Perspectives on the Use of Germinated Legumes in the Bread Making Process, A Review

Unravelling the Digestibility and Structure-Function Relationship of Lentil Protein Through Germination and Molecular Weight Fractionation

This study explores for the first time the impact of a 6-day germination process on the structure (FTIR), antioxidant activity, nutritional/safety attributes (ACE-I inhibitory activity, digestibility, and cytotoxicity), and functional properties of fractions of variable molecular weight (W > 5 kDa; 3 kDa < MW < 5 kDa; and MW < 3 kDa) isolated from proteins extracted from lentils. FTIR results indicated a substantial increase in β-sheet contents during germination. The digestibility of proteins increased from day 0 (16.32-17.04%) to day 6 of germination (24.92-26.05%) with variable levels of digestibility depending on their MW. ACE-I inhibitory activity improved during germination in all fractions, reaching IC50 values of 0.95, 0.83, and 0.69 mg/mL after 6 days of germination. All antioxidant activities analyzed notably increased, particularly in low-MW fractions (MW < 3 kDa). The functional properties of low-MW fractions were also the most promising, displaying the highest water and fat binding capacities and emulsifying and foaming capacities but lower foaming and emulsifying stability compared to high-MW fractions. Cytotoxicity tests on L929 cells revealed the slight adverse effects of low-MW fractions during germination. This study provides insights into the enhanced nutritional and functional attributes of lentil proteins following germination, emphasizing their potential application in functional foods.

Impact of Sprouted Chickpea Grits and Flour on Dough Rheology and Bread Features

This study investigated the effects of incorporating sprouted chickpeas, at a 25% enrichment level, into bread production as either grits (90% of particles ≥500 µm) or flour (90% of particles ≤250 µm). The focus was to investigate the role of particle size on dough and bread. In addition to the functional, mixing and pasting properties of ingredients, gluten aggregation, mixing, extensional, leavening, and pasting properties of the blends were assessed during bread-making, as well as bread volume and texture. Chickpea particle size influenced water absorption capacity (1.8 for grits vs. 0.75 g/g for flour) and viscosity (245 for grits vs. 88 BU for flour), with flour showing a greater decrease in both properties. With regard to dough properties, dough development time (16.6 vs. 5.3 min), stability (14.6 vs. 4.6 min), and resistance to extension (319 vs. 235 BU) was higher, whereas extensibility was lower (105 vs. 152 mm) with grits, compared to flour. During bread-making, grits resulted in a higher specific volume (2.5 vs. 2.1 mL/g) and softer crumb (6.2 vs. 17.4 N) at all the considered storage times. In conclusion, sprouted chickpea grits can be effectively used as a new ingredient in bread-making favouring the consumption of chickpea, without compromising product quality.

Technological and Nutritional Aspects of Bread Production: An Overview of Current Status and Future Challenges

Bakery products, especially bread, exist in many homes worldwide. One of the main reasons for its high consumption is that the main raw material is wheat, a cereal that can adapt to a wide variety of soils and climates. However, the nutritional quality of this raw material decreases during its industrial processing, decreasing the value of fibers, proteins, and minerals. Therefore, bread has become a product of high interest to increase its nutritional value. Due to the high consumption of bread, this paper provides a general description of the physicochemical and rheological changes of the dough, as well as the sensory properties of bread by incorporating alternative flours such as beans, lentils, and soy (among others). The reviewed data show that alternative flours can improve fiber, macro, and micronutrient content. The high fiber content reduces the quality of the texture of the products. However, new processing steps or cooking protocols, namely flour proportions, temperature, cooking, and fermentation time, can allow adjusting production variables and optimization to potentially overcome the decrease in sensory quality and preserve consumer acceptance.

Nutritional composition and staling properties of gluten-free bread-added fermented acorn flour

The present study aimed to improve the nutritional quality of gluten-free bread with the addition of acorn flour and to determine the characteristics of the final product. Formulations were adjusted with separately non-fermented and two different fermented acorn flours at different levels (0, 15, 30, and 45%). The breads were assessed in terms of their chemical and physical properties, and their staling characterization was also estimated. Results showed that the fermentation of acorn flour before adding it to the formulation affected some chemical properties, and the addition of increasing amounts of acorn flour generally had a positive effect on the chemical composition. Furthermore, the highest protein, total phenolic content, Ca, K, Mg, Mn, and Fe values were obtained from breads, including fermented acorn flour with chickpea yeast (FAC). However, compared to non-fermented acorn flour (AF), FAC and fermented acorn flour without chickpea yeast (FA) addition caused decreases in weight and volume of breads. Both crust L* and crumb L* values showed a significant reduction with increased acorn addition levels (from 71.88 and 77.22 to 42.26 and 41.15, respectively). The highest initial and final hardness values (T 0 and T ∞) were observed with FAC-added samples, and Avrami exponent n was higher than 1 for only FAC-added breads. Although fermented acorn addition had positive effects on the nutritional profile of breads, the sensory properties of the samples were negatively affected.

