Yellow sweet potato is mostly produced by small farmers, and may be a source of energy and carotenoids in the human diet, but it is a highly perishable crop. To increase its industrial application, yellow sweet potato flour has been produced for use in bakery products. This study aimed to evaluate the technological quality and the carotenoids content in sweet breads produced with the replacement of wheat flour by 0, 3, 6, and 9% yellow sweet potato flour. Breads were characterized by technological parameters and β-carotene levels during nine days of storage. Tukey's test (p<0.05) was used for comparison between means. The increase in yellow sweet potato flour concentrations in bread led to a decrease of specific volume and firmness, and an increase in water activity, moisture, orange coloring, and carotenoids. During storage, the most significant changes were observed after the fifth day, with a decrease in intensity of the orange color. The β-carotene content was 0.1656 to 0.4715 µg/g in breads with yellow sweet potato flour. This work showed a novel use of yellow sweet potato in breads, which brings benefits to consumers' health and for the agricultural business.

Cereal Chem. 92(4):405-410This study evaluated the influence of calcium and magnesium ions on the empirical rheological properties of wheat flour to verify possible effects of these ions on processing because, in addition to their nutritional importance, they are also responsible for water hardness. Calcium (0-1.30 g/100 g) and magnesium (0-0.34 g/100 g) ions from sulfate salts were added to wheat flour, according to a central composite rotatable design. The farinograph and extensigraph properties of wheat flour and its mixtures were evaluated. The results were analyzed by response surface methodology. Calcium ions stood out for increasing water absorption, decreasing mixing stability, and producing a delayed effect on dough extensibility (reduced at 135 min). Magnesium ions influenced most flour rheological properties in a similar manner to oxidizing agents (increased dough stability, increased resistance to extension, and reduced extensibility), thus proving to be a possible replacement agent for these additives. An interaction effect of the combined calcium and magnesium ions was observed on dough development time. The results showed that effects on processing can occur when wheat flour fortification is made, and adaptations on wheat flour specifications, product formulation, and processing parameters may be required. † Corresponding

The rheological standards currently used for classifying refined wheat flour for technological quality of bread are also used for whole wheat flours. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rheological and technological behavior of different whole wheat flours, as well as pre-mixes of refined wheat flour with different replacement levels of wheat bran, to develop a dimensionless number that assigns a numerical scale using results of rheological parameters to solve this problem. Through farinograph and extensograph results, most whole wheat flours evaluated presented parameters recommended for bread making, according to the current classification. However, the specific volume of breads elaborated with these flours was not suitable, that is, the rheological analyses were not able to predict the specific volume of pan bread. The development of the Sehn-Steel dimensionless number allowed establishing a classification of whole wheat flours as "suitable" (Sehn-Steel dimensionless number between 62 and 200) or "unsuitable" for the production of pan bread (Sehn-Steel dimensionless number lower than 62). Moreover, an equation that can predict the specific volume of whole pan bread through this dimensionless number was developed.

Understanding the staling process of whole grain breads, especially in relation to the increase in firmness, can contribute to optimize the shelf life of these products. The aim of this work was to develop an equation (staling rate) capable of estimating the increase in firmness of whole wheat pan breads. The staling rate (K) demonstrated that the greater the bran content, the greater the increase in bread firmness (from 0.011 day -1 for 0% replacement, to 0.174 day -1 and 0.091 day -1 for 30% replacement of fine and coarse bran, respectively). Thereby, we established an equation to estimate the firmness of whole wheat pan bread on a given day, considering the concentration of bran in the formulation, thus helping baking industries to predict bread behavior during storage and optimize the use of additives.