Effects of Flour Strength,Baking Absorption,and Processing Conditions on the Structure and Mechanical Properties of Bread Crumb

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of flour type, baking absorption, variation in sheeting, and dough proofing time on the density, crumb grain (visual texture), and mechanical properties (physical texture) of bread crumb. All response variables were measured on the same bread crumb specimens. Bread loaves were prepared by a short‐time bread‐making process using four spring wheat flours of varying strength. After crumb density measurement, digital image analysis (DIA) was used to determine crumb grain properties including crumb brightness, cell size, cell wall thickness, and crumb uniformity. Tensile tests were performed on bone‐shaped specimens cut from the same bread slices used for DIA to obtain values for Young's modulus, fracture stress, fracture strain, and fracture energy. Proof time had the most profound influence on the bread with substantial effects on loaf volume, crumb density, crumb brightness, and grain, as well as crumb mechanical properties. Increasing proof time resulted in higher loaf volume, lower crumb density and brightness, coarser crumb with fewer and larger cells with thicker cell walls, and weaker crumb tensile properties. Varying flour type also led to significant differences in most of the measured crumb parameters that appeared to correspond to differences in gluten strength among the flour samples. With increasing flour strength, there was a clear trend to increasing loaf volume, finer and more uniform crumb grain, and stronger and more extensible bread crumb. Increasing baking absorption had virtually no effect on crumb structure but significantly weakened crumb strength and increased fracture strain. In contrast, varying the number of sheeting passes had a minor effect on crumb cellular structure but no effect on mechanical properties. The experimental data were consistent with a cause‐effect relationship between flour strength and the tensile strength of bread crumb arising as a result of stronger flours exhibiting greater resistance to gas cell coalescence, thereby having fewer crumb defects.     

Impact of Industrial Dough Processing on Structure: A Rheology,Nuclear Magnetic Resonance,and Electron Microscopy Study

Dough processing is an important factor determining the quality of bread. The most important mechanical steps in industrial dough processing are kneading, extrusion, and molding. In all of these processing steps, considerable changes in the structure and properties of the dough can occur. On a laboratory‐scale level, these (structural) effects are well characterized but, so far, no systematic study has been performed at the level of a large‐scale industrial dough processing line. The molecular and microstructural changes that can take place during industrial dough processing were studied with the help of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), fundamental rheology, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After the kneading step, the dough shows a well‐developed gluten network with a homogeneous dispersion of starch particles (at optimum kneading time). After the extrusion step (a sheeting procedure), the structure of the dough becomes coarser and the dough gluten network is oriented and partially disrupted. This is accompanied with an increase in both rheological stress and water mobility. After molding, the network structure is restored and both the rheological stress and the mobility of water decrease. These findings provide a novel microstructurally‐lead approach to make recommendations for optimization of industrial dough processing lines.     

Understanding and Modeling the Processing‐Mechanical Property Relationship of Bread Crumb Assessed by Indentation

Measuring fundamental mechanical parameters such as Young's modulus and critical stress is a straightforward and valid approach to evaluating the physical texture of breadcrumb. The objectives of this study were to evaluate whether such fundamental mechanical properties could be measured by indentation techniques such as the AACC crumb firmness method, and then to alter breadmaking conditions so as to model the relationship between these indentation mechanical properties as a function of crumb moisture content and crumb density. Bread was baked according to a short dough process using Canadian western red spring (CWRS) wheat flour. Factors considered in the design of experiments were proofing time, water absorption, crosshead speed, and indenter diameter. Young's modulus and critical stress, measured with 12‐ and 20‐mm cylindrical indenters, were well covalidated with those obtained from a standard compression test. With increases in proofing time and water absorption, a more porous and compliant bread texture led to decreasing Young's modulus and critical stress. Our results revealed a good mapping of mechanical properties to crumb moisture content and density that were correlated to breadmaking conditions, thus permitting more precise prediction of the mechanical properties that determine bread texture.     

Bread Crumb Grain Development During Baking

Scanning electron microscopy was used to study gas cell size, shape, and distribution throughout the breadmaking process. Flours that produced bread with a relatively good grain and a relatively poor grain were used. Micrographs of the dough samples were taken at mixing; before and after each of two punches; before and after panning; after proofing; and after 12, 18, and 24 min (complete) of baking. No differences were found between the two flours at any dough stage. However, after 12 min of baking, the cell distributions were different between the doughs. These results suggest that the crumb grain differentiates during the early stages of baking. The changes documented during this time, i.e., cells becoming larger and the cell walls thicker, indicate that some gas cells coalesce during the early stages of baking and that this is reflected in the crumb grain of the bread.     

