Kinetics of bread physical properties in baking depending on actual finely controlled temperature

Application of ultraviolet radiation type C and pretreatments as an emerging and innovative technology for unripe bananas drying: Kinetic and diffusive study, color, and microstructure

One problem that plagues fruit production is post-harvest losses. The development of new technologies that promote conservation and improve efficiency, as well as adding value, is necessary. In this sense, drying is an interesting alternative. The objective of this work was to analyze the effect of ionizing radiation (ultraviolet type C, UV-C) during convective drying of unripe banana slices aiming at potential degradation of surface compounds. Pretreatments with acetic acid solution (2 % w/w) and ultrasound (25 kHz) were also performed. The samples were evaluated in terms of drying kinetics, color parameters, and the surface morphology of the unripe banana slices, using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results showed that estimating effective diffusivity through a mathematical approach, ignoring the phenomenological conditions, can generate results 100× lower than those calculated through a phenomenological approach. The drying time to reach equilibrium moisture content was impacted by the treatments studied, reaching a maximum reduction of 12.92 %, with the application of the acetic acid during the pretreatment step, and a maximum increase of 17.08 % for the pretreated with the acetic acid and UV-C radiation-assisted dried banana. The pretreatments reduced sample darkening, while the application of UV-C radiation increased it. SEM analysis showed the photodegradative effect of UV-C radiation on compounds present in banana sap and its effects on the slice surface morphology. Its application with the pretreatments had a synergistic effect on this degradative aspect. With an unprecedented contribution, this work reveals the effect of UV-C radiation on the drying process through the degradation of surface compounds.

Cereal Coffee as a Functional Additive in Wheat Bread: Impact on Dough and Bread Properties

The chemical composition and quality attributes of wheat bread enriched with cereal coffee were analyzed, with additive incorporated as a partial replacement for wheat flour at levels of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%. The rheological properties of the bread dough, consisting of wheat flour and cereal coffee blends, were evaluated using farinograph and extensograph analyses. Results indicated that the addition of cereal coffee decreased flour water absorption, extended dough stability, and increased dough softening. Dough containing cereal coffee showed greater resistance to stretching and reduced extensibility. However, the incorporation of cereal coffee led to a reduction in bread volume and an increase in crumb hardness and density, especially when the substitution level exceeded 6%. In terms of nutritional composition, the levels of dietary fiber, ash, fat, and total polyphenols increased with higher cereal coffee content, while crumb brightness decreased, and yellowness and redness intensified. Overall, the study suggests that cereal coffee can function as a valuable ingredient in bread; however, substitution levels should ideally be kept below 8% to preserve acceptable sensory qualities.

Balancing Maillard reaction products formation and antioxidant activities for improved sensory quality and health benefit properties of pan baked buns

This study investigated the impact of processing temperatures (190 °C, 210 °C, and 230 °C) and durations (7 min, 10 min, and 14 min) on the formation of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) and antioxidant activities in pan baked buns. Key Maillard reaction indicators, including glyoxal (GO), methylglyoxal (MGO), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), melanoidins, and fluorescent advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were quantified. The results demonstrated significant increases in GO, MGO, 5-HMF contents (p < 0.05), and antioxidant activities (p < 0.05) when the buns were baked at 210 °C for 14 min, 230 °C for 10 min and 14 min. However, the interior MRPs of baked buns were minimally affected by the baking temperature and duration. Prolonged heating temperatures and durations exacerbated MRPs production (43.8 %-1038 %) in the bottom crust. Nonetheless, this process promoted the release of bound phenolic compounds and enhanced the antioxidant activity. Heating induces the thermal degradation of macromolecules in food, such as proteins and polysaccharides, which releases bound phenolic compounds by disrupting their chemical bonds within the food matrix. Appropriate selections of baking parameters can effectively reduce the formation of MRPs while simultaneously improve sensory quality and health benefit of the pan baked buns. Considering the balance between higher antioxidant properties and lower MRPs, the optimal thermal parameters for pan baked buns were 210 °C for 10 min. Furthermore, a normalized analysis revealed a consistent trend for GO, MGO, 5-HMF, fluorescent AGEs, and melanoidins. Moreover, MRPs were positively correlated with total contents of phenolic compounds, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and color, but negatively correlated with moisture contents and reducing sugars. Additionally, the interaction between baking conditions and Maillard reactions probably contributed to enhanced primary flavors in the final product. This study highlights the importance of optimizing baking parameters to achieve desirable MRPs levels, higher antioxidant activity, and optimal sensory attributes in baked buns.

Modeling of moisture content during baking with different approaches for effective diffusivity and evaluation of quality variables in baked potato slices

Baking is a healthier alternative to frying, since texture, color, smell, and flavor are developed, without adding oil. The objective was to estimate the moisture content in potato slices, during baking using Fick's law of diffusion to model internal moisture transport and to assess the impact on quality attributes. Moisture transport kinetics were examined at three baking temperatures of 120, 130, and 140°C. Fick's law was employed to estimate average moisture content using different methods: considering both a constant (method of slopes by subperiods, MSS; and method of successive approximations, MSA) and a variable (represented as a quadratic function of time, QFT) behavior of effective diffusivity (De). Three quality variables were analyzed: water activity (aw, dew point hygrometry), total color difference (∆E, colorimetry), and fracturability (F, universal testing machine). The diffusivity estimated with the time-varying De method provided a more realistic description of moisture migration during baking. The aw, ∆E, and F for baked potato slices ranged from 0.234 to 0.276, 17.9 to 24.6, and 5.20 to 5.49 N, respectively. These attributes imply improved stability and extended shelf life, showing typical colors and texture changes for baked snacks. These changes are linked to variations in diffusivity, influenced by the size and quantity of micropores within the food structure. This study could allow an accurate prediction of mass transfer by considering variable De, facilitating the optimization of baking conditions. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The analysis of the moisture content using Fick's law, considering a time-varying diffusivity, enables the optimization of the baking process for foods. This helps minimize the occurrence of defective products.

Influence of Preferments on the Physicochemical and Sensory Quality of Traditional Panettone

In Peru, panettones are consumed in July and December. The main ingredient of panettones is wheat flour, which can be replaced with substitute flours to improve their nutritional, textural and sensory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical, textural and sensory characteristics of panettones produced with three preferments, namely, biga (PB), sourdough (PMM) and sponge (PE), with the substitution of red quinoa flour and amaranth compared with a commercial product (PC). A completely randomized design with four experimental treatments was used to evaluate the total carbohydrate content, ash, total energy, fat, moisture, protein, color and texture profile. In addition, sensory characteristics were evaluated by 80 consumers using the CATA method; the purchase intention and preference ranking were also investigated. The results showed better sensory characteristics of panettones produced with preferments compared with a commercial product with similar characteristics. The sponge preferment presented better sensory characteristics with a profile of sweet, spongy, vanilla odor and moist texture, along with greater acceptability, preference and purchase intention, followed closely by the biga. It was concluded that the sponge preferment presented better sensory properties, which were correlated with its texture profile as manifested by an intermediate hardness, good elasticity and cohesiveness, which translated into greater acceptability, preference and purchase intention.