EFFECT OF ALTERNATIVE SWEETENERS IN PLAIN AND FRUIT-FLAVORED YOGURTS

Plain, strawberry, and cherry Swiss-style lowfat yogurts were produced from cream and reconstituted NDM utilizing alternative sweetening agents. The sweeteners studied were sucrose (control), aspartame, calcium saccharin, sodium saccharin, sorbitol, high fructose corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup plus monoammonium glycyrrhizinate, sucrose plus monoammonium glycyrrhizinate, acesulfame-K, and dihydrochalcone. Measurements and evaluations of acid development, apparent viscosity, microbiological status, and sensory profiles by an expert panel were conducted at approximately 2, 14, 28, and 42 d. For each flavor and over all storage periods, yogurts sweetened with sorbitol or aspartame were among those consistently favored. There were no differences among the flavor scores for the first 28 d of storage. However, at 42 d scores decreased. No differences were observed between the body and texture scores assigned to the alternative sweeteners, although scores did increase for each flavor with prolonged storage. Apparent viscosity increased over time. Fructose samples had a significantly higher viscosity. Both time and sweetener type significantly affected the growth of the microorganisms. © 1990, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.