Optimisation of sweetener blends for the preparation of lassi

Sucrose was successfully replaced with sweetener blends for the preparation of lassi. Optimisation of the levels of sweeteners added individually or in blends, viz. binary, tertiary and quaternary and finally selection of the best blend among them was based on organoleptic assessment. Binary blend aspartame × acesulfame‐k scored the highest when compared with the best optimised single sweetener aspartame, tertiary and quaternary blend in lassi and had nonsignificant differences with control in all sensory attributes. It showed maximum synergy in sweetness intensity in comparison to tertiary and quaternary blends. Use of binary blend resulted in 38% reduction of usage level when compared with single sweetener aspartame.     

Stability, Physico-Chemical, Microbial and Sensory Properties of Sweetener/Sweetener Blends in Lassi During Storage

Storage studies of artificially sweetened lassi samples revealed that the binary sweetener aspartame × acesulfame-k blend (0.05% equivalence, 50:50, 0.05%*) was the best blend as it resembled control in all the sensory attributes up to 5 days of storage. Increase in acidity and viscosity and decrease in pH of artificially sweetened lassi samples was similar to control lassi during storage and was not influenced by the addition of sweetener/sweetener blends. The decrease in lactic and increase in yeast and mold counts obtained during storage of lassi were highly influenced by sucrose. Analysis of aspartame, acesulfame-k, saccharin, and sucralose added, either singly or in blends in lassi, showed their stability throughout the storage period as analyzed over high performance liquid chromatography/high pressure thin layer chromatography plates.     

SWEETNESS EQUIVALENCE OF DIFFERENT SWEETENERS IN STRAWBERRY‐FLAVORED YOGURT

ABSTRACT

To successfully substitute sucrose for sweeteners, further studies must be carried out based on previous knowledge of sweetener concentration to determine the equivalent sweetness of such compounds. In this work, sweetness equivalence of strawberry‐flavored yogurt with different sweeteners and/or their combinations (aspartame, acesulfame‐K, cyclamate, saccharin, stevia and sucralose) and yogurt sweetened with 11.5% w/w sucrose was measured using the sensory magnitude estimation method. The sweetness concentrations equivalent to strawberry yogurt sweetened with 11.5% w/w sucrose in the tested sweeteners were 0.072% w/w for aspartame, 0.042% w/w for aspartame/acesulfame‐K (2:1), 0.064% w/w for cyclamate/saccharin, 0.043% w/w for cyclamate/saccharin (2:1)/stevia (1.8:1) and 0.30% w/w for sucralose. These results can promote the use of different sweetener combinations in strawberry‐flavored yogurt, specially acesulfame‐K and stevia, once they produce more pleasing in this product.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This study provides some useful information, since there is no data in the literature about sweetness equivalence of sweeteners in yogurt, but only in simpler matrices such as pure water, juices, coffee and teas. The use of stevia blend presented several advantages such as increased sweetening power, demonstrating the potential of this natural sweetener. The magnitude estimation method has been successful in this study, being an important tool for development of new low‐calorie products. It may be noted that when evaluating different types of food using the same kinds of sweeteners, these promote distinct characteristics and that reflect directly on the sensory quality of the final product. Thus, such studies generate important information for the food industries working with dietetic food.     

Different sweeteners in peach nectar: Ideal and equivalent sweetness

Many articles have been published with negative visions related to sugar, because people believe that its intake is related to obesity. For this reason, artificial sweeteners have received special attention. In order to substitute sucrose successfully, it is necessary to know previously sweetener concentrations that would be used and their sweetness equivalency related to sucrose. Hence, the objectives of this study were to determine the ideal sweetness in a peach nectar sweetened with sucrose, using a just-about-right scale, and the equivalent sweetness of samples sweetened with aspartame; cyclamate/saccharin blend 2:1; stevia; sucralose and acesulfame-K, using Magnitude Estimation. The concentration of sucrose considered as ideal by the consumers was 10%, with sweeteners’ equivalent concentrations of 0.054% for aspartame; 0.036% for cyclamate/saccharin blend 2:1; 0.10% for stevia; 0.016% for sucralose and 0.053% for acesulfame-K.     

