Improvement of Texture, Nutritional Qualities, and Consumers’ Perceptions of Sorghum-Based Sourdough Bread Made with Pediococcus pentosaceus and Weissella confusa Strains

Enriched gluten-free products are in high demand owing to increasing celiac disease worldwide. Sourdough fermentation can improve the quality of gluten-free cereals, rendering the resulting product beneficial as a functional food. This study produced sorghum bread (SB) using sourdough technology and evaluated the texture, nutrition profile, bioactive components, and sensory attributes of the product. The base formula was composed of sorghum flour and corn starch. Sourdough made with Pediococcus pentosaceus LD7 (PL7), P. pentosaceus SA8 (PS8), or Weissella confusa SD8 (WS8) was added at a 20% substitution level for bread production, while bread without sourdough addition was used as the control sample. The texture profiles of the SB were significantly (p ˂ 0.05) softer than that of the control. The sourdough breads possessed higher crude protein, ash, and dietary fibre contents than the control bread. Tannin and total phenol contents were significantly (p ˂ 0.05) higher in the sourdough breads compared to the control sample. The specific volume of the sample made with PS8 sourdough was the highest at 2.50 cm3/g compared to the other samples (2.17–2.46 cm3/g). The sourdough samples had higher scores for taste, texture, aroma, and overall acceptability than the control, with PL7 SB exhibiting the best overall acceptability (6.56). This study established promising use of sourdough with starters as an ingredient for baked products with improved technological and nutritional attributes as well as consumer acceptability.

Impact of Raw, Roasted and Dehulled Chickpea Flours on Technological and Nutritional Characteristics of Gluten-Free Bread

The main objective of this study was to develop a healthy rice-based gluten-free bread by using raw, roasted, or dehulled chickpea flours. All breads containing chickpea flours showed a darker crust and were characterized by an alveolar (porosity 41.5–51.4%) and soft crumb (hardness 5.5-14.1 N). Roasted chickpea flour bread exhibited the highest specific volume, the softest crumb, and the slowest staling rate. Enriching rice-based breads with the chickpea flours resulted in increased protein (from 9.72 to 12.03–13.21 g/100 g dm), ash (from 2.01 to 2.45–2.78 g/100 g dm), fat (from 1.61 to 4.58–5.86 g/100 g), and total phenolic contents (from 49.36 up to 80.52 mg GAE/100 g dm), and in reduced (~10–14% and 13.7–17%, respectively) available starch levels and rapidly digestible starch compared to rice bread. Breads with roasted chickpea flour also showed the highest in vitro protein digestibility. The results of this study indicated that the enrichment of rice-based gluten-free breads with chickpea flours improved the technological and nutritional quality of the breads differently according to the processed chickpea flour used, also allowing recovery of a waste product.

Techno-Functional and Gelling Properties of Acha (Fonio) (Digitaria exilis stapf) Flour: A Study of Its Potential as a New Gluten-Free Starch Source in Industrial Applications

Fonio (Digitaria exilis Stapf) is an ancient African cereal that represents a rich source of carbohydrate, fat, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and sulfur-containing amino acids. Processing and utilization of fonio require adequate knowledge of its structural, chemical, and nutritional characteristics. The present work evaluates the structural, techno-functional, and gelling properties of fonio and compares them to other major gluten-free cereals (rice, maize, sorghum, and millet). Fonio flour presented significantly higher water absorption index and swelling power, while it scored a lower water solubility index than the reference flours. The pasting viscosity profile of fonio was similar to that of rice, with equivalent peak viscosity but a breakdown viscosity 24% lower than rice, indicative of higher stability and resistance to shearing and heating. Rheological properties demonstrated that fonio generates gels with remarkably strong structures. At 15% concentration, fonio gel withstood stress 579% higher than those observed in the reference flours without breaking its structure. Fonio flour presented the highest gelatinization enthalpy (11.45 J/g) and a narrow gelatinization temperature range (9.96 °C), indicative of a better-packed starch structure than the other analyzed flours. The texture of the gels made with fonio showed higher firmness over the evaluated period. These combined results suggest that fonio is a suitable ingredient for gel-like food formulations.

Identifiable Dietary Patterns of Pregnant Women: A Canadian Sample

Purpose: To estimate the percentage of a sample of pregnant women in Canada following a vegetarian, vegan, low-carbohydrate, gluten-free, Mediterranean, or well-balanced diet, before and during pregnancy and to explore if pregnant women received and were satisfied with nutrition information received from health care providers (HCPs). Methods: Participants were conveniently sampled through Facebook and Twitter. An online survey collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, maternal diet, and whether women received and were satisfied with nutrition information from their HCPs. The McNemar test assessed changes in the proportion of diets followed before and during pregnancy. Results: Of 226 women, most followed a well-balanced diet before (76.9%) and during (72.9%) pregnancy (p = 0.26). Vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, and low-carbohydrate diets were the least followed diets before and during pregnancy (vegetarian: 7.6% vs 5.3%; gluten-free: 4.9% vs 4.0%; vegan: 2.7% vs 2.2%; low-carbohydrate:4.0% vs 0.4%). Overall, the number of women following restrictive diets before pregnancy was significantly reduced throughout pregnancy (19.1% vs 12.0%, p < 0.001). Only 52.0% of women received nutrition information from their primary HCP, and 35.6% were satisfied with the nutrition information received. Conclusions: Most women followed a well-balanced diet before and during pregnancy and approximately one-third were satisfied with the information received from HCPs.

