Abstract:
The present invention provides an imitation oriental noodle consisting essentially of starch and water, wherein the mung bean starch present in the noodles is replaced with at least about 30% by weight of a crosslinked potato starch having a sediment volume of 2-16 ml or a crosslinked sweet potato starch having a sediment volume of 2-4 ml, the noodle containing the crosslinked potato or sweet potato starch replacement being comparable to the noodle containing 100% mung bean starch. For 100% replacement crosslinked potato starches having a sediment volume of 3-11 are preferred.

Description:
This application is a division, of application Ser. No. 133,777, filed Dec. 16, 1987 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,572. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Mung bean noodles are a specialty oriental food. The noodles are translucent both before and after cooking, are resilient after cooking, and have a bland taste. Mung bean starch provides unique properties and is the ideal material for noodle manufacture. It is, however, expensive and attempts have been made to replace it with other starches. 
     One such attempt is reported in an article by C.-Y. Lii and S.-M. Chang entitled &#34;Characterization of Red Bean (Phaseolus radiatus var. Aurea) Starch and Its Noodle Quality&#34;, J. Food Science 46, p. 79 (1981). It involved the use of red bean starch and an equal mixture of red bean starch and mung bean starch. Organoleptic evaluation indicated that the noodles made from the mung bean-red bean starch mixture were similar in texture to the mung bean noodles, but the red bean starch noodles were slightly softer. The tensile strength of the noodles decreased in the order mung bean, mixed bean, and red bean. The mung bean noodles had a tensile strength of 13.0 g after 10 minutes cooking time (standard cooking time) compared to only 4.0 g for the mixed bean noodles and 1.6 g for the red bean noodles. 
     Other attempts to replace mung bean starch have included the use of canna, sweet potato, and cassava starches which have amylose contents of about 27, 26.5, and 22.5% respectively; mung bean starch has an amylose content of about 33%. Noodles prepared from these tuber starches were inferior. They were too soft and their solid losses during cooking were much higher. See the article by S.-M. Chang entitled &#34;The Fine Structure of The Amyloses From Some Tuber Starches and Their Noodle Quality&#34;, Proc. 6th International Congress of Food Science &amp; Technology, pp. 111-112 (1983). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an oriental noodle consisting essentially of starch and water, wherein the mung bean starch used in the preparation of the noodles is partially replaced with a granular crosslinked potato starch having a sediment volume of 2-16 ml or a granular crosslinked sweet potato starch having a sediment volume of 2-4 ml, the noodle containing the crosslinked potato or sweet potato starch replacement being comparable to the noodle containing 100% mung bean starch. For 30% replacement the above sediment volumes are satisfactory. For 100% replacement crosslinked potato starches having a sediment volume of 3-11 ml are preferred. For 100% replacement crosslinked sweet potato starches having a sediment volume of 2-4 ml are satisfactory. 
     One method of preparing the oriental noodles involves the steps of: 
     (a) preparing a dough by mixing 95 parts of a granular crosslinked potato starch or a granular crosslinked sweet potato starch into a cold, cooked starch dispersion prepared by heating 5 parts of the crosslinked starch in 95 ml of water; 
     (b) thoroughly mixing the dough; 
     (c) extruding the mixed dough directly into boiling water; 
     (d) transferring the extruded noodles to ice cold water; 
     (e) maintaining the cooled noodles in the ice cold water for a few minutes; 
     (f) freezing the cold noodles; 
     (g) thawing the frozen noodles; and 
     (h) air-drying the thawed noodles. 