The effect of sweeteners on the acceptability of dairy‐based espresso beverages†

A study was performed to determine the role of product formulations on the quality of coffee‐flavoured dairy beverages. The study evaluated the effect of sweetener type on product quality. Three soft‐serve mixes varying in sweetener type were manufactured using 100% sucrose, a 50:50 blend of corn sweetener and sucrose, and 100% corn sweetener. The three mixes were used as ingredients in the manufacture of espresso‐based coffee beverages. Samples were analysed for colour, separation, composition, pH and viscosity. Sensory analysis was carried out by trained panels and consumer panels. The beverages made using soft‐serve ice cream mix sweetened solely with sucrose were sweeter and preferred by consumers. Soft‐serve ice cream mixes sweetened with sucrose were significantly more viscous and resulted in less foaming and less viscous than fresh‐blended, iced espresso beverages.     

Use of just-about-right scales and penalty analysis to determine appropriate concentrations of stevia sweeteners for vanilla yogurt

With the mainstream emergence of natural sweeteners such as stevia, which is available in different commercial formulations, suitability for yogurt needs to be validated. The present study aimed to determine the appropriate concentration level of 3 processed stevia sweeteners/supplements in commercial plain low-fat yogurt flavored with natural vanilla. Three different levels of sucrose, aspartame, an erythritol and 95% rebaudiana A stevia sweetener, a 95% pure mix of maltodextrin and steviol glycosides, and a cold water stevia extract were used in the study. The just-about-right level for each sweetener and consumer acceptability of each naturally flavored low-fat vanilla yogurt were evaluated. Results from penalty analysis demonstrated that only 0.7% of stevia containing maltodextrin and 95% steviol glycoside was necessary, whereas higher levels (between 4.0 to 5.5%) were more appropriate for stevia containing erythritol and 95% rebaudiana A or cold water extract of stevia, respectively. The concentrations of stevia sweeteners used influenced the perceived sweetness and sourness. In general, consumers disliked the yogurt sweetened with stevia or aspartame, and neither disliked nor liked the yogurt sweetened with sucrose, which was largely driven by perceived sourness of the base yogurt. The findings underline the importance of careful selection of stevia type and concentration as well as optimizing yogurt cultures and fermentation conditions before product launch.     

A comparison of aspartame and sucrose with respect to carryover effects in yogurt

Sensory profiling tests were carried out on natural, unsweetened yogurt consumed directly after yogurt sweetened with sucrose, aspartame or mixtures of aspartame + acesulfame K. There was no evidence that residual sweetness or bitterness from aspartame, either alone or blended, was perceived in the natural yogurt although sourness appeared to be masked. Natural yogurt had the highest bitter aftertaste when preceded by yogurt containing sucrose, which was explained as a contrast effect. In repeated consumption tests, flavored fruit yogurts tended to increase in sweetness and decrease in sourness over the rounds of repeated consumption, independent of sweetener type. Commercial samples of strawberry yogurt were not separated into groups according to sweetener type by a simple grouping test.     

Ideal and relative sweetness of high intensity sweeteners in mango nectar

The aim of this study was to analyse the ideal and relative sweetness of mango nectar with high intensity sweeteners. The ideal sweetness of the samples sweetened with sucrose at 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5% and 15%, was analysed using an acceptance test with a just‐about‐right (JAR) scale and 100 consumers of mango nectar. The magnitude estimation method was then used to determine the relative sweetness of the high intensity sweeteners. Six samples were prepared and one sweetener added to each: sucrose, sucralose, 100:50:1 acesulfame‐K/sucralose/neotame blend, 1:1 thaumatin/sucralose blend and stevia with 97% of rebaudioside. The ideal sweetness analysis revealed that 6.84% was the ideal concentration of sucrose. The relative sweetness analysis showed that neotame presented the highest sweetening power, being 6026 times sweeter than sucrose with respect to the mango nectar containing 7% of sucrose, followed by sucralose (627), thaumatin/sucralose blend 1:1 (549), acesulfame‐K/sucralose/neotame blend 100:50:1 (259) and stevia (134).     

