Nutritional and technological quality of bread enriched with an intermediated pearled wheat fraction

Evaluating the Impact of Green Coffee Bean Powder on the Quality of Whole Wheat Bread: A Comprehensive Analysis

The current investigation focuses on the effect of different concentrations of green coffee bean powder (GCBp) on the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of whole wheat bread (WWB). C1 bread formulation (containing 1% GCBp) exhibited the highest loaf volume, suggesting optimal fermentation. Moisture analysis revealed minor alterations in the moisture retention attributes of the bread formulations. Impedance analysis suggested that C1 exhibited the highest impedance with a high degree of material homogeneity. Swelling studies suggested similar swelling properties, except C5 (containing 5% GCBp), which showed the lowest swelling percentage. Furthermore, color and microcolor analysis revealed the highest L* and WI in C1. Conversely, higher concentrations of GCBp reduced the color attributes in other GCBp-containing formulations. FTIR study demonstrated an improved intermolecular interaction in C1 and C2 (containing 2% GCBp) among all. No significant variation in the overall textural parameters was observed in GCBp-introduced formulations, except C2, which showed an improved gumminess. Moreover, the TPC (total phenolic content) and microbial analysis revealed enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial properties in GCBp-incorporated formulations compared to Control (C0, without GCBp). The sensory evaluation showed an enhanced appearance and aroma in C1 compared to others. In short, C1 showed better physicochemical, biological, and sensory properties than the other formulations.

Fungal and Toxin Contaminants in Cereal Grains and Flours: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cereal grains serve as the cornerstone of global nutrition, providing a significant portion of humanity's caloric requirements. However, the presence of fungal genera, such Fusarium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria, known for their mycotoxin-producing abilities, presents a significant threat to human health due to the adverse effects of these toxins. The primary objective of this study was to identify the predominant fungal contaminants in cereal grains utilized in breadmaking, as well as in flour and bread. Moreover, a systematic review, including meta-analysis, was conducted on the occurrence and levels of mycotoxins in wheat flour from the years 2013 to 2023. The genera most frequently reported were Fusarium, followed by Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria. Among the published reports, the majority focused on the analysis of Deoxynivalenol (DON), which garnered twice as many reports compared to those focusing on Aflatoxins, Zearalenone, and Ochratoxin A. The concentration of these toxins, in most cases determined by HPLC-MS/MS or HPLC coupled with a fluorescence detector (FLD), was occasionally observed to exceed the maximum limits established by national and/or international authorities. The prevalence of mycotoxins in flour samples from the European Union (EU) and China, as well as in foods intended for infants, exhibited a significant reduction compared to other commercial flours assessed by a meta-analysis investigation.

Factors Affecting the Nutritional, Health, and Technological Quality of Durum Wheat for Pasta-Making: A Systematic Literature Review

Durum wheat is one of the most important food sources in the world, playing a key role in human nutrition, as well as in the economy of the different countries in which its production areas are concentrated. Its grain also represents a staple and highly versatile ingredient in the development of health foods. Nonetheless, the aspects determining durum wheat's health quality and their interactions are many, complex, and not entirely known. Therefore, the present systematic literature review aims at advancing the understanding of the relationships among nutritional, health, and technological properties of durum wheat grain, semolina, and pasta, by evaluating the factors that, either positively or negatively, can affect the quality of the products. Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched utilising sets of keywords following the PRISMA guidelines, and the relevant results of the definitive 154 eligible studies were presented and discussed. Thus, the review identified the most promising strategies to improve durum wheat quality and highlighted the importance of adopting multidisciplinary approaches for such purposes.

