Effect of Mineral Gluconates on Quality Characteristics of Bread and Cookies

These studies examined the effect of expanded fortification (FNB, 1974), using gluconates of Fe, Zn, Ca, and Mg as the mineral source, on quality characteristics of white pan bread and chocolate chip cookies. Gluconates, including magnesium gluconate, did not affect the yeast activity, dough mixing time, proof time, or dough pH. The pH and subjective quality scores of the breads were also little affected by any of the gluconates. Fortification reduced the specific loaf volumes slightly and also caused, by day 6, a greater firming of the crumb. Gluconates did not affect the subjective quality scores or spread ratios of the cookies, although cookie pH was lowered somewhat. Used singly, test gluconates did not appreciably alter the bread or cookie flavor profile except that cookies containing Zn gluconate were consistently preferred.