The effects of sodium reduction on the mechanical properties of doughs made from flours with a range of strengths using a mixograph

Abstract

To devise strategies for meeting Health Canada's target for reduced-sodium bread production, relationships between dough formula (i.e., red spring wheat flour, salt (NaCl) and water content) and dough mechanical properties were examined. Mixograph energy to peak (ETP), peak height (PKH), and peak bandwidth (PBW) were used to define changes in the properties of doughs induced by sodium reduction. ETP measurements indicated that dough strength characteristics were less responsive to sodium reduction as water content was increased. ETP was a good indicator of the cultivar-dependent response of doughs to sodium reduction, with doughs made from stronger flours being more sensitive to sodium reduction. According to ETP results, sodium reduction led to a decrease in flour strength discrimination. Sodium reduction at NaCl contents below ~1.5% led to more obvious changes in dough mixing characteristics (indicated by the ratio of PBW to PKH). Mixograph analyses of dough tolerance to sodium reduction will guide wheat breeding programs to select cultivars suitable for reduced sodium breadmaking.