The objective of this work was to investigate the combined effect of milk, starch and inulin on the textural characteristics of gels and on the pasting properties, using an experimental mixture design. Gel firmness and the amylographic profile were evaluated. For all the parameters evaluated, the fitted models were shown to be influenced by the presence of inulin, starch and milk, as also some of the interactions between the ingredients. The maximum viscosity and final viscosity were positively influenced by the starch concentration and negatively by interactions between the starch and the milk and inulin. Gel firmness increased with increase in starch concentration but the starch / inulin interaction was antagonic, contributing to a decrease in this characteristic. The effect of the starch / inulin interaction could be explained by the higher water affinity of inulin as compared to that of starch, or because it acts as a diluent, decreasing the interaction between the starch granules and/ or chains. From the results found in this study it appears that the inclusion of inulin in milk-starch systems could influence the viscosity and textural characteristics and possibly reflect on the sensory characteristics. Thus, an evaluation of the interactions with the other ingredients of the formulation is essential.
Functional foods; Prebiotics; Fibres; Experimental mixture design
