Possibility of Water Saving in Processing of Snack Pellets by the Application of Fresh Lucerne Sprouts: Selected Aspects and Nutritional Characteristics

New types of extruded snack pellets of wheat-corn blend base and fresh lucerne sprouts were developed. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of fresh lucerne sprouts addition on the water consumption, processing efficiency and the specific mechanical energy during production of wheat-maize snack pellets. Additionally, the total phenolic content and antiradical activity, as well as the water absorption and water solubility indices in samples processed under variable processing conditions were tested. The extrusion-cooking of blends consisted of 10, 20 and 30% of lucerne sprouts was carried out using a single screw extruder at screw speeds of 60 and 100 rpm, and at moisture contents of 32, 34 and 36%. Replacement of wheat-corn flour blends by fresh lucerne sprouts at various levels (10, 20 and 30%) enabled to sufficiently reduce technological water which is needed in extrusion-cooking process of snacks pellets. The limitation of water was from 89 to 100% if fresh lucerne sprouts were used, depending on the recipe and dough moisture level tested. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity increased significantly due to lucerne sprouts addition. Furthermore, higher water absorption and water solubility index were noted if increased initial moisture content was applied during the processing of snack pellets. It can be concluded that fresh lucerne sprouts can be valuable additives, enabling to save the technological water in production process and to obtain nutritionally valuable supplemented wheat-corn-based snack pellets.