Effect of the addition of extruded wheat flours on dough rheology and bread quality

Extruded wheat flours, due to their increased water absorption capacity, constitute an opportunity to increase bread output in bakery production. However extrusion may modify dough and bread characteristics. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the substitution of 5% of the wheat flour by extruded wheat flour (produced with different time-temperature extrusion treatments) on dough mixing, handling and fermentation behaviour and bread volume, shape, texture and colour. The RVA curves indicate that extrusion intensity increases with increasing temperature or water content. Water absorption capacity rises with increasing treatment intensity, but dough stability tends to decrease. Adding extruded flours decreases dough extensibility but increases tenacity and gas production. Differences in dough structure were observed on photomicrography, though there were no clear differences in bread quality. These results indicate that it is possible to obtain adequate dough and bread characteristics using dough with 5% extruded wheat flour.     

Effects of vacuum mixing and mixing time on the processing quality of noodle dough with high oat flour content

The effects of different mixing parameters (vacuum mixing and mixing time) on oat (70% oat flour) and wheat noodle dough were investigated on the basis of textural properties and gluten formation. The results showed that at a vacuum degree of −0.06 MPa and mixing time of 10 min, oat and wheat dough sheets exhibited the highest resistance to extension and glutenin macropolymer (GMP) content, and had the most compact and uniform gluten network. Compared with wheat noodle dough, oat dough had lower resistance to extension, lower tightly bound water content, and higher GMP content. Microstructural examination showed that oat noodle dough had a more aggregated distribution of gluten protein compared with wheat noodle dough under the optimum mixing parameters. Furthermore, the poor binding ability of vital wheat gluten with water molecules caused the indexes of oat noodle dough to be more strongly affected by the changes in mixing parameters than wheat noodle dough.     

Effect of particle size and addition level of wheat bran on quality of dry white Chinese noodles

Wheat bran is one of the major dietary fiber sources widely used in the food industry in order to produce fiber-rich foods. The effects of particle size and addition level of wheat bran on the quality of flour and of dry white Chinese noodles (DWCN) were investigated. Results suggested that increasing wheat bran concentration and particle size decreased midline peak value (MPV). However, the MTxW and MPT increased as particle size increased. Peak viscosity, trough, final viscosity, area of viscosity, breakdown, and setback of blends decreased significantly with increasing bran levels from 5% to 20%, but there were no significant differences in the impact of particle size on pasting properties. For the 5% and 10% addition levels, there was no distinct effect in breaking strength of the noodles when bran size was 0.21 mm and 0.53 mm. Hardness, gumminess and chewiness of cooked DWCN showed a downtrend with increasing addition levels and particle size, while adhesiveness showed uptrend. The total score of DWCN showed a downtrend with increasing of addition level and particle size. For the 5% bran level, the scores of cooked DWCN were more than 83 when wheat bran particle size was 0.21 mm and 0.53 mm. By using 5–10% fine bran or using 5% medium bran in wheat flour, it is possible to satisfactorily produce fiber-rich DWCN.     

Effects of wheat bran with different colors on the qualities of dry noodles

White, blue, black and purple red wheat bran powders were prepared by ultrafine grinding to the particle size distribution of 0.5–100 μm. The effects of wheat bran addition on the qualities of dry Chinese noodles were investigated. Rapid Visco Analyzer results suggested that peak viscosity, hot paste viscosity, cool paste viscosity, breakdown viscosity and setback viscosity of the blends decreased with the increasing bran levels from 2.0% to 6.0% (P < 0.05). Color of dough sheet (L*) decreased with the addition of wheat bran, while a* and b* values increased distinctly. Water absorption and firmness of the cooked noodles showed up trends with increasing addition of bran, while cooking loss showed a downtrend. Tensile strength and elongation rate decreased when bran addition was 2.0%, but increased when bran addition reached 4.0%–6.0%. Storage modulus (E′) and loss modulus (E″) showed decreasing trends with increases in bran addition at frequencies of 0.1–10 Hz. SEM revealed that bran presence could slightly decrease surface connectivity between starch granules and gluten. It is possible to produce fiber-rich noodles by using 2.0%–6.0% ultrafine-ground bran in wheat flour.     

