Osmotic Properties of Gluten

A model for dough is proposed in which the distribution of water between hydrated gluten and starch paste explains a number of practical observations such as 1) the extreme sensitivity of the consistency of dough to the amount of water in the recipe, and 2) the fact that working of the material results in an increase in consistency. The model assumes dough to be a composite material consisting of a starch paste and gluten filaments. During kneading, the starch granule paste in dough dries to become a phase with a yield stress as a result of the uptake of water by the stretching gluten filaments. This study focused on one particular aspect of this model: the osmotic properties of gluten during stretching. The results suggest that gluten can be hydrated more efficiently in the stretched state than in an unstretched conformation. Gluten hydration tends to change slowly over a period of weeks, which is accompanied by water expulsion or uptake, depending on the osmotic properties of the solvent. The rate of change does not seem to depend very much on pH and osmotic pressure for the current experimental conditions. The level of hydration of relaxed gluten depends strongly on pH, as expected. The experiments allow the construction of an osmotic pressure versus gluten concentration diagram over the range 4.6 < pH < 5.8. The level of hydration of the gluten is consistent with the proposed model for dough.     

Demixing in Wheat Doughs—Its Influence on Dough and Gluten Rheology

Reshaping of relaxed wheat doughs leads to an increase in firmness that significantly changes the results of rheological measurements involving large uniaxial deformations of the dough, whereas the gluten properties remain unaffected. Microscopic investigations reveal that directly after kneading, starch and gluten are thoroughly mixed. However, the shaping procedure of a relaxed dough or shear-flow during rheological measurements cause a separation of gluten and starch. The dilatant behavior of the starch granules and the capacity of gluten to aggregate account for the observed dough-hardening.     

Description of Chemical Changes Implied During Bread Dough Mixing by FT‐ATR Mid‐Infrared Spectroscopy

The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of mid‐infrared (MIR) spectroscopy to identify physicochemical changes in the French bread dough mixing process. An ATR FT‐MIR spectrometer at 4000–800 cm^–1 was used. The MIR spectra collections recorded during mixing were analyzed after standard normal variate using principal component analysis (PCA) and after second‐derivative treatment. The results were interpreted in terms of chemical changes involved in dough development and more particularly in terms of secondary structural protein changes (amide III). The loading spectrum associated with principal component 1 (PC1) allows three MIR wave number regions of variations (3500–3000, 1700–1200, and 1200–800 cm^–1) to be identified. The loading spectrum associated with PC1 describes an increase in the relative protein band intensities and a decrease in relative water and starch band intensities. The variation during bread dough mixing time of the different amide III bands identified after the second‐derivative show that α‐helical, β‐turn, and β‐sheet structures increase while random coil structure decreases, suggesting that the gluten structure is becoming a more ordered structure. The MIR mixing time identified as being the maximum scores value on the PC1 scores plots was associated with the time at which the dough apparent torque begin to collapse, suggesting that the MIR spectroscopy could monitor bread dough development.     

Effect of Physical States of Nonpolar Lipids on Rheology,Ultracentrifugation, and Microstructure of Wheat Flour Dough

In the previous study, we investigated effect of physical state of nonpolar lipids of gluten‐starch model dough. This experiment examined a real wheat flour dough system to assess the role of fat crystals in the breadmaking processes. These experiments were performed with a baking test and an investigation of wheat flour dough through rheological measurements (both large and small deformations), scanning electron microscopy, and ultracentrifugation. As a result, we found that the added oil was absorbed in the gluten structure, causing the aggregation of the gluten, which gave rise to more elastic behavior. In contrast, solid fat seemed to be distributed uniformly between the starch granules in the dough, reducing the friction between the starch granules and facilitating thin gluten gel layers. These properties lead to the lower G′ value and the increased viscous behavior, which yields an increase in loaf volume. In addition, the supposed mechanism behind the large loaf volume described in the previous study was that fat provides a uniform distribution of the dough components, and that the dough can thus expand easily, resulting in a larger loaf volume, which was supported in the wheat flour dough system. In conclusion, we found that thin, expandable gluten films and the uniform dispersion of gluten and starch granules in the dough are prerequisites for attaining better baking performance.     

