Baking kinetics of muffins in convection and steam assisted hybrid ovens (baking kinetics of muffin…)

Effects of oven type and baking temperature on acrylamide concentration, surface browning, temperature profiles and drying rates of muffins were investigated. Muffins were baked in convection and steam assisted hybrid ovens at 145, 160 and 175 °C for different baking times. For all oven types, the acrylamide concentration of muffins increased with increasing baking time and temperature (p < 0.05). The formation was considered as the first order reaction kinetics except for the lowest baking temperature at natural convection and steam assisted hybrid ovens. The reaction rate constant, k was found to be in the range of 0.027–0.078 (min⁻¹). For the forced convection oven, the effect of baking temperature on acrylamide concentration followed the Arrhenius type of equation; with activation energy of 36.35 kJ/mol. The minimum drying rate was observed by the steam assisted hybrid oven, at all conditions. Steam assisted baking resulted in lower acrylamide concentration at all baking temperatures, while providing the average moisture content not significantly different.     

Kinetics of colour,chlorophyll, and ascorbic acid content in spinach baked in different types of oven

Spinach was baked in steam-assisted hybrid ovens, natural and forced convection ovens, and saturated steam ovens at different temperatures and baking times. The moisture content, water activity, peroxidise activity, colour, ascorbic acid, and chlorophyll content were determined for each baking time and kinetic analysis of thermal degradation of the colour, chlorophyll, and ascorbic acid were evaluated. Degradation of green colour, total chlorophyll, and ascorbic acid in spinach leaves during the baking process was considered as first order reaction kinetics and temperature dependency of degradation was described by the Arrhenius equation. Baking in steam-assisted hybrid ovens resulted in the highest rate of reaction for both colour change and chlorophyll degradation, followed by forced convection and then natural convection ovens. The existence of steam in the baking chamber resulted in an acceleration of the baking process and better ascorbic acid retention in spinach was determined by baking in steam-assisted hybrid ovens. Degradation kinetics could allow definition of optimum baking temperatures and times in different types of ovens and shorter baking times should be preferred in steam-assisted hybrid ovens if fresh appearance (high greenness) is desired.     

Bakery product characteristics as influenced by convection heat flux

Energy consumption and product quality changes are often observed as the ratio of the convection to the conduction modes of heat transfer varies in industrial baking ovens. Air and oven-wall temperature profiles as well as air velocity can affect the convection/radiation heat transfer and hence the quality of the baked products. A programmable pilot-plant oven was used to establish five baking profiles by measuring the total heat flux and the convective component using a special heat flux meter called an h-monitor. The purpose was to keep the total heat flux delivered to the h-monitor constant while varying the convective component from 27% (for the standard profile) to 11%, 22%, 33% and 37% by modifying air characteristics and wall temperatures. Industrial cupcakes were baked using the five established baking profiles and then evaluated in terms of quality parameters. Compared to the standard profile, a 10% reduction in volume expansion and a 30% increase in texture properties were observed for extreme oven conditions; top colour was always darker but more uniform for the conditions with less convection. The moisture content of the middle part of the cake was always higher than that of the top, bottom and sides. Baking industries are interested in using the pilot-scale oven to modify baking profiles for the purposes of quality improvement, product development and energy savings, rather than having to engage in high-cost trial and error practices on the production site.     

Heat Transfer Coefficients on Cakes Baked in a Tunnel Type Industrial Oven

Using an h-monitor, surface heat flux and effective surface heat transfer coefficients were evaluated during baking of two cakes in a tunnel-type multi-zone industrial oven. An average 75–80% of total heat flux was counted as radiation heat. Air-mass temperature outside the boundary layer was determined from the experimental temperature profiles over the h-monitor top plate. In the range of baking temperatures (186–22 5°C), relative air velocities (0.02-0.437 m/s) and absolute humidities (0.0267–0.0428 kg H₂O/kg dry air) heat transfer coefficients were 20 to 48.0 W/m²K. A simple regression model was developed based on experimental data.     

Cake Baking in Conventional, Impingement and Hybrid Ovens

White layer cakes were baked in three types of air impingement ovens, a hybrid (microwave/air impingement) oven, and a reel oven. Cakes were evaluated based on volume, crust color, and texture. Oven heat transfer rates were measured directly, and ranged from 22.8 to 84.8 J/s m²C° for top and from 17.4 to 110.9 for bottom surfaces, exposed in the different ovens, with the conventional reel oven having the lowest values. An RSM design was used to establish optimum baking conditions for each oven. For air impingement ovens, baking time was reduced by almost half but produced cakes very similar to those from the control (reel) oven. Incorporating microwaves enabled a further reduction in baking time, to one fourth. Cakes baked with microwaves had similar color, but had 15% less volumes and firmer textures than control cakes.     

