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RESEARCH PRODUCT

On the study of the different factors influencing the structure and the texture of semi-humid baked aerated cereal products : sensory and instrumental dimensions of texture

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Since texture is the manifestation of structural, mechanical and surface properties of a material, it represents a key characteristic for food materials. It reflects food quality, freshness perception influencing consumer acceptance.Studies encountered in the scientific literature that are devoted to cereal based foods texture are foremost based on bread also biscuits scarcely on cakes. This study entitled ‘study of the different factors influencing the structure and the texture of semi-humid baked aerated cereal products: sensory and instrumental dimensions of texture’ focus on cake softness characterization, set up and evolution. First, the investigation of the influence of soft wheat flour origin, making process and aeration properties on cake texture is proposed. Instrumental characterization of cake texture properties was performed through high deformation using TPA and relaxation tests. Several approaches were attempted to determine cake crumb structure including rheology, microscopy; image analysis and X Ray-Tomography. Sensory characterization of cake texture was achieved through descriptive texture profile involving establishment of our trained panel. Second, we peer into the functional properties of wheat flour also of its gluten and starch components, physico-chemical methods among which fluid rheology, differential scanning calorimetry, optic microscopy and X-Ray powder diffraction are employed. The results are discussed in terms of physical and chemical changes that cake dough ingredients undergo upon making process. This investigation highlights that several parameters are substantially involved in cake structure set up and final texture perception. Suitable flour choice (composition, components quality) and aeration management are critical factors for the elaboration of a product to be perceived the softest as possible. Also, regarding evolution of texture, it is possible to state on the selection of a product whether than another at early development stages allowing anticipate on consumer acceptance