Wheat bread fortification by Lebanese sumac and cactus seeds: nutritional, antioxidant, and sensory properties

Authors

  • Zaher Abdel Baki College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Egaila https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2070-5855
  • Sahar H. Abourida Laboratory for the Valorization of Natural Resources and Health Products, Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Rafic Hariri Campus Lebanese University, Hadath; Research Platform for Environmental Science, Doctoral School of Science and Technology, Lebanese University, Beirut
  • Adnan Badran Department of Nutrition, University of Petra, Amman
  • Ghosoon Albahri Research Platform for Environmental Science, Doctoral School of Science and Technology, Lebanese University, Beirut
  • Amer Noaman Biotechnology Department, College of Science, Baghdad University
  • Othmane Merah Laboratory of Agro-Industrial Chemistry, University of Toulouse, French National Institute for Agricultural Research, National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse; Department of Biological Engineering, Paul Sabatier University Institute of Technology, Auch https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9863-150X
  • Akram Hijazi Research Platform for Environmental Science, Doctoral School of Science and Technology, Lebanese University, Beirut

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4081/ijfs.2025.12817

Keywords:

Bread fortification, Rhus coriaria, Opuntia ficus-indica L., antioxidant activity, sensory and nutritional properties

Abstract

Bread is an indispensable staple food and a great source of complex carbohydrates, making it a potential product for fortification. The purpose of this study was to investigate the sensory, antioxidant, and nutritional properties of bread fortified with sumac (Rhus coriaria) and cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) seed powder. Different levels (4, 6, and 8% w/w flour replacement) of the powdered seeds were used. Fortified bread samples were compared to control (unfortified) bread and evaluated for their moisture, nutritional composition (protein, fat, fiber, ash, carbohydrates, and energy value), sensory preference, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay). The antioxidant capacity and TPC were significantly higher (p<0.05) for sumac- and cactus-fortified bread samples compared to the control. Nutritionally, fortification significantly increased fiber and fat content while decreasing carbohydrate content and energy value (p<0.05); protein content remained relatively stable. Sensory evaluation showed a preference for sumac-fortified bread, particularly at lower concentrations. Moisture content was significantly lower in fortified samples. This study demonstrates that fortification, particularly with 8% sumac, yielded favorable results concerning antioxidant activity, phenolic content, and sensory preference, alongside notable changes in nutritional composition.

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Published

19-11-2025

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Original Articles

How to Cite

1.
Wheat bread fortification by Lebanese sumac and cactus seeds: nutritional, antioxidant, and sensory properties. Ital J Food Safety [Internet]. 2025 Nov. 19 [cited 2026 Jan. 29];. Available from: https://www.pagepressjournals.org/ijfs/article/view/12817