Superfine Marigold Powder Improves the Quality of Sponge Cake: Lutein Fortification, Texture, and Sensory Properties

This study aimed to investigate and optimize the quality and sensory properties of baked products with lutein-enriched marigold flower powder (MP). Lutein-enriched marigold flowers produced via hydroponic methods using LED lights were used as a functional material in sponge cakes to increase lutein content. MP particles were divided into coarse (Dv₅₀ = 315 μm), fine (Dv₅₀ = 119 μm), and superfine MP (Dv₅₀ = 10 μm) fractions and added to the sponge cake after being designated to control (sponge cake prepared without MP), coarse MPS (sponge cake prepared with coarse MP), fine MPS (sponge cake prepared with fine MP), and superfine MPS (sponge cake prepared with superfine MP) groups. The sizes and surface properties of superfine MP particles were more homogeneous and smoother than the other samples. As the particle size decreased, the specific volume increased, whereas baking loss, hardness, and chewiness of the sponge cake decreased. Superfine MP and superfine MPS had the highest lutein content. The flavor of marigold and the overall acceptability of sponge cake with superfine MP were 7.90 ± 0.97 and 7.55 ± 0.76, which represents the highest values among the samples. The results of this study have shown that jet milling can contribute to improvements in texture, lutein content, and sensory qualities for baked products with MP.

Efficiency of Red Onion Peel Extract Capsules on Obesity and Blood Sugar

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Red onions are one of the most consumed vegetable crops in Egypt, their peel is rich in antioxidants that reduce the risk of diabetes and weight is lost. The study aimed to extract bioactive compounds present in Egyptian Red Onion Peels Waste (ROPE), increasing their efficiency and protecting them using nano-encapsulation as new emerging technology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Extraction of the bioactive compounds in the Egyptian red onion peels was carried out to study their antioxidant activity before and after nano-emulsions and micro-capsules, their physical and morphological characteristics with their different nano-forms and their application in sponge cake products. The biological evaluation was also studied using rats and statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The results showed that the ethanol extracts high content of bioactive compounds compared to water extract and that the use of nano-technique as a new emerging technology in form of nano-emulsion using sodium alginate with diameter size between 8.3-13.6 nm. Results also indicated that there was an improvement in the efficiency of antioxidant activity at high-temperature degrees during baking, with a melting point of up to 223.64°C, with an improvement in the blood sugar levels of diabetic rats and a significant decrease in body weight.

CONCLUSION

Nano treatments had a protective effect on liver, safety towards kidneys, lowering blood sugar, improving the efficiency comparing to the other samples and were more acceptable to the consumer.

3D Characterization of Sponge Cake as Affected by Freezing Conditions Using Synchrotron X-ray Microtomography at Negative Temperature

In this study, the microstructural evolution of a non-reactive porous model food (sponge cake) during freezing was investigated. Sponge cake samples were frozen at two different rates: slow freezing (0.3 °C min⁻¹) and fast freezing (17.2 °C min⁻¹). Synchrotron X-ray microtomography (µ-CT) and cryo-scanning electron microscopy (Cryo-SEM) were used to visualize and analyze the microstructure features. The samples were scanned before and after freezing using a specific thermostated cell (CellStat) combined with the synchrotron beamline. Cryo-SEM and 3D µ-CT image visualization allowed a qualitative analysis of the ice formation and location in the porous structure. An image analysis method based on grey level was used to segment the three phases of the frozen samples: air, ice and starch. Volume fractions of each phase, ice local thickness and shape characterization were determined and discussed according to the freezing rates.

The Application of Pureed Butter Beans and a Combination of Inulin and Rebaudioside A for the Replacement of Fat and Sucrose in Sponge Cake: Sensory and Physicochemical Analysis

