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En este trabajo se reporta el efecto de la adición de subproductos de mango, jamaica y café a una formulación de almidón-gelatina para elaborar una bioplástico en forma de cuchara. Se encontró que la adición de los subproductos mejoró las propiedades mecánicas del bioplástico debido a la compatibilidad de sus componentes observados a nivel microscópico (la dureza aumento de 190 hasta 290 N). Asimismo, las propiedades físicas de los bioplásticos como el ángulo matiz (63-89), y los índices de solubilidad y absorción en agua se modificaron por la adición de subproductos. Se observó que las condiciones de máxima estabilidad de los bioplásticos obtenidas a partir del modelado de las isotermas de adsorción a 35 °C con la ecuación de GAB y el cálculo el volumen de microporo correspondieron a una actividad de agua cercana a 0.40, independientemente del subproducto agregado. Las distintas formulaciones exhibieron un evento endotérmico a una temperatura de 180ºC, asociado a un proceso de fusión, así como una elevada tasa de degradación en suelo después de 120 h. Los subproductos probaron ser un refuerzo en la formulación de bioplásticos. El uso de subproductos de mango, café y jamaica representan una alternativa interesante para incrementar su potencial tecnológico.

Introducción: Guerrero se caracteriza por su amplia variedad de maíces pigmentados, sin embargo, no existen alternativas de aprovechamiento para generar un valor agregado y un impacto positivo en la economía de los productores. Método: en este estudio se evaluaron las propiedades morfométricas (peso de cien granos, peso hectolítrico, dureza, partes de los granos), fisicoquímicas (color, análisis bromatológico, contenido de fenoles y antocianinas, patrón de rayos X, propiedades térmicas y de pasta, y la actividad antirradicalaria), así como la actividad antiproliferativa (línea celular MDA-MB-231) de maíces pigmentados (rojo, negro, morado y blanco). Resultados: las propiedades fisicoquímicas de los maíces variaron en función de su pigmentación. Los maíces mostraron características morfométricas adecuadas para la industria de la masa y la tortilla. La viscosidad máxima se observó en el almidón de maíz morado (4790 cp). El mayor valor de ΔHgel se observó para el maíz negro (7.88 J g-1). Con excepción del maíz morado, los maíces analizados mostraron un contenido de proteína elevado (8.08-8.71 %). El mayor contenido de fenoles totales (14.7-11.7 mgEAG g-1 extracto), antocianinas monoméricas (528 - 154 μg EC3G g-1 extracto) y actividad ante los radicales DPPH (CI50 < 200 µg mL-1) y ABTS (CI50 < 236 µg mL-1 fueron mostrados por los maíces morados. El extracto del maíz negro mostró la mayor actividad antiproliferativa (CI50 = 938 µg mL-1) en la línea celular MDA-MB-231. Discusión o conclusión: independientemente del color, los maíces analizados presentan características que son útiles para la industria del almidón y de la masa y la tortilla. Los maíces pigmentados, principalmente el negro y el morado, son una opción promisoria para la obtención de compuestos bioactivos para el establecimiento de estrategias novedosas de prevención y terapia de enfermedades asociadas con el estrés oxidativo.

Simple equation Mt/M∞ = Ktn is evaluated to describe the Fickian mechanism of oil absorption and water release during the frying of tortilla chips in nixtamalized samples with lime and without lime where Mt/M∞ is the fractional solute absorption or release, and n is the diffusional exponent characteristic of the Fickian mechanism that changes with food physical and chemical properties. For the Fickian mechanism, the exponent (n) is ≤0.50, and non-Fickian is 0.5

