Alginate may lead to low GI rice noodles: Nestle

By Stephen Daniells

- Last updated on GMT

Formulating rice noodles with alginate may enhance the structural properties of rice dough, which could lead to the development of a successful commercial rice noodle product, says a new study.

“Results are promising for the development of commercial rice noodles with superior appearance, textural profile and digestibility,”​ wrote the researchers from the National University of Singapore and Nestle R&D Center, Singapore, in the journal Food Hydrocolloids​.

“Product development work is on-going but for the moment the ability of the alginate containing rice noodle to deliver an acceptable organoleptic property following steaming, frying and boiling is extremely encouraging,”​ they added.

The instant noodle market is growing. According to a US Department of Agriculture emerging market project proposal, manufacturers of instant noodles are searching for “a new formula for the next noodle generation that can be higher in protein, better quality, and yet cheaper”.

Study details

The researchers set the alginate (ISP) externally with calcium within the dough and found this to reduce the cooking loss and leakage of starch during boiling. Use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that alginate had a “dramatic effect”​ on the “morphology of rice dough”​.

The researchers then used these laboratory results to scale up the preparation, and test the alginate-rice dough for soup-based rice noodles at the pilot plant scale.

“Unlike wheat dough, the lack of gluten in rice causes rapid water evaporation and the formation of brittle structures that disintegrate readily,”​ explained the researchers.

The pilot plant steps involved “mixing of ingredients, dough sheeting and slitting, spraying of an appropriate calcium chloride solution onto the noodle surface, waiving and cutting of noodle strands, steaming, and frying in the desired commercial size portions”​.

The pilot plant tests showed that formulation with alginate produced “distinctive strands with very acceptable eye appeal”, while formulation without alginate produced lumpy and sticky noodles.

In addition to improvements in the texture of the noodles, the researchers added that the alginate-formulation may also retard the digestion of amylase of the dough in vitro​.

“It remains to be seen if results can be followed through with ​in vivo studies thus reducing the relatively high glycemic index of instant rice noodles,”​ they concluded.

The glycaemic index measures how quickly certain foods release carbohydrates into the body, which then raise consumers' blood glucose levels. High GI foods, including white bread, white rice, many prepared breakfast cereals and concentrated sugar, cause blood sugar levels to rise more rapidly. Low GI foods include most vegetables, fruits, beans and unprocessed grains.

Source: Food Hydrocolloids​ Volume 23, Issue 6, Pages 1458-1464“Structural enhancement leading to retardation of in vitro digestion of rice dough in the presence of alginate”​ Authors: L.W. Koh, S. Kasapis, K.M. Lim, C.W. Foo

Related topics Reformulation Nestlé Ingredients

Related news

Related products

show more

Sweeten Your Treats with Sustainable Syrups

Sweeten Your Treats with Sustainable Syrups

Content provided by Green Plains Inc. | 03-Oct-2024 | Insight Guide

Elevate your products with Green Plains’ premium, low carbon-intensity corn syrups. Drop-in replacements with an up to 40% lower carbon footprint than...

Breakthrough ingredients for better-for-you bread

Breakthrough ingredients for better-for-you bread

Content provided by ADM | 03-Oct-2024 | White Paper

Our new flour blend is a carefully curated blend of clinically studied ingredients to help you create better-for-you bread that tastes great to help you...

Leveraging the Power of Enzymes to Maximize Value

Leveraging the Power of Enzymes to Maximize Value

Content provided by IFF | 18-Sep-2024 | Application Note

In today’s dynamic bakery industry, excelling requires more than just great taste. With tightening budgets and rising expectations, manufacturers must...

Improve texture, volume & appearance with Corbion

Improve texture, volume & appearance with Corbion

Content provided by Corbion | 02-Sep-2024 | White Paper

Consumers think twice about products that vary in quality. Delivering superior experiences consistently is the best way to keep consumers satisfied and...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars