Gluten-Free Ancient Whole Grain Buckwheat Snacks

Talwinder S Kahlon¹*, Roberto J Avena-Bustillos¹ and Mei-Chen M Chiu¹

¹Western Regional Research Center, USA

Submission: March 20, 2018; Published: April 19, 2018

*Corresponding author: Talwinder S Kahlon,Western Regional Research Center, USDA-ARS, 800 Buchanan St. Albany, CA 94710, Tel: 510-559-5665; Fax: 510-559-5945; Email: Talwinder.Kahlon@ars.usda.gov

How to cite this article: Kahlon TS, Avena-Bustillos RJ, Chiu MM. Gluten-Free Ancient Whole Grain Buckwheat Snacks. Nutri Food Sci Int J. 2018; 6(3): 555687. DOI: 10.19080/NFSIJ.2018.06.555687

Abstract

The Buckwheat, Buckwheat-Turmeric, Buckwheat-Cayenne Pepper and Buckwheat-Ginger snacks were evaluated. Turmeric, cayenne- pepper and ginger have been reported to have health promoting potential as wound healing, increasing blood flow and preventing joint pain. All the snacks contained 88-92% buckwheat. Snack dough was prepared using 120mL water with 100g dry ingredients. About 20g of snack dough was placed on the center of preheated KrumKake Express baker and cooked for 2.5 minutes. Seventy one in-house volunteers judged Buckwheat- Ginger snacks significantly higher in Odor/Aroma than Buckwheat-Cayenne Pepper snacks. Color/Appearance, Taste/Flavor, Texture/Mouth- feel and Acceptance were judged to be similar in four kinds of Buckwheat ancient whole grain gluten-free snacks tested. Water activity of all the snacks tested ranged from 0.21-0.32 suggesting that these snacks were crispy and would have good anti-microbial stability. These snacks were quite filling due to their high porosity (0.68-0.75) and 3 to 4-fold expansion. Acceptance of snacks tested was statistically similar and ranged from 70-84%. This acceptance would be considered quite desirable. These snacks contained only 3-4 ingredients and could be made in any house kitchen or commercial production. These healthy nutritious snacks offer choice for all including vegetarians and individuals sensitive to gluten.

Keywords: Buckwheat; Gluten-free; Turmeric; Cayenne pepper; Ginger; Nutrition; Dietary; Gluten immunity

Abbreviations: BW: Buckwheat; pt : True Density; pb: Bulk Density; TDF: Total Dietary Fiber; DM: Dry Matter

Introduction

Snacks play a significant role in family as well as public events. There are 69 million US adults currently between the ages of 18-34 called Millennials. The snacks are preferred in place of meals by 35% of the Millennials [1,2]. The snacks are now expected to be healthful, flavorful, and portable [1]. For children, snacks are extremely essential in school and in after school programs. Serving healthy snacks is important in providing good nutrition, supporting lifelong healthy eating habits, and would help in preventing costly and potentially- disabling diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Nutrition Policy and Promotion; Dietary Guidelines for Americans [3] recommends that, at least % of all the grains eaten should be whole grains. Average intakes of whole grains are far below recommended levels across all age-sex groups, and average intakes of refined grains are well above recommended limits for most age-sex groups. The Whole Grain Council [4] has documented that eating whole grains instead of refined grains lowers the risk of many chronic diseases. Helnaes et al. [5] reported that higher intake of whole grain rye and oats and not that of wheat was related to lower risk of myocardial infarction in men and women. Wheat is the main grain of many snack products, however there is increasing evidence of hyper-sensitivity to gluten in the celiac patients. Hypersensitivity to gluten results in eroding of the lining of small intestines. It results in delayed growth and many serious health problems. Healthy intestinal lining is needed to absorb the needed nutrients. Food and Drug Administration [6] defines "gluten-free" with less than 20 parts per million, gluten. This is the level that can be validly tested and also can be tolerated by most gluten sensitive individual. Hypersensitivity to gluten has been increasing worldwide. Some of the potential reasons could be use of microbial transaminase enzyme as animal protein glue to produce meat patties from meat scraps. Transamination of gluten could make it hypersensitive. Another reason could be that pollution and toxic environment has altered gut microbiome resulting in loss of gluten immunity. If one family member is gluten sensitive, the whole family needs to consume gluten- free foods. Snacks made of gluten-free whole grains would be desirable. Since most individuals and especially children do not meet the recommended intake of whole grains. The objective of this study was to develop tasty, health promoting, whole grain, gluten-free snacks. Snacks available in US are essentially unhealthy and contain high fat, high salt and high simple sugars [2]. Consumers need to be educated to desire healthy home cooking or health promoting commercially produced foods and snacks. There is a need to develop gluten- free whole grain nutritious tasty snacks. Such snacks could include health promoting spices as well. These snacks would be high in dietary fiber, low in salt, fat and calories and could be prepared in any home and/or by commercial food companies.

