This study was performed to determine the quality characteristics of extruded rice flour infant food with mealworm content (0, 15, and 30%) at 110 and 140℃ die temperature and 20 and 25% moisture content. An increase in mealworm content from 0 to 30% led to increased redness, yellowness, color different, water absorption index, reducing sugar, digestibility of protein and rancidity but decreased lightness, water solubility index, and digestibility of starch. Paste viscosity of extrudates increased with increasing mealworm content from 0 to 15% but decreased with increasing mealworm content from 15 to 30%. Elevation of die temperature resulted in increased color difference, water absorption index, and rancidity but decreased water solubility index and digestibility of starch. As moisture content increased, water absorption index and reducing sugar at 140℃ die temperature increased, whereas color difference, water solubility index, and reducing sugar at 110℃ die temperature decreased. In conclusion, addition of mealworm content and extrusion process could enhance nutritional quality and the physicochemical and functional properties of extrudates.

• Na Yeong Kim(Department of Food Science and Technology, Kongju National University)
• Gi Hyung Ryu(Department of Food Science and Technology, Kongju National University)