Effect of Physical State of Nonpolar Lipids on Rheology and Microstructure of Gluten‐Starch and Wheat Flour Doughs

To clarify the effects of solid fat and liquid oil on dough in more detail in a simpler system, gluten‐starch doughs with different gluten contents were investigated. The results from rheological measurements indicate that dough with a higher starch content has less resistance to strain and dough with a lower starch content has a rubber‐like structure. The effects of the physical state of nonpolar lipids such as fat and oil on gluten‐starch doughs and wheat flour doughs were investigated using rheological measurements and scanning electron microscopy. Fat‐containing dough had more gas cells and a very smooth gluten gel surface with few holes, which may provide higher tolerance to strain. Moreover, the fat seemed to uniformly distribute the gluten gel between the starch granules in the dough, which reduced the friction between starch granules and led to a lower storage modulus. A mechanism governing the effect of fats on loaf volume is proposed based on the phenomena observed in the fat‐containing dough.     

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.     

Effects of Temperature on Sorption of Water by Wheat Gluten Determined Using Deuterium Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

The effects of lipids and residual starch components of wheat flour gluten on gluten hydration properties were investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques. Whole or native, lipid-free, starch-free, and lipid- and starch-free gluten samples were prepared from wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv. Mercia. ²H NMR relaxation on gluten samples hydrated with deuterium oxide (D₂O) was measured over a 278–363 K temperature range. FTIR spectra were recorded in dry and fully hydrated material. Transverse relaxation (T₂) results indicated that all four gluten samples were hydrophilic in nature. There was little difference in relaxation behavior of whole and lipid-free gluten samples. T₂ values and populations of the relaxation components were very similar in each. The FTIR spectra of both samples showed an increase in extended β-sheet secondary structures on hydration. These results suggest that lipid binding in gluten, if it occurs, has little effect on wheat gluten properties. Adding starch to the gluten matrix results in an increase in water sorption on heating that may be attributed to the effects of starch gelation. However, the whole water uptake of the gluten cannot be accounted for by the contribution of the residual starch, as estimated by the effects of added starch. Extraction of residual starch required solubilization of the protein, including breaking of the disulfide bonds. This process altered the gluten structure and properties. Light microscope investigation showed that glutens with residual starch extracted were unable to form fibrillar strands on hydration. NMR and FTIR results showed greater water sorption in both samples with extracted starch than in the unextracted samples.     

Impact of Fat on Dough and Cookie Properties of Sugar‐Snap Cookies

Fat, one of the three major ingredients of sugar‐snap cookies, affects dough properties, changes in dough dimensions during baking, and in the end, the properties of the baked product. We studied the effect of reducing fat levels (from 15.8 to 8.7% on a dough basis) on dough and cookie properties and related it to the SDS extractable protein (SDSEP) levels. Reducing fat levels increased dough elasticity (from 0.19 to 0.60 MPa) and dough intrinsic hardness (from 8.6 to 27.5 N·cm³/g). Because no differences in dough SDSEP levels were noticed when fat levels were reduced, the increased dough elasticity and hardness were related to a more pronounced physical gluten entanglement. Reducing fat levels in the recipe decreased the SDSEP levels of the baked cookies, indicating more protein cross‐linking during baking with lower fat levels. Our data show that the dispersed fat phase interferes with the formation of a gluten network during baking. Reducing the fat level in the recipe increased the intrinsic cookie break strength (from 39.5 to 100.3 N·cm³/g), which was related to more gluten cross‐linking.     

Impact of Bran Addition on Water Properties and Gluten Secondary Structure in Wheat Flour Doughs Studied by Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

The aim of this work was to elucidate the underlying physical mechanism(s) by which bran influences whole grain dough properties by monitoring the state of water and gluten secondary structure in wheat flour and bran doughs containing 35–50% moisture and 0–10% added bran. The system was studied with attenuated total reflectance (ATR) FTIR spectroscopy. Comparison of the OH stretch band of water in flour dough with that in H₂O‐D₂O mixtures having the same water content revealed the formation of two distinct water populations in flour dough corresponding to IR absorption frequencies at 3,600 and 3,200 cm^–1. The band intensity at 3,200 cm^–1, which is related to water bound to the dough matrix, decreased and shifted to lower frequencies with increasing moisture content of the dough. Addition of bran to the dough caused redistribution of water in the flour and bran dough system, as evidenced by shifts in OH stretch frequency in the 3,200 cm^–1 region to higher frequencies and a reduction in monomeric water (free water). This water redistribution affected the secondary structure of gluten in the dough, as evidenced by changes in the second‐derivative ATR‐FTIR difference spectra in the amide I region. Bran addition caused an increase in β‐sheet content and a decrease in β‐turn (β‐spiral) content. However, this bran‐induced transconformational change in gluten was more significant in the 2137 flour dough than in Overley flour dough. This study revealed that when bran is added to flour dough, water redistribution among dough components promotes partial dehydration of gluten and collapse of β‐spirals into β‐sheet structures. This transconformational change may be the physical basis for the poor quality of bread containing added bran.     

Starch Participation in Durum Dough Linear Viscoelastic Properties

The contribution of starch to dough rheological properties has been largely overshadowed by the role of gluten, receiving much less attention in comparison. The influence of starch granule surface properties on durum wheat dough linear viscoelasticity was investigated, and surface interactions between starch granules and gluten were assessed using a model system. Proportions of starch were substituted in dough on a volume basis with an inert filler (glass powder) with a similar particle size range. The doughs were subjected to dynamic and creep measurements. Dough linear viscoelastic properties were weakened on substitution of starch with glass powder at ≤50% substitution, inferring a reduction in adhesion at the matrix‐filler (starch and glass powder) interface with declining proportions of starch granules. Surface modification of starch granules or glass powder altered dough rheological properties, confirming the importance of starch granule surface characteristics and the nature of protein‐starch bonding on durum dough linear viscoelastic behavior.     

小麦粉面团形成过程水分状态及其比例变化

为揭示小麦粉面团形成过程水分状态和比例、面团结构的变化,以及这种变化与粉质仪和拉伸仪表征的质量特性之间的关系;认识面团形成过程表征筋力强弱的物质基础和变化机理。选用中筋(宁春4号)和强筋(师栾02-1)小麦品种为试验材料,利用低场核磁共振技术测定粉质仪和面过程、拉伸仪醒发拉伸过程不同时间点面团水分状态和比例的变化;利用红外显微成像技术分析面团形成过程不同取样点蛋白质和淀粉的分布及结构变化。结果表明,面粉原料中主要为弱结合水。面粉在粉质仪加水搅拌形成面团后,水分状态和比例发生显著变化,面团中的水可以分为强结合水(T_(21))、弱结合水(T_(22))和自由水(T_(23))。面团搅拌形成过程中,中筋小麦品种宁春4号面团中的强结合水比例显著降低;师栾02-1的强结合水的弛豫时间在和面终点消失,弱结合水的弛豫时间显著延长,而自由水的比例显著增加(P0.05)。强筋小麦粉强结合水的保持时间较长。拉伸过程加盐和不加盐对同一取样点、同一种水分状态之间的水分弛豫时间和比例无显著影响;宁春4号自由水的弛豫时间在加盐和不加盐处理时都显著缩短(P0.05)。湿面筋含量高、筋力较强面团的蛋白质网络结构致密。粉质仪和面过程强结合水和弱结合水弛豫时间和比例的变化,与面筋含量和强度有关。该结论可为面制品加工过程和面工艺选择与优化等方面提供一定的理论参考。     

Mixograph Responses of Gluten and Gluten‐Fortified Flour for Gluten Produced by Cold‐Ethanol or Water Displacement of Starch from Wheat Flour

The total protein of gluten obtained by the cold‐ethanol displacement of starch from developed wheat flour dough matches that made by water displacement, but functional properties revealed by mixing are altered. This report characterizes mixing properties in a 10‐g mixograph for cold‐ethanol‐processed wheat gluten concentrates (CE‐gluten) and those for the water‐process concentrates (W‐gluten). Gluten concentrates were produced at a laboratory scale using batter‐like technology: development with water as a batter, dispersion with the displacement fluid, and screening. The displacing fluid was water for W‐gluten and cold ethanol (≥70% vol, ‐12°C) for CE‐gluten. Both gluten types were freeze‐dried at ‐10°C and then milled. Mixograms were obtained for 1) straight gluten concentrates hydrated to absorptions of 123–234%, or 2) gluten blended with a low protein (9.2% protein) soft wheat flour to obtain up to 16.2% total protein. The mixograms for gluten or gluten‐fortified flour were qualitatively and quantitatively distinguishable. We found differences in the mixogram parameters that would lead to the conclusion of greater stability and strength for CE‐gluten than for W‐Gluten. Differences between the mixograms for these gluten types could be markedly exaggerated by increasing the amount of water to the 167–234% range. Mixograms for evaluation of gluten have not been previously reported in this hydration range. Mixograms for fortification suggest that less CE‐gluten than W‐gluten would be required for the same effect.     

