Flour quality and disproportionation of bubbles in bread doughs

The bread making process transforms wheat flour doughs into highly porous breads. Bread has been shown (Wang, Austin and Bell, 2011) to be a single, open cell that is massively interconnected giving it a maze-like structure that encompasses the entire volume. The solid strands are also porous and contain closed cells. How the bubbles in dough mix partition into these open and closed cells in bread is not known. This study was undertaken to track changes in bubbles in doughs using 3-D X-ray microtomography techniques as doughs proofed and were baked. The mechanical properties of doughs were measured to establish how dough rheology impacted bubble growth. The doughs were made with ‘medium strong’ Canadian flour (CWRS) and ‘weak’ Australian flours (Wylk). Both doughs had similar protein amounts and strain-hardening characteristics; however the CWRS dough was more elastic. The scans identified formation of clusters of partially-coalesced bubbles from which one cluster grew to form a massively interconnected, single, closed cell in doughs as doughs proofed. Microscopy studies confirmed that the open cell in breads was made of partially-coalesced bubbles. Compared to the dough made with the Australian flours, the dough made from Canadian flour had a thicker dough layer separating bubbles, smaller size bubbles and a slower rate of formation of the continuous structure. This study highlights the critical role of dough elasticity and the disproportionation phenomena of bubble growth in controlling the quality of cell structures in dough and baked products.     

A comparison of the ability of several small and large deformation rheological measurements of wheat dough to predict baking behaviour

The rheological characteristics of twenty wheat flour samples obtained from four organic flour blends and a non-organic control were compared in relation to their ability to predict subsequent loaf volume in the baked bread. The flour samples considered had protein contents that varied between 11–14 g/100 g. Four different rheological methods were employed. Oscillatory stress rheometry on the protein gel extracted from the wheat flour, oscillatory stress rheometry and creep measurement on undeveloped dough samples and biaxial extensional measurements on simple flour–water doughs. None of the fundamental rheological parameters correlated with loaf volume. There was a correlation between the storage modulus of the gel protein and storage modulus for the undeveloped dough (r = 0.85). There was a weak negative correlation between protein content and biaxial extensional viscosity (r = −0.62). Stepwise multiple regression related loaf volume to dough stability time (measured on the Farinograph) and tan (phase angle) for the undeveloped dough samples (overall model r² = 0.54). The results indicate that the four rheological tests considered could not be used as predictors of subsequent loaf volume when the bread is baked.     

Effects of freezing treatments on the fermentative activity and gluten network integrity of sweet dough

The effect of freezing treatments on sweet dough was studied. The dough was frozen at ?20 °C, ?30 °C and ?40 °C in air-blast freezer cabinet and by immersion in liquid nitrogen. The yeast viability, gassing power, dough volume and dough network integrity from fresh and thawed sweet doughs were assessed. The results showed that both parameters depend on the freezing rate, which controls ice crystals size and location. Dough volume loss after freezing was attributed to reduced yeast fermentative activity and gluten network alteration in frozen dough. Fermentative activity reduced significantly in frozen dough using liquid nitrogen, causing 70% decrease on yeast population. Gluten integrity seemed to be affected by slow freezing treatment, i.e. ?20 °C and ?30 °C. Gas loss was also evaluated as a decrease of 25% ± 2 in dough volume. A correlation was observed between the freezing rate and osmotic pressure effects which influence strongly the yeast viability.     

