Observation of wheat flour doughs under mechanical treatment using confocal microscopy and classification of their microstructures

RheOptiCAD (R) is a cell allowing observation of microstructures under thermo-mechanical treatments. Using the device fitted on a confocal microscope, wheat flour doughs containing 3 levels of water were studied. Dough were placed between 2 parallel plates and submitted to motion of the bottom one. Temperature was controlled and fixed at 20 degrees C. Methodology and experimental parameters, but also balance between optical and mechanical ones are described and justified to set a dynamic observation in real time. Rhodamine B labeled gluten network was observed under dynamic mechanical treatment, i.e. a 0.4 mm-0.3 Hz oscillation applied during 30 s. The evolution of the gluten network microstructure along time of deformation and depending on the recipe was studied. Image sequences are presented to visualize the qualitative differences in the network. Differences in microstructures were observed. A grey scale mathematical morphology is proposed to qualify and quantify these differences. Images can be separated according to the level of orientation of the network and to the local protein concentration in the gluten fibers. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.