Native Flour Research Articles

Physical, textural, and sensory characteristics of gluten-free cupcakes developed with native and modified by hydrothermal treatment green plantain flours.

Gluten-free diets are characterized by lower nutritional quality. The use of green plantain flour in gluten-free formulations appears as an alternative to overcome this deficiency, considering that green plantains have a relevant content of bioactive compounds, dietary fiber, including resistant starch. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the addition of native and modified by hydrothermal treatment green plantain whole flours in the form of gluten-free cupcakes. The density, yield, and microstructure of the dough, specific volume (SV), height, crumb analysis, color, texture, and sensory acceptability of the cupcakes were evaluated. Partial replacement (40%) of rice flour by native and modified flours produced darker, redder cupcakes, less yellowish and with less color intensity. Sensory analysis revealed higher acceptance for cupcakes with native and modified flours, compared to the control, for appearance, flavor, texture, aroma, and overall acceptance. The native flour was the most viable option, as the cupcake produced with it showed the best values for hardness and chewiness, without changing elasticity and SV, in addition to superior sensory acceptance than the control and similar to cupcakes with other modified flours. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Pursuing to meet the market demand for gluten-free products, with the cake being one of the most requested products in this market, and taking in account that green banana, from different cultivars, has gained interest for the production of flours. The production of flour and bakery products is of great interest to the food industry, not only because of its flavor and properties but also due to the economic and sustainable viability of producing whole green plantain flour with the potential for application, promoting diversification and innovation in the gluten-free functional products market.

High hydrostatic pressure processing of whole buckwheat grains to obtain functional gluten-free ingredients: Effect of pressure and holding time

High Hydrostatic pressure (HHP) represents an environmental-friendly and efficient non-thermal technology capable of inducing changes that can lead to functional improvements on starchy materials preserving the nutritional value of the original flours. The development of gluten-free (GF) flours and ingredients remain a challenge due to the need to improve the nutritional and techno-functional aspects of these commodities. Pre-soaked whole buckwheat (BW) grains were subjected to HHP treatment under different processing conditions: two pressure levels (300–600 MPa) and three holding times (0-5-15 min) to evaluate the techno-functional and nutritional response of the resulting flours. Significant (p < 0.05) increases in water absorption capacity and swelling capacity were observed in the flours resulting from longer treatment times (5–15 min) and the highest-pressure level (600 MPa). Higher thermal stability was also observed in the pasting profiles obtained for these flours. Flours resulting from HHP treatments at 600 MPa for 15 min also showed higher antioxidant capacity (DPPH and ORAC). The resulting flour from these processing conditions was used at different concentrations (15, 30, 50, and 70 %) in a GF bread formulation. An increase in the elastic modulus values of the doughs, the specific volume of the resulting bread and a reduction in the crumb firmness were observed in the formulations containing the BW-modified flour compared to the counterparts made with a native flour. Therefore, it can be concluded that the HHP treatment of whole buckwheat grains represents an interesting alternative for the development of ingredients with suitable technological and nutritional properties for gluten-free bakery formulations.

Techno-functional and nutritional variations of Cardaba banana flour as influenced by different modification techniques

The majority of gluten-free flours have significant techno-functional shortcomings as well as occasionally poor nutritional quality, all of which necessitate modifications. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine how different modification techniques such as fermentation, pre-gelatinization, acetylation, oxidation, and acid-thinning influence the nutritional, functional, pasting, and thermal properties of Cardaba banana flour – a gluten free flour. Oxidized flour exhibited improved setback viscosity and trough, in addition to protein and crude fibre. The technological parameters and general nutritional profiles of the flour were not considerably improved by acid-thinning and acetylation modifications. However, the most significant and crucial nutritional, functional, pasting and thermal properties of the flour experienced a substantial improvement during pre-gelatinization and fermentation treatments. Total phenol contents and antioxidants, dietary fibre, resistant, slowly digestible and rapidly digestible starches, essential mineral elements such as Na, K, P and nutritional important mineral ratios, Na/K, and Ca/P, as well as functional, pasting, and thermal stability indices, were improved during fermentation and pre-gelatinization, thus indicating the potential of these methods to minimize the inherent drawbacks of the native flour. Pre-gelatinization and fermentation technologies could considerably improve the technological, functional and nutritional characteristics of Cardaba banana and improve its food and industrial applications.

