Effects of maltodextrin on the physical properties of canola oil-based ice creams

Abstract

Recent trend in production of healthy food products has stimulated ice cream manufacturers to minimize the saturated fat content by replacing it with high-unsaturated fat or oil such as canola oil, yet maintaining the physical properties of the end product. Addition of maltodextrin (MD) into the formulation may assist in obtaining the desirable physical properties. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop hard ice creams containing different ratios of canola oil and MD. Four ice cream formulations were prepared by weight: MD-0 (5% oil, 0% MD), MD-1 (4% oil, 1% MD), MD-2 (3% oil, 2% MD), and MD-3 (2% oil, 3% MD). Both MD-2 and MD-1 exhibited the highest (45.05±4.28%) and the lowest (32.49±1.20%) overrun, respectively, yet there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between all ice creams in terms of hardness (3.20-4.79 kg). Additionally, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between MD-0, MD-1, and MD-2 in their melting rates which were significantly slower (p < 0.05) than those of MD-3. In overall, decreasing the amount of oil (i.e. increasing amount of MD) resulted in significant (p < 0.05) increase in overrun, yet had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on the ice cream's hardness and melting rate except for MD-3 for the latter. The ice cream that exhibited the most desirable physical properties was MD-2 (overrun, 45.05±4.28%; hardness, 3.73±0.75 kg; slowest melting rate). This finding highlighted the potential of MD in providing desirable texture to the ice creams to certain extent. Future studies are recommended in maintaining the ice cream's flavour and physical properties upon storage, and in determining its sensory acceptability among consumers.