The effect of different osmotic agents on the sensory perception of osmo-treated dried fruit

Abstract

SummaryTo increase the attractiveness of dried fruit, the osmotic dehydration method (DIS) was used to fortify the structural matrix of fruit tissues with health-promoting compounds. The aim of these studies was to determine the impact of different osmotic agents on the sensory perception and acceptability of osmo-dried and osmo-freeze-dried sour cherries, blackcurrants, and apples. The osmo-dried fruits, thus manufactured, were subjected to profile sensory analysis. With the exception of basic fruit taste, all the sensory attributes investigated were influenced significantly by the osmotic agent used for fruit impregnation before drying. We proved that the osmotic solution significantly influenced the taste and/or texture profile of the dehydrated fruit and affected their sensory acceptability, but the changes depended on species and drying method. In general, dried fruit pre-treated with sucrose (S), inverted sugar (IS), or de-acidified fruit juice (DeAFJ) were characterised by having a predominantly sweet taste, while those treated with concentrated apple juice (JF) had high acidity. Oligofructose (OF) applied to freeze-dried fruit created a high level of crispness in the final product. Polyols such as galactosorbitol (GALSOR) and sorbitol (SOR) could not be recommended for osmotic impregnation of fruit due to a sensation of increasing hardness that lowered consumer acceptability of the product.