Chia seed oil modifies dough and gluten structure: insights into physicochemical properties and microstructure

This study systematically investigated the effects of chia seed oil (CSO) on the rheological properties, gluten protein structure, and microstructure of dough. The results demonstrated that CSO significantly enhanced the elasticity and cohesiveness of the dough (p < 0.05), while reducing free water content, hardness, and starch crystallinity. Compared to the 0 % and peanut oil (PO) groups, the 2 % group exhibited increases in β-sheet content by 44.77 % and 9.16 %, and disulfide bond content by 52.32 % and 26.65 %, respectively, indicating enhanced protein secondary structure and a more compact network. Observations from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) further confirmed these findings: the 2 % group formed a uniform and continuous gluten network that effectively encapsulated starch granules, whereas the 5 % group showed disrupted protein structure and starch exposure due to excessive lipid incorporation. Additionally, the dough with 2 % CSO received the highest sensory score. This study confirms that CSO outperforms traditional PO in improving dough structural properties, providing a theoretical basis for its application as a functional ingredient in enhancing the quality and nutritional value of flour-based products.