A review of food reformulation of baked products to reduce added sugar intake

Synthetic biology for the food industry: advances and challenges

As global environmental pollution increases, climate change worsens, and population growth continues, the challenges of securing a safe, nutritious, and sustainable food supply have become enormous. This has led to new requirements for future food supply methods and functions. The use of synthetic biology technology to create cell factories suitable for food industry production and renewable raw material conversion into: important food components, functional food additives, and nutritional chemicals, represents an important method of solving the problems faced by the food industry. Here, we review the recent progress and applications of synthetic biology in the food industry, including alternatives to: traditional (artificial pigments, meat, starch, and milk), functional (sweeteners, sugar substitutes, nutrients, flavoring agents), and green (green fiber, degradable packing materials, green packaging materials and food traceability) foods. Furthermore, we discuss the future prospects of synthetic biology-based applications in the food industry. Thus, this review may serve as a reference for research on synthetic biology in the: food safety, food nutrition, public health, and health-related fields.

Acute and two-week effects of neotame, stevia rebaudioside M and sucrose-sweetened biscuits on postprandial appetite and endocrine response in adults with overweight/obesity-a randomised crossover trial from the SWEET consortium

BACKGROUND

Sweeteners and sweetness enhancers (S&SE) are used to replace energy yielding sugars and maintain sweet taste in a wide range of products, but controversy exists about their effects on appetite and endocrine responses in reduced or no added sugar solid foods. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the acute (1 day) and repeated (two-week daily) ingestive effects of 2 S&SE vs. sucrose formulations of biscuit with fruit filling on appetite and endocrine responses in adults with overweight and obesity.

METHODS

In a randomised crossover trial, 53 healthy adults (33 female, 20 male) with overweight/obesity in England and France consumed biscuits with fruit filling containing 1) sucrose, or reformulated with either 2) Stevia Rebaudioside M (StRebM) or 3) Neotame daily during three, two-week intervention periods with a two-week washout. The primary outcome was composite appetite score defined as [desire to eat + hunger + (100 - fullness) + prospective consumption]/4.

FINDINGS

Each formulation elicited a similar reduction in appetite sensations (3-h postprandial net iAUC). Postprandial insulin (2-h iAUC) was lower after Neotame (95% CI (0.093, 0.166); p < 0.001; d = -0.71) and StRebM (95% CI (0.133, 0.205); p < 0.001; d = -1.01) compared to sucrose, and glucose was lower after StRebM (95% CI (0.023, 0.171); p < 0.05; d = -0.39) but not after Neotame (95% CI (-0.007, 0.145); p = 0.074; d = -0.25) compared to sucrose. There were no differences between S&SE or sucrose formulations on ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide 1 or pancreatic polypeptide iAUCs. No clinically meaningful differences between acute vs. two-weeks of daily consumption were found.

INTERPRETATION

In conclusion, biscuits reformulated to replace sugar using StRebM or Neotame showed no differences in appetite or endocrine responses, acutely or after a two-week exposure, but can reduce postprandial insulin and glucose response in adults with overweight or obesity.

FUNDING

The present study was funded by the Horizon 2020 program: Sweeteners and sweetness enhancers: Impact on health, obesity, safety and sustainability (acronym: SWEET, grant no: 774293).

Effects of alternative sweeteners with or without xanthan gum on the physicochemical properties of scone products

The physicochemical properties of scones made with alternative sweeteners (stevia, sucralose, and allulose) at different ratios (30, 70, and 100%) with or without xanthan gum were investigated. Nineteen samples were evaluated for crust color, moisture content, specific volume, and texture properties. Scones with allulose had lower L values but higher a and b values due to the Maillard and caramelization reactions. The moisture content increased with xanthan gum addition, thereby decreasing the specific volume. The sample with 30% of stevia (ST30), 30% of sucralose (SC30), and 30% of allulose and xanthan gum (AL30G) had similar characteristics to the sample with sucrose (CON). In the consumer acceptance test, CON was the most preferred, but ST30 showed no significant difference. AL30G was less preferred because of its lack of sweetness. Overall, the physicochemical properties and consumer acceptance of ST30 were closest to those of CON, suggesting its potential use in scone products.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-023-01416-9.

