Cookie from extruded sorghum flour: Effect of extrusion and freezing conditions on frozen dough and cookie quality

Nowadays, frozen dough technology is used to produce bakery, pastry & cakes products. On the other hand, extrusion plays a role as a high-performance process in the food industry, which, given its unique characteristics, can replace many common methods of food processing. This study was carried out aimed to investigate the effect of freezing methods (slow and rapid) and the storage time of frozen dough under freezing conditions on physicochemical and sensory properties of extruded and non-extruded sorghum flour for producing a gluten-free product suitable for Coeliac patients. In this study, extruded sorghum flour (an extruder with a temperature of 150-160°C, a moisture content of 14%, a speed of 150 rpm, feeding of 40 grams per minute and circular matrix with a diameter of 5 mm and, in the last step, using a grinding mill and 0.599 mm mesh, flouring is done), non-extruded sorghum flour (100%), Xanthan gum (1% w/w) were used in cookie dough formulation. Two types of slow and fast freezing were used to freeze the dough of cookie. Slow freezing according to the method provided by X.u et al. (2009) and Ke et al. (2013). In a fast freezing method, rapid cooling rooms were used at -40°C for 30 minutes. After freezing, the samples were placed in polyethylene bags and stored for 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks in a refrigerator at -18°C (X.u et al., 2009). For the thaw process, dough pieces were placed in a refrigerator at + 4°C for 16 hours (Maizani et al., 2012). Baking was performed in a microwave oven at 180°C for 14 minutes. The properties of the final product, such as the ratio of expandability (AACC 10-52), textural properties (cookie texture were carried out using a TA.XTplus Texture Analyzer (Walker et al, 2012)), total gelatinization and enthalpy temperature(Using the DSC device and temperature range 7-157°C and heating temperature 10°C/min), color, percentage of porosity, shell thickness (Image processing technique and ImageJ software) and sensory evaluation were investigated in a completely randomized factorial. Statistical analysis of the results was done using a factorial arrangement of completely randomized design and comparison of the meanings using Duncan's multiple range tests at 5% level. Data analysis was performed with three replications using SPSS 18 software. The gelatinization temperature decreased with increasing times of storage; however, the total enthalpy of the process was increased. The results showed that with increasing freezing rate, the gelatinization temperature increased significantly (P≤0.05), and the total enthalpy of the process decreased and the cookie from frozen dough containing extruded sorghum flour has the highest gelatinization temperature and the minimum total enthalpy value. With increasing times of storage, the dough chewiness decreased significantly (P≤0.05) and the adhesion and stiffness of the dough texture increased. The dough chewiness increased with the increase in the freezing rate, however, the adhesion and stiffness of the dough texture decreased and cookie dough containing extruded sorghum flour resulted in a significantly higher chewiness and lower adhesion and stiffness (P≤0.05) of the texture compared to the non-extruded sorghum cookie flour in both methods of freezing. The extensibility ratio has significantly decreased (P≤0.05) with increasing the times of storage. The extensibility ratio of cookie was significantly increased with the increase in freezing rate (P≤0.05) and non-extruded sorghum flour samples showed a lower extensibility ratio relative to the extruded sorghum flour cookies. The dough freezing method also had a significant effect on the final cookie quality (P≤0.05). The stiffness of the cookie texture from the frozen dough decreased by increasing the dough freezing rate and its tissue was softer and cookie samples containing extruded sorghum flour have a significantly lower tissue stiffness compared to other samples. The stiffness of the cookie tissue increased significantly (P≤0.05) with increasing times of storage. L* parameter (lightness) significantly decreased (P≤0.05) with increasing the times of storage and decreased the yellowness factor (b*) and increased the redness factor (a*) significantly (P≤0.05) for the cookie made from frozen dough. The freezing rate had a significant effect (P≤0.05) on the lightness of the cookies. The parameters L* and b* decreased by increasing the freezing rate and the colors of these cookies were darker. Cookies containing extruded sorghum flour had the lowest level of L* and b* and highest level of a*. The porosity% and thickness of crust of cookie decreased significantly (P≤0.05) with increasing times of storage. These parameters increased significantly with increasing freezing rate (P≤0.05) and tissue porosity and thickness of crust of cookies obtained from the frozen dough containing extruded sorghum flour was significantly higher (P≤0.05). The results of the kinetics of cookie mass transfer from frozen dough showed that the effective moisture diffusivity of cookie was reduced by increasing times of storage. Overall, the results showed that the process of extruding sorghum flour has improved the physicochemical properties of the cookie, and the fast freezing process improves the quality of the cookie made from frozen dough, and in this condition extruded flour sorghum can be used as a suitable alternative to wheat. Also, the use of frozen dough for cookie production can be a good way to supply this product.