Studies on the Optimization and Storage Stability of Virgin Coconut Meal Incorporated Instant Sooji Halwa Mix

Virgin Coconut Meal (VCM) was used for the development of instant wheat sooji (semolina) halwa mix with better nutritional attributes. Central composite rotatable design (CCRD) with 2 independent variables (sugar and VCM) and 4 responses (lightness, redness, taste and overall acceptability) was used for the optimisation. VCM incorporated instant halwa mix prepared using optimised levels of ingredients contained moisture 0.95%;fat 26.2%;protein 7.65%;total ash 0.86%;fibre 1.02% and received overall acceptability score of 8.5 on a 9 point hedonic scale providing 523.86 K·cal/ 100g. The changes in quality of stored VCM incorporated instant halwa mix packed in polypropylene (PP, 75 μ) and laminates of metallised polyester (MP, 90 μ) were monitored in order to assess the shelf-life. Instant halwa mix remained stable and acceptable for one year in both the packaging materials under ambient temperature conditions (15℃ - 34℃). However, the rate of lipid peroxidation was found to be slightly higher in PP packed samples as compared to MP packed ones. Fatty acid composition of VCM incorporated instant halwa mix remained practically unchanged during storage. Oleic acid was the major fatty acid present in fat extracted from halwa mix followed by palmitic and lauric acids.

Effect of Virgin Coconut Meal (VCM) on the Textural, Thermal and Physico Chemical Properties of Biscuits

Biscuits were prepared by incorporating virgin coconut meal (VCM) into refined wheat flour (maida) at 5-25% level and evaluated for physical, chemical, nutritional, textural and sensory attributes. All the prepared biscuits had high protein and fiber contents as compared to control (100% refined wheat flour based product). With the incorporation of VCM, hardness and toughness of dough increased while there was a decrease in stickiness and adhesiveness values. Incorporation of VCM had a significant effect on color values of biscuits as the concentration of VCM was increased. The values of L* decreased while those for a* and b* increased. Sensory analysis revealed that 15% VCM biscuits were the most acceptable. The Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis revealed that the onset (To) decreased while end set (Tc) and enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH) increased with the increase level of VCM.

Utilization of Virgin Coconut Meal (VCM) in the Production of Ready-to-Eat Indian Traditional Sweet Meat Using Response Surface Methodology

Virgin coconut meal (VCM) was used for the development of ready-to-eat Indian traditional sweet meat commonly known as “ladoo” both with and without sorbic acid (0.3%). The different ingredients were optimized following re-sponse surface methodology with three independent variables i.e. sugar, water and VCM and sensory attributes as responses. The changes in the quality of VCM ladoo packed in polypropylene (PP, 75 μ) and laminates of metalized polyester (MP, 75 μ) were monitored during storage to establish the shelf life under ambient temperature conditions (15?C - 34?C). Samples without added potassium sorbate spoiled within three weeks of storage due to mold growth and fermented odour. VCM ladoo containing sorbic acid did not support any microbial growth during storage up to 4 months, however, during storage samples packed in PP lost moisture and became hard and brittle, while those packed in MP remained soft. Peroxide and thiobarbituric acid values were higher in PP packed samples as compared to those packed in MP. Sorbic acid degraded during storage of ladoo and the rate of degradation was higher in PP packed ladoos than that in MP packed ones.