Biological activity and structural modification of isosteviol over the past 15 years

Isosteviol is a tetracyclic diterpenoid obtained by hydrolysis of stevioside. Due to its unique molecular skeleton and extensive pharmacological activities, isosteviol has attracted more and more attention from researchers. This review summarized the structural modification, pharmacological activity and microbial transformation of isosteviol from 04/2008 to 10/2023. In addition, the research history, structural characterization, and pharmacokinetics of isosteviol were also briefly reviewed. This review aims to provide useful literature resources and inspirations for the exploration of diterpenoid drugs.

Nutrient Density, Added Sugar, and Fiber Content of Commercially Available Fruit Snacks in the United States from 2017 to 2022

Fruit snacks have become a popular and convenient snacking choice and have the potential to contribute to a well-balanced diet. However, the nutritional quality of fruit snack products has not yet been studied. The objective of the present study is to provide a nutritional assessment of the fruit snack product category. This study used the Mintel Global New Product Database to collect data about fruit snack products launched in the United States from 2017 to 2022. Fruit snack products (n = 2405) are divided into nine product categories based on product characteristics. Nutrition composition was assessed using a comprehensive score, Nutrient Rich Food (NRF) model, and by examining individual components (added sugar and fiber). The results show that dried fruit has the highest nutrient density, fiber content, and the lowest added sugar content. Conversely, fruit-flavored snacks have the lowest nutrient density, fiber content, and added sugar content. Currently, fruit puree, canned fruit with juice, and dried fruit are the only fruit snacks that meet the current recommendations set by the USDA Dietary Guidelines. Future directions for the fruit snack category should consider decreasing the added sugar content, increasing the fiber content, and enhancing their sensory profile to improve the overall nutrient density.

The Natural Sweetener Stevia: An Updated Review on its Phytochemistry, Health Benefits, and Anti-diabetic Study

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is one of the significant high qualities of non-caloric sugar substitute sweetener plants against diabetes disease. Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic diseases caused by insulin secretion defects, insulin resistance in peripheral tissues, or both. Stevia rebaudiana is a perennial shrub of the Compositae family that is grown in several places around the world. It contains a plethora of different bioactive constituents which are responsible for several activities and sweetness. This sweetness is due to the presence of steviol glycosides which is 100-300 times sweeter than sucrose. Furthermore, stevia reduces oxidative stress, lowering the risk of diabetes. Its leaves have been used to control and treat diabetes and a variety of other metabolic diseases. This review summarizes the history, bioactive constituents of S. rebaudiana extract, pharmacology, anti-diabetic activity, and its application, especially in food supplements.

Substitution of sucrose by erythritol in angel cake: Effect on protein foaming, baking performance and digestion properties

Sugars played an important role in the processing of products such as cakes, however, their high-calorie character often posed a health risk to consumers. Therefore, this paper aimed to better investigate the effect of sugar substitutes on the improvement of egg white foaming properties and angle cake digestibility characteristics. It was demonstrated that the addition of erythritol improved the surface properties of egg whites, thus enhancing their foaming properties. Particularly, when the erythritol substitution was 50 %, the sugar-egg white complex structure unfolded and had the best foaming capacity. On this basis, the baking performance of angel cakes with sucrose replaced by erythritol was analyzed. When the erythritol substitution was lower than 50 %, the specific volume and the baking loss rate of the cakes were basically unchanged, and the texture and sensory taste of the cakes were all excellent. Finally, the gastrointestinal digestive kinetic analysis suggested that erythritol substitution for sucrose was beneficial for reducing blood glucose levels in vivo. Furthermore, for the MgCl2-based samples, both the degree of protein destruction after digestion was weakened and the glucose-lowering effect was better exerted. Overall, this study provided a new theoretical basis for the low-calorie sugar-substituted health food products development in the future.

