Effect of acorn flour on the physico-chemical and sensory properties of biscuits

The aim of the work was to explore the feasibility of using acorn flour as a novel and healthy ingredient in biscuits. The physico-chemical characteristics of acorn flour obtained from three different Quercus species were compared. Acorns of Quercus coccifera L. were the most antioxidant and were therefore used for preparing biscuits at two levels of addition, 30 and 60 g 100 g(−1) on wheat flour basis. The physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of the obtained biscuits were then assessed. Acorn-added biscuits showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher content of phenolics, antioxidant activity and oxidative stability than control biscuits, prepared without acorn flour. These features improved as the level of acorn flour increased. As for appearance, the acorn-added biscuits were darker, larger, more voluminous and more friable than control biscuits. Higher levels of fermentative alcohols and esters, as well as Maillard reaction volatile compounds (particularly furans), were observed in the acorn-added biscuits.