Preparation of some apricot jams using non-sugar sweetening agents was attempted by either saccharin or xylitol, or a mixture of both. Veltol was added to avoid bitterness.
There were no changes in the Total Soluble Solids and Total Sugars of this jam during storage for 8 weeks at room temperature. However, a gradual decrease in non-reducing sugars, accompanied by an increase in reducing sugars, occurred. The ascorbic acid content decreased by prolongation of the storage time.
Viscosity increased gradually while color faded. Jam sweetened by saccharin and xylitol scored the lowest color index relative to sugar-sweetened jam.
Organoleptically, jam containing saccharin compared favourably with the control. The addition of xylitol or veltol with saccharin markedly improved color and taste of the product without changes in such properties during storage.