Volatile Compounds in Crumb of Whole‐Meal Wheat Bread Fermented with Different Yeast Levels and Fermentation Temperatures

The influence of fermentation temperatures (8, 16, and 32°C) and yeast levels (2, 4, and 6%) on the formation of volatile compounds in the crumb of whole‐meal wheat bread was investigated. Volatile compounds were extracted by dynamic headspace extraction and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Results were evaluated with multivariate data analysis and ANOVA. Bread fermented at a high temperature (32°C) had higher peak areas of the Maillard reaction products 2‐furancarboxaldehyde, 2‐acetylfuran, 2‐methylpyrazine, and phenylacetaldehyde compared with bread fermented at lower fermentation temperatures. Bread fermented at low temperatures (8 and 16°C) was characterized by having higher peak areas of the fermentation products 3‐methylbutanal, 2‐methylbutanal, ethyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl propanoate, and 3‐methylbutanol. Fermentation of bread with 6% yeast resulted in a higher peak area of the important fermentation product 2‐phenylethanol. It also reduced the peak areas of important lipid oxidation products. The peak area of 2,3‐butanedione was also relatively higher in bread fermented with 6% yeast compared with lower yeast levels; however, an interaction was seen between the high yeast level and all three fermentation temperatures. In contrast, fermentation with a low yeast level (2%) resulted in bread with relatively higher peak areas of 2‐ and 3‐methylbutanal, as well as (E)‐2‐nonenal and (E,E)‐2,4‐decadienal, which are important lipid oxidation compounds in bread.     

酵母对冷冻面团发酵特性及馒头品质的影响

为了找出使冷冻面团和馒头综合品质较稳定的酵母产品,采用动态流变仪和F3发酵仪对低糖型国光高活性干酵母(1#)、英联马利苹果即发高活性干酵母(2#)、品一高活性干酵母(3#)、高糖型马利即发高活性干酵母(4#)、高糖型丹宝利即发高活性干酵母(5#)和耐高糖安琪高活性干酵母(6#)冷冻面团冻藏35 d过程中的流变学特性和发酵特性进行研究,并对由此面团制作馒头的质构、色泽、比容和感官品质进行分析。结果表明:不同市售酵母冷冻面团在不同冻藏时间下的流变学特性和发酵特性不同。不同酵母冷冻面团制作馒头后硬度、弹性、回复性、咀嚼性、亮度、红度、黄度、比容和感官品质分别差异显著,不同冻藏时间下同种酵母冷冻面团馒头的质构、色泽、比容和感官品质也分别差异显著。6种酵母在冻藏35 d内,1#和2#酵母冷冻面团的发酵活力始终较大,6#酵母冷冻面团的发酵特性参数始终最稳定;1#、5#和6#酵母冷冻面团的弹性模量与黏性模量较大,其中面团流变学特性最稳定的是5#;1#和6#酵母冷冻面团制作馒头的感官品质较好的同时,比容较高,色泽品质较好,质构品质也较好。因此整个冻藏期间,使冷冻面团和馒头综合品质较好较稳定的是1#,其次是6#。研究结果为冷冻面团馒头工业化生产中酵母的选择提供参考。     

Use of fungal phytase to improve breadmaking performance of whole wheat bread.

The possible use of phytase as a breadmaking improver has been tested in whole wheat breads by adding different amounts of fungal phytase. The effect of phytase addition on the fermentation stage and the final bread quality was analyzed. The phytase addition shortened the fermentation period, without affecting the bread dough pH. Regarding the whole wheat bread, a considerable increase of the specific bread volume, an improvement of the crumb texture, and the width/height ratio of the bread slice were obtained. An in vitro assay revealed that the improving effect of phytase on breadmaking might be associated with the activation of alpha-amylase, due to the release of calcium ions from calcium-phytate complexes promoted by phytase activity. As a conclusion, phytase offers excellent possibilities as a breadmaking improver, with two main advantages: first, the nutritional improvement produced by decreasing phytate content, and second, all the benefits produced by alpha-amylase addition can be obtained by adding phytase, which promotes the activation of endogenous alpha-amylase.     

