TY - JOUR
T1 - Microstructure and mechanical properties related to particle size distribution and composition in dark chocolate
AU - Afoakwa, Emmanuel Ohene
AU - Paterson, A.
AU - Fowler, Mark
AU - Vieira, Joselio
PY - 2007/9
Y1 - 2007/9
N2 - Composition in dark chocolate was varied and the effects determined on microstructure, using light microscopy, and mechanical properties of molten and tempered chocolates, using a TA.HD Plus Texture Analyser. Compositional parameters were particle size distribution (PSD) (D90 of 18, 25, 35 and 50 μm), fat (25%, 30% and 35%) and lecithin (0.3% and 0.5%) contents. Micrographs revealed wide variations in sugar crystalline network structure and inter-particle interaction strengths related to PSD and fat level. Samples containing 25% fat had more crystal agglomerates, well flocculated with greater particle-to-particle interaction strengths than those with higher (30% and 35%) fat contents. Increasing the D90 to 35-50 μm caused broadening of the PSD, with particles becoming coarser, which were similar at all fat levels. Mechanical analysis showed that PSD, fat and lecithin content significantly influenced firmness of molten chocolate and hardness of solid (tempered) chocolate with significant interactions among factors. Particle size was inversely correlated with firmness (1235-173 g) and hardness (7062-5546 g). Greatest effect of PSD was with 25% fat and 0.3% lecithin. With higher fat and lecithin contents, the PSD influence was reduced. It was concluded that PSD, fat and lecithin contents and their interactions were central to mechanical properties of dark chocolates.
AB - Composition in dark chocolate was varied and the effects determined on microstructure, using light microscopy, and mechanical properties of molten and tempered chocolates, using a TA.HD Plus Texture Analyser. Compositional parameters were particle size distribution (PSD) (D90 of 18, 25, 35 and 50 μm), fat (25%, 30% and 35%) and lecithin (0.3% and 0.5%) contents. Micrographs revealed wide variations in sugar crystalline network structure and inter-particle interaction strengths related to PSD and fat level. Samples containing 25% fat had more crystal agglomerates, well flocculated with greater particle-to-particle interaction strengths than those with higher (30% and 35%) fat contents. Increasing the D90 to 35-50 μm caused broadening of the PSD, with particles becoming coarser, which were similar at all fat levels. Mechanical analysis showed that PSD, fat and lecithin content significantly influenced firmness of molten chocolate and hardness of solid (tempered) chocolate with significant interactions among factors. Particle size was inversely correlated with firmness (1235-173 g) and hardness (7062-5546 g). Greatest effect of PSD was with 25% fat and 0.3% lecithin. With higher fat and lecithin contents, the PSD influence was reduced. It was concluded that PSD, fat and lecithin contents and their interactions were central to mechanical properties of dark chocolates.
KW - chocolate
KW - fat content
KW - lecithin
KW - mechanical properties
KW - microstructure
KW - particle size distribution
KW - texture
UR - http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121390414/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2007.01677.x
U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-2621.2007.01677.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1365-2621.2007.01677.x
M3 - Article
SN - 0950-5423
VL - 44
SP - 111
EP - 119
JO - International Journal of Food Science and Technology
JF - International Journal of Food Science and Technology
IS - 1
ER -