     The dough may be extruded in various shapes which will depend upon the shape of the die used in the extruder. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Suitable granular crosslinked potato and sweet potato starches may be prepared according to standard procedures (see U.S. Pat. No. 2,328,537 issued Sept. 7, 1943 to G. E. Felton et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 2,801,242 issued July 30, 1957 to R. W. Kerr et al.). The reaction conditions employed will of course vary with the type and purity of the crosslinking agent used, as well as the.starch base (i.e., potato or sweet potato), the reaction scale, temperature, time, and the like. The amount of crosslinking agent used should be sufficient to give a starch with the required sediment volume. With potato starch the amount of phosphorous oxychloride typically used to obtain a sediment volume of 3-15 ml is about 0.015-0.00025% and to obtain a sediment volume of 5-12 ml it is about 0.01-0.005%. With potato starch the amount of sodium trimethaphosphate required is about 0.075-0.0125% and 0.05-0.025%. With sweet potato starch the amount of phosphorus oxychloride typically used to obtain a sediment volume of 2-4 ml is about 0.025-0.01%. With sweet potato starch the amount of sodium trimetaphosphate is about 0.125 to 0.05%. It is within the skill of the starch practitioner to determine the amount of crosslinking agent required to provide the desired sediment volume, with higher amounts of the crosslinking agent being required to provide a lower sediment volume. 
     The reaction between the starch and crosslinking agent may be carried out in an aqueous medium, which is preferred, in which case the starch is slurried in water and adjusted to the proper pH and the crosslinking agent added thereto. For example, with phosphorus oxychloride the reaction is typically carried out at 5-60° C., preferably 20-40° C. for 0.2 to 2.4 hours. With epichlorohydrin or sodium trimethaphosphate longer reaction times are required. After the reaction is complete the pH of the mixture is generally adjusted to 5.5 to 6.5 using a common acid or base as necessary. The granular product may be recovered by filtration and washed with water and air-dried. 
     Crosslinking agents suitable for food starches include epichlorohydrin, phosphorus oxychloride, sodium trimetaphosphate, and adipic-acetic anhydride (1:4). In the United States the currently permitted treatment levels include up to 0.3% epichlorohydrin and up to 0.1% phosphorus oxychloride. Treatment with sufficient sodium trimetaphosphate to provide up to 0.04% bound (residual) phosphate, calculated as phosphorus, is permitted. Treatment with adipic-acetic anhydride may include up to 0.12% adipic anhydride and up to 2.5% bound acetate. Of the crosslinking agents discussed above, phosphorus oxychloride is preferred. 
     The above crosslinking procedures are conventional and well known to those skilled in the art and described in such publications as &#34;Handbook of Water Soluble Gums and Resins&#34;, Robert L. Davidson (Editor), Chapter 22: Starch and Its Modifications by M. W. Rutenberg, McGraw Hill Book Company (New York 1980). 
     It should be noted that granular stabilized starches, i.e., derivatized starches such as ethers and esters, are not suitable for use herein even when crosslinked. There is no problem in forming the dough with these starch derivatives; however, when extruded into the boiling water, poor quality noodles are formed. Likewise, cold-water-dispersible (i.e., pregelatinized starches) crosslinked starches are not useful. The dough is too heavy and one cannot get a high enough solids content. 
     The preparation of the noodles is conventional and well known to those skilled in the art. A method for the preparation of the noodles is described in the Lii and Chang article discussed in the Background of The Invention. 
     The following testing procedures are used: 
     Noodle Evaluation: 
     The noodles are cooked in boiling water for five minutes, removed, drained, rinsed in cold water, and placed on a plate for an evaluation of their color, cooked appearance, and texture. The cooked noodles are rated as soft, sticky, gummy, strong, chewy, elastic, and similar to mung bean noodles. 
     Sediment Volume Test: 
     A 1% dispersion of the crosslinked starch is cooked, 10 ml of the dispersion is diluted to 100 ml, and the sediment volume is measured after standing for 24 hours at room temperature. The sediment volume is a measure of the degree of crosslinking, but as can be seen from the test results the same sediment volume does not provide comparable noodles with the different starch bases. 
     In the Examples which follow, all parts and percentages are given by weight and all temperatures are in degree Celsius unless otherwise noted. 
    
