Chocolate Formulations Research Articles

Ethylcellulose solvent substitution method of preparing heat resistant chocolate

In the present study a structuring technique was developed to produce chocolate which resists deformation at temperatures above 40°C. It was hypothesized that by adding ethylcellulose (EC) solubilized in ethanol (EtOH) to chocolate and evaporating the EtOH an organogel could be formed in situ with the fat phase of the chocolate. Heat resistant chocolate (HRC) was produced by mixing a 20% EC in EtOH solution with molten chocolate. The EtOH was evaporated and the resulting chocolate was incubated at 40°C for 2h and tested for hardness. The effect of various EC viscosities (4, 10, 20, 22, and 45cP) and concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 2.2% on different types of chocolates was studied. Milk chocolate containing 1.9% EC had a hardness of 26.0N whereas the control chocolate was too soft to be tested. Further experiments revealed that white and dark chocolates had hardnesses of 29.5 and 10.5N, respectively. The hardness of the chocolate was dependent on the chocolate formulation and concentration of EC, and independent of EC viscosity. It was observed that the addition and evaporation of EtOH from the compound milk chocolate samples led to an increase in the lightness of the chocolate surface if the EtOH was evaporated at temperatures of 40°C or higher. Addition of EC to chocolate represents a new strategy for the manufacture of HRC. Future work should focus on determining the mechanism by which heat resistance is achieved in these chocolates.

High internal phase agar hydrogel dispersions in cocoa butter and chocolate as a route towards reducing fat content

Reducing the fat content of chocolate formulations is a major challenge for the confectionery industry. We report the suspension of aqueous microgel agar particles of up to 80% v/v within sunflower oil, cocoa butter, and ultimately chocolate. The optimised emulsification process involves a shear-cooling step. We demonstrate the versatility of our method when applied to white, milk, and dark chocolate formulations, whilst preserving the desired polymorph V of the cocoa butter matrix. In addition, we show that this technology can be used as a strategy to disperse alcoholic beverages into chocolate confectionery.

Fat Bloom and Polymorphism in Chocolate Prepared with Modified Tea Seed Oil

In order to produce cocoa butter replacer (CBR), tea seed oil was modified with enzymatic interesterification. The modified product was then added to dark chocolate formulation as a replacement for 10, 15, and 20% of cocoa butter (CB) to study fat bloom formation and polymorphic structure in these samples.

Quiescent water-in-oil Pickering emulsions as a route toward healthier fruit juice infused chocolate confectionary

We demonstrate a route toward the preparation of healthier fruit juice infused chocolate candy. Up to 50 wt% of the fat content in chocolate, that is cocoa butter and milk fats, is replaced with fruit juice in the form of emulsion droplets using a quiescent Pickering emulsion fabrication strategy. Fumed silica particles are used in combination with chitosan under acidic conditions (pH 3.2–3.8) to prepare water-in-oil emulsions, the oil phase being sunflower oil, molten cocoa butter, and ultimately white, milk, and dark chocolate. Adsorption of the polycationic chitosan molecules onto the surface of the silica particles influenced the particle wettability making it an effective Pickering stabilizer, as shown by cryogenic scanning electron microscopy analysis. The formation of a colloidal gel in the continuous (molten) oil phase provided the system with a yield stress, hereby giving it a gel-like and thus quiescent behaviour under low shear conditions, as determined by rheological measurements. This warrants a homogeneous distribution of emulsion droplets as settling through gravity upon storage under molten/liquid conditions is arrested. In our low-fat chocolate formulations the cocoa butter has the desired polymorph V structure, and neither sugar nor fat bloom was observed upon storage of the fruit juice containing chocolate confectionaries.

Development and Validation of a Method to Quantify Midazolam in a New Oral Formulation for Pediatric Use

Aim: To develop an HPLC method to quantify midazolam in a new oral formulation for pediatric use. Methods: The stability of the new formulation was evaluated at different storage conditions and a preliminary assay of relative bioavailability was carried out in healthy volunteers. Results: The method of quantification was linear in the range of 5 to 60 μg·mL-1. The midazolam amount in the formulation remained stable for 90 days at 4 and 40℃ (in the dark) while at 25℃ was stable only for 14 days (exposed to light). Discussion: The relative bioavailability assay suggests that our preparation of midazolam in white chocolate reaches plasma levels similar to those induced by the apple juice formulation. Conclusion: This new white chocolate formulation masks the unpleasing flavour and has a more attractive presentation to the paediatric patient, which may be useful for children sedation and to ease its management by health carers.

