Journal Articles

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/7915

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    Profiling the novel plant-based meat alternative category: Consumer affective and sensory response in the context of perceived similarity to meat
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2024-07) Giezenaar C; Orr R; Godfrey AJR; Maggs R; Meika F; Hort J
    Plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) are increasingly popular and may contribute towards reduction of negative environmental impacts associated with the meat industry. Inferior sensory characteristics of PBMAs, compared to conventional meat products, remain a barrier for uptake of these products. This study aimed to profile a wide range of PBMAs for perceived similarity to meat, consumer liking, emotional response and sensory experience, and to determine consumer drivers of liking for this product category. Twenty-one PBMAs, spanning a broad range of product types (burger patties, sausages, meatball alternatives, chicken/beef pieces, bacon alternative, turkey roast alternative) and main protein ingredients (extruded plant proteins, tofu, or legumes/vegetables) representative of PBMAs available to Aotearoa New Zealand consumers, were tasted and evaluated by 140 Aotearoa New Zealand residents. Samples ranged widely in their perceived similarity to meat (median value range: 1.0–4.0 on a 5-point-scale) and overall liking ratings (mean ± SD, range: 35.1 ± 1.2––77.7 ± 17.4 on a 100-point hedonic scale). Overall liking ratings were driven mostly by liking for flavour, followed by texture, and less so by appearance. Sensorially, sample differentiation was mostly associated with variation in meat-related flavours and textures, or vegetable-related attributes. Notably meat flavour was the main driver of liking, and a very strong relationship (r = 0.92) was observed between perceived similarity to meat and overall sample liking ratings. Meat-like samples were also associated with positive emotional terms, whereas samples made from wholefoods were associated with negative emotional terms. Textural terms (‘gluey/slimy’, ‘pasty/doughy’) associated with wholefood products were also negative drivers for liking, and should be avoided in future PBMA products. In conclusion, the general population maintains a strong preference for PBMAs that are similar to meat, validating ongoing efforts to improve the meat-like properties of new and emerging products. PBMAs made from wholefoods require extensive product development to achieve consumer satisfaction across the category.
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    Understanding consumer acceptability of verjuice, its potential applications and sensory and chemical drivers of liking
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2024-07) Dupas de Matos A; Reis MG; Maggs R; Hort J
    The wine sector is working to add value, enhance sustainability and reduce waste, yet often creating new products with unknown consumer acceptance. Verjuice, juice made from discarded unripe thinned grapes, is an example. Whilst verjuice has various culinary uses, its versatility in beverages continues to expand. However, its sensory drivers of liking when consumed as a drink, and their potential impact on its application remain unclear. Chemical drivers of sensory characteristics are also unknown representing a critical knowledge gap needed to guide product innovation. This study aimed to provide new knowledge regarding consumer acceptability of verjuice by identifying its sensory drivers of liking as a beverage, evaluating its potential use in different applications and identifying chemical drivers of its sensory characteristics. New Zealand consumers (n = 93) evaluated 13 verjuice samples from different countries. Furthermore, verjuice familiarity and its influence on emotional response was investigated to determine likely future consumer engagement. Sweetness was the most positive driver of liking in verjuice overall, followed by fruity and floral notes, smoothness, and to a lesser extent citrus flavour. Consumers expressed varied preferences for verjuice’s sensory profile, with fruity, floral, and honey flavours driving beverage application, whilst winey and green apple notes were more associated with culinary scenarios. Some association between chemical parameters and sensory attributes were evident (e.g. sugars were highly associated with perceived sweetness, fruity, and floral attributes; these attributes also shared proximity with 1-hexanol and cyclohexanol). The general idea of verjuice elicited positive valence emotions, but consumers who were ‘not familiar’ felt more curious, and those ‘familiar’ felt happier and more satisfied. Findings highlight the potential to tailor verjuice for specific applications by understanding desired sensory profiles and related chemical parameters. Recognising the interplay between familiarity level and emotional response is crucial for positioning the product in the marketplace and fostering consumer engagement. Marketing initiatives are needed to increase verjuice familiarity and support product innovation, leading to increased product appeal.
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    Impact of a "vegetables first" approach to complementary feeding on later intake and liking of vegetables in infants: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
    (BioMed Central Ltd, 2021-12) Rapson JP; von Hurst PR; Hetherington MM; Conlon CA
    BACKGROUND: Vegetables as first complementary foods for infants may programme taste preferences that lead to improved vegetable intake in children. Yet few studies have investigated the impact of a "vegetables first" approach to complementary feeding, especially in New Zealand. The purpose of this randomised control trial is to investigate the effect of starting complementary feeding with vegetables only on infants' later intake and liking of vegetables, compared to those starting with fruit and vegetables. METHODS/DESIGN: One-hundred and twenty mother-infant pairs living in Auckland, New Zealand, will be randomised to receive either vegetables only (intervention) or fruit and vegetables (control) for 28 days, starting from the first day of complementary feeding at around 4-6 months of age. Infants will be presented with a brassica (broccoli), followed by a green leafy vegetable (spinach) and sweet fruit (pear) at 9 months of age. The primary outcome measures of intake of each food will be assessed using a weighed food diary. Secondary outcome measures of overall intake, liking and wanting of vegetables will be assessed using a food frequency questionnaire, liking tool and video coding tool, respectively, at 9, 12, and 24 months of age. Infant growth and iron status will be assessed as part of health screening and monitoring at baseline, post intervention and 9 months of age. Other biological samples to be collected include infant stool samples, vitamin D (mother and infant), iron status (mother), and mothers' diet. DISCUSSION: This randomised, controlled trial will be the first to our knowledge to investigate a "vegetables first" approach to complementary feeding on infants' liking and intake of vegetables in New Zealand. Comparison against standard practice (fruit and vegetables as first foods) should complement other trials underway, such as the Baby's First Bites and Nordic OTIS trial. Results may contribute to the evidence supporting complementary feeding guidelines in New Zealand and worldwide. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12619000737134 . Registered on 16 May 2019.
