Influence of Partial Gelatinization Treatment on the Quality Changes of Puffed Rice

The objective of this study was to examine the quality enhancement of puffed products made with partial gelatinized waxy and non-waxy type rice. The partial gelatinization process increased water holding capacity of samples, regardless of the gelatinization time, with the puffed waxy rice exhibiting higher water holding capacities than the puffed non-waxy rice. The hardness of puffed rice using partial gelatinized waxy or non-waxy type rice was lower compared with non-partial gelatinized samples. Partial gelatinization also increased the final viscosity of the samples, which was decreased by the puffing treatment. The setback viscosity was higher in the partially gelatinized rice than in the non-gelatinized rice and was lower for the puffing treatment. The in vitro starch digestibility of waxy and non-waxy type rice was improved by a puffing treatment. These results suggest that puffed rice using partial gelatinization treatment enhances the quality and digestibility of soft-textured foods.