Cake baking in tunnel type multi-zone industrial ovens Part II. Evaluation of quality parameters

In addition to characterization of baking conditions during industrial cake baking, some important quality parameters, such as texture, color, density and viscosity of the cake batter were evaluated during baking in two different multi-zone industrial scale ovens: gas fired band oven and electric powered mold oven. The flow behavior of all batters was pseudo-plastic with a yield stress. The average moisture removal rates (3.59×10⁻⁴–1.40×10⁻³ kg H₂O/kg solid s) of cakes fell between those of cookies and breads. During baking, pH increased and then decreased at the late stage of baking. Batter positions (side or center) on the band were not critical for quality parameters with the exception of moisture content. Most color changes occurred 1/4–3/4 way through the baking. After 21 days of storage, the hardness of all cakes increased 1.8–3 times the original value.     

Effect of Steam-Assisted Hybrid Cooking on Textural Quality Characteristics,Cooking Loss,and Free Moisture Content of Beef

Semitendinosus muscles were cooked in a steam-assisted hybrid oven and also convection ovens at three different oven temperatures (180, 210, and 240°C) until three different end point temperatures [65°C (medium-rare), 72°C (medium), 80°C (medium-well)] were reached. Textural properties of cooked beef were investigated by the Warner Bratzler shear test and texture profile analysis. Cooking loss and free moisture content of muscle tissue was determined for each cooking condition. In addition, sensory analysis was carried out in order to compare with the instrumental results and correlations between instrumental texture parameters and sensory results. Steam-assisted hybrid oven cooking of beef resulted in a tougher texture, higher cooking loss, and lower free moisture content than convection cooking. High correlation coefficients (r² > 0.70) were observed between instrumental texture measurements and sensory results for all ovens, especially in terms of tenderness. The free moisture content and adhesiveness values were also correlated well with juiciness (r² > 0.70) for all oven types.     

Effect of Steam Baking on Acrylamide Formation and Browning Kinetics of Cookies

Abstract: Effects of baking method and temperature on surface browning and acrylamide concentration of cookies were investigated. Cookies were baked in natural and forced convection and steam‐assisted hybrid ovens at 165, 180, and 195 °C and at different times. For all oven types, the acrlyamide concentration and surface color of cookies increased with increasing baking temperature. Significant correlation was observed between acrylamide formation and browning index, BI, which was calculated from Hunter L, a, and b color values, and it showed that the BI may be considered as a reliable indicator of acrylamide concentration in cookies. Acrylamide formation and browning index in cookies were considered as the first‐order reaction kinetics and the reaction rate constants, k, were in the range of 0.023 to 0.077 (min^?1) and 0.019 to 0.063 (min^?1), respectively. The effect of baking temperature on surface color and acrylamide concentration followed the Arrhenius type of equation, with activation energies for acrylamide concentration as 6.87 to 27.84 kJ/mol; for BI value as 19.54 to 35.36 kJ/mol, for all oven types. Steam‐assisted baking resulted in lower acrylamide concentration at 165 °C baking temperature and lower surface color for all temperatures. Steam‐assisted baking is recommended as a healthy way of cooking providing the reduction of harmful compounds such as acrylamide for bakery goods, at a minimal level, while keeping the physical quality. Practical Application: The kinetics of acrylamide formation and browning of cookies will possibly allow definition of optimum baking temperatures and times at convectional and steam‐assisted baking ovens. The kinetic model can be used by developing baking programs that can automatically control especially a new home‐scale steam‐assisted hybrid oven producing healthy products, for the use of domestic consumers.     

Acidulant and oven type affect total anthocyanin content of blue corn cookies

BACKGROUND: Anthocyanins, pink to purple water‐soluble flavonoids, are naturally occurring pigments with claimed health benefits. However, they are sensitive to degradation by high pH, light and temperature. Blue corn (maize) contains high levels of anthocyanins. Cookies are popular snacks and might serve as a vehicle to deliver antioxidants. A cookie formula with a high level of blue corn was developed with added acidulents and baked in ovens with different heat transfer coefficients. RESULTS: The best whole‐grain blue corn flour/wheat pastry flour ratio (80:20 w/w), guar gum level (10 g kg^?1, flour weight basis) and water level (215 g kg^?1, flour weight basis) were determined based on response surface methodology analysis. The interactions of citric and lactic acids and glucono‐δ‐lactone with three oven types having different heat transfer coefficients (impingement oven 179 °C/4 min, reel oven 204 °C/10 min and convection oven 182 °C/4 min) influenced the total anthocyanin content (TAC) remaining in blue corn‐containing cookies after baking. CONCLUSION: Cookies baked with citric acid in the convection oven retained the maximum TAC (227 ± 3 mg kg^?1). By baking rapidly at lower temperatures and adding acidulents, it may be possible to increase residual natural source antioxidants in baked foods. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

INDIVIDUAL HEAT TRANSFER MODES IN BAND OVEN BISCUIT BAKING

The individual modes of heat transfer, e.g., conduction, radiation and convection, are considered for the processing of products in conventional band ovens. A specific theoretical model is considered for the baking of biscuits in an indirect fired oven. Values of individual heat transfer constants in the theoretical model and major effects of the individual modes of heat transfer were determined using lab scale heating devices. Extrapolating these results to a band oven baking process, the model indicated a heat transfer profile of about 20% heat transferred by conduction, about 45% by radiation and about 35% by forced convection in the band oven, with about half the heat being absorbed as sensible heat, and about half as latent heat.     

