Quality attributes of breads from high-quality cassava flour improved with wet gluten.

This study investigated the physical, chemical, and sensory attributes of breads produced from preheated high-quality cassava flour (PCF) and its composite with wheat flour (CWF). Wet gluten was added to the PCF and CWF for production of bread, while bread from wheat served as the control. Flour functionality was determined prior to bread production. The moisture contents of the flour samples were in the range of 12.80 to 14.21%, and PCF exhibited water absorption capacity (1.12 mL/g) comparable to that of wheat flour (WF) (1.10 mL/g). There were significant (P < 0.05) differences in color characteristics, except in L* values and breads produced from WF and CWF were similar in specific volume (3.85 to 4.21 mL/g) and firmness (2.04 to 2.64 N). Breads from WF and CWF exhibited similar crumb microstructure, though gas bubbles in the sample from PCF appeared less developed. Wheat bread had significantly (P < 0.05) higher calorie, crude protein and crude fat, but lower crude fiber, ash, and carbohydrate compared to other bread samples. Sensory evaluation showed that bread from PCF was not significantly different from 100% wheat bread in crust color, texture, and overall acceptability but was impaired in flavor. The study revealed the feasibility of bread baking from preheated cassava flour with added gluten extract. The bread produced had some quality attributes comparable to that of wheat bread. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Bread from wheat-cassava composite flour with added gluten was similar to wheat bread in specific volume and firmness while sample from cassava flour with added gluten compared favorably well with wheat bread in crust color, texture, and overall acceptability. Findings from the study present wheat gluten extract as a viable component to be used in nonwheat flours for bread making. This could be a basis to further add value to the gluten churned out as a by-product in the wheat starch industry.

Effect of variety and moisture content on some engineering properties of paddy rice.

The effect of variety and moisture content on some engineering properties of five improved paddy rice varieties was investigated within moisture content range of 10% and 30% dry basis (d.b.). Increase in moisture content was found to increase the linear dimensions, mass of 100 seeds, surface area, apparent volume, true volume, arithmetic mean diameter, effective geometric diameter, sphericity, angle of repose, porosity and static coefficient of friction while bulk density and true density decreased with increase in moisture content. Static coefficient of friction was found to increase as moisture content increased from 0.34-0.46, 0.35-0.59, 0.36-0.46 and 0.34-0.45, respectively on plywood, galvanized steel, mild steel and glass structural surfaces. The highest static coefficient was found on galvanized steel. Angle of repose was found to increase as moisture content increases. The study concludes that variety and changes in moisture content significantly (P < 0.05) affected most of the engineering properties determined.