Ultrasound-assisted process of dough for noodle production: Textural properties, moisture distribution, microstructure and cooking quality

Abstract

To address certain issues in noodle processing, a self-designed vibrating plate ultrasound equipment was implemented in dough processing. This study investigated the effects of ultrasound on the disulfide bond, secondary structures, and microstructures of noodles, as well as their qualities including texture, tensile strength, and cooking characteristics. The objective was to uncover the underlying mechanisms by which ultrasound assistance enhances dough processing. The findings indicated that ultrasonic treatment enhanced noodle quality, especially under the action of medium-intensity ultrasound treatment (MUS, 330 W; 30 s). After undergoing MUS, the noodles exhibited a notable enhancement in tensile force and stretching distance by 21.2% and 49.3% compared with the control group. MUS treatment facilitated the transformation of loosely bound water to tightly bound water during dough processing. LUS, MUS, HUS treatment led to a notable increase in β-turn and β-sheet contents. Moreover, the microstructure of noodles exhibited enhanced stability and orderliness, characterized by reduced exposed starch particles and smaller pore size. Noodles treated with MUS received the highest sensory scores. Overall, the vibrating plate ultrasonic-assisted dough processing technology demonstrated improvement in the quality of noodles, offering an innovative strategy for enhancing flour product production.