Application of various methods for determination of the color of cocoa beans roasted under variable process parameters

Cocoa beans of Forastero variety from Togo were subjected to roasting under either constant or variable process parameters. The variable process parameters were roasting air flow rate, temperature and relative humidity. The color of roasted cocoa beans was determined by pigment extraction under various conditions followed by either their spectrophotometric assays or CIE L*a*b measurements. Also the Maillard compounds index and total polyphenols content correlated with progress of the browning of beans were determined. It was found that an increase in the roasting air relative humidity stimulated formation of brown pigments, while elevated temperature caused worsening of color parameters of roasted cocoa beans. The most suitable method of color characterization of roasted cocoa beans was found to be pigments extraction combined with either separation of their fractions or CIE L*a*b measurements. These assays revealed that cocoa beans roasted under variable roasting air flow rate were characterized by improved color parameters. The relatively simple and inexpensive CIE L*a*b measurements ensured fast analysis of color parameters, while total polyphenols in roasted cocoa beans were quickly estimated by using F–C reagent. Furthermore, quantification of melanoid pigments in roasted cocoa beans can be based on determination of the index of nonenzymatic browning products content, which is relatively simple and inexpensive.