Quality-driven design of sponge cake: Insights into reactivity, furan mitigation and consumer liking

Analytical methods, risk assessment, and mitigation strategies for furan in processed foods in various countries

This article provides an overview of analytical methods for measuring furan levels in food. Given the potential carcinogenicity of furans in humans, several studies have focused on assessing furan levels in various food products. In this review, we specifically examine furan levels in foods that are central to regional culinary traditions and summarize the results of country-specific risk assessments. Consequently, we have identified foods that contribute significantly to dietary furan exposure in each region. Coffee and baby foods, regardless of region, emerged as the primary sources of furan intake among adults and infants, respectively. Several previous studies have been conducted to develop various mitigation strategies aimed at reducing exposure to furan through food intake. Therefore, in this paper, we categorize effective mitigation strategies into two main groups: alterations to processing conditions and the addition or removal of food additives and ingredients.

Saponins from Pea Ingredients to Innovative Sponge Cakes and Their Association with Perceived Bitterness

Pea-based ingredients are increasingly being used in foods because of their nutritional, functional and environmental benefits. However, their bitter taste is not appreciated by consumers. Saponins have been reported to be bitter in whole pea flour (PF) but not in the purified ingredients obtained from it, such as pea protein isolate (PPI) and pea starch (PS). In addition, the evolution of saponins in cooked foods made from these ingredients and their relationship to bitter flavor has not been investigated. This study, therefore, explored the presence of two bitter saponins, βg and Bb, in whole pea flour (PF) and a composite flour reconstructed from the two main fractions (PS + PPI). In addition, it investigated the impact of baking on the chemical state of these compounds in a sponge cake. Finally, the sensory impact of the baking process on the perceived bitterness of cakes made with these two pea flours was also evaluated. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS) was used to identify and quantify pea saponins in the flours and cakes, and a descriptive sensory analysis was obtained by a trained panel to assess sensory differences in bitterness. Our results showed marked differences in saponin concentration and composition among the pea ingredients studied. Concentrations were highest in PPI (1.497 mg·g⁻¹ dry matter), with 98% of saponin Bb. PS had the lowest saponin concentration (0.039 mg·g⁻¹ dry matter, with 83% Bb), while 0.988 mg·g⁻¹ dry matter was quantified in PF, with only 20% Bb and 80% βg. This research also highlighted the thermal degradation of saponin βg to Bb in sponge cakes during baking at 170 °C. However, at a sensory level, these chemical changes were insufficient for the impact on bitterness to be perceived in cakes made with pea flour. Moreover, baking time significantly reduced the bitter flavor in cakes made with the composite flour (PS + PPI).

From flours to cakes: Reactivity potential of pulse ingredients to generate volatile compounds impacting the quality of processed foods

This study investigated the impact of substituting wheat with pulse flours (lentil, chickpea, lupin, green and yellow pea) on reactivity during different steps of sponge cake development. Pulses exhibited a greater ability to generate volatiles with probable odor activity. Batter beating initiated lipid oxidation which depended on lipoxygenase activity and the fatty acid profile of the flours. Among the pulses, pea batters were richest in oxidation markers whereas lupin was least reactive, probably due to thermal pre-treatment. Baking triggered caramelization and Maillard reactions, notably with the pulse products which were particularly enriched in pyrazines and furanic compounds. Principle component analysis revealed that pea cakes were associated with oxidation markers that typically possess green-beany flavors, while Maillard markers known to impart nutty, roasted notes were assigned to lentil and chickpea cakes. These findings highlight the importance of ingredient type and its pre-processing in the development of quality-related markers for gluten-free products.

Occurrence of Ethyl Carbamate in Foods and Beverages: Review of the Formation Mechanisms, Advances in Analytical Methods, and Mitigation Strategies

ABSTRACT

Ethyl carbamate (EC) is a process contaminant that can be formed as a by-product during fermentation and processing of foods and beverages. Elevated EC concentrations are primarily associated with distilled spirits, but this compound has also been found at lower concentrations in foods and beverages, including breads, soy sauce, and wine. Evidence from animal studies suggests that EC is a probable human carcinogen. Consequently, several governmental institutions have established allowable limits for EC in the food supply. This review includes EC formation mechanisms, occurrence of EC in the food supply, and EC dietary exposure assessments. Current analytical methods used to detect EC will be covered, in addition to emerging technologies, such as nanosensors and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Various mitigation methods have been used to maintain EC concentrations below allowable limits, including distillation, enzymatic treatments, and genetic engineering of yeast. More research in this field is needed to refine mitigation strategies and develop methods to rapidly detect EC in the food supply.

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