Investigation of the Effect of Enzyme Application on the Structure of Wafers in the Food Industry

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the impact of 13 different enzymes, including protease, amylase, hemicellulase, and xylanase, on wafer dough and sheets, aiming to identify the most effective enzyme combination. Commercial protease, amylase, hemicellulase, and xylanase enzymes were applied to wafer dough following manufacturer instructions, and their flow behaviors were analyzed. Subsequently, the doughs were baked into wafer sheets, and various parameters such as water activity (aw), moisture content (%), weight loss (%), color parameters (L*, a*, b*), hardness (g), and sensory attributes were evaluated. Protease 4, Hemicellulase 2, and Xylanase 2 enzymes were selected for combination testing based on the analysis of flow behavior and characterization parameters of the wafer doughs. Among the tested combinations, the wafer dough containing 80 ppm Xylanase 2 + 300 ppm Protease 4 enzyme group exhibited promising potential for industrial applications due to its favorable flow behavior, while the resulting wafer sheets demonstrated desirable crispness and a brown-caramel color, suggesting suitability for commercial use.