Evaluation the effect of incorporating Ajowan powder (Carum copticum) on quality properties of gluten-free cake

The aim of study was to produce gluten-free cake for celiac patients using Ajowan powder and to increases of its nutritional value and improve its textural properties. For this purpose, Ajowan powder  at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15% levels was added into gluten-free cake formulation and their effects were evaluated on nutritional (fiber, water activity, phenolic compounds, flavonoid compounds and antioxidant activity), and technological characteristics (color, porosity and microstructure and hardness) of cake. According to obtained results, the use of Ajowan powder caused an increase in fiber content and water activity of gluten-free cake. Also, the porosity of the samples increased with increasing the amount of Ajowan powder. Color parameters of the cake crumb showed that increasing the amount of Ajowan powder caused a decrease in brightness index (L*), an increase in redness (a*) and yellowness (b*). By increasing the Ajowan powder level to 15%, the content of phenolic and flavonoid compounds as well as the antioxidant activity of the samples increased 8.9, 14.3 and 4.1 time more than control sample, respectively. Moreover, cake hardness increased with increasing Ajowan powder level during 14 days of storage, but it was not evident in low levels of Ajowan powder. 15% Ajowan powder and control samples had highest (0.89 N( and lowest (0.13N) hardness, respectively. Sensory evaluation performed by the panelists also showed that the overall acceptability was higher at samples treated with 3 and 6% of Ajowan powder than other samples. Finally, the sample containing 6% of Ajowan powder was introduced as the best sample.