El interés por el aceite virgen de coco ha crecido en los últimos años debido a sus efectos benéficos para la salud y a sus características fisicoquímicas y sensoriales atractivas para el consumidor. En este estudio se evaluó la estabilidad térmica del aceite virgen de coco extraido a partir de dos cultivares crecidos en el estado de Guerrero, México. Los resultados se compararon con un aceite de coco virgen comercial. Los aceites estudiados mostraron una composición similar de ácidos grasos. Se determinó el cambio en el contenido de ácidos grasos libres, fenoles y flavonoides totales, color, espectro de infrarrojo y valores de los coeficientes de extinción K232 y K270 de los aceites durante 5 d almacenados a 80, 100 y 120 ºC en un horno de convección forzada. El contenido de compuestos fenólicos totales para el aceite virgen de coco comercial (AVCC), aceite virgen elaborado del cocotero Híbrido Mapan (AVCHM) y aceite virgen elaborado del cocotero Alto del Pacífico (AVCAP) fue 3.00 ± 0.30, 60.04 ± 4.10 y 78.00 ± 6.20 mg equivalentes de ácido gálico 100 g-1 aceite, respectivamente. Los AVCHM y AVCAP de Guerrero, México mostraron una estabilidad oxidativa significativamente mayor al AVCC (P ≤ 0.05). Lo anterior se concluyó al no observar cambios importantes en el valor de índice de peróxidos, porcentaje de ácidos grasos, coeficientes de extinción K232 y K270 y ángulo matiz. La presencia de compuestos oxidados después del almacenamiento se demostró con espectroscopía infrarroja a través de los cambios en las frecuencias 1746 y 3470 cm-1 que corresponden a la presencia de compuestos carbonílicos e hidroperóxidos, respectivamente. Los resultados obtenidos en este estudio indican que los aceites de coco artesanales elaborados en Guerrero, México tienen un mayor potencial tecnológico por su elevado contenido de compuestos fenólicos y mayor estabilidad oxidativa en comparación con el aceite de coco comercial.

BACKGROUND The objective of the study was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and shelf-life of corn tortilla stored at room temperature (25 °C) using aw modifiers (propylene glycol and glycerol) and pH modifiers (fumaric acid and sodium benzoate) as preservatives combined with calcium hydroxide. Detection thresholds were used to determine the maximum preservative concentration and calcium hydroxide. Physicochemical characterization and sensory evaluation were used to determine the stability and sensory shelf-life of tortillas. RESULTS Control, calcium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide + fumaric acid, calcium hydroxide + glycerol, calcium hydroxide + propylene glycol, and calcium hydroxide + sodium benzoate treatments had rounded half-lives of 1, 2, 1, 2, 2, and 2 days respectively. Glycerol combined with calcium hydroxide resulted in tortillas with lower pH variations over time. Mold presence was the critical attribute causing tortilla rejection. CONCLUSION The use of aw modifiers had a better effect in preserving corn tortilla, as the concentration of pH modifiers at detection threshold levels was not able to reach an optimum performance when combined with calcium hydroxide. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

This work aimed to evaluate the physical, chemical and antioxidant properties of Ceiba aesculifolia subsp. parvifolia (CAP) tuber and determinate rheological, thermal, physicochemical and morphological properties of the starch extracted. The CAP tuber weight was 3.66 kg, the edible yield was 82.20%. The tuber presented a high hardness value (249 N). The content of carbohydrates (68.27%), crude fiber (15.61%) and ash (9.27%) from the isolated starch, reported in dry weight, were high. Phenolic compounds and flavonoid content of CAP tuber peel were almost 3-fold higher concerning the pulp. CAP tuber starch exhibited a pseudoplastic behavior and low viscosity at concentrations of 5–15%. Purity percentage and color parameters describe the isolated starch as high purity. Thermal characteristics indicated a higher degree of intermolecular association within the granule. Pasting properties describes starch with greater resistance to heat and shear. CAP tuber starch has X-ray diffraction patterns type A. The starch granules were observed as oval and diameters ranging from 5 to 30 µm. CAP tuber could be a good source of fiber and minerals, while its peel could be used for extracting bioactive compounds. Additionally, the starch separated from this tuber could be employed as a thickening agent in food systems requiring a low viscosity and subjected to high temperatures.

