Abstract Juices and fruit nectars are an important segment of the beverage market in Brazil. The aim of this study was to analyze and characterize the profile of consumers of ready-to-drink juices and fruit nectars. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied to 389 patrons, intentionally and conveniently, when they approached the shelves. The chi-square test was applied to associate sociodemographic variables and consumption profile of the beverages with the type of establishment. Logistic regression models were developed to evaluate the variables associated with nectar acquisition. The level of education and knowledge about the beverages were significantly related. Practicality was the main reason that led respondents to consume these drinks, followed by quality and price, with the latter being associated with the level of education. Nectar was the most purchased option, and this choice was associated with increasing age and education, price and practicality. The consumption of juices and nectars with no added sugar was lower compared with traditional beverages. The information in the labels of these beverages was not sufficiently clear, for most of the participants. The most mentioned brand by the interviewed was the one with better sensory preference, regardless of flavour and the blinded or informed analysis.

Resumo A proteína do soro do leite (PSL) é um produto da fabricação de queijos, que apresenta elevado valor nutricional e atributos funcionais. Sua utilização em produtos de panificação favorece aspectos físicos, como a emulsão e a capacidade de estabilização, além de melhorar características sensoriais. O presente estudo teve como objetivo elaborar bolos sem adição de açúcar, utilizando-se a PSL como substituto do trigo, bem como avaliar suas características físicas, químicas, sensoriais e microbiológicas. O efeito da adição de PSL e margarina em bolos foi avaliado por meio de um delineamento central composto rotacional de segunda ordem. Os tratamentos selecionados foram avaliados por meio de análise sensorial e caracterizados quanto à composição centesimal, além de se proceder à avaliação microbiológica após 15 dias de armazenamento. A adição de até 11,98 g/100 g de margarina influenciou de forma expressiva na redução da altura dos bolos. O tratamento com teor intermediário de PSL (30 g/100 g) e menor teor de margarina (6,72 g/100 g) obteve melhor aceitabilidade e, quando comparado ao controle, maior conteúdo de proteínas. As condições microbiológicas foram satisfatórias, atendendo à legislação vigente, mesmo após 15 dias de armazenamento.

Abstract Whey protein (WP) is a product of cheese making which has high nutritional value and functional attributes. Its use in bakery goods favours the physical aspects as well as the emulsion and stabilization capacity and improves the sensory characteristics. The aim of this study was to replace wheat by whey protein in sugar free cakes and evaluate their physical, chemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics. The effect of adding whey protein and margarine on cakes were evaluated using a second order central compound rotational design. The selected treatments were evaluated by means of a sensory analysis and characterized according to their proximate composition and a microbiological evaluation after fifteen days of storage. The addition of up to 11.98 g of margarine per 100 g had an important influence on the reduction in cake height. The treatment with an intermediate WP content (30 g/100 g) and a lower margarine content (6.72 g/100 g) showed better acceptability and a higher protein content when compared to the control cake. The microbiological conditions were satisfactory, conforming to current legislation, even after fifteen days of storage.