Examination of Sugars, Sugar Alcohols, and Artificial Sweeteners as Substitutes for Sucrose in Strawberry Jam. Product Development

Preparation of acceptable low sugar jams and replacement of sucrose by other sweeteners in jam were studied. Strawberry jam was sweetened with sucrose, fructose, high fructose syrup (HFS), xylitol, sorbitol, lactose, saccharin, cyclamate, or with combinations of these. It was technologically possible to prepare jams with lower amounts of sucrose than currently used and still attain an acceptable product. In addition, sucrose can be replaced in strawberry jam by other sweeteners or by combinations of sweeteners. The attainment of a suitable texture may be more difficult in xylitol and sorbitol jams than in jams with other sweeteners. The use of maltodextrin as bulking agent in jam is limited by the abnormal appearance and taste it gives to the product.