title: Effect of fortification on physico-chemical and microbiological stability of whole wheat flour.
abstract: Stability of fortified whole wheat flour (WWF) was evaluated using NaFeEDTA, elemental iron, ZnSO4 and ZnO as fortificants. Fortified WWF was stored in tin boxes and polypropylene bags for 60 days under ambient storage condition (ASC) and controlled storage condition (CSC). Fortification significantly (p⩽0.05) decreased moisture and protein content and increased ash content to 5.44%, 6% and 23%, as compared to control. Fortified WWF, assayed periodically for mould contamination manifested a significant inhibition (∼1 log reduction) in flours containing elemental iron. Low storage temperature and relative humidity (RH) indicated lower level of mould count during extended storage time. Tin boxes, as storage material, exhibited a better protection against mould attack, acting as an effective barrier for moisture. Fortificants exerted a slight deteriorative effect on texture characteristics of the chapattis made of these flours but chapattis were still accepted by the judges. Zinc fortificants seemed like having little or no effect on the quality of the flours and chapattis, made of such flours. Shelf life of fortified flour may be extended by using elemental iron as fortificant and storing the product in tin boxes under relatively low temperature and RH.
authors.affiliation: University College of Agriculture, Bahuaddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. Electronic address: saeedbzu@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akhtar
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Anjum
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Salim-Ur
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Rehman
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Munir A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sheikh
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahuaddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Kalsoom
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Farzana
keywords: Chapatti; Fortification; Mould; Storage; Whole wheat flour