Influence of Buckwheat Seed Fractions on Dough and Baking Performance of Wheat Bread

The study was conducted to determine the influence of buckwheat fractions (BF) on the physicochemical characteristics of wheat flour (WF), dough rheology, and bread quality parameters. Buckwheat seeds’ fractionation influenced the microstructure and molecular conformation depending on the particle size (PS). The protein content of the WF–BF improved when the medium PS was added and decreased for large and small PS. Lipids and ash increased with the increase in BF amount in all samples in comparison with the control. Dough tenacity increased with BF addition, being higher than in WF dough only when large PS were added, while samples with medium and small PS presented a lower tenacity in comparison with the control. Dough extensibility decreased significantly in all samples when BF increased, as follows: M ˃ S ˃ L. Dough viscoelastic moduli increased proportionally when adding large PS, while the addition of medium PS (5–15%) and small PS decreased it. Bread firmness, springiness, and gumminess rose proportionally with the addition level. Bread volume decreased when BF increased, and medium PS had a good influence on this parameter. Bread porosity and elasticity presented higher values than for the control bread, but these decreased when the BF amount increased. Flour and bread crust and crumb color parameters were also influenced by different fractions of BF addition.

AGE-Rich Bread Crust Extract Boosts Oxidative Stress Interception via Stimulation of the NRF2 Pathway

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) result from a non-enzymatic reaction of proteins with reactive carbohydrates. Heat-processed food, such as bread, contains high amounts of AGEs. The activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway by bread crust extract (BCE) is well understood. However, it is largely unknown whether NRF2, the master regulator of oxidative stress resistance in mammalian cells, is affected by BCE. We have investigated the molecular mechanisms by which BCE induces antioxidant gene expression in cellular models. Our data showed that soluble extracts from bread crust are capable of stimulating the NRF2 signaling pathway. Furthermore, NRF2 pathway activation was confirmed by microarray and reporter-cell analyses. QRT-PCR measurements and Western blot analyses indicated an induction of antioxidative genes such as HMOX1, GCLM and NQO1 upon BCE treatment. Moreover, BCE pretreated cells had a survival advantage compared to control cells when exposed to oxidative stress. BCE induces phosphorylation of AKT and ERK kinase in EA.hy926 cells. By mass spectrometry, several new, potentially active modifications in BCE were identified. Our findings indicate that BCE activates NRF2-dependent antioxidant gene expression, thus provoking a protection mechanism against oxidative stress-mediated tissue injury. Hence, BCE can be considered as functional food with antioxidative and cardioprotective potential.

Investigation of Quinoa Seeds Fractions and Their Application in Wheat Bread Production

The present study aimed to investigate the influence of quinoa fractions (QF) on the chemical components of wheat flour (WF), dough rheological properties, and baking performance of wheat bread. The microstructure and molecular conformations of QF fractions were dependent to the particle size. The protein, lipids, and ash contents of composite flours increased with the increase of QF addition level, while particle size (PS) decreased these parameters as follows: Medium ˃ Small ˃ Large, the values being higher compared with the control (WF). QF addition raised dough tenacity from 86.33 to 117.00 mm H2O, except for the small fraction, and decreased the extensibility from 94.00 to 26.00 mm, while PS determined an irregular trend. The highest QF addition levels and PS led to the highest dough viscoelastic moduli (55,420 Pa for QL_20, 65245 Pa for QM_20 and 48305 Pa for QS_20, respectively). Gradual increase of QF determined dough hardness increase and adhesiveness decrease. Bread firmness, springiness, and gumminess rises were proportional to the addition level. The volume, elasticity, and porosity of bread decreased with QF addition. Flour and bread crust and crumb color parameters were also influenced by QF addition with different PS.

Commercial special bread: Evaluation of texture, color, moisture content, water activity and nutritional labeling

Three types of special bread (WB: bread with whole-wheat flour, LWB: ‘light’ bread with whole-wheat flour, and MB: bread with multi-cereals) were purchased in the local market, and moisture content was analyzed as well as the following parameters water activity (aw), instrumental texture, and instrumental color of the bread (crust and crumb) using spectrophotometer with CIELab system (n=10). The chroma or C * value and the hue angle were also calculated. The labels of the bread were analyzed according to Resolution-RDC nº 360, which provides information about nutritional labeling of packaged foods. The three breads presented in their composition whole wheat flour and wheat fiber, which are indispensable ingredients for the loaves to be considered "special bread". The compression force applied to cause disruption in the bread was higher in WB (3.88 N) without significant difference with MB (3.79 N) and lower in LWB (2.85 N). The color parameters of the breads showed that WB was darker (lower value of L * = 34.44 in the crust) than the others.

