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Samples of ketchup available on the Brazilian market, one traditional (sweetened with sucrose) and three light versions (sweetened with aspartame, acesulfame-K and a blend of cyclamate, saccharin and stevia) were evaluated for their physicochemical characteristics and sensory profile (Quantitative Descriptive Analysis). Four main groups of attributes were generated: appearance, oral texture, aroma and flavor. The samples presented significant differences in all attributes, except for syneresis and overripe tomato flavor. The highest means for sweetener and bitter tastes and aftertastes were observed for the samples sweetened with acesulfame-K and the blend of sweeteners. Although different characteristics were observed among the products evaluated and, despite the differences in the formulations, the light ketchup sweetened with aspartame was the one that presented properties most similar to those of the traditional ketchup.

Samples of ketchup available on the Brazilian market, one traditional (sweetened with sucrose) and three light versions (sweetened with aspartame, acesulfame-K and a blend of cyclamate, saccharin and stevia) were evaluated for their physicochemical characteristics and sensory profile (Quantitative Descriptive Analysis). Four main groups of attributes were generated: appearance, oral texture, aroma and flavor. The samples presented significant differences in all attributes, except for syneresis and overripe tomato flavor. The highest means for sweetener and bitter tastes and aftertastes were observed for the samples sweetened with acesulfame-K and the blend of sweeteners. Although different characteristics were observed among the products evaluated and, despite the differences in the formulations, the light ketchup sweetened with aspartame was the one that presented properties most similar to those of the traditional ketchup.Amostras de catchup disponíveis no mercado brasileiro, uma tradicional (adoçada com sacarose) e três light (adoçadas com aspartame, acessulfame-K e uma combinação de ciclamato, sacarina e estévia) foram avaliadas quanto às características físico-químicas e ao perfil sensorial (Análise Descritiva Quantitativa). Quatro grandes grupos de atributos foram gerados: aparência, textura bucal, aroma e sabor. As amostras apresentaram diferença significativa em todos os atributos, exceto sinerese e tomate passado. As maiores médias para os atributos relacionados a sabor e sabor residual amargo e de adoçante foram obtidas para as amostras adoçadas com acessulfame-K e com a combinação de edulcorantes. Apesar das diferentes características observadas entre os produtos avaliados e das diferenças entre as formulações, o catchup light adoçado com aspartame foi o que apresentou propriedades mais próximas ao produto tradicional.

In the present study samples of ketchup available on the Brazilian market (one traditional and three light versions) were evaluated for their sensory profile and consumer acceptance. The methodology used were the Time-Intensity (T-I) analysis and acceptance tests regarding appearance, flavor, aroma, texture and overall impression. Buying attitude and sweetness perception (‘just-right” test) were also evaluated. The results of both T-I and acceptance tests showed that, among the light ketchups evaluated in this study, that sweetened with aspartame showed the highest sweetness equivalency and the most similar sensory profile compared to the one sweetened with sucrose. These results indicate that this sweetener, from the evaluated ones, is the most appropriate substitute for sucrose in this application. This was confirmed by the buying attitude and ‘just-right’ tests.