A combination of additives can synergically decrease acrylamide content in gingerbread without compromising sensory quality

Influence of Seasonings and Spice Essential Oils on Acrylamide Production in a Low Moisture Model System

Acrylamide (AA) is a typical contaminant produced during the heating process. In the present study, two seasonings (soy sauce and rice vinegar) and three spice essential oils (chive, ginger, and pepper) were added to the asparagine (Asn)/glucose (Glc) diethylene glycol model system to investigate the production of AA in a low moisture model system. The generation of AA was significantly enhanced when low levels of soy sauce (1% and 3% v/v) were added (p < 0.05). The Asn/Glc model system was heated for 15 min with 0%, 1%, or 3% (v/v) soy sauce, containing 43 mg/L, 63 mg/L, and 53 mg/L AA, respectively. However, the addition of a high level of soy sauce (5% v/v) showed significant inhibition of AA production after heating for 10 min (p < 0.05). About 36% of AA was inhibited in the Asn/Glc/soy sauce (5%) model system after heating for 15 min. The addition of low levels of rice vinegar (1% and 3% v/v) showed comprehensive effects on AA production. Nevertheless, the addition of rice vinegar at 5% v/v had an inhibitory effect on AA generation (p < 0.05). All kinds of spice essential oils promoted the production of AA (p < 0.05). There was a dose−response relationship between the level of spice essential oils and the generation of AA. This study proposes the importance of seasonings and spice essential oils for AA production in food preparation.

An Innovative Approach in the Baking of Bread with CO2 Gas Hydrates as Leavening Agents

Gas (guest) molecules are trapped in hydrogen-bonded water molecules to form gas hydrates (GH), non-stoichiometric solids that resemble ice. High pressure and low temperature are typical conditions for their development, with van der Waals forces joining the host and guest molecules. This article study investigates the application of CO₂ gas hydrates (CO₂ GH) as a leavening agent in baking, with particular reference to the production of wheat bread. The main intention of this study is to better understand the complex bread dough formed by CO₂ GH and its impact on product quality. This may enable the adaptation of CO₂ GH in baking applications, such as those that can specifically influence wheat bread properties, and so the final bread quality. The present research further examines the comparative evaluation of yeast bread with the GH bread's impact on bread quality parameters. The amount of GH was varied from 10 to 60%/amount of flour for the GH breads. The GH breads were compared with the standard yeast bread for different quality parameters such as volume, texture, and pore analysis. The results show that the bread with 20% and 40% GH obtained the best results in terms of volume and pore size. Moreover, this article also sheds some light on the future applications of the use of CO₂ GH as leavening agents in foods. This knowledge could help to create new procedures and criteria for improved GH selection for applications in bread making and other bakery or food products.

Effects of Different Processing Methods of Coffee Arabica on Colour, Acrylamide, Caffeine, Chlorogenic Acid, and Polyphenol Content

An effect of a processing method (dry and wet) and a degree of roasting (light, medium, and dark) of 15 coffee (Coffea arabica) samples on the content of caffeine, chlorogenic acid (CQA), total polyphenols (TPP), acrylamide (AA), and on the colour parameters L*, a*, and b* was evaluated. Neither processing nor roasting affected caffeine content (p > 0.05). The degree of roasting accounted for 46% and 72% of explained variability of the CQA content and AA content, respectively (p < 0.05). AA content was in the range from 250 (wet-processed, light-roasted samples) to 305 µg·kg⁻¹ (wet-processed, dark-roasted coffees), but the dark roasting only tended (p > 0.05) to increase AA content. Wet-processed, dry-roasted coffee had higher (p < 0.05) TPP content (48.5 mg·g⁻¹) than its dry-processed, dry-roasted counterpart (42.5 mg·g⁻¹); the method of processing accounted for 70% of explained variability of TPP. Both the method of processing and the degree of roasting affected the L*, a*, and b* values (p < 0.01), but the lower values (p < 0.05) of these parameters in the dark-roasted samples were found only within the wet processing. A negative correlation between the AA content and lightness (L*) was established (r = −0.39, p < 0.05). It was concluded that from the consumers’ viewpoint, the results of the present study indicate relatively small differences in quality parameters of coffee irrespective of the method of processing or degree of roasting.

