Fractal texture analysis of bread crumb digital images

A fractal texture analysis technique was applied to bread crumb digital images. Fractal dimensions obtained from several methods (fractional Brownian motion, frequency domain, relative differential box-counting, morphological fractal, mass fractal and random walks methods) were investigated in order to determine their capability to accurately describe the surface roughness of bread crumb images or the visual appearance of bread crumb in meaningful terms. A total of 500 bread crumb images of different porosity and grain quality were analysed. It was found that bread crumb appearance could be effectively quantified by the fractal dimension of its digital image. Correlations of fractal dimensions with mean cell area, standard deviation of cell area and void fraction were variable for the fractal methods. While the mass fractal method measured better crumb heterogeneity, other methods quantified coarseness, cell–cell wall ruggedness and cell wall tortuosity. A vector comprising fractal dimensions would objectively depict crumb grain and would allow comparisons between different bread crumb images.     

Interrelationship between image,dough and Barbari bread characteristics; use of image analysis to predict rheology,quality and shelf life

Cellular materials are often anisotropic, i.e. their properties depend on the direction in which they are measured. The aim of this work was to examine the effect of liquid improver components on image features (colour difference, average size, area fraction, cell wall thickness, fractal dimension, solidity, and circularity) of Barbari flat bread in both cross and longitudinal sections. Glycerol, sodium stearoyl‐2‐lactylate and enzyme active soy flour were evaluated as improver constituents. Image characteristics were furthermore correlated with dough rheology, quality, and shelf life in both sections of bread. Results from statistical analysis suggest that the parameters describing anisotropy or the favourite orientation of cell structure are crucial in understanding more than 50% of differences observed in crumb architecture. The coefficients of determination of all the response variables were higher than 0.81. Among image features, colour difference and average size gave the most correlations from ?0.857 to 0.896 and ?0.784 to 0.698 with other properties, respectively.     

Granulometry of bread crumb grain: Contributions of 2D and 3D image analysis at different scale

Six bread crumbs were prepared from three different recipes and three baking procedures. Images of crumb were acquired in 2D at a macroscopic scale by using a flat bed scanner (resolution 85 μm) and in 3D at a local scale by X-ray tomography (resolution 10 μm). The cellular structure was assessed by mathematical morphology. 2D image analysis was completed by principal component analysis. The first principal component was found to reflect crumb fineness, in agreement with the mean cell size determined in 3D at a local scale. 3D mean cell wall size were about 220 μm and were not significantly different. The second principal component was linked to the 2D macroscopic heterogeneity of the crumb and to the macroscopic cell wall thickness. 2D images can be applied to the rapid control of crumb grain and could be used to quantify the cellular structure for the calculation of mechanical properties.     

Compression behaviour of bread crumb up to densification investigated using X-ray tomography and finite element computation

We propose to shed more light on deformation and structural changes of bread crumb submitted to severe compression. The analysis of such behaviour refers to an adequate approximation of human mastication of airy and spongy products. X-ray microtomography is coupled to mechanical testing of soft bread characterised by a fine cellular architecture. Structural attributes, namely, relative density, cell size and cell wall thickness distributions are determined using image analysis and related to the load level. Kinetics of pore shrinkage is also studied depending on its shape and size. Finite element model is developed to assess mechanical anisotropy induced by deformed airy structure. Results show that the pore content decreases from 72% to 24% after more than 89% of reduction in height. An irregular trend of pore shrinkage is also revealed which depends on deformation stages. Finite element results show a heterogeneous stress distribution but only a minor mechanical anisotropy is revealed as a result of the deformed airy structure.     

