The effect of par‐baking and frozen storage time on the quality of cup cake

The effects of frozen storage and initial baking time of par‐baked cake on baking loss, volume, moisture, colour and textural properties of cake obtained after thawing and rebaking were investigated. Cakes, par‐baked at 175 °C for 15, 20 and 25 min, were stored at ?18 °C for 3, 6 and 9 months. After storage, par‐baked cakes were thawed and rebaked at 175 °C for 10, 15 and 20 min. Baking loss, moisture content, L and +b colour values, firmness, gumminess and chewiness of the resulting full‐baked cakes were significantly affected by both par‐baking and frozen storage time, while specific volume, cohesiveness, springiness and resilience values were significantly affected by frozen storage time. The increase in the time of frozen storage of the par‐baked cake leads to a decrease in the quality of the rebaked cake, namely an increase of baking loss and cake crumb firmness, and a loss in the moisture content and specific volume. Moisture of cake crumb, L and +b colour values, firmness, gumminess and chewiness significantly increased as the par‐baking time increased. However, regarding baking loss, specific volume, moisture content and textural properties, 3‐month intermediate storage at ?18 °C and 20‐min initial baking time gave the best result among the cakes produced by using the two‐step baking procedure.     

Adequacy of wholegrain non-wheat flours for layer cake elaboration

Flours (white and wholegrain flours) from wheat, rye, triticale, barley and tritordeum were used to elaborate layer cakes. The pasting properties (RVA) and the water-absorption (doughLab) of flours were analyzed. The batter characteristics (density, G′, G″, tan δ, consistency and flow index), and the cake characteristics (cake volume, crumb and crust colour and texture after 1 and 7 days) were studied. A sensorial evaluation of the cakes was also performed. Wholegrain flours showed higher pasting temperature and water-absorption, but lower peak time and viscosity than white flours. Its batters showed lower density and consistency and higher G′, G″, tan δ and n values. Wholegrain cakes showed lower specific volume, symmetry, colour characteristics, and staling rate but higher initial firmness. Considering the different cereals, barley showed the most different behaviour in flour, batter and cake characteristics. DoughLab analysis was very interesting to understand the adequacy of flours to cake elaboration, since significant correlations were found between water-absorption and specific volume, symmetry and firmness. Little differences in the consumer test were obtained between wheat and non-wheat cakes. Wholegrain non-wheat cakes could be a good alternative to white flour wheat cakes, due to their adequate technological properties and their nutritional advantages.     

Effect of oat β‐glucan and its oxidised derivative on the quality characteristics of sponge cake

The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics of sponge cakes containing native oat β‐glucan (BG‐B) and its oxidised derivative with TEMPO (2, 2, 6, 6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidine oxoammonium ion) (Oxi‐B). BG‐B and Oxi‐B were substituted at 1% (w/w) into a formulation, and then the effects of BG‐B and Oxi‐B addition on the pasting properties of wheat flour and the physicochemical and textural properties of sponge cakes were determined. The pasting parameters of wheat flour were increased by BG‐B, whereas they were decreased in wheat flour with added Oxi‐B. The cake containing Oxi‐B had a lower volume, and a higher symmetry and uniformity than the BG‐B cake. The Oxi‐B cake exhibited smaller L* and b* values and a higher a* value than the control in crumb and crust colour. According to texture profile analysis, the BG‐B cake had increased hardness, chewiness and gumminess, whereas the Oxi‐B cake had decreased hardness.     

Physical,functional and pasting properties of different maize (Zea mays) cultivars as modified by an increase in γ‐irradiation doses

Physical, functional and pasting properties of six maize (Zea mays) cultivars as modified by an increase in γ‐irradiation doses were investigated. From the L*, a* and b* measured, deltachroma, colour intensity and hue angle were calculated. Functional and physicochemical properties of maize flours were determined using standard methods and Rapid Visco Analyser, respectively. Often, the effect of γ‐irradiation on L*, a* and b* values within each cultivar was almost never significant but pronounced between the yellow and white cultivars. Generally, deltachroma, colour intensity and hue angle decreased with increased γ‐irradiation dose. Mean seed bulk density and 100 kernel weight varied from 0.73–0.77 g cm^?3 and 23.13–35.42 g, respectively. Loose and packed bulk densities, and water (WAC) and oil absorption capacities of the maize flours were not significantly affected by γ‐irradiation. WAC of nonirradiated and γ‐irradiated maize flours ranged from 1.54–1.62 and 1.09–1.70 g g^?1, respectively. Peak, trough, breakdown, final and setback viscosities decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increased γ‐irradiation dose.     

