Changes in the physical and the sensorial properties of wheat bread caused by interruption and slowing of the fermentation of yeast-based leaven

Innovative high-fiber wheat bread fortified with micronized oat and Plantago ovata husks: Spectroscopic and physicochemical characteristics

Micronized oat husk and Plantago ovata husk were used as dietary fiber sources in wheat bread. The addition of 20% micronized oat husk improved dough yield but resulted in a darker bread crumb, decreased loaf volume, and deteriorated texture. In contrast, 5% P. ovata husk enhanced the springiness and cohesiveness of the crumb, as confirmed by rapid visco-analysis of pasting properties and Fourier-transform infrared spectra. The improvement was ascribed to increased interaction via hydrogen or glycosidic bonds. Bread enriched with 10% micronized oat husk and 5% P. ovata husk contained 9.2 g/100 g FW of fiber (a 5-fold increase), 7.1 g/100 g FW of protein (a decrease of 21%), 40.1 g/100 g FW of carbohydrates (a decrease of 21.6%), and had a calorific value of 212 kcal/100 g FW (a decrease of 22%). In vitro, analysis showed higher starch digestibility for the bread. Furthermore, both P. ovata husk and micronized oat husk improved the antioxidant properties of potentially bioaccessible fractions, particularly the ability to quench hydroxyl radicals, which was 2.7-fold higher in the bread with the highest contribution of micronized oat husk.

Pilot study on the use of cold atmospheric plasma for preservation of bread

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is used as an emerging technology for food preservation. In this study, CAP treatment has been applied to bakery products for the first time. The aim of the work was to investigate the effect of the use of CAP on the amount of microorganisms during bread storage. Basic physicochemical properties and bread texture were determined during storage for 0, 3, and 6 days. The study material included gluten-free and mixed wheat-rye bread treated with CAP for 2 and 10 min. The results showed that no mesophilic bacteria or fungi were found after ten minutes of the bread exposure to CAP. In addition, only 2-min non-thermal sterilization resulted in complete inhibition of yeast and mould growth in the gluten-free and wheat-rye bread. A decrease in the microbial growth in the bread was noted; however, a simultaneous decrease in the moisture content of the bread was observed. After the application of plasma for 2 or 10 min, both the gluten-free and mixed wheat-rye bread was characterized by reduced humidity, which also resulted in a significant increase in the hardness and a slight increase in the springiness of the bread. The use of CAP in storage of bread is promising; nevertheless, it is necessary to further study the effect of this treatment in bread with improvers, especially with hydrocolloids and fibers.

Cistus incanus L. as an Innovative Functional Additive to Wheat Bread

Cistus incanus L. (CI) has been proposed as an innovative functional supplement of food products, and hence the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the addition of dried CI on the properties of bread. Bread was prepared from white wheat flour supplemented with the addition of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% of ground CI. After the completion of baking process, various characteristics of the obtained bread product, such as yield, volume, porosity, acidity, color, and texture, were evaluated. In addition, total phenolic content (TPC), ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity, chelating power (CHEL), and ability to quench OH∙ radicals were measured. The results showed that the addition of CI to bread caused a reduction in the volume of bread, but texture of the crumbs was acceptable. Acidity and moisture content of bread were found to be increased following CI enrichment. Significant changes in the ash content and the color of bread crumbs were also observed. Bread incorporated with CI was characterized by significantly higher TPC and much higher antioxidant activity, as measured by ABTS, CHEL, and OH∙ radicals, compared to control bread. Supplementation of bread with 3% CI produced a product with desirable characteristics which was also favored by consumers.

Textural and staling characteristics of steamed bread prepared from soft flour added with inulin

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of inulin with different degree of polymerization on the properties of steamed bread made from soft flour. The type and substitution level of inulin had significant impacts on the quality of steamed bread. When 5.0% of flour was replaced by FS or FI, fresh steamed bread gained the highest score, possessing a lighter color, higher specific volume and softer texture. After inulin was added, tightly bound water migrated to loosely bound water and free water, which contributed to softness and delicious taste of fresh steamed bread. Inulin increased the staling rate of steamed bread during a short storage period (≤1d), but during a long storage period (>1d), it decreased the staling rate. Inulin interacts with starch by hydrogen bonds and alters water distribution between protein and starch, which finally affects storage characteristics of steamed bread.