Enhancing the Nutritional Properties of Bread by Incorporating Mushroom Bioactive Compounds: The Manipulation of the Pre-Dictive Glycaemic Response and the Phenolic Properties

Wheat bread supplemented with mushroom powder from three different species of mushrooms was investigated in terms of starch characteristics (content, gelatinisation, and digestibility) and antioxidant capacities. The decrease in total starch contents, and increase in phenolic contents of the breads, were associated with increased mushroom powder contents. Mushroom inclusion reduced the rate of reducing sugar released over 120 min in an in vitro digestion compared to the control sample, implying a lower area under the curve (AUC) value with the inclusion of mushroom powder and a potentially lower predicted glycaemic response of the bread. Mushroom powder incorporation also enhanced the DPPH radical scavenging assay and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) compared to control bread. The action of the addition of different mushroom powders on the bread crust and crumb microstructure properties was also studied. Mushroom powder altered the internal microstructure of the bread crust and crumb by affecting the interactions between starch and the other components of the bread. Overall, this shows that mushroom powder could be added to bread to deliver health benefits to consumers.

Impact of experimental thermal processing of artificially contaminated pea products on ochratoxin A and phomopsin A

Fungi of Aspergillus and Penicillium genus can infect peas (Pisum sativum), leading to a contamination with the nephrotoxic and carcinogenic ochratoxin A (OTA). Under unfavourable conditions, a fungus primarily found on lupines, Diapothe toxica, may also grow on peas and produce the hepatotoxic phomopsin A (PHOA). To study the effect of processing on OTA and PHOA content, two model products—wheat/rye-mixed bread with pea flour addition and pea pasta—were manufactured at small-business scale from artificially contaminated pea flour. The decrease of OTA and PHOA contents were monitored along the production process as indicators for toxin transformation. Pea bread dough was subjected to proofing for 30–40 min at 32 °C and baked at 250 °C to 230 °C for 40 min. OTA content (LODs < 0.1 μg/kg) showed a reduction in the bread crust (initially 17.0 μg/kg) to 88% and no reduction in the crumb (110%). For PHOA (LODs < 3.6 μg/kg), a decrease to approximately 21% occurred in the bread crust (initially 12.5 μg/kg), whilst for crumb, a less intense decrease to 91% was found. Pea pasta prepared with two toxin levels was extruded at room temperature, dried and cooked for 8 min in boiling water. In pea pasta, OTA was reduced from 29.8 to 13.9 μg/kg by 22% each after cooking, whilst 15% and 10% of the initial toxin amounts were found in the cooking water, respectively. For PHOA, 60% and 78% of initially 14.3 μg/kg and 7.21 μg/kg remained in the cooked pasta. As only the decrease of the initial content was measured and no specific degradation products could be detected, further research is needed to characterise potential transformation products. Heat treatment reduces the initial PHOA content stronger than the OTA content during pasta cooking and bread making. However, significant amounts of both toxins would remain in the final products.

White Bread Fortified with Calcium from Eggshell Powder

This paper presents the preparation of white bread with different hen eggshell powder additions. The aim of this paper is to resolve at least two important aspects: the waste recovery from food industry and fortification of white bread with minerals (calcium). The addition of eggshell powder to the white bread preparation was up to 2% and an increase in bread quality was on elasticity and humidity starting with 0.5% eggshell powder addition. Bread aging occurred 10 to 12 h after its baking. After 24 h, all physico-chemical properties of bread crust and crumb in the case of fortified bread with calcium had a positive effect.

Physicochemical Properties and Consumer Acceptance of Bread Enriched with Alternative Proteins

A projected global population growth by 2050 and climate change crises have led to increasing demand in edible protein sources; thus, scientific research and food industries are searching for alternatives. In this study, we investigated the incorporation of plant- and insect-based protein sources in wheat-based formulations. The Alveographic properties of dough and the effects on bread physicochemical and sensory characteristics were analysed. Including pea protein or insect powder improved the nutritional value, increasing protein content, but influenced the dough and bread properties. Pea protein significantly increased the dough extensibility (L), tenacity (P), and their ratio (P/L) in dough with insect blends and the control. Bread texture properties were significantly affected by the addition of pea and insect flour. Higher amounts of pea protein incorporation increased hardness values and showed a mean cell area lower than the control bread. Crust colour analysis showed significant differences concerning the control bread, while crumb colour was affected by the flour colour. Word association analysis showed insect bread was associated with an emotional dimension, wheat bread was linked with “tradition”, and pea bread was associated with “fruit and vegetable”.