As shown in Fig 5, the hardness of the jellycandy (control) was not significantly changed 180 daysof storage (Fig 5a). Similar result trend was observed inCMC added samples. As for alginate and pectin addedsamples, hardness was found to decrease with storagetime. Decrease in hardness in sugar-starch-based foodsupon storage is not unusual. This can be explained byconsidering water molecules being excluded from theamorphous phase when sugar molecules re-crystallize,and the so-called “free” water molecules then plasticizethe starch network further and render it softer in texture.