---

Celiac disease is the most common disease caused by gluten consumption and the only way to prevent it is to use gluten-free foods. The aim of this study was to optimization the formulation of gluten-free bread based on quinoa flour, laccase enzyme, and xanthan gum. For this purpose, the sensory properties and texture of bread under the influence of independent variables including quinoa flour (0-50%), xanthan gum (0-0.5%), and laccase enzyme (0-2 units of enzyme activity per gram of flour (U/g) were evaluated using the response level method based on the central composite design. Then some qualitative characteristics of gluten-free bread sample in optimal conditions were compared with the control sample (gluten-free bread containing rice and corn flours without quinoa flour, laccase enzyme, and xanthan gum) for 7 days of storage. The results showed that quinoa flour and laccase enzyme had a significant effect on sensory properties including crust color, porosity, taste, aroma, firmness, and overall acceptibility (p<0.05) of breads. While the effect of quadratic level of gum on overall acceptibility as well as the interaction of laccase enzyme and xanthan gum on bread firmness was significant (p<0.05). The optimal bread formulation consisted of 40% quinoa flour, 0.46% xanthan gum, and 2 U/g laccase enzyme. Comparison of the gluten-free optimal sample with the control gluten-free sample showed that the enthalpy and peak temperature of the control bread was higher than the optimal bread, which indicates more staleness. In terms of textural properties and sensory evaluation, the optimal sample was significantly better than the control sample. However, in terms of L* color indice, the control sample showed higher values (p<0.05).

---

Quinoa is pseudo-cereal which origins from South America. It is rich in lysine and has a high protein content. Quinoa flour has no gluten and is suitable for people with celiac disease. The purpose of this study was to use quinoa flour to prepare gluten free cracker biscuits. Quinoa flour and corn flour mixtures of 100 to 0, 80 to 20, 60 to 40, 40 to 60, 20 to 80 were used for crackers preparations. Tests for pH, moisture content, texture firmness analysis and sensory tests (taste, color and texture) were performed on the first, third and seventh day after production. Porosity and color analysis (L*a*b*) were examined on the same day of production.  The results showed that the type of flour can affect the pH and crackers with a higher percentage of corn flour had a higher pH.. Combining corn flour with quinoa flour (60% quinoa flour - 40% corn flour) maintained more moisture and created softer texture with more porosity. Over time moisturecontent, decreased and firmness increased in all samples. Hardness and brittleness were more evident in crackers containing a higher percentage of quinoa flour. Increasing the percent of quinoa in crackers caused a decrease in L^* and b^* factors and an increase in a^* factor. Crackers with a higher percentage of quinoa flour were darker in color. In terms of sensory evaluation, the highest score in taste was given to the sample of 60% quinoa flour -40% corn flour.
 

---

Compact food bars have become consumers' first choice as an alternative to unhealthy snacks, meal replacements, or quick energy sources before exercise. Considering the increasing need of society for such products, this research aims to investigate the effect of using quinoa flour in raw and processed form (flaked and roasted) and different levels of rice flour (zero, 15 and 30%) on the physicochemical (moisture, fat, protein, ash, carbohydrates, calories, specific volume, color, water activity, and texture) and sensory characteristics of compact food bars. The results showed that the processing applied on quinoa, while improving the quality of the product, led to a decrease in moisture, fat, and water activity, and an increase in ash and texture hardness, and the samples containing quinoa flour showed the highest amount of protein. In addition, the flaking process decreased carbohydrate and specific volume and roasting increased them and significantly affected the color changes of the samples. The sensory analysis of the samples also showed that the processing done on quinoa and increasing the amount of rice flour in the formulation increased the overall acceptance of the product. Finally, the sample produced with quinoa flaked flour and containing 30% of rice flour (8.10% moisture, 5.90% fat, 5.74% protein, 0.78% ash, 79.47% carbohydrates, and 393.97 Kcal/100g calories) was chosen as the optimal formula.

 

---

Quinoa, a nutritionally valuable pseudocereal, is rich in protein, carbohydrates, minerals, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and fiber. Considering the high nutritional value of quinoa flour, this study aimed to produce Ferni (which is Porridge in English), a popular Iranian dairy dessert, using quinoa flour. For this purpose, quinoa flour (0, 20, 40, and 60%) was added to a mixture of cow's milk and buffalo milk (0, 50, and 100%) and sugar. The mixture was heated until the desired consistency was reached and then cooled in small containers and stored in the refrigerator for 14 days. Physicochemical and sensory tests were performed on the samples during storage. The results were analyzed using SPSS software and Duncan's test for mean comparison at a 95% confidence level. The results showed that with the replacement of rice flour with quinoa flour, the dry matter, ash, fat, acidity, water holding capacity, redness intensity (a*), firmness, stickiness, and texture acceptance of the dessert samples increased. On the other hand, the values of pH, yellowness intensity (b*), and odor and flavor acceptance of the dessert samples decreased. But, with increasing percentage of replacement of rice flour with quinoa flour, the values of lightness intensity (L*), color acceptance, taste acceptance, and overall acceptance decreased. On the other hand, the values of pH, water holding capacity, firmness, lightness intensity (L*), appearance color, odor and flavor, texture, and overall acceptance decreased. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that up to 40% of rice flour can be replaced with quinoa flour to enrich Ferni.