Colour is a principal factor in determining the acceptability of cookies.
The L* values of 59.20 and 56.20 were found for raw and germinated C. album flours whereas the corresponding value for raw and germinated C. album flour cookies were 42.00 and 36.60, respectively (Table 6).
Significant differences were found in a* and b* values for raw and germinated C. album flour.
However the differences for respective values were insignificant after the baking of cookies.
The high protein content, sugars and phenolic compounds of C. album flour cookies may have decreased lightness values of the cookies due to the Maillard browning reaction and the browning effect of polyphenoloxidase enzyme in case of phenolic compounds with a consequent increase of melanoidin formation, resulting in a darkening of the product (Secchi et al., 2011; Taranto et al., 2012).
These browning reactions are influenced by many factors such as water activity, pH, temperature, sugars, type and ratio of amino compounds (Sharma & Gujral, 2013).