This study aimed to analyse the effect of dried banana powder (BP) on common wheat pasta characteristics. Wheat flour (type 500) was replaced with 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% of BP. Control pasta without BP addition was also prepared. Pasta quality parameters including texture, colour, cooking characteristics and sensory evaluation were determined. Total phenolics content and antioxidant activity were also evaluated. The increase in BP in the pasta recipe resulted in an increase in the weight increase index (from 2.88 to 3.55) and cooking loss (from 5.2% to 6.4%). The effects of the addition of bananas were also observed in changes in colour coordinates. It was shown that BP slightly decreased the lightness of cooked pasta and had little influence on colour coordinates of raw pasta. It was also found that the addition of BP higher than 3% decreased pasta firmness. The total phenolics content and antioxidant capacity of pasta increased with the addition of BP. Sensory evaluation of pasta showed that the replacement of common wheat flour with BP should not exceed 3%.
Keywords: antioxidant capacity; banana powder; colour; drying; pasta; quality; texture.