Effect of Soybean 7S Protein Fractions, Obtained from Germinated and Nongerminated Seeds, on Dough Rheological Properties and Bread Quality

Germinated soybean flour has been proposed for use in bread making as a product to improve bread quality when small amounts are added to wheat flour. However, it is not clear which soybean components promote this action, and how these components may influence bread quality. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the addition of soybean 7S protein fraction obtained from germinated and nongerminated seeds in dough rheological properties (farinographic and extensographic) and bread quality, including loaf volume, texture (firmness, compression force, resilience), colour (L*, a*, b*), crumb grain structure (cell density, mean cell area, shape factor), and consumer acceptance (sensory analysis). Results showed that this protein fraction just slightly affects bread quality, since no significant changes (P > 0.05) on bread volume and texture were obtained. Only crust and crumb colour were affected in a small amount, and a coarser crumb structure was also observed when adding 7S protein obtained from germinated soybean at its highest concentration. As the proportion of protein increased in the flour, both kinds of 7S fraction (germinated and nongerminated) were related to the increment in water absorption, as well as to the increment in extensographic maximum resistance to extension, specifically when adding 7S protein obtained from nongerminated soybean seeds. These results showed that the 7S soybean protein, as obtained in this work, is not related to the reported loaf bread quality improving effect of this legume when it is added in small quantities.     

Prediction of panellists’ perception of bread crumb appearance using fractal and visual textural features

Ratings of visual characteristics of bread crumb images obtained by panellists were correlated with features obtained by digital fractal and texture analysis and simple thresholding. Trained panellists were asked to rate 168 bread crumb images on fineness, homogeneity and degree of orientation, using continuous line scales. The relative orientation of the main and secondary peaks of the image power spectrum was the only parameter related to the human perception of the degree of crumb orientation. Single fractal dimension terms correlated better with the panellists’ perception of grain fineness and homogeneity than the single crumb features from thresholding. Second-order polynomial models were significantly better (P < 0.01) in most predictors than simple linear models. Grain fineness was better approached by the method of relative differential box-counting fractal dimension (R ² = 0.822) whereas grain homogeneity was highly related to the mass fractal dimension (R ² = 0.820). Multiple linear models to estimate grain fineness with higher predictive capacity included predictors such as fractal dimension, mean intercellular distance and void fraction (R ² > 0.860).     

Partial-Baking Process on Gluten-Free Bread: Impact of Hydrocolloid Addition

The objectives of this work were to assess the impact of partial-baking process on gluten-free bread, and to study how carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and xanthan gum addition affected this process. As different from the conventional baking which involves only one baking step (40 min), the part-baking process consisted in an initial-baking step (25 min), storage (7 days, 4°C), and final-baking step (15 min). Bread-specific volume (SV), crumb hardness, and image analysis were assessed on final products of both processes and intermediate products of part-baking process. Breads were stored at room temperature for 72 h and crumb firming and amylopectin retrogradation were monitored. Freezable water (FW) fraction was determined on fresh and stored samples by using differential scanning calorimetry. Part-baked breads showed lower SV and higher crumb hardness. No SV diminution was observed during cold storage. Hydrocolloids, especially CMC, had a positive effect on these parameters, and during bread storage at room temperature, the increase in crumb hardness was mitigated by hydrocolloid addition. Part-baked breads showed smaller cell area than full-baked ones. Overall, crumb structure was more homogeneous for CMC breads. FW showed no significant differences among processes, formulations, or storage time. Amylopectin recrystallization was higher for part-baked breads. Interrupted-baking process affected the final bread quality, but negative effects could be diminished by hydrocolloid addition. Part-baking process is suitable for obtaining gluten-free breads, stored for a week at 4°C, turning them appropriated for home consumption.     

Dough and crumb grain changes during mixing and fermentation and their relation with extension properties and bread quality of yeasted sweet dough

Dough and crumb grain evolution of yeasted sweet dough, as affected by the combined effect of mixing (dough development) and fermentation times, and their relation to rheological properties and bread quality was studied. Structural changes of under or optimum developed dough, without fermentation, were related mainly to increments in extensibility (P > 95%), without a noticeable change in pH. At all mixing stages, fermentation duration increased R_m, whereas extensibility and pH decreased. When plotting R_m with bread specific volume, cell area, total cell area fraction or yellow crumb colour parameter (b*) simple mathematical models, with determination coefficients larger than 0.85 were obtained. Bread crumb image analysis showed that crumb cell size was not affected by mixing time, while fermentation duration had a direct influence on this parameter, increasing the proportion of the smallest and the largest crumb cells, without changing cell density, possibly as a result of Ostwald ripening, coalescence and separation‐redistribution mechanisms.     

