Wheat extrusion processing technology for optimizing process parameters and enhancing nutrient retention

Wheat is a cereal crop used in many ready-to-eat products such as bread, noodles and cakes due to its favorable sensory qualities and processing properties. The extrusion process further enhances these products by precisely controlling processing parameters to improve their nutritional value and functionality.

In a review published in the KeAi journal Food Physics, a team of researchers in China studied the effects that extrusion process parameters have on the structural, functional, and physicochemical properties of wheat-based products. They also discussed specific applications of extruded wheat products.

“One of the most exciting findings is how extrusion processing not only improves the sensory properties of wheat products but also reduces allergen content,” shares corresponding author Professor Chao Ding, an Associate Dean at the School of Food Science and Engineering at Nanjing University of Finance and Economics. “Our work highlights the potential of fine-tuning extrusion parameters to transform traditional wheat processing methods, offering a pathway to healthier and more sustainable food production.”

Further, specific adjustments in the extrusion process can lead to favorable structural changes, like improved starch gelatinization and protein denaturation, which in turn enhance overall product functionality.

“Our study also places extrusion technology in the context of modern consumer trends toward healthy eating and sustainable development. Extruded wheat products not only offer nutritional and sensory benefits but also promise reduced energy consumption and environmental impact,” says Ding.

Despite challenges like higher production costs and technical complexities, this review points to a clear potential for optimizing the balance between product quality, nutritional value, and production efficiency.

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Contact author: Chao Ding,College of Food Science and Engineering/Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety, Key Laboratory of Grains and Oils Quality Control and Processing, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, 3 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China, cding@nufe.edu.cn

The publisher KeAi was established by Elsevier and China Science Publishing & Media Ltd to unfold quality research globally. In 2013, our focus shifted to open access publishing. We now proudly publish more than 200 world-class, open access, English language journals, spanning all scientific disciplines. Many of these are titles we publish in partnership with prestigious societies and academic institutions, such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).