Contribution of Insoluble Bound Antioxidants from Germinated Seeds of Wheat and Spelt to the Nutritional Value of White Bread

This research aimed to study the dynamic changes in phenolic antioxidants between the germ and the rest of the germinated seed of wheat and spelt and to evaluate the whole grain flour from germinated seeds as a functional supplement. Longer germination resulted in higher TPC, DPPH, and ABTS values when considering the entire germinated seed, while the optimal germination time was not consistent when considering the germ and the remaining germinated seed separately. While in the germinated seed (without germ) the majority of TPC was determined to be bound phenolics (up to 92%), the extractable form dominated in the germ (up to 69%). The most abundant phenolic antioxidants in germinated wheat and spelt seeds, trans-ferulic acid, cis-ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid, increased significantly with germination. Only breads with 5% germinated spelt or wheat flour were suitable for the production of a food product, showing higher extractable TPC, antioxidant activity, individual phenolic acids, and improved specific volume, and were preferred because of their appearance, aroma, and color. The PCA biplot showed that the addition of 15% and 30% germinated flours had the greatest positive impact on phenolic properties, while breads with the addition of 5% germinated flour had the greatest positive impact on specific volume and color.

Techno-Functional and In Vitro Digestibility Properties of Gluten-Free Cookies Made from Raw, Pre-Cooked, and Germinated Chickpea Flours

Chickpea flour, which is produced in various forms, has high protein and fiber content; therefore, it can be a good ingredient for gluten-free cookies. The objective of this study was to investigate and compare the properties of cookies formulated using raw (RCF), cooked (CCF), and germinated (GCF) chickpea flours. The techno-functional properties of these flours were determined, and scanning electron microscope images and mid-infrared spectra were obtained. The rheological properties of cookie doughs were measured along with their mid-infrared spectra. Baked cookies were analyzed for their technological properties as well as their in vitro digestion properties. Sensory analysis was also performed for all the cookies. The most significant difference among the flours was observed in their water retention capacity, and CCF had 119.7% higher water retention capacity compared to RCF. The dough made with CCF had quite different rheological properties from the others. The cookies baked with GCF had the highest baking loss and spread ratio. The CCF-containing cookies had the hardest structure. The cookies made from RCF had a higher resistant starch content followed by the cookies with GCF. All the cookies had similar scores in all aspects tested in the sensory analysis. The use of three different forms of chickpea flour in cookie formulations resulted in products with very different properties; however, their overall acceptability levels were close.

A study on the use of sorrel seed flour (Hibiscus sabdariffa) for improving functionality of wheat flour bread

Bread presents one of the easiest opportunities as a food vehicle for delivery of nutritional and health-promoting benefits to large segments of the world population. However, its low nutritional status due to lack of balance of essential amino acids and inadequate macro- and micronutrients has necessitated recent interest in the development of high-protein hybrid breads (HPHB). Sorrel seed, an underutilized, neglected protein-rich seed holds promising nutritional and antioxidant potentials as source of good quality protein, dietary fibre and bioactive compounds. Furthermore, germination of plant seeds increases the bioavailability of these nutritional and bioactive compounds. Hence, this study has investigated the influence of germination time on nutritional, and functional properties of sorrel seed flour. Further, the amino acid profile, dietary fibre and rheological functionality of wheat-germinated defatted sorrel seed bread were assessed. The sorrel seed was germinated for 24-48 h and defatted. Thereafter, the germinated defatted sorrel seed flours were used to partially replace wheat flour using a linear replacement (w/w) of 95-80% wheat (W) and 5-20% germinated defatted sorrel seed (GS) flours to obtain W95:GS5; W90:GS10, W85:GS15 and W80:GS20. These composite flours and 100% wheat flour (control) were used to produce breads using standard recipe and methods. Results showed significant increase (P < 0.05) in crude protein, dietary fibre and mineral contents after 24 and 48 h germination of sorrel seed. While 24 h germination significantly (P < 0.05) increased WAC from 93.75% to 103.13%, further germination (48 h) caused a reduction of 26.67% (from 93.75 to 68.75%). In vitro protein digestibility of wheat flour decreased significantly (P < 0.05) as supplementation of germinated defatted sorrel seed flour increased. Supplementation of wheat flour with germinated defatted sorrel seed flour in bread production resulted in 51.84-121.42% significant (p < 0.05) increase in the protein content of wheat bread. Similarly, total essential amino acids, dietary fibre, mineral, and ash contents followed the same increasing trend. The in-vivo biological value which ranged from 82.10 to 89.40% was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than 58.30% obtained for the control (100% wheat bread) Thus, inclusion of germinated defatted sorrel seed flour in bread production may serve as a low-cost nutritional supplement for enhancing the nutritional profile and functional benefits of wheat bread.

