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.     

Effects of adding chickpea and chestnut flours to layer cakes

Chestnut and chickpea flours have interesting nutritional characteristics and can be incorporated into layer cake formulations. This study aims to evaluate the effect of incorporating mixtures of these flours with wheat flour in the elaboration of layer cakes. With this aim, layer cakes were elaborated with the three different flours. Mixes of 50% of these flours and a mixture of the three flours in the same proportion were analysed. Batter density, microstructure and viscosity, as well as the specific volume, texture and acceptability of layer cakes were evaluated. Chickpea flour reduced the batter density and increased viscosity compared to wheat flour, while chestnut flour reduced viscosity and did not clearly affect density. Although both flours produced layer cakes with lower specific volume, as well as less cohesive and springiness, the effect on specific volume was clearer in chestnut flour. With 50% of chickpea flour, it was possible to obtain layer cakes with the same specific volume and hardness as those made with wheat flour. Layer cake acceptability decreased with the reduction in wheat flour, regardless of the type of flour incorporated. No improved acceptability has been found when combining chickpea and chestnut flours.     

Wasted bread flour as a novel ingredient in cake making

Bread is one of the most wasted products in both industry and retail. This study analysed the use of bread flour of various particle sizes (1000 μm, 500 μm and 200 μm) in different percentages for sponge formulations (10% and 20%) and layer cakes (10%, 20% and 30%). Viscosity, microstructure and density of batters, as well as specific volume, texture and colour of cakes were evaluated. The inclusion of bread flour change batter microstructure. Viscosity does not affect the sponge batters but it tends to increase in the layers, mostly in the case of finer flours. The specific volume is reduced in sponge cakes while hardness is generally increased, even with the lowest percentages of bread flour. In layers, this reduction in volume is only visible at the highest doses of flours below 500 microns with no changes in hardness.     

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.     

Impact of Legume Flours on Quality and In Vitro Digestibility of Starch and Protein from Gluten-Free Cakes

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of incorporation of different legumes (chickpea, pea, lentil and bean) on quality, chemical composition and in vitro protein and starch digestibility of gluten-free layer cake (rice flour/legume flour, 50:50). The incorporation of legume flours increased the batter viscosity and, with exception of chickpea, resulted in higher specific cake volume than that in control. Chickpea and pea containing cakes had the brightest and the most yellowish crust. The legumes significantly increased the hardness and chewiness in the cakes, except with addition of lentil. Enriched cakes had higher total protein, available proteins, minerals, fat, as well as fiber content with except in the case of chickpeas. Legumes significantly affect the in vitro hydrolysis of starch fractions, decreasing the rapidly digestible starch yielding a reduction in the eGI, except chickpea containing samples. Overall, considering physicochemical properties and nutritional quality, lentil flour incorporation resulting in the best gluten-free cakes.     

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.     

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.     

Effect of batter freezing conditions and resting time on cake quality

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of batter freezing and conditions and resting time before baking on quality of two kinds of cakes (layer and sponge cakes), including freezing temperature (−18 °C, −26 °C), storage time at sub-zero temperatures (30 and 100 days), and resting time (60 and 120 min). Characteristics of the batter (pH, density, viscosity, and microstructure) and cakes (density, texture, and colour) were analysed. Freezing process increases batter density and viscosity, and consequently decreases cake volume and height, but increases hardness. Cakes from frozen batters have a darker and more yellow crumb and lighter-coloured crust than cakes from non-frozen batters. Freezing process has a greater effect on batter and cake quality characteristics than storage/freezing conditions or resting time. In layer cakes, freezing mainly affected volume and colour, whilst in sponge cakes, there was a more marked effect on texture. Differences between the two kinds of cake could be related to a distinct internal structure. Resting time mainly affected batter characteristics, although there were no apparent differences in the quality of the cakes obtained.     

Physical and nutritional evaluation of wheat cookies supplemented with pulse flours of different particle sizes

With the aim to develop functionally and nutritionally improved cookies, the influence of the total or partial replacement of wheat flour by pulses flours on the quality characteristics of cookies was analysed. Blends containing 25, 50, 75 and 100 g/100 g of navy bean, pinto bean, green lentil and commercial yellow pea flours were prepared. Green lentil, navy and pinto bean flours were used at two degrees of milling (fine and coarse). The incorporation of pulse flours significantly affected the physical and chemical parameters of the cookies. Incorporation of fine flours remarkably increased cookies’ hardness and decreased spread while coarse flours marginally reduced both parameters. The greatest impact on the physical characteristics was observed with the incorporation of green lentil flour, where cookies made with coarse flour were of unacceptable structure and were sticky to handle. Cookies baked with pulse flours were higher in protein level and showed increased antioxidant activity compared to the control. Overall analysis indicated that cookies with acceptable physical characteristics and improved nutritional profile could be produced with partial or complete replacement of the wheat flour.     

