Effects of freezing treatments on the fermentative activity and gluten network integrity of sweet dough

The effect of freezing treatments on sweet dough was studied. The dough was frozen at −20 °C, −30 °C and −40 °C in air-blast freezer cabinet and by immersion in liquid nitrogen. The yeast viability, gassing power, dough volume and dough network integrity from fresh and thawed sweet doughs were assessed. The results showed that both parameters depend on the freezing rate, which controls ice crystals size and location. Dough volume loss after freezing was attributed to reduced yeast fermentative activity and gluten network alteration in frozen dough. Fermentative activity reduced significantly in frozen dough using liquid nitrogen, causing 70% decrease on yeast population. Gluten integrity seemed to be affected by slow freezing treatment, i.e. −20 °C and −30 °C. Gas loss was also evaluated as a decrease of 25% ± 2 in dough volume. A correlation was observed between the freezing rate and osmotic pressure effects which influence strongly the yeast viability.