Heat-drying and size reduction-treated tapioca flour stabilized oil-in-water emulsion-loaded eugenol: Physical properties, stability, and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion

Native tapioca is strongly hydrophilic and hence not surface active in an emulsion. This research improved the functional properties of tapioca flour using physical modifications as heat-drying (HD) and combined heat-drying and ball milling (HD-Bmill) to act as a particle stabilizer in Pickering oil-in-water emulsions. The modified tapioca flour-stabilized emulsion was used to encapsulate eugenol (oil-soluble bioactive compound), and eugenol stabilities during storage and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion were investigated. Results showed that the HD and HD-Bmill treatments changed the morphology and physicochemical properties of the tapioca flour, especially by increasing the hydrophobicity and emulsifying ability, expressed as surface activity on the oil droplet surface. The HD and HD-Bmill-stabilized emulsion-loaded eugenol enhanced eugenol encapsulation efficiency (EE) compared to the control emulsion (without flour) and the emulsion containing native flour, resulting in higher antioxidant activity. The HD and HD-Bmill flours improved eugenol stability during storage at room temperature for 14 days compared to native flour. After the eugenol-loaded emulsions had passed through in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, the HD and HD-Bmill flours increased the release of free fatty acids, indicating an increase in lipid digestibility compared to native flour. The HD-Bmill flour also improved eugenol stability during digestion compared to native flour. HD-Bmill flour showed promise as an alternative non-chemical particle stabilizer for applications in functional emulsion foods that encapsulate oil-soluble bioactive compounds.

Ultrasound-assisted annealing treatment to improve physicochemical and digestive properties of banana flour.

Banana flour can provide a solution to people with gluten intolerance, as it is gluten-free. Native banana flour may have limited functionality in certain applications. In this study, banana flour was modified by ultrasonic (US) and annealing (ANN) treatments at four incubation time spans, namely 12, 24, 36 and 72 h, separately or combined sequentially (US-ANN) to enhance the physicochemical and digestive properties. US led to exposed granular surfaces and damaged non-starch components. Both treatments, at extended incubation time, increased crystallinity, resulting in a narrower starch gelatinization temperature range. The swelling power was significantly lower for ANN and US-ANN compared to US alone, providing a delay of gelatinization temperature. However, none of the treatments affected the gelatinization enthalpy. Furthermore, US increased peak viscosity, breakdown, final viscosity and setback whereas the opposite results were obtained for ANN and US-ANN. Additionally, US prior to ANN significantly increased the resistant starch (RS) content for annealing times over 24 h, especially for the US-ANN treatment for 72 h, which provided the highest RS content (49.3%) compared to ANN treatment for 72 h (44.0%) and native flour (36.3%). US prior to ANN treatment offers an alternative method to improve the functional and digestive properties of banana flour, extending the range of applications. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Pasting Characteristics and In Vitro and In Vivo Digestibility of Low‐, Medium‐, and High‐Amylose Types of Mung Bean Flour after Heat‐Moisture Treatment

AbstractMung bean (Vigna radiata L.) flour varieties of varying amylose content are heat‐moisture treated at 100 °C for 6 h, and changes in their pasting properties and digestibility are investigated. Amylose content of the low‐amylose (LAM MB), medium‐amylose (MAM MB), and high‐amylose mung bean flour (HAM MB) is 16.1%, 23.2%, and 31.7%, respectively. Mung bean flour after heat‐moisture treatment (HMT) shows significantly reduced peak and breakdown viscosities and swelling power compared to those in native flours. However, pasting temperature, final and setback viscosities, and solubility of the mung bean flour significantly increase after HMT. The treated mung bean flour also contains higher amounts of resistant starch (RS, 19.6%–30.6%) than that in the corresponding untreated flour (14.9%–17.5%). Consequently, mung bean flour subjected to HMT induces a lower blood glucose response in mice and exhibits lower glycemic index (GI) values than that of untreated flour. Among all mung flour types subjected to HMT, the HAM MB exhibits the highest viscosity, solubility, and swelling power and has the highest RS content (30.64%), and the lowest blood glucose response and GI value. Thus, mung bean flour after HMT with desirable properties and digestibility can be used in the production of low‐carbohydrate foods.

