Antioxidant properties and color characteristics of sponge cakes containing functional components

Introduction.This study had investigated the effects of the addition of functional components (Jerusalem artichoke, cocoa husks and einkorn) on the color, antioxidants, and functional properties of sponge cakes. Materials and methods.The antioxidant activities of sponge cakes were evaluated by methods: ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP and DPPH assay.Sample analysis also included measurement of color properties in CIEL*a*b* color system using colorimeter.Results and discussion.The smallest antioxidant activity was observed in 100% wheat flour cake (control) evaluated by four methods, as DPPH no detected.The antioxidant activity on cocoa husks powder and cake prepare with cocoa husks has been reported on the four methods for different mechanisms of antioxidant action.The antioxidant activity of functional components -cocoa husks powder and einkorn wholemeal flour, is the highest determined by CUPRAC-assay (203,75 ± 0,55 mM TE/g DM; 117,94 ± 0,24 mM TE/g DM) and ABTSassay (107,55 ± 0,68 mM TE/g DM; 520,85 ± 5,71 mM TE/g DM), respectively.The sponge cake with 50% einkorn wholemeal flour could be developed as a functional food with more effective antioxidant properties.The lightness (58.50±7.43),a* (9.90±1.93)and b* (26.31±0.85)values for crust control were not significantly different from those of the cake with einkorn wholemeal flour (L* = 60.48±6.27;a* = 9.42±1.69;b* = 25.68±1.44),so carotenoids and lutein was considered to give a good approximation to the color that einkorn wholemeal flour communicates to cakes.The crumb color on the control sample was similar to that of the cake with einkorn wholemeal flour.According to these results, cakes with Jerusalem artichoke (∆E = 6.62) and cocoa husks where (∆E = 23.53) the total color difference was appreciable by the human eye.Conclusions.The sponge cake with einkorn wholemeal flour is with more effective antioxidant properties.The color on the control was similar to that of the cake with einkorn wholemeal flour.