Antoni Miś

Raman studies of gluten proteins aggregation induced by dietary fibres.

Interactions between gluten proteins and dietary fibre preparations are crucial in the baking industry. The addition of dietary fibre to bread causes significant reduction in its quality which is influenced by changes in the structure of gluten proteins. Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy was applied to determine changes in the structure of gluten proteins modified by seven dietary fibres. The commercially available gluten proteins without starch were mixed with the fibres in three concentrations: 3%, 6% and 9%. The obtained results showed that all fibres, regardless of their origin, caused the same kind of changes i.e. decrease in the α-helix content with a simultaneous increase in the content of antiparallel-β-sheet. The results indicated that presence of cellulose was the probable cause of these changes, and lead to aggregation or abnormal folding of the gluten proteins. Other changes observed in the gluten structure concerning β-structures, conformation of disulphide bridges, and aromatic amino acid environment, depended on the fibres chemical composition.

Aggregation of gluten proteins in model dough after fibre polysaccharide addition

FT-Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry were used to study changes in structure of gluten proteins and their thermal properties influenced by four dietary fibre polysaccharides (microcrystalline cellulose, inulin, apple pectin and citrus pectin) during development of a model dough. The flour reconstituted from wheat starch and wheat gluten was mixed with the polysaccharides in five concentrations: 3%, 6%, 9%, 12% and 18%. The obtained results showed that all polysaccharides induced similar changes in secondary structure of gluten proteins concerning formation of aggregates (1604cm-1), H-bonded parallel- and antiparallel-β-sheets (1690cm-1) and H-bonded β-turns (1664cm-1). These changes concerned mainly glutenins since β-structures are characteristic for them. The observed structural changes confirmed hypothesis about partial dehydration of gluten network after polysaccharides addition. The gluten aggregation and dehydration processes were also reflected in the DSC results, while the TGA ones showed that gluten network remained thermally stable after polysaccharides addition.

Physical properties of gluten-free bread caused by water addition

Abstract In this paper, we propose for the first time a description (regression and canonical form) of the changes in the physical properties of several types of natural gluten-free bread produced with different amounts of water in the recipe. Five types of bread, made of corn flour (100%), rice flour (100%), corn and rice flour (50:50%), buckwheat, corn, and rice flour (30:35:35%), were investigated. It has been noticed that, by changing the amount of water addition to the dough, it is possible to significantly affect the quality of different types of natural gluten-free bread. Addition of water from 80 to 120% of flour mass, resulted in significant changes in the quality of bread. Bread made of corn flour required the largest amount of water addition (120%); however, bread made of rice flour was characterized by a better quality with the lowest amount of water addition (80%), while bread made of corn and rice flour and buckwheat, corn, and rice flour were characterized by the best quality when the amount of water addition was 90%. Changes in the physical properties of bread were described as second degree polynomial regression equations or by linear regression and the canonical form was proposed.

Physicochemical and grinding characteristics of dragonhead seeds

Abstract The results of investigations on the physicochemical and grinding characteristics of Moldavian dragonhead seeds are presented. The data obtained showed that the physical properties (average size, sphericity, surface area, 1 000 seed mass, dynamic angle of repose, coefficient of static friction, and bulk and true densities) of the white and blue form of dragonhead seeds were not significantly different. Both forms of dragonhead showed similar levels of protein (average of 21%), whereas the blue form of dragonhead had a lower fat content (average of 23.1%) and higher mucilage content (13.35%) in comparison to the blue form of seed (24.6 and 9.95%, respectively). Antioxidant capacity of dragonhead seeds was comparable for both forms and averaged about 40%, which corresponded to EC50 values of 0.12 and 0.13 mgml-1 for the white and blue forms, respectively. The grinding material showed similar particle size distribution of ground material for both forms of dragonhead seeds. The lowest values of specific grinding energy were obtained for the white form of dragonhead seeds, those for the blue form were significantly higher. Grinding of dragonhead seeds using a screen 2.0 mm mesh size caused screen hole clogging. This problem did not occur when dragonhead seeds were mixed with wheat grain.

Behaviour of Dietary Fibre Supplements During Bread Dough Development Evaluated Using Novel Farinograph Curve Analysis

A regression model composed of two sigmoid functions with variable asymptotes was developed and used to analyse the dietary fibre supplement behaviour during bread dough mixing. Using eight commercial dietary fibres of different botanical origin and model wheat starch-gluten flour, farinograph curves for fibre-flour blends and for the flour only were performed. After smoothing of the curves with the regression model, difference farinograms as the fibre supplementation effects were determined. The results showed that the difference farinograms had two peaks, whose shape was strongly differentiated by the studied supplements. The presence of both peaks allowed distinguishing two kinds of the rheological activity of each fibre supplement: weakening and strengthening of the consistency of bread dough during its development. The carrot, oat, cranberry, and cacao fibres exhibited dominance of strengthening over weakening action. While chokeberry, carob, apple, and flax fibres were characterised by dominance of weakening over strengthening action. The analysis of both position and height of the peaks in the difference farinogram can be also helpful for determination of hydration kinetics of the fibres used for bread supplementation.