Evaluate the volatile retention performance of structurally modified cassava flour through pulsed electric fields

This study is the first attempt to evaluate the volatile retention performance of structurally modified cassava flour through Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF). The effect of structural modification on the headspace volatile profile and retention capacity during storage was assessed through a chemometrics approach. Higher abundance of headspace volatiles (20–32%) was found in all PEF–treated (2–4 kV/cm at 500 kJ/kg) cassava flour suspensions, compared to native flour. This related to lower volatile retention in the suspension matrix. The structural alteration caused a higher headspace abundance of terpenes, but showed progressive retention during storage. Retention percentage of discriminant volatiles, α-terpinolene and perillene, increased by 7 and 14 times more after 48 h of storage than native flour, respectively. When compared to a thermally gelatinised flour, a different headspace volatile profile was observed. Overall, retention performance was shown to be affected by nature of flour or of its inherent starch. Industrial relevanceThe study provided essential benchmark information that could be considered in the industrial production of modified cassava flour based food products. Nonetheless, it also opens opportunities to maximize the use of the modified flours in binding compounds not limited to volatiles.

Microwave-treated rice flour halves the need of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in the formulation of gluten-free bread

Hydrocolloids such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) are commonly used in gluten-free (GF) products to mimic the viscoelastic properties of gluten. However, GF products must meet current consumer expectations by not only being tasty and nutritious, but also adhering to ‘clean label’ principles, which involve minimizing ingredients and additives and favoring natural over chemical components. Modifying GF flours via hydrothermal treatments offers an alternative approach to reduce the use of additives in GF products. This work applied response surface methodology to study the potential reduction in HPMC dose in the formulation of GF-breads by the addition of microwave-treated rice flour (MWF) (treatment conditions: 8 min, 9 W/g, 30% moisture), without impairing their appearance, volume, and texture. The optimization study also included Water level and HPMC dose, and evaluated the dough's rheological properties at constant hydration. GF breads were made by varying the amount of native flour substituted with MWF, water level, and HPMC dose. Replacing 50% or 80% of native rice flour by MWF allowed to reduce the usual HPMC dose by more than half. This resulted in higher loaf volume and a softer crumb than their counterparts made with untreated flour and baked with the usual dose of additive (2%). Doses of HPMC as low as 0.7% with 80% MWF still resulted in breads with good texture and acceptable volume. Therefore, the structuring effect of MWF and its good performance in GF baking have been concluded, allowing to reduce the dose of additives required in formulating GF bread.

Microwave-Supported Modulation of Functional Characteristics of Gluten-Free Breads

Currently, the market for gluten-free products is experiencing a significant growth due to, mainly, the increase in the number of gluten-intolerant patients diagnosed and to the merging of a new niche market for consumers who optionally avoid gluten. Native flours are perceived as viable alternatives for industrially used starch and hydrocolloids blends, which lack in the vitamins and minerals that are in abundance in non-refined raw materials. This study delves into the potential of microwave technology in enhancing the functional and nutritional attributes of gluten-free breads. The research was conducted by employing 900 W microwave power for 8 min for buckwheat and teff flours modification with an initial moisture content of 30%. The modified flours were blended with rice flour and baked to verify the potential of microwave high moisture treatment for adjusting the texture and nutritional quality of the bread. The results revealed that microwave treatment of flours helped in retaining a higher level of essential nutrients and bioactive compounds in gluten-free breads.

Hydrothermal Treatment via Microwave Radiation Improves Viscoelastic Properties of Native Gluten-Free Flours for Extrusion 3D Printing

The market for gluten-free products is experiencing significant growth due to the increase in the number of gluten/wheat affected patients diagnosed, but largely as a result of the emergence of a new niche market dedicated for consumers who optionally avoid gluten. Native flours are perceived as viable alternative for industrially used starch and hydrocolloids blends, mainly due to their lack of vitamins and minerals, which are abundant in non-refined raw materials. Edible inks for on-demand printing are under significant consideration, while texture building capacity remains an issue. As heat-moisture treatment has proved to be useful for stabilizing the pasting and rheological behavior of various native flours, HMT supported by microwave heating was investigated as printable ink stabilizers. For Spanish and Polish buckwheat flours and two different varieties of teff (white and brown) flour pasting, structural and textural characteristics after the microwave supported heat moisture treatment in 30% of initial moisture content were evaluated. The peak viscosity was reduced by 54% and 60% for Polish and Spanish flour, respectively, while for teff, the reduction was 15% and 43% for the white and brown varieties, respectively. Significant improvement in viscoelastic modulus G’ (for Polish and Spanish buckwheat flour, 32% and 16%, respectively; for white and brown tef varieties, 14% and 18%, respectively) was observed for all the treated samples regardless of the species or variety; this resulted in better performance during 3D printing.

