Substitution of sucrose with inulin and polydextrose in sugarfree
dark chocolates affect product quality. Generally, the sugar free chocolates showed similar flow and melting properties as
compared to the reference chocolate containing 48% sucrose. Sucrose
replacement with the inulin/polydextrose and stevia/thaumatin
extracts resulted in significantly higher Casson viscosity. The
sugar-free chocolates thus displayed satisfactorily similar flow
(rheological), melting, colour and mechanical properties to the
reference. Chocolates containing the sugar substitutes recorded
higher peak widths, lower onset temperatures and hardness than
the reference sample. Inulin and polydextrose mixtures could be
used for sugar-free chocolate manufacture with satisfactory flow,
melting and other physical quality characteristics when sweetened
with stevia or thaumatin extracts. The end result is a chocolate
product, not only with reduced calories, but also with improved
health benefits. Future work will focus on the sensory characterization
of the sugar-free dark chocolates produced, comparing the
sensory properties of the intense sweeteners stevia and thaumatin
in dark chocolate.