Sensory Trial to Assess the Acceptability of Zinc Fortificants Added to Iron-fortified Wheat Products

ABSTRACT: We studied the sensory acceptability of products made from iron- and zinc-fortified wheat flour. Subjects tasted bread and noodles fortified with 30 mg of iron as FeSO₄/kg flour or iron and either 60 or 100 mg of zinc/ kg flour as either ZnSO₄ or ZnO. Subjects rated their degree of liking (DOL) for flavor, texture, and overall acceptability, using a 9-point hedonic scale. All products were generally well liked, although noodles fortified with iron and ZnO had slightly lower DOL scores than noodles fortified with iron only or iron and ZnSO₄. We conclude that foods prepared from zinc-fortified wheat flour should be well accepted.     

Rheological properties of flour and sensory characteristics of bread made from germinated chickpea

Breads were prepared from wheat flour supplemented with 0,10,20 and 30% ungerminated or germinated chickpea flour to determine the influence of germination on the sensory acceptability of the baked products. Rheological characteristics of the flours were evaluated by the Brabender farinograph and viscoamylograph, using a wheat flour control. Farinograph development and stability times decreased, and amylograph peak viscosities increased for all fortified flours. Germinated flours showed greater retrogradation upon cooling. Most sensory characteristics of fortified breads did not differ significantly, but the chickpea loaf fortified with 10% germinated flour did not compare favourably with the control.     

Iron fortification of finger millet (Eleucine coracana) flour with EDTA and folic acid as co-fortificants

Fortification of staple foods with iron is a feasible strategy to enhance the intake of this mineral. In the present investigation, finger millet flour was explored for its suitability as a vehicle for fortification with iron. Ferrous fumarate and ferric pyrophosphate were added at levels that provided 6 mg of iron per 100 g of the flour, and both were found to be equally effective. Inclusion of EDTA and folic acid, along with the iron salts, significantly increased the bioaccessibility of iron from the fortified flours. The fortified flours were stable up to a period of 60 days. There was a decline in the bioaccessible iron content in the flour fortified with ferric pyrophosphate after 30 days of storage. Heat processing of the flours improved the bioaccessibility of iron from the unfortified and fortified flours. Fortification with iron did not affect the bioaccessibility of the native zinc from the flours.     

Donated fortified cereal blends improve the nutrient density of traditional complementary foods in Haiti, but iron and zinc gaps remain for infants

This research assesses whether fortified cereal blends such as corn-soy blend (CSB) or wheat-soy (WSB) blend can significantly contribute to improving the quality of the diet of infants and young children 6 to 23 months of age. A series of participatory recipe trials was conducted to assess current complementary feeding practices in the Central Plateau of Haiti and to develop new, improved recipes by using a combination of locally available ingredients and foods and donated fortified cereal blends. Our findings show that it is feasible to improve the nutritional quality of complementary foods in poor rural areas of Haiti, using locally available ingredients and fortified cereal blends. Significant improvements in the concentrations of vitamin A could be obtained by including acceptable and affordable amounts of locally available vitamin A-rich foods such as pumpkin or eggs. Only preparations using CSB, however, could achieve the recommended concentrations of iron and zinc in complementary foods, and even this was achievable only for 12- to 23-month-old children. For infants, and especially those between 6 and 8 months of age, the high requirements of 7.7 mg of iron and 1.6 mg of zinc per 100 kcal of complementary foods could not be met, even with a combination of fortified CSB and other locally available, acceptable, and affordable foods. The same was true for the zinc density of complementary foods among 9- to 11-month-old children, which could not be achieved even with fortified CSB. Thus, in this population, fortified cereal blends were key to achieving the recommended iron and zinc densities of complementary foods for children 12 to 23 months of age, but they were not sufficient for infants. Complementary approaches, such as improving the availability, access, and intake of animal-source foods or the use of home fortification techniques (using spreads, sprinkles, or dispersible tablets), are needed to ensure adequate iron and zinc density of complementary foods for infants younger than 12 months in resource-constrained environments such as rural Haiti.     