Original article: Influence of flour mill streams on cake quality

Wheat‐milling process generates different flour streams that differ in particle size, composition and functional and cake‐making properties. Particle size, composition and pasting properties of flour fractions (two from break and three from reduction system) obtained during milling of three wheats varying in protein content were determined. Shape, textural, colour and sensory analyses were performed on cakes prepared with the different mill streams. The final break and reduction streams had the highest protein and ash contents, pasting temperatures and the lowest starch percentage. Cakes prepared with the last streams showed higher batter density and lower volume. These results could indicate good air incorporation but deficient air distribution. Last streams cakes showed a darker, more reddish and yellowish crumb that was significantly related to flour colour characteristics. Because of these differences, such cakes obtained the lowest sensory scores. In this study, it has been verified that, to adapt flours to cake preparation, the final streams should be eliminated. The particle size of each stream is the most determinant parameter to obtain cakes with better volume and texture, being the flours with small particle size the most adequate.     

Studies on cake quality made of wheat–chickpea flour blends

Legume flours, due to their amino acid composition and fibre content are ideal ingredients for improving the nutritional value of bread and bakery products. In this study, the influence of the total or partial replacement of wheat flour by chickpea flour on the quality characteristics of two kinds of cake was analyzed. The effects of the chickpea variety and the kind of flour used (white or whole) were also considered. Volume, symmetry, chroma, and crust and crumb L^* diminished when increasing the amount of chickpea flour. The replacement of wheat flour by chickpea flour also induced an increase in the initial firmness but cohesiveness and resilience diminished, increasing the tendency to hardening. Among the studied varieties, Pedrosillano and Sinaloa produced cakes with the highest volume. Those varieties also gave layer cakes with the lowest firmness, gumminess and chewiness. White flours produced sponge cakes with higher volume and symmetry than whole flours. No significant differences, however, were observed in layer cakes between white and whole flours. In both layer and sponge cakes, white flour produced cakes with lower firmness, gumminess and chewiness than whole flours.     

Pea and Broad Bean Pods as a Natural Source of Dietary Fiber: The Impact on Texture and Sensory Properties of Cake

Attention has focused on bakery products such as cake which is one of the most common bakery products consumed by people in the world. Legume by‐products, pea pods (PPs) (Pisum sativum L.) and broad bean pods (BBPs) (Vicia faba L.) mediterranean (Tunisian), has been studied for its high dietary fiber content (PP: 43.87 g/100 g; BBP: 53.01 g/100 g). Protein content was also a considerable component for both by‐products. We investigated the effect of substituted of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% of PP and BBP flours on the sensory and technological properties in cake. Cakes hardness increased whereas L^* and a^* color values decreased. The overall acceptability rate showed that a maximum of 15% of PP and BBP flours can be added to prepare acceptable quality cakes.     

Effect of cut‐type on quality of minimally processed papaya

BACKGROUND: This research was undertaken to study the effects of different cut‐types (cube, parallelepiped, cylinder and sphere) on the quality and shelf‐life of papaya cv. Sunrise Solo. Physicochemical analyses were carried out during 10 days of storage at 4 °C to determine colour, firmness, pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, weight loss and vitamin C content. Microbiological analysis and sensory evaluation were also performed. RESULTS: Papaya spheres (1.55 cm radius) presented the most favourable physicochemical and microbiological properties (smaller changes in colour parameters L*, a*, b*, chroma and hue angle, firmer texture, lower increase in pH, higher titratable acidity, almost constant total soluble solids, reduced weight loss, high vitamin C content and lower microbial loads) and sensory characteristics on day 10, while papaya cubes (1.4 cm side) proved to be the least acceptable. CONCLUSION: The results of physicochemical, microbiological and sensory analyses performed on different cut‐types of papaya indicated acceptable fresh‐cut produce during 10 days of storage at 4 °C. The potential shelf‐life at 4 °C is therefore 10 days, provided that no contamination occurs in the postharvest period and during minimal processing operations. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Structural development of sucrose‐sweetened and sucrose‐free sponge cakes during baking

