30E-1

Effect of okara on properties of rice-whey beverage

P. N. DIAS1, T. A. Howell, Jr., and E. de Feliz. (1) Dept. of Food Science, University of Arkansas, 2650N Young Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72704

Okara, also known as soy pulp, is an abundant by-product of the soy and tofu industries. The high quality protein and lipid fractions present in okara and its emulsifying properties make it a potential ingredient in rice beverages. Rice beverages require addition of proteins to enhance their nutritional profile. However, the use of whey protein and okara in such applications is under-investigated. Because whey proteins enhance foaming, antifoaming agents are required. The addition of okara provides oil and lecithin that could inhibit foam formation of whey proteins and provide a desirable texture and appearance in the final product.

Our objective was to investigate the flow properties of rice-whey dispersions with okara and compare them with commercially available cow’s milk.

The flow properties of rice-whey beverages, containing 0 to 16% okara, were measured by a rotational viscometer. A programmed shear rate, which increased from 0 to 400 1/s in 3 min, was held constant at 400 1/s for 3 min and decreased to 0 1/s over 3 min was employed in measuring rheological properties.

Commercial milk samples and rice-whey dispersions containing okara showed Newtonian behavior. Hysteresis loops were present in flow curves at lower concentrations of okara. With the addition of 0 to 16% okara, the viscosity of rice-whey dispersions increased from 0.05 to 0.06 Pas and 0.06 to 0.07 Pas at 22 °C and 4 °C respectively. Rice-whey dispersions that contained 12 and 16% okara had nearly the same viscosity as commercial whole milk (~0.062 Pas) at 22 °C. The foam formation of whey proteins was suppressed at high concentrations of okara.

Okara at high concentrations reduced foam formation and did not produce high viscosities in a rice-whey beverage. Thus, okara enhanced the nutritional and functional properties of rice-whey dispersions without impairing the flow behavior.

Session 30E, Food Engineering: Rheology and texture
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM, 2002-06-16

2002 Annual Meeting and Food Expo - Anaheim, California