Fresh mature and ripe apricots after preparations were pre-treated with potassium meta-bisulphite (KMS) at concentrations of 2-8% for 30, 45 and 60 min followed by drying in solar tunnel dryer and in open air. After completion of drying, the samples were packed in polyethylene pouches and evaluated for various quality parameters at 0, 6 and 12 months of ambient storage. KMS pre-treatment at concentration of 6% for 60 min prior to drying helped significantly in improving and maintaining the quality of dried apricots for up to 12 months of ambient storage. Solar tunnel drying resulted in hygienic product and reduced the drying time to 3-4 days compared with 14-16 days in open air drying. Residual free sulphur dioxide of apricots pretreated at KMS concentration of 6% for 60 min was within the prescribed limits of the Fruit Product Order (1955) specifications for dried products.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to formulate a complete protein food from lentil flour (LF) and egg powder (EP) through microwave-assisted extrusion technology. Design/methodology/approach In the first part of the hybrid technology, the feed proportion and extrusion conditions were optimized through design expert using central composite rotatable design. In the second part of hybrid technology, the optimized protein pellets (PP) obtained were subjected to microwave heating (MH) for 50,100, 150, 200 and 250 s. Findings The optimum predicted conditions for development of pellets using extrusion cooking were feed proportion (85% LF and 15% EP), barrel temperature (140°C), screw speed (340 rpm) and feed moisture content (12%). When these pellets were subjected to MH, 150 s of heating time was considered as prudential to induce desirable quality changes in PP. The increase in sectional expansion index, crispness and overall acceptability from 0.637 to 0.659, 4.51 to 6.1 and 3.27 to 3.59 with corresponding decrease in bulk density and breaking strength from 73.33 to 69.75 kg/cm3 and 6.24 to 5.13 N during 150 s of MH indicated that quality characteristics of extruded PPs were improved after MH. Practical implications Nowadays, consumers have become more health conscious than ever, and the demand for nutritious snacks has increased many folds. However, the high protein content restricts expansion of snacks, which was overcome by subjecting extruded pellets to MH to produce third generation pellets. Furthermore, the PP has a protein content of 31.62%, which indicates that if an average person consumes 100 g of these snacks, it will suffice 60% of total recommended dietary intake (0.75 g/kg body weight/day). Lentil-based pellets expanded by use of such hybrid technology (microwave-assisted extrusion cooking) can help to provide a feasible, low cost and protein-rich diet for malnourished population besides being a value addition to lentils. Originality/value LF in combination with EP was tested for the first time for development of nutrient dense pellets. Moreover, use of microwave-assisted extrusion cooking offers a workable and innovative technique of developing protein-rich pellets with improved physico-chemical and sensory attributes.

High amylose rice (HAR) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) are the preferred choices for enhancement of resistant starch content and lowering of glycemic index in dairy desserts. The effects of different levels of skimmed milk powder (SMP): HAR flour (45:55 to 75:25) and CMC (0.1 to 1%) were investigated on physical characteristics of dry-mix and on texture profile parameters, resistant starch (RS), predicted glycemic index (pGI), glycemic load (GL) and overall acceptability of phirni (a traditional milk pudding). Design expert predicted SMP (70): HAR (30) and CMC (0.8%) as optimum levels for reducing the pGI and maximizing the RS content and other quality characteristics in phirni. RS content of phirni (4.38%) prepared from optimized dry-mix (ODM) was higher while pGI (48.12) and GL (7.50) were lower as compared to phirni prepared from market dry-mix (MDM). The visco-thermal properties of ODM and MDM also showed significant variations. Storage modulus (Gʹ) and loss modulus (Gʹʹ) indicated that ODM phirni was less solid than MDM phirni. Scanning electron micrographs showed fused structures in ODM, while coarse sheet like structures were observed across the surface of MDM. Thus, ODM can be a promising substitute for the available milk desserts for diabetic patients.

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A higher proportion of apples produced in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is wasted due to pre-harvest drop which can be utilised for the development of various value-added products. Although apples are mostly processed into single-strength juice and concentrate in J&K, there is a need to introduce new apple-based products. Thus, a study was conducted to develop apple powder from apple juice concentrate (AJC) using spray drying technique. AJC was evaluated for physico-chemical composition, phytochemical constituents, flow behaviour, thermophysical aspect, flavour compounds and viscosity, and was compared with spray dried apple powder (SDAP) developed from the same concentrate. Results inferred from the comparison of AJC with SDAP revealed that SDAP recorded lower moisture content (2.91%) and aw (0.217) but significantly (p < 0.05%) higher fibre (0.07%), carbohydrate content (95.28%) and total soluble solids (TSS) (95.78oBrix). An increase in phenolic, anthocyanin and antioxidant potential of SDAP was also recorded. Viscosity analysis demonstrated that AJC possessed content viscous nature with a viscosity of 552.8 mPa-s which was well supported by rheogram depicting Newtonian behaviour of the con-centrate. Further, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated the presence of major ester, aromatic acids, and primary and secondary alcohol groups which were further revealed by GC-MS that detected the presence of major flavour compounds (2-methyl butyl acetate) in AJC. Flow behaviour of SDAP (after reconstitution) depicted non-Newtonian (shear thinning) behaviour with low viscosity. FTIR and GC showed the presence of all chemical constituents already present in AJC thereby confirming efficiency of spray drying process. The results from the comparison study inferred that AJC can prove as an excellent raw material for spray drying after dilution.