The influence of sucrose, wheat starch and sorbitol upon the heat‐ and mass‐exchanging processes forming the structure of sponge cake was studied. Under the influence of wheat starch and sorbitol the structure of the sucrose‐free sponge cake was formed at more uniform total moisture release. This process was done at lower temperatures and smoother change of the sponge cake height with respect to the sucrose‐sweetened sponge cake. The porous and steady structure of both cakes was finally formed at identical time – between 18^th and 19^th minute, at the applied conditions for baking of each batter (metal pan with diameter 15.4 cm and depth 6.2 cm containing 300 g of batter and placed in an electric oven “Rahovetz – 02”, Bulgaria for 30 min at 180°C). The water‐losses at the end of baking (10.30% and 10.40% for the sucrose‐sweetened cake and sucrose‐free cake, respectively) and the final temperatures reached in the crumb central layers (96.6°C and 96.3°C for the sucrose‐sweetened cake and sucrose‐free cake, respectively) during baking of both samples were not statistically different. The addition of wheat starch and sorbitol in sucrose‐free sponge cake lead to the statistically different values for the porosity (76.15% and 72.98%) and the volume (1014.17 cm³ and 984.25 cm³) of the sucrose‐sweetened and sucrose‐free sponge cakes, respectively. As a result, the sucrose‐free sponge cake formed during baking had a more homogeneous and finer microstructure with respect to that of the sucrose‐sweetened one.     

Relative importance of moisture migration and amylopectin retrogradation for pound cake crumb firming

Moisture migration largely impacts cake crumb firmness during storage at ambient temperature. To study the importance of phenomena other than crumb to crust moisture migration and to exclude moisture and temperature gradients during baking, crustless cakes were baked using an electrical resistance oven (ERO). Cake crumb firming was evaluated by texture analysis. First, ERO cakes with properties similar to those baked conventionally were produced. Cake batter moisture content (MC) was adjusted to ensure complete starch gelatinisation in the baking process. In cakes baked conventionally, most of the increase in crumb firmness during storage was caused by moisture migration. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) showed that the population containing protons of crystalline starch grew during cake storage. These and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data pointed to only limited amylopectin retrogradation. The limited increase in amylopectin retrogradation during cake storage cannot solely account for the significant firming of ERO cakes and, hence, other phenomena are involved in cake firming.     

Influence of particle characteristics and E/Z‐isomer ratio on the colour of concentrated β‐carotene dispersions

The influence of particle concentrations (0.02–0.40%), mean particle sizes (0.45–1.5 μm) and all‐E‐isomer ratios (95–30%) on the CIELAB colour coordinates (L*, a*, b*) of concentrated β‐carotene dispersions was investigated. Particle concentration between 0.06% and 0.40% had a slight impact on the colour parameters. However, with decreasing the mean particle size from 1.50 to 0.45 μm, there were increases in ΔL* = 8.0, in Δa* = 2.26 and in Δb* = 13.1. And with decreasing the all‐E‐isomers ratio from 95% to 30%, there were increases in ΔL* = 8.66, in Δb* = 17.51 but decrease in Δa* = 7.42. The experimental results were explained in terms of the scattering and absorption of light by dispersions. These findings have important implications for food industry as they offer a means to control and optimise the colour of food dispersions.     

Influence of Flour Particle Size on Quality of Gluten-Free Rice Cakes

There is a growing interest in developing gluten-free bakery products in recent time. In cake making, gluten network formation is not essential, but hardly any information exists about the influence of the gluten-free flour characteristics affecting the final cake product. This study analyses the influence of two different rice cultivars (short and long) with different flour particle size in batter characteristics (specific volume, viscosity and internal structure) and in sponge and layer cake formulas (volume, shape, texture and colour). During starch gelatinization, the finest flours (median particle size finer than 100 μm) increased their viscosity and reached the peak viscosity (RVA) later than the coarsest flours. Moreover, the finest flours gave batters with lower specific volumes but with an air distribution in smaller and uniform bubbles in both formulas. These flours also produced higher volume and lower firmness in sponge cakes and greater symmetry index both in sponge and layer cakes. The rice type also influenced batter and cakes characteristics but in a lesser extent. The different results obtained depending on the rice flour particle size, type flour and cake formulation indicate the need to define them both in industrial specifications and in research studies.     

Diversity among maize populations from Spain and the United States for dough rheology and gluten‐free breadmaking performance

Maize is used for bakery and for gluten‐free food for coeliac patients. Our objective was assessing diversity for dough rheology and breadmaking in maize with different origins, grain types and growth cycles. Endosperm type affected bread crumb colour having dent maize higher L* and a* and instant recovery speed. Population origin affected flotation index, onset pasting temperature, bread crumb colour, hardness and instant recovery speed. Finally, growth cycle affected flotation index, crumb colour L* and a* and cohesiveness. Water‐binding capacity, crumb colour and hardness were the most discriminative parameters for maize. The maize population Andaluz/Daxa was the less distant from wheat parameters, and Tremesino was the most different.     

