Pulsed magnetic field (PMF) has emerged as a promising non-thermal strategy to enhance the quality of cereal-based products. This study aimed to investigate the structure-function relationship of fresh noodles under PMF exposure, with a focus on protein-starch interactions. Noodles were treated with PMF at 2.5–4.5 T and 20–50 pulses to assess the changes in color, pH, total viable counts, water distribution, texture, dynamic rheology, microstructure, as well as the structure of protein and starch. Results showed that PMF treatment enhanced fresh noodle quality by stabilizing color and pH, while inhibiting microbial growth. PMF treatment increased bound water and reduced free water mobility; accompanied by an improved texture, including enhanced hardness (1932.36–2218.84 g), and increased tensile force (0.18–0.21 N). Rheological tests confirmed that PMF strengthened the gluten network, which was indicated by an increase in storage modulus by 10.09–116.75 % and loss modulus by 13.83–113.26 %. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) revealed a more continuous structure with tighter protein-starch associations. At the molecular level, PMF induced β-sheet enrichment and facilitated the accumulation of low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits. Furthermore, PMF treatment increased gelatinization enthalpy (4.71–5.60 mJ/mg) and crystallinity (15.40–24.67 %); enhanced short-range molecular order; increased pasting temperature; and reduced peak viscosities. Overall, these findings indicate that PMF improves noodle quality by regulating the water redistribution, strengthening the protein network, and increasing the starch structural order, highlighting its potential as a low-energy, sustainable, non-thermal preservation technology for commercial fresh-noodle preservation.
扫码关注我们
求助内容:
应助结果提醒方式:
