Influence of phenolic acid content on sensory perception of bread and crackers made from red or white wheat

Despite the health benefits of wholegrain, consumer acceptance of wholegrain products remains an issue due to the presence of characteristic flavours that some consumers consider to be unacceptable. It was hypothesized that phenolic acids could be contributing to the perceived unacceptable flavours described in wholegrain products. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between total phenolic acid content (TPAC) and phenolic acids as quantified by HPLC, to the sensory properties of wholegrain products using partial least squares (PLS) mapping. Red and white wheat flours were investigated in an intermediate (bread) and low (cracker) moisture product system. Red and white wheat demonstrated different phenolic acid profiles despite having similar TPAC. Within the bread crumb, the free and bound phenolic acids provided the best predictive scores; whereas only bound phenolic acids provided high predictive scores in crackers. This suggests that the contribution of phenolic acids to flavour characteristics of wholegrain products varies depending upon the product moisture.     

Phenolic acids composition,total polyphenols content and antioxidant activity of Triticum monococcum, Triticum turgidum and Triticum aestivum: A two-years evaluation

Wheat is a good source of polyphenols, plant metabolytes with beneficial effects on human health. However, little information is available on phenolic acid composition and concentration in different Triticum species, as well as on possible environmental effects. To shed some light on this issue, thirty-nine wheat accessions cropped for two years and belonging to different Triticum species (Triticum monococcum, Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccum, turanicum and durum, Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta and aestivum) were assessed for phenolic acids (ferulic, p-coumaric, vanillic, syringic, p-hydroxybenzoic, caffeic acids and syringaldehyde), total polyphenols and antioxidant activity in soluble conjugated and insoluble bound extracts. Ferulic acid was the most abundant compound in both extracts. Insoluble bound phenolic acids represented >90% of total phenolic acids. Einkorn showed the maximum concentration of conjugated phenolic acids (50.5 mg/kg DM), while durum and bread wheats presented the highest content of bound phenolic acids (651.8 and 629.2 mg/kg DM, respectively). Cropping year influenced the concentration of conjugated but not of bound phenolic acids. A survey of phenolic acid distribution in the kernel showed that they are rare in endosperm, but abundant in germ and bran. Total polyphenols and antioxidant activity were highly correlated to phenolic acid content.     

Antioxidant activity of small grain cereals caused by phenolics and lipid soluble antioxidants

In this study, the content of soluble, free forms of phenolic compounds (total phenolics, flavonoids, PVPP (polyvinylpolypyrrolidone) bound phenolics, proanthocyanidins and phenolic acids), as well as the content of carotenoids and tocopherols, were determined in whole grains of bread and durum wheat, rye, hull-less barley and hull-less oat, each represented with four genotypes. Antioxidant activity was evaluated as radical scavenging activity with DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) reagent, as well as by hydrogen transfer reaction (reduction power) based on the reduction of Fe³⁺. Generally, a considerable variation in antioxidant activities and phytochemical contents was observed between the cereals. Remarkably higher DPPH radical scavenging ability and reducing power were detected in hull-less barley, followed by rye and hull-less oat and durum and bread wheat, indicating that small grain species have different major antioxidants with different properties. Hull-less barley had the highest content of total free phenols, flavonoids, PVPP bound phenolics and contained flavan-3-ols, not found in other species. Hull-less oat had the highest content of tocopherols, very high content of yellow pigments and PVPP bound phenolics. Ferulic acid was the major free phenolic acid in small grain cereals tested. The relationship between the content of soluble phenols, as well as reducing power and DPPH^• scavenging activity are also considered.     

