The purpose of the current research was to investigate the total protein content and amino acid composition of flour blend made from several types of whole grain flour for pasta production. Conventional rye, hull-less barley, triticale and wheat grain was used in the experiments. For the flour blend obtaining white wheat flour type 550 was used. Using standard methods the following quality parameters were analysed: protein content in grain and flour samples by using InfratecTM model 1241 Grain Analyzer, in flour blend – by AACC 46–20, amino acid content by LVS ISO 13903:2005. In the present research it was determined that it is possible to increase the total protein content in wheat flour type 550 by 11% if adding whole wheat or whole triticale flour, and by 7% if adding whole grain flour of hull-less barley. Higher total amino acid content was obtained for whole wheat flour sample; lower – for whole rye flour sample. Significantly lower total amino acid content was obtained in whole rye, hull-less barley and triticale flour comparing with whole grain wheat flour. No significant differences (p=0.779) were found in the analysed essential amino acid content made of different flour blend – the content of essential amino acids in the analysed flour blend samples was very similar.

Whole grain flour can be considered as a good candidate for pasta fortification due to the health benefits. Literature reports pasta dough fortification with non-traditional ingredients and cereals. Therefore, the purpose of the current research was to investigate rheological properties of whole grain flour blends for pasta production. Flour blends were made from wheat flour (type 405) in a combination with other flours (whole grain wheat, rye or hull-less barley flour) in various proportions (from 10% to 50%). Wheat flour type 405 was used as a control. Rheological properties of dough were analysed using Farinograph AT (Brabender, GmbH and Co.KG., Germany) and starch gelatinization properties of flour starch using Amylograph-E (Brabender GmbH and Co.KG., Germany); moisture content of flour samples (AACC 44-15A from 2000). The results of present research demonstrate that rheological properties of dough decrease if the amount of whole grain flour in blend increases. It was concluded that water absorption and dough development time of dough with whole grain flour blends addition is less than the parameters of control wheat flour (type 405). However, a higher starch gelatinization was obtained for flour blends with whole wheat grain flour, comparing to blends with whole rye and hull-less barley grain flour, which mainly could be explained with a higher gluten content of whole wheat grain flour.

This paper deals with the results of focus group discussions concerning the Baltic Pulp project carried out among inhabitants of Jekabpils district in February and March 2001. Group discussions were a base for qualitative analysis where differences between opinion within different social groups had been fixed. This gives an insight into opinions as well as suggestions concerning ecological, economical and social factors, connected to the planned pulp mill.

This paper investigates the natural resources, business and social infrastructure and also the demographic structure of the local inhabitants of the municipalities, near the projected pulp mill. Possibilities and problems connected to the implementation of the pulp mill project are pointed out, also extra regional development is discussed.