This study aimed to enhance the utilization value of Sanghwang mushroom rice flour, a functional ingredient, and to provide fundamental data for its application as a food material by evaluating the physicochemical properties, mechanical characteristic...
This study aimed to enhance the utilization value of Sanghwang mushroom rice flour, a functional ingredient, and to provide fundamental data for its application as a food material by evaluating the physicochemical properties, mechanical characteristics, and antioxidant activity of batter and final products. Vegan-certified Sanghwang mushroom rice flour was incorporated into vegan pound cakes at substitution levels of 0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, and 60% based on wheat flour. The pH of the batter containing Sanghwang mushroom rice flour was highest in the control and decreased significantly as the substitution level increased. Moisture content was also highest in the control and showed a significant decrease with increasing levels of Sanghwang mushroom rice flour, whereas water activity did not show significant differences among samples. The sugar content of the batter was lowest in the control and increased significantly with increasing substitution levels. The specific gravity of the batter did not differ significantly between the control and supplemented groups. Cake volume was lowest in the control and increased significantly as the substitution level increased. Cake weight showed a statistically significant but slight increase with increasing amounts of Sanghwang mushroom rice flour. The specific volume of the cakes was lowest in the control and increased significantly with higher substitution levels. In contrast, baking loss was highest in the control and decreased as the substitution level increased. The crumb lightness (L*) was highest in the control and decreased significantly with increasing amounts of Sanghwang mushroom rice flour. The redness (a*) value was lowest in the control and increased significantly as the substitution level increased, while the yellowness (b*) value of the crumb decreased significantly. Similarly, the crust lightness (L*) was highest in the control. Texture analysis revealed that hardness was lowest in the control and increased significantly with higher substitution levels. Springiness showed no significant differences among samples. Cohesiveness was highest in the control, but no significant differences were observed among the supplemented groups despite slight variations depending on the substitution level. Gumminess and chewiness were lowest in the control, and no significant differences were observed among samples as the substitution level increased. The total polyphenol content of the pound cakes was lowest in the control and increased significantly with increasing amounts of Sanghwang mushroom rice flour; however, the magnitude of increase was relatively lower compared to the results of DPPH and ABTS assays. The DPPH free radical scavenging activity was lowest in the control and increased significantly as the substitution level increased. Similarly, ABTS⁺ radical scavenging activity was lowest in the control and showed a significant increasing trend with higher levels of Sanghwang mushroom rice flour. No noticeable differences in appearance were observed among the samples. In terms of texture and overall acceptability, the 30% substitution group showed the highest preference, whereas the control and the 60% substitution group exhibited the lowest preference scores. Overall sensory evaluation indicated that preference for aroma, color, texture, taste, and overall acceptability increased with increasing substitution levels up to 30%, but decreased at the 45% substitution level. Therefore, these results suggest that the incorporation of Sanghwang mushroom rice flour at levels up to 30% is optimal for improving the quality characteristics and consumer acceptability of vegan pound cakes. This study demonstrates the potential of Sanghwang mushroom rice flour as a functional food ingredient and provides foundational data for its further application in bakery products.