Durum Wheat Bread with a Potentially High Health Value through the Addition of Durum Wheat Thin Bran or Barley Flour

The enrichment of semolina bread with prebiotic ingredients such as β-glucans may exert health-promoting effects. This work presents the results of a general recipe development aimed at improving the nutritional value of bakery products. In this study, increasing amounts (0%, 2%, 5%, 7%, and 10%) of thin bran or barley flour were added into re-milled durum wheat semolina to prepare breads. The technological quality of doughs and breads was investigated. In general, the Farinograph water absorption of flour and dough stability increased with increasing inclusion levels of barley flour or thin bran (up to 73.23% and 18.75 min, respectively), contrarily to the increase of dough development time only in barley inclusion (4.55 min). At the same time, the softening index decreased for almost all of these, except for 2% of thin bran or barley flour inclusion. At Mixograph, mixing time increased (up to 5.13 min) whilst the peak height decreased. The specific volume and hardness of loaf differently decreased for almost all thesis (ranges 12.6-24.0% and 39.4-45.5%, respectively). The other quality parameters remained unchanged compared with semolina bread. After baking, β-glucan levels increased differently at all the inclusion levels (2.35-fold, on average). The breadcrumb color was deep brown, while the crust became lighter in color. The breads contain β-glucans even at low percentages of barley/bran inclusions while maintaining their technological performance. In conclusion, the results show an interesting potential of barley flour or thin bran as ingredients in breadmaking to increase the β-glucans daily intake, but further investigations are needed to achieve improved quality features.

The effect of in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestive system on the biodegradation of B group vitamins in bread

Today, there is a growing interest in the consumption of whole grain products and the development of bread enriched with vitamins that have functional properties. Considerable losses arise in naturally found vitamins with food processing. Therefore, it is recommended to add vitamins to bread to obtain a satisfactory level. The aim of the current research was to investigate and assess the bioaccessibilities of the vitamins B₁, B₂, B₃, and B₆ in enriched commercial whole wheat breads by an in vitro digestion model. The average bioaccessibility of vitamin B₁, B₂, B₃, and B₆ in enriched breads after digestion was 80%, 64%, 79%, and 64%, respectively. After digestion, the bioaccessibilities of vitamins were affected. Mainly, vitamins B₂ and B₆ had the lowest bioaccessibility than vitamins B₁ and B₃. In vitro bioaccessibility was 70.9–90.2%, 54.2–89.7%, 42.1–94.9%, and 44.1–92.5% for vitamins B₁, B₂, B₃, and B₆, respectively in enriched commercial whole wheat bread. Vitamin B₃ was seen with predominantly higher levels among the breads. Knowing the content of these vitamins in breads after digestion is necessary for the healthy nutrition of the population and for determining daily intake.

Analysis of the Physical and Structure Characteristics of Reformulated Pizza Bread

The current study deciphers the processing of different proportions of white flour and whole wheat flour (100:0, 75:25, 50:50: 25:75, and 0:100) into a pizza base using yeast-based fermentation. The bread making using the yeast system resulted in significant changes in the characteristics of bread, ranging from the porous structure development to the crumb cellular structure modifications. An increase in the proportions of whole wheat flour resulted in the formation of golden yellow pizza bases. The lightness of the crust was decreased, whereas the yellowness index was increased as the whole wheat flour contents were increased. The pore size of the pizza base was decreased while the pore density was increased as the whole wheat flour content was raised within the bread. The microscopic study also showed the formation of porous structures on the bulk of the pizza base. The texture analysis of the bread also suggested an increase in the formation of the rigid network structure when the amount of whole wheat flour was increased. The springiness, cohesiveness, and resilience were comparable for all the prepared samples. On the other hand, the values for hardness, gumminess, and chewiness showed an increasing trend with the increase in the whole wheat flour content. The impedance of the samples decreased when there was an increase in the whole wheat flour content. Overall, the pizza base that was developed with 50% whole wheat flour and 50% white flour ratio displayed acceptably firm yet sufficient viscoelastic properties for human consumption.

