Whole wheat bread enriched with silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) needles extract: technological and antioxidant...

The interest of consumers and market and scientific research for added-value foods obtained with environmentally sustainable productive chains is increasing. Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) needles (SFNs), often by-products of forest management and logging, represent an unexploited source of bioactive compounds.

For the first time, SFN aqueous extract obtained through controlled hydrodynamic cavitation was used to enrich whole wheat flour bread. The first trial found that 35% SFNs extract addition was the absolute threshold of taste perception. The second trial investigated dough rheological properties and bread technological and antioxidant properties in samples enriched with 35% and 100% SFNs extract compared with the control (0% SFNs extract). SFNs extract significantly increased bread antioxidant capacity in both 35% and 100% SFN fresh breads by ~42.5% and ~87% respectively and in 100% SFNs bread samples after 72 h of storage by ~76%. Enrichment of 35% showed higher alveograph dough extensibility (~11%) and different bread texture in terms of hardness, springiness, and chewiness. Enrichment with 100% SFNs extract significantly improved dough and bread technological quality: it increased alveograph dough extensibility L (~18%), swelling index G (~8%), and flour strength W (~14%) and showed the highest increase in bread specific volume (~0.200 L kg^-1 ).

SFNs aqueous extract produced with controlled hydrodynamic cavitation appeared a valuable technical material for the manufacturing of added-value and functional breads. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.