Quality and storage life of par-baked frozen breads

The potential of UVC decontamination to prolong shelf-life of par-baked bread

The effect of UVC (254 nm) treatment on the mould-free shelf-life of par-baked wholemeal, rye and six-grain bread was examined. Currently, these breads are par-baked, wrapped in high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-foil and transported or stored at room temperature for a couple of days before being full-baked and sold/consumed. Generally, after five days, these breads show signs of mould spoilage. A shelf-life increase in one or more days would already offer immense economical and logistic benefits for the baker or retailer. In this study, the parameters fluence rate (irradiation intensity), fluence (UV dose), distance to the UV-lamp (DTL) and number of layers of a common wrapping HDPE-foil (20 µm) were diversified. The breads were subjected to a UVC treatment (0-2502 mJ/cm²), packed and stored at room temperature for a period of 15 days (21.5 ± 0.8°C). Similar as for the breads, agar plates with mould spores of Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus montevidensis and Penicillium roqueforti were UVC treated (0-1664 mJ/cm²) and checked daily for visible mould growth during 15 days (25°C). Aspergillus niger showed the strongest resistance towards UVC, a fluence of 800 mJ/cm² was needed to inhibit growth during 15 days of storage, whereas for P. roqueforti and A. montevidensis, respectively, UV levels of 291 and 133 mJ/cm² were found sufficient. Furthermore, the shelf-life of wholemeal, rye and six-grain bread can be prolonged from 5 to 6, 8 and 9 days, respectively, using 2502 mJ/cm². The effect of higher UVC dosage on shelf-life reached a maximal level and was strongly impacted by the wide spread on data of mould-free shelf-life. The main factors influencing the potential of UV decontamination were the rough bread surface, differences in DTL, the possibility of post-contamination and UV permeability of packaging materials.

Acceptability of bread made with hemp (Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa) flour evaluated fresh and following a partial bake method

With an increasing demand for gluten-free foods, there has been an interest in the utilization of nonconventional ingredients to improve the nutritional quality, sensory attributes, and functionality of gluten-free products. Hemp (Cannabis sativa subsp. Sativa) is one of these ingredients that have yet to be thoroughly evaluated. The primary objective of this study was to determine the acceptability and consumers' sensory perceptions of gluten-free bread (GFB) made with hemp flour. The secondary objective was to assess if the acceptability of the bread changes after 45 days of frozen storage following a partial bake method. The first trial (n = 89) instructed participants to assess six fresh bread samples of varying hemp percentages (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%), using check-all-that-apply questionnaire and a 9-point hedonic scale. This procedure was repeated for the second trial (n = 81), which used partially baked bread samples of the same composition. Overall, as the percentage of hemp flour increased, the overall liking of the GFB decreased. The 5% hemp incorporation in the fresh bread and the 15% hemp incorporation or less in the partially baked bread did not significantly differ from the control bread (fresh and partially baked, respectively). Attributes found to drive the liking of bread were smooth (only for the frozen bread), porous, moist, and soft, whereas the attributes that led to disliking were yeasty and dense. In future research, partial baking methods should be varied to assess the optimal freezing and baking ratio that are specific for hemp-based breads. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The gluten-free bread (GFB) made with 5% hemp incorporation was not significantly different from the control and was acceptable to consumers. The partially baking method is a suitable method to be used with GFBs incorporated with hemp as it did not affect the consumer acceptability. Additionally, hemp flour incorporation in partially baked GFB was acceptable up to 15%. Consumers prefer GFB with hemp that possesses smooth, porous, moist, and soft attributes.

Application of rich in β-glucan flours and preparations in bread baked from frozen dough

This study aims to define the changes in the quality of bakery products depending on the β-glucan source and its contribution using bake-off technology. The examined bread was enriched with a 10% addition of oat flour, barley flour, oat fibre preparation, and barley fibre preparation. Bread was tested for rheological parameters, baking performance, hardness and springiness, water content, specific volume, porosity, crust and crumb colour, and β-glucan content. In the executed research, the adverse effect of this component on the formation of gluten network and hardness of the crumb was observed. In the double compression test, it was shown that the highest hardness on the day of baking was characterized by the bread with the addition of barley preparation. The fastest rate of staling was observed in the bread with additional barley flour that was affected by the highest amount of β-glucan. A significant decrease of the β-glucan level was also found during the technological bake-off process, which can be explained by the activity of enzymes.

Enrichment of Antioxidant Capacity and Vitamin E in Pita Made from Barley

This study aimed to enhance total antioxidant and vitamin E content of pita bread, by replacing 50% of the standard baker's flour with flours milled from covered (WI2585 and Harrington) or hulless (Finniss) barley genotypes, previously shown to have high antioxidant and vitamin E levels at harvest. Pita breads were made from either 100% baker's flour (control) or 50% malt flour, whole-grain flour, or flour from barley grains pearled at 10%, 15%, and 20% grain weight. Antioxidant capacity and vitamin E content of flours and pitas were determined by their ability to scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. The physical and sensory properties of the pitas were also assessed. All pitas made from either whole grain or pearled barley flour had a higher antioxidant capacity and most also had higher vitamin E content than standard pita. The antioxidant and vitamin E levels were reduced in pearled compared to whole grains, however the extent of that reduction varied among genotypes. The greatest antioxidant and vitamin E levels were found in pita made from malt flour or Finniss whole grain flour. Furthermore, sensory analysis suggested these pitas were acceptable to consumers and retained similar physical and sensory properties to those in the control pita.

Baking loss of bread with special emphasis on increasing water holding capacity

Potato flour (PF), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and honey were used as baking agents and their effects on baking loss and sensory quality were studied. PF at 1, 2 and 4% levels decreased baking loss followed by HPMC and honey. Water absorption was substantially high with the HPMC (70.8-80.8%) and PF (61.7-71.7%) compared to honey and normal standard bread. PF incorporation increased shelf-life (6-7 days) as compared to HPMC and honey. HPMC incorporated bread had higher moisture content (36.8-38.0%) followed by PF (34.5-35.8%) and honey (34.7%). The ash content was in the order of PF (1%) > honey (4%) > PF (2%) > normal bread > HPMC (0.5 g) > PF (4%) > HPMC (1 g) > HPMC (1.5 g). PF incorporated bread had sensorily highest acceptance followed by HPMC and honey.