Predicting hot-press wheat tortilla quality using flour,dough and gluten properties

A cost-effective, faster and efficient way of screening wheat samples suitable for tortilla production is needed. This research aimed to develop prediction models for tortilla quality (diameter, specific volume, color and texture parameters) using grain, flour and dough properties of 16 wheat flours. Another set of 18 samples was used to validate the models. The prediction models were developed using stepwise multiple regression. Dough rheological tests had higher correlations with tortilla quality than grain and flour chemical tests. Mixograph mixing time and dough resistance to extension (from extensibility test using a texture analyzer) were correlated best with tortilla quality, particularly tortilla diameter (r = −0.87 and −0.86 respectively, P < 0.01). Insoluble polymeric proteins (IPP) and gluten index were significantly correlated with tortilla diameter (r = −0.70 and −0.67 respectively, P < 0.01) and specific volume (r = −0.73, P < 0.01). Tortilla diameter was the quality parameter best explained (R² = 0.86) by the prediction models using mixing time and dough resistance to extension. Rheological parameters such as rupture distance and maximum force were also successfully predicted. These prediction models, developed from linear equations, will be an easy and fast tool for breeders to advance or eliminate wheat lines specifically bred for tortilla production.     

Correlation of glutenin macropolymer with viscoelastic properties during dough mixing

Although significant correlations exist for glutenin macropolymer (GMP) quantity and rheological properties/bread making quality of dough, little information about these links is available. The relationship between GMP contents measured by UV absorption method/RP-HPLC and dough viscoelastic properties determined by TA-XT2i texturometer from three wheat varieties (Xiaoyan6, Yumai56 and Zhengnong8805) during mixing was investigated. GMP contents of doughs decrease significantly (P<0.05) during mixing. During the initial mixing stage, amounts of the HMW-GS and LMW-GS and GMP decrease significantly (P<0.05). Their contents begin to increase beyond peak dough development time (DDT). This indicates that during further mixing after peak DDT some glutenin subunits are incorporated into GMP by repolymerization. The HMW/LMW-GS ratio has a significant effect on load-deformation properties (area, resistance and extensibility) of dough. The varieties behaved differently in relation to the contribution of their HMW-LMW-GS ratio to the rheological properties.     

Improvement of noodle quality: The effect of ultrasonic on noodles resting

In order to overcome the existing challenges on the production time and quality, a novel dough resting method of fresh wet noodles via ultrasonic processing was developed. The changes of the starch, protein hydration and gluten network formation after ultrasonic treatment were investigated. The sensory quality, secondary structure and cross section morphology of dough were characterized. The results showed that ultrasonic treatment could improve the texture of wheat dough, promote the hydration of starch and protein, and increase the cooking quality. Compared with the control group, the hardness of fresh noodles decreased by 14.19%, and tensile force significantly increased by 33.43% after treatment under ultrasonic power density of 66 W/L. Viscoelastic, SEM and FTIR characterization results also verified that the angle of loss (tanδ) and surface roughness was decreased, and the content of α-helix significantly increased via ultrasonic treatment. It could be observed that the ultrasonic resting could reduce the surface tension between protein and water molecules to promote the formation of gluten network and protein hydration. Therefore, ultrasonic treatment could facilitate to reduce the resting processing time and improve the quality of fresh wet noodles.     

Effect of glutathione on wheat dough properties and bread quality

Reduced glutathione (GSH), released from lysed yeast cells, is well-known for weakening dough structure. However, its influence on bread texture and staling has not yet been completely elucidated. Herein, this study aims at assessing the effects of GSH on dough properties and bread quality, especially bread staling, using Rheofermentometer analysis, texture profile analysis (TPA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR). The results revealed that GSH substantially decreased the dough height and gas-retention capacity during fermentation. The weakened dough structure was attributed to GSH-induced disulfide bond cleavage in gluten proteins and the depolymerization of glutenin polymers. The addition of 0.005%–0.01% GSH resulted in acceptable bread quality. However, bread supplemented with 0.015%–0.03% of GSH exhibited a coarser and more open crumb microstructure, as well as high level of hardness and low resilience during aging. GSH promoted crumb water loss and drove the water shift from the immobilized to the bound state. The DSC and XRD analyses further confirmed that GSH promoted starch retrogradation and recrystallization. These results suggest that apart from the gluten structure, GSH also altered gluten−starch interactions and water redistribution, ultimately decreasing bread quality and accelerating bread staling.     

