Abstract
To increase the intake of fruits and vegetables—especially among young people—the food industry is trying to develop new, easy-to-eat and long-shelf-life products, such as smoothies. Nowadays, consumers are choosing their foods based not only on nutritional/functional properties (content of polyphenols, vitamins, minerals, among others), but also on sensory attributes. The aim of this study was to investigate the volatile composition by HS-SPME and the sensory profile by descriptive sensory analysis of novel smoothies prepared by blending fig, jujube or quince purée with pomegranate juices (cv. Mollar de Elche or Wonderful) at two ratios purée:juice (40:60 or 60:40). Twenty-three volatile compounds were identified by GC-MS and classified as alcohols, aldehydes, esters, furans, ketones, terpenes and terpenoids. Among volatile compounds, the five predominant ones in the studied smoothies were: (i) 5-HMF (30.6%); (ii) 3-hexen-1-ol (9.87%); (iii) hexanal (9.43%); (iv) 1-hexanol (8.54%); and (v) 3-octanone (7.67%). Fig smoothies were sweet and had flavor and volatiles related to fig, pomegranate, and grape. While jujube products were bitter and had jujube and pear notes. Finally, quince smoothies were consistent, sour and had quince, apple and floral notes. Thus, the type of fruit purée used clearly determined the flavor of the final product. The smoothies prepared with Mollar de Elche pomegranate juice were characterized by having high intensity of pear odor/aroma and consistency, and the Wonderful smoothies were characterized by lower consistency and more intense pomegranate aroma and sourness.
Highlights
Nutrition is the most important external factor influencing children’s development
headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) is a standard method used for the isolation of volatile compounds; and it is considered as an environmentally friendly technique, selective and very sensitive [19]
Volatile composition has been investigated in different pomegranate products, such as pomegranate juice [21,22] and dehydrated pomegranate arils [16]
Summary
Nutrition is the most important external factor influencing children’s development. Consumption of fruit and vegetables is important as it plays an essential role in preventing childhood obesity, and preventing many diseases, including certain cancers, osteoporosis, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, neuronal degeneration, and type II diabetes [1,2,3]. Smoothies are beverages containing a blend of fruit pulp, fruit juice, ice, yoghurt, and/or milk. They are becoming a so popular way to consume fruits, especially among young people. These products are typically purchased freshly prepared from juice bars or as a processed product (mildly pasteurized) from the refrigerated section of retail outlets. Fruit components of smoothies could be considered as natural foods because of their nutrient profile or health-protecting qualities [7]
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