Gluten-free Nan-e-Fasaee: Formulation optimization on the basis of quinoa flour and inulin

Diversification of gluten-free (GF) bakery products is considerably important, as those who suffer from gluten intolerance should follow a GF diet their whole life. Regarding this study, it was aimed at optimizing the formulation of a quinoa-based GF traditional bakery product, i.e. Nan-e-Fasaee using inulin as a bifunctional agent (both a prebiotic compound and a structure-forming agent). Otherwise, its potential role as a fat and sugar replacer was also assessed. For this purpose, short (S)- and long (L)-chain inulin were used as sugar and fat replacers, respectively, at 0%-50% w/w in quinoa flour (QF)-based GF Nan-e-Fasaee and optimization was done based on rheological, textural, and sensory analysis. Results indicated that QF diet provided the batter with the dominance of elastic modulus and increased hardness (i.e. 5170.0 ± 22.50 g in the presence of QF compared to 1477.0 ± 20.81 g in wheat-based ones). Inulin inclusion reduced the hardness, as the lowest was observed at S-inulin substitution levels of 40% and 50% w/w, with values equal to 2422.0 ± 20.81 and 2431.0 ± 35.57 g, respectively (the most similar ones to control sample). The interference of S-inulin with the non-gelatinized starch structure is supposed to decrease the hardness. The highest score in texture was also perceived at F6 and F13, with values equal to 8.00 ± 0.10 and 7.97 ± 0.05, respectively. Using S- and L-inulin in combination is found to improve the textural characteristics due to preventing the competitive role of sugar in water absorption in formulations containing L-inulin. Regarding optimization of quinoa-based GF Nan-e-Fasaee with reduced sugar and fat levels using inulin, it is found to be feasible.