Highlights • Conventional pasteurization drastically decreases Lactobacillus sp. • Thermosonication (TS) for less 9 min is sufficient for processing pulque. • Physicochemical properties of pulque were not modified by the use of TS. • Thermosonication extending shelf life of pulque up to 24 days. • TS is a viable technology for processing pulque., The aim of this study was to evaluate thermosonication as an alternative method for the pasteurization of pulque in order to improve its shelf life and retain its quality parameters. Thermosonication was carried out at 50 °C using amplitudes of 75% (for 6 and for 9 min), 85% (for 4 and for 6 min), and 95% (for 3 and for 5 min). These were the optimal conditions found for processing pulque by thermosonication. Physicochemical (acidity, color, alcohol content, and sensory analysis) and microbiological (lactic acid bacteria and yeasts) parameters were determined during 30 days for storage at 4 ± 1 °C. Conventional pasteurization (63 °C, 30 min) and raw pulque were used as controls. According to the results, the shelf life of pulque was extended up to 24 days storage at 4 °C. After this time, the quality of beverage decreased, due that the microbial load increases. Thermosonication treatments at 75% and 85% showed a higher content of LAB (6.58–6.77 log CFU/mL) and yeasts (7.08–7.27 log CFU/mL) than conventional pasteurization (3.64 log CFU/mL of LAB and 3.97 log CFU/mL of yeasts) at 24 days of storage. Raw pulque demonstrated up to 7.77 log CFU/mL of yeasts and 7.51 log CFU/mL of LAB. Pulque processed by thermosonication exhibited greater lightness, sensory acceptance, a maximal acidity of 0.83 g/lactic acid, and an alcohol content of 4.48–4.95% v/v. The thermosonication process preserves sensory and physicochemical properties better than conventional pasteurization. Lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus kefiri, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus hilgardii and yeasts such as Saccharomyces cereviasiae were identified in thermosonicated pulque.

Resumen Introducción. El lirio acuático (Eichhornia crassipes) es una planta hidrófita libre flotante de la familia Pontederiaceae. Es una de las plantas acuáticas con mejor reproducción y tasa de crecimiento, por lo cual se extiende y forma tapetes o esteras que constriñen a las plantas nativas sumergidas y flotantes, disminuye la entrada de luz en los cuerpos de agua y disminuye el oxígeno disuelto en el agua. Objetivo. Realizar una revisión bibliográfica del lirio acuático que permita a la comunidad científica una mejor comprensión de una especie invasora, así como los efectos que provoca en el ecosistema. Desarrollo. La capacidad invasiva de esta planta pone en peligro diversos ecosistemas, ya que aprovecha las aguas ricas en nutrientes. Además, las densas colonias flotadoras causan que el contenido de oxígeno descienda hasta cero debajo de su manto, lo que provoca daños a los ecosistemas. Conclusiones. El lirio acuático es una de las plantas acuáticas más invasoras del mundo, ya que causa efectos ecológicos y socioeconómicos. Esta planta se ha usado como fitorremediadora, en la remoción de organofosforados, lo que indica que se puede usar para limpiar aguas residuales. Además, puede usarse en la producción de etanol, papel, composta, biogás, alimento humano, forraje animal, fibra y en la extracción de ácidos grasos volátiles. Abstract Introduction. The water lily (Eichhornia crassipes) is a free-floating hydrophytic plant of the Pontederiaceae family. It is one of the aquatic plants with the best reproduction and growth rate, so it spreads and forms mats that constrict submerged and floating native plants, reduces the entry of light into bodies of water and decreases the dissolved oxygen in the water. Objective. To carry out a comprehensive review of the water lily that allows the scientific community a better understanding of an invasive species, as well as the effects it causes on the ecosystem. Development. The invasive capacity of this plant endangers various ecosystems, as it takes advantage of nutrient-rich waters. In addition, the dense floating colonies cause the oxygen content to drop to zero below its mantle, causing damage to the ecosystems. Conclusions. The water lily is one of the most invasive aquatic plants in the world, causing ecological and socio-economic effects. This plant has been used as a phytoremediator, in the removal of organophosphates, which indicates that it can be used to clean sewage. Furthermore, it can be used in the production of ethanol, paper, compost, biogas, human food, animal fodder, fiber, and in the extraction of volatile fatty acids.

