Monitoring and evaluating fermentative performance of sourdough used in bakery products typically involves discontinuous, destructive and costly analyses, resulting in substantial data that is expensive to exploit using conventional methods. The performance of sourdough is determined by its capacity to efficiently leaven the dough in the briefest timeframe possible, while simultaneously reducing the pH to an optimal level. This pH reduction facilitates the activity of enzymes, notably phytases, which break down phytates. Additionally, sourdough has the ability to generate ethanol, a crucial element contributing to the flavor and shelf life of the bread. A new, low-cost, non-destructive device has been developed with a system for real-time data acquisition, monitoring, visualization, as well as data processing, consolidation, and storage, thus simplifying the study of sourdough performance. Multiple specific sensors were integrated into an Arduino Uno board and placed in a connected fermentation chamber controlled by computer-installed software. The developed device enables real-time monitoring of critical parameters during sourdough fermentation. These include dough rising DRC (cm), gas release (CO2, ethanol) (ppmv or ml), pH, conductivity (uS/cm), moisture (%) and dough mass loss (g). Additionally, it measures temperature (°C), air humidity (%) and pressure (mbar) within the fermentation chamber. The device generates graphs, facilitating visual comparisons of sourdough fermentative performance. This graphical representation makes it easy to determine the end of fermentation. The developed application facilitated the management and utilization of the sourdough database. The device enables researchers to save time, reagents and equipment that are usually dedicated to such analyses. It achieves this by offering continuous and simultaneous monitoring of various sourdough fermentation parameters, allowing for an assessment of their fermenting capacity.
Keywords: Sourdough, bread, fermentative capacity, data acquisition, monitorin
