Research background. Among legumes, peas are characterised by their high protein content, low glycaemic index and exceptional versatility. However, their potential as a food is often compromised by their undesirable off-flavour and taste. Hence, this study focuses on minimising off-flavours through simple pretreatments with the aim of improving the potential for the production of pea milk analogues. Pea milk analogues are a burgeoning type of plant-based milk alternatives in the growing plant-based market. Experimental approach. Pea seeds were subjected to different pretreatments: (i) dry milling, (ii) blanching followed by soaking in alkaline solution and subsequent dehulling and (iii) vacuum. Typical physicochemical properties such as pH, viscosity, colour, titratable acidity and yield were measured to obtain a brief overview of the products. Consumer acceptance test, descriptive sensory analysis, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-olfactometry were used to map the complete sensory profile and appeal of the pea milk substitutes. Results and conclusions. The L* values of the pea milk analogues were significantly lower than those of cow’s milk, while a*, b*, viscosity and pH were similar. In the descriptive sensory analysis, sweet, astringent, pea-like, cooked, hay-like, boiled corn and green notes received relatively higher scores. The vacuum-treated pea milk analogues received higher scores for flavour and overall acceptability in the consumer acceptance test. The pretreatments resulted in significant changes in the volatile profiles of the pea milk analogues. Some volatiles typically associated with off-flavour, such as hexanal, were found in higher concentrations in blanched pea milk analogues. Among the applied pretreatments, vacuum proved to be the most effective method to reduce the content of volatile off-flavour compounds. Novelty and scientific contribution. This study stands out as a rare investigation to characterise pea milk analogues and to evaluate the impact of simple pretreatments on the improvement of their sensory properties. The results of this study could contribute to the development of milk alternatives that offer both high nutritional value and strong appeal to consumers.

Bazı böcek türlerinin insanlar tarafından tüketilmesi yeni bir konu olmamakla birlikte, son yıllarda özellikle nüfusun ve hayvansal protein talebinin artışı ile birlikte yeniden ele alınan bir konudur. Böceklerin hâlihazırda en az 2 milyar insan tarafından tüketildiği tahmin edilmektedir. Diğer pek çok hayvansal kaynağa göre daha az yem ile daha fazla vücut ağırlığı kazanımı ve küresel ısınmada çok önemli rol oynayan sera gazı salınımındaki payının oransal olarak çok daha az olması, yenilebilir böceklerin gelecek senaryolarında hem insan gıdası hem de hayvan yemi olarak potansiyelinin değerlendirilmesini önemli kılmaktadır. Besinsel açıdan değerlendirildiğinde yenilebilir böceklerin protein, yağ, diyet lif ve mineral bakımından oldukça zengin kaynaklar olduğu görülmektedir. Bu besin öğeleri içerisinde özellikle protein miktar ve kalitesi dikkat çekmektedir. Diğer yandan, yenilebilir böcekler geleneksel hayvansal kaynaklara kıyasla daha az yem ve su kullanılarak, daha küçük alanlarda yetiştirilebilmekte olup, atık miktarları da oldukça düşüktür. Bununla birlikte, yenilebilir kabul edilen bu böcek türlerinin yetiştirilmesi oldukça yeni bir konu olup hem gıda güvenliği hem de doğal denge bakımından bazı riskler taşımaktadır. Konuya ilişkin yasal mevzuatlarda da ciddi bir boşluk söz konusudur. Yenilebilir böceklere olan ilgi ve bu konudaki bilimsel araştırmaların sayısı son yıllarda dikkate değer bir artış göstermiştir. Bu çalışmada; yenilebilir böceklerin besleyicilik değeri, üretimi, işlenmesi, depolanması, ekonomisi, sağlık ve çevre üzerine etkileri, tüketici kabulü ve yasal düzenlemeler gibi başlıklar ele alınarak konu çok boyutlu bir yaklaşımla ve güncel literatürler taranarak derlenmiştir.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of specific pre-treatments—including dry milling (control), soaking-wet milling, blanching, blanching-alkaline soaking-dehulling, vacuum treatment, and germination—on the sensory and aroma characteristics of beverages (termed as milk analogues or milk substitutes) derived from chickpea, faba bean, and cowpea as primary ingredients. In line with these objectives, solid phase micro extraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME–GC–MS), gas chromatography-olfactometry (GCO), and descriptive sensory evaluation were conducted, coupled with principal component analysis. Hexanal, 2-pentylfuran, 1-hexanol, and 2-heptanone were the most abundant volatiles in pulse-based milk analogues regardless of the pulse type. Among them, hexanal was found in the highest amount in all types of milk analogues. Most of the pre-treatments, including blanching, which was applied to inactivate the lipoxygenase enzymes, resulted in a significant increase in hexanal content (p < 0.05). However, blanching-alkaline soaking-dehulling was the most effective treatment in reducing the off-notes. Germination of 48 h or longer contributed to the development of formation of undesirable flavours.