Thermal Conductivity of White Bread During Convective Heat Processing

Thermal conductivity values of white bread were determined during heat processing to provide information for analytical modeling required during convective heat and mass transfer of the baking process. Selected physical properties of bread were determined: moisture, volume, bulk density and porosity. White bread was baked in a forced-air convection oven for 8, 16, 24 and 32 min. Thermal conductivity values ranged from 0.00072–0.00064 watts/cm-°C. Although a downward trend was observed and explained, no significant differences were revealed among thermal conductivity values. Thermal conductivity values were indirectly linearly dependent (p>0.05) on volume and porosity; directly, to bulk density and moisture loss.     

Characterization and CFD modelling of air temperature and velocity profiles in an industrial biscuit baking tunnel oven

The industrial baking of cereal products is commonly performed in tunnel ovens, which give operators high flexibility for adjusting baking conditions to optimum values. This paper discusses the application of a CFD approach to predict the air temperature and velocity profiles inside the baking chamber of an industrial indirect gas-fired tunnel oven used for biscuit baking. We used two three-dimensional CFD models (one not covering the conveying band of biscuits and the other including it) to describe the complex air circulation resulting from the mechanisms of air input and exit at the ends of the oven and of air extraction through the different extraction points located along the oven length. Comparison of numerical results with experimental measurements shows a fairly close agreement in the qualitative prediction and a few inaccuracies in the quantitative prediction of the air temperature profiles within the baking chamber. Furthermore, the comparison also reveals great differences in the air velocity profiles.     

MODELING OF HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER DURING BAKING OF BISCUITS

Precooked biscuits (7 cm diameter × 2 cm thickness), preserved by freezing, were evaluated in a regional bakery. Heat and mass transfer during these processes and through the final baking were studied. Precooking was conducted at 180C for 18 min; convection and conduction were the predominant phenomena for heat transfer, with an α = 1.71 × 10^?7 m²/s. Diffusion mechanism adequately modeled (r² = 0.94, PEM < 2.5%) the moisture loss during cooking stage, with a D = 1.04 × 10^?6 m²/s. The freezing point obtained inside a tunnel freezer (forced air at ? 40C), was ? 6.73C, consistent with the predicted value. Volume changes were minimal during frozen storage because of high fat content and few variations in the freezer temperature. Final baking in conventional gas and microwave ovens were compared. Higher moisture loss and minimal color change occurred in the microwave baking. Instrumental texture of both final treatments were significantly different, in contrary to sensory evaluation (α = 0.05). The methods produced a good choice for product commercialization after baking.     

Thermo‐physical properties of composite bread dough with maize and cassava flours

Composite wheat–cassava and wheat–maize flours were produced in ratio 100:0. 60:40, 50:50, 40:60 and 0:100 respectively. Thermo‐physical properties of bread dough were determined. For wheat –cassava composite bread dough, moisture content ranged between 44.02 ± 2.04 to 51.31 ± 2.99% dry basis (db), density (1035.2 ± 20.4 to 975.6 ± 12.6 kg m^?3), specific heat capacity (2.51 ± 0.61 to 3.01 ± 0.42 kJ kg^?1 K) and thermal conductivity (0.362 ± 0.13 to 0.473 ± 0.12 W mK^?1). While wheat–maize mixture gave 44.14 ± 1.94 to 45.09 ± 1.26%(db) of moisture content, 981.4 ± 16.3–960.4 ± 22.5 kg m^?3 density, 1.77 ± 0.17–2.61 ± 0.63 kJ kg^?1 K specific heat capacity and 0.36 ± 0.07–0.39 ± 0.02 W mK^?1 thermal conductivity. Effects of substitutions was significant on moisture content and thermal conductivity of dough while non significant influence was recorded on density and specific heat capacity at P < 0.05.     