Drying and Grinding Characteristics of Four-Day-Germinated and Crushed Wheat: A Novel Approach for Producing Sprouted Flour

The purpose of this study was to examine the drying and grinding characteristics of sprouted and crushed wheat. The four-day-germinated wheat kernels were crushed, dried, and ground in a micro hammer mill. The drying kinetics of sprouts were best described by the Page and two-factor models. The crushing of wheat sprouts before drying decreased the drying time by about half. Sprouting and crushing of wheat sprouts have a significant influence on the grinding process, both on the particle size distribution and on the grinding energy requirements. It was observed that the ground sprouts showed significantly lower values of average particle size compared with the samples of sound kernels. Sprouting caused an increase in the amount of fine particles ( 1.0 mm). All values of grinding indices showed that sprouting and crushing significantly reduced the grinding energy requirements. Moreover, sprouting significantly increased the total phenolics co...

Simulation of the process kinetics and analysis of physicochemical properties in the freeze drying of kale

Abstract Investigations were performed to study the freeze-drying process of kale (Brassica oleracea L. var acephala). The process of freeze-drying was performed at temperatures of 20, 40, and 60°C for whole pieces of leaves and for pulped leaves. The kinetics of the freeze-drying of both kale leaves and kale pulp were best described by the Page model. The increasing freeze-drying temperature from 20 to 60°C induced an approximately two-fold decrease in the drying time. Freeze-drying significantly increased the value of the lightness, delta Chroma, and browning index of kale, and had little influence on the hue angle. The highest increase in the lightness and delta Chroma was observed for whole leaves freeze-dried at 20°C. An increase in the drying temperature brought about a slight decrease in the lightness, delta Chroma and the total colour difference. Pulping decreased the lightness and hue angle, and increased browning index. Freeze-drying engendered a slight decrease in the total phenolics content and antioxidant activity, in comparison to fresh leaves. The temperature of the process and pulping had little influence on the total phenolics content and antioxidant activity of dried kale, but significantly decreased the contents of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b.

Dynamics of gas cell coalescence during baking expansion of leavened dough

The investigation of the dynamics of gas cell coalescence, i.e. a phenomenon that deteriorates the homogeneity of the cellular structure of bread crumb, was carried out performing simultaneously measurements of the dough volume, pressure, and viscosity. It was demonstrated that, during the baking expansion of chemically leavened wheat flour dough, the maximum growth rate of the gas cell radius determined from the ratio of pressure exerted by the expanded dough to its viscosity was on average four-fold lower than that calculated from volume changes in the gas phase of the dough. Such a high discrepancy was interpreted as a result of the course of coalescence, and a formula for determination of its rate was developed. The coalescence rate in the initial baking expansion phase had negative values, indicating nucleation of newly formed gas cells, which increased the number of gas cells even by 8%. In the next baking expansion phase, the coalescence rate started to exhibit positive values, reflecting dominance of the coalescence phenomenon over nucleation. The maximum coalescence rates indicate that, during the period of the most intensive dough expansion, the number of gas cells decreased by 2-3% within one second. At the end of the formation of bread crumb, the number of the gas cells declined by 55-67% in comparison with the initial value. The correctness of the results was positively verified using X-ray micro-computed tomography. The developed method can be a useful tool for more profound exploration of the coalescence phenomenon at various stages of evolution of the cellular structure and its determinants, which may contribute to future development of more effective methods for improving the texture and sensory quality of bread crumb.

Relationship between the properties of raw and cooked spaghetti – new indices for pasta quality evaluation

Abstract The quality of pasta can be evaluated by measuring the characteristics which encompass the most important quality parameters, such as colour, cooking properties and texture. The aim of the study was to suggest new indices which can be used to evaluate the quality of pasta. For the tests, 15 samples of spaghetti (produced from either semolina or common wheat flour) were used. The bending test was performed for the determination of the strength properties of raw pasta, while the pasta colour parameters were evaluated via the Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage system. The pasta cooking test included the evaluation of optimum cooking time, weight increase index and cooking loss. The samples of cooked spaghetti were cut, and the parameters describing pasta texture were determined. Statistical analysis showed significant correlations (α = 0.05) between colour parameters (lightness and redness) and pasta ash content (R = -0.90 and 0.84, respectively). The mechanical properties of raw pasta correlated positively with pasta density. The strongest correlation was found between pasta density and flexural strength. The destruction force for raw spaghetti during the bending test correlated significantly and positively with the cutting force of the cooked pasta. The obtained correlations can be helpful in pasta quality evaluation.

Effect of the addition of mixture of plant components on the mechanical properties of wheat bread

Abstract Instrumental methods of measuring the mechanical properties of bread can be used to determine changes in the properties of it during storage, as well as to determine the effect of various additives on the bread texture. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the mixture of plant components on the physical properties of wheat bread. In particular, the mechanical properties of the crumb and crust were studied. A sensory evaluation of the end product was also performed. The mixture of plant components included: carob fiber, milled grain red quinoa and black oat (1:2:2) – added at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 % – into wheat flour. The results showed that the increase of the addition of the proposed additive significantly increased the water absorption of flour mixtures. Moreover, the use of the mixture of plant components above 5% resulted in the increase of bread volume and decrease of crumb density. Furthermore, the addition of the mixture of plant components significantly affected the mechanical properties of bread crumb. The hardness of crumb also decreased as a result of the mixture of plant components addition. The highest cohesiveness was obtained for bread with 10% of additive and the lowest for bread with 25% of mixture of plant components. Most importantly, the enrichment of wheat flour with the mixture of plant components significantly reduced the crust failure force and crust failure work. The results of sensory evaluation showed that the addition of the mixture of plant components of up to 10% had little effect on bread quality.