Sensory acceptance of beetroot juice jelly in healthy participants

Abstract

Introduction: Beetroot is among the top healthiest vegetables and is already a popular alternative food. However, studies concerning beetroot’s popularity within Thailand are still few, particularly in terms of the development of healthy consumer food products.
Objectives: To run a study with health-conscious participants for the level of sensory acceptance between a beetroot juice jelly and a control jelly.
Methods: This was an experimental study. Thirty healthy male and female participants,
between 18–30 years old, were recruited. Beetroot juice and control jellies were produced by researchers, and then randomly tasted by the participants. The participants thereafter were asked to evaluate their sensory acceptance across three questionnaires, including a 9-point
hedonic scale, descriptive evaluation score as well as a “just about right” scale.
Results: The 9-point hedonic scales showed that appearance was not a factor between the beetroot juice and control jellies. However, the aroma, flavor, texture and overall acceptability scores were significantly lower in the beetroot juice jelly (p < 0.05). The overall acceptability scores for the control and beetroot juice jellies fell within the neither like nor dislike, to “liking slightly” tiers. The descriptive evaluation scores showed that appearance and texture were
not significantly different among the beetroot and control jellies. However, color, aroma and flavor scores were significantly lower in the beetroot juice jelly (p < 0.05). Likewise, the “just about right” scales also showed that sweetness, aroma, extreme flavor and springiness were not significantly different between the beetroot juice and control jellies.
Conclusion: Beetroot juice jelly differed from the control jelly in terms of color, aroma, flavor, texture and overall acceptability, as evaluated by a 9-point hedonic and “just about right” taste acceptance questionnaires. The overall acceptability score for the control jelly and beetroot
juice jelly were considered as neither like nor dislike, to “liking slightly,” respectively.