Using pre-gelatinised red lentils in pasta production: connecting starch features and pasta cooking behaviour

Considering the high interest in using pulses in the production of staple foods, including pasta, this study aimed at investigating the effect of pre-gelatinisation on the overall quality of pasta from red lentils. Pre-gelatinized flours showed a lower gelatinisation temperature (up to about 57 degrees C vs. about 65 degrees C) and higher retrogradation tendency than native flour. Such changes resulted in higher water absorption capacity (up to 1.23 vs. 0.98 g g(-1)) and higher farinographic torque, but did not impact the cooking quality. Conversely, the resistant starch content of cooked pasta decreased (from 14.79 to 10.4 g/100 g total starch) and the starch hydrolysis index increased (from 48.28 to 67.71) when pre-gelatinised flours were used. In conclusion, pre-gelatinisation impacted starch, hydration and the mixing properties of red lentils flours, without compromising the cooking behaviour of the related pasta.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the effect of pre-gelatinisation on the overall quality of pasta from red lentils. Pre-gelatinized flours showed different gelatinisation properties compared to native flour, resulting in changes in water absorption capacity and farinographic torque. However, the cooking quality of the pasta remained unaffected. The use of pre-gelatinised flours also affected the resistant starch content and starch hydrolysis index of the cooked pasta.