HealthBread: Wholegrain and high fibre breads with optimised textural quality

The aim of this study was to develop healthy wholegrain and high fibre bread products with sensory attributes similar to white bread by applying a combination of technological steps: the use in addition to flour of a specific wheat fraction with high levels of fibre and micronutrients, bioprocessing of this fraction with enzymes and yeast (pre-fermentation) and by the optimisation of dough formulation. The pre-fermentation can be modelled and optimised to improve the bioavailability of nutrients without major fibre degradation, including a +200% increased soluble free ferulic acid level, and to improve its technical functionality in the dough mixing process. It also had a positive effect on the textural quality of bread.An experimental design approach was used to achieve optimal dough formulation based on the use of pre-fermentation, vital gluten and enzymes in the dough.Commercial bread products with optimised sensory product quality were developed with high nutritional quality - being high in fibre, and a source of important micronutrients such as iron, magnesium, zinc and folate. The study shows that it is possible to develop nutritionally improved bread products with textural quality similar to white bread.     

Bioavailability of ferulic acid is determined by its bioaccessibility

Epidemiological studies have linked whole grain consumption to prevention of several chronic diseases. Whole grain is a source of important phytochemicals, such as ferulic acid (FA). FA is the most abundant phenolic and major contributor to the in vitro antioxidant capacity of wheat grain. Several studies have reported highly variable results on FA bioavailability (0.4–98%). The binding of FA to polysaccharides may limit its bioavailability. Therefore, our study aimed at monitoring release features of FA during gastrointestinal (GI) transit. This was termed bioaccessibility. The bioaccessibility of FA was studied from different wheat fractions and breads with the use of a dynamic in vitro system that simulates the upper GI transit and digestion. The results showed low bioaccessibility of FA from the wheat fractions and breads (<1%). However, the bioaccessibility was high when free FA was added to flour (∼60%). The bioaccessibility of FA appeared to be determined by the percentage of free FA. In wheat grain, most of FA is bound to arabinoxylans and other indigestible polysaccharides restricting its release in the small intestine. New processing developments should be considered to increase free FA in the cereal matrix in order to improve its bioavailability and systemic health effect.     

Phenolic acid profiles of Chinese wheat cultivars

Phenolic acid concentrations were determined in 37 Chinese commercial winter wheat cultivars grown at a single site over two seasons, and fractions comprising free and bound types were analyzed using HPLC with measurements of individual phenolic acids in each fraction. Most of the parameters were significantly influenced by cultivar, season, and their interaction effects, with cultivar variance being predominant. Wide ranges of concentration among the 37 cultivars were observed. The average concentration of bound type was 661 μg g⁻¹ of dm, making up 97.5% of the phenolic acid determined with ferulic accounting for 70.7% of it, while free type made up only 2.5% of the phenolic acid determined with syringic accounting for 44.7% of it. Bound type was the predominant source to the grain phenolic acid concentrations determined. There were highly significant and positive correlations between bound ferulic concentration and total bound phenolic acid concentration, and between free syringic concentration and total free phenolic acid concentration. Cultivars Liangxing 66 and Zhongmai 895 were stable in concentration of components of phenolic acids across seasons, with high values of free and bound phenolic acids indicating they could be selected as parents in wheat breeding for health beneficial phenolic acid.     

Determination of phenolic acid concentrations in wheat flours produced at different extraction rates

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the distribution of phenolic acids in wheat flours produced from five milling extraction rates ranging from 60% to 100% in four cultivars sown in two locations in the 2008–2009 season. Considerable variation was observed in free and bound phenolic acids, and their components in flours with different extraction rates. Most phenolic acids, including the component ferulic, were present in the bound form (94.0%). Ferulic (51.0%) was the predominant phenolic acid in wheat grain, and caffeic (22.8%) and p-coumaric (17.6%) acids were abundant. The phenolic acids and their components were all significantly influenced by effects of cultivar, milling, location, and cultivar × milling interaction, with milling effect being the predominant. The proportions of phenolic compounds varied considerably among milling extractions and cultivars, and their levels depended on both initial grain concentrations and on selection of milling extraction that was incorporated into the final product. The grain phenolic acid concentrations determined ranged from 54 μg g⁻¹ in flour produced at 60% extraction rate to 695 μg g⁻¹ in flour produced at 100% extraction rate, indicating their higher concentrations in bran associated with cell wall materials. Therefore, wholemeal wheat products maximize health benefits and are strongly recommended for use in food processing.     

