Enhancing traceability of wheat quality through the supply chain.

With the growing global population, the need for food is expected to grow tremendously in the next few decades. One of the key tools to address such growing food demand is minimizing grain losses and optimizing food processing operations. Hence, several research studies are underway to reduce grain losses/degradation at the farm (upon harvest) and later during the milling and baking processes. However, less attention has been paid to changes in grain quality between harvest and milling. This paper aims to address this knowledge gap and discusses possible strategies for preserving grain quality (for Canadian wheat in particular) during unit operations at primary, process, or terminal elevators. To this end, the importance of wheat flour quality metrics is briefly described, followed by a discussion on the effect of grain properties on such quality parameters. This work also explores how drying, storage, blending, and cleaning, as some of the common post-harvest unit operations, could affect grain's end-product quality. Finally, an overview of the available techniques for grain quality monitoring is provided, followed by a discussion on existing gaps and potential solutions for quality traceability throughout the wheat supply chain.

Effect of Revtech thermal processing on volatile organic compounds and chemical characteristics of split yellow pea (Pisum sativum L.) flour.

Yellow pea (Pisumsativum L.) is an economically rich source of nutrients with health-promoting effects. However, the consumption of pea ingredients is minimal due to their off-flavor characteristics. The present study investigated the effect of Revtech heat treatment on the chemical profile and volatile compounds in split yellow pea flour. Revtech treatment (RT) was applied at 140°C with a residence time of 4 min in dry condition (RT 0%) and in the presence of 10% steam (RT 10%). Both thermal treatments resulted in a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in lipoxygenase activity and the concentration of key beany-related odors such as heptanal, (E)-2-heptenal, 1-octen-3-ol, octanal, and (E)-2-octenal. In addition, RT 10% resulted in a significant reduction in pentanal, 1-penten-3-ol, hexanal, and 1-hexanol compared to untreated flour. The content of known precursors of lipoxygenase such as linoleic and linolenic acids was found in higher concentrations in heat-treated flours, indicating the efficacy of Revtech technology in minimizing the degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. No significant changes in the amino acid composition or the 29 selected phenolic compounds in pea flours were observed with Revtech processing except for two compounds, caffeic acid and gallocatechin, which were found at higher concentrations in RT 0%. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Thermal processing of split yellow pea flours at 140°C using Revtech technology successfully decreased the concentrations of volatile compounds responsible for beany off-flavor while improving the nutritional quality of studied yellow pea flours. These results provide valuable information to the food industry for developing novel pulse-based products with enhanced sensory characteristics.

Association of asparagine concentration in wheat with cultivar, location, fertilizer, and their interaction.

The need to produce wheat with low asparagine concentration is of great importance as a measure to mitigate acrylamide concentration in wheat-based products. The association of asparagine concentration in Canadian bread wheat with cultivar, growing location, fertilizer and their interaction were investigated. Wheat cultivars (8) were grown in 2 locations under 4 fertilizer treatments in triplicate (which consisted of two nitrogen rates (90 or 120 lbs/acre) with or without 15 lbs sulphur per acre). The asparagine concentration ranged from 168.9 to 1050 µg/g and was significantly affected by cultivar, location, and their interaction but not fertilizer treatment. Location and cultivar were responsible for 80% and 14% of the variation, respectively. Some cultivars were not affected by location and maintained their low asparagine accumulation trait. Thus, breeding strategies should aim to identify cultivars that are low asparagine accumulating and are stable across different growing environments.

Sensory and Physical Characteristics of Pan Bread Fortified with Thermally Treated Split Yellow Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Flour.

Pulses, including peas, are a good source of protein, dietary fiber, folic acid, and iron and are reported to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, pulse ingredients present a known challenge as they exhibit a grassy/beany off-flavor. Heat treatment in some cases can decrease this off-flavor. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of substitution of 20% split yellow pea (SYP) flour treated by Revtech thermal processing at 140 °C with 10% steam (RT10%) and without steam (RT0%) for wheat flour in bread on the sensory attributes, acceptability, nutrient composition, firmness, color, and pH. RT10% was more acceptable overall than bread with untreated pea flour (USYP) or RT0% as assessed by 110 consumers. Sensory attributes were defined and measured on 15-cm line scales by an 11 member trained panel. Attributes associated with RT10% included wheaty, sweet, and yeast aromas and wheaty flavor, whereas attributes associated with USYP and RT0% were pea and nutty aroma and flavor. Although firmness and dryness were higher in RT10%, the acceptability of the bread texture was not affected. This sample contained significantly higher protein and lower carbohydrate than the wheat sample. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Revtech (RT), a novel thermal process, when applied at 140 °C with steam to split yellow pea (SYP) flour successfully increased the acceptability of white pan bread fortified at 20% compared to bread fortified with RT 140 °C with no steam, and untreated SYP flours. This could be due to its association with wheaty aroma and flavor attributes rather than the pea aroma and flavor attributes of the other two breads.

Impacts of short-term germination on the chemical compositions, technological characteristics and nutritional quality of yellow pea and faba bean flours.

In the present study, yellow pea (CDC Amarillo) and faba bean (CDC Snowdrop) seeds were soaked overnight and then germinated in the dark at ambient temperature for 24, 48 and 72 h. During the short-term germination, germination percentages higher than 96.6% were achieved and progressive growth of radicles was observed for both varieties. The soaked and germinated seeds were dried at 55 °C and milled into flours, and their chemical compositions, physicochemical properties and in vitro starch and protein digestibility were systematically examined. Overall, soaking and germination did not noticeably alter the chemical compositions of each flour. The most obvious changes in the physicochemical properties were found in the pasting, emulsifying and foaming properties of the pulse flours. Soaking and 24-h germination greatly enhanced the pasting viscosities of the flours; as the germination proceeded, their viscosities gradually decreased, resulting from the degradation of starch by endogenous amylase(s) during pasting. Germination progressively improved the emulsion activity and stability, foaming capacity and foam stability of both pulse flours. In addition, germination enhanced the in vitro digestibility of starch and protein of the flours; however, the treatment did not improve their in vitro protein digestibility corrected amino acid scores (IV-PDCAAS). Short-term germination of 24-72 h has been demonstrated to be an effective approach to generating pulse flours possessing diverse functional properties and enhanced digestibility of macronutrients.