title: Sweetener blend optimization by using mixture design methodology and the electronic tongue.
abstract: Utilizing more than one sweetener has been shown to be an effective way to substitute sucrose in food products. The objective of this study was to apply the augmented simplex-centroid mixture design for the optimization of acceptable sweetener blends using coconut sugar, agave, and stevia. Sweetener blends were evaluated in aqueous solutions and gluten-free granola bars by a trained panel and consumers (n = 60). Significant differences were found between sweetener mixtures in solutions by both panelists and consumers (P < 0.05). Taste profiles for the sweetener solutions were also generated using the electronic tongue. Most consumer and trained intensity ratings were highly correlated (R(2) ≥ 0.79) with the electronic tongue taste profile analysis. Granola bars were also found to be significantly different (P < 0.05), with consumers preferring coconut sugar mixtures. Using contour plots and desirability function analysis, an optimal sweetener combination was found for a granola bar formulation of 89.9% coconut sugar, 6.1% agave, and 4% stevia. These results indicate that a mixture design can be a reliable way to develop new sweetener blends for product development.
authors.affiliation: School of Food Science, Washington State Univ, P.O. Box 646376, Pullman, WA, 99164, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Megan E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Waldrop
authors.forename: Carolyn F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D027882:Agave / Q000737:chemistry*; D003059:Cocos / Q000737:chemistry*; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D062609:Electronic Nose; D005260:Female; D063427:Food Quality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D062410:Snacks; D012996:Solutions; D036625:Stevia / Q000737:chemistry*; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D013649:Taste; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D012996:Solutions; D013549:Sweetening Agents
keywords: blends; electronic tongue; mixture design; optimization; sweetener