Effect of NaCl on rheological properties of dough and noodle quality

Abstract

To assess the effect of NaCl on processing properties of different varieties of wheat flour and noodle quality, the rheological properties of dough, and the quality of white salted noodles made from three different varieties of wheat flour were evaluated. The results showed that the addition of NaCl had different effects on the rheological properties of different varieties of wheat flour. As NaCl concentration increased, the stability time of both intermediate-gluten and weak-gluten wheat flour increased, while that of strong-gluten wheat flour increased initially and then remained stable. The developing time of strong-gluten wheat flour increased, while those of both intermediate-gluten and weak-gluten wheat flour did not change significantly. The energy values of intermediate- and weak-gluten wheat flour did not change significantly while that of strong-gluten wheat flour increased. NaCl had no apparent effects on the hardness, springiness, gumminess, chewiness and resilience of noodles. The cooking loss of fresh noodles increased positively with increasing NaCl concentration. Microstructure of noodles showed that gluten network structure of noodles became more and more dense with increasing NaCl concentration. The effect of NaCl on gluten protein contributed to the change of rheological properties and noodle quality.