This study investigated the surface tension and foaming properties of the hot-water extracts of pumpkin leaf and chickpea, as well as the effects of the plant hot-water extracts on white pan bread baking. Propylene glycol alginate (PGA), a synthetic emulsifier widely used in bakery, was used as a control. Pumpkin leaf water extract showed lower surface tension and comparable foaming capacity, compared with chickpea water extract and PGA solution when total solid  0.15% (w/w). Chickpea water extract showed the highest foam stability when total solid  0.15% (w/w). The dough was found to have a weak gel structure, and its viscoelastic properties were not significantly influenced by adding 0.05% or 0.15% (w/w) (based on total solid content) plant water extracts or PGA. The specific volume of the bread increased, and the baking loss was reduced by adding the two plant water extracts of total solid 0.15% (w/w). The hardness and chewiness of the bread crumb were reduced to a level comparable to the crumb containing 0.05% (w/w) PGA. The results showed that the pumpkin leaf water extract could be an effective natural emulsifier with a high phenolic content for bakery products.

This study investigated the quality characteristics, antioxidant activities, and retarding retrogradation of sponge cakes made with 0%, 1%, 3%, 5% and 7% pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) leaf powder. Specific capacity significantly increased with the addition (0.33~0.38), but baking loss and dough yield were not significantly different (p<0.05). In color, there was a decrease in the L-value, a-value and b-value, but △E increased in proportion to the amount of pumpkin leaf powder. Moisture content increased in the 0~3% additions, from 27.90~31.68%, but decreased in 5% and 7% (22.37% and 28.15%, respectively). pH tended to decrease significantly according to the amount of pumpkin leaf powder (p<0.05). Hardness increased with the addition of pumpkin leaf powder, and pumpkin leaf groups presented higher springiness and cohesiveness than the control. Chewiness was not significantly differ (p<0.05). In retarding retrogradation, Avrami exponent (n) showed that addition of 5% (0.1329) had more retarding retrogradation effect than the control (0.4319), whereas time constant (1/k) showed both 3% (100.00) and 5% (70.42) addition had more effect than control (18.45). Total phenols and flavonoids content increased proportionate to the addition levels. ABTS radical scavenging activity tended to increase according to the level of pumpkin leaf powder. In sensory properties, 5% addition showed maximum color, and 3% addition had the highest scores in flavor, moistness, sweetness, chewiness and overall acceptability. These results suggested that pumpkin leaf was a good addition to improve the quality characteristics, health and sensory preferences. The most appropriate proportion to have the effect of retarding retrogradation in sponge cake is 3%.