Technological approaches for structural optimization of gluten-free bread.
| Technological approach | Mechanism of action in gluten-free systems | Effect on bread quality | Typical ingredients/processing tools | Key references |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrocolloid incorporation | Mimics gluten viscoelastic network through water binding and viscosity enhancement | Improved gas retention, loaf volume, and crumb softness | Xanthan gum, HPMC, guar gum, CMC | [112, 113] |
| Protein enrichment | Formation of protein-starch interactions improves dough cohesion | Enhanced structure and nutritional quality | Egg protein, dairy protein, legume protein isolates | [114] |
| Sourdough fermentation | Organic acid production modifies starch behavior and improves matrix formation | Better texture, flavor, and shelf stability | Lactic acid bacteria fermentation | [56] |
| Starch modification | Adjusts gelatinization and retrogradation properties | Improved crumb structure and softness | Pregelatinized or modified starches | [115] |
| Flaxseed + IR‑microwave processing | Flaxseed improves moisture retention, gas-cell stability, and dough rheology | Higher loaf volume, softer crumb, better color; quality preserved after frozen storage and IR-microwave baking | Flaxseed (0–5%) with gums; frozen (–20°C), thawed (+4°C), fermented, baked in an IR-microwave oven. | [116] |
| Novel processing technologies | Physical restructuring of dough during baking | Improved porosity and uniform crumb | Extrusion, high-pressure processing | [115] |
CMC: carboxymethylcellulose; HPMC: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; IR: infrared.
AOA: Conceptualization, Writing—original draft. DSA: Visualization, Resources, Writing—review & editing. PJA: Formal analysis, Writing—original draft. OEF: Resources, Writing—review & editing. VNE: Conceptualization, Supervision, Writing—original draft, Writing—review & editing. All authors read and approved the final submitted manuscript.
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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The author, Victor N. Enujiugha (vnenujiugha@futa.edu.ng), will make the data of this research available to any researcher.
No external funding was received for this study.
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