Development and Chemical Characterization of a Freeze-Dried Food Supplement for Older Adults from Lupin (Lupinus mutabilis) and Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) with Natural Sweeteners

Population aging has increased the need to develop functional foods that contribute to improving the nutritional status of older adults, particularly those with high content of protein, essential minerals, and bioactive compounds. In this context, the objective of this research was to develop and characterize a freeze-dried food supplement made from lupin (Lupinus mutabilis) and amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), supplemented with natural sweeteners (stevia and jicama) and maltodextrin as an encapsulating agent. The study was conducted using a completely randomized mixture design with two replicates and four treatments: T۱ (۳۵% lupin, ۵۰% amaranth, ۵% jicama, and ۱۰% maltodextrin), T۲ (۳۰% lupin, ۶۰% amaranth, ۱% stevia, and ۹% maltodextrin), T۳ (۳۰% lupin, ۵۳% amaranth, ۹% jicama, and ۸% maltodextrin), and T۴ (۵۵% lupin, ۳۵% amaranth, ۱% jicama, and ۹% maltodextrin). The suspensions were prepared in a ۷۰:۱۰:۲۰ ratio (protein component:sweetener:water) and subjected to homogenization, pasteurization, and freeze-drying until a moisture content of less than ۹% was obtained. Lupin and amaranth had protein contents of ۲۰.۲۰ and ۱۶.۹۵%, respectively. The freeze-dried products displayed protein contents ranging from ۲۵.۰۱ to ۲۸.۴۰%, a water activity of less than ۰.۶, approximately ۱۴ g/۱۰۰ g of dietary fiber, and a solubility greater than ۷۵%. Significant amounts of iron, zinc, phosphorus, and calcium were also recorded, while antinutritional factors remained at low levels. Sensory evaluation indicated that treatment T۱ had the highest acceptability, demonstrating the potential of these supplements as a stable and viable nutritional alternative for older adults.

کلیدواژه ها:

Freeze-drying ، Lupinus mutabilis ، Amaranthus spp ، Nutritional supplement ، older adults