Sensory and Nutritional Properties of Cookies Based on Wheat-Rice-Soybean Flours Baked in a Microwave Oven

Three formulas of cookies prepared from 50:45:5 (I), 50:40:10 (II) and 50:35:15% (III) wheat flour, broken rice flour, and defatted soy flour, respectively, baked in a microwave oven (2450 MHz) for 240 sec, were rated as the best of six formulas for flavor and texture by a trained panel. Cookies of formulas I and II were preferred over formula III by a consumer-type panel. Cookies of all three formulas showed no significant differences in nitrogen balance, apparent biological protein value and apparent net protein utilization. Apparent protein digestibility and protein efficiency ratio were significantly higher in formulas II and III than in formula I.     

Sucrose‐free chocolate sweetened with Stevia rebaudiana extract and containing different bulking agents – effects on physicochemical and sensory properties

Sucrose‐free milk chocolates sweetened with Stevia and containing different types of commercial inulin or polydextrose as bulking agents, were examined in relation to their physico‐chemical, rheological and sensory properties. Compared with chocolate sweetened with sucrose, noticeable differences in lightness (L* values) were observed for sucrose‐free chocolates and attributed to changes in surface roughness. Chocolate containing inulin with a higher degree of polymerisation (DP) had higher melting points, greater plastic viscosity and an increased flow behaviour index. The Herschel‐Bulkley mathematical model most closely fitted to the rheological data. Chocolate containing the highest DP inulin was found to be very similar to control in tested sensory attributes (appearance, firmness, smoothness, mouth feel, flavour/taste and overall acceptance) when assessed by a consumer panel. These data indicate that it is possible to manufacture sucrose‐free chocolate using high DP inulin without adversely affecting its important physico‐chemical properties and sensory acceptance.     

Sensory Crispness of Crispy Rolls: Effect of Formulation, Storage Conditions, and Water Distribution in the Crust

ABSTRACT:  Crispness is an important sensory quality parameter that strongly influences the acceptability of cellular solid foods such as the crust of many types of breads. Crispness of the bread crust depends particularly on its water content. In this study, the relationship between sensory crispness of crispy rolls and the average water content of the crust was studied for different bread formulations (control, amylase, glucose-oxidase, and protease) and storage conditions (40% and 80% RH). From the different formulations used, only protease treatment increased the crispness of the crust and its retention at both storage conditions. The positive effect of the protease treatment was due to a lower water content of the crust of these breads compared to the other formulations. The relationship between sensory attributes, formulation, and storage conditions was found to be dominated by the dependence on storage conditions. When combining data for low and high humidity storage it showed that crusts with equal water contents could exhibit different scores for crispness. The results led to the hypothesis that a gradient of water content exists within the crust. At high humidity, the crust will take up water from both crumb and environment and a relative smaller gradient of water will exist within the crust. At low humidity on the other hand, the crust will take up water from the crumb only, resulting in a larger gradient of water within the crust.     

Replacing Fat and Sugar with Inulin in Cakes: Bubble Size Distribution,Physical and Sensory Properties

The replacement of fat and sugar in cakes is a challenge as they have an important effect on the structural and sensory properties. Moreover, there is the possibility to incorporate an additional value using novel replacers. In this work, inulin and oligofructose were used as fat and sugar replacers, respectively. Different combinations of replacement levels were investigated: fat replacement (0 and 50 %) and sugar replacement (0, 20, 30, 40 and 50 %). Simulated microbaking was carried out to study bubble size distribution during baking. Batter viscosity and weight loss during baking were also analysed. Cake characteristics were studied in terms of cell crumb structure, height, texture and sensory properties. Fat and sugar replacement gave place to batters with low apparent viscosity values. During heating, bubbles underwent a marked expansion in replaced cakes if compared to the control cake. The low batter stability in fat-replaced samples increased bubble movement, giving place to cakes with bigger cells and less height than the control. Sugar-replaced samples had smaller and fewer cells and lower height than the control. Moreover, sugar replacement decreased hardness and cohesiveness and increased springiness, which could be related with a denser crumb and an easily crumbled product. Regarding the sensory analysis, a replacement up to 50 % of fat and 30 % of sugar—separately and simultaneously—did not change remarkably the overall acceptability of the cakes. However, the sponginess and the sweetness could be improved in all the replaced cakes, according to the Just About Right scales.     

Capturing and Explaining Sensory Differences among Organically Grown Vegetable‐Soybean Varieties Grown in Northern California

Vegetable soybean (VS), known as edamame, is appreciated for its robust flavor and exceptional nutrient content. Although the United States is one of the world's leading producers of soy, only a fraction is harvested as edamame. Research involving varietal differences is very limited, particularly among U.S. consumers. Sensory attributes of three VS varieties grown in Northern California (with organic methods) were assessed: Giant Midori (GM), ButterBean (BB), and Kuroshinja (KU). Participants (n = 74) rated four characteristics: flavor, texture, appearance, and overall liking on unlabeled, 11‐point hedonic scales and were asked if they would purchase the variety. A small portion of these participants would again evaluate the varieties, using free choice profiling (FCP) methodology. After these evaluations, texture analyzer, colorimeter, and high‐performance liquid chromatography (free amino acids, sugars, and isoflavones) testing were performed. Among tested varieties, distinct differences in quality were found, with GM preferred first, followed by KU, and BB. GM was significantly harder, a more intense green, had more free sugars and isoflavones and fewer free amino acids, whereas KU and BB trended to be the opposite. Analyzing FCP data with a General Procrustes Analysis, varieties were separated in different factors for flavor and texture, but not appearance. Although repeated, and larger trials are needed, our study signifies that consumers are able to detect differences among VS varieties. Further research may influence producers to grow the variety likely to be most profitable and marketable.     

