Physicochemical and sensory attributes of gluten-free sourdough breads produced from underutilised African cereal flours and flour blends

To seek potential alternative(s) for imported wheat in the African baking industry, the physicochemical parameters and sensory attributes of sourdough breads developed from locally sourced underutilised cereals and their blends were assessed. Processed sorghum (Sorghum bicolour), finger millet (Eleusine coracana) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and their composites (50:50) were used to produce sourdough. Sourdough and flour-sourdough blends (30% sourdough) were used in making gluten-free breads. The protein content of the breads ranged from 16.29% to 39.26%, whereas the fat, crude fibre, ash and carbohydrate contents fell between 14.02–18.80%, 0.55–1.22%, 1.90–3.32% and 42.16–65.61%, respectively. The calculated energy value of the gluten-free breads (405.99–446.39 Kcal per 100 g) exceeded that of wheat bread (396.43 Kcal per 100 g), while the specific loaf volume varied from 1.46 to 1.80 cm3 g-1. Although the produced gluten-free breads have improved nutritional content compared to conventional wheat bread, they were at best moderately liked. This is perhaps due to the non-cohesive nature of the crumbs and psychological preference for known products. Further research targeted at improving the organoleptic properties of these sourdough breads is recommended