Evaluating the criteria for flour quality based on Fuzzy DEMATEL

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Technology, Khuzestan Ramin University of Agricultural & Natural Resources, Mollasani, Iran

2 Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan

Abstract

Considering the importance of physicochemical characteristics on the quality of produced flour, and the fact that the quality of flour depends on many physicochemical parameters, choosing the most important physicochemical characteristics to evaluate flour quality becomes a multi-criteria decision making problem. Fuzzy DEMATEL methods and hierarchical analysis are among the newest multi-criteria decision making methods. In this research, the quality of flours from Khuzestan province was first examined based on physicochemical and microbial characteristics. The combination of two methods, Fuzzy DEMATEL and TOPSIS, was then used to select the best physicochemical and microbial characteristics for evaluation. The research aimed to answer the question of what the most important physicochemical and microbial properties affecting the quality of flour are, and what the relationship model between them is. Based on the research and expert opinions, 2 indicators (physicochemical and microbial) characteristics (and 15 sub-indices) were identified amount of ash insoluble in acid, total ash, moisture content, iron, amount of gluten, pH, aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, acidity, protein, heavy metals, total aflatoxin, total mold count, mesophilic microorganisms count and live pests count) were divided. According to the research, five factors (moisture content, iron content, acidity, total ash content and total aflatoxin content) play a significant role in the evaluating the quality of flour, affecting other factors or criteria. Aflatoxin B1 and mesophilic microorganisms are related, indicating that other factors influence these two factors. On the contrary, factors such as pH level, ash insoluble in acid and ochratoxin A are considered negligible or eliminated. By identifying unimportant and omitted factors, it is possible to streamline the evaluation process of flour quality, ultimately saving time and money.

Graphical Abstract

Evaluating the criteria for flour quality based on Fuzzy DEMATEL

Highlights

  • Evaluating the criteria for flour quality based on Fuzzy DEMATEL
  • IVHFS was used to select the most important physicochemical properties for evaluating flour quality.
  • Fuzzy DEMATEL model can be an accurate technique to evaluate the quality properties.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Innovative Food Technologies
Volume 11, Issue 3
May 2024
Pages 249-275

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History

  • Receive Date: 18 July 2024
  • Revise Date: 23 September 2024
  • Accept Date: 29 October 2024

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