Effect of tigernut (Cyperus esculentus) flour addition on the quality of wheat‐based cake

The effect of substituting tigernut flour for wheat flour on the proximate, mineral and pasting properties of the resultant blends and cake quality were studied. The proximate composition of flour blends increased with increasing level of tigernut. Protein increased from 22.30 to 26.93% and fat from 4.17 to 7.21% resulting in an increase in energy value from 342.09 to 390.93 kcal. The pasting properties of the flour blends were affected significantly (P ≤ 0.05) by tigernut substitution. Pasting peak time and temperature decreased with increasing level of tigernut. Mineral elements such as iron and calcium increased from 3.13 to 4.19 and 54.01 to 56.41 (mg 100 g^?1) respectively, with tigernut substitution. The weight and volume of cakes increased with tigernut level while batter density and volume index decreased. Acceptable cakes can be made with up to 30% tigernut flour substitution. Such composite cakes may help in reducing protein energy and micronutrient deficiencies.     

Comparative effect of red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus), red beet root (Beta vulgaris) and betanin (E‐162) on colour and consumer acceptability of fresh pork sausages packaged in a modified atmosphere

Fresh pork sausages containing natural colorants, red yeast rice powder (Monascus purpureus; Frame^®) or a crude red beet root (Beta vulgaris) juice or commercial betanin (E‐162), at different concentrations, were packaged in an atmosphere containing 80% O₂ and 20% CO₂ and stored in the dark for 20 days. The following parameters were measured at 4 day intervals: instrumental colour (CIE L*, a*, b*, a*/b*, C* and h*), reflectance spectra, sensory discoloration (trained panel) and acceptability and willingness to purchase (habitual and non‐habitual consumer panels) under two different lighting displays (standard fluorescent and Promolux^® lamp). The use of colorants improved the colour properties of fresh pork sausages. Sausages with red yeast rice, red beet root juice and betanin had lower L* and h* and higher a* and a*/b* values than control samples. The colour properties of sausages with red beet root were the closest to control sausages, while sausages with red yeast rice had significantly lower b* values. Both natural colorants and betanin protected sausages from discoloration and extended acceptability and willingness to purchase by about 4 days, according to evaluation by habitual consumers under two different types of lighting display. Therefore, red beet root juice may be envisaged as the most suitable natural colorant for use in fresh pork sausages. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Physico‐chemical characteristics of non‐irradiated and γ‐irradiated yams cultivars (Dioscorea rotundata,Dioscorea alata) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam)

Physico‐chemical (pasting) properties of non‐irradiated (fresh) and γ‐irradiated yam cultivars and sweet potato were determined using Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA). Generally, pasting characteristics of the commodities decreased significantly with increased γ‐irradiation dose. Non‐irradiated sweet potato showed significantly higher peak (45.79), trough (35.25), breakdown (10.54), final (75.21) and setback (39.96) viscosities (in RVU) than γ‐irradiated samples. Also, peak time (6.97 min) and pasting temperature (50.18 RVU) significantly reduced with increased γ‐irradiation dose of tubers. The pasting properties of non‐irradiated and γ‐irradiated sweet potato showed similar but clearer trend compared with yam flours. Also, non‐irradiated and γ‐irradiated Dioscorea rotundata and Dioscorea alata showed significantly higher values of each of the pasting characteristics than values noted in sweet potato. Aside from the TDr 03/00196, peak time did not vary significantly with γ‐irradiation dose.     

Delayed harvest and cold storage period influence ethylene production,fruit firmness and quality of ‘Cripps Pink’ apple

The effects of harvest date and cold storage period on ethylene production, fruit firmness and quality of ‘Cripps Pink’ apple were investigated. Fruit were harvested from Perth Hills and Donnybrook (Western Australia) at commercial maturity (CM), 2, 4 and 6 weeks after CM prior to 0, 45, 90 and 135 days cold storage in 2003 and 2004. Delayed harvest significantly increased ethylene production, CIE values a* and C* at both locations in 2 years. Delayed harvest and extended cold storage period increased the internal ethylene production and reduced fruit firmness, soluble solids concentration: titratable acidity (SSC:TA) ratio and reduced CIE values L*, b*, h° during both years and locations. Fruit harvested 2 weeks after CM can be cold‐stored for 90 days with acceptable fruit quality. If the fruit is intended to be sold fresh immediately in local markets, the harvest can be delayed up to 6 weeks after CM to harness substantially improved fruit colour with acceptable fruit quality.     

