Encapsulated omega-3 addition to a cashew apple/araca-boi juice-effect on sensorial acceptability and rheological properties

The elaboration of fruit blends added of functional components results in nutritionally enriched products. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the physicochemical, sensorial and rheological properties of cashew-apple and araca-boi beverages added with encapsulated omega-3 and stability during 120 days of storage. Juice formulations were prepared with and without adding omega-3 oil and encapsulated omega-3, pasteurized and stored at room temperature, and evaluated sensory, physicochemical and rheological properties. The optimized formulation of the beverage was obtained with 18.6% of cashew-apple and 9.3% of araca-boi pulps, selected in the experiment of the response surface. The formulations with encapsulated omega-3 maintained sensory acceptability. The physicochemical parameters did not present significant interactions among the formulations and the storage time. A consumer test with 100 people was performed using an acceptance test and check all that apply (CATA). The beverage added with unencapsulated omega-3 presented a variation in the sensory attributes along with the storage. All samples showed non-Newtonian behavior and pseudoplastic character. Omega-3 encapsulation is recommended to favor the acceptability and constancy of rheological characteristics in the beverage nutritionally enriched with omega-3.