The role of additives on acrylamide formation in food products: a systematic review

Acrylamide (AA) is a toxic substance formed in many carbohydrate-rich food products, whose formation can be reduced by adding some additives. Furthermore, the type of food consumed determines the AA intake. According to the compiled information, the first route causing AA formation is the Maillard reaction. Some interventions, such as reducing AA precursors in raw materials, (i.e., asparagine), reducing sugars, or decreasing temperature and processing time can be applied to limit AA formation in food products. The L-asparaginase is more widely used in potato products. Also, coatings loaded with proteins, enzymes, and phenolic compounds are new techniques for reducing AA content. Enzymes have a reducing effect on AA formation by acting on asparagine; proteins by competing with amino acids to participate in Maillard, and phenolic compounds through their radical scavenging activity. On the other hand, some synthetic and natural additives increase the formation of AA. Due to the high exposure to AA and its toxic effects, it is essential to recognize suitable food additives to reduce the health risks for consumers. In this sense, this study focuses on different additives that are proven to be effective in the reduction or formation of AA in food products.

Acrylamide in bread: a review on formation, health risk assessment, and determination by analytical techniques

Acrylamide is a water-soluble toxicant found in high-protein and carbohydrate-containing foods exposed to high temperature like bread as the staple foodstuff. This toxicant is mainly formed via Maillard reaction. The potential adverse effects of acrylamide especially possible carcinogenicity in human through dietary exposure necessitate its monitoring. Regarding the existence of its precursors in wheat bread formulation as well as extreme consumption of bread by most population and diversity of bread types, its acrylamide level needs to be investigated. The indicative value for acrylamide in wheat bread is set at 80 μg/kg. Consequently, its determination using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), or capillary electrophoresis can be helpful considering both the risk assessment and quality control aspects. In this respect, methods based on LC-MS/MS show good recovery and within laboratory repeatability with a limit of detection of 3-20 μg/kg and limit of quantification of 10-50 μg/kg which is suitable for the immediate requirements for food product monitoring and calculation of consumer exposure.

Roasted Rye as a Coffee Substitute: Methods for Reducing Acrylamide

Acrylamide is assumed to be a potential carcinogen, and reference values have therefore been implemented in EU legislation. Thus, the food industry needs to reduce the acrylamide content in consumer products to the lowest possible value. In this study, roasted rye was evaluated for its suitability as a coffee substitution product with respect to its acrylamide content. The influence of process modifiers, free asparagine content, storage, and rye type on the final content of acrylamide was investigated. Changes in carbohydrate composition and brightness caused by the roasting process were described. Sample analysis was conducted via GC-MS and HPLC-CAD. Existing methods were adapted to roasted rye as the sample matrix. CaCl₂ and asparaginase treatment as well as pH adjustments prior to roasting did not prove to reduce the acrylamide content. A significantly (* p < 0.027) lower free asparagine content in the raw material resulted in a lower formation of acrylamide in the final product. The acrylamide content significantly decreased (**** p < 0.0001) after 3 (1100 ± 18 µg kg⁻¹) and 6 (490 ± 7 µg kg⁻¹) months of long-term storage. Only samples stored for 6 months (490 ± 7 µg kg⁻¹) met the EU acrylamide content requirements (<500 µg kg⁻¹) for grain-based coffee substitution products.

Effects of Hot-Water Extract from Vine Tea (Ampelopsis grossedentata) on Acrylamide Formation, Quality and Consumer Acceptability of Bread

Acrylamide is a harmful substance that could be inhibited by natural products. Vine tea is an edible herb belonging to the Vitaceae family and has been approved by Chinese authorities as a new food ingredient in 2013. However, the effects of vine tea extract on acrylamide formation and bread quality are rarely investigated. In this study, the polyphenol composition of hot-water extract from vine tea was characterized by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS), and its effects on acrylamide formation, quality, and consumer acceptability of bread were investigated. Vine tea extract and its main polyphenol, dihydromyricetin, significantly inhibited the acrylamide formation in bread, especially the low dose of vine tea extract (1.25 g/kg), which decreased the acrylamide formation by 58.23%. The color and texture of bread were significantly affected by vine tea extract or dihydromyricetin, whereas the moisture content was not changed remarkably. Triangle and paired preference tests indicated that, although the aroma, appearance, and taste of the bread with vine tea extract significantly differ from those of the control bread, vine tea extract did not significantly affect the consumer acceptability. In conclusion, the addition of vine tea extract could be used to develop a new and healthy bread product with low acrylamide content.