Effect of partial replacement of sucrose with stevia and sucralose on the physicochemical and structural-mechanical properties of apple marmalade

Abstract

In this study, low-sugar apple marmalade formulations were developed by partial replacement of sucrose with stevia and sucralose. Their rheological, textural, physicochemical properties and microstructures were evaluated. The concentration of sweeteners was found to have a significant effect on the physicochemical and rheological properties of the formulations. The hardness of marmalades decreased with addition of sweeteners. Herschel–Bulkley model was found to be the best model describing rheological behavior. The consistency index decreased with increasing sweeteners substitution, whereas the flow behavior index showed an increasing trend with the increase of the sweeteners content. Additionally, the microstructure of marmalades with sweetener substitution exhibited a porous structure in the gel network. The increase in sucralose concentration resulted in more surface deformation resulting in weaker gel formation than stevia. Marmalade prepared with 50% stevia substitution was found the best combination and resulted in good sensory properties like marmalade samples containing 500 g sugar.