The bubble size distribution in wheat flour dough

This paper reports, for the first time, the use of non-invasive microcomputed tomography (μCT) to unambiguously determine the bubble size distribution in doughs made from strong breadmaking flour. The doughs studied were comprised of two types of dough made of two different formulae in order to yield distinct consistencies, one being a stiff dough and the other one being a slack dough. Reconstruction and three-dimensional visualization of the internal structure of the dough was accomplished at a resolution of 10 μm³ per voxel, making possible to resolve gas bubbles as small as 10 μm in diameter. Morphological characterization of the stiff and slack doughs indicated that they entrained bubbles whose size distributions were well defined by a two-parameter lognormal distribution, with geometric mean x_g and geometric standard deviation σ_g. The bubble size distributions in the stiff and slack doughs were found to have similar geometric means, 100 and 109 μm, but quite distinct geometric standard deviation, 1.79 and 1.62, respectively. An analysis of anisotropy of bubble cross-sections (circles 10-μm thick) suggested that the small bubbles entrained in the slack dough were deformed during sample preparation to a greater extent than in the stiff dough, up to a size of 180 μm. Also, the stiff dough entrained a smaller void fraction and fewer bubbles per unit volume than did the slack dough. Furthermore, the distance between adjacent bubbles was obtained, indicating that the bubble separation distribution was normally distributed, with the stiff and slack doughs having a mean separation of 338 and 460 μm and standard deviation of 88 and 156 μm, respectively. Overall, this paper shows how the bubble size distribution in dough can be determined using X-ray microcomputed tomography, opening the possibility to gaining a more comprehensive insight into the aeration phenomenon in wheat flour dough.     

Evaluation of viscoelastic properties and air-bubble structure of bread containing gelatinized rice

The impact of addition of gelatinized rice porridge to bread has been investigated on loaf volume, viscoelastic properties and air-bubble structure. We prepared four variety of bread: bread containing rice porridge (rice porridge bread), bread containing gelatinized rice flour (gelatinized rice flour bread), and wheat flour and rice flour breads for references. Instrumental analyses the bread samples were carried out by volume measurement of loaf samples, creep test and digital image analysis of crumb samples. Rice porridge bread showed the maximum specific volume of 4.51 cm³/g, and even gelatinized rice flour bread showed 4.30 cm³/g, which was larger than the reference bread samples (wheat and rice flour breads). The values of viscoelastic moduli of gelatinized rice flour bread and rice porridge bread were significantly smaller (p < 0.05) than those of wheat flour and rice flour breads, which indicates addition of gelatinized rice flour or rice porridge to bread dough encouraged breads softer. Bubble parameters such as mean air- bubble area, number of air-bubble, air-bubble area ratio (ratio of bubble area to whole area) were not significantly different among the bread crumb samples. Therefore, the bubble structures of the bread samples seemed to similar, which implied that difference of viscoelasticity was attributed to air-bubble wall (solid phase of bread crumb) rather than air-bubble. This study showed that addition of gelatinized rice to bread dough makes the bread with larger loaf volume and soft texture without additional agents such as gluten.     

Influence of water and barley β-glucan addition on wheat dough viscoelasticity

The effects of the addition of two barley β-glucan isolates (0.2–1.0% of wheat flour), differing in molecular weight, and water (53–63% in a poor breadmaking wheat flour, cv. Dion, and 58–68% in a good breadmaking wheat flour, cv. Yekora) on the viscoelastic properties of wheat flour doughs were investigated. A response surface model (CCF) was used to evaluate the effects observed on the dynamic and creep-recovery parameters of the dough. The evaluation was done separately for each combination of β-glucan isolate (BG1 of ～10⁵ Da and BG2 of ～2 × 10⁵ Da) and flour type. Besides the contents of β-glucan and water, the molecular size of the polysaccharide and the flour quality were important determinants of the dough’s viscoelastic behavior. Compared to BG1, the higher molecular weight β-glucan (BG2) brought about major changes on all the rheological responses of the fortified doughs. The addition of appropriate levels of β-glucans and water in the poor breadmaking cultivar (Dion) doughs could yield similar viscoelastic responses to those observed by a non-fortified good breadmaking quality flour dough (Yekora).     