Phytic acid content in milled cereal products and breads

Phytic acid was determined in cereal (brans, flours and milled wheat-products) and breads. The method was based on complexometric titration of residual iron (III) after phytic acid precipitation. The cereal flours showed values ranged between 3–4 mg/g for soft wheats, 9 mg/g for hard wheat and 22 mg/g for whole wheat. Corn, millet and sorghum flours reported a mean of 10 mg/g and oat, rice, rye and barley between 4 and 7 mg/g. Wheat brans had wide ranges (25–58 mg/g). The phytic acid for oat brans was half that of wheat bran (20 mg/g) and higher value (58 mg/g) than that for rice bran. The milling products (semolinas) from hard wheat exhibited 10 mg/g and soft wheat a mean of 23 mg/g. The breads made with single or mixture cereal flours exhibited ranges between 1.5 and 7.5 mg/g. The loss of phytic acid relative to unprocessed flours was between 20% for oat bread and 50% for white bread.     

Comparison of enhancement in bioaccessible iron and zinc in native and fortified high‐phytate oilseed and cereal composites by activating endogenous phytase

In developing countries, iron and zinc deficiencies are mostly attributable to poor bioavailability of iron and zinc. The study aimed at enhancing the bioaccessibility of minerals in high‐phytate oilseed and cereal flour mixes by activating the intrinsic phytase of wheat flour. The flour mixes were fortified with iron and zinc separately for comparison. The flour mixes were incubated at optimum conditions of temperature and pH for phytase activation. Phytase activation enhanced bioaccessible iron by 43–162% in native and 40–168% in fortified wheat–soya, 83–192% in native and 97–240% in fortified wheat–groundnut flour mixes in relation to control flour mixes. Bioaccessible zinc was enhanced by 87–183% in native and 30–113% in fortified wheat–soya, 31–65% in native and 61–186% in fortified wheat–groundnut flour mixes. Endogenous phytase activation was effective in enhancing bioaccessibility of iron and zinc in native and fortified flour composites economically.     

Bioavailability of Elemental Iron Powders in Bread Assessed with an In vitro Digestion/Caco-2 Cell Culture Model

ABSTRACT: Iron fortification of staple foods is arguably the most widely used strategy for increasing the iron intake of populations. Although FeSO₄ is a bioavailable form of iron, elemental iron powders are often used to fortify products with a long shelf-life, such as wheat flours, to avoid problems associated with the reactive nature of FeSO₄. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to compare the bioavailabilities of elemental iron powders manufactured with different production methods in wheat flour breads and to determine the effects of added ascorbic acid and baking, using an in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell culture model. Two types of wheat flour (low-extraction and high-extraction) were fortified with 10 different commercial elemental iron powders and baked into breads. Iron bioavailabilities from the resulting breads, with and without added ascorbic acid, were evaluated using FeSO₄ as the control. Depending on the type of wheat flour, bioavailabilities of several powders were comparable to FeSO₄, but there was no consistent trend as to which production method produced the most bioavailable powder. In general, ascorbic acid enhanced, whereas the baking process reduced iron bioavailability from bread. Our results suggest that some elemental iron powders are potential alternatives to FeSO₄. Human studies are warranted before any of these powders are selected for national fortification programs.     

Carbohydrate Digestibility and Resistant Starch of Steamed Bread

Sixteen Australian hard and soft wheats and two U.S. hard wheats were milled into flours (break and reduction) for preparation of steamed breads. Chemical composition and rheological properties of the flour were determined. Steamed breads were analyzed for carbohydrate digestibility and resistant starch. There was no relationship between flour type, protein content and specific volume of steamed breads. Carbohydrate digestibility of steamed breads from soft wheat flour was higher than that of breads from hard wheat flour. Reduction flours produced steamed breads with higher carbohydrate digestibility than break flours. Resistant starch was higher in steamed breads from soft wheat flours than in those from hard wheat flours. Reduction flour produced higher resistant starch levels than break flours. Commercial white bread had resistant starch levels similar to those of steamed breads from soft wheat flour and hard wheat reduction flour.     