Incorporation of chia seed flour into gluten-free rice layer cake: Effects on nutritional quality and physicochemical properties

The purpose of this research was to incorporate 0% to 30% chia seed flour into rice flour gluten-free layer cake and evaluate its effect on nutritional qualities and physicochemical properties. The supplement of chia seed flour resulted in higher batter viscosity, hardness of gluten free layer cake, crude protein, fat, ash, α-linolenic acid (increase up to 10.2% of total fatty acid), total phenolics content, and reducing power but the lower crust, crumb white index, cohesiveness, and resilience of gluten-free layer cake was found. Substitution of rice flour with 10% prehydrated chia seed flour can achieve a higher center height and volume index of gluten-free layer cakes. Higher carosine and angiotension I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity was observed in the supplement of 10% chia seed flour when compared to a rice flour layer cake. Gluten-free layer cake with 10% prehydrated chia seeds flour had similar overall acceptability, texture, flavor, and odor scores except for lower appearance score to those of gluten-free layer cake made with 100% rice flour and layer cake made with 100% wheat flour. Incorporation of 10% prehydrated chia seed flour results in more desirable volume index of gluten-free layer cake and it is feasible for gluten-free layer cake application. Gluten-free layer cakes with improved quality characteristics and high nutritional value can be manufactured by the incorporation of chia seed flour.     

Improvement of the quality of gluten‐free sponge cake using different levels and particle sizes of carrot pomace powder

In this study, carrot pomace powder (CPP) with particle sizes of 210 μm (CPP210) and 500 μm (CPP500) was added in the gluten‐free sponge cake recipe. Flour (rice and corn flour, 1:1, w/w) was replaced with 0, 10, 20 and 30% CPP. With increasing the level and particle size of CPP, batter density, viscosity, consistency and firmness increased. The control cake had a dense, hard texture, irregular shape and low sensory scores. These properties improved with addition of CPP so that the cake density, hardness and cohesiveness reduced, while symmetry index and sensory scores increased. Varying the particle size of CPP had no considerable effects on most of the batter and cake properties, while increasing the level of CPP had great positive effects on the quality of batter and cake. Overall, addition of 30% CPP with either of the particle sizes resulted in an acceptable gluten‐free cake.     

Functionality of lipase and emulsifiers in low-fat cakes with inulin

The functional effects of lipase (0.003 and 0.006 g/100 g of flour) and emulsifier (0.5 and 1 g/100 g of flour) on fat-replaced (0%, 50% and 70%) batters and cakes with inulin (0, 7.5 and 10 g/100 g/of flour, respectively) were studied. Emulsifier addition significantly lowered the relative density of the batter. Emulsifier incorporation increased the viscoelastic properties of the batter. In contrast, lipase incorporation decreased the degree of system structuring. The evolution of the dynamic moduli and complex viscosity with rising temperatures were studied. Batters with 1 g/100 g emulsifier displayed a significantly lower complex viscosity during heating, resulting in collapsed cakes. Differential scanning calorimetry results revealed that the thermal setting in the control cakes occurred at higher temperatures, and accordingly, greater cake expansion was observed. Cakes with 0.003 g/100 g lipase or 0.5 g/100 g emulsifier displayed volume and crumb cell structure that were similar to those of control cakes. Higher concentrations of both improvers gave rise to cakes with lower volume, higher hardness and lower springiness. During storage time, cakes with lipase displayed lower hardness. Both improvers, at low concentrations, could improve certain physical characteristics, such as crumb structure, of fat-replaced cakes with inulin.     

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.     

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.     

Optimisation of protein-enriched gluten-free layer cakes using a mixture design

The effect of different protein mixtures (pea, whey and egg white proteins) on the physical characteristics of batters and baked gluten-free layer cakes after substituting 45% of flour was evaluated. A mixture design approach was used to determine the interaction effects of the three proteins on the cakes physical characteristics. For batter density, two interactions were observed, and higher values were found for batters containing a mixture of 60–80% egg white and 20–40% whey than in batter containing only one of these proteins, or a pea content of 70–90% than in batter containing only pea. For batter viscosity, significant interactions between egg white and pea, and between whey and pea proteins were observed, which explains the gentler decrease in viscosity at higher egg white and/or whey protein ratios. Regarding hardness, an interaction between egg white and whey occurred, and increasing whey content helped to reduce hardness to a greater extent than increasing pea content.     

Use of berry pomace to replace flour,fat or sugar in cakes

Pomace from fruit juice production is a by‐product with a high fibre and bioactive compound content. It is commonly used as animal feed, so using it in food brings added value. The present study assessed the effect of using black currant and aronia pomace to replace either part of the flour, fat or sugar in sponge cakes. Batters in which sugar was replaced showed the highest viscosity. On the other hand, flour replacement led to batters with the lowest viscosity and gave place to softer cakes with fewer but larger‐sized air cells. Sugar replacement conferred greater hardness and a larger number of small air cells. In general, fat replacement gave rise to intermediate crumb texture and structure properties in comparison with flour and sugar replacements. In vitro starch digestion showed that the flour‐replaced sponge cakes possessed the lowest hydrolysis index and glycaemic index values. The sponge cakes with the different replacements were well accepted by consumers, who expressed a high level of buying intention for all of them.     

