The effects of the organic acids in cocoa on the flavour of chocolate

Samples (54) of dried fermented cocoa beans from different world regions were analysed for levels of organic acids, pH and titratable acidity. The effects of the organic acids on the flavour characteristics of cocoa were examined by sensory evaluation of chocolate made from samples of cocoa beans. Concentrations (g kg^?1) of acids ranged from 1.3 to 11.8 for acetic, 1-6 to 9-9 for citric, 0.6 to 11.1 for lactic and 2.1 to 6.5 for oxalic. pH values ranged from 4.6 to 5.8, while titratable acidity ranged from 0.08 to 0.31 equivalents of sodium hydroxide per kg sample. Cocoas from South East Asia and the South Pacific tended to be more acidic than West African beans in terms of both chemical and sensory characteristics. Lactic and acetic acids were found to be in greater concentrations in cocoas from the former regions and were considered to be largely responsible for higher acid flavour scores. In contrast, citric and oxalic acids were generally lower in these beans. Flavour assessments of cocoas with and without added organic acids indicated that oxalic acid played an important role in chocolate flavour. These results suggest that a reduction in the levels of acetic and lactic acids only, may not be sufficient to produce a desirable flavour balance.     

HPLC determination of caffeine in tea,chocolate products and carbonated beverages

Different brands of mate and black tea, chocolate products and carbonated beverages available on the Brazilian market were analysed for caffeine by high-performance liquid chromatography with a UV-vis detector at 254 nm. The column was a reverse phase C18 and the mobile phase consisted of methanol–water (30:70, v/v), acetonitrile–water (10:90, v/v) and methanol–water (25:75, v/v) for tea, chocolate products and soft drinks respectively. Caffeine content ranged from 1.05 to 15.83 mg per cup in mate tea, from 32.21 to 36.23 mg per cup in black tea, from 0.14 to 0.95 mg g⁻¹ in chocolate products from 2.73 to 7.49 mg per can in guaraná-type soft drinks and from 19.81 to 45.89 mg per can in cola soft drinks. These data indicate that the levels of caffeine in Brazilian teas, chocolates and soft drinks are within the ranges reported for similar products in other countries. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of the effect of processing on cocoa polyphenols: antiradical activity,anthocyanins and procyanidins profiling from raw beans to chocolate

The content and composition of anthocyanins and procyanidins in fermented cocoa beans (from different geographic origins: Ecuador, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria), roasted nibs, cocoa mass and chocolate were determined, beside the determination of the total antiradical capacity. Concerning geographic origin, cocoa beans and processed products from Ecuador showed the highest levels of anthocyanins, followed by Nigeria and Cameroon. Generally, as cocoa beans were further processed, the levels of anthocyanins and flavan‐3‐ols decreased. The largest observed losses of phenolics occurred during roasting. A progressive decreasing trend in polyphenol concentration was observed in the other processed samples as well. Despite the original content of polyphenols in raw cocoa beans, technological processes imply a significant impact on cocoa quality, confirming the need of specific optimisation to obtain high value chocolate.     

Usage pattern and exposure assessment of food colours in different age groups of consumers in the State of Uttar Pradesh,India

The present study aims to investigate the nature and levels of colours in food items and to undertake risk assessment vis-à-vis intake among different age groups of consumers in the State of Uttar Pradesh, India. A total of 478 edible foodstuffs were analysed, and of six permitted colours, Sunset Yellow FCF (SSYFCF) and Tartrazine were most popular, and two non-permitted colours, namely Metanil Yellow and Rhodamine B, were encountered. The study showed a marked improvement in the trend of use of non-permitted colours over previous surveys, with 90% foods now resorting to approved food colours. However, 59% of foods employing permitted colours exceeded the maximum allowable limit, with average quantities crossing the threshold of 100 mg kg^?1 in most food commodities. The intake of SSYFCF exceeded the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for children and adolescents by 88% and 39%, respectively, and was statistically significant when analysed by error bars and distribution curves. In adults, SSYFCF saturated 59% of the ADI. For Carmoisine, Tartrazine and Ponceau 4R, saturation of ADI ranged from 27.4% to 90.3% in children and adolescents and from 10.8% to 47.6% in adult subjects. These results indicate that children and adolescents are more vulnerable to higher intakes of food colours compared with the adult population. Allowing a uniform level of all colours in foods under Indian rules, notwithstanding wide variations of 250-fold in their allocated ADIs, could be one reason for the higher intake and hence only technological need-based levels of individual colours are desired to be prescribed.