MRI observation and mathematical model simulation of water migration in wheat flour dough during boiling

Existing cooking rate equations fail, to describe the change of moisture content profile in starchy foods during cooking, There is a need for a new model. In this paper, an experiment on water migration during boiling was performed using a slab of wheat flour dough. The moisture content profile was measured by an MRI method. The result was compared with predictions made using mathematical models. The existing mathematical model was found Co predict a much more rapid change than that measured by experiment. The accuracy of the prediction was considerably improved when a new model was applied : a mathematical model based on a new concept that water migration is driven by water demand.