Impact of formulation and technological factors on the acrylamide content of wheat bread and bread rolls

This study clearly demonstrates that formulation and baking technology have strong influence on the acrylamide content in the baked products. NaCl plays an ambiguous role: Whereas low doses up to 2% lowered acrylamide by inhibition of the enzyme activities, higher addition remarkably increased the contents due to growth inhibition of the yeast. The results of previous model studies concerning the influence of cysteine could be confirmed in pilot plant experiments. Its addition to the dough resulted in significantly lower acrylamide content whereas its application to the crust proved to be ineffective. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that enzyme-bearing bakery improvers had no influence on acrylamide formation. In pilot plant experiments acrylamide was reduced with increasing fermentation time, and minimum acrylamide levels were already reached after 60 min thus avoiding flattened breads due to prolonged amylase activity. Besides formulation and fermentation also process technology is crucial. As shown by our data, reduced baking temperature and prolonged heat treatment is favorable. Furthermore, convection ovens seem to enhance acrylamide formation compared to deck oven.