The objective was to determine the minimum drying time required for gummy confections to achieve adequate strength for subsequent handling. Four different fruit confections, containing starch and gelatin as gelling agents, were formed in starch powder molds and dried at 21°C and 35% RH for up to 24 h. Changes in jelly texture were monitored by using Textural Profile Analysis (TPA). Physical parameters related to rheological properties, such as moisture, soluble solids, water activity and pH were also measured. Hardness, gumminess and chewiness increased (P ≤ 0.05) from 12 to 16 h and then stabilized, while cohesiveness and springiness were not affected (P > 0.05) by drying time. The texture stabilized before the moisture content became constant. Modest correlation between data concerning texture, dehydration or pH was found. Texture changes were accurately predicted (R² = 0.96) using polynomial regression equations. TPA was seen to be a useful tool for adjusting the drying time of gummy confections.

This contribution looks at the possibility of replacing acid-thinned corn starch by chicory inulin as gelling coagents in gummy jellies made with gelatin. A creamy gel could be formed after stirring (70°C/10 min) an inulin water solution (240 g kg⁻¹) without previous cooking. Starch replacement by inulin (90 g kg⁻¹ raw mass) in jellies provided a slightly softer, springier and stickier texture, enhanced strawberry, sweet and sour flavors, and hardly affected the red color. Inulin/Oligosaccharides remained without be degraded to free sugars in jellies after processing (mixing at 80°C and pH 3.2 for 5 min and further drying at 30% relative humidity and 25°C for 24 h). Therefore, chicory inulin acted as stable and neutral flavoring ingredient and can be used as gelling coagent to develop gummy jellies enriched in dietary fiber with potential prebiotic activity.

Enrichment with rosemary antioxidants is proposed as a possible strategy to obtain healthier jelly candies. Two aqueous rosemary extracts (RE) containing 73.9 (RE74) and 145.6 (RE146) mg polyphenols per g fresh weight were assessed as antioxidants in jelly candies based on fructooligosaccharides, inulin and stevia. Up to 15 phenolic acids, flavonoids and diterpenes were determined in the extracts, with rosmarinic acid as the main active compound. Sensory tolerance, physical properties, rosmarinic acid recovery, polyphenol content, and antioxidant capacity were determined in jelly candies. The threshold of sensory detection was established at 0.26 g RE146/kg of raw candy, below which rosemary off-flavours were avoided without altering pH, brix, texture, CIELab colour, and consumer acceptance. Adding 0.26 g RE146 per kg increased (p < 0.001) polyphenol content from 197 to 411 µg GAE/g and the antioxidant capacity from 1.77 to 4.14 μmol Trolox/g. Rosemary polyphenols resulted in being resistant to cooking, acted as secondary antioxidants and showed good interaction with the other jelly ingredients. Aqueous extracts from rosemary distillation by-products can be incorporated at acceptable levels to jelly candy formulations leading to higher oxidative stability and an increased content of dietary polyphenols.