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In the past decades, Food colorants which are used in food industries are suspected due to the increased world sensitivity against the health of human diet; hence, many of researchers tried to extract the edible colorants from natural resources. One of the natural resources is the root of madder (Rubia tinctorum) which has the most stable natural red pigment, Alizarin. In this research the madder extract as natural colorant at 2, 3 and 4% and pectin as a replacer for gelatin at 3:0, 1.5:1.5 and 0:3% were used in flavoured milk- based dessert and their various qualitative parameters were evaluated during 15 days of storage. The results showed that increasing of madder extract with various ratios of gelatin: pectin, changed the dry matter and pH of the specimens significantly (p<0.05) and after 15 days, the pH raised up clearly. The texture evaluation showed that in the samples containing 3:0 gelatin: pectin, were more rigid than the others and demonstrated the least textural changes during 15 days according to the lower syneresis (p<0.05). The results of sensory evaluation showed that the addition of madder extract at its maximum level (4%), had the best results about the color, in the viewpoint of panelists and had no side effects on other parameters like odor, taste, apparent shape, texture and overall acceptance. Totally and according to the results, it can be concluded that by addition of 3% of gelatin along with 4% of madder extract in flavoured milk- based dessert, the qualitative parameters can be improve along with more shelf life and marketability, too.
 

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Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic disorder necessitating a low-protein and phenylalanine diet. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of producing a low-protein pasta using potato and tapioca starches. The pasta formulation substituted semolina flour with a blend of potato and tapioca starches. Date kernel fiber and xanthan gum were incorporated as prebiotic compounds and texture enhancers, respectively. Physicochemical (moisture, fat, total ash, protein, phenylalanine, cooking loss, cooking time, color indexes, and hardness) and sensory properties (texture, flavor, color, and overall acceptability) were evaluated and compared against the control sample (based on semolina flour). The results demonstrated no significant alteration in moisture and fat content upon substitution, but a significant decrease in ash and protein content (P< 0.05). Consequently, phenylalanine levels decreased from 530.58 mg 100 g^-1 in the control sample to 24.49-26.60 mg 100 g^-1 in the pasta. Replacing flour with starches increased cooking loss, reduced cooking time, and diminished pasta hardness compared to the control (P< 0.05). The pasta exhibited higher L* and lower a* and b* values than the control. Sensory evaluation revealed that the pasta containing 35% potato starch and 40% tapioca starch attained the highest scores (T5), indicating its favorable acceptability. Overall, this study suggests that the combination of potato and tapioca starches, along with date kernel fiber and xanthan gum (T5), enables the production of low-protein pasta suitable for PKU patients.