Characteristics of bread making doughs: influence of sourdough fermentation on the fundamental rheological properties

The proofing process is an essential step in the bread making technology in providing a link between the bubble structure created in the mixer and the final baked loaf structure. This research was carried out to test the effect of two different types of fermentation on bread making dough properties. Fundamental rheological tests were used to evaluate and compare doughs prepared by using compressed yeast and only natural yeast. Dynamic oscillation tests were performed using a controlled stress-strain rheometer; the phase angle (delta) and the value of the storage modulus (G') were measured for all samples. Significant differences were found between the doughs which were made using commercial compressed yeast (baker's yeast (BY)) and those prepared using sourdough (SD). In particular SD was less elastic, less firm and easily extensible having higher phase angle and lower G'.