Effects of Fructose and Tapioca Flour on physical and Sensory Properties of Chocolate Bar

High sucrose content in chocolate is not recommended for diabetics, whereas fructose is a simple monosaccharide which is sweeter and safer for replacing sucrose. Objective of this study was to study the effect of fructose and tapioca flour added into chocolate formulation replacing sucrose on physical and organoleptic properties of chocolate bar produced, as well as to find out their optimum concentration to produce a good quality chocolate. Response Surface Methodology design was used for the study with fructose and tapioca flour range concentration at 141–235 and 25–100 g kg-1, respectively. Results of the study showed that fructose and tapioca flour concentration at the stated ranges did not significantly alter the chocolate properties except on chocolate particle size and preferences in terms of taste, aroma and overall acceptance. Fructose concentration improved particle size quadratically, while tapioca flour concentration linearly decreased taste, aroma and overall acceptance scores. Comparing the products with that of control formula concluded that fructose can be used to replace sucrose to produce good quality chocolate bars; while tapioca flour can be used as filler at a concentration up to 25 g kg-1. The optimum concentration to formulate chocolate bars with good physical and organoleptic properties was at fructose and tapioca flour concentration of 203 and 25 g kg-1, respectively. Key words: Cocoa, chocolate, fructose, diabetes, tapioca flour, flavour, aroma, texture

Optimisation of chocolate formulation using dehydrated peanut–cowpea milk to replace dairy milk

The rheological properties of chocolate, based upon its acceptability by consumers, are determined largely by the ingredients and their proportions used in the formulations. Milk chocolates are very popular because milk provides flavour and smooth texture to the product. This study aimed to determine the optimal ingredient formulation for vegetable milk chocolate using peanut-cowpea milk as a substitute for dairy milk. The study followed a four-component constrained mixture design, with cocoa liquor, vegetable milk, cocoa butter and sugar as the components. Lecithin and vanillin were added at a constant amount to all formulations. Critical attributes of the chocolates were evaluated using descriptive sensory tests and instrumental techniques. Regression models were fitted to the data, and the optimum ingredient formulation for acceptable vegetable milk chocolate was determined. The vegetable milk had significant (P = 0.05) influence on flavour, mouth feel, hardness and after taste of chocolates. The optimum ingredient formulation for acceptable vegetable milk chocolates was determined to be cocoa liquor (18.00%), sugar (30.75%), peanut-cowpea milk (28.93%), and cocoa butter (22.32%). The results demonstrate that it is feasible to use vegetable source milk for chocolate. The findings also provide clues for scale-up criteria for large-scale production of vegetable milk chocolate.

Use of ethylcellulose polymers as stabilizer in fat-based food suspensions examined on the example of model reduced-fat chocolate

Surfactants are an important ingredient in the manufacture of chocolate. Their role is to coat the surfaces of the sugar and cocoa particles dispersed in fat, generally cocoa butter, to maintain or enhance the flowability of molten chocolate. Coating the surfaces of the dispersed particles with a surfactant reduces inter-particle interactions responsible for particle aggregation which leads to viscosity reduction of the mixture. Controlled flow behavior of molten chocolate is a requirement for successful processing and for optimal mouthfeel. This becomes in particular crucial in the formulation of fat-reduced chocolate. In fat-reduced chocolate, low molecular weight surfactants such as lecithin and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) need to be applied at unacceptably high concentrations to maintain flowability of a chocolate with increased dispersed phase volume. This paper reports on an alternative approach, the use of the polymeric surfactant ethylcellulose. Shear viscosity measurements on model chocolates demonstrated a viscosity reducing effect. The effect of ethylcellulose polymer adsorbed at an oil/water interface was visualized in volume change experiments on macroscopic pendant drops revealing a difference in the nature of the interface compared to an interface covered with a low molecular weight surfactant.

