Microstructure and water distribution of commercial pasta studied by microscopy and 3D magnetic resonance imaging
Journal article, 2014

Manufacturing pasta is a rather well known process, but it is still challenging to tailor pasta products with new raw materials. In this study, we evaluated the effects of raw materials on the microstructure and water distribution in cooked pasta using H-1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as bright field and polarized light microscopy. The MRI parameters initial intensity (I-0) and transverse dephasing time (T-2*) serve as indicators of the local water concentration and water-macromolecule interactions through chemical exchange, respectively. These parameters were mapped throughout the whole pasta volume with a spatial resolution of 78 mu m in all three dimensions. MRI was combined with light microscopy to link I-0 and T-2* to microstructure components such as fiber particles and the extent of starch gelatinization. Four commercial spaghetti samples were analyzed which were made of durum wheat flour, both plain and enriched with wheat fiber, as well as with wholegrain and soft wheat flour. Although all pasta samples showed similar macroscopic water absorption as measured by weight increase, the sample structures differed at the microscopic scale. Compared to durum wheat spaghetti, the presence of fiber particles decreased T-2*, while spaghetti enriched with soft wheat flour increased T-2*. In addition, light microscopy showed that large fiber particles partly acted as barriers against water migration and protected starch granules from swelling. Smaller wheat fiber particles did not affect local starch swelling. Thus, the combination of light microscopy and MRI is a powerful tool to study the microstructure and water distribution in pasta.

T-2*

Dietary fiber

Microstructure

MRI

Spaghetti

Light microscopy

Author

Thomas Steglich

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering

SuMo Biomaterials

Diana Bernin

University of Gothenburg

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Applied Surface Chemistry

SuMo Biomaterials

Magnus Röding

University of Gothenburg

SuMo Biomaterials

Chalmers, Mathematical Sciences, Mathematical Statistics

Magnus Nydén

University of South Australia

Annelie Moldin

Lantmännen Cerealia

D. Topgaard

Lund University

Maud Langton

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)

Food Research International

0963-9969 (ISSN) 18737145 (eISSN)

Vol. 62 644-652

Subject Categories

Industrial Biotechnology

Food Engineering

DOI

10.1016/j.foodres.2014.04.004

More information

Latest update

8/18/2020