The texture analysis was conducted using a Texture Analyzer and the software Exponent 32. The samples were kept in 80 mL plastic containers (50 mm diameter) and stored at 20.0 1.0 C until the analysis. For each sample sixmeasurements were carried out using a Delrin polyacetate cylindrical probe (12 mm diameter; PL 0.5) attached to a 50 kg load cell. The penetration depth at the geometrical center of the samples was 35 mm and the penetration speed was set at 2.0 mm s1. The
hardness was determined as the peak compression force during penetration.