Comparative evaluation of physicochemical, functional and texture properties and sensory acceptance of different instant rice varieties coated with Spirulina and edible polymers

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the influence of Spirulina platensis and edible polymer coating on the physicochemical and texture properties, and sensory acceptance of coated instant rice: glutinous white rice (GWR), glutinous black rice (GBR), non-glutinous white rice (NWR) and non-glutinous black rice (NBR). Instant rice was cooked and dried, and then coated by a pan-coating process. Black rice varieties (GBR and NBR) showed higher amounts of protein, fibre, ash and bioactive compounds than white rice varieties (GWR and NWR). The Spirulina-coated rice had significantly improved texture properties, especially black rice cultivars. The hedonic rating of the coated instant rice ranged from 5 (neither like nor dislike) to 6 (slightly liked), and GBR obtained a higher acceptability score (6.93). Principal component analysis models allowed sample classification. Therefore, fortification with Spirulina as a coating on instant rice could be an alternative way to produce functional instant rice with extra health benefits.