Chemical, physical, and sensory properties of nixtamalized oat tortillas

Background and Objectives

While alkaline nixtamalization has historically been used for corn, this process may have application in other cereals. Drawbacks to wider use include the lengthy steep time, as well as the volume of alkaline wastewater produced. This study evaluated a novel, waste-effluent-free nixtamalization process for oat (Avena sativa) masa, and compared properties of oat masa and tortillas prepared with 1%, 1.5%, and 2% lime, with and without steeping.

Findings

A minimal-water-addition, 45-min simmering process, without steeping, was effluent-free, and produced oat tortillas comparable to those produced using a traditional overnight steep. The pH increased significantly with increasing lime content (r = .982). Consumer overall-liking scores did not significantly differ across treatments, though appearance scores were significantly higher for 2% lime samples (p < .05), which were significantly darker and more yellow, based on L* and b* values. Masa adhesiveness means ranged from 1.49 to 1.52 N, with no significant differences between the no-steep treatments. Higher lime addition (1.5%–2%) in the no-steep process significantly improved tortilla flexibility, based on extensibility and rollability scores, though tortilla rupture force did not vary significantly across treatments. Tortilla rollability scores at 3-days were lowest ($\bar{x}$ = 1.1 + 0.31, indicating less cracking) for the 1.5%–2% lime no-steep treatments, which were significantly better than the steeped treatment ($\bar{x}$ = 3.7 + 0.48). Consumers rated the steeped sample as significantly less flexible. B-vitamins were negatively impacted by increasing lime, while calcium increased significantly with lime addition.

Conclusions

The no-steep, effluent-free nixtamalization process produced oat tortillas with good masa and tortilla texture, which were not significantly different in consumer liking than tortillas produced via a traditional process.

Significance and Novelty

This research suggests nixtamalization can be applied to other grains in a shorter, environmentally friendly process, with broader commercial applicability.