Quality Evaluation of Composite Bread Produced from Wheat and Fermented Cashew Kernel Flours

The aim of this research was to produce bread from composite flours (fermented cashew kernel/wheat), determine their physicochemical and sensory properties. The Hagberg falling number (FN) and rheological properties of wheat flour replaced with fermented cashew kernel flour at 10, 20 30 and 40% were evaluated. The physical properties and proximate composition of loaves were determined. Also sensory characteristics of breads were evaluated. Results showed that the substitution of wheat flour with fermented cashew kernel flour negatively impacted the rheological properties and increased the falling number. Thereby, composite flours obtained from wheat flour substitution with fermented cashew kernel flour at 10 and 20 percent levels were retained for bread production. The weight, volume and specific volume of loaves varied from 208 to 229 g, 433 to 657 cm3 and 1.80 to 3.20 cm3/g respectively. The crude protein, fat, crude fibre, moisture and ash contents of the composite breads increased significantly (P<0.05) with increase in the proportion of fermented cashew kernel flour. The carbohydrate contents were observed to decrease significantly (P<0.05) from 38.08 to 56.18% with increase in the percentage of the cashew kernel flour incorporation. Sensory evaluation of the bread samples showed that substitution level of 10% fermented cashew kernel flour produced bread that was acceptable to the consumers whereas at 20% were neither like nor dislike. Therefore, it is recommended to use a level of substitution of wheat flour with fermented cashew kernel flour not exceeding 20% for bread production.