Antifreeze Activity of γ‐Polyglutamic Acid and Its Impact on Freezing Resistance of Yeast and Frozen Sweet Dough

This study investigated the antifreeze activity (AF) of γ‐polyglutamic acid (γ‐PGA), freezing resistance of yeast cells and sweet dough, and the mechanism influenced by γ‐PGA. Properties studied included AF of γ‐PGA, water‐holding capacity of flour, survival ratio and oxidation resistance capability of yeast cells, ice melting enthalpy (ΔH), and fermentation and breadmaking properties of sweet dough. The AF of γ‐PGA was 8.03 g of unfrozen water/g of sample, indicating good AF. γ‐PGA was tested on yeast cells and sweet dough stored frozen for 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks at four levels (0, 0.5, 1, and 3%). Survival ratio of yeast cells with γ‐PGA was significantly higher than the corresponding control. A possible mechanism might be related to the modulation of oxidation resistance capability of yeast cells by γ‐PGA. A decrease in glutathione release from frozen yeast cells and an increase in water‐holding capacity of wheat dough were observed with the addition of γ‐PGA. In the presence of γ‐PGA, ΔH, ice melting temperature, and proofing time of frozen sweet dough decreased significantly, and fermentation parameters improved, compared with the corresponding control sample. Specific volume of bread made from frozen sweet dough with 0.5, 1, and 3% γ‐PGA increased by 6.3, 8.9, and 3.3%, respectively, after 8 weeks of frozen storage. γ‐PGA enhanced the freezing resistance of yeast cells and sweet dough effectively, and the effect on specific volume of bread was not linear, with 1% showing better results.     

In Situ Production of Prebiotic AXOS by Hyperthermophilic Xylanase B from Thermotoga maritima in High‐Quality Bread

In situ enrichment of bread with arabinoxylan‐oligosaccharides (AXOS) through enzymic degradation of wheat flour arabinoxylan (AX) by the hyperthermophilic xylanase B from Thermotoga maritima (rXTMB) was studied. The xylanolytic activity of rXTMB during breadmaking was essentially restricted to the baking phase. This prevented problems with dough processability and bread quality that generally are associated with thorough hydrolysis of the flour AX during dough mixing and fermentation. rXTMB action did not affect loaf volume. Bread with a dry matter AXOS content of 1.5% was obtained. Further increase in bread AXOS levels was achieved by combining rXTMB with xylanases from Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis or Bacillus subtilis. Remarkably, such a combination synergistically increased the specific bread loaf volume. Assuming an average daily consumption of 180 g of fresh bread, the bread AXOS levels suffice to provide a substantial part of the AXOS intake leading to desired physiological effects in humans.     

The importance of lactic acid bacteria for phytate degradation during cereal dough fermentation

Lactic acid fermentation of cereal flours resulted in a 100 (rye), 95-100 (wheat), and 39-47% (oat) reduction in phytate content within 24 h. The extent of phytate degradation was shown to be independent from the lactic acid bacteria strain used for fermentation. However, phytate degradation during cereal dough fermentation was positively correlated with endogenous plant phytase activity (rye, 6750 mU g(-1); wheat, 2930 mU g(-1); and oat, 23 mU g(-1)), and heat inactivation of the endogenous cereal phytases prior to lactic acid fermentation resulted in a complete loss of phytate degradation. Phytate degradation was restored after addition of a purified phytase to the liquid dough. Incubation of the cereal flours in buffered solutions resulted in a pH-dependent phytate degradation. The optimum of phytate degradation was shown to be around pH 5.5. Studies on phytase production of 50 lactic acid bacteria strains, previously isolated from sourdoughs, did not result in a significant production of intra- as well as extracellular phytase activity. Therefore, lactic acid bacteria do not participate directly in phytate degradation but provide favorable conditions for the endogenous cereal phytase activity by lowering the pH value.     