Determining minimum levels of fat and sucrose needed for the sensory acceptance of sponge cake while increasing the nutritional quality was the main objective of this study. Sponge cakes with 0, 25, 50 and 75% sucrose replacement (SR) using a combination of inulin and Rebaudioside A (Reb A) were prepared. Sensory acceptance testing (SAT) was carried out on samples. Following experimental results, four more samples were prepared where fat was replaced sequentially (0, 25, 50 and 75%) in sucrose-replaced sponge cakes using pureed butter beans (Pbb) as a replacer. Fat-replaced samples were investigated using sensory (hedonic and intensity) and physicochemical analysis. Texture liking and overall acceptability (OA) were the only hedonic sensory parameters significantly affected after a 50% SR in sponge cake (p < 0.05). A 25% SR had no significant impact on any hedonic sensory properties and samples were just as accepted as the control sucrose sample. A 30% SR was chosen for further experiments. After a 50% fat replacement (FR), no significant differences were found between 30% sucrose-replaced sponge cake samples in relation to all sensory (hedonic and intensity) parameters investigated. Flavour and aroma intensity attributes such as buttery and sweet and, subsequently, liking and OA of samples were negatively affected after a 75% FR (p < 0.05). Instrumental texture properties (hardness and chewiness (N)) did not discriminate between samples with increasing levels of FR using Pbb. Moisture content increased significantly with FR (p < 0.05). A simultaneous reduction in fat (42%) and sucrose was achieved (28%) in sponge cake samples without negatively affecting OA. Optimised samples contained significantly more dietary fibre (p < 0.05).

The Role of Intact and Disintegrated Egg Yolk Low-Density Lipoproteins during Sponge Cake Making and Their Impact on Starch and Protein Mediated Structure Setting

The main sponge cake ingredients are flour, sucrose, eggs and leavening agents. Exogenous lipids (e.g., monoacylglycerols) are often used to increase air-liquid interface stability in the batter. There is a consumer trend to avoid foods containing such additives. We here reasoned that egg yolk may be an alternative source of surface-active lipids and set out to study the role of egg yolk lipids during sponge cake making. This was done by relocating or removing them prior to batter preparation using ethanol treatments and examining how this affects cake (batter) properties and structure setting during baking. Most egg yolk lipids occur within spherical low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) which were disintegrated by the ethanol treatments. Results showed that egg yolk lipids impact air-liquid interface stability and less so cake structure setting. To prepare high-quality sponge cakes by multistage mixing preferably intact LDLs or, alternatively, their components are needed to incorporate sufficient air during mixing and to stabilize it after mixing. It was also shown that the batter contains intact LDLs in the continuous phase and disintegrated LDLs at air-liquid interfaces. Sponge cake contains intact LDLs in the cake matrix, disintegrated LDLs at air-crumb interfaces and disintegrated LDLs incorporated into the protein network.

Influence of Spent Coffee Ground as Fiber Source on Chemical, Rheological and Sensory Properties of Sponge Cake

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Since spent coffee grounds (SCGs) represented the main by-product from instant coffee industry, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of these residues as functional food ingredient in sponge cake.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Baked control sample (100% wheat flour) and three supplemented blends (98% wheat flour+2% SCGs, 96% wheat flour+4% SCGs and 94% wheat flour+6% SCGs) were subjected to chemical, rheological, texture, freshness, volatile, sensory and color analysis.

RESULTS

The SCGs are a promising source for dietary fiber (51.86%), protein (8.97%) and fat (13.89%) with a well-known negligible glycaemic sugar content. Supplemented sponge cake recipes with SCGs (2, 4 and 6%) reduced the degree of browning due to the lower glycaemic sugar content as well as the protein content in comparison to the control sample. A significant difference in the organoleptic properties were showed in all cake samples containing SCGs (p>0.05), which again may belong to the lower content of reduced sugars in SCGs. Volatiles extracted and identified using Solid Phase Micro-Extraction (SPME)/GC-MS have a lower content of furans, furanones and pyrazines in supplemented recipes due to the effect of lower glycemic sugar content. The higher dietary fiber content of SCGs increased volume, weight and the rheological properties of the sponge cake in addition to softened the texture.

CONCLUSION

Innovative sponge cake proved to have excellent nutritional and functional properties to be used for patients with obesity related diseases.

Physicochemical and Sensory Characteristics of Sponge Cakes with Rubus coreanus Powder

To develop new type of sponge cake, the effects of partial (0~40%) replacement with Rubus coreanus powder (RCP) on the quality characteristics of sponge cakes were investigated. The pH level and moisture content ranged from 4.05~8.23 and 28.49~36.59, respectively, and significantly decreased upon addition of RCP (P<0.05). Baking loss rate and cake firmness significantly increased with higher RCP content in the formulation, whereas morphological characteristics of cakes such as height, volume, and symmetry indices significantly decreased (P<0.05). For crumb color values, L*- and b*-values significantly decreased while a*-value significantly increased as a result of RCP substitution (P<0.05). Hedonic sensory results indicated that sponge cakes supplemented with 30~40% RCP showed the most favorable acceptance scores for most of the sensory attributes evaluated. Overall, Rubus coreanus sponge cake could be developed with comparable physicochemical qualities without sacrificing consumer acceptability.