Abstract
In this work, the malting process of lentil seeds (Lens culinaris) was set-up to minimize their anti-nutrient content. The first (water steeping) and second (germination) process steps were studied in a 1.2-kg bench-top plant at 25 °C. After 2-h steeping about 98.8% of seeds sprouted. As the germination process was prolonged for 72 h, the flatulence-inducing raffinose or phytic acid content was reduced by 94% or 63%, respectively. The third process step (kilning), carried out under fluent dry air at 50 °C for 48 h and at 75 °C for 3 h, gave rise to a gold metallic yellow-lentil malt, the cotyledons of which were cyclonically recovered and finally milled. The resulting decorticated yellow-lentil malt flour was used to prepare a fresh egg pasta high in raw protein (28±2 g/100 g), low in phytate (0.46±0.03 g/100 g) and in vitro glycemic index (38%), and approximately zero oligosaccharides.
KEYWORDS: Dehulled lentil malt flour, lentil malting, gluten-free fresh egg pasta, antinutrient removal, glycemic index.