The role of wheat flour constituents, sugar, and fat in low moisture cereal based products: a review on sugar-snap cookies

Much research has been done to understand the contribution of different flour constituents to the cookie quality. Most authors agree on the role of starch in cookies, which, although it is the main flour constituent, has a relatively small influence on cookie quality. Flour proteins, which are quantitatively less important than starch, seem to have a more pronounced role in cookie baking. However, in literature, there is no consensus about their role and influence on the product quality. As for starch, there is much more agreement about the role of non-starch polysaccharides and flour lipids. Not only flour, but also other ingredients of the cookie (dough) formula, such as shortening (fat), sugar, and water are important for the quality of the end product. We here provide the different points of view in this area and speculate on the functionality and quality determining properties of flour constituents, sugar, fat, and water and their role and influence during the different stages of cookie baking and on the end quality of sugar-snap cookies.     

Fabricated Beef Product: Effect of Handling Conditions on Microbiological, Chemical, and Sensory Properties

Total microbial count was not adversely affected by lowering the holding temperature of fabricated beef roast from 60°C to 54°C or by 12 hr holding time. If a reduction in holding temperature is anticipated, then initial roast contamination and sanitation of the food facility are of critical importance. A stabilizing period of 20 min at room temperature (～23°C) did not decrease yield, but caused a slight lowering of sensory scores. Tenderness was more acceptable in product held at 54°C compared to 60°C. In general, all sensory evaluation ratings were slightly lower with increased holding time.     

Sensory and microbiological quality of shiitake mushrooms in modified‐atmosphere packages

The aim of the present work was to study the influence of modified‐atmosphere packaging on the microbiological and sensory quality of shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes). Mushrooms were packaged under atmospheric air (passive modified atmosphere) and an initial gas mixture of 5% O₂ and 2.5% CO₂ (active modified atmosphere), in bags of two different films: low‐density polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). As control, mushrooms were packaged in macroperforated PP films. Bags were stored at 5 °C for 20 days. Package atmosphere composition, mushroom respiration rate, weight loss, microbiological counts and sensory quality were determined during storage. Risk assays were also performed. Under the studied conditions, shiitake mushroom deterioration was not due to microorganism growth, and therefore the shelf‐life of this product might be defined by changes in its sensory characteristics. Sensory analysis showed that mushrooms stored under modified atmosphere (active and passive) had a higher deterioration rate than those stored in PP macroperforated films, and lower sensory quality values during the entire storage time. These results suggest that mushroom deterioration was probably due to shiitake mushrooms' sensitivity to high CO₂ concentrations. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Aromatic Profile of Ciders by Chemical Quantitative,Gas Chromatography‐Olfactometry,and Sensory Analysis

Nine samples of Asturias cider have been analyzed for volatile, olfactometric, and sensorial profiles. The aromatic composition was mainly constituted by fusel alcohols and ethyl esters. Among the minor volatile compounds, fatty acids, volatile phenols, and alcohols were the main components. The olfactometric analysis revealed the existence of 55 aromatic areas, exhibiting a wide range of intensities. Components like amyl alcohols, 2‐phenylethanol, ethyl esters such as 2‐methylbutyrate, hexanoate and octanoate, hexanoic and octanoic acids 2‐phenylethyl acetate, 4‐ethyl guaiacol, and 4‐ethyl phenol could be considered as being part of the structure of cider aroma. The extract dilution analysis of one extract identified 2 volatile phenols (4‐ethyl guaiacol and 4‐ethyl phenol) among the most powerful odorants in cider. These components gave significant correlations with the sensory attributes sweet, spicy, and lees.     

蔗糖共溶质体系中明胶-变性淀粉共混凝胶相行为、质构及微观结构研究

本文探索蔗糖作为共溶质对明胶-变性淀粉共混凝胶相行为、质构、干燥脱水、透明度L*值及微观结构性质的影响。结果表明:与对照样相比,16%浓度蔗糖共溶质场中,所制备未进行干燥的共混凝胶硬度值及粘附性值均显著降低(p0.05),降低幅度分别达到21.47%和13.36%。蔗糖浓度及干燥时间对硬度值和粘附性值改变趋势相异,二者具非协同改变效应。随蔗糖浓度增加,共混凝胶干燥脱水速率(-d Mg/dt)显著性降低,透明度L*值呈递减趋势。增加蔗糖浓度,共混凝胶网络结构中孔隙平均直径显著减小(p0.01),与对照相比,添加16%蔗糖后形成共混凝胶的孔隙平均直径由51.28±1.31μm降为46.51±1.89μm,孔隙分布由不规则分布显示更细密、均一化。共混凝胶L*和粘附性性与孔隙平均直径之间具有较强线性相关关系,相关系数R2分别为0.98和0.97。