Storage changes in the quality of sound and sprouted flour

Sound and sprouted flours (24 and 48 hr) from bread wheat (WL-1562), durum wheat (PBW-34) and triticale (TL-1210) were stored at room temperature (34.8°C) and relative humidity (66.7%) for 0, 45, 90 and 135 days to assess the changes in physico-chemical and baking properties. Protein, gluten, sedimentation value, starch and crude fat decreased during storage in all the samples; however, the decrease was more in sprouted flours. Free amino acids, proteolytic activity, diastatic activity and damaged starch decreased with increase in storage period. Total sugars and free fatty acids increased more rapidly in the flours of sprouted wheats during 135 days of storage. Loaf volume of breads decreased during storage in both sound and sprouted flour but the mean percent decrease in loaf volume was more in stored sound flours. Aging of sprouted flour for 45 days improved the cookie and cake making properties but further storage was of no value for these baked products.Chapati making properties of stored sound and sprouted flour were inferior to that of fresh counterparts.     

Phenolic acid profiles of Chinese wheat cultivars

Phenolic acid concentrations were determined in 37 Chinese commercial winter wheat cultivars grown at a single site over two seasons, and fractions comprising free and bound types were analyzed using HPLC with measurements of individual phenolic acids in each fraction. Most of the parameters were significantly influenced by cultivar, season, and their interaction effects, with cultivar variance being predominant. Wide ranges of concentration among the 37 cultivars were observed. The average concentration of bound type was 661 μg g⁻¹ of dm, making up 97.5% of the phenolic acid determined with ferulic accounting for 70.7% of it, while free type made up only 2.5% of the phenolic acid determined with syringic accounting for 44.7% of it. Bound type was the predominant source to the grain phenolic acid concentrations determined. There were highly significant and positive correlations between bound ferulic concentration and total bound phenolic acid concentration, and between free syringic concentration and total free phenolic acid concentration. Cultivars Liangxing 66 and Zhongmai 895 were stable in concentration of components of phenolic acids across seasons, with high values of free and bound phenolic acids indicating they could be selected as parents in wheat breeding for health beneficial phenolic acid.     

The antioxidant potential of milling fractions from breadwheat and durum

The effect of primary processing, namely milling, on the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of two wheat cultivars, namely Canada Western Amber Durum (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) and Canada Western Red Spring (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied. The milling products: bran, flour, shorts and feed flour fractions were examined. In addition, semolina was an end-product of durum wheat milling. Antioxidant activity of wheat phenoliocs was evaluated using oxygen radical absorbance capacity, inhibition of photochemiluminescence, the Rancimat method, and inhibition of oxidation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and deoxyribonucleic acid. The phenolic composition of wheat extracts was determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Bran showed the highest antioxidant activity whereas the endosperm possessed the lowest in both cultivars examined. The phenolic compounds are concentrated in the outermost layers namely the bran. The consumption of wheat with bran in the form of whole grain may provide beneficial health effects.     

Characterizing the pigmented traditional rice cultivars grown in temperate regions of Kashmir (India) for free and bound phenolics compounds and in vitro antioxidant properties

The purpose of the research was to identify the phenolic and flavonoid compounds of seven different traditional pigmented whole rice cultivars grown in the temperate regions of Kashmir so as to study their relationship with in vitro antioxidant capacities. The completely pigmented rice cultivars were found to have higher phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin contents and exhibited higher antioxidant capacities than the light colored and sparely colored rice cultivars. A total of 40 compounds had been identified in the analyzed rice cultivars that were found to be distributed in 6 major categories with 6-phenolics, 6-flavonoids, 11-hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, 7-hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives, 3-anthocyanins and 7-flavonoid glucosides of different flavonoid compounds. Among the free and bound fractions for each cultivars the light and sparsely colored depicted higher content of phenolics and in vitro antioxidant properties in bound faction, while the completely pigmented cultivars showed higher antioxidant properties in free fractions. The anthocyanins quercetin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside and pelargonidin-3-O-diglucoside had been identified by LC-MS existing in the free fractions of the analyzed rice cultivars whereas, the free fraction of acetone + H₂O possessed higher percentage of phenolic compounds as compared to methanolic extracts and bound fractions. The black colored cultivars possessed higher DPPH scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibition.     