Influence of Bioprocessed Wheat Bran on the Physical and Chemical Properties of Dough and on Wheat Bread Texture

The aim of this work was to assess the influence of wheat bran addition on the rheological properties of dough and on subsequent wheat bread volume and texture. Two types of bioprocessed bran (fermentation with yeast or with yeast plus enzymes) were studied in breadmaking at a substitution level of 20% (sufficient to deliver 6 g of dietary fiber per 100 g of product, the minimum for the European Food Safety Authority high‐fiber nutrition claim). Fermentation activated endogenous enzymes of bran, which together with exogenous enzymes modified the state of fiber in bran, resulting in solubilization of arabinoxylans and slight degradation of the insoluble fiber. Fermentation and enzyme treatment of bran compensated for the increased hardness (+100%) and the volume‐decreasing (–21%) effect observed with untreated bran. Analysis with partial least squares regression suggested the efficacy of bioprocessing to be based on solubilization of arabinoxylans, smaller particle size of bran, lower pasting viscosity of starch, improved resistance to extension, and accelerated CO₂ production.     

Moderate decrease of pH by sourdough fermentation is sufficient to reduce phytate content of whole wheat flour through endogenous phytase activity

Whole wheat bread is an important source of minerals but also contains considerable amounts of phytic acid, which is known to impair their absorption. An in vitro trial was performed to assess the effect of a moderate drop of the dough pH (around 5.5) by way of sourdough fermentation or by exogenous organic acid addition on phytate hydrolysis. It was shown that a slight acidification of the dough (pH 5.5) with either sourdough or lactic acid addition allowed a significant phytate breakdown (70% of the initial flour content compared to 40% without any leavening agent or acidification). This result highlights the predominance of wheat phytase activity over sourdough microflora phytase activity during moderate sourdough fermentation and shows that a slight drop of the pH (pH value around 5.5) is sufficient to reduce significantly the phytate content of a wholemeal flour. Mg "bioaccessibility"of whole wheat dough was improved by direct solubilization of the cation and by phytate hydrolysis.     

Restoration of Breadmaking Properties to Frozen Dough by Addition of Sugar and Yeast and Subsequent Processing

We prepared bread dough A (a mixture of wheat flour, sugar, salt, and water), bread dough B (a mixture of bread dough A and yeast), and bread dough C (first‐proofed, molded, and second‐proofed bread dough B) and froze them at –20°C for six days. They were thawed at 4°C for 16 hr and subjected to their breadmaking processes. The results indicated that breadmaking properties (bread height [mm] and specific volume [cm³/g]) after bread dough A and B processes were the same as those of control bread dough (unfrozen dough). However, in the case of bread dough C, the resulting bread showed depression of the properties. The amount of centrifuged liquid from thawed bread dough C increased. Sugar was added to thawed bread dough C (bread dough C‐1), and then yeast was further added to bread dough C‐1 (bread dough C‐2), and they were subjected to the breadmaking process. The results showed that the breadmaking properties of bread dough C‐2 were the same as those of the control. It was further found that when the first proof step in the bread dough C‐2 process was omitted, the breadmaking properties were depressed. Frozen and thawed bread dough C was packed into a plastic tube, and extension of the dough was compared with that of control dough under reduced pressure. Bread dough C extended to 50 mm, compared with 70 mm for control dough. First proof, mold, and second proof steps of dough C‐2 caused it to extend to the same height as control dough. It was concluded that the increased amount of the separated liquid in thawed dough C caused depression of breadmaking properties resulting from lack of water in the appropriate places to provide the expected properties, but these properties could be restored to the levels of control bread dough by the addition of sugar and yeast following the first proof, mold, and second proof steps.     

Effect of Formulation and Processing Treatments on Viscosity and Solubility of Extractable Barley β‐Glucan in Bread Dough Evaluated Under In Vitro Conditions