Comparison of Small and Large Deformation Rheological Properties of Wheat Dough and Gluten

The rheological properties of dough and gluten are important for end‐use quality of flour but there is a lack of knowledge of the relationships between fundamental and empirical tests and how they relate to flour composition and gluten quality. Dough and gluten from six breadmaking wheat qualities were subjected to a range of rheological tests. Fundamental (small‐deformation) rheological characterizations (dynamic oscillatory shear and creep recovery) were performed on gluten to avoid the nonlinear influence of the starch component, whereas large deformation tests were conducted on both dough and gluten. A number of variables from the various curves were considered and subjected to a principal component analysis (PCA) to get an overview of relationships between the various variables. The first component represented variability in protein quality, associated with elasticity and tenacity in large deformation (large positive loadings for resistance to extension and initial slope of dough and gluten extension curves recorded by the SMS/Kieffer dough and gluten extensibility rig, and the tenacity and strain hardening index of dough measured by the Dobraszczyk/Roberts dough inflation system), the elastic character of the hydrated gluten proteins (large positive loading for elastic modulus [G′], large negative loadings for tan δ and steady state compliance [J_e⁰]), the presence of high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW‐GS) 5+10 vs. 2+12, and a size distribution of glutenin polymers shifted toward the high‐end range. The second principal component was associated with flour protein content. Certain rheological data were influenced by protein content in addition to protein quality (area under dough extension curves and dough inflation curves [W]). The approach made it possible to bridge the gap between fundamental rheological properties, empirical measurements of physical properties, protein composition, and size distribution. The interpretation of this study gave indications of the molecular basis for differences in breadmaking performance.     

Determination of secondary structural changes in gluten proteins during mixing using Fourier transform horizontal attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy

Fourier transform horizontal attenuated total reflectance (FT-HATR) was used to examine changes in the secondary structure of gluten proteins in a flour-water dough system during mixing. Midinfrared spectra of mixed dough revealed changes in four bands in the amide III region associated with secondary structure in proteins: 1317 (alpha-helix), 1285 (beta-turn), 1265 (random coil), and 1242 cm (-1) (beta-sheet). The largest band, which also showed the greatest change in second derivative band area (SDBA) during mixing, was located at 1242 cm (-1). The bands at 1317 and 1285 cm (-1) also showed an increase in SDBA over time. Conversely, the band at 1265 cm (-1) showed a corresponding decrease over time as the doughs were mixed. All bands reached an optimum corresponding to the minimum mobility of the dough as determined by the mixograph. Increases in alpha-helix, beta-turn, and beta-sheet secondary structures during mixing suggest that the dough proteins assume a more ordered conformation. These results demonstrate that it is possible, using infrared spectroscopic techniques, to relate the rheological behavior of developing dough in a mixograph directly to changes in the structure of the gluten protein system.     

Role of Water in Pretzel Dough Development and Final Product Quality

The relationship between flour quality or processing conditions and pretzel quality has not been extensively investigated. The objective of this study was to elucidate the role of water in pretzel dough development and the consequent impact on pretzel integrity. Control pretzel and pretzels made with lower or higher levels of added water in the dough were produced under standard processing conditions at Reading Bakery Systems' pilot plant in Robesonia, PA. Dough samples were evaluated for their appearance, moisture content, and extensibility and were viewed under a microscope to evaluate the gluten network. Pretzels before and after the kiln were evaluated for moisture content, pasting properties, and hardness and were viewed under a microscope to evaluate the extent of starch gelatinization. The structural and functional attributes of dough and pretzels were significantly different for the three treatments. The degrees of gluten development during mixing and starch gelatinization during baking were influenced by the levels of water added and consequently influenced pretzel quality. Pretzels made using low‐water treatment were brittle due to a lack of gluten development in the dough and inadequate starch gelatinization during baking, while pretzels made using high water treatment were unacceptable due to extensive gelatinization and retrogradation of starch. Pretzel quality therefore appeared to be a function of appropriate gluten development and starch gelatinization in the product.     

