Quality and microbial properties of symbiotic bread produced by straight dough and frozen part-baking methods

Symbiotic bread was produced by straight dough and frozen part-baking methods using inulin as a prebiotic (0-7.5% in straight dough method and 5% in frozen part baked bread) and GanedenBC 30 as a probiotic. With addition of inulin, dough water absorption and softening reduced, but dough development time and stability time increased. Inulin prevented excessive moisture loss during bread storage and enhanced crust darkness and crumb firmness while reduced bread volume. Increasing the frozen storage time (up to 56 days) had no effect on bread moisture content, but it reduced volume and increased firmness and crust lightness. Samples produced by straight dough method had acceptable levels of probiotic (7.45, 6.45, and 7.43 log cfu/g, respectively) complying with the WHO recommendation. Frozen storage had no effect on the probiotic content of the samples and it increased to 7.35 log cfu/g (above the minimum recommended level) after re-baking and storage at room temperature. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Symbiotic foods are products that contain both probiotics (useful bacteria) and prebiotics (carbohydrate source for probiotics). Development of symbiotic bread is required to add variety to the existing types of functional breads and satisfy costumers particularly those avoiding dairy products which are traditionally enriched with probiotics. Part-baked bread industry is growing rapidly around the world; however, to remain in the market it requires innovation to satisfy consumers' demand for healthy products. This research can find practical application for ordinary and part-baked bread industry to produce bread with improved health benefits and acceptable quality.