Research on functional gluten-free sorghum muffins of different varieties

Для больных целиакией стоит проблема при составлении рациона питания, в основном это отказ от изделий, которые содержат в своем составе глютен. Перед хлебопекарными предприятиями стоит задача расширить ассортимент безглютеновых продуктов. При изготовлении продуктов, не содержащих глютен, применяют нетрадиционное сырье: к такому сырью относится сорговая мука. Зерно сорго универсально в использовании, в зависимости от сорта его используют как на пищевые цели, так и на кормовые и промышленные. Цель работы - изучение возможности применения сорговой муки из разных сортов для изготовления функциональных безглютеновых кексов. Анализ оценки качества муки и готовых изделий осуществляли органолептическим и физико-химическим способом. Исследованы показатели качества готовых изделий: пшеничной муки высшего сорта и цельносмолотой, полученной из озимой пшеницы сорта Поволжская Нива, а также цельносмолотой сорговой муки из сортов Рось, Державное, Вера и линии Л-246/17. При определении органолептических и физико-химических показателей выявлено, что цвет муки у контрольных образцов был белый и бежевый. У цельносмолотой сорговой муки в зависимости от сорта от светло-бежевого до коричневого. Влажность муки была в норме и не превышала 15 %. По данным фракционного состава белка, самое низкое содержание глютелинов оказалось у линии Л-246/17 (7,98 %), тогда как у пшеничной муки высшего сорта 31,17 %. Хлебопекарная оценка готовых изделий показала, что все кексы со слегка выпуклой формой корки, пропеченные. Объем и удельный объем кексов из цельносмолотой муки сортов Рось, Державное и линии Л-246/17 больше по сравнению с контрольным образцом из цельносмолотой муки пшеницы сорта Поволжская Нива. Проведен сравнительный анализ сортов зернового сорго для применения их в пищевой промышленности, в качестве безглютенового сырья для производства кондитерских изделий. For patients with celiac disease, there is a problem when compiling a diet, mainly it is the rejection of products that contain gluten in their composition. Bakeries are faced with the task of expanding the range of gluten-free products. In the manufacture of gluten-free products, non-traditional raw materials are used, such raw materials include sorghum flour. Sorghum grain is universal in use, depending on the variety, it is used both for food purposes, and for feed and industrial purposes. The purpose of the work is to study the possibility of using sorghum flour from different varieties for the production of functional gluten-free cupcakes. The analysis of the evaluation of the quality of flour and finished products was carried out by organoleptic and physico-chemical methods. The quality indicators of finished products were studied: wheat flour of the highest grade and whole-ground wheat obtained from winter wheat of the Volga Niva variety, as well as whole - ground sorghum flour from the Ros, Derzhavnoye, Vera varieties and the L-246/17 line. When determining the organoleptic and physico-chemical parameters, it was revealed that the color of the flour in the control samples was white and beige. For whole-ground sorghum flour, depending on the variety, from light beige to brown. The moisture content of the flour was normal and did not exceed 15 %. According to the fractional composition of the protein, the lowest content of glutelins was found in the L-246/17 line 7.98 %, while wheat flour of the highest grade - 31.17 %. The bakery evaluation of the finished products showed that all the cupcakes with a slightly convex crust shape are baked. The volume and specific volume of cupcakes made of whole-ground flour of the Ros, Derzhavnoye varieties and the L-246/17 line is higher compared to the control sample made of whole-ground wheat flour of the Volga Niva variety. A comparative analysis of varieties of grain sorghum for their use in the food industry, as gluten-free raw materials for the production of confectionery products is carried out

Vegan Egg: A Future-Proof Food Ingredient?

Vegan eggs are designed with the aim to provide a healthier and more sustainable alternative to regular eggs. The major drivers of this industry are the increasing prevalence of egg allergies, awareness towards environmental sustainability, and the shift to vegan diets. This study intends to discuss, for the first time, the vegan egg market, including their formulation, nutritional aspects, and some applications (i.e., mayonnaise and bakery products). Recreating the complete functionality of eggs using plant-based ingredients is very challenging due to the complexity of eggs. Current, but scarce, research in this field is focused on making mixtures of plant-based ingredients to fit specific food formulations. Nutritionally, providing vegan eggs with similar or higher nutritional value to that of eggs can be of relevance to attract health-conscious consumers. Claims such as clean labels, natural, vegan, animal-free, gluten-free, and/or cholesterol-free can further boost the position of vegan eggs in the market in the coming year. At present, this market is still in its infancy stages, and clear regulations of labeling, safety, and risk assessment are deemed mandatory to organize the sector, and protect consumers.