (Eragrostistef (ZUCC) Trotter)

Abstract

Since the enrichment of gluten-free cereal products is not mandatory there is a need for improving nutritional content of glutenfree diets by incorporating alternative gluten-free grains that are naturally abundant in nutrients. This study examined the effects of substitution of rice flour (control) with teff flour at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% on the physical, textural, and sensory characteristics of gluten free muffins. A decrease in height of baked muffins was observed with an increase in the percentage of teff flour. Muffins with 75% and 100% teff flour had very viscous batters with significantly lower line spread tests compared to control rice muffins. Specific gravity was not significantly different between teff muffins, but all teff variations were significantly lower than the control. Textural measurements made using TA.XT Plus Texture Analyzer (Texture Technologies Corp., Scarsdale, NY) showed no significant difference between the control, 25% and 50% teff muffins but the 75% and 100% teff muffins were significantly harder. Springiness was significantly lower when the teff muffins were compared to the control, but no differences were found between teff variations. Substitutions up to 50% with teff flour were acceptable to the panelists. Friedman’s rank test showed no significant difference in the overall liking between control, 25% and 50% teff muffins. This study demonstrates that substituting 50% rice flour with teff not only produces acceptable gluten free muffins, but these are more nutritious because of their higher protein (27%), iron (2095%), calcium (25%) and fiber (221%) contents.