Approaches to Enhance Sugar Content in Foods: Is the Date Palm Fruit a Natural Alternative to Sweeteners?

The current levels of added sugars in processed foods impact dental health and contribute to a range of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as overweight, obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. This review presents sugars and sweeteners used in food processing, the current possibility to replace added sugars, and highlights the benefits of using dates as a new natural, nutritious and healthy alternative to synthetic and non-nutritive sweeteners. In the context of environmental sustainability, palm groves afford a propitious habitat for a diverse array of animal species and assume a pivotal social role by contributing to the provisioning of sustenance and livelihoods for local communities. The available literature shows the date as an alternative to added sugars due to its composition in macro and micronutrients, especially in bioactive components (fiber, polyphenols and minerals). Therefore, dates are presented as a health promoter and a preventative for certain diseases with the consequent added value. The use of damaged or unmarketable dates, due to its limited shelf life, can reduce losses and improve the sustainability of date palm cultivation. This review shows the potential use dates, date by-products and second quality dates as sugar substitutes in the production of sweet and healthier foods, in line with broader sustainability objectives and circular economy principles.

Leuconostoc citreum: A Promising Sourdough Fermenting Starter for Low-Sugar-Content Baked Goods

This review highlights Leuconostoc citreum's promising possibilities as a proficient mannitol producer and its potential implications for sugar reduction, with a focus on its use in sourdough-based baked good products. Mannitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol, has gained popularity in food items due to its low calorie content and unique beneficial qualities. This study summarizes recent research findings and investigates the metabolic pathways and culture conditions that favor increased mannitol production by Leuconostoc citreum. Furthermore, it investigates the several applications of mannitol in baked goods, such as its function in increasing texture, flavor and shelf life while lowering the sugar content. Sourdough-based products provide an attractive niche for mannitol integration, as customer demand for healthier and reduced-sugar options increases.

Sucrose substitution in cake systems is not a piece of cake

Successful sucrose replacement in cake systems requires thorough understanding of its functionality. Time-domain 1H NMR showed that water in the viscous aqueous phase isolated from cake batter by ultracentrifugation [i.e. the batter liquor (BL)] exhibits low mobility by its low T2 relaxation time (T2,D RT). This is due to its interactions with sucrose or sucrose replacers. The T2,D RT itself is positively related with the effective volumetric hydrogen bond density of sucrose or sucrose replacers. Sucrose additionally co-determines the quantity and viscosity of cake BL and thereby how much air the batter contains at the end of mixing. Like sucrose, maltitol and oligofructose provide adequate volumes of BL with low water mobility and thus sufficient air in the batter, while the rather insoluble mannitol and inulin do not. Differential scanning calorimetry and rapid viscosity analysis revealed, however, that, in contrast to sucrose and maltitol, oligofructose fails to provide appropriate timings of starch gelatinisation and protein denaturation, resulting in poor cake texture. The shortcomings of mannitol and oligofructose in terms of respectively ensuring appropriate gas content in batter and biopolymer transitions during baking can be overcome by using mixtures thereof. This work shows that successful sucrose substitutes or substitute mixtures must provide sufficient BL with low water mobility and ensure appropriate timings of starch and protein biopolymer transitions during baking.

Modelling of perceived sweetness in biscuits based on sensory analysis as a new tool to evaluate reformulation performance in sugar reduction studies

Sugar reduction in foods is of global interest in food science and industry to limit excessive calorie intake for healthier nutrition. Therefore, a modified Weibull model-based approach is presented here to relate sweetness perception with sugar concentration for the first time. The model was tested by using sweetness perception data obtained from sensory analysis of biscuits (wholewheat flour, whey or hydrolysed pea protein, different sucrose forms, ethylvanillin, furaneol, phenylacetaldehyde) using a line scale and untrained panellists. Sweetness scores increased 56%, 59%, 41% by the addition of wholewheat flour, proteins, or aroma compounds at 17% sucrose containing biscuits, respectively. Wholewheat flour and proteins boosted Maillard reaction products imparting baked/caramel-like flavour. The Weibull model well fitted to the sweetness perception data with a sigmoidal curve and high predicting power. This approach allows to explain how much sugar reduction can be achieved to reach a targeted sweetness perception without performing further sensory analysis.

