Rheological, texture and sensory properties of low-fat mayonnaise with different fat mimetics

Application of whey protein isolate and low-methoxy pectin-based fat mimetics in mayonnaise was studied. Fat was partially substituted by different fat mimetics at levels of 50%, respectively, which the fat mimetics were referred to as PFM1 (microparticulate pectin gel), PFM2 (pectin weak-gel), and PFM3 (microparticulated combination of WPI and pectin). The full fat (Ff) (100% oil) mayonnaise without fat mimetic was used as a control experiment. Physicochemical, rheological, texture analysis, and sensory evaluation of the Ff and low fat (Lf) mayonnaises were performed. The results indicated that all Lf mayonnaises had significantly lower energy content, but higher water content than their Ff counterpart. In terms of texture, the formulation with pectin weak-gel as fat mimetic showed similar texture values as those of the Ff sample. Both Ff and Lf mayonnaises exhibited thixothopic shear thinning behaviour under steady shear tests and were rheologically classified as weak gels under small amplitude oscillatory shear tests. Sensory evaluation demonstrated that mayonnaises substituted with low-methoxy pectin were acceptable. This study shows good potential for pectin weak-gel and microparticulated pectin gel to be used as a fat mimetic in mayonnaise.