The effects of commercially available sweeteners (sucrose and sucrose replacers) on wheat starch gelatinization and pasting, and cookie baking

Abstract

A variety of sucrose replacers (SRs) are increasing in popularity for reducing sucrose usage in low moisture baked goods (cookies, biscuits, etc.). The goal of this study was to link SR physicochemical properties to their observed effects on starch thermal properties, including results from differential scanning calorimetry, rapid viscoanalysis, particle size analysis, and model wire-cut cookie baking performance. The 12 SRs examined in this study were: Truvia, Splenda, Swerve, coconut palm sugar, Monk Fruit, erythritol, Benefiber, Miralax, blue agave syrup, yacon syrup, Sukrín Fiber Gold Syrup, and date syrup. The onset gelatinization temperature (T_gel ) of wheat starch increased significantly (P < 0.05) as sucrose and SR concentration increased (0 to 60% w/w), with significant variations in T_gel found between different sweetener types at the same concentration. Generally, as solution concentration increased, the larger SRs (degree of polymerization [DP]> 10) decreased paste viscosity (peak and final), decreased granule swelling, and increased T_gel compared to the control (water). The smaller SRs (DP < 10) increased both paste viscosity (peak and final) and granule swelling, unlike the larger SRs, and did not increase T_gel as much as larger SRs. The SRs which performed similar to sucrose in model cookie baking (fracturability, spread, color, etc.) and effects on starch properties (T_gel , paste viscosity, and granule swelling) were yacon, Sukrín, date syrups, and coconut palm sugar. The results linking sweetener physicochemical properties to their effects on starch gelatinization, pasting, and swelling can be used to guide reformulation strategies for potentially reducing sugar and/or increasing fiber content in foods. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Several commercially available natural sweeteners and polymers (coconut palm sugar, date syrup, yacon syrup, Sukrín Fiber Gold syrup, and Benefiber) show promise for reducing or replacing sucrose in cookies, and other low-moisture baked goods, based on their similar effects on wheat starch gelatinization, pasting, and swelling, as well as performance in cookie baking trials. Compared to sucrose, some of these ingredients have a lower glycemic response and higher dietary fiber content, and act as prebiotics, thereby providing potential health benefit.

Keywords: gelatinization; granule swelling; starch; starch pasting; sweetener.