Incorporation of pulse flours of different particle size in relation to pita bread quality

BACKGROUND: To increase pulse consumption, pita bread was fortified with pulse flours milled from green lentils, navy beans and pinto beans, which were ground to produce fine and coarse flours. Pita breads were prepared using composite flours containing pulse flours (25, 50, 75%) and wheat flour or 100% pulse flours and adjusting the amount of water required for mixing based on farinograph water absorption. Pita bread quality was evaluated according to diameter, pocket height, specific loaf volume, texture and crust colour. RESULTS: Blends made from pulse flours with coarse particle size showed higher rates of water absorption. All composite flours and 100% pulse flours produced pitas with pockets, confirming their suitability for this product. Crust colour of pitas was affected less by navy bean flour than by lentil flour. Pita breads made with pinto bean flour were superior in texture. Overall, navy and pinto bean flours appeared more suitable for pita bread. Flours with coarse particle sizes produced pitas with better colour and texture. Sensory parameters of pitas containing 25% coarse pinto or navy bean flour were as good as or better than those from the wheat control. CONCLUSION: Acceptable pita breads can be made using pulse flours, although the substitution level is limited to 25%. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

New opportunities for gluten-free diet:teff (Eragrostis tef) as fibre source in baking products

This study assessed physicochemical parameters of high fibre and gluten-free breads made with teff and associated flours. Four breads samples were developed: wheat flour (T1), teff flour (T2), teff flour + cassava starch + rice flour (T3 and T4). Hedonic evaluation of sensory attributes characterising the samples was performed by coeliac and non-coeliac subjects. Breads made with different percentages of teff flour showed huge amount of total and insoluble fibres. The wheat bread presented the highest values for pH and the texture parameters analysed, except for crumb hardness and elasticity. The sensory analysis showed that all samples made with teff were well accepted by coeliac and non-coeliac subjects. Purchase intention and the acceptability index suggested a potential market success for the developed products. Teff flour showed promising use for its technological and nutritional values as well as sensory properties, supporting the hypothesis that it is possible to develop new gluten-free bakery products without decreasing consumers’ satisfaction.     

Total phenolic and total flavonoid content,antioxidant activity and sensory evaluation of pseudocereal breads

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of adding (in two different doses 15% and 30%) pseudocereal (buckwheat, amaranth and quinoa) flour on the antioxidant properties and sensory value of breads. Buckwheat flour had the highest phenolic content (7.25 ± 0.23 mg/g dw). The content of total flavonoids in flours was about 2–4 fold higher when compared to breads. The addition of buckwheat flour to wheat bread, particularly in higher dose, was more effective in enhancing antioxidant activity, as evaluated by means of FRAP and DPPH, which increased by 2.36 fold, and 3.64 fold respectively, in comparison with other pseudocereal flours (amaranth, quinoa), which caused, in higher doses, the changes of above parameters within the ranges 1.20–1.79 fold, and 0.60–1.71 fold. Analysis of sensory results of breads showed that addition of buckwheat flour to the dough might improve subjective properties of bread and increase acceptable quality attributes such as taste, colour or odour. All these observations suggest that addition of buckwheat flour into bread can improve antioxidant as well as sensory properties of bread. Bread fortified with pseudocereal flours, and especially with buckwheat flour, may be placed on the market as a functional food.     

Effect of quinoa,chia and millet addition on consumer acceptability of gluten-free bread

There is an increasing demand for gluten-free foods; however, standard gluten-free foods are deficient in nutrients. This study investigated the use of alternative grains (chia, millet and quinoa) in gluten-free breads to evaluate their sensory properties (fresh and following a partial bake method). A sensory trial (n = 98) asked participants to consider six fresh bread samples made from chia, millet and quinoa, using 9-point hedonic scales and check-all-that-apply. A second sensory trial (n = 89) was then completed using par-baked bread samples of the different formulations. The sensory properties and the acceptability of the bread were significantly affected by the chia and quinoa flour. The millet flour did not change the acceptability of the bread. Furthermore, the partial baking method (after 90 days of frozen storage) did not significantly affect the acceptability of the breads made with chia, millet and quinoa, but it did affect the acceptability of the control bread prepared with brown rice flour. Overall, millet flour could be incorporated into gluten-free breads made following a partial baking method without affecting consumer acceptability. Future studies should use a trained panel to evaluate how the breads differ based on the partial baking method.     

Nutritional,Functional and Physical Properties of Extrudates from Blends of Cassava Flour with Cereal and Legume Flours

Low protein and poor functionality limit the use of cassava flour in snack foods, which were modified using blends with cereal and/or legume flours. Native, malted (using alpha-amylase) as well as malted and pre-gelatinized was blended with cereal (finger millet and whole wheat flours) and/or legume (chick pea flour). Extrudates were prepared at a screw speed of 100 rpm and die temperature of 180 °C. Malted flour based extrudates had lower starch content than native flour. Gram malted cassava based blends gave products with the highest protein. In vitro starch digestibility was the highest for pre-gelatinized flour based mixes. Extrudates with low fat and energy have scope as low calorie snacks for obese and diabetic people.     

