Comparison of the effect of microwave treatment of millet grain and the addition of xanthan gum on the characteristics of the batter and the physicochemical and sensorial properties of gluten-free cake

Today, the most common way to increase the quality of gluten-free products is to use gum. According to recent studies, physical modification techniques such as microwave treatment can be used to improve the functional properties of flour and gluten-free baking products.

Therefore, in order to compare the effect of xanthan gum and microwave treatment of millet grain on physicochemical and sensory properties of gluten cake (obtained from millet and rice flour with 50:50), xanthan gum was used at two different levels of 0 and 0.15% and microwave treatment was applied at three levels of moisture 10, 15 and 20% and times 60, 30 and 90 s with a constant microwave power of 900 W.

According to the results, the use of the microwave treatment of millet grain reduced the specific gravity and increased viscosity of gluten-free cake batter (p < 0.05). The cake samples prepared from the microwave treated grain with 20% moisture content at 90 or 60 s showed the highest volume, porosity, and sensory acceptance. Moreover the softest texture and the highest moisture content during storage belonged to the sample preparedwith flour from the microwave treated grain under 20% and 90s.

According to the results of this study, microwave treatment of millet grain could be a good alternative to using gum in a gluten-free cake.