Effect of incorporation of plantain and chickpea flours on the quality characteristics of biscuits.

Blends of plantain and chickpea flours each with concentrations of 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% along with of refined wheat flour were used for development of biscuits. The flours were evaluated for their chemical and functional properties. Plantain flour had highest crude fiber (3.6%) and carbohydrate content (80.8%), whereas chickpea flour had highest protein content (19.3%) and fat content (4.4%). Plantain flour showed highest water absorption (167.7%) whereas lowest oil absorption capacity (144.6). The chickpea flour showed highest foaming capacity and stability. The thickness and diameter of biscuits did not differ significantly (p < 0.05). The spread ratio and percent spread decreased with the addition of plantain and chickpea flours each up to a concentration of 30%. The fracture strength of biscuits increased significantly (p < 0.05) with addition of plantain and chickpea flours and was highest at 40% concentration (21.1 N). The protein and crude fiber content of biscuits increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 7.1 to 9.2% and 1.1 to 3.6%, respectively with increasing extent of chickpea flour and plantain flours in the blends. The sensory properties of biscuits prepared by replacing refined wheat flour up to 20% each with plantain and chickpea flour were more or less similar to those of control biscuits.