[Development of an optimized formulation of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) mousse]

Taguchi method was applied to determine the maximum sensory quality of a functional flaxseed mousse desert ready to mix by minimizing the deviation from the target value. An orthogonal array (OA) experimental design that allows to analize simultaneously the influence of four independent variables (thermic process; carrageen/gelatine ratio; grated cocconut/cocconut flavour ratio; whipping time) with three tolerance level each was applied to evaluate the effects of these control factors. Performance measure analysis were carried out using standard analysis to calculate average effects of factor levels and variance analysis, in order to determine the optimum levels and significant contribution of the control factors. To determine the optimum conditions, Taguchi's "the large the better" formula was used. These turn out to be thermic process, 95 degrees C/90s; carrageen/gelatine, 0.54g/ 1.07g; grated cocconut/ cocconut flavour, 10.7g/4.23g; whipping time, 8 min. Sensory quality was determined using the composite scoring test and a trained sensory panel of 12 judges. Chemical composition of optimized flaxseed mousse turn out to be protein, 20%; total dietary fibre, 18%; carbohydrates, 26.7%. Omega 6/omega 3 ratio of 0.4 was considered good. Amount of flaxseed in optimized flaxseed mousse was enough to satisfy the 30% of recommended dietary allowance of linolénic acid. Shelf life data showed a good stability for this product as well a good consumer acceptability.