Corn bread (arepa) is a product elaborated from precooked corn flour. This product is highly consumed in Colombia and Venezuela. The deffatted corn germ (GD) is a subproduct of industrial production of oil and endosperm corn flour. Composed flours of endosperm- GD were formulated. Mixes were made using 6,8,10 and 12% sustitution. The mixes were physicochemical, sensorial and nutritionally characterized. Adding the germ did not significantibily increase the quantity of protein but the nutritional quality of the mix increased more than 300%. This was mesured as protein efficient ratio. The composed flour was increased from 0,16 to 1,04. The real digestibility in the mix was higher than 89,5%. Fiber and fat content do not modify significantly the composed flour. Like wise, color, specific weight, pH, water separation, adhesivity, absortion and solubility in water did not vary significantly. Substitutions higher than 6% resulted in small deviations from the established range (3-5 cm) but the dough was not affected. Arepas were prepared and their acceptability were evaluated . Arepas with 6% of GD were prefered when they were compared with arepas made with precooked flour of maize. It is concluded that a 6% level of substitution is viable for enriching corn flour.
Composed flour; corn germ; "arepa"