Dietary fiber in bakery products: Source, processing, and function

Bakery products are prevalently consumed foods in the world, and they have been regarded as convenient dietary vehicles for delivering nutritive ingredients into people's diet, of which, dietary fiber (DF) is one of the most popular items. The food industry attempts to produce fiber-enriched bakery products with both increasing nutritional value and appealing palatability. As many new sources of DFs become available, and consumers are moving towards healthier diets, studies of using these DFs as functional ingredients in baked goods are becoming vast. Besides, the nutrition value of DF is commonly accepted, and many investigations have also revealed the health benefits of fiber-enriched bakery products. Thus, this chapter presents an overview of (1) trends in supplementation of DF from various sources, (2) impact of DF on dough processing, quality and physiological functionality of bakery products, and (3) technologies used to improve the compatibility of DF in bakery products.

Effect of grinding and extraction conditions on the determination of antioxidant activity and phenolic acids in barley

In the present study, the objective was to evaluate the effects of barley kernel size, grind level, and extract solvent on the antioxidant activities associated with total phenolic content and phenolic acid compositions. Three barley varieties (Kindred, Azure, and Tradition), were used and the results showed that with the exception of superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, thin kernel size fraction (2.0 mm) showed much higher antioxidant activities and total phenolic content than those in the 2.4 mm and 2.8 mm fractions when averaged across barley cultivar, grind level, and extract solvent. A similar trend was found for individual phenolic acid compositions among kernel sizes. Simple correlation analysis revealed that total phenolic content showed strong correlation with DPPH· scavenging activity, ABTS + scavenging activity, and reducing power. Generally, fine grind and 80% acetone extract showed averaged highest values in antioxidant activities, total phenolic content, and individual phenolic acid compositions. Stepwise linear regression showed that extract solvent was the most important factor for DPPH· scavenging activity, ABTS + scavenging activity, reducing power, and iron chelating activity. The sum of syringic acid and caffeic acid exhibited a dominant role in explaining the major variation in antioxidant activities except for superoxide anion radical scavenging activity.

Effects of microwave treatment on the stability and antioxidant capacity of a functional wheat bran

A functional wheat bran (FWB) was obtained from wheat grains that were rich in wheat aleurone. The effects of the microwave (MW) power (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 kW) and treatment time (15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 s) on the moisture and free fatty acid (FFA) content, lipase activity, and antioxidant activity of the FWB were investigated. The purpose of this study is to stabilize the FWB against lipid oxidation and rancidity and as much as possible to retain its antioxidant activities. MW treatment significantly decreased the FFA content, moisture content, and lipase activity of the FWB. Moreover, MW treatment significantly increased the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of the FWB without drastically altering its color. MW treatment at 7.5 kW and 120 s was found to be optimal for stabilizing the FWB and increasing its antioxidant activity. The stabilized FWB was proven to be far more stable than the control FWB during storage. Thus, MW treatment is an effective stabilization method for the storage and utilization of FWB. Additional research is needed for the exact mechanism of the decrease of FFA content and increase of antioxidant activity of FWB induced by MW treatment.

Evaluation of the nutritional quality of cereal bars made with pulse flours using desirability functions

The development of nutritious, low-cost snacks has become increasingly important due to consumer demand for healthier diets. In this study, sensory and physical-chemical parameters and mineral compositions (P, Ca, Na, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, Al, Cu, Mn, Ni and Ba) of cereal bars were evaluated. The bars were made with flours of Lablab purpureus L. Sweet (mangalo), Vigna unguiculata L. Walp (cowpea) or Cajanus cajan L. Huth (pigeon pea) and the desirability function was used to attain the best formulation for maximising the content of protein, fibre, ashes and essential elements. Sensory analysis revealed satisfactory acceptability. Acidity did not change significantly (p > 0.05), and water activity values ​​did not exceed 0.557 over 90 days, indicating stability. Principal component analysis revealed no significant differences when comparing the mineral content between the bars. The desirability function indicated that the cowpea-based bar had a higher nutritional quality, with a protein content of 4.91 ± 0.25 g 100 g^-1, P content of 187.7 ± 3.6 mg 100 g^-1, Mg content of 87.37 ± 1.19 mg 100 g^-1 and Mn content of 2020 ± 130 µg 100 g^-1, than the other bars. The overall sensory evaluation also yielded a high score for the cowpea-based bar (overall quality equal to 6.23 ± 1.10). Therefore, pulse flours could be potential nutritional ingredients for making snacks, and in particular, cereal bars containing them could be a viable product alternative for small rural cooperatives.

