Efeito da substituição total e parcial do emulsificante comercial por mucilagem de ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia Aculeata Miller) na recristalização de gelo em sorvetes de sabor chocolate

Abstract

Ice cream is a food widely known and consumed worldwide, defined as a complex food colloid, composed of fat globules, air bubbles, foam and ice crystals dispersed in a continuous phase of proteins, salts and dissolved sugars. One of the ingredients used for its production is the emulsifier/stabilizer mix, which gives a creamy texture and delays the appearance of ice crystals. The search for natural sources of food ingredients boosts research in this sector. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of adding mucilage extracted from the leaf of Pereskia aculeata Miller (MOPN) as an emulsifying/stabilizing agent in the production of ice cream. evaluating the microstructural and sensory characteristics of the product in total or partial replacement of emulsifiers-stabilizers commonly used. The ice creams were produced in batches at the dairy plant of the Milk Laboratory at the Department of Food Science (DCA) at different concentrations of MOPN, identified by 0%A, 25%B, 50%C, 75%D, and 100%E. Sensory evaluation was carried out by the focus group, using the Check-all-that-apply (CATA) method, composed of 10 ice cream consumers, in two phases, one before the ice cream goes through the recrystallization simulation process and one after the process. Photomicrograph analysis was also performed to determine the size of ice crystals. For panelists, samples with higher concentrations of MOPN – 50%-C, 75%-D and 100%-E had similarities in the creaminess of the ice cream, as well as lower values for the diameters of the ice crystals. Besides, the MOPN addition reduced the size of the ice crystals after the recrystallization process. Consequently, these samples had a greater acceptance by the panelists in the creaminess requirement and greater overall impression. Evaluating the perception of the panelists and photomicrographic analyses, the treatment 100%-E, with 100% of replacement of commercial mix for MOPN, was the most indicated.