Utilization of Sorghum, Sweet Potato and Chickpea for Production of High Nutritional Value Gluten Free Cookies

Aims: Gluten-free (GF) products are essential for individuals with celiac disease, as the only treatment currently available is adhering to a GF diet. Additionally, many people today are increasingly focused on healthy eating and seeking nutritious food options. The purpose of this study was to prepare gluten-free cookies using sorghum flour, sweet potato powder, and chickpea powder, while also assessing their physicochemical and sensory qualities.

Methodology: Five gluten-free formulations were developed: control-100% sorghum flour as control, S1- 90% sorghum flour and 10% sweet potato, S2-80% sorghum flour + 10% sweet potato and 10% chickpea powder, S3-70% sorghum flour + 10% sweet potato and 20% chickpea powder, S4-60% sorghum flour + 10% sweet potato and 30% chickpea powder. The physicochemical properties and sensory evaluation of cookies were carried out.

Results: Results showed the inclusion of 10% sweet potato powder led to a significant increase in ash and fiber and carotenoids content in cookies furthermore, the increase of chickpea powder in cookies led to the increased proportion of crude fat, crude protein in cookies. Results also show an increase in mineral content with the increase in substitution with chickpea powder the addition of different levels of chickpea powder had a significant impact on the diameter and thickness of the cookies. As the chickpea powder level increased, there was a consistent decrease in cookie diameter and thickness.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that the replacement of sorghum flour with up to 20% chickpea and 10% sweet potato powder was the most acceptable for the sensory characteristics of the gluten-free cookies.