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.     

Sodium Reduction in Bread Using Low‐Sodium Sea Salt

Yeast bread is a major contributor of sodium in the American diet. Because of its functional impact on dough rheology and the quality of the final baked product, simply reducing the level of sodium chloride (salt) in the formula or replacing it with salt substitutes has found minimal success. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of sea salt containing 57 or 64% less sodium than common sea salt on the breadmaking properties and consumer acceptability of bread. The sodium content of the salt had no effect on dough strength, mixing time, gas production, loaf volume, or crumb grain. The flavor and overall liking of breads containing sea salt with 57 and 64% less sodium content were scored only slightly lower than bread containing the control salt by an untrained panel of 118 consumers. No difference in texture and no unacceptable flavor notes in the bread made with reduced‐sodium salts were reported. Thus, it appears that use of reduced‐sodium sea salt is a satisfactory alternative to reduce the sodium content of bread.     

Effects of Monoglycerides of Varying Fatty Acid Chain Length and Mixtures Thereof on Sponge‐and‐Dough Breadmaking Quality

Monoglycerides are widely used in the baking industry because of their antistaling effects, mainly suppressing crumb firming. Commercial monoglycerides are normally prepared from hydrogenated fats, with stearate being the most common fatty acid. In a previous study, monoglycerides such as monopalmitate (C16) and monostearate (C18) had positive effects on Canadian short process bread but no improvements on sponge‐and‐dough process (SDP) bread. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of saturated monoglycerides of varying fatty acid chain length (C14–C22) on SDP breadmaking quality by using volume judgment, crumb image analysis, and texture measurements. Higher levels (1.00–1.50%) of all monoglycerides (C14, C16, and C18) significantly (P < 0.05) increased loaf volume and cell diameter. The larger cell diameter with increasing levels of these monoglycerides may have resulted from softer, more extensible dough handling properties and greater gas cell stability during baking. Addition of C16 and C18 caused the largest increase in crumb softness with increasing monoglyceride levels but showed relatively low resilience, which might be related to larger loaf volume (i.e., lower density of bread). However, addition of blended monoglycerides C14+C16 increased crumb softness and loaf volume while partially retaining resilience. Each monoglyceride had a different function in breadmaking quality and somewhat positive effects on SDP.     

Effects of Commercial Hydrolytic Enzyme Additives on Japanese‐Style Sponge and Dough Bread Properties and Processing Characteristics

The effects of increasing levels of eight commercial fungal enzymes enriched in four types of activity (α‐amylase, protease, xylanase, or cellulase) on Japanese‐style sponge and dough bread quality and processing characteristics have been studied using a Canadian red spring wheat straight‐grade flour. At optimum levels, the enriched α‐amylases, xylanases, and cellulases increased loaf volume and bread score and reduced crumb firmness, while the proteases only reduced crumb firmness. For α‐amylases, xylanases, and cellulases, optimum levels for crumb firmness were obtained at higher levels of addition than for loaf volume and bread score. At high levels of addition, all four enriched enzyme types reduced loaf volume and bread score and increased crumb firmness relative to optimum levels, with the proteases showing the most dramatic effects. α‐Amylases and cellulases had little impact on dough mixing requirements, while xylanases increased and proteases greatly reduced mixing requirements. All enzymes at optimum levels reduced sheeting work requirements, resulting in softer more pliable dough. Optimum bread properties for α‐amylases, xylanases, and cellulases were attained within a relatively narrow range of dough sheeting work values. This similarity in response suggests a dominant common nonspecific mechanism for their improver action, which is most likely related to water release and the resulting impact on physical dough properties.     

Effects of Baking Temperature on Crumb-Staling Kinetics

This study evaluated the effects of bread baking temperature on the staling kinetics of crumb. Bread dough was leavened and baked in sealed molds. Cooking trials were performed at various temperatures ranging from 90 to 110°C. The crumb samples were then stored at 20°C at constant moisture, and staling was evaluated by measuring crumb elastic modulus (using an Instron dynamometer) and starch retrogradation degree (using differential scanning calorimetry). Results show that the cooking temperature greatly influences bread staling. The lower the cooking temperature, the lower the staling rate, both in terms of crumb hardening and of starch retrogradation. Starch and protein solubility was evaluated on crumb cooked at 90 and 110°C. An increase in cooking temperature resulted in an increase in protein insolubilization and starch granule disruption.     