The use of bulgur as a meat replacement: bulgur‐sucuk (a vegetarian dry‐fermented sausage)

In this study, bulgur was used to produce a new sucuk (Turkish dry‐fermented sausage) as a vegetarian product. Yellow and black/brown bulgurs were mixed into the sucuk dough as fat and meat imitations respectively. Instead of animal fat, olive oil was used for lubrication. Nitrite and nitrate were not added to the recipe. The bulgur‐sucuk was ripened at 60–95% relative humidity and 18–25 °C over 15 days. During ripening, pH, moisture content and textural (hardness, adhesiveness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness and resilience), sensory (flavour, colour, cutting and overall scores) and colour (Hunter L, a, b, yellowing index (YI), total colour difference, hue angle, chroma and browning index values) attributes were monitored. The pH and moisture content of the bulgur‐sucuk were 5.81 and 493 g kg^?1 respectively before ripening and decreased to 4.14 and 280 g kg^?1 during ripening. The colour values L, a, b and YI decreased significantly (P < 0.05) to 33.03, 7.67, 11.63 and 80.70 respectively during ripening. Some of these decreases in colour values were expected owing to the lack of nitrite and nitrate. All instrumentally measured textural properties of the bulgur‐sucuk increased significantly (P < 0.05) during ripening. From the results of the parameter measurements and sensory evaluations, bulgur appears to be suitable as a meat replacement when used in a dry‐fermented formulation. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Functional characterization of steam jet‐cooked buckwheat flour as a fat replacer in cake‐baking

BACKGROUND: With rising consumer awareness of obesity, the food industry has a market‐driven impetus to develop low‐fat or fat‐free foods with acceptable taste and texture. Fancy buckwheat flour was thus subjected to steam jet‐cooking and the performance of the resulting product in cake‐baking was evaluated as a fat replacer. RESULTS: Steam jet‐cooking caused structural breakdown and starch gelatinization of buckwheat flour, thus increasing its water hydration properties. In the pasting measurements, steam jet‐cooked buckwheat flour exhibited high initial viscosity, while no peak viscosity was observed. Also, the suspensions of steam jet‐cooked buckwheat flour exhibited shear‐thinning behaviors, which were well characterized by the power law model. When shortening in cakes was replaced with steam jet‐cooked buckwheat gels, the specific gravity of cake batters significantly increased, consequently affecting cake volume after baking. However, shortening replacement with steam jet‐cooked buckwheat up to 20% by weight appeared to be effective in producing cakes as soft as the control without volume loss. CONCLUSION: When buckwheat flour was thermomechanically modified by steam jet‐cooking, it was successfully incorporated into cake formulations for shortening up to 20% by weight, producing low‐fat cakes with comparable volume and textural properties to the control. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comparison of Minolta colorimeter and machine vision system in measuring colour of irradiated Atlantic salmon

BACKGROUND: Minolta and machine vision are two different instrumental techniques used for measuring the colour of muscle food products. Between these two techniques, machine vision has many advantages, such as its ability to determine L*, a*, b* values for each pixel of a sample's image and to analyse the entire surface of a food regardless of surface uniformity and colour variation. The objective of this study was to measure the colour of irradiated Atlantic salmon fillets using a hand‐held Minolta colorimeter and a machine vision system and to compare their performance. RESULTS: The L*, a*, b* values of Atlantic salmon fillets subjected to different electron beam doses (0, 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 kGy) were measured using a Minolta CR‐200 Chroma Meter and a machine vision system. For both Minolta and machine vision the L* value increased and the a* and b* values decreased with increasing irradiation dose. However, the machine vision system showed significantly higher readings for L*, a*, b* values than the Minolta colorimeter. Because of this difference, colours that were actually measured by the two instruments were illustrated for visual comparison. Minolta readings resulted in a purplish colour based on average L*, a*, b* values, while machine vision readings resulted in an orange colour, which was expected for Atlantic salmon fillets. CONCLUSION: The Minolta colorimeter and the machine vision system were very close in reading the standard red plate with known L*, a*, b* values. Hence some caution is recommended in reporting colour values measured by Minolta, even when the ‘reference’ tiles are measured correctly. The reason for this discrepancy in colour readings for salmon is not known and needs further investigation. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry