Green color drives rejection of crackers added with algae in children but not in adults

IF 4.9 1区农林科学 Q1 FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Food Quality and Preference Pub Date : 2025-02-03 DOI:10.1016/j.foodqual.2025.105461

Noemi Sofia Rabitti , Pernilla Sandvik , Susanne Neugart , Joachim Jietse Schouteten , Monica Laureati

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Recently, algae are receiving increasing attention as a nutritious and sustainable food source. Despite this, consumer acceptance of algae or food products added with algae remain an understudied topic, especially considering children. This study aims to assess the drivers of (dis)liking of crackers added with 5 % of different micro and macroalgae along with a control cracker without any addition, in a group of children (n = 114, 8–11 years, 47.4 % girls) and adults (n = 108, 18–67 years, 61.1 % females). Participants evaluated crackers' liking and perceived sensory attributes using the check-all-that-apply method. Children and adults showed similar crackers perception and liking. Crackers added with Lithothamnium calcareum and the fractionated Spirulina blue protein were comparable to the control sample and were preferred over the crackers added with green Spirulina (entire bacterium), Palmaria palmata and Saccharina latissima. Children differed from adults only for the lower acceptance provided to the sample added with green Spirulina. Correspondence Analysis and Principal Coordinate Analysis revealed that, for this sample, green color was the main driver of rejection for children, while it was a driver of liking for the adults. The present study suggests that algae are a promising ingredient for the development of healthy and sustainable products targeted to children, although color might be a consumption barrier among the pediatric population. Personalized strategies aimed at children must be implemented such the use of algae (Lithothamnium calcareum) or ingredients from algae (Spirulina blue protein) with familiar or engaging colors.

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来源期刊

Food Quality and Preference 工程技术-食品科技

CiteScore

10.40

自引率

15.10%

发文量

263

审稿时长

38 days

期刊介绍： Food Quality and Preference is a journal devoted to sensory, consumer and behavioural research in food and non-food products. It publishes original research, critical reviews, and short communications in sensory and consumer science, and sensometrics. In addition, the journal publishes special invited issues on important timely topics and from relevant conferences. These are aimed at bridging the gap between research and application, bringing together authors and readers in consumer and market research, sensory science, sensometrics and sensory evaluation, nutrition and food choice, as well as food research, product development and sensory quality assurance. Submissions to Food Quality and Preference are limited to papers that include some form of human measurement; papers that are limited to physical/chemical measures or the routine application of sensory, consumer or econometric analysis will not be considered unless they specifically make a novel scientific contribution in line with the journal''s coverage as outlined below.