Effect of leavening agents and sugars on the formation of hydroxymethylfurfural in cookies during baking

The effects of recipe compositions in terms of leavening agent (ammonium and sodium bicarbonates) and sugars (sucrose and glucose), and baking conditions (temperature and time) on HMF formation in cookies were studied. Five recipes were prepared by varying the types of leavening agent and sugar. The cookies were baked at different temperatures (180, 200, 210 and 220 °C) for different time (10, 15, 20 and 25 min) to monitor physical and chemical changes in cookie composition in terms of water activity, pH, surface browning, sugar decomposition, and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) formation. Decreasing moisture to a level under a water activity of 0.4 appeared as the critical point in baking where the rate of HMF formation drastically increased after this point. After this stage, sucrose decomposed very rapidly if ammonium bicarbonate was used as the leavening agent at temperatures greater than 200 °C. Replacing ammonium bicarbonate with sodium bicarbonate maintained pH of cookies ranging between 9.0 and 10.0 during baking, which limited the decomposition of sucrose.     

Effects of dough formula and baking conditions on acrylamide and hydroxymethylfurfural formation in cookies

The effects of dough formula and baking conditions on the formations of acrylamide and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) were studied in a cookie model system. Increasing the sugar concentration in the dough formula increased acrylamide formation during baking at 205 °C for 11 min. The effect of sugar on acrylamide formation was more pronounced for glucose than for sucrose, expectedly. Addition of citric acid into dough formula comprising sucrose increased the susceptibility of acrylamide formation, while it decreased acrylamide formation in the dough formula comprising glucose. Decreasing the pH of dough formula increased the tendency to surface browning and the formation of hydroxymethylfurfural in cookies during baking. The results suggest that a cookie with acceptable texture and colour, but having less than 150 ng/g of acrylamide, can be manufactured by lowering the baking temperature and avoiding reducing sugars in the recipe.     

Temperature-dependent quality characteristics of pre-dehydrated cookies: Structure,browning, texture, in vitro starch digestibility,and the effect on blood glucose levels in mice

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the physical and biochemical properties of pre-dehydrated cookies baked at various temperatures. Cookie dough was vacuum-dried, and then baked at 120–180 °C for 18 min. All samples showed lower spread ratio than non-dehydrated cookie baked at 180 °C (control). Browning of the samples baked at 180 °C and 160 °C was higher than that of the control. In contrast, little browning was observed in the sample baked at 120 °C. The fracture force of samples baked at 140 °C and 120 °C agreed well with the control. From these results, the sample baked at 140 °C was employed for subsequent studies. In vitro starch digestibility suggested that the sample baked at 140 °C had higher slowly digestible starch content than the control. From postprandial blood glucose levels in mice, it was found that the sample significantly reduced the blood glucose peak observed at 30 min post-administration.     

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.     

A new approach to evaluate the risk arising from acrylamide formation in cookies during baking: Total risk calculation

From a food engineering point of view, a viable approach in evaluating the risk related to acrylamide formation in heated foods is still lacking. In this study, thermal process calculation procedure used to evaluate safe levels of microbial inactivation by means of time-temperature history of the product during processing was adapted to evaluate the risk associated with acrylamide formation in cookies during baking. The rate constants were determined in model cookies during baking at different temperatures. For a risk threshold value of 200 ppb of acrylamide, thermal formation times were calculated as 6.29, 0.20 and 0.03 min for 150, 200 and 250 °C, respectively. The F and z values were determined as 0.20 min and 30 °C, respectively, for acrylamide formation in cookies during baking. Calculated total risk values compared well with experimentally measured acrylamide concentrations of cookies baked under different conditions confirming the success of risk evaluation procedure.     