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) as a common sugar substitute and its application in food matrices: an updated review

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) has been employee for developing food products as a substitute for sucrose, low caloric, and natural sweetener. Different studies have evaluated the effect of this ingredient on the physicochemical, nutritional and technological properties of products; their application in dairy products affects some sensory characteristics such as taste; in the case of bread, cookies, and cakes modify the properties of the dough, altering attributes of the manufactured product, including color, texture, and flavor; also the use of stevia reduces gelling and affects the optical properties of the final product; and in beverages cases, the total substitution of sugar has led to bitter and unpleasant flavor. This review presents stevia general information and its employees in dairy, bakery, beverages, and jelly products.

The Effect of Erythritol on the Physicochemical Properties of Reformulated, High-Protein, and Sugar-Free Macarons Produced from Whey Protein Isolate Intended for Diabetics, Athletes, and Physically Active People

This study reports the possibility of obtaining sugar-free WPI-based macarons with erythritol addition. The whey protein isolate (WPI) solution (20%, w/v) was whipped, and erythritol was added to the foam at concentrations of 20, 40, and 60 g, with 125 g of almond flour. The rheological properties (τ, G', G″, and tan (δ)) and stability of the macaron batters before baking were evaluated. In order to produce the macarons, the batters were solidified at 147 °C for 12 min. The textural and surface properties (roughness and color), as well as the microstructures and water activities, were determined for the macarons. It was feasible to produce macarons over the entire range of the tested erythritol content. Even the smallest amount of erythritol (20 g) facilitated the preservation of the macaron structure. The medium erythritol concentration (40 g) improved the stability of the batters and their rheology and was the most effective for air pocket stabilization during baking; however, its largest addition (60 g) resulted in an increase in the final macaron volume. The increased erythritol addition improved mechanical properties and shelf life, producing a smoothing effect on the macaron surfaces and having a significant effect on their color co-ordinates.

Aroma generation in sponge cakes: The influence of sucrose particle size and sucrose source

The influence of sucrose source and particle size was investigated in relation to the volatile and aromatic properties of sponge cakes. Six sponge cake formulations were studied using two sucrose sources (sugarbeet and sugarcane), at two particle sizes (large and small) with controls. Volatiles profiles and odour active compounds were identified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry and olfactometry. Sixty two volatile compounds were identified, incorporating twenty five odour active compounds/co-eluting compounds, with 5 odours perceived without any corresponding volatile. Particle size had the greatest impact on volatile abundance, with particle size especially influencing pyrazine abundance. Five odour active volatiles (methional, furfural, 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, heptanal and (E)-2-octenal) contributed most to the aroma of these sponge cakes. Small particle size particularly from sugarbeet yielded higher levels of some Maillard and caramelisation reaction compounds, such as furfural (spicy/ bready), where larger particle size supressed volatile abundance in comparison to the control.

Identifying and Estimating Ultraprocessed Food Intake in the US NHANES According to the Nova Classification System of Food Processing

BACKGROUND

The degree of food processing may be an important dimension of diet in how it relates to health outcomes. A major challenge is standardizing food processing classification systems for commonly used datasets.

OBJECTIVES

To standardize and increase transparency in its application, we describe the approach used to classify foods and beverages according to the Nova food processing classification in the 24-h dietary recalls from the 2001-2018 cycles of What We Eat in America (WWEIA), NHANES, and investigate variability and potential for Nova misclassification within WWEIA, NHANES 2017-2018 data via various sensitivity analyses.