Consumer acceptance of natural sweeteners in protein beverages

Protein beverage consumption by Americans has increased in recent years. Coupled with this increased consumption is an interest in natural sweeteners. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensory properties of naturally sweetened ready-to-mix (RTM) whey protein beverages using 3 temporal methods and to formulate a natural noncaloric sweetener blend that could be added to RTM protein beverages to provide sweetness while still appealing in flavor to consumers. Iso-sweet concentrations of sweeteners (sucralose, sucrose, fructose, stevia, monk fruit) in RTM vanilla whey protein beverages (25 g of protein/360 mL of water) were established using magnitude estimation scaling and 2-alternative forced-choice testing. Temporal sensory profiling was then conducted on each beverage by a trained panel using time intensity, temporal dominance of sensations, and temporal check-all-that-apply. These findings were used to formulate natural sweetener blends that closely matched the temporality of sucrose-sweetened RTM vanilla protein beverages for consumer testing. One sugar-free blend (25% stevia/75% monk fruit) and 1 reduced-sugar blend (25% stevia/25% monk fruit/50% fructose) were selected for consumer testing (n = 150 consumers) in addition to 3 control RTM beverages containing sucralose, stevia, or monk fruit. Two distinct consumer clusters were identified. The label-conscious segment of consumers preferred beverages sweetened with natural blends when primed. The flavor-driven segment of consumers conceptually preferred naturally sweetened beverages but preferred sucralose-sweetened beverages when primed. An all-natural label claim was most preferred across all consumers. Application of these findings to commercially produced RTM protein beverages aids in the development of naturally sweetened protein beverages with reduced calories and desirable sensory properties and highlights the importance of label claims to consumers overall but to a label-conscious segment of consumers in particular.     

Comparison of Temporal Perception of Fruitiness in Model Systems Sweetened with Aspartame, an Aspartame + Acesulfame K Blend, or Sucrose

Sweetness and fruitiness of equisweet solutions of aspartame (APM), an aspartame + acesulfame-K blend (APM/AK) or sucrose were evaluated in binary (BIN) (sweetener and orange flavor) and tertiary (TER) (BIN and citric acid) systems by time-intensity (TI) methodology. Sweetener solutions adjusted to the viscosity of sucrose (APM* and APM/AK*) showed small inconsistent differences from their unthickened counterparts. In BIN systems, APM and APM* had the longest duration (DUR) of sweetness and fruitiness. In TER systems, APM* increased maximum intensity (MAX) and DUR of fruitness and S decreased sourness MAX and DUR relative to APM and APM/AK blends. Fruitiness MAX was perceived later than sweetness, whereas sweetness DUR persisted longer than fruitiness.     

Carbonation Interactions with Sweetness and Sourness

The effects of CO₂ level on sweetness and of sweetener level on carbonation perception were measured in two sweetened systems. The effects of CO₂ level on sourness and of acid level on carbonation perception were measured in two acidulated systems. The effects were measured at concentrations in ranges of 2-16% (w/v) sucrose, 0.015-0.12% (w/v) aspartame, 0.02-0.29% (w/v) citric acid, and 0.015-0.06% (v/v) phosphoric acid. Little effect of carbonation on sweetness was found in either sweetened system. Sucrose at 16% (w/v) reduced carbonation perception. Carbonation enhanced sourness ratings at the lower acid levels and had no effect at higher acid levels for either acid. No effect of acid level on carbonation perception was found.     