Nutrient addition to corn masa flour: effect on corn flour stability, nutrient loss, and acceptability of fortified corn tortillas

BACKGROUND: Iron, zinc, and vitamin B complex are among the most prevalent nutritional deficiencies in Mexico, with iron deficiency being the leading cause of anemia. Mexico has the highest per capita consumption of corn in the world, consumed mainly as tortilla. Thus, corn flour for making tortillas has been suggested as an effective strategy to overcome malnutrition in developing countries such as Mexico where corn is a staple food. The stability of micronutrients added to food is an important factor for the success of fortification programs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability of corn flour fortified with micronutrients, and to measure the effect of micronutrient fortification on the sensory quality and stability of the fortificants in fresh and stored tortilla. METHODS: A commercially homogenized nonfortified corn flour (NCFC) produced from degermed white corn was fortified with a premix containing iron, zinc, thiamin, and riboflavin. Changes in thiamin, riboflavin, iron, and zinc content in fortified corn flour (FCF) and nonfortified corn flour (NFCF) during storage were investigated. Vitamin B1 and B2 content was determined by fluorescence spectroscopy while iron and zinc content was analyzed by atomic absorption. RESULTS: Thiamin content in FCF and NFCF showed a significant (p < .05) decrease (24% and 37%, respectively) after 90 days of storage. Riboflavin losses of 18% and 22% were observed for FCF and NFCF, respectively. FCF retained over 90% of iron, while zinc content remained constant. Losses of thiamin (27 to 39%) and riboflavin (37%) were produced during the process to convert corn masa flour into tortillas. CONCLUSIONS: Storage time slightly affected the stability of riboflavin and thiamin in FCF while the cooking process produced considerable losses of both vitamins. Tortillas made from FCF were well accepted by Mexican adults. We conclude that the addition of vitamins and minerals in the forms and quantities used in this study do not modify the shelf-life of corn flour, and neither do they cause sensorial changes in tortillas made from FCF.     

Effect of flour fortification with haem liposome on bread and bread doughs

Slaughter blood haem was encapsulated in lecithin : cholesterol Liposomes. Wheat flour was fortified with this mixture at two levels (60 and 100 mg/100 g flour) using the haem liposomes as iron source. The effect of haem fortification on gluten and fat content of flours was determined, as were the effects of fortification on dough visco‐elastic characteristics (water absorption, development time, dough stability and breakdown time). The baking properties of the breads were also investigated. The addition of haem liposomes increased the fat content of flours, and had a positive effect on the stability and rheological characteristics of the dough. Loaf volume and crumb uniformity was improved. These results indicate a potential nutritional use for haem liposomes..     

Investigation of product quality, sensory profile and ultrastructure of breads made from a range of commercial gluten-free flours compared to their wheat counterparts

Bread is a major staple food consumed daily in all parts of the world. A significant part of the human population cannot tolerate gluten, a storage protein found in wheat, rye and barley, and therefore, products made from alternative cereals are required. During this study, the bread-making potential of seven gluten-free flours, wheat and wholemeal wheat flour was compared. Fermentation potential of the different flours was determined, showing that dough development height of gluten-free and wholemeal wheat samples was lower than for wheat and oat flour. Apart from standard bread quality parameters such as loaf-specific volume and physical crumb texture, also water activity and shelf life have been determined. The shelf life of gluten-free breads was reduced compared to wheat bread. Aroma profiles were evaluated by a trained panel. Wheat, oat and wholemeal wheat breads were liked moderately, while the remaining samples had lower liking scores. Crumb grain characteristics were investigated using image analysis, and microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Overall, only breads produced from oat flour were of similar quality to wheat bread, and the utilization of buckwheat, rice, maize, quinoa, sorghum and teff flours resulted in breads of inferior quality.     