Lipid complexation reduces rice starch digestibility and boosts short-chain fatty acid production via gut microbiota

In this study, two rice varieties (RS4 and GZ93) with different amylose and lipid contents were studied, and their starch was used to prepare starch-palmitic acid complexes. The RS4 samples showed a significantly higher lipid content in their flour, starch, and complex samples compared to GZ93. The static in vitro digestion highlighted that RS4 samples had significantly lower digestibility than the GZ93 samples. The C∞ of the starch-lipid complex samples was found to be 17.7% and 18.5% lower than that of the starch samples in GZ93 and RS4, respectively. The INFOGEST undigested fractions were subsequently used for in vitro colonic fermentation. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentrations, mainly acetate, and propionate were significantly higher in starch-lipid complexes compared to native flour or starch samples. Starch-lipid complexes produced a distinctive microbial composition, which resulted in different gene functions, mainly related to pyruvate, fructose, and mannose metabolism. Using Model-based Integration of Metabolite Observations and Species Abundances 2 (MIMOSA2), SCFA production was predicted and associated with the gut microbiota. These results indicated that incorporating lipids into rice starch promotes SCFA production by modulating the gut microbiota selectively.

Physicochemical properties of fortified flour based modified cassava flour blended with bacterial poly-glutamic acid

Cassava is one of the most important staple crops worldwide. However, cassava flour needs to meet the high-quality requirements in terms of physicochemical characteristics. The present study was designed to investigate properties of fortified cassava flour produced from co-processing of modified cassava flour with poly-glutamic acid (PGA) derived from protein of beans that had been fermented by Bacillus natto. Proximate analysis, cyanide content, swelling power, solubility, and viscosity of modified cassava flour (MCF) which was fortified with poly-glutamic acid (PGA) was found to indicate improvements as compared to the native flour. The modified flours were further investigated for their physicochemical properties after addition of poly- -glutamic acid ( -PGA) at different levels. All flour samples showed no significant (p&gt;0.05) differences in terms of lightness (L*), while greenness to redness (a*) of native flours was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher than modified flours with -PGA. There were significant (p&lt;0.05) differences in the swelling power and solubility measured at various temperatures. From the pasting profiles, there were significant (p&lt;0.05) increases in peak viscosity, final viscosity and pasting temperature of cassava flours due to addition of -PGA. Observation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), pronounced cracks were observed in starch granules indicative of enzyme attack. It indicated that starch granules of modified and fortified cassava flour were depolymerized by enzymatic hydrolysis which led to cause change and degrade exterior surface of the granules within corrosion via pores of small granules.

Phenolics profile, anti-nephrolithiasis, and antioxidant activities of Monodora myristica seed: impact of endogenous proteins and lipids

The bioactive compounds in a food matrix can exist either in their free form or bound to other endogenous compounds, which may affect their bioactivities. This study investigated the impact of endogenous proteins and lipids on the phenolics profile, anti-nephrolithiasis, and antioxidant activities of Monodora myristica (African nutmeg) seed. Endogenous proteins and lipids in M. myristica seed flour were removed by deproteinization and defatting, to obtain the deproteinized, defatted, and deproteinized-defatted flours. The native flour served as a control. Phenolics compounds in the flours were quantified using HPLC-DAD, while nephrolithiasis-associated enzymes (xanthine oxidase and urease) inhibitory and antioxidant activities were determined using a spectrophotometer. Nine phenolic compounds (gallic, chlorogenic, caffeic, p-coumaric, ellagic acids, catechin, rutin, quercetin and luteolin) were detected in the native flour, with quercetin as the most abundant. The concentrations of the phenolic compounds, nephrolithiasis-associated enzymes inhibitory, and antioxidant activities of the flour decreased significantly due to deproteinization and defatting. Overall, the native flour had the highest concentrations of phenolics and the most potent enzymes inhibitory and antioxidant activities, followed by the defatted, deproteinized, and deproteinized-defatted flours. Hence, endogenous proteins and lipids may enhance the phenolics profile, anti-nephrolithiasis and antioxidant activities of M. myristica seed. This could have application in the development of functional food products and nutraceuticals targeting nephrolithiasis.Graphical

α-Amylase reactive extrusion enhances the protein digestibility of saponin-free quinoa flour while preserving its total phenolic content

