Evaluation of Specific Volume, Texture, Thermal Features, Water Mobility, and Inhibitory Effect of Staling in Wheat Bread Affected by Maltitol

The influence of maltitol on the physicochemical properties of wheat flour dough and bread were evaluated in terms of texture, thermal features, water mobility, and retrogradation kinetics. The presence of maltitol could slow down the fermentation rate of dough. Breads with 6% of maltitol exhibited lower hardness and chewiness, with a significant decrease of 42% and 31%, respectively (p < 0.05). The use of maltitol could remarkably enhance the gelatinization temperature (p < 0.05) that was confirmed by DSC tool. Through the approach of LF-NMR, the addition of maltitol could increase the mobility of immobilized water, further retarded bread staling. The k values from chewiness and total signal amplitude in breads with 2% and 4% levels of maltitol were smaller than the control, which was proven through kinetics of retrogradation analysis, revealing an overall retarding effect of maltitol in prevention of bread staling.