Determination of convective heat transfer coefficient and specific energy consumption of potato using an ingenious self tracking solar dryer

In the present work, an attempt has been made to experimentally determine the heat transfer properties of potato in terms of convective heat transfer coefficient, specific energy consumption and specific heating rate. Drying experiments with potato cylinders have been performed in an in-house fabricated laboratory scale natural convection indirect solar dryer with self tracking mechanism. The convective heat transfer coefficient of cylindrical potato samples was evaluated by considering the combined effects of heat capacities of food product as well as radiative heat transfer from drying chamber to the food product. This study revealed that the convective heat transfer coefficient for potato cylinders was varying from 11.73 to 16.23 W/m² °C with an experimental error of 7.86 %. The specific energy consumption was decreasing exponentially with drying time, and the average value was estimated to be 3,491 kJ/kg. It was also observed that the specific heating rate for potato cylinders decrease with dimensionless moisture content.     

EFFECTS OF OVEN HUMIDITY ON FOODS BAKED IN GAS CONVECTION OVENS1

Bread, cakes, and cookies were baked in direct‐ and indirect‐gas fired, foodservice style convection ovens. Oven humidity was varied by including different numbers of perlite and water dummy loads during baking. Oven, product, and dummy temperatures were continuously recorded during baking, as was oven humidity. The properties of the finished baked foods were measured. Increased oven humidity resulted in products with higher yield, greater volume or spread, lighter color, and reduced firmness.     

An instrumented oven for the monitoring of thermal reactions during the baking of sponge cake

An electric convective oven was conceived and equipped to allow monitoring thermal reactions during the baking of sponge cake. High total heat fluxes of between 6000 and 9000 W m⁻² were recorded under baking temperatures of 140-200 °C. The mapping of thermal conditions indicated satisfactory thermal homogeneity, with average temperature variations of 5 °C and maximum relative variations of the convective heat transfer coefficient of 15% on the thermal domain investigated. Internal heat and mass transfers, the extent of thermal reactions within the sponge cake and repeatability of the baking operation were all characterized by experimental measurements. Some of the main operating variables were monitored in the cake (core and surface temperatures, moisture content, levels of chemical reactants and products) and others in the baking atmosphere (temperature, humidity and concentrations of volatile compounds). Specific non-disruptive sampling devices were designed to extract data from cakes and the oven atmosphere in order to follow the kinetics of thermal reactions during the baking operation. Three phases could be identified during baking, corresponding to the relative importance of conductive and evaporative internal heat transfer regimes and to macroscopic changes in the cake structure with formation of a crust. The progress of thermal reactions was monitored with satisfactory precision in both the cake and the baking vapors: relative standard deviations of 2% and 8.7% were obtained respectively for the water content and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content of three replicates during a baking operation.     

Influence of Final Baking Technologies in Partially Baked Frozen Gluten‐Free Bread Quality

The effect of final baking in convection oven (FBC), microwave oven (FBM), and microwave oven with susceptor packaging material (FBMS) on partially baked (PB) frozen gluten‐free bread characteristics was investigated. Specific volume and crust color of loaves were measured at day 0. Bread moisture, water activity, and crumb and crust texture (at 15, 45, and 90 min after baking) were analyzed at day 0 and after 28 d of frozen storage (?18 °C). Volatile compounds from breads baked in convection oven or microwave oven with susceptor packaging material were also evaluated. Bread finally baked in convection oven or in microwave oven with susceptor packaging increased crust browning. Crumb and roll hardness increased with time after final baking (measured at 15, 45, 90 min) and after 28 d of frozen storage. Bread finally baked in microwave oven was the hardest, due to high water losses. At day 0, bread finally baked in convection oven had softer crumb than bread finally baked in microwave oven with susceptor packaging but, after 28 d of frozen storage, there were no differences between them. Moreover, FBC and FBMS rendered gluten‐free breads that could not be distinguished in a triangular test and had the same volatile compounds profile. In conclusion, FBMS could be an alternative to FBC.     

Modeling the Thermal Properties of a Cup Cake During Baking

Thermal properties of a cup cake were estimated under conditions simulating industrial baking. Densities (p: 803-236 kg/ m³), specific heats (C_p: 2516-2658 J/kgK) and thermal conductivities (k: 0.1064-0.2064 W/mK) were estimated using a pycnometric/geometric cutting method, a modulated differential scanning calorimeter and a line heat source probe. Cp and k were based on internal temperatures after specific baking times. Thermal diffusivities (a: 1.02×10^?7-1.698×10^?7m/s²) were obtained by dividing the thermal conductivities by the product of specific heats and densities. Based on thermal property data, simple empirical models were developed for further prediction.     

MRI study of bread baking: experimental device and MRI signal analysis

An oven dedicated to a magnetic resonance imager (MRI) was designed and constructed for continuous monitoring of the entire baking process. The general aim was to test whether response variables conventionally measured on bread loaves, such as temperature, density, and water loss, were consistent with those reported for similar products baked in classical convection ovens. MRI images acquired during baking are presented and discussed, emphasising the need to develop quantitative MRI methods allowing conversion of the MRI signal into one variable of interest, such as local density or local water content.