As shown in Table 4, the lengths of Jt0 samples were not
significantly different (P < 0.05), indicating both a precise cutting
step and homogeneous dimensions of the various samples. A significant
(P < 0.05) decrease in dimensions was observed with the
first 23 h of dehydration at 50 C, as a consequence of shrinkage
determined by water evaporation. Despite the uniform sizes of the
starting candies, slightly lower variations in the dimensions of the
samples added with M and L GS fractions were appreciated after
dehydration. The colour of the candies was also evaluated (Table 4),
with colour being an important indicator of food quality and
acceptability. The colorimetric parameters of the control candies
and of the candies added with GS fractions had similar intensity
mean values, even if the control candy was characterized by higher
redness. Before the dehydration step, the candies added with theM
and L fractions exhibited higher G and B values than the samples containing the S fraction and the control candies. These differences
are imputable to the different colour of the starting GS fractions
(data not shown). The dehydration process significantly (P < 0.05)
increased the intensity mean values of all the candies, and the
differences in G and B values decreased. However, lower differences
in colour were observed by increasing the dehydration time up to
26 h. Accordingly, Hubbermann, Heins, St€ockmann, and Schwarz (2006) found that some hydrocolloids, especially pectin, enhance
colour stability in a model gel system.