Evolution of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural (F) in fortified wines submitted to overheating conditions

As furfural (F) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) are essentially formed from sugar dehydration, especially in food submitted to heat, they can be found in beverages, as well as fortified sweet wines. In order to assess the impact of temperature on Madeira winemaking, three traditional varieties of Madeira wines (Malvasia, Sercial and Tinta Negra Mole) were studied to evaluate the F and HMF contents. The wines were produced by two vinification processes, following traditional and modern methodologies, heated at standard conditions (30 °C and 45 °C, for 4 months) and compared with the same wines submitted to overheating conditions (55 °C, for 4 months). The RP-HPLC-DAD methodology used for the control of F and HMF during the process showed no significant changes in the wines maintained at 30 °C (canteiro) and a noticeable but controlled increase in the wines heated at 45 °C (estufagem) where values up to about 150 mg/L of HMF could be found in sweet wines. The strong relation of this compound with the sugar content and baking temperature stood out in the wines submitted to overheating conditions where values higher than 1 g/L could be found for sweeter wines, with HMF level being in general higher than F.The results clearly suggest that the amount of HMF in these fortified wines can be easily controlled when submitted to adequate conditions of heating during estufagem and storage. Furthermore, different temperatures for the baking of sweet and dry wines may be considered.     

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.     

The impact of baking time and bread storage temperature on bread crumb properties

Two baking times (9 and 24 min) and storage temperatures (4 and 25 °C) were used to explore the impact of heat exposure during bread baking and subsequent storage on amylopectin retrogradation, water mobility, and bread crumb firming. Shorter baking resulted in less retrogradation, a less extended starch network and smaller changes in crumb firmness and elasticity. A lower storage temperature resulted in faster retrogradation, a more rigid starch network with more water inclusion and larger changes in crumb firmness and elasticity. Crumb to crust moisture migration was lower for breads baked shorter and stored at lower temperature, resulting in better plasticized biopolymer networks in crumb. Network stiffening, therefore, contributed less to crumb firmness. A negative relation was found between proton mobilities of water and biopolymers in the crumb gel network and crumb firmness. The slope of this linear function was indicative for the strength of the starch network.     

Acrylamide formation in a cookie system as influenced by the oil phenol profile and degree of oxidation

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the olive oil phenolic compounds as well as of thermoxidised oil on the formation of acrylamide in a cookies system. Three virgin olive oils having different phenolic profile and a thermoxidised sunflower oil were selected. Cookies were baked at 190 °C for different times (8–16 min) following a basic recipe where type of oil was the variable. Additionally to acrylamide (AA), other parameters such as colour, moisture, antioxidant activity (AOA), and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) were measured. Results showed that concentration and composition of phenolic moiety of virgin olive oil significantly affect the acrylamide formation, particularly at prolonged baking time. Virgin olive oil with a higher dihydroxy/monohydroxy ratio was more efficient in the AA mitigation and AA was reduced up to 20%. Colour and AOA were not significantly different among the three types of oils. However, AA is dramatically increased when thermoxidised oil is used with a parallel increase of browning and HMF. It was concluded that lipid oxidation products should be considered as an important factor in acrylamide formation during baking of fat-rich products.     

Study of hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural formation in cakes during baking in different ovens,using a validated multiple-stage extraction-based analytical method

A procedure for extraction of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural from cakes was validated. Higher yield was achieved by multiple step extraction with water/methanol (70/30) and clarification with Carrez I and II reagents. Oven type and baking time strongly influenced HMF, moisture and volatile profile of model cakes, whereas furfural content was not significantly affected. No correlation was found between these parameters. Baking time influenced moisture and HMF formation in cakes from traditional and microwave ovens but not in steam oven cakes. Significant moisture decrease and HMF increase (3.63, 9.32, and 41.9 mg kg⁻¹ dw at 20, 40 and 60 min, respectively) were observed during traditional baking. Cakes baked by microwave also presented a significant increase of HMF (up to 16.84 mg kg⁻¹ dw at 2.5 min). Steam oven cakes possessed the highest moisture content and no significant differences in HMF and furfural. This oven is likely to form low HMF and furfural, maintaining cake moisture and aroma compounds.     

The role of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase in the browning of water caltrop pericarp during heat treatment

The mechanism of browning involving enzymatic browning was investigated in the pericarp of water caltrop, an Asian vegetable popular for its taste and medicinal properties. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities were determined in pericarp at various times and temperatures. Water caltrop consisted of 44.22% moisture content, 37.23% crude fibre, and 2.63% crude protein. PPO and POD activities dropped from 62 and 38 units/g sample, respectively, as water temperature was increased from 30 to 80 °C. Optimum pH and temperature for PPO activity was at pH 5.0, 25–45 °C, and POD activity peaked at 60 °C. High PPO and POD activities at 40–50 °C resulted in degradation of phenolic compounds, which led to increased aggregation of browning pigments and discolouration (lower L-values) of the pericarp. Enzymatic browning was determined as the major factor in the browning discolouration of heat-treated water caltrop pericarp.     

