Designing a functional rice muffin formulated with prebiotic oligosaccharides and sugar reduction

Innovation of pastry products towards higher nutritional and commercial value remains a challenge to the growing field of healthy food. In this study, the prebiotic supplementation and sugar reduction were explored in a widely consumed pastry product with a low level of innovation. The prebiotic potential of commercial agave inulin and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) was evaluated and compared by an in vitro model using human fecal inocula. Rice muffins containing 100% of sugar or 75% of sugar supplemented with 0.8% GOS were produced and compared with commercial rice muffins regarding their physical and textural properties. GOS fermentation led to the highest production of lactate and short-chain fatty acids, besides the most significant reduction of the final pH value and of the ammonia and methane production. Inulin presented a higher selectivity towards Lactobacillaceae (51 +/- 1% of all), while GOS are more efficient to stimulate Bifidobacteriaceae growth (65 +/- 7% of all). Both prebiotics were effective in reducing Methanobacteria. The reduction of sugar content modified the air bubbles characteristics (size and population with a greater number of tunnels) present in the muffin crumb, without relevant differences in apparent porosity. Textural results indicated that springiness and resilience of the muffin with low sugar content are acceptable, but hardness and chewiness were increased. The new-formula muffins presented very relevant textural parameters with comparable values to those reported in the literature for the commercial ones, thus anticipating a good consumer acceptance. This study is an important contribution towards more innovative and diversified healthy pastry products.

Automated summary

This study explores the use of prebiotic supplementation and sugar reduction in pastry products to increase their nutritional and commercial value. The results show that both commercial agave inulin and galacto-oligosaccharides have prebiotic potential, with differences in their effects on gut microbiota. The modified muffins with reduced sugar content showed comparable texture parameters to commercial ones, indicating good consumer acceptance.