Impact of Sodium Alginate and Xanthan Gum on the Quality of Steamed Bread Made from Frozen Dough

The impact of freezing on dough rheology, fermentation performance, and final steamed bread quality was investigated in this study. Also, the incorporation of sodium alginate and xanthan gum into the frozen dough formulation, in comparison with 0.1% salt, was studied to test their suitability as frozen dough improvers. Incorporating these hydrocolloids into steamed bread revealed their totally different characteristics from those in baked bread. Freezing of dough led to diminished specific volumes of proofed dough and steamed bread, and it also caused higher crumb firmness for steamed bread. The incorporation of sodium alginate and xanthan gum did not improve the quality of the steamed bread but led to further reduction in specific volume and increase in crumb firmness at the higher levels of 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0% and 0.07 and 0.1%, respectively. Xanthan gum and sodium alginate showed dough strengthening effects by increasing resistance to uniaxial deformation, bubble burst stress, and declining dough weakening coefficients at these levels, but decreased dough extensibility and bubble burst strain were revealed at these concentrations tested.     

Effect of Dough Processing Conditions and DATEM on Norwegian Hearth Bread Prepared from Frozen Dough

The objective of this study was to examine treatments that directly influence Norwegian lean doughs destined to be frozen. Therefore a strip-block experimental design with four dough treatment factors (wheat flour blend, diacetyl tartaric acid esters of monoglycerides [DATEM], water absorption, and dough temperature) and two storage factors (frozen storage time and thawing time) was used. Four levels were selected for frozen storage time and two levels were selected for the remaining factors. After frozen storage (2–70 days), the doughs were thawed and baked. Principal component analysis showed that to obtain a high loaf volume and bread score after freezing, a high dough temperature after mixing (27°C) was essential. The highest form ratio (height/width) level was obtained after 28 days of frozen storage and with a short thawing time (6 hr). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of dough treatments showed that an increase in dough temperature from 20 to 27°C after mixing resulted in a significant increase in loaf volume (1,653 to 2,264 mL), form ratio (0.64 to 0.69), and bread score (1.7 to 3.2), and a reduction in loaf weight (518.4 to 512.5 g) and crumb score (7.9 to 5.9, i.e., a more open bread crumb). Also, the addition of DATEM significantly increased loaf volume (1,835 to 2,081 mL), form ratio (0.64 to 0.69), and bread score (2.2 to 2.6). Frozen dough storage time significantly affected loaf volume, loaf weight, bread score, and crumb score. Increasing thawing time from 6 to 10 hr significantly increased loaf volume (1,855 to 2,121 mL), and reduced the form ratio (0.69 to 0.63) and loaf weight (516.8 to 511.4 g). ANOVA of the interaction between dough treatment and frozen storage time showed that decreasing water absorption significantly increased the loaf volume.     

Prediction of Bread Crumb Density by Digital Image Analysis

The cellular structure of bread crumb (crumb grain) is an important factor that contributes to the textural properties of fresh bread. The accuracy of a digital image analysis (DIA) system for crumb grain measurement was evaluated based on its capability to predict bread crumb density from directly computed structural parameters. Bread was prepared from representative flour samples of two different wheat classes, Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) and Canada Prairie Spring (CPS). Dough mixing and proofing conditions were varied to manipulate loaf volume and crumb density. Sliced bread was subjected to DIA immediately after physical density measurement. Experiments were repeated for the same bread samples after drying to three different moisture contents. Five computed crumb grain parameters were assessed: crumb brightness, cell wall thickness (CWT), void fraction (VF), mean cell area, and crumb fineness (measured as number of cells/cm²). Crumb density ranged from 0.088 to 0.252 g/cm³ depending on proofing and mixing treatments, and was predominantly affected by the former. With increasing crumb density, bread crumb became brighter in appearance, mean cell size and CWT decreased, crumb fineness increased, and the VF decreased. Approximately 80% of the variation in fresh or dried crumb density could be predicted using a linear regression model with two variables, CWT and VF. Results indicated that DIA of directly computed crumb grain could accurately predict bread crumb density after images had been correctly classified into cells and background.     

