The Use of Durum Wheat Oil in the Preparation of Focaccia: Effects on the Oxidative Stability and Physical and Sensorial Properties

Influence of the Mozzarella Type on Chemical and Sensory Properties of "Pizza Margherita"

BACKGROUND

According to Neapolitan Pizza Traditional Specialty Guaranteed (TSG) regulation, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana and Fiordilatte mozzarella are the exclusive cheeses to be used, together with tomato and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), to season pizza in the "Margherita" variant. However, the so-called "Pizza mozzarella", that is a diary product having lower moisture content and a longer shelf life than Mozzarella di Bufala Campana and Fiordilatte mozzarella, is widely used in many pizzerias, both in Italy and abroad. Therefore, we investigated its quality, in comparison with Mozzarella di Bufala and Fiordilatte mozzarella, as well as its effect on the quality of the Margherita pizza.

METHODS

Chemical and sensory analyses were conducted on mozzarella samples and on baked pizza topping samples.

RESULTS

The results revealed a better quality of pizza with Mozzarella di Bufala and Fiordilatte mozzarella for their higher antioxidant activity, oxidative stability and lower amount of undesired volatile compounds.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of Mozzarella di Bufala and Fiordilatte mozzarella in the preparation of Margherita pizza improves its quality, especially if these mozzarella types are combined with other high-quality ingredients, namely tomato sauce and EVOO, characterized by the presence of antioxidant compounds (e.g., α-tocopherol not affected by the heat treatment of pizza baking.

Bioactive components and nutritional properties of fiber-rich cookies produced with different parts of oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.)

BACKGROUND

Oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) possesses exocarp and endocarp layers enriched with abundant phytochemicals and fiber. Flours produced in different parts of oleaster were used in cookie formulation to improve the bioactive components and nutritional properties of cookies.

RESULTS

The rheological properties of composite flours containing varying levels of oleaster exocarp flour (O'EX-F) and endocarp flour (O'EN-F), ranging from 0% to 30%, were assessed using Mixolab (Chopin Technologies, Villeneuve-la-Garenne, France). The physical, chemical, nutritional, and sensory properties of cookies made with these flours were also analyzed. The substitution of O'EX-F and O'EN-F in the cookies enhanced redness and total color differences at the same time as decreasing hardness and improving the spread ratio. Furthermore, using these flours elevated the dietary fiber content of the cookies, particularly in terms of soluble and total dietary fiber. O'EX-F and O'EN-F also significantly increased free, bound, and total phenolic contents, as well as antioxidant capacity. Sensory evaluation of cookies with 10% and 20% O'EX-F and O'EN-F indicated greater appreciation than control cookies. Incorporating 20% O'EX-F and 20% O'EN-F into cookies resulted in a notable increase in Ca, Mg, K, Fe, and Zn levels.

CONCLUSION

The utilization of O'EX-F and O'EN-F, which contain a wealth of bioactive components, has significantly impacted the dough of rheology. Including these ingredients in cookie formulations has demonstrated improvements in ash, dietary fiber content, phenolics, antioxidant activity, and overall technological quality at the same time as providing distinctive sensory properties. The present study has contributed a new composite flour to the existing literature and has facilitated the development of novel cookie products for the functional food industry. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Comparison of wet and dried chickpea yeast in breadmaking

BACKGROUND

Chickpea yeast (CY), initiated by spontaneous fermentation of coarsely-ground chickpea in water, is considered a variant of conventional sourdough and contributes somewhat similarly to bakery products. As the preparation of wet CY prior to each baking process poses certain difficulties, its usage in dry form has been gaining interest. In this study, CY was used either directly in freshly prepared wet form or in freeze-dried and spray-dried forms at 50, 100 and 150 g kg^-1 levels (all on 14% moisture basis) in substitution with wheat flour to compare their effects on bread properties.

RESULTS

Utilization of all forms of CY did not noticeably change the contents of protein, fat, ash, total carbohydrate and damaged starch in the wheat flour-CY mixtures. However, falling numbers and sedimentation volumes of CY-containing mixtures decreased significantly, due probably to the increase in the amylolytic and proteolytic activities during chickpea fermentation. These changes somewhat corresponded to improved dough processability. Both wet and dried CY samples reduced pH levels of doughs and breads, and increased probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count. Total phenolic contents, antioxidant capacities and flavor scores of CY-containing breads were significantly enhanced. However, CY usage slightly influenced yield, moisture content, volume, color and hardness values of breads.

