Instrumental Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) of Shelled Sunflower Seed Caramel Snack Using Response Surface Methodology

Models capable of predicting product quality of shelled sunflower seed caramel snack have been developed using response surface methodology. The textural profile analysis was conducted on the snacks using a texture analyzer. The quality attributes measured were hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, chewiness, and resilience as a function of sugar and sunflower kernels content. The sugar and shelled seed proportions affect the textural characteristics of the product significantly (p<0.05). The values of hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, chewiness, and resilience varied from 2.048 to 42.030 N, 1.002 to 5.003, 1.138 to 1.69, 2.773 to 228.146N, and 0.301 to 0.779, respectively. The highest values of hardness and chewiness were attained for the product with 70:30 sugar and shelled sunflower seed proportion respectively. Similarly the highest values of cohesiveness, springiness and resilience were observed in 50 : 30, 50 : 40, and 50 : 50 proportions respectively. The lowest values of hardness and chewiness were observed in 50 : 50 (sugar: shelled sunflower seed) proportion respectively. Similarly the lowest values of cohesiveness were observed in 70: 50 whereas the lowest values of springiness and resilience were observed in 70 : 30 proportions respectively. Hardness, cohesiveness, and chewiness trended to increase whereas springiness and resilience decreased with increase in sugar proportion.