To increase hydration properties and soluble fiber content, okara with different moisture contents (30, 35, and 40%) was extruded in single-screw equipment, keeping the temperature (120 °C) and screw speed (115 rpm) fixed. The physical, chemical, and techno-functional properties of extruded and non-extruded okara (control) were evaluated. The microstructure, color, chemical composition, and techno-functional properties of okara were altered after extrusion. The extruded samples showed general microstructure aspects similar between them, with an irregular and rough surface, striated parts, orifices, and some agglomerated particles with distorted, compact, and amorphous appearance, different from control. Among the modified samples, okara extruded with 30% moisture showed more intense changes in relation to the samples extruded with 35 and 40% moisture. Based on the results, it can be inferred that okara extruded with 35% moisture is the most suitable. Under this condition, there was an increase of 80% in soluble fiber content, 45% in water absorption and holding capacity and 11% in solid stability in water, the maintenance of swelling and oil absorption and holding capacities and the reduction of protein solubility in water. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that crystalline phase was affected by extrusion.
Keywords: Physical modification; crystalline structure; morphology; physicochemical property; soluble dietary fibers; x-ray diffraction.