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    Starting complementary feeding with vegetables only increases vegetable acceptance at 9 months: a randomized controlled trial
    (Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society for Nutrition, 2022-07-09) Rapson JP; Von Hurst PR; Hetherington MM; Mazahery H; Conlon CA
    BACKGROUND: Starting complementary feeding (CF) with vegetables only may improve vegetable acceptance throughout childhood. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to test whether exposure to vegetables only during the first 4 wk of CF increases later vegetable acceptance compared with a control group receiving fruit and vegetables. METHODS: In this randomized, controlled, parallel-group study, 117 Auckland infants received either vegetables only (veg-only, n = 61) or a combination of fruit and vegetables (control, n = 56) for a duration of 4 wk, starting from the first day of CF at ∼4-6 mo of age. The primary outcome measure was intake of target vegetables (broccoli, spinach) provided by the study at 9 mo of age. Daily intake of vegetables (FFQs) at 9 mo was a supporting measure. Infants' iron status (serum ferritin, hemoglobin) was examined at all time points. RESULTS: The veg-only infants consumed more broccoli and spinach than controls [mean difference (95% CI): 11.83 (0.82, 22.84) g, P = 0.036 and 10.19 (0.50, 19.87) g, P = 0.039, respectively]. Intake of pear was comparable among intervention groups (P = 0.35). At 9 mo, veg-only infants consumed target vegetables at a faster rate [mean difference (95% CI): broccoli, 3.37 (1.26, 5.47), P = 0.002; spinach, 4.12 (0.80, 7.45), P = 0.016] and showed greater acceptance for target vegetables [mean difference (95% CI): broccoli, 0.38 (0.07, 0.70), P = 0.019; spinach, 032 (0.04, 0.60), P = 0.024] than controls. The rate of eating and acceptance of pear was comparable among intervention groups (P = 0.42 and P = 0.98, respectively). Also, veg-only infants consumed more vegetables than controls [86.3 (52.5, 146.3) compared with 67.5 (37.5, 101.3) g, respectively, P = 0.042]. Introducing vegetables as the first food was not associated with 9-mo iron status. CONCLUSIONS: Providing vegetables as first foods increased vegetable intake at 9 mo of age and may be an effective strategy for improving child vegetable consumption and developing preferences for vegetables in infancy.
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    The Effect of a 14-Day gymnema sylvestre Intervention to Reduce Sugar Cravings in Adults
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2022-12-12) Turner S; Diako C; Kruger R; Wong M; Wood W; Rutherfurd-Markwick K; Stice E; Ali A
    Gymnemic-acids (GA) block lingual sweet taste receptors, thereby reducing pleasantness and intake of sweet food. Objective: To examine whether a 14-day gymnema-based intervention can reduce sweet foods and discretionary sugar intake in free-living adults. Healthy adults (n = 58) were randomly allocated to either the intervention group (INT) or control group (CON). The intervention comprised of consuming 4 mg of Gymnema sylvestre containing 75% gymnema acids, a fibre and vitamin supplement, and an associated healthy-eating guide for 14 days; participants in the CON group followed the same protocol, replacing the GA with a placebo mint. Amount of chocolate bars eaten and sensory testing were conducted before and after the 14-day intervention (post-GA or placebo dosing on days zero and 15, respectively). Food frequency questionnaires were conducted on days zero, 15 and after a 28-day maintenance period to examine any changes in intake of sweet foods. A range of statistical procedures were used to analyse the data including Chi square, t-test and two-way analysis of variance. Post dosing, INT consumed fewer chocolates (2.65 ± 0.21 bars) at day zero than CON (3.15 ± 0.24 bars; p = 0.02); there were no differences between groups at day 15 (INT = 2.77 ± 0.22 bars; CON = 2.78 ± 0.22 bars; p = 0.81). At both visits, a small substantive effect (r < 0.3) was observed in the change in pleasantness and desire ratings, with INT showing a slight increase while CON showed a small decrease over the 14-day period. No differences were found in the intake of 9 food categories between groups at any timepoint. There were no differences in consumption of low sugar healthy foods between visits, or by group. The 14-day behavioural intervention reduced pleasantness and intake of chocolate in a laboratory setting. There was no habituation to the mint over the 14-day period. This study is the first to investigate the effect of longer-term gymnema acid consumption on sweet food consumption outside of a laboratory setting; further research is needed to assess how long the effect of the 14-day intervention persists.