Enzymatically modified tea seed oil as cocoa butter replacer in dark chocolate

SummaryCocoa butter replacer (CBR) was prepared by enzymatic interesterification of hydrogenated and solid fraction (SF) of tea seed oil at weight percent ratio of 30:70, using sn‐1,3 specific lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus. Dark chocolate samples were then prepared with the prepared CBR as a replacement for 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of cocoa butter (CB) and the effect of the replacement on hardness (as a key quality factor in chocolate) of the chocolate samples was investigated. Results showed that chocolate samples containing 5% and 10% of interesterified sample (EIS), had the closer texture to that of CB chocolate than other samples. The solid fat content (SFC) profiles also revealed that blending 10% of EIS with CB in chocolate formulation dose not affect the sharp melting point of CB. Based on the results taken from bloom formation, polymorphic structure and sensory evaluation, adding up to 10% of EIS in chocolate formulation reduces the bloom development without adverse affecting the desirable β crystal formation and sensory qualities in the chocolate samples.

Oil Migration in 2‐Component Confectionery Systems

Oil migration from high oil content centers into chocolate coatings results in product quality changes. The objective of this study was to monitor and model peanut oil migration in 2-layer systems of increasing phase complexity. Three 2-layer systems were prepared: peanut oil/cocoa butter; peanut butter paste/cocoa butter; and peanut butter paste/chocolate. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure liquid oil signal as a function of position over a storage time of 193 days at 25 degrees C. The 3 types of samples exhibited appreciably different patterns of oil migration. The peanut oil/cocoa butter samples had mass transfer typical of oil being absorbed into a liquid/solid region. The peanut butter paste/cocoa butter magnetic resonance profiles were characterized by mass transfer with a partition coefficient greater than unity. The peanut butter paste/chocolate samples exhibited a time-dependent peanut oil concentration at the interface between the chocolate and peanut butter paste. The spatial and temporal experimental data of the peanut butter paste/chocolate samples were modeled using a Fickian diffusion model, fitting for the effective diffusivity. Values of the diffusivity for the 6 chocolate formulations ranged from 1.10 to 2.01 x 10(-13) m(2)/s, with no statistically significant differences.

Production, analyse et applications des huiles végétales en Afrique

This paper analyses the evolutions of the different needs related to the food and non food uses of conventional oil crops (palm, cotton, groundnuts), immerging and marketable oil culture (shea) as well as the domestic oil cultures (Canarium, safou). Africa accounts for about 6.5% of the total World production of palm oil. In the last few years palm oil has witnessed an evolution in Africa through the diversification of its uses. A lot has also been done on the use of palm oil as bio-fuels. The production of cotton seed oil has equally witnessed changes from press extraction followed by solvent extraction to direct extraction with pure solvents followed by neutralisation in an appropriate medium as major innovations. West Africa produces about 50% of the total groundnuts production in Africa. Small scale processing of groundnuts is more popular than industrial processing. This is justified by the diverse uses of the different groundnut byproducts. The most remarkable innovations concern the emerging oil cultures such as shea butter. In fact the incorporation of 5% shea butter in chocolate formulations has given an added value to shea. Techniques have been put in place for improving on the production methods and quality of the butter. The evolution in this sector is better illustrated by the putting in place of an indirect solar dryer and a vertical manual screw press. The big handicap that slows down evolution remains at the level of the transfer of technology to the rural milieu. Problems on the transfer preservation of Canarium were resolved by preserving them in appropriate media and conditions. Dried safou fruits can now be found in the market. This illustrates the appropriation of technology by small and medium sized enterprises.

Development and characterisation of tempered cocoa butter emulsions containing up to 60% water

Cocoa butter water-in-oil emulsions, with up to 60% water, were created using both a high shear mixer and a bench scale margarine line. The high shear mixer gave a stable, fully emulsified emulsion with water content of up to 20%, and the polymorphic form required for good eating qualities was evident from differential scanning calorimetry measurements after the emulsions had been stored for 5 weeks or more at 5 °C. No further changes in polymorphic form occurred up to 24 weeks and no increase in droplet size or water loss was observed over this time. The bench scale margarine line allowed more control and greater flexibility in terms of the applied shear, the consistency of the applied flow fields and temperature profiles. Tempered emulsions could be produced by controlling the exit temperature from the pin stirrer (the final unit). Optical and electron microscopy showed droplets were between 1 and 10 μm in diameter, with a smooth shell of fat around the interface, which was hypothesised to impart emulsion stability. NMR measurements of droplet size were carried out for a range of emulsions produced with 20% water and up to 20% sucrose. These data confirm the droplets sizes obtained by microscopy, with all the results lying in the range of 1–5 μm. Electrical conductivity measurements on these emulsions showed that all the emulsions were fat continuous and contained no free water. Results suggest low-fat chocolate formulations using this route may be feasible.