The effect of dough formation using dynamic rheology, thixotropy, zeta-potential, and FT-IR properties of soft wheat dough as a function of Ca(OH)2, and Ca-salts contents (0.3%, 0.7%, and 1.1%) was investigated. Physical data were further supplemented by measurements of dough texture profile analysis, wet gluten, and pH. Additional information provided by structure-sensitive properties, such as the zeta-potential, thixotropic index, and slopes of rheo-destroyed and complex viscosity curves using Cox–Merz rule, can comprise complementary instances of evidence of the ability of dough self-regeneration or build-up after rheodestruction to certain limits. There is a different behavior of the dough properties above and below pH 7.0. Above pI ≈ 5.2, dough (pH 5.5–7.0) has zeta-potential with negative charge from ionizing hydroxyl groups of starch and proteins that favor protein unfolding and that increase α-helix, wet gluten, and functionality. Weak non-covalent bonds and electrostatic forces induce strong entanglement and interaction with water, increase swelling, and preserve the chemical structure. However, at pH > 7.0, Ca(OH)2 treatment changed to negative charge tendency of the dough system, specifically of starch. The effects provided by nixtamalization are essential for its application in improvement of wheat flour with limited functionality, such as soft wheat flour and other grains or materials.

This study assesses the effect of the osmotic dehydration (OD) of mango slices in an emulsion (600 g solids kg−1 emulsion) prepared with inulin and piquin-pepper oleoresin. In addition, mango was osmodehydrated in a sucrose solution for comparative purposes. The influence on water loss (WL) and solids gain (SG) during the OD process was analyzed. Furthermore, color change, oil gain, ascorbic acid, β-carotene, and total free phenolic content, as well as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylnydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and the antiproliferative effect on breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 in mango slices after 120 min, were studied. Samples treated with the emulsion at 40 °C showed highest oil gain and bioactive compound retention. In addition, their ethanolic extract exhibited significant radical scavenging activity and antiproliferative effect against the cancer cell line tested, compared with that of flesh- and sucrose-treated sample extracts, in a dose-dependent manner. Images of mango slices treated in emulsion revealed the presence of inulin microcapsules with oil embedded in mango microstructure. Based on these results, this technique can be used to impregnate mango slices with oils and polymers with functional attributes to produce nutritious foods, which may serve as a potential source of phenolic with anticancer activity.

Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites with mutagenic, carcinogenic, teratogenic and immunosuppressive capacity in humans, the occurrence of which in maize grain is widespread. Nixtamalization, a process based on alkaline cooking, including infrared radiation, may be a suitable method for detoxification of this toxin. In this work, we carried out a cytotoxic and genotoxic evaluation of the extracts from maize (ME), tortilla from an infrared nixtamalization process (TEIR) and tortilla from a traditional nixtamalization process (TET) using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde production), oxidative damage (glutathione modulation), Ames test (mutagenic response), and Comet assay (DNA damage). The formation capacity of the AFB1-Lysine (AFB1-Lys) adduct using maize and tortilla extracts was also tested. The infrared nixtamalization process showed a reduction of up to 93% of aflatoxins in tortillas, with a decrease in cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in all the tests performed. However, with TEIR and TET, AFB1-Lys adduct was not formed. We concluded that the process of nixtamalization with infrared radiation can be used for the detoxification of aflatoxins in tortillas.

