It is the general outcome of the study that it is possible to
replace sucrose in muffin-type bakery products partially by a purified
steviol glycoside (rebaudioside A) and to obtain properties of
standard products as long as special attention is paid on the bulk
sugar replacer. This statement is based on the results of sensory
profiling, but also on instrumental analysis data. Ingredients which
appear as specifically suitable to replace part of the sugar when
Stevia is used as sweetener are inulin and polydextrose. Inulin has
an energy content of approximately 5.8 kJ/g which is approximately
one third of that of sucrose (Roberfroid, 2004). A replacement of
30% sugar by an inulin/water mixture of 1:2.33 therefore results in
an energy reduction of 6 J/100 kJ. When polydextrose (nutritional
energy of 4.2 kJ/g; Auerbach, Craig, Howlett, & Hayes, 2007)
replaces 30% sugar, total energy is reduced by approximately 5 kJ/
100 kJ. A further advantage of formulation modification is that also
fibre content is affected so that the modified products are helpful in
diminishing fibre uptake deficiency. Compared to the reference
muffin with 1.3 g/100 g fibre, the replacement of 30% sugar by
inulin increases fibre in muffins to 4.6 g/100 g so that it allows the
claim “source of fibre” (EC, 2006). Muffins with polydextrose can be
regarded as “high fibre” (7.1 g/100 g).