Effect of sweeteners and hydrocolloids on quality attributes of reduced-calorie carrot juice.

Background: Different ratios of combined sweeteners were modified to produce an acceptable reduced-calorie carrot juice. Various hydrocolloids were investigated to improve juice cloud stability. Changes in juice quality attributes were analysed.

Results: A combination of the sweeteners aspartame (ASP), acesulfame potassium (ACE) and sucralose (SUC) was partially used to replace the sugar in carrot juice. Sensory studies indicated that juice containing 50 g kg(-1) sucrose and 160 mg kg(-1) ASP/ACE/SUC (6:1.5:1) had the highest acceptability. Thermal processing at 80 °C for 1 min retained acceptable β-carotene (4300 µg kg(-1) ) and did not result in the cooked flavour noted at 65 °C/30 min. Pectin (PE), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), guar gum (GU) and gellan gum (GE) were used to stabilise the juice cloud during storage. The addition of 0.1-0.3 g kg(-1) GE or 2.0 g kg(-1) GU to reduced-calorie carrot juice greatly improved cloud stability after storage at 4 °C for 30 days.

Conclusion: The formulation of reduced-calorie carrot juice with ASP/ACE/SUC (6:1.5:1) provided synergistic sweetness and highly acceptable sensory properties. The addition of 0.3 g kg(-1) GE greatly enhanced juice cloud stability during storage.