The objective was to evaluate corn tortillas made from three nixtamalisation processes including Traditional with lime (TNP), Classic with ashes (CNP) and Ecological with Ca salts (ENP), and their effect on mineral content (Ca, Fe, K, and Mg), chemical composition, resistant starch (RS), and glycemic index (GI). ENP with calcium propionate and carbonate had higher fat values than tortillas from CNP. EPN and CNP presented the higher dietary fibre, explained by the highest pericarp retention. In TNP the pericarp and external layers were lost during the cooking, steeping and washing steps and had lower crude fiber. The amount of RS increased in nixtamal and tortillas independently of nixtmalisation processes. Annealing of starch was shown by the increase of onset, peak and final gelatinisation temperatures in nixtamalised products compared with untreated maize. Gelatinisation was higher for calcium propionate ENP and 1% ash CNP. Native maize changed from A-type to V-type pattern in nixtamalised products denoting the formation of amylose-lipid complexes. Overall, nixtamalisation processes and salts used increased RS. The GI was affected by chemical composition in tortillas and amount of RS. Tortillas made from ENP Ca propionate and ENP 1% ash CNP can be classified as low GI foods.

In an attempt to understand the structural characteristics of phenolic compounds that favour the inhibition of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine (PhIP) formation, this study analyzes the role of twenty-five phenolic compounds on the PhIP produced in phenylalanine/creatinine/oxidised lipid reaction mixtures. The results showed that phenols having two hydroxy groups at meta positions of the aromatic ring were the most efficient inhibitors. The presence of alkyl or carboxylic groups as additional substituents in the aromatic ring slightly reduced the inhibitory effect. On the other hand, the introduction of additional hydroxy and amino groups mostly cancelled the inhibitory effect, which was also mostly absent in ortho and para dihydroxy derivatives. In complex phenols, the presence of several rings with opposite effects produced a reduced inhibitory effect. All these results suggest that it is possible to predict if a phenolic derivative will inhibit the formation of PhIP, or not, based on its structure. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved., This study was supported in part by the European Union (FEDER funds) and the Plan Nacional de I + D of the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain (Project AGL2012-35627). Ricardo Salazar gratefully acknowledges the financial support for his doctoral studies from the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT) of México.

This study has analyzed the influence of lime (Ca(OH)2) concentration used during nixtamalization process on the physicochemical properties of nixtamalized corn flours and its effect on the acrylamide content in tortilla chips prepared from them. Flours prepared from nixtamalized corn with 0.5 and 1.0 g/100 g of Ca(OH)2 showed higher levels of insoluble fiber, lower concentrations of calcium and ash, and a pH close to neutral. The acrylamide content of tortilla chips was correlated with the physicochemical properties of the flours. The results showed that acrylamide content was mainly affected by the ash, calcium, soluble fiber concentration in flour, as well pH value (p

The effect of addition of amaranth flour and amaranth protein isolate to both a glucose/asparagine model system and real foods (cookies, fried tortilla chips, and baked tortilla chips) was studied to analyse the acrylamide mitigating potential of this underexploited plant with attractive nutraceutical properties. Addition of amaranth flour, with a relatively low protein content (16.45%), did not mitigate acrylamide in either the model system or the studied foods. On the contrary, addition of amaranth protein isolate decreased acrylamide content by 35-40% in the model system, 89% in cookies, 51% in fried tortilla chips, and 62% in baked tortilla chips. This acrylamide reduction was obtained without change in the colour or the texture of the cookies. On the contrary, colour remained unchanged in tortilla chips, but the addition of amaranth protein isolate increased the hardness (16-36%) of the produced tortillas. Although a much more detailed sensory evaluation of cookies and tortilla chips prepared using amaranth protein isolate is needed, the above results suggest that the use of amaranth protein may be an interesting way to both mitigate acrylamide formation and improve nutritional properties of foods.

