Sensorial tests were performed with the obtained pasta samples.
It was conducted in two steps with 12 trained panelists aged
20–50 years. In the first one, a Mixed Structured Scale (MSS) was
used to evaluate grittiness and taste of the 15 formulations
(Table 1). Formulations were selected for the next step
(Quantitative Descriptive Analysis), based on two criteria: statistical
differences between means or a cut-off point defined as a score
higher than 5.0 in the attributes grittiness and taste. In the absence
of a statistically significant difference, we used as a criterion for
exclusion of the formulations, the cut-off point. Based on these criteria,
seven formulations were selected for the next step, in which
they were subjected to Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA),
which evaluated the attributes appearance, color, odor, hardness,
elasticity, stickiness, grittiness, taste, residual bitterness and overall
quality. Pasta samples were presented in a random order to
each panelist separately. The panelists were asked to score
different quality characteristics on a 9 cm scale where 1.0 and
9.0 represented the lowest and the highest intensity of a particular
attribute, respectively.
Each panelist received 10 g of each cooked pasta sample on
coded transparent plates. Those samples were cooked with water,
where a pasta/water ratio of 1:10 (w/v) was used, with no salt and
sauce addition, until al dente consistence was obtained. Panelists
were advised to drink water between the analyses of each sample.
Sensory analysis was conducted in individually partitioned booths
with red light (MSS) and fluorescent lighting (QDA).
This project was approved by the Federal University of Parana
Ethics Research Committee (register CEP: 1360.025/2007-02;
CAAE: 0036.0.208.000-06) and was carried out in the same
Institution.