Warburtons and Cigi partner to develop new pulse flour-based baked goods

By Vince Bamford

- Last updated on GMT

Red lentils are among ingredients being studied. Pic: © iStock/Redphotographer
Red lentils are among ingredients being studied. Pic: © iStock/Redphotographer

Related tags Starch Food Bread

Top-selling UK bread brand Warburtons has partnered with the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) in a research project designed to increase the use of pulse-based flours.

Pulse flour can lead to products higher in protein and fiber, and lower in gluten and carbohydrates, believes Warburtons, which has already undertaken preliminary research on the subject with Cigi.

This new research underlines the increasing popularity of new and innovative bakery products among consumers​,” said Warburtons Canadian Program Manager Adam Dyck.

Cigi, an independent not-for-profit market development institute, has also collaborated with the pulse industry over the past decade to study the functionality and application of pulse flours.

Link to end consumer

By working with Warburtons as a commercial partner on this project, there is a direct link to an end customer​,” said Cigi CEO JoAnne Buth. “It signifies the potential of pulses to the food industry as ingredients with nutritional benefits that can contribute to improved health and well-being of consumers​.”

Among the key objectives of the project is development of a database that, together with research findings, will be shared with pulse breeders, seed companies, growers, pulse processors and the food industry (see box-out below). 

Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) is the primary funder, and has provided $1.8m for the new three-year project.

Inclusion of pulse ingredients into baked foods helps address consumer interest in choosing nutritional ingredients in the foods they eat​,” said SPG executive director Carl Potts. “This project also addresses market diversification which is an important focus for SPG​.”

Warburtons is contributing $680,000 as well as funds for the purchase of a pilot-scale fermentation tank at Cigi. Further funding is coming from the governments of Canada and Manitoba through the Grain Innovation Hub, Western Grains Research Foundation and Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers.

Pulse flour project objectives:

Development of a pulse database

The database will include a summary of new and existing information on pulses of greatest interest to the food industry (yellow peas, red and green lentils, chickpeas and navy beans), including effects of genotype and environment, milling and pre- and post-milling processing, particle size and storage on compositional, functional and flavor properties. The pulse database will be available for use across the food industry and housed on the SPG website.

Explore use of pre-ferment technology with pulse flours

A series of pre-ferment trials using flours milled from varying pulse types, pulse blends, particle sizes and inclusion levels will be undertaken to determine their effects on ferment dough properties, finished bread quality and FODMAP levels (FODMAPs small sugar molecules in everyday foods that may be poorly absorbed in the small intestine of some people). Trials will also be conducted to determine if bread with a clean label can be produced using pre-ferment technology and pulse flour.

Development of pulse-based bakery products that meet specific health and nutrition targets

Selected doughs from pre-ferment trials will be used in baking trials at Cigi to determine if commercial pulse flours and isolates can be used to formulate products that meet specific health and nutrition targets (high protein, high fiber, lower gluten and gluten-free, lower carbohydrates, better carbohydrates, resistant starch, lower calories and reduced FODMAPS). Other tests will evaluate effect of various pulse flour blends on flour and bread quality and impact of baking temperature on flavour of bread containing pulse flours and blends.

Related news

Show more

1 comment

Warburtons protein bread

Posted by Angela Theobald,

I noticed this article on your site and was surprised to see it as the Warburtons Protein bread contains e920 otherwise known as l-cystine which as I'm sure you are aware is a flour improver made from either feathers or animal hair usually pigs and as such is not vegan. I did get caught out recently after buying this bread it was pointed out to me by somembers else I felt I should let you know.

Report abuse

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars