Production of Functional Pasta with Low Phenylalanine Based on Potato and Tapioca Starches

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic disorder necessitating a low-protein and phenylalanine diet. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of producing a low-protein pasta using potato and tapioca starches. The pasta formulation substituted semolina flour with a blend of potato and tapioca starches. Date kernel fiber and xanthan gum were incorporated as prebiotic compounds and texture enhancers, respectively. Physicochemical (moisture, fat, total ash, protein, phenylalanine, cooking loss, cooking time, color indexes, and hardness) and sensory properties (texture, flavor, color, and overall acceptability) were evaluated and compared against the control sample (based on semolina flour). The results demonstrated no significant alteration in moisture and fat content upon substitution, but a significant decrease in ash and protein content (P< ۰.۰۵). Consequently, phenylalanine levels decreased from ۵۳۰.۵۸ mg ۱۰۰ g-۱ in the control sample to ۲۴.۴۹-۲۶.۶۰ mg ۱۰۰ g-۱ in the pasta. Replacing flour with starches increased cooking loss, reduced cooking time, and diminished pasta hardness compared to the control (P< ۰.۰۵). The pasta exhibited higher L* and lower a* and b* values than the control. Sensory evaluation revealed that the pasta containing ۳۵% potato starch and ۴۰% tapioca starch attained the highest scores (T۵), indicating its favorable acceptability. Overall, this study suggests that the combination of potato and tapioca starches, along with date kernel fiber and xanthan gum (T۵), enables the production of low-protein pasta suitable for PKU patients.

Keywords:

Date kernel fiber , Low-protein pasta , Phenylketonuria , Potato starch , Tapioca starch.