Apple pomace as a source of dietary fiber and polyphenols and its effect on the rheological characteristics and cake making

Apple pomace, a by-product of apple juice industry, is a rich source of fibre and polyphenols. Also in view of the antioxidant property of pomace, it would play an important role in prevention of diseases. Apple pomace procured from fruit juice industry, contained 10.8% moisture, 0.5% ash and 51.1% of dietary fibre. Finely ground apple pomace was incorporated in wheat flour at 5%, 10% and 15% levels and studied for rheological characteristics. Water absorption increased significantly from 60.1% to 70.6% with increase in pomace from 0% to 15%. Dough stability decreased and mixing tolerance index increased, indicating weakening of the dough. Resistance to extension values significantly increased from 336 to 742 BU whereas extensibility values decreased from 127 to 51 mm. Amylograph studies showed decrease in peak viscosity and cold paste viscosity from 950 to 730 BU and 1760 to 970 BU respectively. Cakes were prepared from blends of wheat flour containing 0–30% apple pomace. The volume of cakes decreased from 850 to 620 cc with increase in pomace content from 0% to 30%. Cakes prepared from 25% of apple pomace had a dietary fibre content of 14.2% The total phenol content in wheat flour and apple pomace was 1.19 and 7.16 mg/g respectively where as cakes prepared from 0% and 25% apple pomace blends had 2.07 and 3.15 mg/g indicating that apple pomace can serve as a good source of both polyphenols and dietary fibre.