Buckwheat

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is a gluten-free pseudocereal. Buckwheat (BW) grain is a highly nutritional grain that has been shown to provide a wide range of beneficial effects. BW contains phytonutrients that have been shown to have plasma cholesterol lowering, neuroprotection, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic effects, and improvement of hypertension condition [7].

Ginger

Ginger (Zingiber officinale), turmeric (Curcuma longa) and cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum 'Cayenne') are common spices in various cuisines and have been associated with various health benefits. Thomson et al. [8] reported that ginger could be used as a cholesterol-lowering, antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory agent.

Turmeric

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been shown to exhibit antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-neoplastic properties. There is evidence that turmeric products and supplements, both oral and topical, may provide therapeutic benefits for skin health [9]. Addition of 4% ginger or turmeric prevented the effect of hypertension inducing drug in rats [10].

Cayenne Pepper

Kobayashi et al. [11] observed that cayenne pepper activates heat loss as well heat production. Inoue et al. [12] reported that hot pepper intake enhanced the energy expenditure and fat burning in humans, particularly those with high body mass index. Han & Isoda [13] reported that capsaicin found in hot chili pepper increases energy metabolism in human epithelial cells through the activation of glycolytic enzymes.

In the study reported herein, seventy-one in house volunteers evaluated four kinds of snacks containing gluten- free ancient whole grain buckwheat (BW), BW-Turmeric, BW- Cayenne Pepper and BW-Ginger.

Material and Methods

Whole grain buckwheat (hulls removed), turmeric powder, ginger powder and ground cayenne pepper were purchased from local food stores. Buckwheat grains were milled to fine flour using Blendtec Model 91 Kitchen Mill (Blendtec Orem, UT 84058). Buckwheat flour was analyzed for nitrogen, using AOAC method 990.03 [14] by Leco FP628 analyzer (Leco Corporation, St Joseph, MI); total dietary fiber, using AOAC method 985.29 [14], crude fat with petroleum ether and an accelerated solvent extractor (ASE 350, Dionex Corp.); ash, using AOAC method 942.05 [15]; and moisture, using AOAC method 935.29 [15].

Nitrogen to protein factors used was 6.25. Total Dietary Fiber, TDF; Dry matter, DM. Carbohydrate = [100 - (Protein + Fat + Ash)]. Samples were analyzed in triplicates.

The final levels of ingredients in the snacks tested were decided from the triplicate approved consensus of laboratory personnel.

