Saltiness enhancement: Impact of acid added to bread with heterogeneously distributed sodium chloride. (15th February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Niimi, Jun; Ahlinder, Astrid; Pingel, Torben Nilsson; Niimi, Claudia; Höglund, Evelina; Öhgren, Camilla; Lorén, Niklas; Nielsen, Tim
• Is Part Of: Lebensmittel-Wissenschaft + Technologie =. Volume 176(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02-15
• Subjects: Pulsation -- Perception -- Salt -- Heterogeneous salt distribution -- Sensory interactions; Food industry and trade -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 664.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2023.114557
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0023-6438

Abstract

Abstract: The current global sodium consumption exceeds recommended daily intakes and there is a great need to reduce the sodium content in foods for a healthier society. The current study investigated the effect of combining sensory interaction principles and heterogeneous distribution of NaCl in bread on sensory properties, structure, and NaCl distribution. Breads were prepared in three different arrangements of NaCl distribution: homogenous, layered, and layered with lactic acid. Within each arrangement, four NaCl levels were tested. The breads were evaluated by a sensory panel for perceived saltiness, sourness, and qualitative texture, measured for stiffness, and the NaCl distribution was determined by X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM). Perceived saltiness was significantly enhanced in breads beyond heterogeneous NaCl distribution when lactic acid was added. Stiffness measurements were affected by layering of bread, the layers without NaCl were stiffer with an increase in overall salt concentration. The heterogeneous distribution of NaCl in layered breads could be visualised by XFM and textural consequences of layering bread are discussed. The current study demonstrates the potential of combining principles of pulsation of taste and sensory interactions together to enhance salt perception, and hence suggesting the approach as a possible further strategy for NaCl reduction in bread. Highlights: Heterogeneous NaCl distribution and incorporation of acid into bread was investigated. Combination of acid and heterogeneous NaCl distribution enhanced saltiness perception the most. X-ray fluorescence microscopy could show heterogenous ion distribution in bread. Bread stiffness measures and texture discrimination were affected more by NaCl than acid.