EFFECT OF MINERAL FORTIFICATION ON RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR

This study was aimed to evaluate the rheological changes that take place in the dough as a result of addition of elemental iron, ferric sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, zinc sulphate and zinc oxide in various combinations to whole wheat flour (WWF), packaged in polypropylene woven bags and tin boxes and stored for a period of 60 days under ambient and controlled conditions of temperature and relative humidity. Water absorption (WA) capacity, dough development time (DDT) and dough stability time (DS) of the fortified WWF were measured by farinographic method, and peak viscosity was assessed by viscographic analyses. WA capacity and DDT of flours increased during storage. Fortification significantly (P  <  0.05) affected WA, DDT, DS and viscographic characteristics of the flours. Packaging materials (P  <  0.05) influenced WA, DDT and DS, while storage condition had only affected viscographic properties of the flours.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The success of any fortification program depends on the stability of micronutrients and food to which they are added. Exposure of the fortificants to any of the physical and chemical factors including heat, moisture, air, or light and acid or alkaline environments during food processing, packaging, distribution or storage affects their stability. The rheological properties of dough made from fortified flours determine the quality of the fortified end product. Changes in rheological properties as a result of the incorporation of fortificants in the flour, its storage under variable conditions and length of time might have an effect on quality, cost and nutrition of the product.