Functional effects of xanthan gum on composite cassava-wheat dough and bread

The use of composite flour for bread making is gradually gaining prominence worldwide due to some economic and nutritional reasons. However, studies on the application of functional ingredients purposely to improve composite bread quality are very few. This paper examines the functional role of xanthan gum (XG) on the properties of dough and bread from composite cassava-wheat flour. The viscoelastic properties of dough and gas retention characteristics of batter as well as the fresh and storage properties of bread from the composite flour (90% wheat plus 10% cassava) were studied. The crumb cell structure was also studied using digital image analysis technique. Inclusion of XG had significant effects on the dough tenacity and extensibility and sensory acceptability of fresh composite bread. The oven spring, specific volumes of bread loaf and crumb softness were higher at 1% XG content. Also, addition of XG made the composite bread samples had more open crumb structure and better sensory acceptability. However, moisture loss and crumb firming during bread storage were best reduced when 1% XG was added to bread formulation.     

Evaluation of viscoelastic properties and air-bubble structure of bread containing gelatinized rice

The impact of addition of gelatinized rice porridge to bread has been investigated on loaf volume, viscoelastic properties and air-bubble structure. We prepared four variety of bread: bread containing rice porridge (rice porridge bread), bread containing gelatinized rice flour (gelatinized rice flour bread), and wheat flour and rice flour breads for references. Instrumental analyses the bread samples were carried out by volume measurement of loaf samples, creep test and digital image analysis of crumb samples. Rice porridge bread showed the maximum specific volume of 4.51 cm³/g, and even gelatinized rice flour bread showed 4.30 cm³/g, which was larger than the reference bread samples (wheat and rice flour breads). The values of viscoelastic moduli of gelatinized rice flour bread and rice porridge bread were significantly smaller (p < 0.05) than those of wheat flour and rice flour breads, which indicates addition of gelatinized rice flour or rice porridge to bread dough encouraged breads softer. Bubble parameters such as mean air- bubble area, number of air-bubble, air-bubble area ratio (ratio of bubble area to whole area) were not significantly different among the bread crumb samples. Therefore, the bubble structures of the bread samples seemed to similar, which implied that difference of viscoelasticity was attributed to air-bubble wall (solid phase of bread crumb) rather than air-bubble. This study showed that addition of gelatinized rice to bread dough makes the bread with larger loaf volume and soft texture without additional agents such as gluten.     

Evaluation of Image Analysis Tools for Characterization of Sweet Bread Crumb Structure

Many approaches to evaluate bread crumb features by applying free or at least not too expensive image analysis (IA) software have been published; however, the described procedures showed noticeable differences. The aim of this work was to compare different image scanning resolutions and thresholding techniques to quantify sweet bread crumb features (cell density, mean cell area, shape factor) and their relation with fractal dimension. Two sets of experiments were carried out, one to determine the effect of scanning resolution and thersholding method and the other to validate the previous results by evaluating breads with different crumb structures. Nine different scanning resolutions (75, 100, 150, 200, 300, 355, 435, 515, 555 dpi) and two segmentation procedures (Otsu and Manual) were tested. Three different types of commercial sweet breads and a yeasted sweet bread added with different concentrations (six, 12%) of Chia flour (Salvia hispanica) were evaluated. Results showed that the percentage of particles with areas between 0.1 and 4.0 mm² remained almost constant when using 350 dpi or larger resolution values, while the smallest particles (<0.1 mm²) increased their proportion up to 87% at the highest scanning resolution for both thresholding methods. IA was useful to detect crumb structure differences among commercial breads and breads added with Chia flour as obtained from cell density (154 ± 4.6–246 ± 2.5) and mean cell area (0.81 ± 0.02–0.7 ± 0.03) results. However, the number of selected objects to calculate these parameters produced different results. The addition of 6% of Chia flour did not affect the bread crumb features, while at the largest proportion more and smaller pores were obtained. Fractal texture was useful to evaluate bread crumb structure, as it not depends on the number of particles detected.     