A Review of Sustainable Use of Biogenic Nanoscale Agro-Materials to Enhance Stress Tolerance and Nutritional Value of Plants

Climate change is more likely to have a detrimental effect on the world's productive assets. Several undesirable conditions and practices, including extreme temperature, drought, and uncontrolled use of agrochemicals, result in stresses that strain agriculture. In addition, nutritional inadequacies in food crops are wreaking havoc on human health, especially in rural regions of less developed countries. This could be because plants are unable to absorb the nutrients in conventional fertilizers, or these fertilizers have an inappropriate or unbalanced nutrient composition. Chemical fertilizers have been used for centuries and have considerably increased crop yields. However, they also disrupt soil quality and structure, eventually impacting the entire ecosystem. To address the situation, it is necessary to develop advanced materials that can release nutrients to targeted points in the plant-soil environment or appropriate receptors on the leaf in the case of foliar applications. Recently, nanotechnology-based interventions have been strongly encouraged to meet the world's growing food demand and to promote food security in an environmentally friendly manner. Biological approaches for the synthesis of nanoscale agro-materials have become a promising area of research, with a wide range of product types such as nanopesticides, nanoinsecticides, nanoherbicides, nanobactericides/fungicides, bio-conjugated nanocomplexes, and nanoemulsions emerging therefrom. These materials are more sustainable and target-oriented than conventional agrochemicals. In this paper, we reviewed the literature on major abiotic and biotic stresses that are detrimental to plant growth and productivity. We comprehensively discussed the different forms of nanoscale agro-materials and provided an overview of biological approaches in nano-enabled strategies that can efficiently alleviate plant biotic and abiotic stresses while potentially enhancing the nutritional values of plants.

Sustainable plant-based ingredients as wheat flour substitutes in bread making

Bread as a staple food has been predominantly prepared from refined wheat flour. The world's demand for food is rising with increased bread consumption in developing countries where climate conditions are unsuitable for wheat cultivation. This reliance on wheat increases the vulnerability to wheat supply shocks caused by force majeure or man-made events, in addition to negative environmental and health consequences. In this review, we discuss the contribution to the sustainability of food systems by partially replacing wheat flour with various types of plant ingredients in bread making, also known as composite bread. The sustainable sources of non-wheat flours, their example use in bread making and potential health and nutritional benefits are summarized. Non-wheat flours pose techno-functional challenges due to significantly different properties of their proteins compared to wheat gluten, and they often contain off-favor compounds that altogether limit the consumer acceptability of final bread products. Therefore, we detail recent advances in processing strategies to improve the sensory and nutritional profiles of composite bread. A special focus is laid on fermentation, for its accessibility and versatility to apply to different ingredients and scenarios. Finally, we outline research needs that require the synergism between sustainability science, human nutrition, microbiomics and food science.

Effects of Germinated Lentil Flour on Dough Rheological Behavior and Bread Quality

The present study analyzed the effects of germinated lentil flour (LGF) addition at different levels in wheat flour (2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10%), on dough rheological behavior, dough microstructure, and bread quality. Creep-recovery tests showed that the dough samples with high levels of LGF addition presented a higher resistance to flow deformability of the dough. Dough microstructure as analyzed using EFLM showed an increase in the protein area (red color) and a decrease in the starch (green color) amount with the increased level of LGF addition in the wheat flour. It was found that the LGF addition led to the improvement of the porosity, specific volume, and elasticity of the bread samples. The breads with LGF addition were darker and had a slightly reddish and yellowish tint. The bread textural parameters highlighted significant (p < 0.05) higher values for firmness and gumminess and significant (p < 0.05) lower ones for cohesiveness and resilience for the bread with LGF addition when compared with the control. The bread samples with a 2.5% and 5% addition had a more dense structure of the crumb pores. Regarding sensory evaluation, the bread samples with LGF addition in the wheat flour were well appreciated by the consumers. The addition also was desirable due to the fact that it supplemented bread with a greater amount of protein and minerals due to the composition of lentil grains. Therefore, LGF could be successfully used as an ingredient for bread making in order to obtain bread with an improved quality.

