Wheat flours for cake production must show features such as low protein content, dough extensibility and low gluten strength. The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of the type of wheat flour in the elaboration of English-type cake using the standard method for laboratory testing proposed by AACC. The wheat flour samples were collected at random from wheat mills in the region, and the other ingredients were obtained at the local market. The wheat flours were characterized according to their crude protein content, damaged starch, alveography and farinography. The repeatability and reproducibility of the methodology was evaluated using one of the flours. The English-type cakes were produced by blending the following ingredients: wheat flour, refined sugar, margarine, milk powder, egg powder, salt, baking powder and water under predefined laboratory conditions. The cakes were evaluated according to their specific volume, water activity, internal characteristics, porosity, crust color and crumb color. The results were analyzed by the analysis of variance and the means compared using Tukey´s test at the 5% significance level. The wheat flour sample showing a value of 68 x 10-4 J was shown to be more suitable for the production of English-type cakes, featuring a greater specific volume and higher score in the evaluation of the sensory characteristics.
Triticum aestivum; laboratory test; alveography; classification; English-type cake
