Studies of the quality of cakes made with wheat-lentil composite flours

Legume flours, due to their amino acid balance and their demonstrated nutritional benefits, are ideal ingredients to improve the nutritional characteristics of bakery products. We have studied the inclusion of lentil flour on layer and sponge cakes, and its effect on the characteristics of the batter and of the final product. The addition of lentil flours reduced the density of layer-cake batter but increased the density of sponge-cake batter. This effect was greater with the smaller flour-particle size. Adding lentil flour to the formula reduced layer-cake volume, symmetry index, cohesiveness and springiness and increased hardness. In sponge cakes, no clear tendencies were observed in volume or symmetry index, but the total substitution of wheat flour by lentil flour gave rise to harder and less cohesive cakes. The use of lentil flour with a fine particle size increased cake volume but reduced hardness, particularly in sponge cakes.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Effect of the particle size of pear pomace on the quality of enriched layer and sponge cakes

Pear pomace (PP) is a by-product of the fruit industry with a high content of fibre. Its potential as an ingredient at 15% or 30% level for sponge and layer cakes was investigated. Three PP powders with different particle sizes (fine, medium and coarse) were obtained. Batter microstructure, density and viscosity and cake specific volume, texture and colour were evaluated. When PP was added, less uniformity in bubble distribution was observed in batters, particularly at higher particle sizes. Cake specific volume significantly diminished with increasing amounts of PP. For sponge cakes, the decrease in specific volume was the highest for the finest particle size of PP. In general, increasing PP addition increased hardness and reduced elasticity, cohesiveness and resilience but the effect depended on the particle size. In general, better textural attributes were obtained with medium and coarse particle sizes. These results indicate that PP of an adequate particle size could be a promising fibre source for different cake formulations.     

不同品种和粒度对米粉糊化特性及米蛋糕品质的影响

为研究不同品种和粒度米粉对米蛋糕品质的影响,选取粳米、籼米、糯米三个品种,分别制备80、100、120、140目的米粉。通过测定不同品种和粒度米粉的糊化特性、米蛋糕的质构特性和感官品质等,采用定性方法分析得出不同品种和粒度米粉对米蛋糕品质的影响。结果表明:随着目数的增加,米粉小颗粒受到的机械损伤增大,水分迅速蒸发,米粉的水分含量逐渐减小;小颗粒粉体更容易吸水膨胀,糊化温度逐渐减小。而衰减值和回生值逐渐增大,峰值黏度和最终黏度先增大后减小;随米粉目数的增加,米蛋糕的咀嚼性逐渐减小,而硬度和弹性逐渐增大,内聚性和感官评分先增大后减小;不同品种米粉的糊化特性、老化特性以及蛋糕品质等均存在差异,米粉粒度对蛋糕品质具有一定的影响。在过筛目数为120目时,蛋糕的感官得分达到最高。当米粉过筛目数在140目粒径较小时,质地过于松软,食用时咀嚼性差,口感欠佳,蛋糕品质下降。相比于糯米粉而言,粳米粉和籼米粉更适宜制作蛋糕,由粳米粉为原料制作的蛋糕品质更好。综上所述,过筛目数为120目的粳米粉更适合制作蛋糕。     

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.     

Effect of wheat flour characteristics on sponge cake quality

BACKGROUND: To select the flour parameters that relate strongly to cake‐making performance, in this study the relationship between sponge cake quality, solvent retention capacity (SRC) profile and flour physicochemical characteristics was investigated using 38 soft wheat samples of different origins. Particle size average, protein, damaged starch, water‐soluble pentosans, total pentosans, SRC and pasting properties were analysed. Sponge cake volume and crumb texture were measured to evaluate cake quality. Cluster analysis was applied to assess differences in flour quality parameters among wheat lines based on the SRC profile. RESULTS: Cluster 1 showed significantly higher sponge cake volume and crumb softness, finer particle size and lower SRC sucrose, SRC carbonate, SRC water, damaged starch and protein content. Particle size, damaged starch, protein, thickening capacity and SRC parameters correlated negatively with sponge cake volume, while total pentosans and pasting temperature showed the opposite effect. CONCLUSION: The negative correlations between cake volume and SRC parameters along with the cluster analysis results indicated that flours with smaller particle size, lower absorption capacity and higher pasting temperature had better cake‐making performance. Some simple analyses, such as SRC, particle size distribution and pasting properties, may help to choose flours suitable for cake making. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

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.     

青稞粉粒径及其高添加量对戚风蛋糕面糊特性和品质的影响

针对蛋糕制备中增加高纤原料含量容易带来的结构塌陷等品质不稳定问题,该研究选择高膳食纤维含量的青稞粉为主要粉料,探究青稞粉粒径及其高添加量对戚风蛋糕面糊特性和蛋糕品质的影响。以小麦粉基戚风蛋糕为对照,研究了不同粒径青稞粉（QKF80、QKF100、QKF120）在不同添加量（50%、75%、100%）下,面糊的比重、气泡分布、黏度以及蛋糕的比容、气孔结构、质构、感官品质的变化。结果表明,青稞粉粒径越大,膳食纤维含量越高,青稞粉的吸水吸油能力越强。随着青稞粉添加量的增多,面糊稳定性降低、比重及黏度增加,蛋糕比容减小、硬度增加、内部气孔变大,塌陷程度增加,感官品质下降。小粒径青稞粉可赋予面糊适当黏度,使之在缺乏面筋蛋白的情况下也能稳定。QKF120三种添加量下,面糊比重范围0.33~0.36,糊中气泡分布均匀,成品蛋糕比容4.8~5.2 mL/g,内部气孔结构致密均匀,质构特性及感官评分与小麦粉基蛋糕无显著性差异。该研究可为开发高含量青稞粉戚风蛋糕提供理论依据和实践参考。     

