Published: Friday October 30, 2009 MYT 11:29:00 AM
Updated: Friday October 30, 2009 MYT 11:30:28 AM
Less fattening new noodles to hit market in February: USM
By PRISCILLA DIELENBERG
GEORGE TOWN: A research team from Universiti Sains Malaysia’s School of Industrial Technology has invented new “less fattening” noodles, which is expected to hit the Malaysian market by next year.
Researcher Associate Professor Azhar Mat Easa said the dried yellow noodles with gastro-resistant properties called Neodles, coined by combining the words new and noodles, was in the pre-commercialisation stage.
“A local company is collaborating with the university, and we have had discussions with hypermarkets here.
“We are finalising the licensing and commercialisation agreement, and hope to launch the product in the market by February,” he told a press conference in USM Friday.
He said the team had proposed the company sell Neodles in three ranges with slightly different formulation for adults, children and dieters.
“Neodles had a medium glycaemic index (GI), a measure of the effects of carbohydrates on blood sugar levels, as compared to regular yellow noodles that have a high GI.
“A lower GI suggests slower rates of digestion and absorption of the food’s carbohydrates,” he added.
Associate Professor Azhar said the development of Neodles was supported by the InnoFund under the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti).
The product was invented last year and it took the team a year to test and perfect it for the market.
“No other commercial noodles have undergone clinical studies on GI in Malaysia, and the patent is the first of its kind in the world.”
He said the 100% vegetable-based Neodles targeted the diabesity market (the diabetics and the obese) as well as weight-watchers.
“Sensory tests indicate that the Neodles are very acceptable. The taste is slightly different from conventional noodles but the main benefit is it makes you feel full longer, therefore they are good for those on a diet.
Noodles could also be produced as fresh food or in powdered form for export to countries such as China once it gains a foothold in the Malaysian market,” he said.
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