Military ration chocolate: The effect of simulated tropical storage on sensory quality, structure and bloom formation

Mango Seed Kernel Fat as a Cocoa Butter Substitute Suitable for the Tropics

Cocoa butter is a key ingredient in many chocolate products but its partial substitution with mango (Mangifera indica L.) seed kernel fat (MSKF) has the potential to reduce chocolate production costs and improve shelf-life. Here, MSKF was extracted from three cultivars of mango grown in Pakistan: Lal Badshah, Anwar Retual, and Chaunsa. Physicochemical and antioxidant properties of the MSKF samples were studied at 0, 30, and 60 days of storage at 30 °C, a temperature reflecting typical storage conditions in the tropics. Overall, the Lal Badshah MSKF had the most favorable physicochemical properties, including the highest DPPH antioxidant activity among the three cultivars. Thus, Lal Badshah MSKF was used to formulate cocoa butter substitute chocolate (CBSC), substituting the cocoa butter at 20 to 80 g/100 g. CBSC had a lower value for hardness (3.80 N) compared with the control chocolate (4.42 N). Color values L^* , a^* , and b^* were not significantly affected by the different rates of substitution or by length of storage. Oxidative stability and antioxidant potential of CBSC increased with both higher substitution levels of MSKF and length of storage. The results suggest that MSKF can be utilized as a cocoa butter substitute at levels up to 60 g/100 g. This potential for substitution is particularly valuable for tropical regions where refrigerated storage may not be available or financially viable. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Mango seed kernel fat (MSKF) has potential to be used as a cocoa butter substitute in confectionery products, particularly chocolate. The mango industry could utilize fat extraction from mango seeds, which are normally a waste product, for value adding.

Dark chocolate with a high oleic peanut oil microcapsule content

BACKGROUND

In accordance with the market demand for healthier indulgent food products, the present study aimed to determine the viability of the industrial production of dark chocolate with microcapsules of high oleic peanut oil content. Microcapsules of high oleic peanut oil were added to a control formulation using variations of mixing time.

RESULTS

The chocolates presented a rheology characterized by a pseudoplastic behavior adjusted to the Casson model (r > 0.98) and calorimetric behavior indicating melting onset (21 °C), peak melting (32 °C) and melting end (41 °C); caramelization peak (183 °C); and carbonization peak (237 °C), being considered thermal stable. The mixing time and the amount of microcapsules added to the control chocolate did not significantly influence the flow limit (11.09 ± 1.73 Pa) or the physical characteristics of the chocolate: pH (6.74 ± 0.14), maximum particle size (0.019 ± 0.001 mm), water activity (0.358 ± 0.023) and brittleness (18.61 ± 3.74 N). However, the addition of microcapsules with a high oleic peanut oil content significantly increased the chocolate whiteness index, thixotropy and Casson's plastic viscosity, although it did not have a significant influence on the mixing time.

CONCLUSION

The products obtained have a desirable quality and physical properties, being suitable for industrial production. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Influence of hydrogenated oil as cocoa butter replacers in the development of sugar-free compound chocolates: Use of inulin as stabilizing agent

The effect of the addition of inulin as a surfactant or stability agent on white compound chocolate sweetened with sucralose and Stevia was studied. Samples were stored at 7, 15 and 30°C during 100days and the influence of inulin on rheological properties, sensorial attributes, shelf-life, physical properties such as melting, crystallization and blooming were analyzed. The shelf-life of the compound chocolate with the incorporation of inulin was higher than the control sample without replacement. Compound chocolate with inulin at 10%w/w showed a dense matrix structure, reducing the size and number of fat crystals formed during storage; furthermore they presented higher values of brightness and WI. This chocolate also showed less fracturability and improved thermal properties. DSC studies revealed increased values of onset and peak temperatures and enthalpy of melting of the polymorphic form V, at higher storage temperatures, achieving greater stability against degradation processes.