Effect of genetic variation on phenolic acid and policosanol contents of Pegaso wheat lines

Total phenolic acid and policosanol contents and compositions of bran from an Italian bread wheat variety Pegaso and its 11 near-isogenic lines were measured. The near-isogenic wheat lines differed at one or more loci coding for storage proteins. The genetic variation included deletions, additions and/or combinations of variations. Almost 95% or more of phenolic acids were in the bound form. Ferulic acid was the predominant bound phenolic acid present in wheat bran samples. Other phenolic acids were p-coumaric, vanillic and syringic acids. Tetracosanol, docosanol, hexacosanol, octacosanol, tricosanol and heneicosanol were found as major policosanol compounds in their decreasing order. Highly significant genotypic differences were observed in total phenolic acid and policosanol concentrations. None of the genetic lines had higher phenolic acid contents than the parent line Pegaso, whereas some of the lines had more policosanol levels. In general, both total phenolic acid composition and contents were higher with genetic lines that varied at Glu-1 loci with 2+Dy high molecular weight glutenin subunit (HMW-GS) (Pegaso 184), variation at Gli-D2 loci (Pegaso 219) and single null A1 (variation at Gli-1/Glu-3 loci; Pegaso 30). Highest total policosanol content was observed with the double null at Glu-A1/Glu-D1 loci (Pegaso 236). These findings may lead to new opportunities for wheat breeders and eventually commercial wheat growers to promote the production of wheat with enhanced levels of health beneficial compounds.     

Rye phenolics in nutrition and health

Dietary intake of whole-grain foods is associated with a decreased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease. In addition to dietary fibre, various phytochemicals have been suggested to contribute to the health effects of whole grain products. This review focuses on phenolic compounds in rye (Secale cereale L.), which is one of the major bread grains in Europe. Data on phenolic concentrations in rye grain and foods, their bioavailability to tissues and effects in vivo, and their potential contributions to health are presented. Phenolic compounds in rye, such as phenolic acids, alkylresorcinols and lignans, are concentrated in the outer layers of the grain. Phenolic acids are the major phenolic compounds in whole grain rye (103–300 mg/100 g grain), ferulic acid being the most abundant. Rye lignans are present at concentrations of 2 mg/100 g grain and had been shown to be converted by the intestinal microflora to the mammalian lignans enterodiol and enterolactone in human intervention studies. Alkylresorcinols (36–320 mg/100 g grain), which have been found to be incorporated into human erythrocyte membranes, are of particular interest due to their potential use as biomarkers of the intake of rye and wheat.     

Assessment of antioxidant activity and rheological properties of wheat and buckwheat milling fractions

This study examined the antioxidant properties of the ethanolic extracts of wheat milling fractions (wheat flour type 500 and type 850, and bran) and their polyphenol and tocopherol content, and rheological characteristics of wheat dough supplemented with buckwheat flours (light and wholegrain). The results obtained in this study were correlated with our previously published data on wheat flour type 400, wholegrain wheat flour and buckwheat flours.Buckwheat flours exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.05) antiradical activity on hydroxyl (OH), superoxide anion (O₂⁻) and (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) DPPH radicals, antioxidant activity and reducing power than all investigated wheat milling fractions when their corresponding IC₅₀ values were compared.The rheological parameters of wheat dough supplemented with light and wholegrain buckwheat flour (0-50%) were obtained by using Mixolab. Results indicated changes in protein and starch properties of dough.The obtained results indicate the benefit of using buckwheat flours in wheat-based food products, i.e. their contribution in functional and tailor-made-food production.     

