Comparison of chemical, physical, micro-structural, and microbial properties of breads supplemented with sweetpotato flour and high-gluten dough enhancers

The objective of this study was to compare the chemical, physical, micro-structural, and microbial properties of breads supplemented with sweetpotato flour and high-gluten dough enhancers. Six breads, with and without dough enhancers (DE) and varying percentages of sweetpotato flour (SPF) were processed. Breads were stored at 22±2 °C, and samples were measured on Days 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8. Moisture, ash, fat, aw, color, loaf volume, specific volume, density, texture, and weight loss were analyzed on Day 0, and β-carotene on the Days 0 and 8. The micro-structural and microbial properties of the sweetpotato breads were also compared. The fresh breads (Day 0) had moisture contents ranging from 36.66 to 41.56. β-Carotene was highest in breads containing 65% SPF. All breads were significantly (P<0.05) lighter in color by the last day of storage, while those containing 50% SPF with DE had the highest loaf volumes. Intact and damaged granules, cavities, and protein network were observed on the micrographs of the fresh breads. Further studies to include varying storage conditions, sensory, and consumer properties of the breads are needed.