Characteristics and Preservation of the Plain Bread Added with Onion Juice.

The characteristics and preservation of plain bread with 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15% of onion juice added were investigated during storage at room temperature. The weight, volume and specific volume of bread with added onion juice increased, compared to those of the control bread. The color value of bread when onion juice was added had lower values of lightness and higher values of redness and yellowness than those of the control bread. The pH was lower in the bread during storage, and it decreased with an increase of onion juice. Hardness was increased and water activity was decreased in the bread during storage. With an increment of onion juice, hardness was the lowest but water activity was the highest. The addition of onion juice also inhibited the growth of aerobic bacteria and mold on bread. Taste, flavor, surface, texture and overall acceptability by sensory evaluation were the best when 3% of onion juice was added, but there were no significant differences between it and 0% bread. The results imply that addition of onion juice into plain bread will create a healthy and functional bread with an extended shelf-life.