A comparative study of physicochemical tests for quality prediction of Argentine wheat flours used as corrector flours and for cookie production

Several physicochemical tests are employed in quality evaluation of wheat. Most of the exported Argentinean wheat flour is used as corrector flour in breadmaking. A small percentage is actually used in cookie production. No study has determined which predictive tests are most suitable for the quality prediction of bread (using flour as corrector) and cookies made from Argentinean wheat. The objectives of this study were to compare the suitability of predictive tests in the assessment of wheat flour attributes in the production of bread and cookies and to establish the relationship between the tests and flour components. Several expected associations were found between the SRC test and the composition parameters. Moreover, various flour components influencing the SDS sedimentation index (SDS-SI), the Zeleny index and the alkaline water retention capacity (AWRC) were established. The cookie factor (CF) was negatively correlated with sucrose, carbonate and water SRC and with AWRC. In addition, the bread loaf specific volume (LV) was correlated with the SDS-SI, the Zeleny index and the lactic acid SRC. In conclusion, several components of Argentine wheat affecting predictive tests were found. The SRC test allowed straight assessment of the bread and cookie quality of Argentinean wheat.     

Comparison of quality of refined and whole wheat tortillas

The use of whole wheat flour instead of refined flour significantly improves the nutritional profile of flour tortillas. However, whole and refined flours differ in properties and in how they process, thus needing process modifications to get the desired product quality. To understand these differences, refined and whole wheat flours, dough and tortillas were evaluated and compared for physical and rheological properties. Overall, whole wheat flour required more water (59% of flour weight) than refined wheat (53%) to make machineable dough. Refined flour doughs were more extensible and softer than whole wheat flour doughs, thus easier to process. Whole wheat flour tortillas were larger, thinner and less opaque than refined flour tortillas. In general, refined wheat tortillas were more shelf-stable than whole wheat tortillas. Smaller particle size and less fiber in the refined wheat flour mainly contributed to the observed differences. Among the whole wheat samples, tortillas from strong flours had excellent shelf-stability, which must be considered when whole wheat tortillas are processed. This will minimize the need to add vital wheat gluten or other dough strengtheners.     

Processing and evaluation of heat moisture treated (HMT) amaranth starch noodles; An inclusive comparison with corn starch noodles

AS, HMT-AS and CS starches were studied for amylose content, swelling power, water absorption capacity, color, particle size (PSA), pasting profile (RVA) and thermal (DSC) properties. Based on the laboratory scale experiments, noodles with good expansion, minimum cooking time and firm texture were prepared. Noodles were successfully prepared from AS, HMT-AS and CS starches. Noodles prepared from native amaranth starch (AS) and heat moisture treated (HMT) were tested for different functional properties and compared to cornstarch noodles. Standardized noodles were evaluated for cooking loss, texture profile (TPA), sensory and micro-structural analysis by SEM. HMT-AS noodles had experience less cooking loss of 20.15 g/100 g in comparison to AS noodles (22.20 g/100 g). The HMT-AS based starch noodles shown firmer texture, along with augmented taste and distinct flavor in comparison to AS and CS noodles.     

Differential mixing action effects on functional properties and polymeric protein size distribution of wheat dough

A micro Z-arm mixer and a 2g-Mixograph were used to compare the effect of pin and Z-arm-type mixing actions on mixing properties of wheat flour dough. Although the two mixing curves obtained with pin- and Z-arm-type mixing action showed a very similar mixing trace, no significant correlation was found between the two mixers other than the number of revolutions required for optimal dough consistency (peak resistance). Mixing requirement was described by a rate-independent parameter, the number of revolutions to peak dough development and was found to be greater in a Z-arm mixer than in a pin mixer. Mixing requirement showed significant correlation with stability, which is therefore a dough strength parameter. The change in the polymeric structure of gluten proteins of dough as indicated by %UPP (unextractable polymeric protein percentage) was monitored and showed a smaller decrease with Z-arm mixing than with pin mixing. Therefore, pin-mixing action is more energetic than Z-arm mixing. At peak resistance, Z-arm mixing gives a larger quantity of polymeric protein content in the dough relative to pin mixing. The degree of dough development at maximum resistance in the different mixers was shown to be different. A new parameter, delta-_UPPMZ${\mathrm{UPP}}_{\mathrm{MZ}}$ (the difference between %UPP of dough obtained with pin vs Z-arm mixing actions) was identified and proposed to have some relationship to the stability of the polymeric proteins in the dough.     

Extensional rheological properties in mixed and fermented/rested dough and relationships with steamed bread quality

In this study, sixteen wheat varieties for cultivation in China were examined for the flour characteristics using the farinograph, extensograph and rheofermentometer, uniaxial extensional rheology employing the extensograph and the Kieffer extensibility rig and biaxial extension by uniaxial compression of mixed dough with and without yeast, rested and fermented dough, and steamed bread quality including specific volume and texture properties. Three statistical analysis methods including Pearson correlation, principle component and stepwise multiple regression analysis were carried out to correlate dough properties with steamed bread quality. Biaxial extension viscosity was positively correlated with texture properties (hardness and chewiness) of steamed bread (r = 0.521–0.685, p < 0.05). Based on the correlation coefficients and the model (r² = 0.852, p = 0.003) obtained using stepwise multiple regression analysis, the best predictors for specific volume of steamed bread were the maximum resistance to extension of rested dough (r = 0.664, p < 0.01) and total work for breakage of fermented dough (r = 0.662, p < 0.01). Principal component analysis of rheological properties of fermented dough and flour characteristics provided more useful information for discriminating wheat flour quality and help breeders to select most convenient wheat flour for the steamed bread making.     

Effect of NaCl on rheological properties of dough and noodle quality

To assess the effect of NaCl on processing properties of different varieties of wheat flour and noodle quality, the rheological properties of dough, and the quality of white salted noodles made from three different varieties of wheat flour were evaluated. The results showed that the addition of NaCl had different effects on the rheological properties of different varieties of wheat flour. As NaCl concentration increased, the stability time of both intermediate-gluten and weak-gluten wheat flour increased, while that of strong-gluten wheat flour increased initially and then remained stable. The developing time of strong-gluten wheat flour increased, while those of both intermediate-gluten and weak-gluten wheat flour did not change significantly. The energy values of intermediate- and weak-gluten wheat flour did not change significantly while that of strong-gluten wheat flour increased. NaCl had no apparent effects on the hardness, springiness, gumminess, chewiness and resilience of noodles. The cooking loss of fresh noodles increased positively with increasing NaCl concentration. Microstructure of noodles showed that gluten network structure of noodles became more and more dense with increasing NaCl concentration. The effect of NaCl on gluten protein contributed to the change of rheological properties and noodle quality.     

Effect of aging at different temperatures on LAOS properties and secondary protein structure of hard wheat flour dough

The effects of aging from t = 0–108 h at two different temperatures (4 and 25 °C) on the non-linear viscoelastic rheological properties and secondary protein structure of hard wheat flour dough (HWD) were investigated using large amplitude oscillatory shear tests (LAOS) coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and SDS-PAGE. Storage (G') and loss (G'') moduli rapidly decreased during aging at 25 °C. Subjecting HWD to progressively longer aging times at 25 °C caused dramatic changes in the non-linear viscoelastic properties demonstrated by strain softening (negative values of e₃/e₁) and shear thinning (negative values of v₃/v₁) behavior. Elastic Lissajous curves of the unaged control dough showed clockwise turn and wider elliptical trajectories as dough aging proceeds especially at higher temperatures. Other non-linear LAOS parameters (G'_M-G''_L, η'_M-η'_L, S and T) supported that aging process at higher temperature caused a progressive change in dough structure from strain stiffening to strain softening behavior while dough samples aged at 4 °C showed fairly close behavior with the control dough sample. FTIR spectra indicated that the relative content of β-sheet and β-turn structures decreased while the content of α-helix structure increased for all dough samples as a result of dough aging. SDS-PAGE results supported the breakdown of high molecular weight (HMW) and low molecular weight (LMW) glutenin subfractions. Aging at the higher temperature of 25 °C decreased the HMW/LMW ratio from 0.77 to 0.59, while the ratio was 0.73 for the dough aged at 4 °C which is fairly close to the control sample. Our results show that the degradation rate of gluten/starch network was triggered by aging at higher temperature, longer aging time, and natural fermentation which resulted in increasing acidity and increase in endogenous proteolytic and amylolytic activity, and also increasing gluten solubility and break down of intermolecular disulfide bonds at acid pH.     

Effect of wheat bran and enzyme addition on dough functional performance and phytic acid levels in bread

Effects of bran concentration, bran particle size distribution, and enzyme addition – fungal phytase, fungal alpha-amylase – on the mixing and fermentative behaviour of wheat dough and on the amount of phytic acid remaining in bread have been investigated using a factorial design of samples 2⁴. Bran concentration and bran particle size significantly affected all Farinograph parameters, whereas enzyme effects were particularly observed on both the water absorption of the flour and the parameters characterizing the overmixing. Water absorption was maximized in doughs with higher fine bran addition and/or in doughs with no enzymes, and was minimized in blends containing coarse added bran and alpha-amylase and/or alpha-amylase and phytase. alpha-Amylase addition had a significant positive effect on dough development and gassing power parameters during proofing. At low bran addition, phytate hydrolysis takes place to a greater extent than at high bran addition levels. Combination of bran with amylolytic and phytate-degrading enzymes could be advisable for overcoming the detrimental effect of bran on the mineral availability (phytase) or on the technological performance of doughs (alpha-amylase).     

