Effect of cooking time on the quality, minerals and vitamins of spaghetti produced from two Italian durum wheat varieties

Abstract Spaghetti was made from two Italian durum wheat varieties and cooked for 10, 15 and 20 min. Percentages of water absorption and cooking loss were determined. Measurable amounts of soluble nitrogen, starch, minerals and vitamins were found in the water used for cooking. Minerals and vitamins were determined in cooked spaghetti. The percentage reduction of metals increased with increasing cooking time, but trace elements decreased after 10 min of cooking and then became stable at the longer times. It is preferable to cook spaghetti for 15 min.