Millet is an unexploited cereal with potential in the food industry due to its nutritional value and resistance to harsh climate conditions. Nutritious millet byproducts have a potential application in the development of functional cereal products, but require processing in order to improve their physical and nutritional quality. Therefore, we investigated high intensity ultrasound as a pretreatment to increase the amount of freely available bioactives from proso millet bran. We also analysed the effect of high intensity ultrasound on enzymatic browning, water retention and protein digestibility, which are crucial for the utilization in the bakery and pasta industry. A 15 % millet bran suspension in water was treated with 400-W ultrasound probe for 5, 12.5 or 20 min, with the 60, 80 or 100 % amplitude. High intensity ultrasound treatment with 80 % amplitude for 12.5 min improved most significantly the nutritive value; the antioxidant activity measured by FRAP test increased by 15 % (p<0.05), and total phenolic content by 16 % (p<0.05). Still, the impact on the increase of water-soluble and ethanol-insoluble dietary fibre by 38 % was evident after the treatment for 20 min at 100 % amplitude. High intensity ultrasound treatment at 100 % amplitude for 5 min caused the largest improvements in water retention and limited browning of the sample. High intensity ultrasound treatment activated polyphenol oxidase, regardless of the applied heating of the sample. Due to its ambiguous impact on proso millet bran characteristics, the treatment required an optimization, which showed that the optimal pretreatment of a 15 % millet bran suspension in water is at 100 % amplitude for 9.3 min.

Driven by the bakery industry urge to satisfy consumer demand for fresh, diverse and high quality bakery products, we investigated the influence of barley sourdough and vacuum cooling on shelf life quality of partially baked bread stored in modified atmosphere packaging at ambient conditions. Barley sourdough was fermented with Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 20016, F275). Partially baked bread with sourdough was microbiologically acceptable during 30 days of storage, while bread without sourdough had detectable mould on the 30th day. Stored bread samples were rebaked after 1, 8, 15, 22 and 30 days to determine moisture content, physical and sensorial properties. Moisture loss (5%) was detected on the 15th day, after which it remained stable until the end of investigated storage period. Nevertheless, textural quality of stored bread continuously declined due to crumb firming. Bread flavour did not change during mould-free storage time. The principal component analysis identified major differences in the flavour of sour and control bread, also in crumb firmness and moisture content of samples. This study indicates the positive role of barley sourdough fermented with L. reuteri in improving crumb texture for at least 15 days, and ensuring mould- and bacteria-free partially baked bread for 30 days. Vacuum cooling combined with sourdough improved bread shape, porosity, and reduced sour taste, crust colouring and crumbliness. Hence, it can successfully extend shelf life quality of partially baked bread in modified atmosphere packaging.

Research background. Carob is widely cultivated Mediterranean plant, but its flour is scarcely used in bread-making. Previous studies investigated the quality of wheat bread with added carob flour showing discrepant results. This study aimed to investigate the fermentation performance, antioxidant activity, rheological behaviour, and baking application of carob sourdough. Experimental approach. Carob sourdough was fermented with Lactobacillus brevis or Lactobacillus fermentum combined with Saccharomyces cerevisiae for 24 h at 30 °C. At the end of sourdough fermentation number of viable lactic acid bacteria and yeast cells, titratable acidity, pH value, antioxidant activity, phenolics and sugar content of sourdough were determined. Carob flour (12 % of flour mass) or sourdough equivalent (22.5 % of dough mass) was applied in making composite partially baked frozen bread. Dough rheology was monitored using a farinograph. Rebaked bread samples were evaluated for nutritive value, physical properties, and sensory attributes using a hedonic test. Results and conclusions. By the end of fermentation, carob sourdough reached pH 4.2-4.5 and total acidity 9.9-12.3 mL of 0.1 M NaOH, sugar content was reduced for 8 g/100 g d.m, while total phenolics and antioxidant activity were increased up to 21 %, depending on the starter culture. Addition of carob flour or sourdough to wheat dough resulted in higher consistency, longer development time, and lower quality number. Regardless, bread with carob flour had significantly improved specific volume of bread. Compared with common wheat bread, carob breads had increased dietary fibre content (46 %), total phenolics (140-200 %) and antioxidant activity (240-300 %), higher shape, reduced crumbliness, unchanged firmness, and darker crumb colour. Consumers’ preference and overall acceptability scores of carob sour breads were comparable to those of wheat bread, falling into the category of 'liking very much'. Novelty and scientific contribution. To our knowledge, this is the first study that proved the feasibility of carob sourdough fermentation using mixed starter cultures, where L. brevis associated with S. cerevisiae was better adapted to the substrate than L. fermentum. The carob sourdough could be used as a natural ingredient for improvement of nutritive value and reduction of crumbliness of partially baked frozen bread.

Since there are no products in the European market labelled as low-FODMAP (low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols), patients with irritable bowel syndrome and non-celiac wheat sensitivity often consume gluten-free products. These naturally contain little FODMAP, but have poorer sensory properties and lower nutritional value. This study aimed to develop sensory attractive crackers with high-fibre and low-FODMAP content. Various gluten-free flours (wholemeal buckwheat and millet, white maize), pumpkin seed meal, chia seeds, flax seeds, rice protein, sweet potato, sourdough, and spices were used to develop nine formulations. Using a nine-point hedonic scale and ranking test, four best-scored products were selected for which descriptive sensory analysis was performed and nutritional value and fructan content were determined. Crackers made from maize and millet flour mixtures (ratio 1:2.5) with sourdough and with chia or flax seed addition were rated highest for overall impression (8.2 and 7.0, respectively). Generally, high-fibre content, hardness, chewiness, dark colour, and bitterness lower the acceptability of crackers, but the addition of spices and sourdough can improve their acceptability and marketability. The crackers could be labelled as “gluten-free”, “low-FODMAP” (<0.12 g/100 g), “naturally high-fibre” (7–10 g/100 g of which 17–23% are soluble), and “high in protein” (24–26 g/100 g).