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity of bioaccessible compounds from wheat fractions after gastrointestinal digestion

Wholegrain consumption is associated with several health benefits, in contrast to the consumption of refined grains. This can partly be related to the antioxidant compounds in the outer parts of the grain kernel. The bioaccessibility of these antioxidant compounds from the wholegrain matrix during gastrointestinal digestion is crucial for their absorption and bioavailability. In the current study, the bioaccessible compounds from aleurone, bran and flour were obtained from a dynamic in vitro model of the upper gastrointestinal tract. They were collected at 1 h time intervals to assess their antioxidant capacity (TEAC assay) and also their anti-inflammatory effect (TNF-α reduction in U937 macrophages stimulated with LPS). The bioaccessible compounds from aleurone had the highest antioxidant capacity and provided a prolonged anti-inflammatory effect, shown by the TNF-α reduction of a relatively late time-interval (3–4 h after start of digestion). The contribution of ferulic acid to those effects was minor due to its low bioaccessibility. Aleurone seems a promising wheat fraction for cereal products with a healthy added value.     

Low moisture milling of wheat for quality testing of wholegrain flour

The objective of this study was to produce wholegrain wheat flour on a laboratory-scale with particle size distributions similar to commercially-milled samples without re-milling the bran. The moisture contents of four hard winter wheat cultivars were adjusted to 7.29–7.98% (by drying), 9.00–10.6% (“as is”), and 15.6% (by tempering) prior to milling into wholegrain flour. The moisture treatments appeared to affect the partitioning of wholegrain flour particles into each of three categories: fine (<600 μm), medium (600–849 μm) and coarse (≥850 μm). When the distributions of particles were grouped into these categories, wholegrain flours made from dried and “as is” wheat fell within the values for commercial wholegrain flours, while that from tempered wheat contained more coarse particles than even the coarsest commercial wholegrain flour. Loaf volumes and crumb firmness were not significantly different between bread made from wholegrain flour that had been produced from dried or “as is” wheat, but loaf volume was significantly lower and bread crumb firmness was significantly higher when wholegrain flour from tempered wheat was used. These results show that wheat may be milled without tempering to produce wholegrain flour with particle size similar to some commercially-milled flours without needing to re-grind the bran.     

Effect of temperature on lutein esterification and lutein stability in wheat grain

The creamy colour of many wheat-based end-products is conferred by endogenous lutein. During post-harvest storage of grain, free lutein may be converted in part to potentially more stable lutein mono- and di-fatty acid esters. This study investigates the synthesis of lutein esters and stability of free lutein and lutein esters over a wide range of temperatures in grain of a high lutein bread wheat, Triticum aestivum L. line DM5685*B12 and a durum, Triticum durum L cv Kamilaroi. Disappearance of free lutein and lutein esterification followed first order reaction rates. The maximum rate of lutein esterification was at ≈80 °C, however, the optimum temperature for maximum synthesis with minimum degradation was between 30 °C and 60 °C. No ester synthesis was observed at temperatures higher than 120 °C. The data are consistent with an enzyme participating in the esterification reaction. Lutein esters were found to be more stable than free lutein with a longer shelf life at 60 °C whilst at temperatures ≤40 °C, lutein degradation was minimal. This study provides new information on lutein ester formation and lutein stability that should be useful to grain handlers and food manufacturers seeking to optimise retention of lutein for the benefit of consumers.     

Effects of fermentation and heat treatments on bound-ferulic acid content and total antioxidant capacity of bread crust-like systems made of different whole grain flours

In this study, bread crust-like systems were prepared by heating (5, 15 and 30 min at 200 °C) freeze-dried fermented doughs obtained using different cereal grains. The flours of whole wheat, refined wheat, whole einkorn, whole rye, whole oat and whole maize were used. The effects of fermentation and heating on bound ferulic acid concentration and total antioxidant capacity were determined. Besides, high molecular weight fractions, containing also melanoidins formed in bread crust-like systems during heating were analyzed for their bound ferulic acid content and total antioxidant capacity. Increasing heating time at 200 °C also increased the amounts of high molecular weight fractions in the bread crust-like systems for all cereals. The total antioxidant capacity of bread crust-like samples increased significantly with heating time (p < 0.05). However, the opposite was true for the high molecular weight fractions of bread crust-like samples. Mean bound ferulic acid concentrations of different cereal flours were found to range between 78.3 mg/kg (for refined wheat) and 667.7 mg/kg (for whole einkorn). Heating had no significant effect on bound ferulic acid contents of bread crust-like systems. For all cereals, the highest concentrations of bound ferulic acid were detected in the high molecular weight fractions of bread crust-like systems heated at 200 °C for 5 min. However, bound ferulic acid concentrations significantly decreased in high molecular weight fractions as heating time increased (p < 0.05).     

