Czech J. Food Sci., 2019, 37(4):276-284 | DOI: 10.17221/239/2018-CJFS

Influence of milling whole wheat grains and particle size on thermo-mechanical properties of flour using MixolabFood Technology and Economy, Engineering and Physical Properties

Joseane Bressiani^*,1, Tatiana Oro², Paola Maria Lopes Da Silva³, Flávio Martins Montenegro⁴, Telma Elita Bertolin², Luiz Carlos Gutkoski², Marcia Arocha Gularte¹

¹ Department of Agroindustrial Science and Technology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

² Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Passo Fundo, Brazil

³ Department of Food Engeneering, Federal University of Paraná, Brazil

⁴ Institute of Food Technology (ITAL), SP, Brazil

Whole grain wheat flour (WG) of three different particles sizes (194.9, 609.4, and 830.0 µm) was prepared by milling whole grain. The effect of particle size on the thermo-mechanical properties of flour was investigated using Mixolab equipment and solvent retention capacity (SRC). The results showed that particle size influences the functionality of the gluten network. The SRC test revealed that the water absorption increased from 77.43% to 85.76%, with decrease in particle size. The C2 (protein weakening) values were correlated with the values for water absorption in the SRC and wet gluten test, respectively. The degree of gelatinization of starch (C3) showed that the presence of the fibers in the WG samples limited the availability of water to the starch, and this effect was especially true for flour with smaller particle size. In summary, the Mixolab equipment allowed a better understanding of the functionality of WG with regard to the behavior of protein properties. WG with coarse particles demonstrated a greater impact on the gluten network, indicating a negative effect on the baking quality.

Keywords: flour properties; granulometry; rheology; Triticum aestivum; whole grain; whole wheat flour

Published: August 31, 2019  Show citation