Comparison of crumb microstructure from pound cakes baked in a microwave or conventional oven

Imaging, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to compare the microstructure of crumbs from pound cakes baked in a microwave or conventional oven. The microwave baking conditions for pound cake (240 W, 5 min) were established in previous research, conventional baked pound cakes were obtained using a swing oven at 180 °C for 40 min. Statistical differences in total cell, cell/cm² and mean cell area (P?0.05) were observed in the image analysis. Cells from microwaved pound cake crumbs were 20% larger. However, factor shape was 0.81 for both microwave and conventionally baked crumbs, and crumbs from both oven types were similar in appearance. Light microscopy revealed birefringence in crumbs from both types of pound cakes. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the conventionally baked product had a greater amount of protein matrix however; the matrix structure of the crumb was comparable between microwave-baked and conventionally baked pound cakes. In conclusion, our results suggest that the unique aspects of pound cake dough, including its high content of fat, sugar and moisture, make it well suited to microwave baking.     

Effects of Dough Materials on Flavor Formation in Baked Cookies

The effects of dough materials on flavor formation in baked cookies were investigated in detail. The baked cookies were prepared from wheat flour, eggs, butter, sugar and sodium bicarbonate and heated at 150°C for 10 min. This dough was extracted with methanol/water (3:1,v/v) and the extracts were submitted to HPLC. The two main peaks, among 10 peaks detected, were identified as 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one (DDMP) and 5-hydroxymethyl-furfural (HMF), respectively. DDMP seemed to be a key substance enhancing the good qualities of cookies with its favorable aroma. The generation of DDMP in baking was affected by the addition of proteins and amino acies, and among these, ovalbumin, proline, arginine and histidine strongly enhanced the DDMP generation.     

A kinetic model for browning in the baking of biscuits: Effects of water activity and temperature

We describe here a rigorous and fundamental approach to the extraction of kinetic parameters when solid foods undergo colour change, and provide a generic basis for other studies on foods. Freeze-dried ‘digestive’ biscuit dough samples were used for kinetic studies of browning during the baking process. Browning data were recorded (temperature T: 105-135 °C; water activity a_w: 0.04-0.15; t=0-26 min) as colorimeter R, G, B values (reflectance), in order to obtain rates of browning for numerical integration within the kinetic model. Reflectances were weighted using the Kubelka-Munk relationship so as to provide data which are linear with respect to concentration. It was postulated that the rate of formation of coloured product changes according to a first-order kinetic process but is largely zero order within the observation period. An activation energy of 105 kJ/mol was obtained but the rate of browning was independent of a_w under the conditions investigated. It was thus possible to model the R, G, and B values very accurately within a kinetic run, and to extract kinetic parameters for doughs with varying sugar concentration. These parameters can now be used to predict the final colour (as R, G, B or L, a, b) for any given temperature-time profile.     

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.     

Effect of Radio Frequency Postdrying of Partially Baked Cookies on Acrylamide Content,Texture, and Color of the Final Product

Abstract: Effect of radio frequency (RF) postdrying of partially baked cookies on acrylamide content, texture, and color of the final product was investigated in this study. Control cookies were prepared by baking in a conventional oven at 205 °C for 11 min. Cookies partially baked for 8 and 9 min were postdried in a 27.12 MHz RF tunnel oven until attainment of the moisture content of control cookies. Internal temperature of cookies was monitored during the experiments to better explain the results. Cookies were analyzed for acrylamide content using a liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) method. Texture measurements were performed using a Texture Analyzer, while digital image analysis was used for color measurement. The results showed that RF postdrying of partially baked cookies resulted in lower acrylamide levels (107.3 ng/g for control cookies, 74.6 ng/g upon RF postdrying of cookies partially baked for 9 min, 51.1 ng/g upon RF postdrying of cookies partially baked for 8 min). Instrumental texture analysis showed no significant difference among the texture of cookies, whereas RF postdried samples had a lower degree of browning. According to sensory evaluation results, control had a more crumbly texture, and RF postdried sample that was conventionally baked for 8 min had a slightly uncooked flavor. Practical Application: Combining radio frequency and conventional baking may provide cookie manufacturers with ability to make cookies with lower levels of acrylamide.     

