Effect of Pea Shell Powder on Chemical, Sensory and Cooking Quality of Macaroni

Abstract

Background: This research looks at putting pea shells, a byproduct of pea processing, into macaroni to improve nutrition and sustainability. It aims to emphasize the feasibility and benefits of utilizing pea shells in popular cuisines by investigating their nutritional profile and sensory characteristics. This study addresses waste and nutrient-deficient packaged foods by exploring the synergy of culinary innovation and sustainability. Utilizing phyto-nutrient-rich by-products from fruits and vegetables, it proposes enhancing products like macaroni, noodles, cakes, biscuits and soups for a healthier and more environmentally sustainable future. Methods: Studied how adding pea shell powder (10-30%) affected the chemical, sensory and cooking quality of four macaroni types, comparing them to a control group without pea shell powder. Result: Macaroni with pea shell powder excelled in color, appearance and taste. Type I (10%) showed superior sensory attributes, while Type III (30%) lagged, impacting overall acceptability. Furthermore, cooking performance analysis indicated that the inclusion of pea shell powder influenced cooking time (16.45-11.48 minutes), water absorption capacity (106-160 g/100 g) and cooking loss (14.3-4.89 g/100 g). The pea shell powder incorporation enhances the nutritional profile of macaroni, including significantly increased protein (8.57-12.64%), dietary fibers, minerals and decreased fat, carbohydrate and energy (370.4-206.66 kcal/100 g) content. Calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium contents were significantly higher in value-added macaroni than in the control. The quality analysis clearly showed that value addition improves the nutrition and taste of macaroni, which indicates potential premium macaroni products for the food industry and healthy alternatives for consumers.