METHODS

First, we described how the Nova classification system was applied to the 2001-2018 WWEIA, NHANES data using the reference approach. Second, we calculated the percentage energy from Nova groups [1: unprocessed or minimally processed foods, 2: processed culinary ingredients, 3: processed foods, and 4: ultraprocessed foods (UPFs)] for the reference approach using day 1 dietary recall data from non-breastfed participants aged ≥1 y from the 2017-2018 WWEIA, NHANES. We then conducted 4 sensitivity analyses comparing potential alternative approaches (e.g., opting for more vs. less degree of processing for ambiguous items) to the reference approach, to assess how estimates differed.

RESULTS

The energy contribution of UPFs using the reference approach was 58.2% ± 0.9% of the total energy; unprocessed or minimally processed foods contributed 27.6% ± 0.7%, processed culinary ingredients contributed 5.2% ± 0.1%, and processed foods contributed 9.0% ± 0.3%. In sensitivity analyses, the dietary energy contribution of UPFs ranged from 53.4% ± 0.8% to 60.1% ± 0.8% across alternative approaches.

CONCLUSIONS

We present a reference approach for applying the Nova classification system to WWEIA, NHANES 2001-2018 data to promote standardization and comparability of future research. Alternative approaches are also described, with total energy from UPFs differing by ∼6% between approaches for 2017-2018 WWEIA, NHANES.

Recent advance in technological innovations of sugar-reduced products

Sugar is crucial as an essential nutrient for humans as well as for providing texture, sweetness and so on to food. But with the rise in people's pursuit of health, it is becoming increasingly clear that excessive consumption of sugar can locate a load on the body. It has been that excessive sugar is associated with many diseases, such as dental caries, obesity, diabetes, and coronary heart disease. Therefore, researchers and industries are trying to reduce or substitute sugar in food without affecting the sensory evaluation. Substituting sugar with sweeteners is alternatively becoming the most traditional way to minimize its use. So far, the sweeteners such as stevia and xylitol have been are commercially applied. Several studies have shown that technological innovation can partially compensate for the loss in sweetness as a result of sugar reduction, such as cross-modal interactions that stimulate sweetness with aroma, nanofiltration that filters disaccharides and above, enzyme-catalyzed sugar hydrolysis, and microbial fermentation that turns sugar into sugar alcohol. This review summarizes these studies to enhance the safety and quality of sugar-reduced products, and will provide some theoretical frameworks for the food industry to reduce sugar in foods, meet consumers' needs, and promote human health.

Apple Flour in a Sweet Gluten-Free Bread Formulation: Impact on Nutritional Value, Glycemic Index, Structure and Sensory Profile

Baking bread without gluten presents many challenges generally related with poor sensorial and nutritional characteristics, and strategies to overcome this issue are needed. Despite many gluten-free (GF) bread studies, to the best of our knowledge, few are dedicated to sweet GF bread. Sweet breads have traditionally been an important type of food and are still frequently consumed worldwide. Apple flour is naturally GF, and is obtained from apples which do not accomplish market quality requirements and are being wasted. Apple flour was, therefore, characterized in terms of nutritional profile, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacity. The aim of this work was to develop a GF bread with incorporation of apple flour, in order to study its effect on nutritional, technological, and sensory characteristics of sweet GF bread. Additionally, in vitro starch hydrolysis and glycemic index (GI) were also analyzed. Results demonstrated the influence of apple flour in dough's viscoelastic behavior, increasing G' and G''. Regarding bread characteristics, apple flour led to better acceptance by the consumer, with firmness increasing (21.01; 26.34; 23.88 N), and consequently specific volume decreasing (1.38; 1.18; 1.13 cm3/g). In addition, an increase of bioactive compounds content and antioxidant capacity of the breads were revealed. As expected, the starch hydrolysis index increased, as well as GI. Nevertheless the values were really close to low eGI (56), which is a relevant result for a sweet bread. Apple flour showed good technological and sensory properties as a sustainable and healthy food ingredient for GF bread.

