Novel Gluten-Free Amaranth and Oat Flour Cookies Fortified with Soybean Hulls

Abstract

Soybean hulls, an abundant byproduct of soybean processing, contain rich phytochemicals, fibers, proteins, and minerals. Currently soybean hulls are primarily used as animal feeds. For value-added soybean hull utilization, 25% soybean hulls were substituted for amaranth or whole oat flour (WOF) in novel gluten-free cookies. Composition, nutritional values, water-holding capacities, correlation between properties, and pasting and rheological properties of soybean hulls, amaranth, and WOF were appraised in comparison to wheat flour. Water loss, cookie texture, and geometrical properties of the cookies were examined. The results disclosed that soybean hulls, amaranth and WOF contain higher protein content, minerals, fiber, special amino acids, and critical vitamins (C and K) than wheat flour. Considerably higher total amino acid content was found in soybean hulls (18.33%) than wheat flour (12.77%). Water-holding capacities increased by replacing amaranth and WOF with soybean hulls. Soybean hulls exhibited higher rheological elastic properties than amaranth, WOF and wheat flours. The soybean hulls utilized in amaranth or WOF cookies greatly improved their nutritional value, the water retention and moisture content along with acceptable physical properties when compared to wheat flour cookies. This study explored the feasibility and potential of utilizing soybean hulls with amaranth and WOF in gluten-free bakery products and other food applications