Selenium content of a range of Irish foods

Over the past two decades selenium (Se) intakes have fallen in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, as a result of reduced imports of Se-rich, high protein wheat for bread-making flour from North America and Canada. However, no analyses of the Se content of Irish flours/breads or other foods have been published, thus making it difficult to estimate the daily dietary Se intakes in Ireland. In the present study, the Se content of selected Irish foods, especially breads and flours, was determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry after acid digestion. Less refined Irish wheat flours (wheatmeal, course wholemeal, wheatbran) had higher Se levels (7.7–9.9 μg/100 g) than the more refined flours (plain, self-raising, baker's, strong; 6.0–6.9 μg/100 g). Irish brown breads had higher Se levels (8.6–12.9 μg/100 g) than those of white bread (6.6 μg/100 g). In conclusion, it appears that Irish flours and breads do not contain as much Se as North American or Canadian flours/breads and contain only slightly more Se compared with those currently used in the UK.     

Effects of fiber addition on antioxidant capacity and nutritional quality of wheat bread

Wholegrain and high fiber foods are recognized as nutritious and healthful products due to their content of dietary fiber, antioxidants and bioactive compounds. In this study, wheat, rye, barley, oat wholegrain flours and two fibers namely cellulose (insoluble fiber) and xanthan gum (soluble fiber) were used to replace a portion of wheat flour in pan bread to study effects of fibers on phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, dietary fiber fractions, and starch digestibility in vitro. Incorporation of wholegrain flours increased free and bound phenolics and antioxidant capacity of all the breads examined to various extent depending on the source of fiber. Additionally, soluble, insoluble and total dietary fiber fractions and total minerals increased with the addition of wholegrain flours or fibers. Rapidly and slowly digestible and resistant starches were not significantly influenced by adding wholegrain flours or fibers to breads. The study demonstrates the importance of enriching wheat bread with wholegrain flours to boost antioxidants and dietary fibers. On the other hand, more research is required to better understand impact of wholegrain flours or fiber on starch digestibility in vitro and glycemic response.     

Insects as ingredients for bakery goods. A comparison study of H. illucens,A. domestica and T. molitor flours

Due to a rising demand for proteins, food industry is considering new alternative protein sources that can be used for human food. The aim of this research was to explore the potential use of insects' flour as protein-rich ingredient for bakery products. Hermetia illucens, Acheta domestica and Tenebrio molitor were ground and used to replace 5% wheat flour in doughs and breads. The protein content of the insect flours ranged from 45% to 57% (d.m.) and fat content from 27% to 36% (d.m.). The inclusion of insects' flour affected the rheological properties (water absorption and stability), of dough during mixing, having less water adsorption. Breadmaking process could be carried out with all the composite flours. Breads containing A. domestica flour showed similar specific volume and texture parameters than wheat bread, but with higher content of proteins and fibers. Globally, results confirmed the usefulness of insects' flour for making breads with improved nutritional value.Industrial relevanceThis study evaluated the potential application of three different insects as protein source ingredients for bakery products. Results confirm that insects flour could be added to replace wheat flour in breads without significantly affecting dough properties and leading to breads with acceptable technological quality and improved nutritional profile.     

Technologies for enhancement of bioactive components and potential health benefits of cereal and cereal-based foods: Research advances and application challenges

Cereal grains are a major source of human food and their production has steadily been increased during the last several decades to meet the demand of our increasing world population. The modernized society and the expansion of the cereal food industry created a need for highly efficient processing technologies, especially flour production. Earlier scientific research efforts have led to the invention of the modern steel roller mill, and the refined flour of wheat has become a basic component in most of cereal-based foods such as breads and pastries because of the unique functionality of wheat protein. On the other hand, epidemiological studies have found that consumption of whole cereal grains was health beneficial. The health benefit of whole cereal grain is attributed to the combined effects of micronutrients, phytochemicals, and dietary fibre, which are mainly located in the outer bran layer and the germ. However, the removal of bran and germ from cereal grains during polishing and milling results in refined flour and food products with lower bioactive compounds and dietary fibre contents than those from whole grain. Also, the level of bioactive compounds in cereal food is influenced by other food preparation procedures such as baking, cooking, extrusion, and puffing. Therefore, food scientists and nutritionists are searching for strategies and processing technologies to enhance the content and bioavailability of nutrients, bioactive compounds, and dietary fibre of cereal foods. The objective of this article was to review the research advances on technologies for the enhancement of bioactive compounds and dietary fibre contents of cereal and cereal-based foods. Bioactivities or biological effects of enhanced cereal and cereal-based foods are presented. Challenges facing the application of the proposed technologies in the food industry are also discussed.