    
     EXAMPLE I 
     This example describes the replacement of 100% of the mung bean starch with various granular crosslinked potato starches. 
     The noodle dough was prepared by mixing 95 g of the crosslinked potato starch (dry basis) into a 5% cold, cooked starch dispersion prepared by heating 5 g of the crosslinked potato starch in 95 ml of water until it reached 85° C. The dough was mixed well; it contained approximately 54% moisture. It was placed in a 20 ml syringe and extruded directly into boiling water (90-95° C.). After 20 sec. the noodles were immediately transferred to ice cold water, kept there for 3 min., and then frozen at -10° C. for 24 hr. 
     
                                           TABLE I__________________________________________________________________________100% Replacement with Crosslinked Potato Starch      SEDIMENTSTARCH     VOLUME                 APPEARANCE AND TEXTURE OF EXTRUDED                             NOODLESSAMPLE     (ml)   CONSISTENCY OF DOUGH                             UNCOOKED    COOKED  CHEWABILITY__________________________________________________________________________Mung Bean  0 ml   smooth, glossy, medium                             transparent strong, elastic                                                 resilient,(comparative)                                         bland tasteCrosslinked      15 ml  not smooth, heavy                             *too heavy to extrude                                         --      --Potato (comparative)Crosslinked      12 ml  smooth, glossy, medium                             transparent soft    --PotatoCrosslinked      10 ml  smooth, glossy, medium                             transparent similar to                                                 similar to M.B.PotatoCrosslinked      7 ml   smooth, glossy, medium                             transparent similar to                                                 similar to M.B.PotatoCrosslinked      5 ml   smooth, glossy, heavy                             transparent similar to                                                 similar to M.B.PotatoCrosslinked      3 ml   smooth, glossy, heavy                             transparent similar to                                                 slightly harderPotato                                                than M.B.Unmodified 0 ml   not smooth, heavy                             transparent gummy, soft                                                 softPotato (control)__________________________________________________________________________ *No noodles were prepared. Crosslinked with phosphorus oxychloride. M.B. indicates Mung Bean. 
    
     After thawing in cool water for 2 hr., the noodles were air-dried in an oven at 40° C. and evaluated. 
     The results in Table I show that the unmodified potato starch was unsatisfactory. While the noodles were transparent, their cooked qualities were unacceptable. They were gummy and soft, whereas they should have been strong, elastic, and resilient like the mung bean control. The results also show that crosslinked potato starches having a sediment volume of 3 ml to 11 ml were satisfactory. The uncooked noodles were transparent and comparable to the mung bean noodles. The cooked appearance was also similar to that of the mung bean noodles. The chewability, except for the crosslinked potato starch having a sediment volume of 3 ml, was similar to that of mung bean noodles. All of the noodles had a bland taste. The least highly crosslinked starch, i.e., the starch having a sediment volume of 15 ml, was too heavy to extrude. 
     EXAMPLE II 
     This example shows the use of various crosslinked potato starches at 30% replacement. The noodles were prepared as above except that a dry blend (prepared in a coffee grinder) of the crosslinked potato starch and mung bean starch was prepared prior to the cooking. 
     The results in Table II show that all of the crosslinked potato starches gave cooked noodles comparable to the cooked mung bean noodles. The less crosslinked starch formed a heavier dough. 
     
                                           TABLE II__________________________________________________________________________30% Replacement with Crosslinked Potato Starch  SEDIMENT  VOLUME                 APPEARANCE AND TEXTURE OF EXTRUDED NOODLESSTARCH*  (ml)   CONSISTENCY OF DOUGH                         UNCOOKED                                 COOKED CHEWABILITY__________________________________________________________________________Mung Bean  0 ml   smooth, glossy, medium                         transparent                                 strong, elastic                                        resilient,(comparative)                                bland tasteCrosslinked  15 ml  smooth, glossy, heavy                         transparent                                 strong, elastic                                        similar to M.B.PotatoCrosslinked  12 ml  smooth, glossy, medium                         transparent                                 strong, elastic                                        similar to M.B.PotatoCrosslinked  10 ml  smooth, glossy, medium                         transparent                                 strong, elastic                                        similar to M.B.PotatoCrosslinked  7 ml   smooth, glossy, medium                         transparent                                 strong, elastic                                        similar to M.B.PotatoCrosslinked  5 ml   smooth, glossy, medium                         transparent                                 strong, elastic                                        similar to M.B.PotatoCrosslinked  3 ml   smooth, glossy, medium                         transparent                                 strong, elastic                                        similar to M.B.Potato__________________________________________________________________________ *Crosslinked with phosphorus oxychloride. M.B. indicates Mung Bean 
    