Influence of yeast and vegetable shortening on physical and textural parameters of frozen part baked French bread

The objective of this project was to study the influence of yeast and vegetable shortening on physical and textural parameters of frozen part baked French bread stored for 28 days and to produce a frozen part baked bread with physical and textural characteristics similar to those of the fresh one. Four formulations were used with different quantities of yeast and vegetable shortening. Dough was prepared by mixing all ingredients in a dough mixer at two speeds. After resting, the dough was divided into 60 g pieces, molded and proofed. The bread was partially baked for 7 min at 250°C, in a turbo oven. After cooling, it was frozen until the core temperature reached −18°C and stored at the same temperature up to 28 days. Once a week, samples were removed from the freezer to complete the baking process, without previous thawing. Mass, volume, water content, firmness, cohesiveness and springiness were measured 1 h after final baking. Resistance to extension and extensibility of dough were measured after mixing. Specific volume and chewiness were determined. Bread with higher yeast content presented a higher specific volume, whereas vegetable shortening reduced its crumb firmness and chewiness.     

Effect of Honey as Partial Sugar Substitute on Pasting Properties,Consumer Preference and Shelf Stability of Cassava-Wheat Composite Bread

The effect of partial substitution of sugar with liquid honey on the pasting properties of cooked dough made from cassava-wheat composite (10:90) flour as well as the sensory preference and shelf stability of its bread was investigated. Sucrose (S) in the bread recipe formulation was substituted with honey (H) at levels 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%, respectively to give 6 treatments, namely 0H:100S, 10H:90S, 20H:80S, 30H:70S, 40H:60S and 50H:50S. Amylograph pasting properties of the dried crumbs were determined using standard analytical procedures. Fresh bread samples were subjected to sensory evaluation and fungal count during storage (6 days). Peak, final and setback viscosities of bread crumb decreased (32.29 to 25.33, 58.54 to 43.00 and 30.96 to 23.66 RVU), respectively as the level of honey inclusion increased. Honey substitution levels used did not significantly (p > 0.05) affect aroma and texture of the bread samples but composite bread with 20% level of honey substitution was most preferred in terms of colour while composite bread with 30% level of honey substitution was most acceptable in terms of taste and overall acceptability. Fungal count in stored honey-cassava-wheat bread varied significantly (p < 0.05) from 0.6 to 4.0 × 10², 1.0 to 6.9 × 10², 2.2 to 57.0 × 10², 32.0 to 135.7 × 10², 34.0 to 140.0 × 10² and 42.0 to 159.3 × 10²) cfu/ml from day 1 to day 6, respectively. From the study, it was concluded that substitution of sugar with honey in dough formulations significantly (p < 0.05) affects dough pasting properties, improves acceptability of the composite bread and reduces staling rate.     

Aeration of low fat dairy emulsions: Effects of saturated–unsaturated triglycerides

Three dairy emulsions containing 10 wt% anhydrous milk fat (AMF), alone or in mixture with its low or high melting temperature fraction (olein- or stearin-rich fraction, respectively), were aged at 4 °C for 24 h and then submitted to a whipping test at this temperature. We observed that the AMF/olein emulsion presented less crystalline fat content, and a higher ability for air incorporation than the other two emulsions. In addition, air bubbles formed in the AMF/olein-rich emulsion presented a more uniform size distribution, a smaller proportion of bubbles higher than 50 μm, and they appeared to be coated with a thicker layer of fat droplets. These results indicated that foam-structure forming properties in reduced milk fat emulsions can be enhanced by lowering the proportion of saturated triglycerides.     

Granulometry of bread crumb grain: Contributions of 2D and 3D image analysis at different scale

Six bread crumbs were prepared from three different recipes and three baking procedures. Images of crumb were acquired in 2D at a macroscopic scale by using a flat bed scanner (resolution 85 μm) and in 3D at a local scale by X-ray tomography (resolution 10 μm). The cellular structure was assessed by mathematical morphology. 2D image analysis was completed by principal component analysis. The first principal component was found to reflect crumb fineness, in agreement with the mean cell size determined in 3D at a local scale. 3D mean cell wall size were about 220 μm and were not significantly different. The second principal component was linked to the 2D macroscopic heterogeneity of the crumb and to the macroscopic cell wall thickness. 2D images can be applied to the rapid control of crumb grain and could be used to quantify the cellular structure for the calculation of mechanical properties.     