Improving Carob Flour Performance for Making Gluten-Free Breads by Particle Size Fractionation and Jet Milling

Many different raw materials have been proposed for producing nutritious gluten-free breads, but rarely, there is a parallel analysis of the effect of physical treatment on those ingredients. The aim of this study was to incorporate carob flour fractions of varying particle size on rice gluten-free breads prepared with carob/rice (15:85) flour blends. Carob flour particle size was controlled by fractionation or jet milling application. Quality features of gluten-free breads containing carob flour and commercially available gluten-free breads were compared. Carob flour addition led to breads with improved colour parameters, crumb structure, retarded firming and lower moisture loss compared to rice bread. Further improvement in specific volume, crumb hardness, protein and ash content and estimated glycaemic index (eGI) could be obtained by a careful selection of the particle size distribution of the carob flour. Carob breads prepared either with the coarsest or the finest fraction prepared using jet milling led to end products with the highest specific volume (≈2.2 g/cm³) and the lowest crumb hardness (≈5.5 N), although they had lower specific volume and harder crumbs than breads from commercial blends (≈3–4 g/cm³, 0.6–3.8 N). Nevertheless, rice-based bread made with the finest carob flour was superior considering its slower firming, protein content and lower eGI. The incorporation of carob flour obtained by jet milling in rice-based gluten-free breads led to end products with quality characteristics and sensory acceptance resembling commercial breads and high nutritional value.     

Particle Size Fractionation of High-Amylose Rice (Goami 2) Flour as an Oil Barrier in a Batter-Coated Fried System

The particle size effects of high-amylose rice (Goami 2) flour on quality attributes of frying batters were characterized in terms of physicochemical, rheological, and oil-resisting properties. High-amylose rice flours were fractionated into four fractions (70, 198, 256, and 415 μm) of which morphology was also analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Rice flour with smaller particle size exhibited a higher degree of starch gelatinization, giving rise to increased pasting parameters. When the rice flours were incorporated into frying batters, higher steady shear viscosity was observed in the batters with finer rice flour, which could be well characterized by the power law model. In addition, the dynamic viscoelastic properties of the batters were enhanced by the use of rice flour with smaller particle size, which also caused an increase in batter pickup. When subjected to deep fat frying, the batters with finer rice flour exhibited reduced moisture loss. Furthermore, the oil uptake was found to have a positive correlation with the particle size of rice flour (R ²?=?0.88), even showing the reduction of oil uptake by 15%. It could be synergistically attributed to the formation of outer starch granular layers, high batter viscosity/pickup, and reduced moisture loss by finer rice flour.     

EFFECTS OF BAKING PARAMETERS ON THE WHITE LAYER CAKE QUALITY BY COMBINED USE OF CONVENTIONAL AND MICROWAVE OVENS

The effects of combined conventional and microwave oven baked white layer cake characteristics were studied. Two types of commercially milled wheat flour, white (A) and whole wheat (B), were used. The modified white layer cake making method was used for conducting the cake baking trials. The conventional baking times (8 or 11 min), microwave power (400 or 600 W) and microwave baking time (30, 40, or 50 s) were chosen as baking parameters. Conventional baking was applied to form the cake crust before baking with the microwave oven used to form the crumb of the cakes. The performance of combination baking was compared with the performance of conventional baking. The volume, bake loss, internal factors, and crust color of cakes were evaluated as quality characteristics. The bake losses of cakes using the combination of short oven times and low microwave power for selected microwave times were smaller than the bake losses of the control cakes for both flours. Long oven times and low microwave power increased the specific volume of cakes. Cakes baked from flours A and B exhibited similar internal properties. Oven time significantly affected the crust color of cakes made with flour A. The crust color of cakes made with flour B was similar to the crust color of control cakes. Using a combination of conventional and microwave baking produces cakes with qualities equivalent to the qualities of cakes produced with conventional baking.     

Development of Gluten-Free Muffins made from Breadfruit and Unripe Plantain Flours

Inclusion of breadfruit (BF) and unripe plantain (UP) in gluten-free muffins was investigated along with a 1:1 BF/UP blend muffin and compared to controls made with gluten-free rice (RI) or traditional wheat (WH) flour. The alternative flours had a 10% higher fibre content than WH and 2%–4% higher than RI flours. Muffin batter viscosity of RI and WH was initially much lower (3-10 times) than UP, BF and BF/UP blend batter. Additionally, starch gelatinisation temperature was increased by 4%–14% for batter made from BF or UP flours, which can provide structural benefits to baked muffins. Muffins made with BF/UP were the hardest (34.7N), followed by BF (31.7N) and RI muffins (30.7N), with UP (28.4) and WH muffins (26.9N) being the softest. Interestingly, overall acceptability of gluten-free muffins showed that both BF/UP and BF flour muffins scored significantly higher than UP and RI muffins indicating their commercial potential.     

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.