Effects of (1→3)(1→4)-β-d-Glucans of Wheat Flour on Breadmaking

Water-soluble nonstarch polysaccharides were extracted from commercial hard red winter wheat flour and separated into three fractions by graded ethanol precipitation. The three fractions, F15, F40, and F60, varied in polysaccharide composition. Fraction F15 was rich in watersoluble (1→3)(1→4)-β-d -glucans, and fractions F40 and F60 were rich in arabinoxylans. Addition of individual fractions to a bread formula did not affect bread loaf volume. Addition of fraction F15 to the formula improved bread crumb grain. Treatment of (1→3)(1→4)-β-D -glucan-rich fraction F15 with lichenase before its addition to the bread formula resulted in bread with poor crumb grain. Treatment of the F15 fraction with β-xylanase before its addition to the bread formula resulted in bread with slightly improved crumb grain. Presumably, the (1→3)(1→4)-β-D -glucans in fraction F15 improved crumb grain by stabilizing air cells in the bread dough and preventing coalescence of the cells. Addition of pentosan-rich fractions F40 and F60 to the bread formula did not improve crumb grain and interfered with the improving effect of (1→3)(1→4)-β-D -glucan-rich fraction F15. Hydrolysis of the arabinoxylans in flour by adding β-xylanase to the bread formula resulted in improved crumb grain.     

Localization of puroindoline-a and lipids in bread dough using confocal scanning laser microscopy

Puroindolines are lipid-binding proteins from wheat flour that play a significant role in bread crumb texture. The localization of wheat flour lipids and puroindoline-a (PIN-a) in bread dough was studied by confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). Wheat lipids were located around gas cells (GC) and embedded within the protein-starch matrix (SPM) of the dough. PIN-a was mainly located in the matrix of dough, where it was associated with lipids. In contrast, in defatted dough, PIN-a was found around GC. Addition of puroindolines in bread dough induced a defatting of the gas bubble surface and a decrease of the lipid vesicles and/or droplet size embedded within the SPM. Therefore, puroindolines control the lipid partitioning within the different phases of dough, a phenomenon that should have important consequence on the gas bubble expansion and GC formation in the further stages (fermentation, baking) of the bread-making process.     

Production of Two Types of Pocket‐Forming Flat Bread by the Sponge and Dough Method

Two types of flat bread (thin and thick) were produced from straight‐grade flour by the traditional straight dough (SD) and sponge and dough (SPD) methods using 50 and 60% sponges. Quality of the resulting bread was evaluated with respect to specific volume, crumb distribution between layers, moisture content, overall sensory quality, and rate of staling. The results showed that the method of production has a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the specific volume of the crumb‐rich thick flat bread but not on the almost crumb‐free thin type. The study showed that breads produced with the SPD method were superior to those produced by the SD method with respect to their overall quality and resistance to staling, and that using 50% sponge gave bread with superior overall sensory quality to that obtained using 60% sponge. The results indicate that the Structograph can be used to follow the staling of these breads. Nonetheless, using the SPD method has some drawbacks, mainly longer fermentation time, and more space, mixing, and labor requirements that are expected to limit its use in commercial production of flat bread types.     

Ice in Prefermented Frozen Bread Dough—An Investigation Based on Calorimetry and Microscopy

The amount, morphology, and distribution of ice in prefermented frozen bread dough were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and cryoscanning electron microscopy (cryo‐SEM). Bread dough was frozen after proofing, stored frozen at ‐22 ± 3°C and analyzed without previous thawing. At constant storage conditions, the ice fraction amounted to 53% of the total water and remained constant even over a period of 56 days. Unlike other frozen food foams, ice crystals were observed in the gas pores of the dough. Ice crystals were already present at 1 hr after freezing. Crystal growth and rounding off by recrystallization was observed after 1 day of frozen storage. After 149 days, crystal size reached several 100 μm. It is concluded that growth of ice crystals leads to a redistribution of water in the dough mix in the form of ice, which in turn affects the properties of polymeric compounds in dough and reduces the baking performance of prefermented frozen doughs.     

