Enhancement of the folate content in Egyptian pita bread

  • Mohammed Hefni Food Industries Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University
  • Cornelia M. Witthöft Dept of Food Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Keywords: Food processing

Abstract

Introduction: Egypt has a high incidence of neural tube defects related to folate deficiency. One major food source for folate is pita (baladi) bread, which is consumed daily. Bioprocessing (e.g. germination) has been reported to increase the folate content in cereals. The aim was to produce pita bread with increased folate content using germinated wheat flour (GWF). Methods: Prior to milling the effects of germination and drying conditions on folate content in wheat grains were studied. Pita bread was baked from wheat flour substituted with different levels of GWF. The folate content in dough and bread and rheological properties of dough were determined. Results: Germination of wheat grains resulted in, depending on temperature, 3- to 4-fold higher folate content with a maximum of 61 µg/100 g DM (dry matter). The folate content in both flour and bread increased 1.5 to 4-fold depending on the level of flour replacement with GWF. Pita bread baked with 50% sieved GWF was acceptable with respect to colour and layer separation, and had a folate content of 50 µg/100 g DM compared with 30 µg/100 g DM in conventional pita bread (0% GWF). Conclusion: Using 50% GWF, pita bread with increased folate content, acceptable for the Egyptian consumer, was produced. Consumption of this bread would increase the average daily folate intake by 75 µg.

Keywords: wheat grains; bioprocessing; germination; baladi bread; folate

(Published: 2 April)

Citation: Food & Nutrition Research 2012. 56: 5566 - DOI: 10.3402/fnr.v56i0.5566

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Author Biographies

Mohammed Hefni, Food Industries Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University

Dr

Food Industries Department

Cornelia M. Witthöft, Dept of Food Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Assoc Prof

Dept of Food Science, SLU

Published
2012-04-02
How to Cite
Hefni M., & Witthöft C. M. (2012). Enhancement of the folate content in Egyptian pita bread. Food & Nutrition Research. https://doi.org/10.3402/fnr.v56i0.5566
Section
Vitamin Supplement

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