Influence of onion powder and its hydrocolloid blends on pasta dough, pasting, microstructure, cooking and sensory characteristics

•First time onion powder and hydrocolloid blend incorporated T. durum was developed.•Rheological characterization of onion powder with hydrocolloid blends were studied.•Microstructure of onion powder with hydrocolloid were established.•Outcome of research will be useful for both researchers and food industry.

The present study aims to study the influence of onion powder in pasta processing. Pasta samples at level of 5%, 10% and 15% of substitution of onion powder with Triticum durum flour were prepared. Based on the results, 10% level was optimized and different hydrocolloids like Xanthan Gum, HPMC (Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose), Guar Gum, Gum Arabica and Fructo-oligo saccharide were added to improve the quality characteristics of the pasta. Onion pasta prepared with these hydrocolloids showed all the quality characteristics comparable to control. Cooking loss of all pasta ranged between 3.6% and 4.9%. Texture studies showed the increase in the shear value with the addition of HPMC (2.14) than control (1.16). Color analysis showed values comparable to control. Descriptive sensory analysis indicated the acceptance of the onion incorporated pasta by panelists. Based on the spectrophotometric analysis, 30.8 mg/100 g (W/W) of total quercetin content was present in onion powder and 2.192 mg/100 g (W/W) of optimized pasta i.e.,71% quercetin retention was found in the optimized onion pasta sample. Hence, study concludes that onion pasta with better quality and sensory characteristics can be developed with HPMC.

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