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.