The acrylamide-mitigating effect of piquin pepper oleoresin (piquin pepper oily extract in soybean oil) in both model and food systems was evaluated. Although the addition of piquin pepper oleoresin to an asparagine/glucose model system did not produce any mitigation of the acrylamide produced, oxidation of the oleoresin for 4–8 days at 60 °C produced a significant ( p

Summary An ecological nixtamalisation process (EP) for making whole corn flour for tortillas was compared with the traditional nixtamalisation process (TP). One of the problems of TP is high level of solid losses. The aim was to evaluate the composition of these losses. In EP, dry matter losses of nejayote were from 1.2% to 1.4%, while in TP 3.2%. Nejayote from TP showed a pH of 11.9, whereas EP showed a pH close to neutral. The pericarp was retained in EP with the use of calcium salts, whereas in TP lime destroyed it almost completely. Losses of total dietary fibre in nejayote solids were about 41.2% for TP compared to an average of 17.4% for EP. Most of nejayote losses in TP were soluble fibre (30.4%), compared with EP that ranged from 6.2% to 7.9%. All compounds retained by nixtamal from EP are important sources of nutrients and dietary fibre.

In vitro indicators of starch bioavailability were evaluated in freshly prepared maize tortillas and compared to those exhibited by 24, 48 or 72 h-stored samples. Storage took place either at room temperature (approx. 25 °C) or under refrigeration (4 °C). Potentially available starch (AS) content decreased from 670 g kg −1 in the control tortilla to 583 g kg −1 in 72 h-stored preparations. Concomitant increases in total resistant starch (RS) and retrograded resistant starch (RRS) were recorded upon storage. RRS content in 72 h-stored samples (35–39 g kg −1 ) doubled that of freshly prepared tortillas. Changes in AS, RS and RRS were not affected by storage temperature. Both initial rate and final point of starch hydrolysis by pancreatic amylase were reduced in samples kept for 48 and 72 h, without influence of storage temperature. Storage length is suggested as a major determinant of the bioavailability of starch in tortillas.

The fate of B-aflatoxins was studied during the toasting and boiling of contaminated maize. One lot of aflatoxin-free grain served as the control Lot 1 (L1). Lot 2 (L2) and Lot 3 (L3) had aflatoxin concentrations of 120.7 and 575.0 μg kg−1. In the case of contaminated pinole-powder, the aflatoxin content was 22.9 for L2 and 171.0 μg kg−1 for L3 and, after atole preparation (a Mexican porridge-like drink), the aflatoxin content was 9.7 and 68.2 μg kg−1 for L2 and L3, respectively. According to these results, higher reductions in mycotoxin levels were achieved during the toasting process and only a moderate extra-reduction occurred during the boiling process.

The objective of this study was to relate the tortilla minimum integral desorption entropy with acrylamide content during processing of tortilla chips. Tortilla pieces were stored at 30 °C at aw of 0.11-0.84 for 4 days and fried later in soybean oil at 180 °C for 25 s. The lowest acrylamide content was observed in tortilla chips made of non-stored tortilla (aw = 0.98) as well as in those prepared from tortilla stored in the minimum integral entropy (aw = 0.53). In addition, the color and texture values were similar in both cases. These results suggest that the reduction of the acrylamide content during processing of tortilla chips and other tortilla based foods thermally processed might be modified by factors such as moisture content, aw, and the physical state of water in the tortilla. Thus, the minimum integral entropy showed to be a reliable indicator to establish the most appropriate moisture conditions to obtain tortilla chips with reduced level of acrylamide when tortilla is dehydrated. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved., We are indebted to Juan Veles, Edmundo Gutierrez, Carlos Alberto Ávila, Araceli Mauricio and Veronica Flores from CINVESTAV Querétaro for their technical assistance.