Use of Stevia and inulin in combination with bovine plasma proteins as sugar substitute for the development of a sugar-free and low-fat muffins formulation

This study analyzes the effectivity of a freeze-dried additive formulated with inulin (I), Stevia (St), and ultrafiltered bovine plasma proteins (P) as a sugar substitute on the final properties of a sugar-free and low-fat muffins formulation. The following analysis were performed: shape factor, moisture loss, lamella thickness, final volume, aeration, pore size distribution and textural analysis. The addition of the binary combination 50%(P + St + I) + 50%(Sucralose) generated a synergistic effect: increasing the shape factor, final volume and aeration, and improving the pore size distribution and moisture loss. Given the success, the concentration of (P + St + I) was adjusted. A 12.5% concentration of (P + St + I) generated a hardness decrease during the studied period and did not exhibit statistical significant differences when compared to the control sample. Therefore this study demonstrated the effectiveness of the combination of Stevia, inulin, and bovine plasma proteins as sugar substitute.

Assessing Functionality of Alternative Sweeteners in Rolled “Sugar” Cookies

Sucrose contributes to the key physical and sensory characteristics of cookies. Due to the negative health effects associated with excess sucrose consumption, the replacement of sucrose in baking applications is of interest. In this study, nine variations of rolled cookies were prepared (n = 3) using a sucrose control (C), Splenda for baking (SB), Equal for baking (EB), Truvia (TR), Sweet’N Low (SNL), and 1:1 (wt%) mixtures of sweeteners and sucrose (S). The cookies were characterized by a width-to-thickness (W/T) ratio, moisture loss, color, hardness, and fracturability. The W/T ratios of TR (5.7) and TR + sucrose (6.6) were similar, the closest to C (7.7), and bigger than (p < 0.05) all other treatments. Color was not affected (p > 0.05) by the sugar type or concentration. C showed the greatest hardness (5268 N), and SNL had the greatest fracturability (8667 N). Overall, regarding physiochemical characteristics, TR + sucrose (1:1 replacement) and SB (100% replacement) were the closest to the control.

Acute Effect of Riceberry Waffle Intake on Postprandial Glycemic Response in Healthy Subjects

Gluten-free products have been developed due to increasing consumer demand. The improvement of the sensory quality and nutritional value of these products may support functional food development and provide health benefits. The purpose of this study was to develop a gluten-free waffle formulation with Riceberry rice flour by replacing the sucrose with maltitol and palm sugar powder. Evaluations of the sensory acceptability of these products and the blood glucose levels of healthy volunteers after consuming Riceberry and wheat flour waffles were carried out. The glycemic responses of the volunteers to the Riceberry and wheat flour waffles at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 min were monitored. In addition, the glycemic index of the products was calculated. The finding revealed that replacing sugar with 50% (w/w of total sugar) palm sugar powder and 50% maltitol was the most acceptable formulation that received the highest acceptability scores in terms of overall acceptability and texture. The blood glucose levels of both Riceberry waffle and wheat flour were not significantly different. The glycemic index of Riceberry waffle and wheat flour waffle were 94.73 ± 7.60 and 91.96 ± 6.93, respectively. Therefore, Riceberry waffle could be used as an alternative gluten-free product for celiac patients, but not for diabetic patients.

Examining the Relationship between Sugar Content, Packaging Features, and Food Claims of Breakfast Cereals

