The Influence of Prebiotics on Wheat Flour, Dough, and Bread Properties; Resistant Starch, Polydextrose, and Inulin

The addition of prebiotics to bread is one of the most important ways to improve its techno-functional properties. In this study, the effects of resistant starch, polydextrose, and inulin on wheat flour, dough, and bread properties were investigated. The farinography results showed that resistant starch significantly increased the development time (2:18) via a boosting effect; however, polydextrose (1:48) and inulin (1:36) weakened the dough (p < 0.05). Inulin, polydextrose, and resistant starch had the greatest effect on reducing water absorption (40, 43.2, and 48.9), respectively, (p < 0.05). According to extensography data, the addition of inulin produced the best result in baking compared to other polysaccharides. In terms of baked breads, the samples containing resistant starch had high moisture content that could be due to starch gelatinization and moisture-retention, which delays the staling process of the bread. Inulin, polydextrose, and resistant starch prebiotic ingredients affected the rheological properties of the dough, overall bread quality and organoleptic characteristics; however, resistant starch was the best prebiotic used in this study.