Sensory Evaluation and Nutritional Analysis of Keropok Lekor Containing Okara

https://doi.org/10.55230/mabjournal.v55i1.3580

Authors

  • See Meng Lim Centre of Community Health Studies (ReaCH), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Planetary Nutrition Research Group, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8983-9245
  • Jia Ai Lim Centre of Community Health Studies (ReaCH), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Sek Yow Soo Ace Canning Corporation Sdn Bhd, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Hasnah Haron Planetary Nutrition Research Group, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Malaysia; Centre of Healthy Ageing and Wellness (H-Care), Faculty of Health Science, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Keywords:

Keropok lekor, Nutritional analysis, Okara, Sensory evaluation

Abstract

Keropok lekor is a popular Malaysian snack made primarily from fish meat and contains very low fibre. Okara is a soy by-product from the production of soy milk and tofu, and is often discarded as food waste. However, okara is rich in nutrients, containing 55% fibre, 30% protein, 10% fat, and other bioactive components. The incorporation of okara into the production of keropok lekor can help to increase the nutritional content and reduce the environmental impact. This study aimed to evaluate the sensory and nutritional properties of okara-containing keropok lekor. Out of 16 formulations, 5 formulations, including the control, were selected for sensory evaluation: control, formulation 1 (2.7% okara), formulation 2 (5.4% okara), formulation 3 (6.7% okara), and formulation 4 (8.1% okara). The sensory evaluation revealed that formulation 1 received the highest scores for aroma, colour, and appearance and was within the acceptable range for all of these attributes, including overall acceptance. Formulation 1 showed no significant differences in colour, appearance, taste, texture, and overall acceptability compared to the control. Nutrient content of control and formulation 1 showed that fibre (3.25 ± 0.07 g/100 g vs 5.10 ± 0.14 g/100 g), fat (11.05 ± 0.21 g/100 g vs 14.10 ± 0.57 g/100 g) and energy content (289.00 ± 0.01 g/100 g vs 325.00 ± 2.83 g/100 g) increased after incorporation of okara, while moisture (37.20 ± 0.14 g/100 g vs 33.55 ± 0.07 g/100 g) and ash (4.30 ± 0.14 g/100 g vs 2.85 ± 0.21 g/100 g) decreased. In conclusion, keropok lekor, which contains 2.7% okara, exhibits acceptable sensory properties, suggesting that okara can be used in food development to increase dietary fibre content.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Afifi, L., Arifin, N., Faujan, N.H. & Ramly, N. 2023. Physicochemical properties and sensory preference of keropok lekor with partial replacement of fish flesh with oyster mushroom. Malaysian Journal of Science Health & Technology, 9(2): 128-135.

AOAC. 1997. Official Methods of Analysis. 15th Ed. Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Gaithersburg. 1141 pp.

Asghar, A., Afzaal, M., Saeed, F., Ahmed, A., Ateeq, H., Shah, Y.A., Islam, F., Hussain, M., Akram, N. & Shah, M.A. 2023. Valorization and food applications of okara (soybean residue): A concurrent review. Food Science & Nutrition, 11(7): 3631-3640.

Atiqah, A.S., Fatin, M.R., Hidayat, A. & Hasnah, H. 2024. A survey of the use of ingredients and packaging in the manufacture of fish-based snack in Selangor. Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences, 22(2): 83-99.

Aussanasuwannakul, A., Teangpook, C., Treesuwan, W., Puntaburt, K. & Butsuwan, P. 2022. Effect of the addition of soybean residue (okara) on the physicochemical, tribological, instrumental, and sensory texture properties of extruded snacks. Foods, 11(19): 2967.

Azanza, M.P.V. & Gascon, F.S. 2015. Shelf-stable dried okara from the wet by-product of Philippine soybean curd processing. Philippine Journal of Science, 144(2): 171-185.

Azlina, M., Nur Aqila, R., Muhammad Anas, O. & Siti Khadijah, M. 2023. Production of okara yoghurt from soybean curd residue. Buletin Teknologi MARDI, 38: 147-158.

Azlina, M., Siti Khadijah, M. & Muhammad Anas, O. 2022. Okara yoghurt - a high value-added fermented product from soybean curd residue. Food Research, 6(2): 97-106.

Azman, A., Mohd Shahrul, S., Chan, S.X., Noorhazliza, A.P., Khairunnisak, M., Nur Azlina, M.F., Qodriyah, H.M., Kamisah, Y. & Jaarin, K. 2012. Level of knowledge, attitude and practice of night market food outlet operators in Kuala Lumpur regarding the usage of repeatedly heated cooking oil. Medical Journal of Malaysia, 67(1): 91-101.

Barber, T.M., Kabisch, S., Pfeiffer, A.F.H. & Weickert, M.O. 2020. The health benefits of dietary fibre. Nutrients, 12(10): 3209.

Cao, Z., Zhou, L., Gao, S., Yang, C., Meng, X. & Liu, Z. 2024. Effects of different amounts of okara on texture, digestive properties, and microstructure of noodles. Food Science & Nutrition, 12(5): 3433-3442.

