Dielectric properties can be used to understand the behavior of food materials during microwave processing. Dielectric properties influence the level of interaction between food and high frequency electromagnetic energy. Dielectric properties are, therefore, important in the design of foods intended for microwave preparation. In this study, it was aimed to determine the variation of dielectric properties of different cake formulations during baking in microwave and infrared-microwave combination oven. In addition, the effects of formulation and temperature on dielectric properties of cake batter were examined. Dielectric constant and loss factor of cake samples were shown to be dependent on formulation, baking time, and temperature. The increase in baking time and temperature decreased dielectric constant and loss factor of all formulations. Fat content was shown to increase dielectric constant and loss factor of cakes.
The main objective of the study was to determine the effects of different baking ovens and different cake formulations on the degree of starch gelatinization during cake baking. Baking was performed in microwave, infrared-microwave combination, and conventional ovens. Starch gelatinization levels of fat free, 25% fat, and 25% Simplesse™-containing cake samples were examined using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and rapid visco analyzer (RVA). Both DSC and RVA results showed that increasing baking time increased gelatinization level for all baking types significantly. It was also found that the effect of fat content on starch gelatinization was different depending on the type of baking. Addition of fat reduced the degree of starch gelatinization in conventional baking.However, fat enhanced the gelatinization in microwave and infrared-microwave combination ovens. Usage of Simplesse™ as a fat replacer decreased the starch gelatinization in all types of baking significantly. There was insufficient starch gelatinization in microwave-baked cakes in which the degree of gelatinization ranged from 55% to 78% depending on formulation. On the other hand, it ranged from 85% to 93% in conventionally baked cakes. Combining infrared with microwaves increased degree of starch gelatinization (70-90%).
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.