不同改良剂对青稞全粉发糕品质的影响

传统青稞全粉发糕具有质地粗糙、硬度大等缺点,严重影响了其感官特性,因此,该研究结合已建立的青稞全粉发糕感官评价体系和现代分析技术初步探讨了黄原胶(xanthan gum,Xan)、瓜尔胶(guar gum,Guar)和改性木薯淀粉(modified cassava starch,Cas)对青稞全粉发糕品质的改良效果。结果显示:Xan、Guar和Cas的最佳添加量分别为0.2%、0.4%和4%,且添加0.4%Guar的感官评分最高(94.00);在最佳添加量下,三种改良剂均能提高青稞全粉浆的起糊温度并降低其热糊稳定性和冷糊稳定性(p0.05);三种改良剂均能提升粉浆的持水性,其中,0.2%Xan使强结合水增加16.68%,而0.4%Guar使弱结合水增加2.47%;0.2%Xan能将发糕切面的气孔表面分率和气孔稠密度分别减小至1.38%和0.07 mm-2,而0.4%Guar能使其分别增加至24.26%和0.50 mm-2;三种改良剂均能改善青稞全粉发糕的质构特性,其中,0.4%Guar使发糕的硬度显著降低至695.78g;三种改良剂均可通过降低青稞全粉发糕的硬度、黏附力、弹性、咀嚼性以及提升回复力的方式来改善其感官品质。研究结果可以为青稞全粉发糕的品质改良提供理论参考。     

Navy Bean Flour Particle Size and Protein Content Affect Cake Baking and Batter Quality1

Whole navy bean flour and its fine and coarse particle size fractions were used to completely replace wheat flour in cakes. Replacement of wheat flour with whole bean flour significantly increased the protein content. The protein content was adjusted to 3 levels with navy bean starch. The effect of navy bean flour and its fractions at 3 levels of protein on cake batter rheology and cake quality was studied and compared with wheat flour samples. Batters prepared from navy bean flour and its fractions had higher viscosity than the cake flour. Reducing the protein content by addition of starch significantly lowered the viscosity of cake batters. The whole navy bean flour and coarse bean fraction cakes were softer than cakes made with wheat flour but had reduced springiness. Principal component analysis showed a clear discrimination of cakes according to protein. It also showed that low protein navy bean flour cakes were similar to wheat flour cakes. Navy bean flour with protein content adjusted to the level of cake (wheat) flour has potential as a healthy alternative in gluten‐free cakes.     

Addition of pin-milled pea flour and air-classified fractions in layer and sponge cakes

Legumes have interesting nutritional properties and many organizations, such as the World Health Organization, encourage their inclusion in the diet; their incorporation into bakery products could be a good method for increasing consumption. The aim of this study was to examine the addition of different percentages of pin-milled pea flour or its air-classified protein and starch fractions to sponge and layer cakes. Specific volume, pH and viscosity were measured in batters and specific volume, shape and texture in cakes. Evaluation through sensory analysis in a consumer test was performed after exclusion of the poorest cakes. Pin-milled pea-flour and starch-fraction cakes had similar specific volumes and firmness to wheat-flour cakes with substitution of up to 50% of the wheat flour in sponge cakes and up to 25% in layer cakes. In contrast, protein produced a lower cake specific volume and increased firmness at lower substitution percentages. Sensory acceptability decreased with increasing substitution percentages, and this was more pronounced in layer cakes. In sponge cakes, evaluations were similar to controls after substitution of 25% of the wheat flour by starch concentrate.     

Utilization of Mixolab<Superscript>®</Superscript> to predict the suitability of flours in terms of cake quality

The objective of this study was to determine the possibility of using Mixolab^® to predict the cake baking quality of different wheat flours. Mixolab^® data were also compared with various flour quality characteristics. The correlations between Alveoconsistograph data and the cake quality characteristics were not significant. Therefore, Alveoconsistograph test does not seem to be useful to predict the cake quality of the flour samples. Mixolab^® characteristics C2, C3, C4 and C5 were found to be significantly correlated with volume index while C5 was correlated with hardness of cakes. The parameters C2 to C5 represent the end point of the corresponding mixing stages. The flour samples which gave higher cake hardness values had higher C5 values and the samples with lower cake volumes had higher C2, C3, C4 and C5 values. It seems to be possible to estimate the texture and volume of cakes by these values. Therefore, Mixolab^® seems to be a useful tool to predict the cake making quality of flour samples.