CONCLUSION

Effects of wet and dried forms of CY on bread properties were quite comparable, indicating that CY can be used upon properly drying similarly to the conventional wet form. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Developing a Clean Labelled Snack Bar Rich in Protein and Fibre with Dry-Fractionated Defatted Durum Wheat Cake

The shift towards a vegetarian, vegan, or flexitarian diet has increased the demand for vegetable protein and plant-based foods. The defatted cake generated during the extraction of lipids from durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) milling by-products is a protein and fibre-containing waste, which could be upcycled as a food ingredient. This study aimed to exploit the dry-fractionated fine fraction of defatted durum wheat cake (DFFF) to formulate a vegan, clean labelled, cereal-based snack bar. The design of experiments (DoEs) for mixtures was applied to formulate a final product with optimal textural and sensorial properties, which contained 10% DFFF, 30% glucose syrup, and a 60% mix of puffed/rolled cereals. The DFFF-enriched snack bar was harder compared to the control without DFFF (cutting stress = 1.2 and 0.52 N/mm², and fracture stress = 12.9 and 9.8 N/mm² in the DFFF-enriched and control snack bar, respectively), due to a densifying effect of DFFF, and showed a more intense yellow hue due to the yellow-brownish colour of DFFF. Another difference was in the caramel flavour, which was more intense in the DFFF-enriched snack bar. The nutritional claims "low fat" and "source of fibre" were applicable to the DFFF-enriched snack bar according to EC Reg. 1924/06.

Fermented cereal soup with artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) bracts: volatile profile, functional, powder and sensory properties

BACKGROUND

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) bracts are agricultural wastes formed during artichoke processing. Artichoke bracts are used in fermented cereal soup tarhana to replace 10%, 20%, and 30% of wheat flour and functional, powder, sensory properties and volatile compounds of tarhana samples were investigated.

RESULTS

The use of artichoke bracts in tarhana increased total (8.37-17.17 g/100 g) and insoluble dietary fiber (5.84-14.09 g/100 g), total phenolic content (2.88-3.62 mg GAE/g), and antioxidant activity (3.07-3.86 μmol TE/g) values. Replacement of wheat flour by artichoke bracts resulted in lower L*, a*, and b* values. While water absorption capacity increased, oil absorption capacity and emulsifying activity were not affected by artichoke bracts replacement. Artichoke bracts replacement in tarhana influenced powder characteristics as, decrease in bulk density, increase in Carr index, wettability, and dispersibility values. Volatiles from terpene are most abundant (64.47-27.17 mg/kg) in tarhana containing artichoke bracts, followed by volatiles from ester (42.91-25.85 mg/kg). Limonene was the main volatile compound of tarhana samples.

CONCLUSION

Sensory acceptable tarhana was obtained when up to 30% artichoke bracts were used as wheat flour replacer in tarhana. The contribution to sustainability was achieved, and a healthier tarhana rich in dietary fiber was obtained by using artichoke bracts in tarhana. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Oil Type Used in Neapolitan Pizza TSG Topping on Its Physical, Chemical, and Sensory Properties

BACKGROUND

According to the regulations of the Neapolitan Pizza TSG, extra virgin olive oil must be exclusively used as topping ingredient, together with tomato for pizza marinara-type production. As, often deliberately, other oils are replaced by pizza makers for economical and organoleptic purposes, the present study was conducted to analyze the quality of pizza depending on the oil typology used.

METHODS

Chemical and sensory analyses were performed on olive oils and on pizza topping mix samples after cooking to detect changes due to the applied cooking processing.

RESULTS

The results revealed the best quality of a monovarietal olive oil (Ottobratica cv.) for their peculiar phenolic content related to the best oxidation stability after pizza's cooking, expressed as bioactive amounts and lower presence of undesired volatile compounds.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of an extra virgin monovarietal olive oil, such as Ottobratica cv., in the topping of pizza is preferable to other oils, also EVOO, because of its higher quality, which is reflected in greater health and pleasant characteristics from a sensorial point of view.

Durum Wheat Products-Recent Advances

Durum wheat is widely used in various products, including long and short dried pasta, fresh and sheeted pasta, couscous, bulgur and baked bread [...].