Hymenaea courbaril seed xyloglucan was obtained and characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermal stability, and moisture adsorption. In addition, the effect of the addition of H. courbaril gum (HCG) (0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 g/100 g) on nixtamalized corn flour (NCF) and its influence on tortilla quality were analyzed. The effect of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and xanthan gum (XAG) was also analyzed for comparison purposes. Supplementation of NCF with HCG significantly increased peak viscosity, gelatinization enthalpy, and the water absorption of NCF as well as tortilla yield. Thus, HCG could be used as a substitute for CMC or XAG to improve the functional properties of NCF. The tortillas became more flexible when gums were added, the largest effect was produced by HCG followed by XAG. SEM images revealed a protective effect of either HCG or XAG on the starch destruction during tortilla cooking. Practical applications Gums are frequently used for improving the texture and structure of foods in general. Carboxymethyl cellulose and xanthan gum are frequently used in food applications. The use of new materials to replace popular gums is of significant importance to create new food products and improve food quality in the food industry. In this article, we report the effect of the supplementation of Hymenaea courbaril gum on nixtamalized corn flour and its influence on tortilla quality. The results obtained suggest that H. courbaril gum has perspectives as a tortilla improver. This is of utmost importance, because it provides the food manufacturer with information of which hydrocolloid is more likely to achieve a better product under a wider range of processing conditions.

Maize (Zea mays L.) tortilla is the primary staple food of the Mexican people, with annual consumption estimated at 12 millions tons. Despite this huge volume of consumption, tortillas are commercially produced with inconsistent quality, mainly in terms of texture characteristics. Different methods to evaluate the texture of maize tortillas have been reported, but the values obtained and their parameters have not yielded reliable results, largely because the methods used do not reflect homogeneous elements for comparison. In addition, evaluation of the reliability of methods for comparing tortilla texture as well as the equipment used has been difficult, as such information perhaps remains largely unpublished. In this study, the reliability of two tortilla sample shapes (rectangle and briquet) and some of the quality parameters (maximum force, total area under curve, area to reach maximum force, elasticity and elongation) from tensile and cut force tested with a texture meter were evaluated. According to the results, the briquet shape of the tortilla samples was better (than the rectangle shape) for determining tensile and elasticity. In regard to cutting force, both the rectangle and the briquet shape presented good repeatability. For tensile and cutting-force curves, the maximum force was the parameter with the highest reliability, 0.95 and 0.99, respectively. The elasticity showed an adequate reliability with the tortilla briquet shape (0.94). The evaluated parameters with the texture meter and the sample shape type briquet, showed a high reliability degree what makes possible the comparison of maize tortilla texture data.

En México, como en gran parte de Centro y Sudamérica, el maíz (Zea mayz L.) es utilizado principalmente para consumo humano, pues con él se elaboran diferentes alimentos, como las tortillas. El grano que va ser nixtamalizados para la elaboración de tortillas debe producir masa con alta humedad, buena extensibilidad y resistencia al corte de las tortillas. En esta investigación se evaluaron cinco tipos raciales de maíces criollos para elaborar tortillas, excepto la raza Dulce. De cada raza de maíz se determinaron las propiedades físicas del grano, masa y tortillas; en grano se determinó: dureza, tamaño, humedad, peso hectólitrico, perfil amilográfico y color; en la masa: adhesividad, cohesión y humedad; en las tortillas: tensión, corte, color y humedad. Se encontró que el largo del grano osciló de 11.97 a 18.57 mm, valores que corresponden al maíz Dulce y Pepitilla, respectivamente. La dureza del grano fluctuó entre 11.46 (Tuxpeño) y 4.71 kg (Pátzcuaro 2). La viscosidad máxima de la harina del grano de los maíces evaluados osciló entre 357 y 1813 cp. En el peso por hectolitro, Jala y Tuxpeño cumplen con los requerimientos mínimos establecidos en la norma de calidad (74 kg hL-1) para maíces destinados al proceso de nixtamalización. La humedad del grano, masa y tortilla fluctuaron entre 10.0-11.6 %, 54.2-58.0 % y 42.30-44.28 %, respectivamente. En textura de tortilla, el maíz Tuxpeño fue el que presentó la menor resistencia a la tensión y al corte, y el que produjo la mejor tortilla elaborada.