Computational fluid dynamics modeling of bread baking process

A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model was developed to study the temperature and browning profile of bread. This study differs from previous work of CFD modeling reported in literature in that phase change during evaporation as well as evaporation-condensation mechanism during baking process was incorporated in this model. Simulation results were validated with experimental measurements of bread temperature at three different positions. In this study crumb temperature does not cross 100 °C due to incorporation of evaporation-condensation mechanism in this model. Baking process completes within 25 min of processing time once the temperature of crumb becomes stable at 98 °C. Formation of crust and browning of bread surface were studied using earlier reported kinetic model and it predicted more browning at bread edges than the surfaces. However, predicted browning index was well within the range (< 52).     

Kinetic analysis of non-enzymatic browning in carrot juice concentrate during storage

The effect of storage temperature, storage time and total soluble solid (TSS) on the total sugar (TS), sucrose, glucose, fructose, total amino acid (TAA), pH, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and browning degree (BD) in carrot juice concentrate (CJC) stored at −18, 0, 25 and 37 °C was studied and the relationship between HMF and BD was established. Higher temperature at 25 and 37 °C had a significant effect (p<0.05) on TS, sucrose, glucose, fructose, TAA, pH, HMF and BD, while lower temperature at 0 and −18 °C had less effect, and the storage time and the soluble solid of CJC stored at 25 and 37 °C also had a significant effect on HMF formation and BD. At 25 and 37 °C, the formation of HMF and BD followed a first-order reaction well as a function of storage time; a good correlation between HMF formation and BD occurred. The formation of HMF could described by the total soluble solid value [TSS] and the BD value ([BD], absorbance at 420 nm) of CJC, the equation was [HMF] (content of HMF) = 1.2177 − 0.1124 × [TSS] + (2.835 + 0.3477 × [TSS]) × [BD] and [HMF] = 1.5510 − 0.4813 × [TSS] + (23.8847 + 0.7249 × [TSS]) × [BD] at 25 and 37 °C, respectively.     

Polyphenol oxidase activity,phenolic acid composition and browning in cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale, L.) after processing

This study describes the extraction and characterisation of cashew apple polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and the effect of wounding on cashew apple phenolic acid composition, PPO activity and fruit browning. Purification factor was 59 at 95% (NH₄)₂SO₄ saturation. For PPO activity, the optimal substrate was catechol and the optimum pH was 6.5. PPO K_m and V_max values were 18.8 mM and 13.6 U min⁻¹ ml⁻¹, respectively. Ascorbic acid, citric acid, sodium sulphite and sodium metabisulphite decreased PPO activity, while sodium chloride increased PPO activity. Wounding at 2 °C and 27 °C for 24 h increased PPO activity but storage at 40 °C reduced PPO activity. Gallic acid, protocatechuic acid and cinnamic acid (free and conjugate) were identified in cashew apple juice. Cutting and subsequent storage at 40 °C hydrolysed cinnamic acid. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural content in cashew apple juice increased after injury and storage at higher temperatures, indicating non-enzymatic browning.     

Physical, textural and sensory characteristics of 7-day frozen part-baked French bread

Bread partially baked for 7 min at 250 °C, after cooling, was frozen until core temperature reached −18 °C and stored at this same temperature up to 7 days. Samples were removed daily from the freezer, thawed and baked at 250 °C for 6 min. Analyses were performed 1 h after final baking, and were also conducted on fresh French bread daily produced (control). Weight and specific volume of frozen part-baked bread presented significant difference (P<0.05) compared with fresh one. Sensory analysis was carried out by a trained panel using the Difference from Control test to evaluate the difference and the degree of difference between frozen part-baked French bread (FPBFB) and fresh bread regarding appearance, tactile by direct touch and mouthfeel. All scores obtained indicated that the panelists, during the studied period, considered FPBFB to be slightly different compared with fresh one. Consumer Acceptance test was applied to compare appearance (gloss, roughness and cut on bread surface), oral texture (crust crispness and crumb firmness) and overall flavor between frozen part-baked bread and a commercial brand. All sensory scores obtained from Consumer test indicated that the 4-day frozen part-baked presented a superior acceptance to the commercial brand.