Bread properties and crumb structure

The relationship between bread-crumb cellular structure and many aspects of quality in a loaf of white bread justifies investigations of how the structure arises during processing of the dough. Following a brief overview of the development of bread cellular structure in the dough, three parts of the literature pertaining to crumb appearance (visual texture) and bread quality are reviewed, with emphasis on the mechanical properties (physical texture) of the crumb. The importance of an objective segmentation of the two macroscopic phases (crumb cells and cell walls solids) is emphasised in digital image analysis studies of bread-crumb structure. A review of studies where mechanical properties have been measured in fundamental units has sections on the mechanical properties of the composite structure and on recent analyses of the mechanical properties of the solid phase. Finally, models which have been used to relate structure to mechanical properties will be reviewed with emphasis on the work of Gibson and Ashby [Gibson, L.J., & Ashby, M.F., 1988. Cellular solids: structure & properties. Oxford: Pergamon Press; Gibson, L.J., & Ashby, M.F., 1997. Cellular solids: structure and properties (2nd ed.). Cambridge: University Press]. It is shown that experimental values of Young's modulus of bread crumb reside within the Hashin-Shtrikman bounds. Compared with the rule of mixtures, these bounds represent a good (52%) improvement in the ability to predict values for bread crumb moduli (crumb firmness). Using information provided by digital image analysis, Gibson and Ashby's relationships between structure (relative density) and mechanical properties can be modified to incorporate dough processing effects such as dough strain hardening and the effect of gas cell coalescence.     

Effect of Butternut (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne ex Poiret) Fibres on Bread Making, Quality and Staling

The effect of different enriched fibre products obtained from butternut (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne ex Poiret) on bread making and bread quality was evaluated through the study of bread yield, quality parameters (specific volume, crumb firmness, crumb and crust colour) and bread shelf life. Fractions tested were obtained from butternut mesocarp through ethanolic treatment (fraction AIR) or through dehydration (fraction S) or from the ethanolic treatment of peel (fraction C). These fractions were incorporated in a bread formula, at levels of 5, 10 and 15 g of fibre fraction per kilogram of wheat flour. The study of crumb through digital imaging and thermal analysis was also performed in order to better understand the effects observed. An important influence of water absorption kinetics and chemical composition of the fibre fractions studied was observed in the results obtained. Lower bread firmness was determined 24 h after baking when 10 g of C or either 10 or 15 g of S was present per kilogram of wheat flour used. Breads made with flour containing 10–15 g of S or 5 g of C per kilogram of wheat flour tended to be softer, while 10 g of C per kilogram of flour produced significantly softer breads along 9 days storage.     

Wheat Varietal Flours: Influence of Pectin and DATEM on Dough and Bread Quality

The effect of two additives, high methoxyl pectin (P) and the emulsifier diacetyl tartaric acid esters of monoglycerides commonly named DATEM (D) and their mixture (P+D) on dough properties and baking performance of two varietal Argentinean wheat flours (‘Buck Pronto’ [BP]; ‘Klein Escudo’ [KE] was analyzed. Rheological characterization of dough (alveogram, farinograms, texture profile analysis-TPA, and rheometric assays), with and without additives, was performed. SEM was used to evaluate the microstructure of dough. Baking performance was analysed by bread volume measurements, shape ratio of loaves (width/height), and the hardness of crumb and crust. Assays on dough showed differences in alveographic force (W) and in most of the texture profile analysis parameters. Assays on bread showed that BP specific volume was improved with the addition of P and P+D, but shape ratio was only improved with the mixture of P+D. Breads from KE flour with additives presented, in all cases, showed higher volumes and a better shape ratio than those obtained with the control sample. Hardness of KE crumb was diminished by all additives but BP crumb was softened only with the addition of P and P+D. All sensory parameters were improved for both types of bread, particularly with D and P+D.     

Functionality of soymilk powder and its components in fresh soy bread

ABSTRACT:  The physicochemical changes upon addition of soymilk powder (SMP) to soy bread were investigated. Two-pound loaves of soy bread were produced with components (soluble fiber [SF], insoluble fiber [ISF], soy protein) that mimic those levels contributed by SMP. Soy flour and soy flour/SMP soy breads served as controls. The following were determined for all breads produced: physical properties (loaf volume, crust, and crumb color); chemical compositions (SF and ISF contents, protein and ash contents); and physicochemical properties (water activity, total moisture content by thermogravimetric analysis [TGA], "freezable" water [FW], "unfreezable" water [UFW] content by DSC, stiffness at 25 °C by dynamic mechanical analysis [DMA], and firmness with Instron testing machine). SMP contained significant amounts of SF aside from the ISF fraction and mostly denatured soy protein. SMP addition to soy bread formulation significantly decreased loaf volume with respect to control soy bread, which can be attributed to the ISF and SPI contents of this ingredient. Other effects of SMP were found to be lighter and yellowish crumb color, darker crust color, and increase in firmness, as well as no change in moisture content, FW and UFW contents, water activity, and stiffness parameters.     

