Effect of Supplementation of Amaranth Flour on Various Quality Attributes and Antioxidant Activities of Bread

Background: The present investigation was carried to develop amaranth based wheat flour bread. Products were developed by using different levels of amaranth flour and wheat flour in the ratio of 0:100,5:95, 10:90 and 15:85 respectively. Methods: Physico-chemical, antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and physical properties of amaranth supplemented bread were evaluated. Results: Results revealed an increase in moisture content from31.41 -33.35%, ash content 0.95- 1.52%, protein content 12.19% -13.23%, fat content 2.21% -2.81% and crude fiber 1.13-1.74%, and decrease in nitrogen free extract, alkali water retention capacity 52.11-47.35% and 137.66-112.00% respectively. Also it was observed that amaranth flour supplemented bread showed decrease in total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and FRAP assay with increase in substitution level. Color evaluation showed increase in L* and a* value of bread crust, while as bread crumb shows decrease in b* and L* value respectively. Nutritional evaluation revealed that among the samples tested 85% wheat flour and 15% amaranth flour supplemented bread was rated best as it was also evident from nutritional analysis. Conclusion: Maximum substitution of wheat flour with amaranth flour were 10% in terms of desirable bread quality attributes. The composite breads would serve as functional food, because of its high nutritional value than whole-wheat bread.