THE EFFECTS OF CEPHALARIA SYRIACA FLOUR ON THE QUALITY OF SUNN PEST (EURYGASTER INTEGRICEPS)-DAMAGED WHEAT

The effects of Cephalaria syriaca flour on the quality of sunn pest-damaged wheat were investigated. Sunn pest-damaged wheat was blended into sound wheat at different levels (5, 10 and 15%). C. syriaca flour was then added at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% levels. The rheological properties of sunn pest-damaged wheat flour with added C. syriaca flour were considerably improved, in particular with regard to farinograph characteristics (dough stability, mixing tolerance index [MTI] and degree of softening [DS]) and instrumental textural properties (area and maximum resistance) compared to control. The dough stability value increased significantly (P < 0.01) as C. syriaca flour level increased for all sunn pest-damaged wheat levels. The addition of sunn pest-damaged wheat at 15% level greatly increased the MTI and DS values of dough (202.5 and 282.5 BU); however, the addition of 1.5% C. syriaca to this blend significantly decreased these values (87 and 94.5 BU; P < 0.01).