Application of Multivariate Analysis to Assess the Incorporation of Omega-3 Fatty Acid in Gluten-Free Cakes

A complete 22 experimental planning (two factors at two levels) with central point in quintuplicate was used to investigate the influence of the factors: chia and azuki flours on fatty acids composition of gluten-free chocolate cake. Both factors were significant, but chia flour presented greater influence on the results. Increased values of both factors contributed to improve contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids (380.96 g kg-1 of product), mainly n-3 series (70.25 g kg-1 of product), and provided more adequate nutritional indices. The principal component analysis and desirability function indicated the sample with higher level of both factors as the optimal region. This sample showed an increase in contents of alpha-linolenic acid (188.03%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (18.16%) when compared to control formulation. The addition of chia flour can improve nutritional characteristics of food stuffs such as bakery products, especially their lipid composition.