Effect of chickpea on the physicochemical, nutritional, antioxidant, and organoleptic characterization of corn extrudates

BACKGROUND: Ready-to-eat snacks are very popular. However, they have a high glycemic index and lack proteins & micronutrients. This study prepared protein-enriched corn extrudates by adding chickpea grit supplements at varying concentrations (0–100 g kg⁻¹). RESULTS: The protein contents of 100 g kg⁻¹ supplemented extrudates increased by 66.66% and dietary fiber contents increased by 48.02% in comparison with the control. Bulk density increased by 1.46 times. However, the expansion ratio, porosity, and water absorption index decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The health-promoting characteristics of the extrudates increased in comparison with the control sample, i.e., total phenolic content increasing by 17.84%, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) contents by 11.38%, and 2,2-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) content by 9.59%. Likewise, the potassium contents increased by 24.63% with the inclusion of 10% chickpea in corn extrudates. Sensory evaluation revealed that corn extrudates with up to 60 g kg⁻¹ added chickpea achieved the highest acceptability among panelists. CONCLUSION: The addition of chickpea produced corn extrudates with higher protein and mineral content, which could mitigate malnutrition.