Effect of inulin with different degree of polymerization on plain wheat dough rheology and the quality of steamed bread

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different polymerization degree of inulin on plain wheat dough rheology and quality of steamed bread. It was found the water absorption of dough decreased with the increasing of short-chain (FS) and natural inulin (FI) and increased with the increasing of long-chain inulin (FXL) higher than 7.5%. Three kinds of inulin all increased the development time, stability and farinograph quality number and decreased softening degree of the dough. When proof time was less than 90min, the extensibility increased with the substitution of 5% of FS, 5% of FI and 2.5% of FXL. The resistance to extension, ratio number of resistance to extensibility and energy all increased with the increasing of FS and FI as well as the time. While the energy increased with FXL substation at 45min and dropped thereafter, regardless of the concentration. The addition of inulin all enhanced the brightness, specific volume and hardness of steamed bread and decreased the water content, vaporization enthalpy, springiness, recovery, and cohesiveness. During the storage, inulin reduced the change rates of relative hardness, recovery, and cohesiveness and increased the change rate of relative enthalpy, which restrained the staling rate of steamed bread.     

Comparison of small-scale and large-scale mixing characteristics: Correlations between small-scale and large-scale mixing and extensional characteristics of wheat flour dough

Mixing measurements provide valuable information about dough strength and stability (STAB) traits. These measurements are important in milling and baking operations, and for varietal selection in wheat breeding programmes. There are several techniques with different sample sizes used for measuring these traits so there is interest in examining the agreement between methods in terms of genotypic (varietal) rankings. This issue has been investigated by using two different mixing methods, a small-scale Mixograph (2 g) and large-scale Farinograph (50 g) using data from a doubled haploid population (190 lines) from a Chara (excellent dough strength)×WW2449 (poor dough strength) cross. The cross was grown in a field trial at the Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute (WWAI) in 2000. Eleven mixing traits were measured and compared according to a statistical design. The estimated genetic correlation matrix for six of the 11 mixing traits, dough development time (DDT), STAB, mixing tolerance index (MTI), maximum bandwidth (MBW), bandwidth at peak resistance (BWPR) and peak resistance (PR) revealed that for these dough-strength-related parameters, both methods were measuring equivalent traits, although individual parameters had widely different coefficients of variation. In this population, PR was correlated with the extensibility trait length determined by large-scale extension testing. None of the large-scale or small-scale mixing traits was an effective predictor of the small-scale extensibility parameter extensibility at Rmax (Ext_Rmax). The data verified that small-scale Mixograph tests are a robust and efficient alternative to large-scale Farinograph tests for both commercial breeding and research.     

Expression of an extended HMW subunit in transgenic wheat and the effect on dough mixing properties

Wheat line L88-31 was transformed with a gene encoding an extended form of subunit 1Dx5 to study the relationship between subunit size and the effect on dough mixing properties. Four transgenic lines were recovered, one of which expressed a truncated form of the protein with mobility between those of the wild type and extended subunits. Comparison of the Mixograph profiles and gluten protein compositions with those of the control lines and a line expressing the wild type subunit 1Dx5 transgene showed that two of the transgenic lines had poor mixing properties and that this was associated with co-suppression of HMW subunit gene expression. The other two transgenic lines had improved mixing properties (measured as increased mixing time) and this was associated with increased proportions of large glutenin polymers. None of the transgenic lines expressing the extended form of the 1Dx5 subunit showed the ‘overstrong’ mixing properties exhibited by transgenic lines expressing the wild type 1Dx5 transgene.     

Flowability,moisture sorption and thermal properties of tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] grain flours

Recently tef is attracting the attention of the modern food industry since it is a gluten-free grain encompassing highly appreciated nutritional advaxntages. As a relatively new raw material, little information on its handling and processing properties is available. Flowability, water sorption characteristics and thermal properties of flours from three Ethiopian tef varieties were studied. Wheat (whole and refined) and rice flours were included as references. Tef flours were less flowable than the reference flours and their flow properties were more sensitive to water activity changes. Tef flours led to sigmoidal sorption isotherms with estimated monolayer water content of 0.053 (BET model) and 0.057 (GAB model) g water/g dry solids. No significant differences among the three tef varieties were observed on their gelatinization enthalpies that were higher than that of wheat and similar to rice. The amylopectin recrystallization extent after 7 days of storage at 4 °C was significantly higher in tef than in wheat flour.