     EXAMPLE III 
     This example shows the use of various crosslinked sweet potato starches at 30% and 100% replacement. The noodles were prepared as described in Examples I and II. 
     The results in Table III show that the lightly crosslinked sweet potato (0.001% POC1 3 ) having a sediment volume of 5 ml was no better than the unmodified sweet potato starch even at only 30% replacement; the cooked noodles were soft, sticky, and not resilient. The cooked noodles prepared with crosslinked sweet potato starches having 
     sediment volumes of 2-4 ml (0.01-0.0025% POC1 3 ) were similar in appearance and chewability to cooked mung bean noodles at 100% replacement. They were transparent with a slight yellow color which, if undesirable, can be removed by bleaching with sodium or calcium hypochlorite. It is expected they will be equally as good at 30% replacement as 100% replacement is more difficult. The more highly crosslinked sweet potato starch formed a dough which was difficult to extrude and, in addition, the cooked noodles dissolved in hot water. 
     EXAMPLE IV (comparative) 
     This example shows the evaluation of a derivatized crosslinked potato starch (crosslinked with sodium trimetaphosphate and derivatized with acetic anhydride to introduce acetate groups) at 30% and 100% replacement. 
     The results in Table IV show that only the crosslinked potato starch provided a satisfactory noodle whether or not the replacement level was 100% or only 30%. 
     
                                           TABLE III__________________________________________________________________________Evaluation of Crosslinked Sweet Potato Noodles  SEDIMENT  VOLUME %         UNCOOKED EXTRUDED**                                  COOKED EXTRUDEDSTARCH*  (ml)   REPLACEMENT                   NOODLES APPEARANCE                                  NOODLES APPEARANCE                                                 CHEWABILITY__________________________________________________________________________Mung Bean  0 ml   smooth, glossy,                   transparent    strong, elastic                                                 resilient,(comparative) medium                                  bland tasteUnmodified  N.D.   100%      opaque         soft, sticky   soft, not                                                 resilientSweet Potato(control)Crosslinked  5 ml   100%      opaque         soft, sticky   soft, not                                                 resilientSweet Potato(comparative)Crosslinked  4 ml   100%      transparent    similar to M. B.                                                 similar to M. B.Sweet PotatoCrosslinked  3 ml   100%      transparent    similar to M. B.                                                 similar to M. B.Sweet PotatoCrosslinked  2 ml   100%      transparent    similar to M. B.                                                 similar to M. B.Sweet PotatoCrosslinked  1 ml   100%      transparent    difficult to extrude                                                 dissolvedSweet Potato                                          in hot waterUnmodified  N.D.    30%      transparent    soft, sticky   soft, not                                                 resilientSweet Potato(control)Crosslinked  5 ml    30%      transparent    soft, sticky   soft, not                                                 resilientSweet Potato(comparative)__________________________________________________________________________ *Crosslinked with 0.001%, 0.0025%, 0.01%, and 0.015% of phosphorous oxychloride (POCl.sub.3) with the higher amounts providing a lower sediment volume. **Slightly Yellow M. B. indicates Mung Bean. N. D. indicates not determined. 
    