β‐Glucan shows great potential for incorporation into bread due to its cholesterol lowering and blood glucose regulating effects, which are related to its viscosity. The effects of β‐glucan concentration, gluten addition, premixing, yeast addition, fermentation time, and inactivation of the flour enzymes on the viscosity of extractable β‐glucan following incorporation into a white bread dough were studied under physiological conditions, as well as, β‐glucan solubility in fermented and unfermented dough. β‐Glucan was extracted using an in vitro protocol designed to approximate human digestion and hot water extraction. The viscosity of extractable β‐glucan was not affected by gluten addition, the presence of yeast, or premixing. Fermentation produced lower (P ≤ 0.05) extract viscosity for the doughs with added β‐glucan, while inactivating the flour enzymes and increasing β‐glucan concentration in the absence of fermentation increased (P ≤ 0.05) viscosity. The physiological solubility of the β‐glucan concentrate (18.1%) and the β‐glucan in the unfermented dough (20.5%) were similar (P > 0.05), while fermentation substantially decreased (P ≤ 0.05) solubility to 8.7%, indicating that the reduction in viscosity due to fermentation may be highly dependent on solubility in addition to β‐glucan degradation. The results emphasize the importance of analyzing β‐glucan fortified foods under physiological conditions to identify the conditions in the dough system that decrease β‐glucan viscosity so that products with maximum functionality can be developed.     

Effects of Bran Fermentation on Quality and Microstructure of High‐Fiber Wheat Bread

We compared the effects of spontaneous fermentation of the bran fraction and fermentation with added yeast or added yeast and lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus brevis) on the quality of wheat bread supplemented with bran. Prefermentation of wheat bran with yeast or with yeast and lactic acid bacteria improved the loaf volume, crumb structure, and shelf life of bread supplemented with bran. The bread also had added flavor and good and homogenous crumb structure. Elasticity of the crumb was excellent. Spontaneous fermentation of the bran fraction did not have the same positive effects on bread quality. The microstructure of the breads was characterized by light microscopy. The positive effect of fermentation of bran on bread quality was evident when comparing the well‐developed protein network structure of the breads baked with fermented bran with the control bread. Prefermentation of the bran with yeast and lactic acid bacteria had the greatest effect on the structure of starch. The starch granules were more swollen and gelatinized in the breads made with prefermented bran. The pretreatments of the bran fraction had no detectable effect on the microstructure of the cell wall particles in the test breads.     

Effect of Baking Method and Fermentation on Folate Content of Rye and Wheat Breads

The effect of baking method on folates of rye and wheat breads, as well as the effect of sourdough fermentation of rye, were examined. Sourdough fermentations were performed both with and without added yeast, and samples were taken throughout the baking process. Samples were analyzed microbiologically for their total folate content after trienzyme extraction. Individual folate vitamers were determined by HPLC after affinity chromatographic purification. The lowest folate contents for both rye and wheat breads were found from breads baked without added yeast. Total folate content increased considerably during sourdough fermentation due to increased amounts of 10‐HCO‐H₂folate, 5‐CH₃‐H₄folate, and 5‐HCO‐H₄folate. Baker's yeast contributed markedly to the final folate content of bread by synthesizing folates during fermentation. Proofing did not influence total folate content but changes in vitamer distribution were observed. Folate losses in baking were ≈25%. The variety of sourdoughs and baking processes obviously lead to great variation in folate content of rye breads. The possibilities to enhance natural folate content of rye bread by improving folate retention in technological processes and by screening and combining suitable yeasts and lactic acid bacteria should be further investigated.     

Fermented Sorghum as a Functional Ingredient in Composite Breads

Whole sorghum flour was fermented (a five‐day natural lactic acid fermentation) and dried under forced draught at 60°C, and evaluated for its effect on sorghum and wheat composite bread quality. In comparison with unfermented sorghum flour, fermentation decreased the flour pH from 6.2 to 3.4, decreased total starch and water‐soluble proteins, and increased enzyme‐susceptible starch, total protein, and the in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD). Fermentation and drying did not decrease the pasting temperature of sorghum flour, but slightly increased its peak and final viscosity. In comparison with composite bread dough containing unfermented sorghum flour, fermented and dried sorghum flour decreased the pH of the dough from 5.8 to 4.9, increased bread volume by ≈4%, improved crumb structure, and slightly decreased crumb firmness. IVPD of the composite bread was also improved. Mixing wet fermented sorghum flour directly with wheat flour (sourdough‐type process) further increased loaf volume and weight and reduced crumb firmness, and simplified the breadmaking process. It appears that the low pH of fermented sorghum flour inactivated amylases and increased the viscosity of sorghum flour, thus improving the gas‐holding capacity of sorghum and wheat composite dough. Fermentation of sorghum flour, particularly in a sourdough breadmaking process, appears to have considerable potential for increasing sorghum utilization in bread.     

