Water sorption and the plasticization effect in wafers
2004
Martinez-Navarrete, N. | Moraga, G. | Talens, P. | Chiralt, A.
Wafers are low moisture food products whose crunchiness or crispness is considered a primary textural attribute, highly affected by the product's physical state (glassy or rubbery). The water activity-water content-glass transition relationships for commercial wafers are reported, using Gordon and Taylor's equation to model the water plasticization effect and also Brunnaver-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Guggenheim-Anderson-DeBoer (GAB) sorption models. BET monolayer moisture content was 6.2% and the moisture limit to fit this model was about 11.5%. Critical water activity and critical water content for the glass transition of the product at 20 degrees C were 0.591 and 0.118 (mass fraction) respectively. Abrupt changes in the mechanical product properties, evaluated from a three-point bend test, could be observed at these limits. Moisture levels between 6 and 11% give rise to a glassy state matrix in the product and so to acceptable product crispness. Below this range, the glassy matrix seems to turn fragile and, above this range, the product becomes rubbery.
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