Rheological, Baking and Sensory Characteristics of Bread from Wheat-Cassava Composite Dough

Uganda produces cassava, which has potential as a raw material for agro-industry. In this study, wheat flour was blended with high quality cassava flour in the ratios 100:0, 90:10; 80:20; 70:30; 60:40; 50:50 and 40:60 and the composite dough used to prepare bread. The doughs were subjected to rheological analysis using mixolab, consistograph and alveograph. Bread physical properties were measured and sensory qualities evaluated to correlate rheological characteristics of flour/dough with bread quality. Inclusion of cassava flour in the composite dough negatively affected the quality of the composite bread compared to the control. Bread volume (631.0 to 516.7 cm3) decreased, specific volume (2.065 to 1.574 cm3/g) decreased, bread density (0.49 to 0.63 g/cm3) increased. Mean scores for sensory quality parameters reduced: crust colour (6.88 to 4.63), taste (7.13 to 4.25), crumb texture (6.5 to 4.63) and overall acceptability (8.13 to 4.5). Bread quality was positively correlated with mixolab parameters protein weakening (C2), dough stability and dough development time (DDT); alveograph parameters tenacity (P) and deformation energy (W); and consistograph parameter maximum pressure (PrMax). Results showed that bread of acceptable quality can be processed using wheat composite containing 20 % cassava flour. Rheological properties can be used to assess suitability of flour for bread making.