Multi-scale characterization of pasta during cooking using microscopy and real-time magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Macroscopic properties of pasta, such as the texture, are formed during cooking by a complex interplay of water and heat with the structuring agents starch and gluten. The impact of the starch-to-gluten ratio on microstructure and water distribution in pasta was analyzed by a multi-scale approach combining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and light microscopy. The cooking process and thus the water distribution was monitored non-invasively using H-1 MRI in real-time with a temporal resolution of 45 s. Our MRI set-up allowed following the water ingress by imaging the reduction of the uncooked core. The water ingress rate was neither dependent on pasta composition nor on the presence of salt in the cooking media (0.7% NaCl). Starch-rich samples showed a more homogeneous water distribution in the gelatinized zone, which was mirrored in a more homogeneous microstructure. In contrast, gluten-rich samples showed both a heterogeneous water distribution and microstructure. Thus, the gluten content affected local water content in the gelatinized zone but not the water ingress. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Spaghetti; Salt; MRI; Gluten; Starch; Real-time

Published in

Food Research International
2014, volume: 66, pages: 132-139
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

SLU Authors

• Steglich, Thomas

  • Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Chalmers University of Technology
  • Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnology - SIK

• Langton, Maud

  • Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Food Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2014.09.007

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/64933