Rossana Altamirano-Fortoul

Reduced-Gliadin Wheat Bread: An Alternative to the Gluten-Free Diet for Consumers Suffering Gluten-Related Pathologies

Wheat flour cannot be tolerated by those who suffer allergies to gluten. Human pathologies associated with grain proteins have increased worldwide in recent years, and the only effective treatment available is a lifelong gluten-free diet, which is complicated to follow and detrimental to gut health. This manuscript describes the development of wheat bread potentially suitable for celiac patients and other gluten-intolerant individuals. We have made bread using wheat flour with very low content of the specific gluten proteins (near gliadin-free) that are the causal agents for pathologies such as celiac disease. Loaves were compared with normal wheat breads and rice bread. Organoleptic, nutritional, and immunotoxic properties were studied. The reduced-gliadin breads showed baking and sensory properties, and overall acceptance, similar to those of normal flour, but with up to 97% lower gliadin content. Moreover, the low-gliadin flour has improved nutritional properties since its lysine content is significantly higher than that of normal flour. Conservative estimates indicate that celiac patients could safely consume 67 grams of bread per day that is made with low-gliadin flour. However, additional studies, such as feeding trials with gluten-intolerant patients, are still needed in order to determine whether or not the product can be consumed by the general celiac population, as well as the actual tolerated amount that can be safely ingested. The results presented here offer a major opportunity to improve the quality of life for millions of sufferers of gluten intolerance throughout the world.

Breadmaking performance and technological characteristic of gluten-free bread with inulin supplemented with calcium salts

The fortification of gluten-free bread containing inulin with different organic and non-organic calcium sources was investigated. Calcium lactate, calcium citrate, calcium chloride and calcium carbonate were used as calcium sources. Gluten-free bread composed of corn starch, potato starch, salt, yeast, pectin, sugar and sunflower oil was used as a reference. The calcium salts were supplemented to the gluten-free formula to provide equal content of elementary calcium (Ca+2). The Mixolab® device was used to analyse the behaviour of gluten-free dough subjected to a dual mechanical shear stress and temperature constraint. Calcium salts significantly modified the dough behaviour during heating and cooling. The addition of calcium carbonate and calcium citrate provoked an increase in dough consistency during heating and cooling compared with the other salt-enriched samples. The specific volume and texture parameters of gluten-free breads varied with the calcium salt used, but calcium carbonate and calcium citrate showed improved values. The higher calcium content of the enriched breads, compared with the control, confirmed the fortification. Sensory evaluation of the calcium-fortified breads confirmed that calcium carbonate followed by calcium citrate was the most recommended salt for obtaining calcium fortification of gluten-free breads.

Thermomechanically Induced Protein Aggregation and Starch Structural Changes in Wheat Flour Dough

ABSTRACT Various studies have been carried out on wheat flour to understand protein and starch changes when subjected to mixing and temperature constraints, but structural changes of proteins and starch at the typical moisture levels of a dough system are not fully understood. The aim of this research was to improve our understanding of (micro)structural changes at the mesoscopic level, through empirical rheology, microscopy (light and scanning electron microscopy), sequential protein extractions, and glutenin macropolymer wet weight along the mixing, heating, and cooling stages of the Mixolab assay. Studies were performed on three wheat flours with different protein contents. The rheological analysis allowed identifying the role of the proteins and the relationship between the protein content and different primary and secondary parameters obtained from the recorded curves. The progressive heating and mixing stages during the Mixolab assay resulted in a dynamic de- and restructuring of proteins involving ...

Influence of Amyloglucosidase in Bread Crust Properties

Enzymes are used in baking as a useful tool for improving the processing behavior or properties of baked products. A number of enzymes have been proposed for improving specific volume, imparting softness, or extend the shelf life of breads, but scarce studies have been focused on bread crust. The aim of this study was to determine the use of amyloglucosidase for modulating the properties of the bread crust and increase its crispness. Increasing levels of enzyme were applied onto the surface of two different partially bake breads (thin and thick crust bread). Amyloglucosidase treatment affected significantly (P < 0.05) the color of the crust and decreased the moisture content and water activity of the crusts. Mechanical properties were modified by amyloglucosidase, namely increasing levels of enzyme promoted a decrease in the force (Fm) required for crust rupture and an increase in the number of fracture events (Nwr) related to crispy products. Crust microstructure analysis confirmed that enzymatic treatment caused changes in the bread crust structure, leading to a disruption of the structure, by removing the starchy layer that covered the granules and increasing the number of voids, which agree with the texture fragility.