Production characteristics of uniform large soybean oil droplets by microchannel emulsification using asymmetric through-holes

The aim of this study was to investigate the production characteristics of large soybean oil droplets dispersed in an aqueous solution containing an emulsifier using newly designed microchannel emulsification (MCE) chips. The silicon MCE chips consisted of numerous asymmetric through holes with a characteristic cross-sectional size of 20 μm to 50 μm, each consisting of a microslot and a circular microchannel (MC). MCE using such chips enabled the stable production of uniform large droplets with average diameters of 75 μm and 179 μm respectively, and a coefficient of variation below 2%. The detachment behavior of the large droplets generated from the asymmetric through holes was analyzed and discussed based on results obtained by real-time optical microscopy. The size of droplets smaller than 100 μm was independent of the flow rate of the cross-flowing continuous phase (Qc) applied in this study. In contrast, the size of droplets larger than 100 μm became sensitive to Qc in its range over a critical value. Large droplets with a very narrow size distribution were obtained at dispersed phase fluxes (Jd) of 50 L m-2 h-1 or less, whereas their average diameters were somewhat dependent on Jd.     

Effect of Lactobacillus brevis-based bioingredient and bran on microbiological,physico-chemical and textural quality of yeast-leavened bread during storage

The effects of wheat bran and of a Lactobacillus brevis-based bioingredient (LbBio), obtained after growth in flour-based medium, on quality of yeast-leavened wheat bread (WWB) were investigated. Bran was used in bread formulation by substituting a part (20 g/100 g) of white wheat flour (WBB), while LbBio was used instead of the water content (WWB + LbBio and WBB + LbBio). The use of LbBio in WWB resulted in the biological acidification of the dough due to lactic, phenyllactic and OH-phenyllactic acid contents determining a high fermentation quotient value and an improved bread texture and microbiological quality. Conversely, wheat bran reduced the specific volume and crumb hardness during storage at 25 °C, and affected the antibacterial ability of LbBio during 30 °C storage. Our findings demonstrated that LbBio counteracted the negative effects of bran and allowed to obtain an enriched fibre bread with specific volume and soft crumb comparable to bread without bran.Industrial relevanceBread is a perishable food with a short microbiological and physico-chemical shelf-life. The main microbiological alteration occurring into few days after baking is the “rope spoilage” caused by spore-forming bacteria originating from raw materials. This phenomenon, often misinterpreted as a sign of unsuccessful dough leavening and not visible from outside, is more common under industrial production conditions during the hot season causing large economic losses in the warm climates of Mediterranean countries, Africa and Australia. The use of sourdough often controls this alteration even if the industrial application of this traditional process is limited by the long leavening times. In this study, an innovative procedure for the preparation of yeast-leavened bread comprising the addition of a fermentation product from Lactobacillus brevis grown in a flour-based medium has been applied. The resulting fermentation product (LbBio bioingredient) acts as a sourdough acidifying the dough and improving the textural, physico-chemical and microbiological properties of the resulting bread. The application of bioingredient LbBio could represent an innovative strategy in industrial bread production to obtain acidified yeast-leavened products, thus, preventing the ropy spoilage and reducing the negative effects of bran addition.     

