EFFECT OF ANTICAKING AGENT ADDITION AND HEADSPACE REDUCTION IN THE POWDERED-DRINK MIX SENSORY STABILITY.

The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of the addition of 0.2% anticaking agent “silicon dioxide” (S) and of 70.0% reduction of the headspace in the package (H) both individually and combined (SH), on the sensory and physicochemical characteristics of a powdered-drink mix over a shelf-life period of 120 days. The “difference from control” test was applied to 10 trained panelists in order to assess the four treatments at 30-day intervals throughout the experimental period, according to visual aspect of the powdered mix and drink flavor. The results demonstrated that a reduction of 70% of the headspace was the most effective treatment for product sensory stability. Water activity (A _w) was a more sensitive parameter than moisture content and ascorbic acid degradation. Although A _w has shown a significant difference over time, the sensory properties still seemed to be a better shelf-life indicator for powdered mixes. Based on the sensory alterations of the aspect of the powder, a reduction of headspace and the limiting of shelf life to between 60 and 90 days could be recommended for powdered-drink mixes packaged in polypropylene containers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]