Development of noodles with high highland barley flour incorporation level with proteins and pre‐gelatinized flour/starch.

Summary: In this study, pre‐gelatinized highland barley flour (PHBF), pre‐gelatinized sweet potato starch (PSPS), wheat gluten (WG), and egg white protein (EWP) were used to develop highland barley noodles. Their effects on noodle quality were analysed, and then noodle formula optimization was carried out based on them. Changes in quality characteristics and intermolecular structure were analysed to explore the underlying mechanism. PHBF, PSPS, WG, and EWP influence the quality characteristics of HB noodles from diverse angles. After formula optimization, noodles with improved cooking and textural properties were obtained, in which HBF accounts for 93.0% of the composite flour and can be categorised as low expected glycemic index (eGI) foods. The viscosity and elasticity of the dough both improved; a more stable protein structure and enhanced starch structure were formed; and increased intermolecular forces were observed, which would contribute to the enhanced protein cross‐linking, structural order, and textural properties of noodles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]