Flour Quality effects on percolation of gas bubbles in wheat flour doughs

To investigate how flour affects crumb structures, we used Synchrotron X-ray tomography to scan and capture the growth of gas bubbles in leavened and unleavened bread doughs of two different flours. Bubbles were mobile in all doughs; they coalesced and disproportionated with the rate of coalescence being higher in leavened doughs. In unleavened dough, new bubbles were detected, attributed to arise from poro-visco-elastic relaxation of gluten as dough rested. In each yeasted dough, a single, massively inter-connected cluster formed which percolated at ~26% dough porosity irrespective of flour type in dough. Following percolation, dough expansion was driven primarily by growth of the percolating bubble. Between flours, the rate of coalescence was higher in Wylkatchem (Wylk), an Australian flour dough, than in Canadian Western Red Spring (CWRS) flour dough, known for superior proof and bake qualities. How the physical and rheological properties of dough liquors could have affected the stabilities of bubbles in these doughs have been discussed.     

Physical,Sensory and Microbiological Properties of Wheat-Fermented Unripe Plantain Flour

The physical, sensory and microbiological properties of wheat-fermented unripe plantain composite flour bread were studied. Mature unripe plantain was peeled, sliced, steam blanched, dried and milled into flour. The flour was made into a slurry (10 g of flour/3 ml of water) and allowed to ferment for 24 h. It was then dried, pounded and sieved through 0.25 mm sieve. The fermented unripe plantain flour was then blended with wheat flour in the ratios of (wheat:fermented unripe plantain) 100:0; 90:10; 80:20; 70:30; and 60:40. Bread was produced from the flour blends using the straight dough method. Loaf weight and volume decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing levels of plantain flour inclusion. Sensory evaluation of the flour samples revealed significant differences in the ratings for crumb colour and texture between 100% wheat flour (100:0) and 60% wheat-40% fermented unripe plantain flour (60:40) bread but no significant difference was observed between all bread samples with respect to crust colour, taste, aroma and overall acceptability. The sensory scores showed that all the bread samples were acceptable. Microbiological analysis (total viable count) revealed that all the bread samples were free of microorganisms for up to four days after production.     

Physical stability of emulsion encapsulated in alginate microgel particles by the impinging aerosol technique

Emulsion filled alginate microgel particles can be applied as carrier systems for lipophilic actives in pharmaceutical and food formulations. In this study, the effects of oil concentration, emulsifier type and oil droplet size on the physical stability of emulsions encapsulated in calcium alginate microgel particles (20–80 μm) produced by a continuous impinging aerosol technique were studied. Oil emulsions emulsified by using either sodium caseinate (SCN) or Tween 80 were encapsulated at different oil concentrations (32.55, 66.66 and 76.68% w/w of total solids content). The emulsions were analysed before and after encapsulation for changes in emulsion size distribution during storage, and compared to unencapsulated emulsions. The size distribution of encapsulated fine emulsion (mean size ~ 0.20 μm) shifted to a larger size distribution range during encapsulation possibly due to the contraction effect of the microgel particles. Coarse emulsion droplets (mean size ~ 18 μm) underwent a size reduction during encapsulation due to the shearing effect of the atomizing nozzle. However, no further size changes in the encapsulated emulsion were detected over four weeks. The type of emulsifier used and emulsion concentration did not significantly affect the emulsion stability. The results suggest that the rigid gel matrix is an effective method for stabilising lipid emulsions and can be used as a carrier for functional ingredients.     

Extensional flow,viscoelasticity and baking performance of gluten-free zein-starch doughs supplemented with hydrocolloids

Viscoelastic doughs of zein and starch were prepared at 40 °C, above the glass transition temperature of zein. The effects of hydrocolloid supplementation with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) or oat bran with a high content of β-glucan (28%) were investigated by dynamic measurements in shear, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and Hyperbolic Contraction Flow. Zein-starch dough without hydrocolloids exhibited rapid age-related stiffening, believed to be caused by cross-links between peptide chains. A prolonged softness was attributed to doughs containing hydrocolloids, with the oat bran exhibiting the most pronounced reduction in age-related stiffening. Moreover, CLSM-images of dough microstructure revealed that a finer fibre network may be formed by increased shearing through an addition of viscosity-increasing hydrocolloids, a reduction in water content in the dough or the use of appropriate mixing equipment. The Hyperbolic Contraction Flow measurements showed that doughs containing hydrocolloids had high extensional viscosities and strain hardening, suggesting appropriate rheological properties for bread making. Zein-starch dough without hydrocolloids showed poor bread making performance while hydrocolloid additions significantly improved bread volume and height. Although the hydrocolloid supplemented doughs had similar extensional rheological properties and microstructures, a fine crumb structure was attributed only to bread containing HPMC, marking the importance of surface active components in the liquid-gas interface of dough bubble walls. Zein could not mimic the properties of gluten on its own, but hydrocolloids did positively affect the structural and rheological properties of zein, which yielded dough similar to wheat dough and bread with increased volume.     