Physico-chemical changes in breads from bake off technologies during storage

Quality of several bread specialties from frozen partially baked breads was assessed to define main quality features. Loss of crust freshness shortly after baking was also determined. Quality parameters that characterize bread crust and crumb were determined by instrumental methods in nine different (regarding to formulation and bake off duration) bread types obtained from frozen partially baked breads. Principal component analysis (PCA) allowed discriminating among bread specialties. Quality parameters that enable the differentiation of wheat bread types were crust mechanical properties together with specific volume, crumb hardness and structure. Crust flaking barely represented a problem in the studied types of bread. Crust mechanical properties were rapidly lost during the first 4 h after baking and the rate of the process was greatly dependent on the bread type. The force to promote crust fracture underwent increase up to 6 h after baking and those changes occurred in the Aw range of 0.50-0.74 or moisture content 9-15 g/100 g.     

Impact of ‘oxidizing’ and ‘reducing’ buckwheat sourdoughs on brown rice and buckwheat batter and bread

The influence of reducing and oxidizing buckwheat sourdoughs on the rheological, protein, and bread properties of buckwheat and brown rice flour was investigated. Batters and breads prepared with chemically acidified doughs, fresh pre-doughs, and fresh pre-doughs containing glutathione (3 mM) were used as controls. No significant differences were observed after the addition of reducing and oxidizing sourdoughs in all trials. Proteolysis was observed after proofing time in buckwheat and brown rice batters, respectively. Acidified doughs increased the elasticity and the gelatinization temperature of buckwheat batters. No notable microstructure changes were detected in brown rice batters. The extension of fermentation time in sourdough caused a slight decrease in bread volumes in all trials. Sourdoughs increased the bread volume and decreased the crumb hardness of buckwheat breads. In trials with brown rice flour, the addition of sourdough did not show relevant volume differences as compared to the controls, except big voids in sourdough bread crumb. Linear correlations between hardness, volume, and cells’ density were observed. However, no clear correlations among rheological parameters and bread characteristics could be detected. These results indicated that the applied strains were responsible for the leavening capacity of the yeast during the proofing time and for crumb structure in trials with buckwheat and brown rice flour. Applied sourdoughs were able to change the molecular, and bread properties of buckwheat and brown rice bread.     

Effect of Initial Baking and Storage Time on Pasting Properties and Aging of Par-Baked and Rebaked Rye Bread

Part-baked rye bread with and without Ca-propionate (0.2 g/100 flour) were baked for 10, 15, 20 minutes at 230°C and stored at refrigerator temperature (4°C) for 10, 20, 30 days then second-baked for 5, 10, 15 minutes at the same temperature to give an oven-fresh end product. The effect of antimicrobial additive (Ca-propionate), part-baking, storage in refrigerator and rebaking on quality parameters such as yield of volume and crumb softness, water activity and pasting properties of rye bread crumb was evaluated. Addition of Ca-propionate increased bump area, while yield of volume and softness values of rye bread crumb decreased. The increase in initial baking time caused a decrease in the pasting temperature, water activity, and softness value and an increase in the bump area and viscosity of the rebaked bread crumb. Bump area and pasting temperature of rebaked rye bread crumb increased with longer (intermediate storage) time, while viscosity, yield of volume, water activity, and softness values decreased. A strong negative correlation was observed between pasting temperature and other parameters, which are bump area, peak viscosity, holding end viscosity, cooling end viscosity, and softness value for rye bread that was rebaked after part-baked and storing at refrigerator temperature. The re-baking rye bread after part-baking for 10 and 15 minutes and storage for 7, 14, and 21 days at refrigerator temperature gave softer crumb than the control group.