Acrylamide- and Hydroxymethylfurfural-Forming Capacity of Alternative Flours in Heated Dough Systems

The use of alternative flours is becoming more common in the food industry to enhance the nutritional and sensory properties of baked goods. However, these changes may also affect the formation of acrylamide, a potentially carcinogenic and genotoxic compound generated in foods heated above 120 °C. T...

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Main Authors: Marta Mesias, Francisco J. Morales
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/9/1597
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author Marta Mesias
Francisco J. Morales
author_facet Marta Mesias
Francisco J. Morales
author_sort Marta Mesias
collection DOAJ
description The use of alternative flours is becoming more common in the food industry to enhance the nutritional and sensory properties of baked goods. However, these changes may also affect the formation of acrylamide, a potentially carcinogenic and genotoxic compound generated in foods heated above 120 °C. This study evaluated the acrylamide-forming potential of 16 flours from cereals, pseudocereals, legumes, fruits, and roots. Samples were analyzed for acrylamide precursors—reducing sugars and free asparagine—and tested in model dough systems with and without added glucose. All samples were baked at 150 °C for 30 min. Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) was also determined as a marker of thermal damage. In water-hydrated systems, acrylamide was only detected in wheat, rye, and coconut flours (23–61 µg/kg). When glucose was added, acrylamide levels increased in all systems except cassava. Lentil flour produced the highest levels (154 µg/kg), while corn flour showed the lowest (20 µg/kg). HMF levels followed a similar trend, with lentil flour again showing the highest content (232.3 mg/kg). These results highlight the importance of evaluating acrylamide formation when using non-wheat flours, especially in formulations containing sugars. Additional mitigation strategies may be needed to ensure the safety of these innovative food products.
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spelling doaj-art-7406f64e283a4fd5877407fea3df047c2025-08-20T02:59:08ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-04-01149159710.3390/foods14091597Acrylamide- and Hydroxymethylfurfural-Forming Capacity of Alternative Flours in Heated Dough SystemsMarta Mesias0Francisco J. Morales1Institute of Food Science, Technology and Nutrition (ICTAN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, SpainInstitute of Food Science, Technology and Nutrition (ICTAN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, SpainThe use of alternative flours is becoming more common in the food industry to enhance the nutritional and sensory properties of baked goods. However, these changes may also affect the formation of acrylamide, a potentially carcinogenic and genotoxic compound generated in foods heated above 120 °C. This study evaluated the acrylamide-forming potential of 16 flours from cereals, pseudocereals, legumes, fruits, and roots. Samples were analyzed for acrylamide precursors—reducing sugars and free asparagine—and tested in model dough systems with and without added glucose. All samples were baked at 150 °C for 30 min. Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) was also determined as a marker of thermal damage. In water-hydrated systems, acrylamide was only detected in wheat, rye, and coconut flours (23–61 µg/kg). When glucose was added, acrylamide levels increased in all systems except cassava. Lentil flour produced the highest levels (154 µg/kg), while corn flour showed the lowest (20 µg/kg). HMF levels followed a similar trend, with lentil flour again showing the highest content (232.3 mg/kg). These results highlight the importance of evaluating acrylamide formation when using non-wheat flours, especially in formulations containing sugars. Additional mitigation strategies may be needed to ensure the safety of these innovative food products.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/9/1597acrylamideflourcereal-based foodsbakingrisk
spellingShingle Marta Mesias
Francisco J. Morales
Acrylamide- and Hydroxymethylfurfural-Forming Capacity of Alternative Flours in Heated Dough Systems
Foods
acrylamide
flour
cereal-based foods
baking
risk
title Acrylamide- and Hydroxymethylfurfural-Forming Capacity of Alternative Flours in Heated Dough Systems
title_full Acrylamide- and Hydroxymethylfurfural-Forming Capacity of Alternative Flours in Heated Dough Systems
title_fullStr Acrylamide- and Hydroxymethylfurfural-Forming Capacity of Alternative Flours in Heated Dough Systems
title_full_unstemmed Acrylamide- and Hydroxymethylfurfural-Forming Capacity of Alternative Flours in Heated Dough Systems
title_short Acrylamide- and Hydroxymethylfurfural-Forming Capacity of Alternative Flours in Heated Dough Systems
title_sort acrylamide and hydroxymethylfurfural forming capacity of alternative flours in heated dough systems
topic acrylamide
flour
cereal-based foods
baking
risk
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/9/1597
work_keys_str_mv AT martamesias acrylamideandhydroxymethylfurfuralformingcapacityofalternativefloursinheateddoughsystems
AT franciscojmorales acrylamideandhydroxymethylfurfuralformingcapacityofalternativefloursinheateddoughsystems