Incorporating chickpea flour can enhance mixing tolerance and dough strength of wheat flour

Background and ObjectiveDough mixing properties are crucial in determining the usability of wheat flour. Currently, many industrial sourced chemicals are used as additives to improve the mixing stability of dough. This study aims to evaluate the effect of adding chickpea flour on mixing tolerance and dough strength improvement based on 20 different wheat genotypes. The effects of different types (i.e., kabuli and desi) and amounts (1.5%, 3.75%, 7.5%, 15%, and 30%, w/w) of chickpea flours and kabuli chickpea fractions (7.5%) were further studied. Mixograph, dough strength and extensibility, and baking test of selected treatments were performed. FindingsIncorporating chickpea flour at a level of 7.5% (w/w flour basis) or lower significantly improved (p < .05) the mixing stability and dough strength of different wheat flours. Adding the insoluble fraction of the chickpea flour resulted in better stability and dough strength compared to other fractions, while adding the soluble fraction of chickpea flour weakened the dough. At the optimum incorporation level (7.5%) or lower, the inclusion of chickpea flour did not negatively alter the physical (bread volume), texture (hardness), or taste attributes of the bread. ConclusionThe results demonstrate that adding chickpea flour can improve dough mixing properties, particularly for weak/normal wheat flour, without compromising the quality of bread. The optimal chickpea flour incorporation level in refined wheat flour is 7.5%. Chickpea flour incorporation could also assist bakers in case of overmixing the dough. Significance and NoveltyThis study portrays the use of natural ingredients to improve dough mixing properties, providing bakers and scientific community with natural alternatives to enhance wheat flour mixing properties while improving the quality and nutrition of the flour as chickpea is a protein-rich legume.