Recent Advances in Cereals, Legumes and Oilseeds Grain Products Rheology and Quality

Grains and the products obtained from them have a central importance in human nutrition, representing the main source of food for humans [...]

Rheological Approaches of Wheat Flour Dough Enriched with Germinated Soybean and Lentil

Germination is a convenient technique that could be used to enhance the nutritional profile of legumes. Furthermore, consumers’ increasing demand for diversification of bakery products represents an opportunity to use such germinated flours in wheat-based products. Thus, this study aimed to underline the effects of soybean germinated flour (SGF) and lentil germinated flour (LGF) on the rheological behavior of dough during different processing stages and to optimize the addition level. For this purpose, flour falling number, dough properties during mixing, extension, fermentation, and dynamic rheological characteristics were evaluated. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for the optimization of SGF and LGF addition levels in wheat flour, optimal and control samples microstructures being also investigated through epifluorescence light microscopy (EFLM). The results revealed that increased SGF and LGF addition levels led to curve configuration ratio, visco-elastic moduli, and maximum gelatinization temperature rises, while the falling number, water absorption, dough extensibility, and baking strength decreased. The interaction between SGF and LGF significantly influenced (p < 0.05) the falling number, dough consistency after 450 s, baking strength, curve configuration ratio, viscous modulus, and maximum gelatinization temperature. The optimal sample was found to contain 5.60% SGF and 3.62% LGF added in wheat flour, with a significantly lower falling number, water absorption, tolerance to kneading, dough consistency, extensibility, and initial gelatinization temperature being observed, while dough tenacity, the maximum height of gaseous production, total CO2 volume production, the volume of the gas retained in the dough at the end of the test, visco-elastic moduli and maximum gelatinization temperatures were higher compared to the control. These results underlined the effects of SGF and LGF on wheat dough rheological properties and could be helpful for novel bakery products development.

Dough Rheological Properties, Microstructure and Bread Quality of Wheat-Germinated Bean Composite Flour

Germinated bean flour (GBF) was obtained and incorporated in different levels (5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%) into dough and bread made from refined wheat flour. The incorporation of GBF into wheat flour led to a decrease of the water absorption value, dough consistency, baking strength, extensibility and improved tolerance for mixing, total gas production and α-amylase activity. Tan δ increased in a frequency-dependent manner for the samples with a GBF addition, whereas the G’ and G” decreased with the increased value of the temperature. According to the microscopic structures of the dough samples, a decrease of the starch area may be clearly seen for the samples with high levels of GBF addition in wheat flour. The bread evaluation showed that the specific volume, porosity and elasticity increased, whereas the firmness, gumminess and chewiness decreased up to a level of 15% GBF addition in wheat flour. The color parameters L*, a* and b* of the bread samples indicated a darkening effect of GBF on the crumb and crust. From the sensory point of view, the bread up to a 15% GBF addition was well-appreciated by the panelists. According to the data obtained, GBF could be recommended for use as an improver, especially up to a level of 15% addition in the bread-making industry.

Impact of Germination on the Microstructural and Physicochemical Properties of Different Legume Types

The microstructural and physicochemical compositions of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), lentil (Lens culinaris Merr.), soybean (Glycine max L.), chickpea (Cicer aretinium L.) and lupine (Lupinus albus) were investigated over 2 and 4 days of germination. Different changes were noticed during microscopic observations (Stereo Microscope, SEM) of the legume seeds subjected to germination, mostly related to the breakages of the seed structure. The germination caused the increase in protein content for bean, lentil, and chickpea and of ash content for lentil, soybean and chickpea. Germination increased the availability of sodium, magnesium, iron, zinc and also the acidity for all legume types. The content of fat decreased for lentil, chickpea, and lupine, whereas the content of carbohydrates and pH decreased for all legume types during the four-day germination period. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FT-IR) spectra show that the compositions of germinated seeds were different from the control and varied depending on the type of legume. The multivariate analysis of the data shows close associations between chickpea, lentil, and bean and between lupine and soybean samples during the germination process. Significant negative correlations were obtained between carbohydrate contents and protein, fat and ash at the 0.01 level.