Application of Agonist-Receptor Modeling to the Sweetness Synergy between High Fructose Corn Syrup and Sucralose,and between High-Potency Sweeteners

ABSTRACT: The agonist-receptor-transducer model of D. Ennis is applied to beverage formulations sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, sucralose, and other high-potency sweeteners, confirming the utility of the model, and supports the growing volume of evidence for multiple binding sites on the sweetness receptor. The model is further simplified to require less parameters for other sweetener blend systems whenever potency information is available for the single sweeteners.     

High‐intensity sweeteners in espresso coffee: ideal and equivalent sweetness and time–intensity analysis

The efficient substitution of sucrose by a sweetener in beverages requires the application of some sensory techniques. First, one must determine the concentrations of the sweeteners under study, equivalent in sweetness to the ideal sucrose concentration. In addition, it is fundamental to determine which is most similar to sucrose. The objectives of this study were to determine the ideal sweetness for espresso coffee and the equivalent concentrations in sweetness of different sweeteners, as well as characterise the time–intensity profile of each sweetener in relation to sweetness. The sweeteners evaluated were sucralose, aspartame, neotame, a cyclamate/saccharin mixture (2:1) and stevia. The sucrose concentration considered ideal by consumers was 12.5% (w/v), and the equivalent concentrations of the sweeteners were 0.0159% for sucralose, 0.0549% for aspartame, 0.0016% for neotame, 0.0359% for the cyclamate/saccharin mixture and 0.0998% for stevia. The time–intensity analysis indicated that possibly the sweeteners neotame, aspartame and sucralose would be the best substitutes for sucrose.     

Formulation and evaluation of dry dessert mix containing sweetener combinations using mixture response methodology

Reduced calorie foods are an important area for product development. Foods formulated for diabetics and/or weight reduction tend to replace bulk caloric sweeteners with high intensity sweeteners. A mixture experimental design was used to model the acceptability of a low calorie dessert mix sweetened with single, binary and tertiary combinations of saccharin, cyclamate and stevioside. The design included constraints to permit sweetener addition according to the limits of food laws. The dessert mixture had a 37% caloric reduction when compared to the sucrose sweetened pudding, and texture equivalent to commercial products was reproduced with the addition of 0.01 g/100 ml carrageenan. The most acceptable combination of the sweeteners tested was saccharin: cyclamate (0.755:0.245), but other combinations could be used to obtain an acceptable product taking cost of the ingredients into consideration. ©     

A COMPARISON OF ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS' STABILITY IN A LIME-LEMON FLAVORED CARBONATED BEVERAGE

Three intense sweeteners, aspartame, acesulfame‐K and sucralose, were incorporated singly in lime‐lemon flavored carbonated beverage in optimized concentrations on a sucrose equivalence basis at controlled pH conditions. The beverages were stored for 60 days at 4, 27 and 37C and the sweetener concentration determined by HPLC. The loss of aspartame was maximum (29.5%) while that of sucralose was minimum (1.9%) at the end of 60 days' storage at 37C. In the case of acesulfame‐K, the loss was 6.1%. Sucralose was more stable than the other sweeteners.     

Textural and sensory properties of Lal peda manufactured with artificial sweeteners and bulking agents

Lal peda is an Indian heat desiccated dairy food. High sugar content in Lal peda poses severe restriction in its consumption. Sugar was replaced with artificial sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfame‐k and sucralose) with the addition of bulking agents (Litesse and inulin) to provide a characteristic texture. Lal peda prepared using 25% Litesse and 0.17% aspartame gave an optimum product. HPLC analysis of artificially sweetened Lal peda samples revealed that aspartame in Lal peda was stable up to 6 days when stored at 20 and 37 °C. The acidic pH of Lal peda stabilised the aspartame and slowed down its degradation until 6 days. Neither inulin nor Litesse significantly altered the colour or sensory characteristics of Lal peda.     

