Effect of the addition of whole‐grain wheat flour and of extrusion process parameters on dietary fibre content, starch transformation and mechanical properties of a ready‐to‐eat breakfast cereal

Abstract

Summary This study evaluates the effect of the incorporation of whole‐grain wheat flour ( WGWF ) and of extrusion process parameters on the nutritional and technological quality of breakfast cereals. The corn flour‐based breakfast cereals were elaborated in a twin‐screw extruder following a rotatable central composite design with varied WGWF (0–100%), feed moisture (14–24%) and zones 3 and 4 barrel temperature (76–143 °C). Dietary fibre and resistant starch were significantly increased with WGWF addition. Total and digestible starch showed a decrease when WGWF increased. The RVA parameters were significantly affected by all the extrusion conditions and WGWF content. The cell structure of the extrudates was dependent of WGWF and moisture.