Abstract
Pectin content decreases as mango (Mangifera indica L.) maturity progresses. When making jam, a hydrocolloid will be required, which can impact the physicochemical and sensory properties of the processed product. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of two mango maturity stages (60 and 100 %) and four different gelling agents (pectin, xanthan gum, guar gum, and corn starch) on the physicochemical and sensory properties of jams, using a commercial jam as a control. Eight treatments were obtained, and a completely randomized experimental design was applied. The experimental unit was a glass jar (250 g) of jam with three replicates for physicochemical and sensory analysis. Analysis of variance and comparisons of means with Tukey’s test were carried out with SAS® software. The physicochemical properties of the jam were affected according to its formulation. Those with 100 % ripe mango plus pectin or corn starch showed maximum pH values of 3.7 and 3.8, respectively, but lower acidity (0.6 %). The jams with 60 % ripe mango and pectin or corn starch had higher levels of dietary fiber (1.42 and 1.47 %) and protein (0.97 and 0.79 %), with no differences from the control. In terms of texture, the formulation with 60 % ripe mango plus pectin was statistically superior to the other jams. The jam with 60 % ripe mango and corn starch had the highest sensory color and was comparable to the control, but in hue, it was instrumentally different from the other formulations. Changes in fruit maturity from 60 to 100 % and the type of gelling agent modified the physicochemical properties and sensory color of ‘Kent’ mango jam, confirming the effect of formulation on the attributes evaluated.