Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] variety determines viscoelastic and thermal properties of gluten-free dough and bread quality

Abstract

Tef flour has been considered a good alternative raw material to improve the quality of gluten-free bread due to its attractive nutritional profile. The influence of tef variety (DZ-Cr-37, DZ-Cr-387 and DZ-01-99) and incorporation level (100, 75 and 50%) on rheological and thermal properties of maize starch-based gluten-free doughs, and their impact on bread characteristics was investigated. The addition of tef brought about a structuring effect of doughs leading to higher viscoelastic moduli and steady-state viscosities and to lower tan δ values and instantaneous and retarded compliances. These effects were magnified with the increase of tef level in the dough. Tef addition led to an increase in dough gelatinization temperature and a decrease of gelatinization enthalpy, especially in the case of DZ-01-99 variety. Tef incorporation at 50 and 75% level led to well-developed bread which volume and crumb grain properties were significantly affected by the tef variety. DZ-Cr-37 variety led to the highest bread volume but to a less regular and poorer crumb grain. However, the bread made with 100% DZ-Cr-37 reached the highest overall acceptance score. This work demonstrates tef flour incorporation up to 100% level is a feasible procedure to reach technologically viable and sensory acceptable gluten-free bread.