     
                                           TABLE IV__________________________________________________________________________Evaluation of Derivatized and Crosslinked Potato Starches      *    % ACETIC %                  COOKED NOODLESSTARCH     % STMP           ANHYDRIDE                    REPLACEMENT                              EXTRUDED NOODLES                                       APPEARANCE                                                CHEWABILILY__________________________________________________________________________Crosslinked Potato      0.08%           --       100%      transparent                                       similar to M.                                                similar to M. B.Crosslinked and      0.08%           4.0%     100%      N.D.     N.D.     N.D.Derivatized Potato(comparative)Crosslinked Potato      0.1% --       100%      transparent                                       similar to M.                                                similar to M. B.Crosslinked and      0.1% 4.0%     100%      N.D.     N.D.     N.D.Derivatized Potato(comparative)Crosslinked and      0.08%           4.0%      30%      transparent                                       soft, adhesive                                                soft, notDerivatized Potato                                   resilient(comparative)Crosslinked and      0.1% 4.0%      30%      transparent                                       soft, adhesive                                                soft, notDerivatized Potato                                   resilient(comparative)__________________________________________________________________________ *sodium trimetaphosphate crosslinking agent N.D.  Unable to form noodle in hot water M. B. indicates Mung Bean 
    
     EXAMPLE V (comparative) 
     This Example shows the use of other starch bases, both modified and unmodified, for the preparation of the noodles. The results in Table V show that unmodified starches are unsuitable and that crosslinked starches other than potato or sweet potato did not provide a noodle comparable to the control. 
     
                       TABLE V______________________________________                EVALUATION OFSTARCH               COOKED NOODLES______________________________________100% Mung Bean (Control)                Chewy, elastic biteUnmodified Corn      Soft, less chewy, stickyUnmodified Potato    Soft, less chewy, stickyUnmodified Tapioca   Soft, less chewy, stickyUnmodified Waxy Corn Very soft, noodles                disintegrate easilyCrosslinked Waxy Corn (0.4% STMP)                Very soft, noodles                disintegrate easilyCrosslinked Corn (0.06% POCl.sub.3)                Chewy and less sticky                but not as chewy as controlCrosslinked Tapioca (0.07% STMP)                Chewy and less sticky                but not as chewy as controlCrosslinked &amp; Derivatized Waxy                Softer than X-linkedCorn 0.2% POCl.sub.3 and 6.5% P.O.______________________________________ POCl.sub.3 - Phosphorus oxychloride STMP  Sodium trimetaphosphate PO  Propylene oxide 
    
     EXAMPLE VI 
     This example shows the relationship between the amount and type of crosslinking reagent used and the sediment volume. The results for crosslinked potato starches are shown in Table VI and those for crosslinked sweet potato starches in Table VII. 
     
                       TABLE VI______________________________________SEDIMENT VOLUME OF 0.1% DISPERSION OFCROSSLINKED POTATO STARCH      % CROSSLINKING                   SEDIMENT      AGENT        VOLUME (ml)______________________________________Unmodified Potato           No sediment(comparative)Crosslinked Potato        0.015% POCl.sub.3                       3Crosslinked Potato        0.01% POCL.sub.3                       5Crosslinked Potato        0.005% POCl.sub.3                       12Crosslinked Potato        0.0025% POCl.sub.3                       15Crosslinked Potato        0.035% STMP    10Crosslinked Potato        0.06% STMP     8Crosslinked Potato        0.075% STMP    7______________________________________ POCl.sub.3 - phosphorus oxychloride STMP  sodium trimetaphosphate  estimated 
    
     
                       TABLE VII______________________________________SEDIMENT VOLUME OF 0.1% DISPERSION OFCROSSLINKED SWEET POTATO STARCH        %        CROSSLINKING                    SEDIMENT        AGENT       VOLUME (ml)______________________________________Crosslinked Sweet Potato          0.001% POCl.sub.3                        5Crosslinked Sweet Potato          0.0025% POCl.sub.3                        4Crosslinked Sweet Potato          0.005% POCl.sub.3                        3Crosslinked Sweet Potato          0.01% POCl.sub.3                        2Crosslinked Sweet Potato          0.015% POCl.sub.3                        1______________________________________ POCl.sub.3 - Phosphorus oxychoride 
    
     Now that the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to the practitioner. According, the spirit and the scope of the present invention are to be limited only by appended claims and not by the foregoing specification.