Influence of chocolate formulation factors on in vitro bioaccessibility and bioavailability of catechins in humans

Conflicting data exist regarding the effect of carbohydrate and milk on bioavailability of catechins from chocolate. To test the effects of these ingredients, solid [reference dark (SD), high sucrose (SHS), high milk solids (SMS)] and beverage [high sucrose (LHS), artificial sweetener (LAS)] chocolate products providing physiologically relevant levels of epicatechin (EC, 30 mg/serving) were formulated. Subjects (n=6) consumed one serving of chocolate, and serum pharmacokinetics were monitored for 6 h. Subjects consumed all 5 products in a crossover design. Plasma Cmax and AUC0‐6h of EC from SMS samples were not significantly different from the reference SD chocolate, but were significantly lower than SHS as well as both beverages. Plasma Cmax of EC from the LHS beverage was also significantly higher than the reference SD chocolate. Recovery of EC through in vitro digestion (bioaccessibility) did not differ between formulations. Furthermore, EC accumulation by Caco‐2 intestinal cells exposed to in vitro digesta from each product for 1 h were not significantly different, but retention of EC over 1 h was significantly greater in cells exposed to digesta from SMS product than other solid products. These data suggest that gastric emptying and intestinal cell retention are the main mechanisms by which formulation factors may alter the pharmacokinetic properties of catechins from chocolate. Supported by Kraft Foods.Grant Funding SourceKraft Foods Global

Oil Migration in Chocolate–Peanut Butter Paste Confectionery as a Function of Chocolate Formulation

Migration of oil from high oil content filling to the chocolate coating can result in undesirable quality changes in filled chocolate confectionery products. The objective of this study was to monitor and model peanut oil migration in a 2-layer chocolate-peanut butter paste model confectionery. Spatial and temporal oil content changes were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging. Five formulations of chocolate, which varied in chocolate particle size, milk fat content, and emulsifier level, were assessed at 2 temperatures, 20 and 30 degrees C. The spatial and temporal experimental data were modeled using a Fickian-based diffusion model, fitting for the diffusion coefficient, D, over a time frame of 17 d. Values of the diffusion coefficient ranged from 1.82 to 3.23 x 10(-11) m2/s for the chocolate formulations stored at 30 degrees C. No significant mass transfer took place in the 20 degrees C samples over the experimental time frame. This study describes the dynamic nature of the interface between the chocolate and peanut butter paste layers, quantifies the mass transfer from the peanut butter paste to the chocolate, and reinforces the importance of temperature control.

Application of alpha-tocotrienol for detection of palm mid-fraction in dark chocolate formulation

Following model studies, the detection of palm mid-fraction (PMF) added to cocoa butter (CB) in chocolate formulations was investigated. Different levels of PMF (0–25%, CB basis) were added to CB in chocolate. High performance liquid chromatography was then used to detect the presence of PMF in chocolate using α-tocotrienol as an indicator. The results, in line with the model studying indicated that increasing the amount of PMF added to CB resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the concentration of α-tocotrienol in chocolate; a linear plot (R 2 = 0.9837) was obtained with standard error of 1.986. A validation test was conducted to verify the equation obtained from the regression analysis. The high R 2-value obtained indicated a good accuracy, reflecting a close relationship between experimental and theoretically predicted values. The applied indicator performed well beyond the level of the statutory limit of 5% PMF addition on a chocolate basis that verified the previously studied model.

Influência de diferentes agentes de corpo nas características reológicas e sensoriais de chocolates diet em sacarose e light em calorias