Karl Fischer Water Titration—Principal Component Analysis Approach on Bread Products

(1) Background: The water content and the way of bonding in the food matrices, including bread, can be easily and simply evaluated by Karl Fischer titration (KFT). The goal was to identify the main KFT parameters that influence the similarity/dissimilarity of commercial bread products, using multivariate statistical analysis. (2) Methods: Various commercial bread samples were analyzed by volumetric KFT and the water content, parameters from titration process and KFT kinetics were used as input for principal component analysis (PCA). (3) Results: The KFT water content was in the range of 35.1–44.2% for core samples and 19.4–22.9% for shell samples. The storage and transportation conditions consistently influence the water content of bread. The type of water molecules can be evaluated by means of KFT water reaction rates. The mean water reaction rates up to 2 min are consistently higher for bread core samples, which indicates a high fraction of “surface” water. PCA reveals the similarity of core samples and various bread types, as well as dissimilarity between bread parts, mainly based on KFT kinetic parameters. (4) Conclusions: KFT kinetics can be a useful tool for a rapid and simple differentiations between various types of bread products.

Whole Grains and Phenolic Acids: A Review on Bioactivity, Functionality, Health Benefits and Bioavailability

Cereal grains represent one of the major sources of human food and nowadays, their production has increased to fulfill the needs of the world's population. Among whole grains, wheat is the most popular and contributes significantly to the human diet. Whole grains possess great nutritional and bioactive properties due to their fractions, bran and germ, that comprise unique health-promoting bioactive components. The evidence of health benefits in human intervention studies, as well as a World Health Organization report for 2012⁻2016, supports the dietary consumption of whole grains and whole-grain foods. The inverse correlation between whole grain consumption and the reduced risk of chronic diseases and metabolic syndromes was underlined by several epidemiological studies. This article focuses on the bioactive components of whole grains and their fractions, namely phenolic acids, starting from their chemical structure, bioactivity and bioavailability. According to the conclusive evaluation of the human intervention studies conducted using cereal bran and whole grains intake, the assumption that the bioactive compounds determine health outcomes is illustrated. In the last part of the work, the functional potential and the health claims related to whole grains and bran intake are discussed, as well as new technologies and strategies to enhance their health potential by an increased bioavailability.

Phenolic compounds reduce formation of Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine and pyrazines formed by Maillard reactions in a model bread system

This study had the objective of determining the antiglycation activity of phenolic compounds (PCs) ((+)-catechin, quercetin, gallic, ferulic, and caffeic acids) added to a model bread with regards to the inhibition of N^ε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) formation. PCs were found to significantly reduce CML (31.77%-87.56%), even at the lowest concentration, with the exception of ferulic acid (FA). The strongest inhibitory effect of FA (∼62%) appeared when concentration was increased to 1.0g/100g of flour. The available lysine losses (0.00%-90.51%) showed a significant correlation (0.853-0.990) with effectiveness of CML inhibition, except in the case of samples with FA. (+)-Catechin reduced CML levels the most, probably due to its structure-antioxidant activity relationship, its thermal stability (∼51% loss), and its reactivity with ε-lysine side chains (∼40.77% loss). Although the bread supplemented with PCs contained low levels of CML, this process may adversely affect bread flavor, reducing the formation of pyrazines (1.10%-80.77%).