Changes in Secondary Protein Structures During Mixing Development of High Absorption (90%) Flour and Water Mixtures

Wheat flour and water mixtures at 90% absorption (dry flour basis) prepared at various mixing times were examined using Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) reflectance spectroscopy. Spectra were obtained using a horizontal attenuated total reflection (ATR) trough plate. The apparent amount of protein and starch on the surface of the dough varied with mixing time but this was likely due to the polyphasic nature of the substrate and the changing particle distributions as the batter matrix was developed. Deconvolution of the Amide I band revealed contributions from alpha helical, β‐turn, β‐strand, β‐sheet, and random conformations. The ratio of β‐sheet to nonsheet conformations reached its greatest value about the same time that the mixture was most effectively separated by a laboratory‐scale, cold‐ethanol‐based method but before the peak consistency measured by a microfarinograph.     

Influence of Amylose Content on Properties of Wheat Starch and Breadmaking Quality of Starch and Gluten Blends

The effects of amylose content on thermal properties of starches, dough rheology, and bread staling were investigated using starch of waxy and regular wheat genotypes. As the amylose content of starch blends decreased from 24 to 0%, the gelatinization enthalpy increased from 10.5 to 15.3 J/g and retrogradation enthalpy after 96 hr of storage at 4°C decreased from 2.2 to 0 J/g. Mixograph water absorption of starch and gluten blends increased as the amylose content decreased. Generally, lower rheofermentometer dough height, higher gas production, and a lower gas retention coefficient were observed in starch and gluten blends with 12 or 18% amylose content compared with the regular starch and gluten blend. Bread baked from starch and gluten blends exhibited a more porous crumb structure with increased loaf volume as amylose content in the starch decreased. Bread from starch and gluten blends with amylose content of 19.2–21.6% exhibited similar crumb structure to that of bread with regular wheat starch which contained 24% amylose. Crumb moisture content was similar at 5 hr after baking but higher in bread with waxy starch than in bread without waxy starch after seven days of storage at 4°C. Bread with 10% waxy wheat starch exhibited lower crumb hardness values compared with bread without waxy wheat starch. Higher retrogradation enthalpy values were observed in breads containing waxy wheat starch (4.56 J/g at 18% amylose and 5.43 J/g at 12% amylose) compared with breads containing regular wheat starch (3.82 J/g at 24% amylose).     

Effect of Mixing Time on Gluten Recovered by Ultracentrifugation Studied by Microscopy and Rheological Measurements

The effect of mixing time on gluten formation was studied for four commercial flour mixtures. The gluten phase was separated from dough using a nondestructive ultracentrifugation method. Small deformation dynamic rheological measurements and light and scanning electron microscopy were used. The recovered gluten was relatively pure with a small amount of starch granules embedded. The protein matrix observed by microscopy became smoother with prolonged mixing. No effect of overmixing was observed on the storage modulus (G′) of gluten for any of the flours. The amount of water in gluten increased from optimum to over‐mixing for most of the flours. Increased water content during prolonged mixing was not related to an effect on G′. The Standard flour resulted in the highest water content of gluten, which increased considerably with mixing time. The Strong flour had the lowest G′ of dough, a high G′ of gluten, and no increase in gluten water content from optimum to over‐mixing. The Durum flour did not show gluten development and breakdown similar to the other flours. The differences in gluten protein network formation during dough mixing are genetically determined and depend on the flour type.     

Surface Lipids Play a Role in the Interaction of Puroindolines with Wheat Starch and Kernel Hardness

Kernel hardness is an important quality characteristic of common wheat. In this study, we investigated the role of starch surface lipids on the interaction of puroindoline proteins and starch granules through in vitro starch–protein binding experiments and flour reconstitution. SDS‐PAGE showed that there were no puroindoline proteins on the starch granule surface when surface lipids were removed or when defatted starch was incubated with puroindoline proteins. However, the puroindoline protein bands were present when defatted starch was incubated with lipids followed by purified puroindoline proteins, which indicated that starch surface lipids play a role in the binding of puroindolines to starch granules. The hardness of flour tablets and dough sheets made from reconstituted flour, which combined defatted starch incubated with lipids and puroindolines with gluten, was lower than for the control reconstituted flour, which was made from defatted starch and gluten. The results of scanning electron microscopy also showed that starch granules were embedded in the gluten in the gluten + defatted starch + lipids + puroindolines treatment. These results confirmed that starch surface lipids are involved in the interaction of puroindolines with wheat starch and kernel hardness.