Evaluation of Various Baking Methods for Polished Wheat Flours

Flour qualities of polished wheat flours of three fractions, C‐1 (100–90%), C‐5 (60–50%), and C‐8 (30–0%), obtained from hard‐type wheat grain were used for the evaluation of four kinds of baking methods: optimized straight (OSM), long fermentation (LFM), sponge‐dough (SDM) and no‐time (NTM) methods. The dough stability of C‐5 in farinograph mixing was excellent and the maturity of polished flour doughs during storage in extensigraph was more improved than those of the commercial wheat flour (CW). There were no significant differences in the viscoelastic properties of CW dough after mixing, regardless of the baking method, while those of polished flour doughs were changed by the baking method; this tendency became clear after fermentation. The polished flours could make a better gluten structure in the dough samples after mixing or fermentation using LFM and SDM, as compared with other baking methods. Baking qualities such as specific volume and storage properties of breads from all polished flours made with SDM increased more than with other methods. In addition, viscoelastic properties of C‐5 and C‐8 doughs fermented by SDM were similar to those of CW, and the C‐5 breadcrumb showed softness similar to that of the CW. Also, SDM could make C‐5 bread with significantly higher elasticity and cohesiveness after storage for five days when compared with CW bread. Therefore, SDM with long fermentation, as compared with other baking methods, was considered suitable for use with polished flours to give better effects on dough properties during fermentation, resulting in more favorable bread qualities.     

Properties of Arabinoxylans in Frozen Dough Enriched with Wheat Fiber

The global market for frozen bread dough is rising; however, its quality could deteriorate during extended storage. Our previous study indicated that undesirable changes caused by freezing could be reduced by adding arabinoxylan‐rich fiber sources. The present study investigated the changes in arabinoxylan properties of yeasted dough during frozen storage. Dough samples made from refined, whole, and fiber‐enriched (15% either wheat aleurone or bran) flours were stored at –18°C for nine weeks, and structural properties of arabinoxylan were probed during storage. Water‐extractable arabinoxylan (WEAX) content in dough samples increased by about 19–33% during the first three weeks of storage. Prolonged storage of dough (weeks 6 and 9), however, correlated with a decline in WEAX content. Average molecular weight and intrinsic viscosity of WEAX decreased during storage for all frozen dough samples. Arabinose‐to‐xylose ratios also decreased by 11 and 6% for control and composite dough samples, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.89, P < 0.0001) between WEAX content of dough and bread quality throughout the storage period. The results demonstrated that changes in dough quality during frozen storage were related to changes in the content and structure of WEAX that took place during frozen storage.     

Protein and Quality Characterization of Complete and Partial Near‐Isogenic Lines of Waxy Wheat

The objective of this study was to evaluate protein composition and its effects on flour quality and physical dough test parameters using waxy wheat near‐isogenic lines. Partial waxy (single and double nulls) and waxy (null at all three waxy loci, Wx‐A1, Wx‐B1, and Wx‐D1) lines of N11 set (bread wheat) and Svevo (durum) were investigated. For protein composition, waxy wheats in this study had relatively lower albumins‐globulins than the hard winter wheat control. In the bread wheats (N11), dough strength as measured by mixograph peak dough development time (MDDT) (r = 0.75) and maximum resistance (R_max) (r = 0.70) was significantly correlated with unextractable polymeric protein (UPP), whereas in durum wheats, moderate correlation was observed (r = 0.73 and 0.59, respectively). This may be due to the presence of high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW‐GS) Dx2+Dy12 at the Glu‐D1 locus instead of Dx5+Dy10, which are associated with dough strength. Significant correlation of initial loaf volume (ILV) to flour polymeric protein (FPP) (r = 0.75) and flour protein (FP) (r = 0.63) was found in bread wheats, whereas in durum wheats, a weak correlation of ILV was observed with FP (r = 0.09) and FPP (r =0.51). Significant correlation of ILV with FPP in bread wheats and with % polymeric protein (PPP) (r = 0.75) in durum lines indicates that this aspect of end‐use functionality is influenced by FPP and PPP, respectively, in these waxy wheat lines. High ILV was observed with 100% waxy wheat flour alone and was not affected by 50% blending with bread wheat flour. However, dark color and poor crumb structure was observed with 100% waxy flour, which was unacceptable to consumers. As the amylopectin content of the starch increases, loaf expansion increases but the crumb structure becomes increasingly unstable and collapses.     

