Nutritional composition, antioxidant, and sensory characteristics of gluten-free biscuits produced from malted finger millet (Eleusine coracana) flours

Abstract Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is a gluten-free and nutrient-rich cereal grain which has been recognised for its prospective health benefits. To promote the use of finger millet (FM), the impact of malting on the nutritional content, antioxidant, and sensory characteristics of light and...

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Main Authors: Kundai Thelma Murungweni, Shonisani Eugenia Ramashia, Mpho Edward Mashau
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-05-01
Series:Discover Food
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00408-4
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author Kundai Thelma Murungweni
Shonisani Eugenia Ramashia
Mpho Edward Mashau
author_facet Kundai Thelma Murungweni
Shonisani Eugenia Ramashia
Mpho Edward Mashau
author_sort Kundai Thelma Murungweni
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is a gluten-free and nutrient-rich cereal grain which has been recognised for its prospective health benefits. To promote the use of finger millet (FM), the impact of malting on the nutritional content, antioxidant, and sensory characteristics of light and dark brown FM biscuits was evaluated. The two varieties of FM grains were germinated for 0, 24, 48, and 72 h and kilned for 8 h at 30 °C. Malting time significantly increased the ash, fibre, protein and carbohydrate contents of FM biscuits while fat content decreased. Furthermore, malting increased the majority of the macro and micro minerals, polyphenols and antioxidant activity of light and dark brown FM biscuits. In terms of colour, malting time significantly decreased the L* values of both FM biscuits, while low a* and chroma values were only observed in light brown biscuits. Weight, diameter, thickness, and spread ratio significantly decreased (p < 0.05) with increased malting time in both FM biscuits. The hardness of the biscuits increased with the malting period with values varying from 762.53 to 1720.28 g (light brown) and 747.50 to 1918.71 g (dark brown). The panelists preferred gluten-free 24 h malted FM biscuits because they exhibited superior sensory attributes. Malted FM flour (up to 72 h) can be used to prepare nutritious, antioxidant-rich, and healthier gluten-free bakery products such as biscuits.
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spelling doaj-art-273aa9ea781249569abc573c0260a2e82025-08-20T02:11:11ZengSpringerDiscover Food2731-42862025-05-015111410.1007/s44187-025-00408-4Nutritional composition, antioxidant, and sensory characteristics of gluten-free biscuits produced from malted finger millet (Eleusine coracana) floursKundai Thelma Murungweni0Shonisani Eugenia Ramashia1Mpho Edward Mashau2Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of VendaDepartment of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of VendaDepartment of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of VendaAbstract Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is a gluten-free and nutrient-rich cereal grain which has been recognised for its prospective health benefits. To promote the use of finger millet (FM), the impact of malting on the nutritional content, antioxidant, and sensory characteristics of light and dark brown FM biscuits was evaluated. The two varieties of FM grains were germinated for 0, 24, 48, and 72 h and kilned for 8 h at 30 °C. Malting time significantly increased the ash, fibre, protein and carbohydrate contents of FM biscuits while fat content decreased. Furthermore, malting increased the majority of the macro and micro minerals, polyphenols and antioxidant activity of light and dark brown FM biscuits. In terms of colour, malting time significantly decreased the L* values of both FM biscuits, while low a* and chroma values were only observed in light brown biscuits. Weight, diameter, thickness, and spread ratio significantly decreased (p < 0.05) with increased malting time in both FM biscuits. The hardness of the biscuits increased with the malting period with values varying from 762.53 to 1720.28 g (light brown) and 747.50 to 1918.71 g (dark brown). The panelists preferred gluten-free 24 h malted FM biscuits because they exhibited superior sensory attributes. Malted FM flour (up to 72 h) can be used to prepare nutritious, antioxidant-rich, and healthier gluten-free bakery products such as biscuits.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00408-4Nutritional compositionMaltingAntioxidantGluten-free biscuitSensory characteristicsFinger millet flour
spellingShingle Kundai Thelma Murungweni
Shonisani Eugenia Ramashia
Mpho Edward Mashau
Nutritional composition, antioxidant, and sensory characteristics of gluten-free biscuits produced from malted finger millet (Eleusine coracana) flours
Discover Food
Nutritional composition
Malting
Antioxidant
Gluten-free biscuit
Sensory characteristics
Finger millet flour
title Nutritional composition, antioxidant, and sensory characteristics of gluten-free biscuits produced from malted finger millet (Eleusine coracana) flours
title_full Nutritional composition, antioxidant, and sensory characteristics of gluten-free biscuits produced from malted finger millet (Eleusine coracana) flours
title_fullStr Nutritional composition, antioxidant, and sensory characteristics of gluten-free biscuits produced from malted finger millet (Eleusine coracana) flours
title_full_unstemmed Nutritional composition, antioxidant, and sensory characteristics of gluten-free biscuits produced from malted finger millet (Eleusine coracana) flours
title_short Nutritional composition, antioxidant, and sensory characteristics of gluten-free biscuits produced from malted finger millet (Eleusine coracana) flours
title_sort nutritional composition antioxidant and sensory characteristics of gluten free biscuits produced from malted finger millet eleusine coracana flours
topic Nutritional composition
Malting
Antioxidant
Gluten-free biscuit
Sensory characteristics
Finger millet flour
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00408-4
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