Excessive free-sugar intake has become highly prevalent in numerous countries, and Portugal is not the exception. One product category that contributes to the daily intake of free sugars is breakfast cereals. In the current work, we identified 289 exemplars from two major retailers in Portugal and collected information on their nutritional profile (e.g., sugar, salt, fiber per 100 g), price, packaging features, type of food claims present (e.g., statements about the composition, sensory features, the origin of the product), and ingredients list. Overall, the sugar content of breakfast cereals was high (Mean = 19.9 g), and less than 10% of the products complied with the current national guidelines (i.e., 5 g of sugar per 100 g of product). Sugar (or other sugar sources) was listed in the top three ingredients for over 85% of the products. On average, each product included about four claims (Mean = 3.9), and sugar content was lower when the claims were related to the product composition. Critically, the sugar content was particularly high for children-oriented products (Mean = 26.4 g). Correlation analysis showed that breakfast cereals with higher sugar content also were cheaper and had lower quantities of fiber, proteins, and salt. Our findings suggest the need to implement strategies to reduce sugar in this product category (e.g., incentivize manufacturers to reformulate products). Also, our results may inform strategies aimed at promoting consumers' awareness about the sugar content in breakfast cereals and other processed foods, facilitating healthier decision-making.

The adaptation, validation, and application of a methodology for estimating the added sugar content of packaged food products when total and added sugar labels are not mandatory

Nutrition policies recommend limiting the intake of added sugars. Information about added sugar content is not provided on packaged foods in Brazil, and even total sugar content information is often absent. This study aimed to (i) adapt a systematic methodology for estimating added sugar content in packaged foods when information on total and added sugar contents is not mandatory on labels, (ii) apply the adapted methodology to a Brazilian food composition database to estimate the extent of added sugar content in the national food supply, and (iii) assess the validity of the adapted methodology. We developed an 8-step protocol to estimate added sugar content using information provided on food labels. These steps included objective and subjective estimation procedures. Mean, median, and quartiles of the added sugar content of 4,805 Brazilian foods were determined and presented by food categories. Validity was assessed using a US database containing values of added sugar as displayed on the product labels. Objective estimation of added sugar content could be conducted for 3,119 products (64.9%), with the remainder 1,686 (35.1%) being assessed using subjective estimation. We found that 3,093 (64.4%) foods contained added sugar ingredients and the overall estimated median added sugar content was 4.7 g (interquartile range 0-29.3) per 100 g or 100 ml. The validity testing on US data for products with known added sugar values showed excellent agreement between estimated and reported added sugar values (ICC = 0.98). This new methodology is a useful approach for estimating the added sugar content of products in countries where both added and total sugar information are not mandated on food labels. The method can be used to monitor added sugar levels and support interventions aimed at limiting added sugar intake.

Evaluation of Tahiti lemon shell flour (Citrus latifolia Tanaka) as a fat mimetic

The citrus juice industry produces a significant amount of peel residues; it can represent between 18 and 30% of the total weight of the fruit. In recent years, there has been an increase in its use as a source of fiber. The objective of this study was to evaluate the Tahiti lemon peel flour (Citrus latifolia Tanaka) as a fat mimetic (10, 20 and 30%) in a cake. The chemical and nutritional characterization of the lemon peel, the determination of the drying conditions to obtain the flour of the lemon peel, and the physical, chemical, and nutritional characterization of the lemon peel flour and cake was evaluated. A high content of dietary fiber for Tahiti lemon peel (89.15 ± 0.00 g/100 g) and flour (85.30 ± 0.06 g/100 g) was obtained. For the drying conditions to obtain the lemon peel flour, a temperature of 60 °C during 16 h was selected. The cake with greater acceptability had a 10% fat replacement with lemon peel flour, which presented a reduction of 19.16% in the fat content and an approximately double increase in the dietary fiber content. This study suggests that the flour obtained from Tahiti lemon flavedo can be used as a mimetic of fat in cakes, contributing to the nutritional characteristics of the food in which it is included.