Measurement of Dynamic Dough Density and Effect of Surfactants and Flour Type on Aeration During Mixing and Gas Retention During Proofing

A new method for measuring dough densities is presented, based on weighing small dough samples in air and immersed in xylene. The method can be used to evaluate the air content of low‐density doughs and to follow the changing density of a proofing dough sample. The method is applied to evaluate the effect of flour strength and surfactant addition on dough aeration and subsequent proofing. Doughs were mixed in a high‐speed mixer from two flours, a strong breadmaking flour and a weak flour. Surfactants sodium stearoyl lactylate (SSL) and diacetyl tartrate esters of monoglyceride (DATEM) were added at three levels, and the air content, proofing dynamics, and baked loaf quality were evaluated. The air content of dough was proportional to headspace pressure in the mixer, while the strong flour occluded less air than the weak flour. Surfactants greatly improved the volume of baked loaves but appeared to have no significant effect on air incorporation during mixing. The addition of surfactants appeared to increase the rate of growth of the dough piece during proofing, possibly due to increased bubble breakup during mixing or to increased rates of mass transfer of CO₂ into bubbles during proofing.     

Factors Controlling Gas Cell Failure in Bread Dough

Stress relaxation in the wall of a gas bubble, as measured by the alveograph, was used to study surface tension at the gas-dough interface of doughs from flours producing differing bread crumb grains. The surface tensions in the various wheat flour doughs were not different. Dough rheological properties, as measured by both dynamic oscillatory rheometry and lubricated uniaxial compression, were not different for doughs made from wheat flours that gave breads with different crumb grains. However, when the effect of starch granule size on gas cell wall stability was tested, the presence of a greater proportion of large starch granules in wheat flour dough was sufficient to result in gas cell coalescence and open crumb grain in the final baked product. This suggests that starch granule size is at least one of the factors that affects the crumb grain of bread.     

Transgenic Enhancement of High‐Molecular‐Weight Glutenin Subunit 1Dy10 Concentration: Effects in Wheat Flour Blends and Sponge and Dough Baking

Dough strength is needed for efficient breadmaking quality. This property is strongly influenced in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by gluten seed storage proteins and, in particular, by high‐molecular‐weight (HMW) glutenin subunit composition. Experiments were designed to elevate expression of a key native HMW glutenin subunit (1Dy10) via genetic engineering and to determine whether resultant flours can be used in sponge and dough applications, the most common commercial bread‐baking procedure. Both unblended and blended samples from transgenic and nontransgenic sister lines were tested, with blended samples being formed by addition to a control sample. Dough properties, as determined by farinograph evaluation, were improved by the transgene‐encoded increases in 1Dy10 in both undiluted and blended flours. Mean farinograph stability of transgenic samples was twice that of the control, and blends with transgenic samples demonstrated increases in stabilities proportional to the amount of transgenic flour included. Mean farinograph quality numbers of transgenic samples, and of all blends containing transgenic flour, were significantly higher than both the control and all nontransgenic treatments. In the sponge and dough bake procedure, undiluted transgenic samples induced lower scores, relative to both control and undiluted nontransgenic samples, for water absorption, crumb body firmness, and loaf volume. In blends, however, the transgenic samples resulted in improvements in some sponge and dough loaf attributes, including loaf symmetry and crumb color score, without any concomitant loss of loaf volume in transgenic blends. These improved variables relate to finished product appearance and to consumer selection in markets. The use of transgenic flours with increased 1Dy10 glutenin content in commercial blends could provide advantages in sponge and dough bake applications.     

Volatiles in Selected Commercial Breads

Selected types of commercial breads obtained from local markets, including white sandwich, Irish oatmeal, soft rye, hearty rye, sour dough, home-like white, and onion-basil, were analyzed for volatiles. Using a purge and trap instrument, volatiles were purged directly from fresh crumb and crust samples of each bread type, collected on a trap (Tenax-TA), and transferred to a gas chromatograph. Separated components were detected and identified using mass and infrared spectroscopic detectors. Many components were present in all of the bread samples, with relative amounts varying among bread types and crust and crumb samples of a given bread type. Alcohols were generally the most abundant, followed in approximate order by aldehydes, esters, ketones, acids, various aromatics, terpenes, and hydrocarbons. Flavor additives, such as limonene, carvone, and other related compounds, were found mostly in rye and onion-basil breads. Composition of volatiles from sour dough bread differed greatly from the other breads, especially in increased levels of aldehydes, acids, and certain esters. Unsaturated aldehydes, such as 2-hexenal and 2-heptenal, were most abundant in sour dough bread.