Enhancing Bread Shelf Life by Measuring the pH of Bread Dough

Bread is a staple in most people's diets. It has been made and enjoyed since ancient times. From the loaf of bread to flatbread to white bread to sourdough, it can be found in every corner of the world. For the bakery that produces processed bread that is purchased in the store, it is important to add preservatives that extend the shelf life of the product. The preservatives are used to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. By extending the shelf life, the bakery can sell more products and thus increase their profitability.

For Hanna Instruments, adding preservatives is important because they help in lowering pH. The pH of the dough is measured to ensure that the pH is low enough to inhibit the growth. Common preservatives added to dough include benzoic acid, tartaric acid, and calcium propionate.

There are several methods to measure the pH of dough, but one of the simplest and most effective is to create a slurry by mixing a portion of dough with deionized water. However, directly inserting a pH meter into the dough is not recommended. As shown in the image on the right, this approach can cause significant issues, such as clogging the electrode junction and making it difficult to clean the dough residue from around the glass electrode. Proper technique is essential to ensure accurate readings and maintain the longevity of the pH meter.

Our Solution:

A tortilla manufacturer was looking to measure the pH of the dough before baking. The recommended solution was the HI99161 (Portable Food and Dairy pH Meter) which is supplied with the FC202D pH electrode with a built-in temperature sensor. What makes this the ideal solution is the design of the pH electrode. The FC202D has a spear tip electrode for easy penetration into the dough and is completely exposed for easy cleaning. The FC202D also utilizes an open junction design with a viscolene based electrolyte. The open junction design is virtually impossible to clog since any deposits can be easily removed, exposing the reference cell. Lastly, the PVDF body is a food grade plastic that conforms to specifications and requirements for the food processing industry. As with many applications, it is always important to recommend a cleaning solution. With this application, the HI70641L cleaning and disinfection solution for dairy products would complement the HI99161.