Use of bran fractions and debranned kernels for the development of pasta with high nutritional and healthy potential

The quality of pasta produced with debranning products (bran fractions, BF, and debranned kernels, DK) of durum wheat was investigated by evaluating their total antioxidant capacity, occurrence of nutritional and bioactive compounds, and sensory properties. Two pasta samples, produced with BF-enriched semolina (BF pasta) or only with micronized DK (DK pasta), respectively, were compared with pasta made with traditional semolina (control pasta). BF pasta and DK pasta displayed significantly higher content of bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds and dietary fibre, than control pasta, to a different extent for the diverse compounds. The present study indicates that the debranning process allows to produce pasta with a high content of healthy compounds and minimal effects on sensory properties, using only the natural endowment of durum wheat. This approach is suitable to produce cereal-based foods with the potential nutritional and health benefits of partially refined cereals and limitation of their main drawbacks.

Bioaccessibility and bioavailability of phenolic compounds in bread: a review

Cereal-based products, like breads, are a vehicle for bioactive compounds, including polyphenols.

Folate distribution in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum wheat (Triticum turgidum durum Desf.) pearled fractions

BACKGROUND

Wholegrain cereals are an important source of folates. In this study, total folate was analysed in pearled fractions of barley and wheat cultivars employing AOAC Official Method 2004.05. In particular, the distribution of folate in the kernels was evaluated in three barley cultivars (two hulled types and a hulless one as well as two- and six-row types) and in a common and a durum wheat cultivar.

RESULTS

A noticeable variation in the folate content was observed between the barley [653-1033 ng g(-1) dry matter (DM)] and wheat cultivars (1024-1119 ng g(-1) DM). The highest folate content was detected in the hulless barley cultivar (1033 ng g(-1) DM). A significant reduction in total folate, from 63% to 86%, was observed in all cultivars from the outermost to the innermost pearled fractions.

CONCLUSION

Results proved that folates are mainly present in the germ and in the outer layers of the kernel. This is the first study reporting the folate distribution in kernels of both common and durum wheat and in a hulless barley cultivar. Results suggest that the pearling process could be useful for the selection of intermediate fractions that could be used in order to develop folate-enhanced ingredients and products.

Techno-functional and nutritional performance of commercial breads available in Europe

In recent years, the growing interest for well-being and healthy lifestyle together with an increasing awareness of the close relationship between food and health have boosted the production of an increasing number of novel goods to be placed in both gluten-containing and gluten-free products market. The objective of this study was to provide a realistic and detailed overview of the current bread-market supply in order to evaluate the overall quality of the available offer in this prioritized food industry area. Twenty commercial breads consisting of gluten (n = 10) and gluten-free (n = 10) samples currently available in the European market have been assessed by physical-chemical, technological, nutritional, and sensory determinations. The quality parameters obtained were related to each other by using Pearson correlations, while sample classification was achieved by applying factor analysis. Higher values for protein and bio-accessible polyphenols content, aroma and taste quality, and low and moderate expected glycaemic index corresponded to gluten containing breads. Although the main distinction was between gluten and gluten-free samples as it was expected, classification of breads allowed differentiating samples with different formulations in terms of presence/absence of alternative, innovative, and nutrient-dense raw materials.

Optimization of durum wheat bread from a selenium-rich cultivar fortified with bran

In this work the effect of bran addition (5 %, 10 %, 15 %, 20 %, 25 %, 30 %) on sensory, nutritional and mechanical properties of bread made from a durum wheat semolina enriched with selenium (cultivar PR22D89) was addressed; traditional and whole-meal bread from the same cultivar PR22D89, without any further bran addition, were also investigated for comparative purpose. In order to improve the durum wheat functional bread, different structuring agents (agar agar, gellan gum, guar seed flour, hydroxy-propyl-cellulose, modified food starch-CAPSUL® and tapioca starch) were firstly screened and then optimized. Sensory, textural and nutritional properties of bread were studied in each step. Results showed that bread from PR22D89 cultivar with addition of bran up to 30 % was completely accepted from the textural, nutritional and sensory points of view with proper utilization of guar seed flour or modified food-starch (2 %).