Foram estudados diferentes agentes de corpo na substituição total da sacarose na formulação de chocolate, buscando-se obter um produto diet em sacarose e light em calorias (25% de redução calórica teórica em relação à formulação padrão, com sacarose) e com boa aceitação sensorial. Os agentes de corpo utilizados neste estudo foram: polidextrose, inulina, frutooligossacarídeos - FOS, lactitol e maltitol; como edulcorante de alta intensidade empregou-se a sucralose. Os chocolates light obtidos foram submetidos às análises de umidade (Karl Fisher), tamanho de partículas (micrômetro digital) e propriedades reológicas (viscosidade plástica - etaca e limite de escoamento de Casson - tauca). O teor de umidade dos chocolates light variou de 1,23 a 2,12%; o tamanho de partículas de 19 a 24 µm; o etaca de 6,60 a 11,00 Pa.s; e o tauca de 0,05 a 1,31 Pa. As formulações com polidextrose, polidextrose e lactitol e polidextrose e maltitol foram selecionadas para análise sensorial por apresentarem boa performance tecnológica e adequada maquinabilidade da massa de chocolate durante as diferentes etapas do processo. A análise sensorial indicou que as três formulações avaliadas não diferiram entre si ao nível de significância de 5% em relação à intensidade do aroma, dureza, derretimento na boca e sabor e, quanto à intenção de compra, as amostras diferiram entre si ao nível de significância de 5%, sendo que a formulação que continha 32,60% de Polidextrose e 15,57% de Maltitol foi a preferida.

MEASUREMENT OF YIELD STRESS IN DARK CHOCOLATE USING CONTROLLED STRESS VANE METHOD

ABSTRACT The controlled stress vane method was used to measure the yield stress in dark chocolate. Three vanes with different L/D ratios and five different stress rates were used in three different chocolate formulations. The vane displacement data did not indicate a definite yield phenomenon. When the vane displacement data were transformed into a ratio of vane velocity to elapsed time, the square root of vane velocity (SV) or the cube root of displacement, a definite yield phenomenon was observed. The SV was preferred on the basis of physical considerations and the linear regression of its derived yield stress on vane dimensions, stress rate and chocolate particle size. The value of the yield stress was the least when determined for a vane height to diameter ratio of 2 and at a stress rate of 3 Pa/min using the SV transformation.

Application of kokum (Garcinia indica) fat as cocoa butter improver in chocolate

AbstractAlthough cocoa butter (CB) is an ideal fat for use in chocolate, it softens with heat and is not suitable for use in warm climates. CB extenders or improvers, preferably from stearic acid‐rich fats, are good candidates to increase the heat‐resistance property of CB and chocolate. In the present investigation, one such fat, kokum, is used as an improver to increase the hardness of chocolate. Kokum fat is added in various proportions replacing CB in dark and milk chocolate formulations and its effects on rheology, hardness and triglyceride composition were studied. The results revealed that up to 5% kokum fat addition by weight of the product did not significantly affect the plastic viscosity or yield stress of milk or dark chocolate. Hardness of both dark and milk chocolate increased with increase in addition of kokum fat. The solids fat content at and above 30 °C increased with increase in level of kokum fat with CB, especially at and above 15%. These physical properties are due to increase in 2‐oleodistearin triglycerides with addition of kokum fat with CB. The results revealed that kokum fat could be used up to 5% by wt of the product to increase the heat‐resistance property of chocolate so that it can be used in warm climates. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry

Analysis of potential lard adulteration in chocolate and chocolate products using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, in combination with attenuated total reflectance (ATR) and partial least square (PLS) regression, was used to detect the presence of lard in chocolate formulation. The spectral bands associated with lard, cocoa butter and their blends (ranging from 0% to 15% of lard in cocoa butter) were recorded, interpreted and identified. A semi-quantitative approach is proposed to measure the percent of lard in blends on the basis of spectral data at the frequency region 4000–650 cm −1, using the equation y = 0.9225 x + 0.5539. The coefficient of determination ( R 2) was 0.9872 with a standard error (SE) of 1.305. In this paper, the potential of FTIR spectroscopy as a rapid analytical tool for the quantitative determination of adulterants especially lard, in chocolate, is demonstrated.

Rheological properties of cupuassu and cocoa fats

Cocoa butter is an important ingredient in chocolate formulation as it dictates the main properties (texture, sensation in the mouth, and gloss). In the food industry, the texture of fat-containing products strongly depends on the macroscopic properties of the fat network formed within the finished product. Cupuassu ( Theobroma grandiflorum , Sterculiaceae) is an Amazonian native fruit and the seeds can be used to derive a cocoa butter like product. In general, these fats are similar to those of cocoa, although they are different in some physical properties. The objective of this study was to analyze several properties of the cupuassu fat and cocoa butter (crystal formation at 25 ° C, rheological properties, and fatty acid composition) and mixtures between the two fats (rheological properties), in order to understand the behavior of these fats for their use in chocolate products. Fat flow was described using common rheological models ( Newton , Power Law, Casson and Bingham plastic).