Chang, T., Wang, C., Wang, S., Shi, L., Yang, H. & Cui, M. 2014. Effect of okara on textural, color and rheological properties of pork meat gels. Journal of Food Quality, 37(5): 339-348.

Che Ku Jusoh, T.F.I., Mohd Sulehan, N.S.S., Ahmad Fauzi, N.N. & Mat Gani, H.S. 2023. Effect of tapioca and potato starch on the physical properties of boiled keropok lekor. Journal of Agrobiotechnology, 14(2): 140-147.

Che Rohani, A., Rokiah, M., Mohd Ariff, W. & Normah, A. 2013. Manual Teknologi Pemprosesan Produk Ikan. Institut Penyelidikan dan Kemajuan Pertanian Malaysia (MARDI), Kuala Lumpur. (Malay).

Colletti, A., Attrovio, A., Boffa, L., Mantegna, S. & Cravotto, G. 2020. Valorisation of by-products from soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) processing. Molecules, 25(9): 2129.

Department of Statistics Malaysia. 2020. Household Income and Basic Amenities Survey Report 2019. Department of Statistics Malaysia, Putrajaya.

Feng, J.Y., Wang, R., Thakur, K., Ni, Z.J., Zhu, Y.Y., Hu, F., Zhang, J. & Wei, Z.J. 2021. Evolution of okara from waste to value added food ingredient: An account of its bio-valorization for improved nutritional and functional effects. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 116(3): 669-680.

Grizotto, R., Rufi, C., Yamada, E. & Vicente, E. 2010. Evaluation of the quality of a molded sweet biscuit enriched with okara flour. Food Science and Technology, 30(1): 270-275.

Guimarães, R.M., Ida, E.I., Falcão, H.G., Rezende, T.A.M.D., Silva, J.D.S., Alves, C.C.F., Silva, M.A.P.D. & Egea, M.B. 2020. Evaluating technological quality of okara flours obtained by different drying processes. LWT - Food Science and Technology, 123: 109062.

Hu, Y., Wang, S., Shi, Z., Zhai, L., Fu, J. & Zhao, J. 2022. Purification, characterization and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from okara. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 46(3): 16411.

Huwae, B. & Papilaya, P. 2014. Analisis kadar karbohidrat tepung beberapa jenis sagu yang dikonsumsi masyarakat maluku. Jurnal Biologi, Pendidikan dan Terapan, 1(1): 61-66. (Malay).

Ibrahim, I.N., Kamaruding, N.A., Ismail, N. & Shaharuddin, S. 2022. Value addition to ice cream by fortification with okara and probiotic. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 46: e16253.

Kumar, V., Rani, A. & Hussain, L. 2016. Investigations of amino acids profile, fatty acids composition, isoflavones content and antioxidative properties in soy okara. Asian Journal of Chemistry, 28: 903-906.

Kumar, Y., Tiwari, S. & Belorkar, S.A. 2015. Drying: an excellent method for food preservation. International Journal of Engineering Studies and Technical Approach, 1(8): 1-17.

Law, C.J., Nur Syamimi, F.F., Mohd, N.H.A. & Hasnah, H. 2024. Physicochemical analysis on tempeh samples available at Kuala Lumpur supermarket and sensory evaluation of tempeh patty. Malaysian Applied Biology, 53(6): 69-75.

Li, B., Qiao, M.Y. & Lu, F. 2012. Composition, nutrition, and utilization of okara (soybean residue). Food Reviews International, 28(3): 231-252.

Marina, T., Nurul Shazini, R., Nor Khaizura, M.A.R., Radhiah, S. & Mohammad Rashedi, I. 2021. Comparison of boiling, steaming, air frying, deep-frying, microwaving and oven-cooking on quality characteristics of keropok lekor (Malaysian fish sausage). Malaysian Applied Biology, 50: 77-85.

Mateos-Aparicio, I., Redondo-Cuenca, A. & Villanueva-Suárez, M.J. 2010. Isolation and characterisation of cell wall polysaccharides from legume by-products: Okara (soymilk residue), pea pod and broad bean pod. Food Chemistry, 122(1): 339-345.

Metaragakusuma, A., Katsuya, O. & Bai, H. 2016. An overview of the traditional use of sago for sago-based food industry in Indonesia. KnE Life Sciences, 3(3): 12.

MOH. 2010. Guide to Nutrition Labelling and Claims (as at December 2010). Food Safety and Quality Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Putrajaya.

Mohamad Afifi, I., Siti Nurhaziqah, B. & Muhammad Akhmal, Y. 2024. Sensory properties of gluten-free cookies produced from okara and almond flour. International Journal of Technical Vocational and Engineering Technology, 5(1): 166-172.

Mohd Najib, A.H., Norfuzi Bidin & M. Syaifurazi Marjuki. 2020. Memproses keropok lekor. In: Pemprosesan Makanan Tingkatan 4 dan 5. Nurul Husna, A.H. (Ed.). Ministry of Health, Kajang. pp. 50-55. (Malay).

Momin, A., Jubayer, F., Anjuman, A., Asmaul, H.N., Thottiam, V.R. & Mazumder, A.R. 2020. Substituting wheat flour with okara flour in biscuit production. Foods and Raw Materials, 8(2): 422-428.

