Application of natural, non-nutritive, high-potency sweeteners and sugar alcohols individually and in combination in an acidified protein beverage model

Abstract

An acidified protein beverage was formulated with 5% (w/v) whey protein isolate and 0.33% (v/v) phosphoric acid, which allows a claim of "more/plus protein" in a commercial application. Due to the food-matrix dependent properties of sensory profiles, especially for sweetness intensity, the study investigated the application of sugar alcohols and natural, non-nutritive sweeteners individually and in combination in this acidified whey protein beverage model, with a purpose of developing a naturally sweetened sugar-free product in this category. The ideal sucrose concentration was determined to be 10.1% by an acceptance sensory test using just-about-right scales with 40 consumers. The required concentrations of selected sweeteners to achieve sweetness equivalent to the 10.1% sucrose, which was determined by magnitude estimation scales using 12 trained panelists, were 0.0876% for rebaudioside A, 0.130% for monk fruit extract, 15.5% for erythritol, 26.7% for lactitol, and 9.53% for xylitol. In addition to individual sweeteners, combinations were developed at a sweetness ratio of 50/50 using one sugar alcohol and one natural high-intensity sweetener. Thirteen attributes (initial sweetness, sweet aftertaste, long-lasting sweetness, initial sourness, sour aftertaste, long-lasting sourness, initial bitterness, bitter aftertaste, long-lasting bitterness, metallic taste, anise taste, viscosity, dryness) were utilized to describe sensory profiles of protein beverages sweetened with individual sweeteners or combinations of sweeteners. Compared to sucrose, x rebaudioside A and monk fruit extract had "off-flavors" (bitterness, metallic taste and anise taste), and showed differences in sweetness intensity and temporal profile. However, sugar alcohols (erythritol, lactitol, xylitol) covered the "off-flavors" in the beverages when used in combination with the natural high-potency sweeteners. Combining the high-potency sweeteners with sugar alcohols also improved the sweetness temporal profile, but the sweetness profile was still