纽甜在青梅果脯中的应用研究

目的为探究纽甜这一新型高倍甜味剂的稳定性以及添加后引起青梅果脯产品质构、黏度和体积方面发生的变化,为高倍甜味剂在生产中的应用提供参考,本文对纽甜的甜度经验公式、与安赛蜜及阿斯巴甜复配的协同增效效应、风味评价方法等进行研究。方法采用高效液相色谱法(high performance liquid chromatography,HPLC)分别测定在一定条件下加热及添加了苹果酸、柠檬酸后纽甜含量的变化,采用甜度评价实验、风味描述实验、感官评定实验方法,确定纽甜的甜度公式、增效系数和描述复合甜味液整体的标度,并将甜味剂复配用于青梅果脯制作。结果纽甜对热和酸有一定的稳定性;其呈甜味规律表现为相对甜度(RS)随等甜蔗糖浓度(ES)的增加而明显下降;确定的甜度经验公式为RS=25787-10642·ES1/3;纽甜与阿斯巴甜按等蔗糖浓度1:6比例复配可达到14.29%的增效系数,甜味及整体感官评分皆可达到最佳效果。结论所确定的甜度经验公式可准确计算在生产上的使用量,研究得出的复配比例制作的青梅果脯感官可接受度最高。     

Influence of Package Visual Cues of Sweeteners on the Sensory‐Emotional Profiles of Their Products

Substantial evidence suggests influence of color, physical state, and other extrinsic features on consumer perception and acceptability of food products. In this study, 560 subjects evaluated liking and emotional responses associated with 5 sweeteners (sucralose, stevia, saccharin, aspartame, and sucrose) under 2 eliciting conditions: control (brand name only) and informed (brand name/packet image), to assess impact of the packet color. For a given condition, 5 identical tea samples each labeled with a sweetener type were rated for sweetness and overall liking (9‐point) and emotions (5‐point). Nonsignificant interactions between eliciting condition and sweetener type were found for liking attributes and emotions (except peaceful), indicating their independent effects. However, overall differences existed among sweetener types and eliciting conditions based on both hedonic and emotional responses (MANOVA, P < 0.05), suggesting modulating effects of packet color on sweetener type in the sensory‐emotion space. The sensory‐emotion profile for sucrose was separate from that of nonnutritive sweeteners, with statistically significant Mahalanobis distances among sample centroids. Increases in positive emotion intensities contrasted with a decrease in negative emotion intensities were observed for some sweeteners moving from the control to informed condition. Sweetness liking was strongly correlated with the emotion satisfied (sucralose, saccharin) only in the control condition, whereas it was strongly correlated with the emotions pleased and satisfied (stevia), disgusted (aspartame), and satisfied (sucrose) only in the informed condition. Overall, results suggested that sensory liking and emotions during the consumption experience are related not entirely to the type of sweetener, but also the color of the packet.     

The effect of frequency of consumption of artificial sweeteners on sweetness liking by women

ABSTRACT:  Research into sweetness perception and preference thus far has demonstrated that sweetness preference is related not to the total sugar consumed by an individual but the amount of refined sugar ingested. Research has yet to be conducted, however, to determine whether a diet high in artificial sweeteners contributes to sweetness liking and preference with the same result as a diet high in sugar. The purpose of this research was to determine if such a relationship exists with regard to diets high in artificially sweetened beverages. Seventy-one female participants were recruited and screened for sweetener consumption in beverages. Sixty-four of these individuals were selected for sensory testing. All participants evaluated orange juice samples (ranging from 0% added sucrose to 20% added sucrose) for liking of sweetness using a 9-point hedonic scale. Based on screening survey data, participants were categorized according to sweetener consumption group (artificial sweetener consumers and natural sweetener consumers) and by overall sweetened beverage intake (low or high, regardless of sweetener type normally consumed). Sensory data were analyzed to compare sweetness liking in each of these groups. Significant differences in liking were observed, with individuals in the high sweetened beverage intake group preferring sweeter orange juice than those in the low-intake group. Categorization by sweetener type resulted in no significant differences between the groups, indicating that regardless of the type of sweetener consumed in a beverage, liking of sweetness will be influenced in the same manner.