The original cellular structure and the presence of starch are known to reduce quinoa protein digestibility. Here, we aimed at optimizing an integrated single-step process exploiting the synergisms of amylolysis (<0.42% thermostable α-amylase, starch basis) and extrusion (at different temperature profiles) to enhance protein digestibility in saponin-free quinoa flour while minimizing polyphenol losses. In vitro protein digestion rate (velocity of substrate depletion) and extension (percentage of digested substrate at the end of the reaction) were significantly enhanced with every extrusion treatment, reaching up to four-fold faster protein digestion rate and up to 47% reduction of residual non-digested protein at 100 °C (last barrel temperature) and 0.36 g/100 g α-amylase concentration compared to native flour. Generally, reactive extrusion lowered the content of extractable (free) polyphenols and non-extractable proanthocyanins, but this effect was minimized at lower extrusion temperatures and higher α-amylase concentration. Contrarily, the more thermoresistant hydrolysable bound polyphenols increased in all cases, especially at harsh extrusion conditions.

Understanding the effects of dry heat treatment on wheat flour pasting: Insights from protein and starch structural changes

This study aimed to investigate the impact of heat treatment on the molecular structure of starch and protein in wheat flour and to establish a correlation between the changes in molecular structure and the resulting effects on the pasting properties of the flour. Heat treatment increased the pasting viscosity and pasting temperature with the extent of heat-treated time and temperature. Moreover, the water absorption indexes, swelling power, and gelatinization enthalpy of heat-treated flour were higher than that of untreated flour, while the water solubility indexes were lower. The clustered starch granules and aggregated protein increased the particle size of flour after heat treatment. Additionally, heat treatment decreased the damaged starch content from 6.54% in native flour to 2.94% in treated flour (100 °C, 30 min), causing an increase in the short-range order structure and relative crystallinity of starch. The aggregated protein induced by heat owned the lower free sulfhydryl content and higher SDS-insoluble protein and β-sheet structure. The pasting properties variations were mainly correlated with the molecular structure changes of protein induced by heat. These results provided a theoretical basis for tailoring flour to produce wheat-based products with desired properties through the application of heat treatment technology.

Physical modification caused by acoustic cavitation improves rice flour bread-making performance

Acoustic cavitation has been shown to cause physical damage and partial starch depolymerization in ultrasound-treated flours. However, the promising effects of this modification on bread-making performance of gluten-free flour are still unexplored. Based on this hypothesis, sonicated rice flour (2–20 min) was used to replace 30% native flour in the control formulation of gluten-free bread. Breadmaking performance was characterized by doughs' pasting, thermal, and rheological properties, and physical quality of breads. Ultrasonication time presented a direct correlation with particle fragmentation. Doughs’ rheology presented reduced tan(δ)₁ values (up to −11%) and improved recovery after the application of stress (up to +14%), denoting an enhanced elastic behavior with respect to the control dough. Rheo-fermentative tests demonstrated that ultrasonication accelerated the generation of CO2 and its retention within the dough structure, as consequence of eased accessibility of yeast to simpler sugars after starch depolymerization. The small-size particles (∼10 μm) in ultrasonicated flours seem to have enhanced their Pickering emulsifying ability and led to breads with higher specific volumes (up to 24%), softer crumbs, and delayed hardening during storage. Ultrasonication, a low-cost technology, has been shown to significantly improve the fermentative and viscoelastic behavior of rice flour dough and its breadmaking performance.

Using pre‐gelatinised red lentils in pasta production: connecting starch features and pasta cooking behaviour

SummaryConsidering the high interest in using pulses in the production of staple foods, including pasta, this study aimed at investigating the effect of pre‐gelatinisation on the overall quality of pasta from red lentils. Pre‐gelatinized flours showed a lower gelatinisation temperature (up to about 57 °C vs. about 65 °C) and higher retrogradation tendency than native flour. Such changes resulted in higher water absorption capacity (up to 1.23 vs. 0.98 g g−1) and higher farinographic torque, but did not impact the cooking quality. Conversely, the resistant starch content of cooked pasta decreased (from 14.79 to 10.4 g/100 g total starch) and the starch hydrolysis index increased (from 48.28 to 67.71) when pre‐gelatinised flours were used. In conclusion, pre‐gelatinisation impacted starch, hydration and the mixing properties of red lentils flours, without compromising the cooking behaviour of the related pasta.

