Physical properties of breads containing hydrocolloids stored at low temperature. I. Effect of chilling

Different bread types, some of them containing also hydrocolloid stabilizers, were cold stored for evaluating the final quality of breads after storage. Dough (DB), semi-baked products (SB) and full-baked (FB) breads were used. After storage their physical characteristics were measured, data grouping was performed using PCA analysis and correlations among the properties measured were found. Fresh samples presented some similarities to DB or SB breads, but FB breads had a completely different behaviour. Crust characteristics were found to be important for the quality characterization of breads, as crust textural characteristics; its colour and moisture content were correlated to other properties. Furthermore, crust viscoelastic characteristics gave an indication of bread staling. Porosity was the only physical property not correlated to other bread characteristics. Differences were noticed according to the bread type before storage and the hydrocolloid used, but the main differences were determined by the baking stage before storage. Furthermore, hydrocolloids addition could result in different final bread properties according to the baking stage before storage. The crumb of FB breads was relatively viscous despite of hydrocolloid addition. Hydrocolloids seem to be more effective as stabilizers in DB and SB breads. (C) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.