Improving the quality of nutrient-rich Teff (Eragrostis tef) breads by combination of enzymes in straight dough and sourdough breadmaking

The growing interest in the benefits of wholegrain products has resulted in the development of baked products incorporating less utilised and ancient grains such as, millet, quinoa, sorghum and teff. However, addition of wholegrains can have detrimental effects on textural and sensory bread product qualities.Enzymes can be utilised to improve breadmaking performance of wholegrain flours, which do not possess the same visco-elastic properties as refined wheat flour, in order to produce a healthy and consumer acceptable cereal product.The effects of Teff grain on dough and bread quality, selected nutritional properties and the impact of enzymes on physical, textural and sensory properties of straight dough and sourdough Teff breads were investigated.Teff breads were prepared with the replacement of white wheat flour with Teff flour at various levels (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) using straight dough and sourdough breadmaking. Different combinations of enzymes, including xylanase and amylase (X + A), amylase and glucose oxidase (A + GO), glucose oxidase and xylanase (GO + X), lipase and amylase (L + A) were used to improve the quality of the highest level Teff breads. A number of physical, textural and sensory properties of the finished products were studied. The nutritional value of breads was determined by measuring chemical composition for iron, total antioxidant capacity, protein, fibre and fat. The obtained results were used to estimates intakes of nutrients and to compare them with DRIs.The incorporation of Teff significantly (P < 0.05) improved dietary iron levels as 30% Teff breads contained more than double the amount of iron when compared to corresponding wheat bread (6 mg/100 g v 2 mg/100 g). Addition of Teff also significantly (P < 0.05) improved total antioxidant capacity from 1.4 mM TEAC/100 g to 2.4 mM TEAC/100 g. It was estimated that an average daily allowance of 200 g of Teff enriched bread would contribute to DRIs in the range of 42-81% for iron in females, 72-138% for iron in males; 38-39% for protein in males, 46-48% for protein in females; and 47-50% of fibre in adults.The major challenge was encountered in producing the highest level of Teff bread with good textural and sensory attributes. Increasing the level of Teff significantly (P < 0.05) increased dough development time, degree of softening, crumb firmness and bitter flavour whilst decreasing the dough stability, specific loaf volume and overall acceptability of the bread. Teff breads produced with the addition of enzyme combinations showed significant improvements (P < 0.05) in terms of loaf volume, crumb firmness, crumb structure, flavour and overall acceptability in both straight dough and sourdough breadmaking.     

Validation of an extraction method for the quantification of soluble free and insoluble bound phenolic compounds in wheat by HPLC-DAD

Wheat is one of the three most widely grown grain crops and the most consumed in Europe. Wheat contains different phenolic compounds, mainly phenolic acids and flavonoids that are not evenly distributed in the wheat, being most abundant in the bran. These phenolic compounds are antioxidants against free radicals and other reactive oxygen species. Therefore, over the last few decades, there is a great interest to study and quantify these compounds present in wheat.This work proposes a HPLC-DAD method that allows a good separation of different phenolic compounds occurring as soluble free and insoluble bound compounds in wheat brand and flour. The extraction and the chromatographic conditions allowed the characterization of forty-two phenolic compounds, among phenolic acids (HBA, HCA, DFA and TFA), phenolic aldehydes, phenolic alcohols and flavonoids (flavones). This method is simple, sensitive, reproducible and accurate, and only a HPLC-DAD equipment is required. Thirty-four soluble and insoluble phenolic compounds can be quantified in wheat flour and brand. Hydroxytyrosol, a potent antioxidant compound, has been identified and quantified in wheat for the first time.