Contribution of Sourdough Lactobacilli,Yeast, and Cereal Enzymes to the Generation of Amino Acids in Dough Relevant for Bread Flavor

The amino acid release was determined in wheat doughs supplied with salt, acid, dithiothreitol, or starter cultures to evaluate the relevance of the amino acid concentration on bread flavor. Wheat flour proteinases almost linearly released amino acids and the highest activity of wheat flour proteinases was found in acidified and reduced doughs. The effects of starter cultures on amino acid concentrations depended on their composition. Yeasts exhibited a high demand for amino acids, however, the total amino acid concentrations were not markedly affected by lactic acid bacteria. The individual amino acid contents were determined by the pH during fermentation and microbial metabolism. The formation of proline was favored by values higher than pH 5.5, whereas release of phenylalanine, leucine and cysteine mainly occurred at lower pH. Ornithine was found only in doughs fermented with Lactobacillus pontis. To determine effects of the amino acid concentration on bread aroma, fermented doughs were evaluated in baking experiments. An increased intensity of bread flavor was obtained by preferments prepared with lactic acid bacteria. The roasty note of wheat bread crust could be markedly enhanced by L. pontis. This results support the assumption that flavor of wheat bread is enhanced by increasing the concentration of free amino acids and especially ornithine in dough.     

Centrifuged Liquid and Breadmaking Properties of Frozen‐and‐Thawed Bread Dough

Breadmaking properties (bread height, mm, and specific volume, cm³/g ) showed marked deterioration when bread dough was frozen and stored at ‐20°C for one day. However, these properties of bread dough baked after storage for three to six days were not further deteriorated as compared with that baked after one day of storage. A large amount of liquid was oozed from the frozen‐and‐thawed bread dough. The liquid was separated from the bread dough by centrifugation (38,900 × g for 120 min at 4°C), and collected by tilting the centrifuge tube at an angle of 45° for 30 min. There was a strong correlation between the amount of centrifuged liquid and breadmaking properties (bread height and specific volume). The mechanism responsible for the oozing of liquid in frozen‐and‐ thawed bread dough was studied. The presence of yeast and salt in bread dough was suggested to be closely related to the amount of centrifuged liquid, and fermented products particularly had a large effect on the amount of centrifuged liquid.     

Dynamic and Elongation Rheology of Yeasted Bread Doughs

The rheology of yeasted bread doughs is a little‐studied field despite yeast's importance in developing bread structure. A method of thermally inactivating the yeast within mixed bread doughs was developed to overcome the difficulty of yeast fermenting during rheological measurements. Sample stabilization by preshearing of dough samples at a stress amplitude of 1 Pa at 1 Hz for 10 sec improved the reliability of small amplitude oscillatory shear measurements, and resting 20 min within the rheometer was sufficient to produce reliable and consistent observations. Small amplitude oscillatory shear measurements were unable to detect any differences between yeasted and nonyeasted doughs nor any changes in linear viscoelastic properties due to fermentation. However, large strain uniaxial elongation measurements of yeasted doughs revealed a significant progressive decrease in elongational viscosities with fermentation. Size‐exclusion HPLC analysis of yeasted doughs showed an increase in unextractable polymeric dough proteins, which were interpreted as evidence of cross‐linking and therefore a potential improvement in dough properties. The apparent contradictions between uniaxial elongation and SE‐HPLC studies of fermenting yeasted doughs can be attributed to gas bubbles within the dough interrupting the increasingly cross‐linked protein network, resulting in the rheological weakness observed for fermenting yeasted doughs.