Composition of Buckwheat flour is given in Table 1. Dough composition of buckwheat ancient whole grain gluten-free snacks is given in Table 2. Buckwheat with several levels of oil, and salt were evaluated to arrive at the desired formulation. Four to six levels of turmeric, cayenne pepper and ginger were tested in triplicate. The final levels of these ingredients of the snacks tested were decided from the consensus of laboratory personnel. Snacks dough was prepared by adding 120mL water to 100g of dry ingredients. Dough was set at room temperature for 30 minutes. Snacks were cooked in a 1050Watt, Chef's Choice KrumKake Express 839 (EdgeCraft Corporation Avondale, PA 19311 USA). KrumKake Express with heat control dial settings 1-6 was heated at setting 4 till green ready light turned on. Baking temperature ranged from 185-208 °C as measured by Anritsu Meter AP-710 (Anritsu meter Co., Tokyo, Japan). Cooking surface was lightly sprayed with Pam, non-stick cooking spray (ConAgra Foods, Omaha, NE) and 20g snack dough was placed on the center of heated KrumKake baker and cooked for 2.5 minutes. Figure 1 shows four kinds of buckwheat ancient whole grain gluten-free cooked snacks. Cooked snacks were cooled to room temperature then vacuum heat sealed in plastic bags by Food Saver 2200 Series (Foodsaver.com).

Sensory evaluation of snacks

Seventy-one in-house volunteers tasted the snacks in the sensory evaluation individual booths under white light for Color/Appearance, Odor/Aroma, Taste/Flavor, Texture/Mouth- feel and Acceptance. The sensory parameters were evaluated on a scale of 1-5 (Like very much = 5, like slightly = 4, neutral = 3, dislike slightly = 2 and dislike very much = 1); Acceptance was evaluated on a scale of 1-2 (Acceptable = 2 and unacceptable = 1). Tasters were instructed to evaluate each snack individually and not for relative rating. Vacuum packed prepared snacks were opened and cut into four pieces with a pizza cutter. All four snacks were placed in a plate, appropriately labeled and offered for sensory evaluation. Figure 2 shows four kinds of buckwheat ancient whole grain gluten-free snacks as offered to the tasters in the sensory evaluation room.

Water activity: Water activity (Aw) of whole grain gluten- free buckwheat snacks was measured at 25.01 ± 0.02 °C in triplicate using an AquaLab 4TE dew point water activity meter (Decagon Devices, Inc., Pullman, WA).

Density: The bulk density (pb) of buckwheat snacks was measured by Ottawa Sand volume displacement by 10g of sample in triplicate after 15-5-5 minutes shaking in a jar of 202 cc volume. True density (pt) was determined five times using gas displacement pycnometer AccuPyc II 1340 (Micromeritics Instrument Co., Norcross, GA 30093) at 21.4 ± 0.4 °C. Samples of each snack were dried in triplicate at room temperature for 15h at 0% relative humidity in a vacuum desiccator with anhydrous calcium sulfate (W. A. Hammond Drierite, Xenia, OH). After drying, small pieces of samples were compressed into a density measuring cylinder of the pycnometer and five true density measurements were recorded.

Statistical analysis

Sensory evaluation data scale (1-5) and acceptability (1-2) for all 71 individual tasters were analyzed with Minitab software (version 14.12.0, Minitab inc., State College, PA) using basic statistics for mean and SEM and one-way analysis of variance and Tuckey's multiple comparison tests with (p<0.05) was considered the criterion of significance.

Results and Discussion

^aValues (mean±SEM) within columns with different letters differ significantly (P < 0.05), N=71.

^bSensory evaluation parameters were on a scale of 1 -5 (Like very much = 5, like slightly = 4, neutral much = 1); Acceptance was on scale of 1-2 (Acceptable = 2 and unacceptable = 1).

Results of the taste panel evaluation of buckwheat ancient whole grain gluten-free snacks are shown in Table 3. Odor/Aroma of the buckwheat-ginger snacks was judged significantly (p.0.05) higher than that for buckwheat-cayenne pepper snacks (n=71). Tasters preferred aroma of ancient whole grain gluten-free snacks are shown in Table 3. Odor/Aroma of the buckwheat-ginger snacks was judged significantly (p<0.05) higher than that for buckwheat- cayenne pepper snacks (n=71). Tasters preferred aroma of zingerone (4-(4-hyroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone) a bioactive compound of dry cooked ginger. Zingerone has been associated with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and many other pharmacological properties [16]. Color/Appearance, Taste/Flavor, Texture/Mouthfeel and Acceptance for all the four kinds of snacks tested were similar. Kahlon et al. [17,18] calculated Desirability Index as percent of tasters judged [like very much + like slightly + %(neutral)]. Desirability Index for buckwheat whole grain gluten-free snacks was: Buckwheat (BW), BW-Turmeric, BW-Cayenne Pepper and BW-Ginger for Color/Appearance 83%, 77%, 89% and 90%; Odor/Aroma 76%, 70%, 69% and 83%; Taste/Flavor 69%, 68%, 61% and 60%; Texture/Mouth feel 82%, 82%, 74% and 82%; respectively.

