Enhancing energy bars with microalgae: A study on nutritional, physicochemical and sensory properties

Energy bars are popular meal supplements due to their convenience and high nutritional content. Microalgae, such as Spirulina and Chlorella Vulgaris, are appealing food ingredients containing high-quality proteins and essential bioactive compounds. This study investigated the incorporation of these...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Fanari, Fabio, Comaposada, Josep, Boukid, Fatma, Climent, Elia, Claret Coma, Anna, Guerrero, Luis, Castellari, Massimo
Format: article
Publication Date:2023
Country:España
Institution:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repository:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:20.500.12327/2529
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12327/2529
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2023.105768
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:663/664
Description
Summary:Energy bars are popular meal supplements due to their convenience and high nutritional content. Microalgae, such as Spirulina and Chlorella Vulgaris, are appealing food ingredients containing high-quality proteins and essential bioactive compounds. This study investigated the incorporation of these microalgae into a simple energy bar model at three levels of addition (0.0 %, 2.5% and 5.0%). Bars were characterized in terms of colour, water activity, moisture content, texture as well as nutritional and sensory profiles. Results showed that microalgae improved the protein and vitamin B12 content, and influenced color, flavor, and texture of the final product. Spirulina provided the most significant changes, increasing dark green colour, sea/fishy flavours and candies and grass tastes. Chlorella offered different colourways depending on the strain and brought to the sensory profile some umami/fishy notes that need to be taken into account in the formulation of commercial products.