Changes in chemical, viscoelastic, and textural properties of nixtamalized dough with nejayote

Nixtamalization is an important process because it results in an increased calcium intake in consumers eating products that have been thus prepared. Nixtamalization generates a high amount of organic waste called nejayote. The objective of this research was to evaluate the chemical, textural, and viscoelastic properties of nixtamalized dough with the addition of nejayote and nejayote solids. A 4×4 two-factor (percentage of nejayote solids and nejayote concentration) factorial design was applied. Results demonstrated that ashes and CaCO₃ increase significantly in nixtamalized dough with nejayote. Textural parameters, hardness, and cohesiveness of dough with nejayote solids added did not show significant differences. Nixtamalized dough with whole nejayote appears to increase hardness and decrease cohesiveness. Control dough and nixtamalized dough with diluted nejayote 1:1 (100g nejayote:100g water) and 30g/100g of nejayote solids added did not show significant differences in cohesiveness, resilience, total elasticity, storage modulus (G'), loss modulus (G″), and loss tangent (tan δ). Total elasticity of nixtamalized dough with diluted nejayote is higher than that of the control dough. Consequently, using diluted nejayote and adding nejayote solids during the nixtamalization process may be an appropriate method by which to reduce organic waste.