Incorporation of Coconut Flour Into Wheat Flour Noodles and Evaluation of Its Rheological, Nutritional and Sensory Characteristics

ABSTRACT Blends of all-purpose wheat flour and coconut flour (ground residue of virgin coconut oil extraction) were prepared for the preparation of noodles. Mixing behavior (water absorption, arrival, dough development time and stability) of the blends was determined by farinograph. Noodles were evaluated for cooked weight, cooking losses, nutritional composition and sensory properties. Water absorption decreases with the substitution increases, whereas dough development time, arrival time and stability were increased up to 20% substitution level. However, at 30% level, an unstable farinogram was observed. Weight increase during cooking is not significantly different to that of noodles prepared with control (100% wheat flour) in all levels of substitutions tested, and solid losses remained less than 5% during cooking in all blends. Protein and fiber content of noodles increased when substitution level increased. Coconut flour addition up to 20% was not significantly different to noodles made with 100% wheat flour for all sensory properties, whereas 30% substitution affects negatively for appearance, texture and overall acceptability of the product. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Wheat flour is not a good source of fiber and protein, although wheat flour noodles are popular in the world. Coconut flour is considered as a good source of fiber (10.45%) and protein (21.65%). It has been estimated that the amount of wheat flour used for noodles making in Asia accounts for about 40% of the total flour consumed, so coconut flour can be incorporated up to 20% into wheat flour noodles in order to improve its health benefits.