Destructuration mechanisms of bread enriched with fibers during mastication

Three breads of different densities and salt contents were chewed by 16 healthy subjects, with controlled physiological characteristics, for three different stages of mastication until swallowing. The distribution of chewed bread particle size was determined by imaging of the boluses at each stage, for the 3 breads and all subjects. Bread piece was reduced into an increasing number of small particles with a median size, function of mastication time, taking an average value of 1.9 mm at swallowing. Bolus moisture content could be predicted from theoretical salivary flow and particle median size. Bolus consistency was derived from the apparent viscosity measured by capillary rheometry. It decreased with chewing time, and this decrease was linked to bolus moisture by a plasticization coefficient, which varied with the individual (12 < α < 30). A basic model involving hydration and fragmentation could be suggested to predict bread destructuration, defined by the ratio of consistency of the bolus on that of initial bread.     

Manufacture of food grade κ-carrageenan microspheres

The objective of this study was to optimise a method for the manufacture of food-grade κ-carrageenan based microgels with a broad range of functionalities such as nutraceutical delivery systems or fat replacers. In order to obtain small and spherical microgels which would not adversely affect the overall mouthfeel or sensory properties of a food product, a special procedure was optimised based on the emulsification of the κ-carrageenan solution in hot rapeseed oil using a high shear rotor–stator mixer, without the aid of surfactants, followed by fast tempering of the emulsion under mild agitation.The influence of emulsion mixing speed, phase volume ratio, oil and aqueous phase viscosity as well as emulsion temperature, on the particle size and size distribution of the spherical microgels was examined. Results show that best operating conditions for a 4% κ-carrageenan solution are a temperature of 68 °C, a phase volume ratio of 5% and a mixing speed above 3000 rpm. Under these optimised conditions, food grade spherical κ-carrageenan microgels were obtained with a Sauter mean diameter (D[3,2] μm) of 25 μm.     

Prediction of wheat tortilla quality using multivariate modeling of kernel,flour, and dough properties

Traditional wheat quality methods for bread have poor predictive power for flatbread quality, which impedes genetic improvement of wheat for the growing market. We used a multivariate discriminant analysis to predict tortilla quality using a set of 16 variables derived from kernel properties, flour composition, and dough rheological properties of 187 experimental hard wheat samples grown across Texas. A discriminant rule (suitability for tortillas = diameter > 165 mm + day 16 flexibility score > 3.0) was used to classify samples. Multivariate normal distribution of the data was established (Shapiro–Wilk p > 0.05). Logistic regression and stepwise variable selection identified an optimum model comprising kernel weight, glutenin–gliadin ratio, insoluble polymeric proteins, and dough extensibility and stress relaxation parameters, as the most important variables. Cross-validation indicated 83% model prediction efficiency. This work provides important insight on potential targets for wheat quality genetic improvement for tortillas and specialty product market.Industrial relevanceTortillas and other flatbread manufacturers currently use wheat developed for other commodities and rely on trial and error, and use of various additives to optimize product quality. Genetic development of wheat for these markets is impeded by lack of knowledge of specific grain quality parameters to target. With the growing demand for clean label and healthy offerings by consumers, the industry is looking for natural ingredients with improved functionality. This work provides the first insight into the specific wheat composition and functional parameters that can predict tortilla quality.