Acceptance of Buckwheat whole grain gluten-free snacks is shown in Figure 3. Acceptance of buckwheat snacks tested was Buckwheat 84.5%, BW-Turmeric 80.3%, BW-Cayenne Pepper 73.2%, and BW-Ginger 70%. These acceptance values for the four kinds of BW snacks tested ranged from 70-85% are quite desirable and statistical similar. This is the first report containing 88-92% ancient whole grain gluten-free buckwheat snacks.

^aValues within columns with different letters differ significantly (P<0.05).

^bWater activity (Aw) was measured at 25.01 ± 0.02 °C by triplicate using an AquaLab 4TE dew point water activity meter (Decagon Devices, Inc., Pullman, WA).

cTrue density (�t) was determined, five times, using an AccuPyc II 1340 gas displacement pycnometer (Micromeritics Instrument Co., Norcross, GA) at 21.4 ± 0.4 °C. The bulk density (�b) of each sample was measured by Ottawa Sand volume displacement by 10g sample in triplicate after 15-5-5 minutes shaking in a jar of 202cc volume.

Water activity (Aw), true density (pt), bulk density (pb) and expansion (pt/pb) of buckwheat whole grain gluten-free snacks is shown in (Table 4). Water activity (Aw) of BW-Turmeric, and BW-Ginger, snacks was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that for BW and BW-Cayenne Pepper snacks. Data suggest that BW- Turmeric and BW-Ginger snacks were crispier than BW and BW-Cayenne pepper snacks. Katz and Labuza [19] reported that snacks with Aw of 0.21-0.27 are typically very crispy. Adams and Moss [20]; Dueik et al. [21] observed that carrot snacks with Aw of 0.44 as crispy with desired antimicrobial stability. The four kinds of BW whole grain gluten-free snacks tested herein with Aw 0.21-0.32 were crispy and with high anti-microbial stability.

True density (pt) values for BW-Turmeric snacks were significantly higher than other snacks tested. The pt values for BW-Cayenne Pepper and BW-Ginger were significantly higher than BW snacks. Bulk density (pb) values for BW-Ginger snacks were significantly lower than other snacks tested. The pb for BW-Turmeric snacks were lower than BW and BW-Cayenne pepper snacks. Expansion (tp/bp) for BW-Turmeric and BW- Ginger was similar 3.6-3.9 and significantly higher than BW and BW-Cayenne Pepper snacks (3.1-3.3). Data suggest that higher expansion of BW-Turmeric and BW-Ginger snacks resulted in crispier chips with lower Aw. Expansion (fluffiness) of all the BW snacks tested was 3-4 times suggesting that these snacks could result in lower caloric consumption and would give desirable fluffier presentation in commercial packaging.

Conclusion

Four kinds of ancient whole grain gluten-free buckwheat snacks were sensory evaluated by seventy-one tasters. Acceptance of these 88-92% buckwheat containing snacks was Buckwheat 84.5%, BW-Turmeric 80.3%, BW-Cayenne Pepper 73.2%, and BW-Ginger 70%. Buckwheat is highly nutritious ancient grain. Turmeric, ginger and cayenne pepper are common spices with many reported health benefits. Water activity of the snacks tested (0.21-0.32) suggests that these snacks were crispy with good anti-microbial stability. Expansion value of 3-4 suggests that these snacks would be quite filling and offer good package presentation. These snacks could be made in any house hold or commercial production. These ancient whole grain gluten-free buckwheat snacks offer healthy choice to all and option for vegetarians and those sensitive to gluten.