Muhamad Rafid, A.B. & Muammar, G.H. 2019. Perusahaan keropok lekor makanan tradisi Melayu Terengganu. Jurnal Wacana Sarjana, 2(3): 1-7. (Malay).

NCCFN. 2021. Malaysian Dietary Guidelines 2020. National Coordinating Committee on Food and Nutrition, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Putrajaya.

Nor Salasiah, M., Faridah, H., Noorzainah, A., Ashadi, Y., Rawaida, R. & Mazliana, B. 2023. Mushroom keropok lekor, an innovative food product. Food Research, 6: 268-276.

Noriham, A., Muhammad Ariffaizuddin, R., Noorlaila, A. & Faris Zakry, A.N. 2016. Potential use of okara as meat replacer in beef sausage. Jurnal Teknologi, 78(6): 13-18.

Qurratul, A.F.F., Suzana, S., Zaliha, H., Mohd, N.H.A. & Hasnah, H. 2024. Survey on the salt usage among fish cracker (keropok lekor) manufacturers in several districts of Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. Malaysian Applied Biology, 53(3): 71-82.

Roslan, I.N.D., Kamaruding, N.A., Ismail, N. & Shaharuddin, S. 2020. Sensory attributes and other properties of yogurt fortified with immobilized Lactobacillus Plantarum and soybean residue (okara). International Journal of Probiotics and Prebiotics, 16: 1-6.

Saeed, M., Bakar, J., Abdul Rahman, R., Karim, R. & Mariod, A. 2024. Effect of protein-starch interaction on rheological, textural, and sensory properties of keropok lekor. Uchenye Zapiski Kazanskogo Universiteta Seriya Estestvennye Nauki, 166: 238-254.

Sen, B., Aravind, J., Kanmani, P. & Lay, C.H. 2016. State of the art and future concept of food waste fermentation to bioenergy. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 53: 547-557.

Singh, R.J. 2017. Botany and cytogenetics of soybean. In: The Soybean Genome. H. Nguyen & M. Bhattacharyya (Eds.). Springer, Switzerland. pp. 11-40.

Slavin, J. & Carlson, J. 2014. Carbohydrates. Advances in Nutrition, 5(6): 760-761.

Su, S., Yoshida, C., Contreras-Castillo, C., Quiñones, E. & Venturini, A. 2013. Okara, a soymilk industry by-product, as a non-meat protein source in reduced fat beef burgers. Food Science and Technology, 33(1): 52-56.

Swallah, M., Fan, H., Wang, S., Yu, H. & Piao, C. 2021. Prebiotic impacts of soybean residue (okara) on eubiosis/dysbiosis condition of the gut and the possible effects on liver and kidney functions. Molecules, 26(2): 326.

Tridtitanakiat, P.C., Hernández-Estrada, Z.J. & Rayas-Duarte, P. 2023. Modeling the influence of okara flour supplementation from time-temperature drying treatment on the quality of gluten-free roll produced from rice flour. Foods, 12(18): 3421.

Vegan District Malaysia. 2025. Malaysian traditional cakes: keropok lekor vegan (chewy vegan fish crackers) (frozen) 450g [WWW Document]. Vegan District Malaysia. URL https://vegandistrict.my/products/keropok-lekor-vegan?srsltid=AfmBOooNDWs1j6cQZf_Elk-9RT130ItBwPRab-0hnjWegrkzD2ChXLUZ (accessed 17.12.24).

Vong, W.C. & Liu, S.Q. 2016. Biovalorisation of okara (soybean residue) for food and nutrition. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 52: 139-147.

Voss, G., Rodríguez-Alcalá, L., Valente, L. & Pintado, M. 2018. Impact of different thermal treatments and storage conditions on the stability of soybean byproduct (okara). Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization, 12(2): 1981-1996.

Wang, R., Thakur, K., Feng, J.Y., Zhu, Y.Y., Zhang, F., Russo, P., Spano, G., Zhang, J.G. & Wei, Z.J. 2022. Functionalization of soy residue (okara) by enzymatic hydrolysis and LAB fermentation for B2 bio-enrichment and improved in vitro digestion. Food Chemistry, 387(2): 132947.

WHO. 2018. Healthy diet [WWW Document]. World Health Organization. URL https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/healthy-diet/healthy-diet-fact-sheet-394.pdf?sfvrsn=69f1f9a1_2 (accessed 7.1.25).

Wu, C., Mcclements, D.J., Ma, B., Lai, Z., Wu, F., Liu, X. & Wang, P. 2024. Composite hydrogels formed from okara cellulose nanofibers and carrageenan: Fabrication and characterization. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 258(2): 129079.

Published

31-03-2026

How to Cite

Lim, S. M., Lim, J. A., Soo, S. Y., & Haron, H. (2026). Sensory Evaluation and Nutritional Analysis of Keropok Lekor Containing Okara. Malaysian Applied Biology, 55(1), 102–112. https://doi.org/10.55230/mabjournal.v55i1.3580

Issue

Section

Research Articles