Effects of fermentation time on the functional and pasting properties of defatted Moringa oleifera seed flour

Abstract

Effects of fermentation time on the functional and pasting properties of defatted Moringa oleifera seed flour was examined. Moringa seeds were fermented natu rally at 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h; oven dried at 60°C for 12 h; milled into five different flour samples for each fermentation time and defatted. The functional and pasting properties of the samples were determined. The result shows sig nificant increase in the water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, foaming capacity and emulsifying capacity with increase in fermentation time. However, there was a significant decrease in bulk density (0.53–0.32 g/cm3) and dispers ibility (36.00–20.50%) with an increase in fermentation time. There were sig nificant increase in peak viscosity, trough, breakdown, final viscosity, and set back with increasing fermentation time. The swelling power and solubility of fermented Moringa seed flour was significantly affected