Formation of slowly digestible, amylose–lipid complexes in extruded wholegrain pearl millet flour

SummaryPearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is one of the most promising but underutilised crops in sub‐Saharan Africa. Here, we evaluated the use of extrusion cooking of wholegrain pearl millet related to the formation of amylose–lipid complexes (ALCs) and their potential effect on slowing starch digestion. Thermal properties (differential scanning calorimetry), fatty acid (FA) profiles (derivatization followed by gas chromatography), ALC dissociation (hexane extraction followed by derivatization and gas chromatography) and in vitro starch digestibility (α‐amylase digestion assay) were determined for wholegrain and decorticated pearl millet flours in both native and extruded states. Extrusion cooking melted stable type II complexes naturally present in native flours into type I complexes characterised by a melting endotherm in the 82–112 °C range. Extrusion caused the formation of ALC‐containing mono‐ and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which were not found in native flours. Extruded instant flours exhibited a moderated release of reducing sugars compared to cooked native samples and the effect was more pronounced in the wholegrain flour. This effect was lost when the extruded samples were cooked, though instant flours would retain the effect if rehydrated with warm rather than boiling hot water. When extruded, wholegrain millet had some enhancement of a slow digestion effect.

Functional Properties and Proximate Composition of Composite Flour from Banana (Musa acuminata x balbisiana var Cardaba C.) Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas Lam) and Glutinous Rice (Oryza sativa var glutinosa L.) Fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum (Orla-Jensen)-BIOTECH 1223

Composite flour is advantageous in countries where wheat cultivation is not possible, like in the Philippines. Hence, locally available crops like bananas, sweetpotato, and glutinous rice were processed into flour as an alternative to wheat flour. The application of lactic acid bacteria fermentation will modify the quality of the native flour, which can further improve its range of applications in baking. Thus, the study was conducted to evaluate the quality of the Lactobacillus plantarum (Orla-Jensen)- BIOTECH 1223-fermented composite flour from banana, sweetpotato, and glutinous rice flour. Ten treatments were generated using Simplex Centroid Design with different levels of the three independent variables. Response Surface Regression Analysis on the functional properties ranged from, water absorption capacity (115.20-155.32%), oil absorption capacity (54.88-70.32%), bulk density (0.80-0.90%), swelling capacity (1.16-1.86 mL0, and gelation property (2-6%) of the fermented composite flour. Proximate composition ranged from, 9.66-12.00% (moisture content), 1.84-5.87% (crude protein), crude fat (0.12-2.48%), and ash (0.0019-0.0273%). Physico-chemical (total soluble solids and titratable acidity) and proximate composition (moisture content and ash content) of the fermented composite flour from banana (FBF), sweetpotato (FSPF), and glutinous rice flour (FGRF) were significantly influenced by the lactic acid fermentation using Lactobacillus plantarum (Orla-Jensen)- BIOTECH 1223. Therefore, the fermentation of composite flour from banana (FBF), sweetpotato (FSPF), and glutinous rice flour (FGRF) can improve the functional properties and proximate composition of the composite flour.

Effect of Ozone Treatment Intensity on Pasting Property, Protein Composition, and Steamed Bread Quality of Ozone-Treated Wheat Flour

Wheat flours were treated with ozone gas at low- and high-intensity conditions (0.61 and 3.82 g/h) for different durations (short: 5 min; long: 30 min), and the ozone-treated flours were evaluated in quality properties, including pH, protein component, water molecular mobility of dough, pasting property, and steamed bread quality. At both conditions, ozone treatment decreased the pH of wheat flour. Long duration of high-intensity treatment aroused significant increase in insoluble polymeric protein (IPP) content of wheat flour, but other treatments did not significantly change the IPP content. Dough of ozone-treated flour had higher water molecular mobility than that of native flour. Short duration of low-intensity treatment did not significantly change most pasting viscosity parameters of wheat flour, but other treatments increased the peak viscosity, breakdown viscosity, and setback viscosity. Steamed bread of ozone-treated flour had lower specific volume and pore uniformity than that of native flour. Long duration of high-intensity treatment of flour increased the hardness and chewiness of the steamed bread product, but other treatment showed opposite effect. Among the four ozone treatments, long duration of high-intensity treatment aroused the greatest change in pH, IPP, water molecular mobility of dough, and the quality of steamed bread, while short duration of low-intensity treatment had the minimum effect. Long duration of low-intensity treatment was close to the short duration of high-intensity treatment in quality attributes of wheat flour and the total ozone yield. These results suggested that the quality of wheat flour gradually changed with the increase of total ozone yield, and overozonization would greatly deteriorate the quality of wheat flour.