Agave Syrup as an Alternative to Sucrose in Muffins: Impacts on Rheological, Microstructural, Physical, and Sensorial Properties

Natural sweeteners, such as agave syrup, might be a healthy alternative to sucrose used in sweet bakery products linked to obesity. We evaluated the effect of sucrose replacement by agave syrup on rheological and microstructural properties of muffin batter and on physical and sensorial properties of the baked product. Muffins were formulated by replacing 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of sucrose by agave syrup (AS) and partially hydrolyzed agave syrup (PHAS), and by adding xanthan gum and doubled quantities of leavening agents. Rheological and microstructural properties of batter during baking were analyzed over the range of 25-100 °C. In the muffins, the structure, texture, color, and sensory acceptance were studied. The combination of agave syrup with xanthan gum and doubled quantities of leavening agents affected (p < 0.05) rheological and microstructural properties of the batters and textural properties of the low-sucrose muffins compared to the controls. The increase in agave syrup levels resulted in a darker crumb and crust. Sensory evaluation showed that AS-75 and PHAS-75 were the best alternatives to the control samples. Our results suggest a plausible substitution of up to 75% of sucrose by agave syrup in preparation of muffins, with physical and sensorial characteristics similar to those of their sucrose-containing counterparts.

Recent advances in the biotechnological production of erythritol and mannitol

Dietary habits that include an excess of added sugars have been strongly associated with an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and tooth decay. With this association in view, modern food systems aim to replace added sugars with low calorie sweeteners, such as polyols. Polyols are generally not carcinogenic and do not trigger a glycemic response. Furthermore, owing to the absence of the carbonyl group, they are more stable compared to monosaccharides and do not participate in Maillard reactions. As such, since polyols are stable at high temperatures, and they do not brown or caramelize when heated. Therefore, polyols are widely used in the diets of hypocaloric and diabetic patients, as well as other specific cases where controlled caloric intake is required. In recent years, erythritol and mannitol have gained increased importance, especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In these areas, research efforts have been made to improve the productivity and yield of the two polyols, relying on biotechnological manufacturing methods. The present review highlights the recent advances in the biotechnological production of erythritol and mannitol and summarizes the benefits of using the two polyols in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Fractional-Order Models for Biochemical Processes

Biochemical processes present complex mechanisms and can be described by various computational models. Complex systems present a variety of problems, especially the loss of intuitive understanding. The present work uses fractional-order calculus to obtain mathematical models for erythritol and mannitol synthesis. The obtained models are useful for both prediction and process optimization. The models present the complex behavior of the process due to the fractional order, without losing the physical meaning of gain and time constants. To validate each obtained model, the simulation results were compared with experimental data. In order to highlight the advantages of fractional-order models, comparisons with the corresponding integer-order models are presented.

Sensory Influence of Sweetener Addition on Traditional and Decaffeinated Espresso

Several factors have led to an increase in the consumption of sweeteners in substitution of sucrose. Studies on the behavior and the sensory properties of sweeteners are relevant, once they provide knowledge about both the adequate sweetener concentration with a sweetness equivalence to a sucrose-sweetened product and the possible sensory changes of the product. The addition of stevia with different rebaudioside A concentrations and sucralose to traditional and decaffeinated espresso coffee was studied, using the just-about-right scale and magnitude estimation method, to determine the ideal sweetness and the acceptance of the samples. The effect of the intensity of sensory attributes sweet taste, bitter taste, coffee flavor, and body in the acceptance was evaluated by penalty analysis. Decaffeinated presented proportionally lower sucrose concentration and sweetness equivalence than the traditional samples. Stevia concentrations were similar, despite the different rebaudioside A concentrations, for both traditional and decaffeinated samples, and rebaudioside A levels from stevia in espresso have no differences in sweetness intensity. Sucralose was the most intense sweetener in espresso. Although no differences were observed in the acceptance test in relation to appearance, aroma, and texture among the samples, the internal preference map showed segmentation of consumers with respect to the acceptability. This segmentation is more related to the type of sample than the added sweetener. Penalty analysis demonstrated that the most penalizing sensory characteristics were "coffee flavor" and "sweet," leading to a significant decrease in the acceptability of the samples. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Conclusions obtained are important source of knowledge for the coffee industry, in the development and manufacture of beverages with coffee. The present findings can help to understand the behavior and the sensory properties of sweeteners. They provide knowledge about sensory perception of sweet and bitter tastes, and the factors that influence this perception and the sensory profile of the samples, once the behavior of sweeteners varies according to the product to which they are added.