International Journal of Advanced Scientific and Technical Research Issue 3 volume 1, January-February 2013 Available online on http://www.rspublication.com/ijst/index.html ISSN 2249-9954 Page 262 Polyols to improve quality and shelf life of baked products: A review Suresh Bhise 1 , Kaur A 2 1,2 Department of Food Science & Technology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004 ___________________________________________________________________________ Abstract Mushrooming growth of fast food joints serving fancy bakery product like bread-butter, pizza, burger, puff, hotdog, pastries etc. alongwith traditional bakery product like biscuits, cookies, cakes etc. is the indication that bakery industry has developed its own remarkable position in industrial map of India. Bakery is the third largest of Food Industries. The increase in the growth rate is due to setting of more automatic plants, increased availability of raw materials of consistent quality, adoption of introduction of newer bakery products and reduction of product cost. Shelf life of bakery product is mostly characterized by onset of staling and ropiness formed by microbial spoilage. Other factor affecting shelf life are rancidity, crystallization, grittiness, synersis of jams and jellies, development of off flavors and odors other than rancidity, chocolate bloom, structural weakness, color, fade or moisture migration. To extend the shelf life of bakery products, these factors must be controlled by suitable preservation methods. Bakery products are an ideal matrix by which functionality (whatever its form) can be delivered to the consumer in an acceptable food ranging from bread to biscuits, cakes and pastries. Preservation in bakery means the retardation of staling. Keywords: Baking quality, organoleptic quality, polyols, shelf life ___________________________________________________________________________ Corresponding author: Suresh Bhise Department of Food Science & Technology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, Punjab, India. Telephone No.: +911614616676 Fax No.: +911612400945